Disney + airfare under 5k - can it be done?

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I'm sorry, dates are week of March 30 - first week of April.

Hmm so its the week leading up to Easter Sunday so it may be excluded from the potential promos and LM at AOA is often excluded from many of them anyways.

 

[mefordis]

I often hear about people booking through Costco to get a great deal. However, I checked online and I don't see any promotions at this time

 

[afan]

I was going to say, price it up without the dining plan, but I see in the OP, she wants food included. My son’s family was with us last week and the kids and their mom eat almost nothing, plus DS watches what he eats. It probably wouldn’t be the best thing for them but they did buy the mugs. (Dining plan still includes those, I imagine.)

One thing I’d pass along to your neighbor is to start including Disney items (clothing, accessories, etc.) and gift cards for birthdays and holidays for this year and up until the time they go. That helps a lot with costs while there and in planning outfits and packing.

Also sharing meals may make more sense. Or everyone eats qs kids meals. The adult size some places us too much so I'll get a kids meal.

 

[bluezy]

I'm sorry, dates are week of March 30 - first week of April.

Honestly, if I had friends who were planning to take their first trip to Disney the week leading up to Easter, I'd tell them not to do it. It will be extremely busy and while that might be workable for a seasoned visitor, for someone who has never been there before it's probably going to be a nightmare and have them swearing they'll never go back because it's too crowded and they only got on 3 or 4 rides each day. The parks will be very crowded; airfare will likely be expensive; and there probably won't be good room discounts (if there are any at all). I would encourage them to go a few weeks later or wait until summer. Yes, it will be hotter, but the parks will be less crowded, there will be room/package discounts, and they will probably have a better time even if it's hotter. And if they wait until summer, there's a better chance that they will be eligible for the free waterpark day (if that is something they would enjoy). I would definitely have a conversation with them about what the parks and prices (airfare and Lightning Lanes if they're planning on buying those) will be like that specific week as opposed to pretty much any week in the following few months. JMO.

 

[mefordis]

I'm seeing flights on Frontier for $1026 total, including 1 carry on, not including checked luggage. I've never taken Frontier. What do you guys think about this airline/price?

tia!

 

[mefordis]

Honestly, if I had friends who were planning to take their first trip to Disney the week leading up to Easter, I'd tell them not to do it. It will be extremely busy and while that might be workable for a seasoned visitor, for someone who has never been there before it's probably going to be a nightmare and have them swearing they'll never go back because it's too crowded and they only got on 3 or 4 rides each day. The parks will be very crowded; airfare will likely be expensive; and there probably won't be good room discounts (if there are any at all). I would encourage them to go a few weeks later or wait until summer. Yes, it will be hotter, but the parks will be less crowded, there will be room/package discounts, and they will probably have a better time even if it's hotter. And if they wait until summer, there's a better chance that they will be eligible for the free waterpark day (if that is something they would enjoy). I would definitely have a conversation with them about what the parks and prices (airfare and Lightning Lanes if they're planning on buying those) will be like that specific week as opposed to pretty much any week in the following few months. JMO.

I hear you but this is the only week they can go.

 

[Miffy]

I hear you but this is the only week they can go.

That's too bad since if they could go anytime in the summer, the trip would be much cheaper and, except for the heat, more enjoyable for them. I'm a Disney veteran and no way would I go that week unless it was then or never.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

That's too bad since if they could go anytime in the summer, the trip would be much cheaper and, except for the heat, more enjoyable for them. I'm a Disney veteran and no way would I go that week unless it was then or never.

Agree but also disagree.
Summer is cheaper and more enjoyable as long as you can handle the heat which I can and love August in particular.
But I did go the week leading up to Easter once and honestly not that bad. Weather was gorgeous too.

 

[mefordis]

Agree but also disagree.
Summer is cheaper and more enjoyable as long as you can handle the heat which I can and love August in particular.
But I did go the week leading up to Easter once and honestly not that bad. Weather was gorgeous too.

Really? Thanks so much! I don't want to bum her out but I will advise her of the crowds at that time. She already mentioned she knows it's a busy time.

She's not taking the dining plan, so I'm going to comb through the budget board to get money saving tips for food. Maybe she'll save enough that she'll have $ to do a character meal, who knows! Maybe I'll recommend they split a can of corn on main street (j/k!)

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Really? Thanks so much! I don't want to bum her out but I will advise her of the crowds at that time. She already mentioned she knows it's a busy time.

She's not taking the dining plan, so I'm going to comb through the budget board to get money saving tips for food. Maybe she'll save enough that she'll have $ to do a character meal, who knows! Maybe I'll recommend they split a can of corn on main street (j/k!)

I'd say price her out something for August and just see what the difference is as it could be quite significant plus since it is a slower time there are usually discounts.

I used to get the dining plan EVERY TIME between 2006 and 2018.
Once I didn't have the option since covid I finally realized how much it stressed me out to get as much of a value as I could out of it.
Plus we really don't love having that much food.
We spend less overall without it but we also only do one table service meal per trip if even because its just easier to do quick service.

 

[Willow Ufgood]

I'm seeing flights on Frontier for $1026 total, including 1 carry on, not including checked luggage. I've never taken Frontier. What do you guys think about this airline/price?

tia!

My sister took Frontier this past summer and had no complaints about her trip. They are VERY strict about carry on size and the gate agents are actually incentivized to deny bags that are even a bit over the accepted size. So it's important to keep that in mind when packing. The seat width and pitch were a bit uncomfortable for her 6'3" husband but the children and small adults should have no issues. Her return flight was delayed a few hours but it wasn't the airline's fault. It was due to weather. No frills like snacks or free wifi. But they will get you where you're going.

