December Airfare

[hopeis]

We already booked our airfare through a TA, this is our first ever flight and had no idea how to book things... it's really too late to change things now but ... we paid $3100 for the four of us to go Dec 30th to Jan 8th... does that sound extremely high?? This trip is going to cost us A LOT. We had to go during those dates b/c that's when we could get the time off work. Any suggestions about saving money elsewhere?? We are not doing the dining plan, our two kids hate "kid's menu food" and would rather eat healthy...

We are staying at ASM...
Passes... MYW with the possibility of Water Parks & more (we live in the Prairies so any weather in the + will be warm for us)

Any suggestions??

 

[granolacruncher11]

It does seem high. Where are you flying from? The day you are leaving is probably the most expensive part of the flight.

 

[hopeis]

Sorry, flying from Saskatchewan through Denver to Orlando. We leave at 7:30 in the morning... after our trip we are returning in the afternoon the same route.

 

[granolacruncher11]

If you are in southern Sask. did you check into flights from Great Falls or Billings MT.? My family is from SK and they often fly from these airports. Quite a bit cheaper than what you paying, even with the exchange.

 

[granolacruncher11]

Sorry, reread the post, nothing you can do about the flights now I guess. Do you have CAA? You can get 15% off your room at times. There is a budget board here and you can get some great money saving ideas at mousesavers.com. Are you close to a Disneystore? Right now they are selling ticket media at "par". If you are renting a car while you are there you can always eat off site, much less expensive.

 

[aristocat65]

The price you paid for your flights is probably about average from Canada. At least you have peace of mind knowing you got the times and dates you wanted As others have said flying from the US is cheaper, but at that time of year you may have been wise to not chance a long drive to a US airport with unpredictable weather. We usually fly out of Seattle, as we live in Vancouver, but I know that the one time we went over new years we flew out of Vancouver for peace of mind

You will find a lot of other ways to save money. If you haven't already, go to www.disneyworld.com and register. Select the option to receive promotional mailings and emails and you MAY get a PIN (a special offer number that only you can use, could be room discount, gift card, free dining, etc) If another adult in your household has an email address, register them also. I know that I have never received a pin, but about one week after registering my DH, (had to get him an email address as he never even emails!) he received a pin.

Also as others have said check mousesavers for the latest offers. At the time of year you are going, in the past they have had offers for free waterparks and more and hopper options on your MYW tickets, combined with a room discount.

Most of all, WAIT before booking anything that you're locked into. IF you really want to be sure that you get your resort for your dates, you can book a room only reservation with I think a one night deposit, and you can always change it later if anything better comes up.
Also go to the Disney resorts threads, and read the Codes and Specials section at the top as those people are always right on top of the latest deals.
HTH

 

[hopeis]

Thanks for all the info... we are new at this whole travel thing... our biggest worry is what happens if our first flight is delayed and we miss our connecting flight?? Here's hoping SK winter doesn't delay us... or Colorado weather for that matter.

How "late" can I purchase passes etc?? I'm hoping that there are offers for adding on to our MYW tickets.

This site is awesome... I have my little notebook filling up quickly with all these good suggestions.

Thanks again! Especially all you fellow Canadians!

 

[c&m]

It's too bad you had to pay so much for airfare. I stopped using TAs because they always quoted higher airfares than what I could find online.

As PP suggested, go to mousesavers.com. But also subscribe to their monthly newsletters. There are specials in there that are sometimes not posted on the mousesavers website (i.e. sometimes undercovertourist.com offers WDW ticket specials for mousesavers subscribers).

Also, see if there are any room-only discount codes that come out for your time period. Lurk around the Resorts board as you'll probably find out there.

If you're renting a car, start pricing it out. (My trip is end of August, but I started pricing it out in March and got the rate I was satisfied with beginning of May.) But it was a daily ritual of checking because the rates fluctuated up and down. Car rentals in Florida are really expensive these days. Use the Costco discount codes and coupon codes, and the mousesavers car rental codes. You can always cancel and rebook should you find another lower rate.

And if you're renting a car, you can drive to the closest new Super Target (~7 minutes from WDW) to buy water, milk, snacks, and some breakfast foods. There's a money saver right there.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[aristocat65]

Thanks for all the info... we are new at this whole travel thing... our biggest worry is what happens if our first flight is delayed and we miss our connecting flight?? Here's hoping SK winter doesn't delay us... or Colorado weather for that matter.

How "late" can I purchase passes etc?? I'm hoping that there are offers for adding on to our MYW tickets.

I've been lucky and never had to deal with weather delays, but I would think that if both of your segments are on the same airline (thru Denver, I'm guessing AC or United?)you would be fine either way. They would try to get you on the next flight. That time of year anything can happen.

As far as how "late" you can purchase passes, you really only need to allow time to get them in the mail (if you use undercover tourist-I forgot about mousesavers newsletter c&m) If you wanted to you can even get them off of WDW site and PU at your resort. They would be a little more expensive than undercover tourist though.

