Cheapest Disney Vacay Possible?

[JaymeC]

Our budget right now is:
$650 YES tickets (woohoo!) for 5 days. Not hopping and no extras this trip.
$50 for hotel - HUGE savings. I realized we could use our 50k Southwest sign up points for the hotel. Woo!
$300 food - our hotel has a microwave and fridge. We'll be eating in a lot and also doubling up on meals, taking snacks with us, etc. This is normal for us though.
$150 gas
$70 parking
$210 for the dog/cat sitter
Total is $1430

So is it doable? Yes, but some people would hate that way to vacation. For us, it makes it more enjoyable because we can do more.

 

[tlh0726]

Our budget right now is:
$650 YES tickets (woohoo!) for 5 days. Not hopping and no extras this trip.
$50 for hotel - HUGE savings. I realized we could use our 50k Southwest sign up points for the hotel. Woo!
$300 food - our hotel has a microwave and fridge. We'll be eating in a lot and also doubling up on meals, taking snacks with us, etc. This is normal for us though.
$150 gas
$70 parking
$210 for the dog/cat sitter
Total is $1430

So is it doable? Yes, but some people would hate that way to vacation. For us, it makes it more enjoyable because we can do more.

This sums it up for us too.
Never have done the dining plan, never did a character meal, never did BBB, our kids know they get one souvenir per visit (we have and will surprise with an extra one) we share meals, pack snacks, etc.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Our budget right now is:
$650 YES tickets (woohoo!) for 5 days. Not hopping and no extras this trip.
$50 for hotel - HUGE savings. I realized we could use our 50k Southwest sign up points for the hotel. Woo!
$300 food - our hotel has a microwave and fridge. We'll be eating in a lot and also doubling up on meals, taking snacks with us, etc. This is normal for us though.
$150 gas
$70 parking
$210 for the dog/cat sitter
Total is $1430

So is it doable? Yes, but some people would hate that way to vacation. For us, it makes it more enjoyable because we can do more.

50 for a hotel for a week?????

 

[DawnM]

I think she meant that the rest was covered with her SouthWest rewards points.

Our last 5 stays in a 2 bedroom condo for 7 nights was $149 including tax. We would have a hard time staying in a small hotel room anymore.

Dawn

50 for a hotel for a week?????

 

[torinsmom]

You can also priceline a hotel in the Disney area. I did that for Universal area and bid $40/night for a 3.5 star or better and got one on the first try. It ended up being the Holiday Inn right across the street and was awesome. The year before we got Hyatt Place Universal for $30/night using Priceline.

 

[JaymeC]

I think she meant that the rest was covered with her SouthWest rewards points.

Our last 5 stays in a 2 bedroom condo for 7 nights was $149 including tax. We would have a hard time staying in a small hotel room anymore.

This We used the South West Points for a hotel instead of a flight. Worked out perfectly.

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

You can also priceline a hotel in the Disney area. I did that for Universal area and bid $40/night for a 3.5 star or better and got one on the first try. It ended up being the Holiday Inn right across the street and was awesome. The year before we got Hyatt Place Universal for $30/night using Priceline.

I have never used priceline, I like this idea. Thank you for all the good ideas everyone!

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

With free dining definitely.

I'd look into some of the condo options. A week for 3-400 with cooking capabilities is definitely nice for a family.

Seems like tickets are the biggest budget buster. Not sure if you have any military friends but we've bought the military tickets for some of our family now with no issues.

 

[DawnM]

Be careful. Priceline only guarantees a room to sleep 2. If you have more people it may not work.

Dawn

I have never used priceline, I like this idea. Thank you for all the good ideas everyone!

 

[torinsmom]

Be careful. Priceline only guarantees a room to sleep 2. If you have more people it may not work.

Dawn

Technically true, but since most Orlando hotels cater to families, I don't think there is much danger of getting only one bed. Both times we used Priceline, I called the hotel immediately after getting their information and requested two beds. I did this in DC as well with 2 different hotels and never had a problem.

