Cheapest way to go?

[coconut92]

So, can anybody help me with this? So far, it seems to me that the cheapest route to stay at Disney is rent a camper (I don't have one to bring) and stay at one of the cheaper campsites at Fort Wilderness. I can go grocery shopping or have groceries delivered, no dining plan, and maybe dine out 2-3 times. My daughter wants a Disney vacation for her graduation present. She also wants to go to Discovery Cove. Yeah, there is no discount or any way to cheapskate that. I've looked. So, I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible as I am the only income in the house and I don't make very much money. lol To top it off, she got accepted to a private college, which is expensive as well. Hopefully, financial aid and scholarships will ease that pain. Anyway, I have the financial odds going against me right now. So, any other cheapskates besides me out there, can you all give me tips, hints, advice? I will take what I can get. We would prefer to stay on Disney property and not in a tent. I have researched some of the places that rent campers. There is a possibility my mom and dad may be coming, but they more than likely will not visit the parks, just hang out at the campground and maybe visit my cousin who lives in Florida. Sorry I rambled! Thanks for all the help! Hopefully I can make my daughter's dream come true. Oh, also, I have entered every contest to win a Disney trip, Disney gift cards, etc.

 

[KristinU]

First, I totally hear you on Discovery Cove. I literally spit out whatever I'm drinking each time I check the prices...they surprise me every time and I just can never justify it....done the same digging on that that you have done - no discounts that I've found.

Anyway...as far as cheapest on property, I think you'd do better in one of the value resorts and take along breakfast and snacky foods rather than pay a site fee plus a rental camper. BUT, you mention your parents and them not going to the parks. I'd rather spend non-park time at the Fort a million times over sitting around in a tiny hotel room. The other thing you might look into is renting points from a DVC member. Make sure to price that out too.

Where do you live? Driving can be cheaper than flying and would allow you to pack your own food along, plus it might be fun to spend that time together before she is off doing her own thing soon!

 

[coconut92]

I totally did not think of renting dvc points! I will definitely check into that. The value resorts are definitely out as I'm pretty sure my parents are going to tag along. My mom will actually probably fish the whole time while my dad watches tv. Lol we also wanted to be able to grill out. We are from northwestern Illinois. Believe it or not, it's cheaper to split the driving between two days and stay the night somewhere than fly. Lol thank you for the advice! I'm going to check into dvc point rental!

 

[robinb]

Staying at FW in a rented camper is on my "Disney Bucket List" but it's not cheap. Since you are driving you may want to consider staying offsite. Condos can be super cheap. I rented a 2-bedroom for $412 in Windsor Hills for the week including tax. There is also the Wyndham Bonnet Creek timeshare nearby (virtually on Disney property!) that can be fairly inexpensive depending on when you are going. WBC has a shuttle to the parks so your family can come and go as they please.

 

[coconut92]

Thanks! I didn't know they offered a shuttle! That is great to know and I will check into that as well!! Just checked into WBC. It was over $1700 for the week we are going. I wish we could go at a cheaper time, but it is not possible. I'm going to check Windsor Hills, too!

 

[robinb]

Thanks! I didn't know they offered a shuttle! That is great to know and I will check into that as well!! Just checked into WBC. It was over $1700 for the week we are going. I wish we could go at a cheaper time, but it is not possible. I'm going to check Windsor Hills, too!

Did you check the "We love Bonnet Creek" thread for information on where to rent? A 2-BR should be fine for you: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2951974 .

 

[coconut92]

I will. That price quote was a 1-bedroom! I was shocked. My mom has a camper I would much rather bring down, we just don't have a vehicle reliable enough to make the trip lol

 

[PoohBearnTigger2]

We are going to Disney in August (2014) as a graduation present for my daughter too. She will also be leaving for college too. We are trying to make this trip a budget friendly one lol. We have chosen to go in the beginning of August as that is when the value season is and school is out. We also have gotten a AAA discount for our campsite. If you can go during value season, I think staying at one of the value resorts may be a better option for you. Either place you stay at, I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Nixie]

I will. That price quote was a 1-bedroom! I was shocked. My mom has a camper I would much rather bring down, we just don't have a vehicle reliable enough to make the trip lol

I was gonna suggest maybe outright purchasing a decent used older pop up instead of renting because (esp right now) you can find deals that would rival the rental price of a camper. Of course, that does you no good if you don't have a vehicle to tow it down with Truly, I think your best bet then would be some sort of hotel or villa offsite. Renting a camper + the price of a campsite at Disney isn't really a budget friendly thing. We priced out renting for our June trip just because I wasn't sure if I wanted to pack all of us into our crew cab truck for a 17+ hour drive. The campsite + rental ended up being around $240 a night. That is around the price of a night at the moderate hotels onsite!