The Waterparks and more/hopper deal had to be booked with a room package last time, so if you had a room only ressie and the deal came out you could always change it to a package. Don't know how late you can do this though.

c&m, did you decide to stick with CSR?

 

[ABCanada]

While your airfare is high compared to what we have gotten for past Christmases I have been watching the fares since they were released for Christmas 09 and they have not come down. Fares for your travel dates may drop when it gets much closer but you would have been taking a chance and who know what the connections would be like. Denver connections are usually good.

The previous posters have given good advice. While the first two or three nights of your trip are some of the busiest for WDW the remainder would be considered low season and there will be deals announced closer to the date for those dates, watch the code section of the resort page or mousesavers. You may need to split the reservation and this maybe an issue given many of the deals require you to purchase a pass with the room.(and you will already have one for the first few days. If the deal is good enough even people with AP will purchase single day tickets with the package. If you plan to go back as long as you do not use the single day it can be applied to another pass purchase. Depending on the deal even if you never go back it could be less expensive.)

Do consider the dining plan (this means you would need to purchase your pass with the room). Check the menus on allear.net. Food can really add up. The resorts likely have healthier choices than parks but it is easy to get to the resorts from the park and usually a nice break.. Disney has been trying to make the kids meals healthier. If your children are under 10 it is a good deal. There will be “seasonal pricing” while you are there which means prices will be even higher. The Quick Service plan includes two snacks. It is easy to spend $6+ on a couple of snacks.

Take water bottles with you everywhere. Spending $3US for a bottle of water adds up quickly.

We often bring cereal and buy milk, there is generally a grocery section in the gift shops, and have breakfast in the room. I believe you need to pay extra for a fridge at the value resorts. This may make this option uneconomical.

I am not certain I would pay the $50 / pp to add the water park at this time of the year. There are lots of other less expensive, more Disney, things to do. Rent a Surrey bike $20-$30, wagon ride at Fort Wilderness 8 (A) 5 (C) /pp. Ride the boats to the resorts free.

A warning – December 31st if not the busiest day of the year has to be in the top 2 or 3. Many of the parks will stop letting people in before noon. They will be packed. This is probably not the best first impression. While it would be difficult, I am certain everyone wants to head straight to the park, I would consider planning other activities for that day. (This might alleviate the ticket issue above.)

 

[aristocat65]

ABCanada had some great advice about your dates. One year we arrived on New Years Eve and didn't even attempt to go to the parks as we knew it would be crazy and instead spent our first evening relaxing and gearing up for an early start. Your first few days will be very busy, but it looks like schools go back on Jan 4th this year so by the 2 or 3rd you should be enjoying some low crowds. Try not to be discouraged at how busy it is initially.

The magic is at it's best when you can be at the park early and see the beauty without the crowds!

We also did 2 ressies for that trip as our "deal" didn't kick in until the 2nd day of our trip. Just did a room only ressie for the first night and the hotel allowed us to stay in the same room for the 2nd reservation so it was very easy.

You should also buy a copy of Unofficial Guide to WDW. It has great advice for a first timer.

 

[c&m]

c&m, did you decide to stick with CSR?

I'm still thinking about it...$700 to upgrade is a lot of money that we can splurge on other things or spend on practical things. My DH says go for it because we can afford it, but I'm extremely frugal. How did you decide on the WL? (I noticed that in your tag.) What made you decide on a deluxe vs a moderate? Thanks for any direction that you can give me!

A couple of more things to add to the OP...

1. I read somewhere on these boards that if you plan on spending more than 1 day at a water park, then add the water park option to your ticket. If you only plan on 1 day at the water park, then pay out of pocket. It is cheaper. A lot of other posters on that thread agreed -- obviously, they had already done the math on this one. Also, check to see if the water parks are even open during your dates. I remember going to WDW one year in Jan. and the water parks were closed, very disappointing indeed.

2. If you aren't renting a car, consider getting water bottles shipped to your resort. I learned that you can order from Costco.com a flat of 24 water bottles for $6/$7 USD. and have it shipped to your resort.

 

[aristocat65]

I'm still thinking about it...$700 to upgrade is a lot of money that we can splurge on other things or spend on practical things. My DH says go for it because we can afford it, but I'm extremely frugal. How did you decide on the WL? (I noticed that in your tag.) What made you decide on a deluxe vs a moderate? Thanks for any direction that you can give me!

