Cheapest Way to do Disney

[PrincessSuzanne]

I chose 13 per point because that was what the website a PP poster linked charges. If you can get a studio, you may be able to get a good deal, and for the OP, as college students, that is something that is available to them. but as a medium/large-ish sized family, it is not a reasonable option.

and I agree, for some people 200 is a lot.


You are in a different place in your life than they are. You are older, you have an even older dh, are probably pretty financially stable, have some kids, and so on and so forth. These are very young adults who are in college, not making much money, probably incurring student loan debts, and want to go have a good time. When dh was still in medical school and I was fresh out of college we could not afford more than 1,000 for a vacation. Thankfully, the post 911 travel deals were fabulous, and we got to do some fun things in our budget. I think it still can be done, but it takes careful planning and sacrifice. In the end, being together and creating memories is what the Disney Parks is all about, not fancy resorts and expensive meals. Although, now that the budget allows, we do enjoy that sort of thing.

I think $13 is what most people charge, I was just lucky to find someone turstworthy that charged $10 and we got a 1 bedroom at BWV. I do agree that a studio at some times of the year can be reasonable, even as reasonable as a Value, but not always.

 

[elishakaylen]

Thanks for all the advice so far.

I will definitely begin to price some hotels off-site, and compare those to the All-Star Resorts. I hope to book something pretty soon so I'm doing my research and these posts are definitely helping! I've been to Disney many times with my dad when I was in elementary school, but this is my first trip planning myself, and my bf has only been as a child once so he barely even remembers it.

We definitely plan to bring our own food for breakfast (if where we stay does not offer a continental breakfast) and will probably even bring stuff to pack a lunch and our own snacks/drinks. I feel like that will save us a lot of money! Hopefully we can find a room with a mini fridge, but if not a cooler will do im sure! As far as dinner, we will probably try to go offsite and find some cheaper places (except for one night, which is my 21st birthday, so if we can save in other places we will probably try and find somewhere fun for that!)

I know that whatever the price, the trip will be amazing, BUT I don't have the funds to just say I can spend whatever. So, Im definitely saving my pennies now and trying to find every way to save. Going at Christmas time is definitely on my bucket list

 

[RoyalMom]

I can't believe nobody suggested tent camping at FW!

My family has been doing this every year and we love it!

 

[sunkissed73]

We always do Florida/Disney on a budget, and we are able to have a great time and save $$. We stay off property (whichever place is having a good deal), get a hotel room with a kitchen so we can cook a few times/week. Yes, I know that you might be thinking, "who wants to cook on their vacation," but it really worked well for my family. We were able to save a good deal of money that way and watch what we ate. We booked one trip through AARP in March 2010 since my mom is a member (with flight, airfare, and rental car, for the week, I think it came down to $660/person, park tickets/entertainment were separate) and another through JetBlue this year. We always stay off property because we like to go to other attractions as well (sea world, kennedy space center), so I'm not really sure about staying on property. My arrangements work for me, but everyone is different. Also, we purchased our park tickets at AAA beforehand, so that saved us a little* money, but not too much. But hey, saving some money is better than saving none at all