 

[Teamubr]

I do the math on this every trip. With the fuel I burn pulling the 5'er from St Louis (1000 miles each way) and the camp ground fee, it is about a break even on a moderate and driving the car. The winner is on meals. We always eat breakfast in the camper and a few lunches or dinners during the week. Even staying at a value and eating on site or getting the DDP was more than just towing down.

Tenting it would be the absolute cheapest, but I know many people aren't into that (my DH), especially in August.

Off site is the cheapest way to go. It isn't the same as staying on site, but if it means going or not going, I'd do it.

j

 

[amylevan]

I do the math on this every trip. With the fuel I burn pulling the 5'er from St Louis (1000 miles each way) and the camp ground fee, it is about a break even on a moderate and driving the car. The winner is on meals. We always eat breakfast in the camper and a few lunches or dinners during the week. Even staying at a value and eating on site or getting the DDP was more than just towing down.

Tenting it would be the absolute cheapest, but I know many people aren't into that (my DH), especially in August.

Off site is the cheapest way to go. It isn't the same as staying on site, but if it means going or not going, I'd do it.

j

This depends on how long you are planning on staying. We drive from PA, and stay long enough that the fuel cost is spread out over enough days that it is cheaper to camp than stay in a value. But it's not a huge savings.

Off site is always going to be your cheapest option, but we prefer the atmosphere of on-site, and love FW.

 

[coconut92]

Thanks everybody! The fort is a definite because we love to camp and we don't want to worry about driving. I would like to stay a week but it may be less depending on cost. Also, we plan on cooking most meals. I actually should be able to do the deposit next month. I'm getting excited!! Neither of us have been. My daughter said she'll probably cry when we get there lol

 

[KristinU]

Thanks everybody! The fort is a definite because we love to camp and we don't want to worry about driving. I would like to stay a week but it may be less depending on cost. Also, we plan on cooking most meals. I actually should be able to do the deposit next month. I'm getting excited!! Neither of us have been. My daughter said she'll probably cry when we get there lol

Awesome! Glad ot hear plans are coming together!

 

[Teamubr]

My daughter said she'll probably cry when we get there lol

Don't tell anybody, but I cry when I get there.

j

 

[North of Mouse]

Thanks everybody! The fort is a definite because we love to camp and we don't want to worry about driving. I would like to stay a week but it may be less depending on cost. Also, we plan on cooking most meals. I actually should be able to do the deposit next month. I'm getting excited!! Neither of us have been. My daughter said she'll probably cry when we get there lol

It's great you will be able to stay at the Fort - it's a really neat place, and sooo convenient!

What others have said is true, it's not the 'cheapest' way to go if you have to rent an RV, but as far as we're concerned, staying at the Fort is the 'best' way to go!!

Our DD is there now with her family. Our two GS's love the fort. Camping is so 'family' friendly as all have a part to do. Have a great trip!

My advice (for what that's worth LOL), be sure and get reviews on whomever you decide to rent through. There have been some that are 'less' than business like or trustworthy!

 

[PEC]

May not fit in your plans but have you considered buying a tent? We stayed in a tent in June and were OK. We were at the parks all day but fans kept the tent comfortable at night. It rained all but one day and the only draw back was the towels didn't dry on the clothes line. We just dried them in the driers a couple of times. We have now bought a pop-up camper but we had been looking for a year and were just waiting for the right one at the right price to show up. I must say I would not rule out a tent.

 

[coconut92]

Thanks again! I will probably be crying right along with her! I can't do a tent. Well, I can but I don't think my dad would. Lol maybe they'll upgrade their truck so we can take their camper.

 

[coconut92]

And I've been searching here for camper rental reviews!

 

[loislane]

One of the things we like about Disney is that there are so many options to customize your trip to your budget and desires. For us, we know that we like to park hop - adds a chunk of expense to our trip, but we budget for that. If you're not a hopper, you can save some nice money right there. Also - as has been discussed - how you travel there also varies in price. For us, camping ended up being a MUCH better value because we are a family of 5 - which means we don't fit into one hotel room.

 

[tiggerdad]

Don't tell anybody, but I cry when I get there.

j

I got out and kissed the ground...then was promptly told to remain in my vehicle.

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