Not to hijack the thread, but... Our first trip to WDW was for my 40th bday and we planned to stay offsitenot knowing any better. My sister who is TA in Texas (and my best friend) decided to come along with her family. She selected a 2 bd BWV for us all to share, and with her 50% TA discount and low season (hurricane season again) it was very reasonable. Of course BWV and the BW resort are beautiful and I was spoiled forever. Once you go deluxe you can't go back. I know because I tried it and wasn't happy .
2nd trip to WDW we had free dining and I had booked at POFQ. I got nervous about the double beds (Its my DH, me and our now 15 year old DS) Too small. So I changed the ressie to WL and justified the extra cost with the free food (priceless with a growing boy!)
As soon as we walked in we loved everything about it. The lobby itself is just so beautiful and invites you to "sit down and stay a while" . There are so many cosy areas throughout the hotel where you can relax. It's such an oasis after a busy park day. My main thing about the deluxes though, is that everything is under one roof. My son was 12 then, and I don't know how you are with your girls, but I'm overprotective and I felt better that he could go down on his own to get a snack, poke around the gift shop, look for hidden Mickeys, hang around the pin stand and chat the with the CM. (If your girls haven't done pin trading, yet they should try it-It really added another element to my son's vacation as would talk to cm's about their pins and trade with them) We also had a lot of rain every afternoon and that's another consideration -being able access all the amenities without going outside. I also loved having a balcony at
WL and would have my coffee out there in the mornings and watch the bunnies outside.
We stayed at CSR over new years in 2008 (last minute trip and no free dining so tried to keep resort cost down and try a mod) and I didn't like the exterior corridors. I didn't feel safe if I wanted to go to the gift shop or get some tea in the evening after dark. I would get my husband to come with me as the walkways are very dark and CSR is very large. I also didn't like the pepper market or Rix at CSR. Food options in my opinion are much better and more convenient at WL (and cheaper surprisingly). Don't get my wrong, CSR is a pretty resort and the new rooms look very nice, but when I told my family we should go to WDW this summer (yeah, that's how it is my house) they said, we're staying at WL right? I'm frugal like you in most ways, but having 'settled' last time I figure I'll pay more for the resort I really want. I can afford it, its just a matter of whether I think it's worth it. I honestly would not pay those prices without free dining though.
How many days are you going for? You have to think that the free dining you're getting (I assume) is worth $130. Take that off your room rate and it becomes as reasonable as an offsite hotel in DL. That's how I get my head around it anyway. Plus, I think it was you who got the great deal on flights (I think) so you've saved money there.

Do I have you convinced yet?

 

[c&m]

2. If you aren't renting a car, consider getting water bottles shipped to your resort. I learned that you can order from Costco.com a flat of 24 water bottles for $6/$7 USD. and have it shipped to your resort.

An amendment to this suggestion. I heard that some resorts (depends on the resort) charge a fee for receiving the water. I read that it's $20 at CSR. That's not very $$$ saving at all then, with the receiving fee costing more than the flat of water.


Aristocat65...thanks for the very convincing and compelling reasons to stay at WL. I do agree that it'd be so nice to have a self-contained hotel, not one where everything is so spread out. At 13, my DD is like your DS and likes to have a bit of "freedom" these days. I doubt that'll happen at CSR due to its sprawling grounds and size. But if we stayed at the WL, I can see her wandering down to the lobby with her little sister to check things out. Despite how fabulous it would be, I may end up having to pass on the upgrade to a deluxe. We are also planning in Feb. 2010 (during the Olympics) to leave town and go to Hong Kong/Japan for 2 weeks. I can't get my head wrapped around spending so much in such a short period of time despite my DH's reassurances.

 

[aristocat65]

Aristocat65...thanks for the very convincing and compelling reasons to stay at WL. I do agree that it'd be so nice to have a self-contained hotel, not one where everything is so spread out. At 13, my DD is like your DS and likes to have a bit of "freedom" these days. I doubt that'll happen at CSR due to its sprawling grounds and size. But if we stayed at the WL, I can see her wandering down to the lobby with her little sister to check things out. Despite how fabulous it would be, I may end up having to pass on the upgrade to a deluxe. We are also planning in Feb. 2010 (during the Olympics) to leave town and go to Hong Kong/Japan for 2 weeks. I can't get my head wrapped around spending so much in such a short period of time despite my DH's reassurances.

Well, that's a good reason to stay with CSR My original plan was to go to WDW in feb 2010 (my DS is out of school for the Olympics and I want to get out of here) but I found out it was regular season and very expensive! So hurricane season here we come
I haven't figured out what we'll do in 2010 yet.
Half the fun is always planning something though

 

[tinkerbellmichelle]

That sounds about average. We've been pricing out of Seattle and 5 of us can fly return for under $2000. But the drive in Dec/Jan could be quite harrowing as we're about 5 hours away. To do the same trip out of Canada would be over $4000 and I've tried SO many options.....

We went last year for 3 weeks. Spent 2 weeks in Naples at my parents' condo and 2 days at Daytona and then 5 Days at WDW. It was an amazing vacation and well worth every penny.

We want to go again this year but the $$ from flying out of Canada is holding me off booking. We stayed at Polynesian last time. This time we're going to save money during our Orlando portion and stay off site. Though we're also planning 2 days at Sea World as we missed it last time and only 1 disney day.

Don't worry about your flights... I always like to know I got the best deal.. but once I book I try not to re-check

To save money - - stay off site or at a Value. Make a stop at Walmart or something for water/juice boxes to take to the parks. We had the dining plan but had we not - we would have been in the poor house eating at the WDW restaurants.