disney budget advice

[jennylyn_b]

I've been reading about DVC since my post. I checked out a link that was posted here and did some calculations. If we go for 10 nights instead of 14 the beginning of Feb. it looks like POR is 1995 for the hotel. Dvc at AK is 1417 so there is a bit of savings and then multply it by 2. I do have a question. I was on the Daves DVC site- the one that is $13 a point. Under AK it has a value studio then standard ect. Does anyone know what a value studio is? That is what I based my numbers on. TIA

Also is it really safe to do DVC? I am worried we will be out the money and a trip ruined if I go this root. I would actually try it if it was just us however the idea really concerns my parent's and being retired I don't want them to lose their money. We can still gett ing the DP if we so choose, correct? Would I just buy tickets there when we arrive. I've always had our TA make our arrangements. Due to our schedules convenience has always been first priority with budget second now budget is the priority. In the mean time I'll keep reading.

Value studios are hard to get as they are less points and not many of them. The "value" part is view related as are the other categories. You can ask the dvc member to add ddp. You can buy tickets ahead of time or at check in. Undercover tourist is a great cheaper legitimate ticket agent to look into.
Why wouldn't dvc be safe?

 

[crisi]

DVC I'd a private agreement between member and renter. A broker, like David, will reduce the risk because he hangs onto half your money, but the member could cancel and run off with half your money.

The bigger risk is cancellation. DVC reservations are usually non refundable. So if you get sick or loose a job, you will be out the money. Even moving the reservation is likely not possible.

 

[jennylyn_b]

DVC I'd a private agreement between member and renter. A broker, like David, will reduce the risk because he hangs onto half your money, but the member could cancel and run off with half your money.

The bigger risk is cancellation. DVC reservations are usually non refundable. So if you get sick or loose a job, you will be out the money. Even moving the reservation is likely not possible.

True but David's has a back up in case and he will make sure if the owner does something dumb that you will have a place to stay. David's in very reliable and your safest bet if you don't know an owner directly that is looking to rent.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

If you are driving I would seriously consider off site. It's just hard to justify Disney pricing if money is tight. You can get hotels with free breakfast, fridges etc. Or as others have suggested even rent a condo so you have an entire kitchen.

 

[Marionnette]

Value studios are hard to get as they are less points and not many of them. The "value" part is view related as are the other categories. You can ask the dvc member to add ddp. You can buy tickets ahead of time or at check in. Undercover tourist is a great cheaper legitimate ticket agent to look into.
Why wouldn't dvc be safe?

Value villas are only at AKV and they are not view-related. They are smaller than the other DVC villas and that is why they take fewer points. But you're correct that they are very difficult to get. Only AKV owners can book them from 11 months before arrival until 7 months before. They usually disappear in that time period.

 

[susanv]

Another way to save money with souvenirs would be Black Friday. I saved over $300 on a $600 order from DisneyStore.com on Black Friday. My kids all have a lot of new toys, Princess dresses, pj's, etc that are genuine Disney and my pocket boom thanks me.

 

[susanv]

Another way to save money with souvenirs would be Black Friday. I saved over $300 on a $600 order from DisneyStore.com on Black Friday. My kids all have a lot of new toys, Princess dresses, pj's, etc that are genuine Disney and my pocket boom thanks me.

Oops should be pocket book - you love auto correct function!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I thougth I should post here but the board seems more general than disney specific. If I should post somewhere else please let me know.

I need some budget tips to plan an upcoming trip. I have approx. 10 months to get this money together. We are 2 adults and 1 child (9 turning 10 at disney). Usually I look for free dining to help us save money but I'm not sure if it will be offered when we go. It wasn't this year 2013 but was in 2012. DS9 bday is in value season so that also helps. Here's the issue we own our own business so when the economy is rought it's rough. This year has been the low financially for us. I am looking for ways to save at disney. I would love tips that could save money at disney.

We will stay onsite at a moderate with or with out the DP depending on the numbers unless it is free. I'm swaying towards driving instead of flying to save a few bucks even though that means adding hotels down and back. I need to find other ways to save on our trip. Please let me know what you do to save money on Disney.
TIA

There's lots of ways to save. Usually they involve some level of compromise. discount WDW is why I joiined the DIS!

My number one rule- time = money!this works both ways- anything that costs you time- better save a certain amount of money.

A few things I have done, some are painless, others are a pain:

1. driving vs. flying vs. renting: lots of times, when I factor all the costs, (which many folks don't do) it might be about the same to fly. It's not just gas/tolls/hotels/parking. Think about what you paid for your car, and how many miles you expect to get. If you paid $20,000 and expect 150,000miles - then not counting things like tire wear/oil changes then the cost to drive is $.13 per mile. If the trip is say - 1,000 miles round trip, then that's over $130 right there. Since you are putting so many miles on the car in such a short time, it may actually be a better deal to rent a car. Again, don't forget to consider the time costs. Both forms of travel have time costs.

2. Food. options are huge...but drinking water, reducing alcohol costs, bringing a few snacks from home can help. I dislike eating from a hot backack, but we often have food in our room. Another problem with backack food is that you have to lug it all day. Eat offsite. Doing it midtrip can be a considerabel time sink, but eating offsite at the airport food court, or on the drrive between MCO and WDW is easy.

3. Spend one night at a value resort. If you pack a day bag, this is painless. It's especially painless if you have a late arrival. It does take time to change resorts, and doe not work so well with free DDP, but it is also fun to see/eat at two resorts. If you drive- that's also another option perhaps-make one of your offsite stays close to WDW, at a place w/free breakfast. (or at the beach!)

