cheapest way to go?

[luvmyfam444]

Maybe a campground other than FW?

Any recommendations?

we have no money (unless we don't pay mortgage!) but are trying hard to get there (ya know probably by walking there)

 

[becky1960]

The campground cost does not seem to be the problem for me, its the tickets (4 adults) and the fuel getting there as well as the food costs. You might want to factor all those costs before deciding to go..

 

[des1954]

Most of the campgrounds in the Orlando area cost as much or more than FtW, and are not near as nice. There's two ways to do this....

1) Create a budget that allows you to save for a vacation at FtW.

2) Say "the heck with it" and use a credit card!!

 

[luvmyfam444]

Ohhh... I would have never known the campgrounds down there were still $40+ ...I was looking in AL for a state park price & those rates are only $15 a night - so I was hoping maybe there was something down there that cheap. DARN!

I wish we had a credit card - but we don't!

So unless I can figure out a street corner to stand on & make some instant $ FAST I'm thinking its a no go...

dh has to use his vacation (we thought he could keep it longer but can't) so we have to use it before kiddos start school in AUg so we have barely 3 weeks....

and yard sells FLOP around here - making no more than about $100....

 

[PixieDust32]

We never seen rates under $20.00, but to us the money is not only on the campsite.
You have to think about tickets, food, gas, etc.

We don't have a credit card either, we save and if we have we spend if not we don't, DH learned the hard way with his credit card and we cancelled the rest, we had a Disney credit card and it was in a good standars, but we chose not to use it.

We bought our annual passes one at the time for the last year and save money for our trip, food and all expenses.

 

[luvmyfam444]

saving would be great - but in 3 weeks there's not much saving we can do....

checking out how to sell some stuff ASAP & maybe get lucky that way...

 

[PixieDust32]

Well, maybe you just have to save and wait until another time.

I don't know what to say, if you don't have money, I don't see how you guys can go and have fun.

 

[4daubers]

I'm not sure you could get reservations within the next 3 weeks.

 

[Escape Artist]

Well, the cheapest way I know for a single family to camp at FW is to take your own (or borrowed) camping gear, stay in a partial hookup (water & electric only) site, bring your own food, cook at your campsite and don't spend any money at the parks, restaurants or shops. This can be done!

With the current discount, your cost is $37/night before tax, food and gas to get there. There are campsites available, at least for the early August dates I just checked, but that's not within in the next three weeks. And you have to eat at home, too, so unless you're eating differently at the campsite, your only real cost is campsite, tax and gas. FW is a wonderful place with lots to do and you can have a fun, wonderful camping trip there without ever going into the parks.

But if you're going to be miserable because you're **this close** to the Disney theme parks & water parks & restaurants & shopping but can't do them, then it isn't worth it. I'd find a great local campground where you can do all the things you want to (maybe save the gas to Disney World and use that money to splurge on something at a local place). You'd be happier in the long run. You could even look for something new and different from what you've ever done on vacation before.

We pay off our credit cards every month, and if for some reason I can't, that's my red warning light that financially we've gone wrong. And unless somebody is----seriously----on their deathbed, it's not worth the financial headaches of "oh just buy it, we'll figure out the money later." Gas and food prices seem to only be going up, this economy seems to be getting worse and I know my kids are just getting more expensive all the time (ages 15, 14 and 6). This is a really bad time to dig a financial hole to have to climb out of later.

Happy vacation planning...I'm sure you'll come up with something great that will be fun while you're there, and when you all think back on it later!

Sue in Texas
...who's always short of vacation days...it must be great to have them drop in your hands! Oh, the things I could do with that!!!

 

[MickeyRPI]

If you really want to save a lot of money, look into camping at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. You can get a primitive (no water or electricity) campsite for very little money, or even an air-conditioned bunkhouse for about $30 per night. They are located in Orlando, and are very close to Universal, but not too far from Disney. The phone number is (407) 299-5581 or (407) 299-5594. They also have disc golf and a swimming pool for free if that interests you.

As far as state parks go, Wekiwa Springs is the closest to Disney. They are $20 per night, but the distance may negate the savings. You can check them out at Reserve America. Good luck!

 

[toostsmom]

We're in the boat of saving before we go. We don't make a lot of money - but IMHO, with gas at $4.00, staying at FW and using WDS transportation is saving us gas money while we're there, as well as not paying for parking at the parks. But then we're not leaving WDW until we head home. My two cents - take a cheaper camping trip this year, and start saving NOW for next year at WDW - and have the best vaca ever!!!! It'll be here before you know it!

 

[4mickey2]

use of their transportation is a great way to save. we are in pigeon forge right now. they have a trolley that will take you through out town. 50 cents each time you get on.. can't beat it. plus, for 75 cents they will take you to gatlinburg..

 

[luvmyfam444]

If you really want to save a lot of money, look into camping at Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. You can get a primitive (no water or electricity) campsite for very little money, or even an air-conditioned bunkhouse for about $30 per night. They are located in Orlando, and are very close to Universal, but not too far from Disney. The phone number is (407) 299-5581 or (407) 299-5594. They also have disc golf and a swimming pool for free if that interests you.

As far as state parks go, Wekiwa Springs is the closest to Disney. They are $20 per night, but the distance may negate the savings. You can check them out at Reserve America. Good luck!

Thanks for this info! I'll check them out!