Disney budget

[jweb20]

So I'm thinking of making a trip to Disney, our first. if we stay at the WL our total cost will be around 5000.

If we stay at Windsor hills our total cost will be around 3500.

I'm having a hard time justifying to spend so much to stay on Disney. We don't plan on using emh but might want to relax mid day.

I'm just wondering how much does everyone else spend on their trips?? Any advice on or off WD propert?

 

[NJdadof2]

Our first time staying on property was at WL, and it was great. Being that close to MK, our favorite park, was great. We were in the go all morning, had a mid afternoon break/nap, and off to MK after dinner.
I completely understand saving $1,500 though. What I would look into doing, and something I didn't know when we went, was to rent DVC points and stay at the Villas. That should bring you close to that $3,500 number.

I think staying on property is a better overall experience.

 

[Jenny3]

Our first time staying on property was at WL, and it was great. Being that close to MK, our favorite park, was great. We were in the go all morning, had a mid afternoon break/nap, and off to MK after dinner.
I completely understand saving $1,500 though. What I would look into doing, and something I didn't know when we went, was to rent DVC points and stay at the Villas. That should bring you close to that $3,500 number.

I think staying on property is a better overall experience.

ITA

We rented points at BWV last year and it was the best! Not sure how large your family is, but I had kids of varying ages (ages 16, 8 and 2 at the time) and it made our vacation much more enjoyable. Having that large space with a kitchen, washer and dryer - and on Disney property - was a godsend for us. I highly recommend it

 

[LaurLaur04]

You could always stay at a moderate resort to save a good chunk of change. My fav is Port Orleans Riverside. Beautiful place!

 

[Desnik]

There are so many ways to get that $5000 price down.
Room Discounts
Rent DVC points
Choose a moderate resort
Don't do the DDP
Eat breakfast in your room
Bring snakcs, drinks, and breakfast items from home

Staying on site is better in my opinion too.

As for how much we spend on our trips. Well, we are DVC'ers so our room is "paid" for. But for a weeks trip for our family of 4, everything included, we spend around $2500-$3000. That includes souveniers.

 

[angierae]

Personally, I'd cut the price by staying at POFQ. We stayed there for trip #2 and now I don't ever want to stay anywhere else

 

[Ginny Favers]

Our recent trip to WDW was over $7000 staying at the WL because we stayed 9 nights, went on the dining plan, took an airplane, etc.

This time, we thought we would do a budget trip, but since I am too spoiled to cut out the Deluxe, we're staying at the GF and: only doing 7 nights, driving, and skipping the dining plan. Our budget for this trip is $4000. We did get a great deal on the room at the GF, since we're going during Value season.

 

[jweb20]

I'm new to DVC points? What does it mean to rent them and stay at the WL villas? I don't know how it works at all? Could someone dumb it down for me for someone not Disney experienced

 

[we3travellers]

Many great tips already mentioned here. Our first WDW stay was in 2010 at AKL for 7 nts in May. Our last was Aug 2012 at CSR 7 nts in Aug and we were just as happy. I love my deluxe properties, but I wouldn't stay off site ever. Try pricing a moderate, going off season, or do what we are doing this year....9 night split stay, 4 nts POR and 5 nts YC Cl, late Sep 2013. I would love all 9 nts deluxe, but this is what works for our budget and we are now very excited. I also snagged a very good discount as a past guest...35% off my deluxe and I think 20% off my mod. Also, be realistic about your park tickets. We are not park hoppers, so regular tkts are okay for us. We also never go toa park on the first or last day of our trip, so it doesn't make sense to buy a 10 day ticket for our 9 nt stay. I am buying 7 day passes and we will also buy tkts for MNSSHP which will add an extra visit. Planning is half the fun, so enjoy!

 

[Desnik]

I'm new to DVC points? What does it mean to rent them and stay at the WL villas? I don't know how it works at all? Could someone dumb it down for me for someone not Disney experienced

You are renting points from a DVC owner. Not getting your room through Disney. You can go directly to the owner to do this or through a 3rd party like David's vacation rentals: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2386546

Here is a link to more info:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2647748

For example if a room "DVC cost" is 15 points per night for a studio villa, and the DVC owner (or rental company) is charging $13 per point, then you would pay $195 for that room for that one night. No tax. Disney would charge $300 or more for that same room. That's a huge savings!