Disney Budget??

[ETsmommy]

Because a family suite is not a "room". It is a 2 room suite. The only Value with the family suites is Music. And can sometimes cost more than 2 rooms at a value.

Gotcha. Sorry. Well, it wasn't much, but it was a little bit cheaper. I don't know if it makes it worth it to stay in the same area, versus private time.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Not sure if someone already answered this but if you get the Dining Plan that has a table service as part of it, you can use that for character dining. Cinderella's Royal Table (Inside the MK castle) takes 2 dining plan points, but all others are just one dining plan point. This is a great plan if it fits into your budget.

You might also look into pricing the cabins at Fort Wilderness. THey sleep up to 6 people and have a kitchen and a deck. It's probably similar in price to a value restort.

Good luck with your plans...have fun!!!

 

[ETsmommy]

Is there any way that I can just add a dining plan to the room only or tickets only? Or would I need to do the packages for that? Is it better to book through Disney, or someone else (travel agent or something). Thanks.

 

[iwrbnd]

We've only done packages through Disney but my sister went through AAA. Maybe somebody else knows the answer to which is cheaper.

As far as the dining plan, that has to be in a package deal.

I forgot about staying in The Cabins. We did that once and it was a lot of fun. We had 6 people and it was crowded but it worked!

 

[kchughes]

Go to the library and check out all available planning guide books. Doesn't matter if it is a few years old,the info is basically the same except for pricing and you can get that from the disney website.Once you find one you like, then buy that one (we like Passporter because it has lots of pockets and places to write, but that is just my opinion). You can book a room only ressie and ten add ticets and dinning to make a package. We also prefer to travel off season and have pukled our son out of schoolkk the last 2 years (kindergarten and first grade). Crowds are much smaller and substantial savings. We have stayed in POFQ and Carribean Beach for moderates and Pop for a valua and actually prefer Pop. We are not in the room a lot and rarely eat at our home resort so no TS resaurant is not a big deal for us. I would go for 2 rooms at a value rather that one on a Moderate. You may love your parents, but sometimes you need to be able to get away! And you can also send the kids to grandma and grandpa's room for a bit. Just ask for connecting rooms. I have booked thru travel agents and by my self.there is no cost difference, but if you book thru an agent specializing in Disney, they will watch out for the deals and rebook when the best deal comes out for your travel dates

 

[dnbent]

OP - If you are planning on just doing Disney parks you will not need to rent a taxi. We love the fact that we don't have to argue over who is driving and can just jump on a bus.

Also remember that it just cost you a couple of dollars per day for each day your ticket is over 5 days. And we've stayed as long as 17 days (with annual passes) and never ran out of things to do.

As for time of year - we love either October - November or January - February. We live in Wisconsin so the only bad thing about October - November is that we don't miss any snow then.

Watch the Disney web site for deals. The last several years Free Dining has been offered in the fall. This spring they are doing a Disney Gift Card Free with your package.

Another question I have is do your parents and you really want to share a room. The budget rooms are Small, small, small. I know that although I love my grandchildren dearly, Grandpa and I would opt for our own room.

As for which dining plan - the regular dining plan takes a lot of time away from the parks. However, the Quick Service Dining plan makes the meals nothing special. Now that is not to say that the QS is bad just not special. And that being said if you would go during Food & Wine Festival I would definately do the QS dining plan as you can use the snacks for sampling the F&W items.

Disney is by far the best place to vacation and it can definately be done on a budget while having a great time.

Pick your dates and have a great time planning.

One other thing - we took our girls out of school for 1 - 2 weeks per year. There was absolutely no problem with this until high school. At that point we backed the trips down to 1 week or it was just to hard for them to catch up.

 

[ETsmommy]

OP - Also remember that it just cost you a couple of dollars per day for each day your ticket is over 5 days. And we've stayed as long as 17 days (with annual passes) and never ran out of things to do.

I think we will only be able to stay a week. I'm pushing for 10 days, but doing "budgets" as well as I can is still pushing $3,500 - 4,000. However, I am not planning on any freebies right now, since there is no guarantee of getting them. So, I'm hoping that it would be cheaper.

As for time of year - we love either October - November or January - February. We live in Wisconsin so the only bad thing about October - November is that we don't miss any snow then.

Is October better than September? I know September is hurricane season, but I didn't know if October would be better. Also, I was kinda interested in doing the MNNSHP, if we would be going then.

Watch the Disney web site for deals. The last several years Free Dining has been offered in the fall. This spring they are doing a Disney Gift Card Free with your package.

Yeah, I tried to talk hubby into going this August, at the end of the Gift Card promo. No go.

Another question I have is do your parents and you really want to share a room. The budget rooms are Small, small, small. I know that although I love my grandchildren dearly, Grandpa and I would opt for our own room.

Yeah, I really wouldn't want to share a room, but was just trying to figure out cheaper alternatives. However, I talked to mom and dad, and they really aren't too interested in going, so it looks like it would just be hubby, me, and little one.

As for which dining plan - the regular dining plan takes a lot of time away from the parks. However, the Quick Service Dining plan makes the meals nothing special. Now that is not to say that the QS is bad just not special. And that being said if you would go during Food & Wine Festival I would definately do the QS dining plan as you can use the snacks for sampling the F&W items.

I am undecided about the dining. I am leaning towards the regular, as hubby and I currently work at restaurants, and get tired of "same old, same old." So, I'm kinda worried that we would be unhappy with the QS all the time. So, I was thinking about the regular plan, and then I can also do some character meals without paying out of pocket. And, really, as it is now, my husband and I are used to eating later, typically between 7 and 10pm.

Disney is by far the best place to vacation and it can definately be done on a budget while having a great time.

Yeah, I really want to go, but it's the budget part that I'm having problems with. High ambitions, ya know!!

Pick your dates and have a great time planning.

One other thing - we took our girls out of school for 1 - 2 weeks per year. There was absolutely no problem with this until high school. At that point we backed the trips down to 1 week or it was just to hard for them to catch up.

Yeah, I didn't think pulling him out would be too much of a problem. I didn't get pulled out when I was young, but I did miss the 2nd week of school my junior year of high school in order to go to Virginia with my parents.