4. Avoid weekends. I have saved a bunch going down on weekdays. Hotel rooms are less on weekdays. Play with your dates to get the best deal (like airfare).

5. adjust the length of your trip. So many folks are not at all willing to do this. It depends a little what your travel costs are, but for me, it's an easy way to make a trip fit my budget.


6. Consider a trip to Universal instead of WDW. WDw tickets are priced so that the differnece between four and five days is small- but skipping the parks one day is another way to save a few.

7. The way the dining plan is priced now, it's hard to make it come out as a way to save. At least for us. Also, unlike in years past, they no longer allow you to use leftover QS credits to buy snacks. (Last year we barely broke even because we were able to use up leftover meal credits that way. ) You REALLY have to look at number to see if free DDP is a bettter deal than % off discounts, especialy if the 'free' dining offer is the QS plan.
We usually do better by stretching our meals with sharing. Like one person gets an entree, the other an appetizer. Disney will even split TS entrees onto two plates.

8. Oh if you so buffets- consider that in your eating plan. Like pick a late breakfast ADR to skip lunch. Or have an ice cream lunch before a buffet dinner.


9. consider AAA membership. In short, my membership pays for itself in discounts alone - some of them are Disney related.

 

[staceyeid]

One thing to consider if renting DVC is to get a 2 bedroom villa and split with your parents. We do that and are able to spend more quality time together, especially while DD 2 sleeps. 2 studios would probably be the best choice cost wise but we love the extra room (not to mention full kitchen and in room washer/dryer.

Also, ask around or look on the board for those willing to rent points. We rented for $9/pt. a big savings for us.

 

[memakwed]

There's lots of ways to save. Usually they involve some level of compromise. discount WDW is why I joiined the DIS!

My number one rule- time = money!this works both ways- anything that costs you time- better save a certain amount of money.

A few things I have done, some are painless, others are a pain:

1. driving vs. flying vs. renting: lots of times, when I factor all the costs, (which many folks don't do) it might be about the same to fly. It's not just gas/tolls/hotels/parking. Think about what you paid for your car, and how many miles you expect to get. If you paid $20,000 and expect 150,000miles - then not counting things like tire wear/oil changes then the cost to drive is $.13 per mile. If the trip is say - 1,000 miles round trip, then that's over $130 right there. Since you are putting so many miles on the car in such a short time, it may actually be a better deal to rent a car. Again, don't forget to consider the time costs. Both forms of travel have time costs.

2. Food. options are huge...but drinking water, reducing alcohol costs, bringing a few snacks from home can help. I dislike eating from a hot backack, but we often have food in our room. Another problem with backack food is that you have to lug it all day. Eat offsite. Doing it midtrip can be a considerabel time sink, but eating offsite at the airport food court, or on the drrive between MCO and WDW is easy.

3. Spend one night at a value resort. If you pack a day bag, this is painless. It's especially painless if you have a late arrival. It does take time to change resorts, and doe not work so well with free DDP, but it is also fun to see/eat at two resorts. If you drive- that's also another option perhaps-make one of your offsite stays close to WDW, at a place w/free breakfast. (or at the beach!)

4. Avoid weekends. I have saved a bunch going down on weekdays. Hotel rooms are less on weekdays. Play with your dates to get the best deal (like airfare).

5. adjust the length of your trip. So many folks are not at all willing to do this. It depends a little what your travel costs are, but for me, it's an easy way to make a trip fit my budget.


6. Consider a trip to Universal instead of WDW. WDw tickets are priced so that the differnece between four and five days is small- but skipping the parks one day is another way to save a few.

7. The way the dining plan is priced now, it's hard to make it come out as a way to save. At least for us. Also, unlike in years past, they no longer allow you to use leftover QS credits to buy snacks. (Last year we barely broke even because we were able to use up leftover meal credits that way. ) You REALLY have to look at number to see if free DDP is a bettter deal than % off discounts, especialy if the 'free' dining offer is the QS plan.
We usually do better by stretching our meals with sharing. Like one person gets an entree, the other an appetizer. Disney will even split TS entrees onto two plates.

8. Oh if you so buffets- consider that in your eating plan. Like pick a late breakfast ADR to skip lunch. Or have an ice cream lunch before a buffet dinner.


9. consider AAA membership. In short, my membership pays for itself in discounts alone - some of them are Disney related.

1.Driving is only a benefit if my parent's are going. 5 driving saves money but not 3. Also I looked into the train and that's more than flying so it is out.
We own our own business so traveling is just part of the job so travelling to WDW isn't more wear and tear than other states that we have to travel to so that issue is already acounted for.

2. Food. I drink water and so do my parent's so we're already saving there. Last trip I bought the individual packets of hawaiian punch and lemonade and got free water from counter service places to turn my DS and DH into water drinkers. So there's a tip for others-use flavor packs. With staying onsite we probably wouldn't eat offsite.

3.Trying a value for 1 night might be an option I will look into the savings.
4. Can't avoid a weekend due to time we will be there.
5. Did adjust and keeping adjusting dates to help budget. It was originally supposed to be a 3 week trip 2 for WDW and the remaining for universal and Seaworld Kennedy Space center ect. Now down to 10 nights WDW.
6. Removed universal from our trip altogether to save.
7. I'm all about crunching the numbers for DP and it's worth.
8. We have to be on a steady meal schedule. Ice cream lunch isn't an option as my mom is diabetic. We do QS lunch TS dinner.
9. I will absolutely look into AAA. We used to have it but never booked through them. Now we don't have it but maybe we will save more than the cost to get it.
Thanks for the ideas and tips.