 

[AlyssaBunny]

I took Frontier from Boston to DFW and had a checked bag and a carryon, and a personal item (a little over the personal item size but still fit uder the seat). I had the package so the checked bag, carry on, personal item were free and the ticket was under $100. They did not check anyones sizes of items. Got me from point a to point b. Seats weren't super comfortable. No wifi/in flight entertainment/chargers. Water was free.

 

[Duck143]

Now that our kids are older, we go in June. It is hot, but we still have a great time. We used to go in May and the kids would miss a week of school when they were young. It was still hot then, and they can't miss classes anymore, so June is our choice. It is definitely more relaxing than choosing the busiest week of the year. She might get more accomplished and maybe there will be more summer discounts offered.

 

[bluezy]

Now that our kids are older, we go in June. It is hot, but we still have a great time. We used to go in May and the kids would miss a week of school when they were young. It was still hot then, and they can't miss classes anymore, so June is our choice. It is definitely more relaxing than choosing the busiest week of the year. She might get more accomplished and maybe there will be more summer discounts offered.

Same for us. We have gone the 2nd or 3rd week of June many times. We did one trip in May just to experience the Flower & Garden Festival (when it used to end Memorial Day weekend), slightly cooler weather, and slightly lower crowds (southern schools were already out of the summer). It rained for hours on end every day of that trip....but that's a whole different post. We still had a good time, though. Anyway, June totally works for us. Yes, it can be hot, but we've had trips where the temps never broke 90 degrees (though we've also had trips where the real feel temp was over 100 almost every day). On our trip in 2024, we had one day that was overcast and the high temp was 79 -- and it was actually only 70 degrees when we left the resort room that morning. I thought I might need a sweater!! . We just plan around the heat by taking a break at the resort every afternoon to avoid being in the parks during the hottest part of the day. We always get a decent room/package discount and the parks are usually open a little later than they are the rest of the year. I was hoping that once our kids were finished with college that we'd be able to travel at different times of the year rather than always going in June, but now our one son is a teacher and we have grandchildren who are in school; and since our kids all think that any time DH & I plan a trip to Disney that they should be there at the same time, I guess we'll be going to DW in June for the rest of our lives.

And just to stay on topic, OP, I don't know the details of what circumstances are involved that are making your friends take their trip the week leading up to Easter, but I agree with a PP who said to price out a summer trip for them and maybe when they see the price difference, they'll find a way to do a trip at a different time of year than Spring Break season. I just always cringe/sigh when I see people spending all that money and planning their first (and possibly only) trip to Disney during one of the busiest times of the year and know that they could most likely have a much more enjoyable trip nearly any other week of the year. I know that frequent/seasoned visitors can still have a great trip during the week of Easter, but that's often because of their previous experiences. They know how to zig when everyone else is zagging; they aren't worried about missing out on some of the headliner attractions because they know they'll be back; etc. I think sometimes people think that summer is the busiest and most crowded time to go to Disney and that it will be packed from Jun-Sept, but that's not true anymore. Disney has done a great job of spreading out the crowds throughout the year. I've seen bloggers say that summer is now one of the slower times of the year (not "slow" per se, but not as busy as many other months.). Regardless of when they go, I hope you're able to help your friends plan a great trip and that they have a really good time!

 

[jimmymc]

Are they expecting to see every park? How long do they plan to stay?

I priced out a 4-night stay at AoA, with 3-day park tickets and QS dining plan, in May 2026 for $3850. Add in the cheapest direct flights from DTW and you're right at $5000. There are dozens of modifications they can make to that trip, but just getting four people from home into Magic Kingdom can be done for a few thousand.

 

[_19disnA]

Since the price of the room is likely the largest part of your costs, have you considered staying off-site or in a weekly rental? Orlando has many of those since it is a popular vacation spot. That is one way to say money for what is generally rather expensive vacation. Driving vs flying can also be a savings, since even with a hotel stops along the way, would be cheaper than airfare for everyone in your group.

 

[mefordis]

I took Frontier from Boston to DFW and had a checked bag and a carryon, and a personal item (a little over the personal item size but still fit uder the seat). I had the package so the checked bag, carry on, personal item were free and the ticket was under $100. They did not check anyones sizes of items. Got me from point a to point b. Seats weren't super comfortable. No wifi/in flight entertainment/chargers. Water was free.

Did you book your airfare with your Disney package? I didn’t look into that for her. Do they still do that?

 

[mefordis]

Unfortunately, they have to go when school is out. I did bring up the possibility of going during June or August. The prices come down during that time and the crowds come down a little bit, but the weather is much hotter than in April. She’s mulling it over.

 

[mefordis]

Are they expecting to see every park? How long do they plan to stay?

I priced out a 4-night stay at AoA, with 3-day park tickets and QS dining plan, in May 2026 for $3850. Add in the cheapest direct flights from DTW and you're right at $5000. There are dozens of modifications they can make to that trip, but just getting four people from home into Magic Kingdom can be done for a few thousand.

Right now, they are looking at a two day park ticket since they are only going for four nights. Those parks would be MK and EP. They want pool time and relaxation time as well.

 

[AlyssaBunny]

Did you book your airfare with your Disney package? I didn’t look into that for her. Do they still do that?

This was not for disney. Ticket was $19 before fees. I just looked at the Disney website and they don't book airfare anymore