 

[kvnchapman]

No intervention necessary!! 4 paying park-goers since the little dude(ette) is free. Can you manage in a 2BR/2BA room or do you need 3 BRs? Can you go when they offer YES programs/tickets? Are you ok with doing some easy meals in your room? 1 week in a 2BR WBC room is about $650/week. (4) 7 day YES tickets = $600-$880 total. 3 "special" (think character dining/sit down/whatever) meals = $300 max. Other food equals what you would have spent at home anyway. Snacks/treats in parks = $80. Free shuttle = $0. So...you are looking at $1755 before souvenirs, gas or photopass.

It can SO be done!
Have fun.
Can't wait to hear your verdict! Oh, do WBC for lodging.

 

[DawnM]

I have had a problem (hotel wouldn't allow more than 2 even if we paid extra) and told us to book a new room or leave.

We got our money back based on another incident, but it was a bit of a nightmare.

I have used PL again when I travel alone.

Dawn

Technically true, but since most Orlando hotels cater to families, I don't think there is much danger of getting only one bed. Both times we used Priceline, I called the hotel immediately after getting their information and requested two beds. I did this in DC as well with 2 different hotels and never had a problem.

 

[3babyws]

I believe your bounce pass tickets would be more that what you had calculated as well so that helps with the Disney argument. The adult price looks to be 129 and the child price is 108 which you would need 2 of each. So looking at close to 500.

 

[rentayenta]

You can do it depending on what your must-dos are and what you're willing to give up. Have you thought about renting DVC points? AKV studios are some of the cheapest points, sleep 5, and would give you a kitchenette with a coffee maker, microwave, mini fridge. Free dining isn't free. At all. A one bedroom would give you a full kitchen with lots more options to save money on food. Check it out, you may be surprised. The time of the year will matter.


For media, you could sign up your oldest for a YES class and save a bundle on hoppers. You wouldn't need the two day base ticket but would have to bag *free* dining.

 

[MedicBill]

Got a tent? You could shave off $40-$50 per night by staying at Fort Wilderness.

 

[punkin]

I have had a problem (hotel wouldn't allow more than 2 even if we paid extra) and told us to book a new room or leave.

We got our money back based on another incident, but it was a bit of a nightmare.

I have used PL again when I travel alone.

Dawn

Was this in Orlando? I generally never use Priceline for stays in NYC because they ALWAYS give you a tiny room with barely enough room for two, but I have never had a problem in Orlando in the 12 years I've been bidding near WDW.

 

[DawnM]

No, not Orlando.

However, OP does have a family of 5.

Was this in Orlando? I generally never use Priceline for stays in NYC because they ALWAYS give you a tiny room with barely enough room for two, but I have never had a problem in Orlando in the 12 years I've been bidding near WDW.

 

[Keegansmommy]

We have a lot of people ask us how we can "afford" to go to Disney so often too. Um, we're no thrills kind of people otherwise. I am all about saving money going to Disney. Our last two trips have been "splurges" and we've upgraded to a moderate resort.

We looked into going to Sesame Place for a few days and it was only about $500 more to go to Disney for an entire week! No brainer for us...

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

I believe your bounce pass tickets would be more that what you had calculated as well so that helps with the Disney argument. The adult price looks to be 129 and the child price is 108 which you would need 2 of each. So looking at close to 500.

thanks for the info!!! I was looking at the busch gardens website for the prices... I wonder if I may have used prices for cheaper tickets??? i don't like the site layout...

 

[MyKidsMom1820]

We have a lot of people ask us how we can "afford" to go to Disney so often too. Um, we're no thrills kind of people otherwise. I am all about saving money going to Disney. Our last two trips have been "splurges" and we've upgraded to a moderate resort.

We looked into going to Sesame Place for a few days and it was only about $500 more to go to Disney for an entire week! No brainer for us...

for that reason we ARE NOT telling any family members about our possible trip... we will let them know when we get back, if we get to go! You see we recently finished paying off some debt, and while we are by no means loaded, we have significantly more money to spend on fun stuff than we used to. anyways, we have a brother in law that insists that we are lying that we don't have any cc debt. (yeah we still have the house but we are working on it! ) Anyways, we have learned that our family is not very supportive or happy for us that we are doing well.....

We briefly considered sesame place, but I read some bad reviews that it is over priced and underwhelming.