Disney on an extreme budget, is it possible?

[chimilady]

One of the things I love about DVC is I can throw together an easy meal that we eat at a leisurely pace while saving some $$$. If we didn't have DVC, I'd look into renting in Windsor Hills or the like to reap the same benefits.

Yup, we just stayed on site and our cheapest dinner was $97 pre-tip at 50's PTC. Every other meal was in the $120 + tip range. We say for 8 nights, so that's $800, or free tickets. Yeah, hand me the crock pot please!

 

[Emteach]

I know very little about the DVC - how exactly would you find people willing to rent out? Thank you for those assuring that it is possible, it is good to know. We would be just as happy being at Disney - regardless of where we stay. We had our big trip this past August and it was fabulous but we know this isnt an option this time and that is okay.
Thanks again!

 

[Emteach]

Just because it's not on WDW property does not mean there will not be discounted tickets. I've been to events at the Orlando Convention Center and the Peabody and both offered discounted WDW tickets. It's not likely something you will see become available until the spring. Right now, you could call the comp (or check their website)and ask if they are planning to offer tickets and if so when.

If you are able to secure a flight for under $900 for 4 people you better jump on that. Last July I paid $1300+ for our 4 tickets.

Good to know, maybe we will check that out. Thanks!

You are 5 persons--values only sleep 4 persons and are out except for suite-types. WDW value suites are not really budget-friendly, IMHO. I would look at getting an off-site place--either the same place as the convention (assuming you get a good group rate) or a condo style place--there are tons of them.
You can do breakfast and dinner at the condo. I just did a budget trip with my kids. With just a microwave, you can do a lot--or course, a stove is even better. Some things I took with me on the flights--frozen hotdogs, frozen precooked chickenmeat (sealed in the bag), bock of cheese, carrots, apples, grapes, tortillas, EZ mac and cheese, and lots of bagels, cereals, etc. The hotdogs and chicken did fine for 8+ hrs.
Tickets are the most $$ thing. See if the dance team gets discount tickets. OTherwise, get just the base ticket--no park hopping, etc. you can always add it when you are there. Have fun--you should do it!

Those are some great suggestions! Thanks. This trip it will just be the 4 of us (my dad isnt able to come at that time unfortunately).

 

[chimilady]

FYI - Renting out DVC points is cheaper than staying at a Deluxe for sure, but NOT cheaper than staying at a value. And if you stay at a studio, you will not get a full kitchen and be able to cook meals. If you stay at a value you'll still get a fridge and have access to the microwaves and toasters in the food court. I'm only saying this because you are talking about budget, and while DVC is cheaper than a Deluxe, it's not really saving you money in the long run if you're looking for a cheap way of doing it.

 

[Emteach]

FYI - Renting out DVC points is cheaper than staying at a Deluxe for sure, but NOT cheaper than staying at a value. And if you stay at a studio, you will not get a full kitchen and be able to cook meals. If you stay at a value you'll still get a fridge and have access to the microwaves and toasters in the food court. I'm only saying this because you are talking about budget, and while DVC is cheaper than a Deluxe, it's not really saving you money in the long run if you're looking for a cheap way of doing it.

Okay, thanks for giving this information. While it may not work for this trip it is something to consider for the future. Cheers.

 

[foreUT]

I know very little about the DVC - how exactly would you find people willing to rent out? Thank you for those assuring that it is possible, it is good to know. We would be just as happy being at Disney - regardless of where we stay. We had our big trip this past August and it was fabulous but we know this isnt an option this time and that is okay.
Thanks again!

I believe there are hints and tips on renting points in the DVC section of the dis and you can also Google "DVC Rent Points" for other websites that provide that service, too. The DVC resorts are located through-out WDW, so lots of options, although the lower point options are OKW and AKV

 

[foreUT]

FYI - Renting out DVC points is cheaper than staying at a Deluxe for sure, but NOT cheaper than staying at a value. And if you stay at a studio, you will not get a full kitchen and be able to cook meals. If you stay at a value you'll still get a fridge and have access to the microwaves and toasters in the food court. I'm only saying this because you are talking about budget, and while DVC is cheaper than a Deluxe, it's not really saving you money in the long run if you're looking for a cheap way of doing it.

Although I agree staying at OKW when it was only 11 points during the summer months was more economical than the 14 during the week it is now, it is still a better deal, imo, than the Values. I just checked and a Value room at the All-Stars Music is $133, plus tax. It is not difficult to find owners who post points for rent at $10 per point, so I don't see much of a price difference between the two. Plus, after having stayed in both Resorts, the larger rooms (and queen beds) make OKW preferable for me.

 

[Marionnette]

I know very little about the DVC - how exactly would you find people willing to rent out? Thank you for those assuring that it is possible, it is good to know. We would be just as happy being at Disney - regardless of where we stay. We had our big trip this past August and it was fabulous but we know this isnt an option this time and that is okay.
Thanks again!

You can find owners from the disboards who are willing to rent their points out by checking the Rent/Trade Board. You must be logged in to see it. Make sure that you read the sticky thread titled **How to use this Board** - PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. It will give you a good idea on how it all works. You cannot start a thread anywhere on the DVC boards saying that you are seeking points to rent. You can only reply to owners who post their points for rent.

You can also go to any of a number of brokers who will act as a go-between for you and the owner. They charge more but there is a little bit less risk for the renter when they go through the broker. Take a look at David's Vacation Club Rentals.

If you choose to go with renting points, you have to accept that there are serious differences between DVC rental and a regular resort room. For one, you will not get regular mousekeeping service. That means no trash removal, fresh towels or bed making everyday. You will also have to pay the owner upfront for your entire stay compared to paying a hotel at the time of check in. DVC owners will be less likely to give you a refund if you have to cancel at the last minute. That's because points from a canceled reservation less than 30 days before arrival go into a holding account where the owner cannot book anything more than 60 days prior to arrival. As much as it sounds like lots of time for many people, for DVC this is considered to be a last minute reservation. Many popular times book up when the 7-month window opens.

 

[chimilady]

Although I agree staying at OKW when it was only 11 points during the summer months was more economical than the 14 during the week it is now, it is still a better deal, imo, than the Values. I just checked and a Value room at the All-Stars Music is $133, plus tax. It is not difficult to find owners who post points for rent at $10 per point, so I don't see much of a price difference between the two. Plus, after having stayed in both Resorts, the larger rooms (and queen beds) make OKW preferable for me.

We all have preferences. How you like to vacation wasn't the issue. The OP asked about staying at Disney on an extreme budget. OKW even at $9/point is not an extreme budget decision. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to try it one day, but if I were on a super tight budget, I would be staying offsite to save money. I don't know anyone who pays rack rate for a value, unless it comes with free dining. OP, if you don't have any PIN, I would request a Disney planning CD from their website and you should get a PIN for a discount code in a few months. That's how we got ours.

 

[ldo]

OP--just like the value hotels, with 5 persons, you cannot stay in a DVC studio. You would need at least a 1 BR. OKW and most rooms at AKV allow 5 persons. The cost to rent DVC points for a 1 BR (or getting 2 value rooms or getting a value suite) would be higher than an offsite condo.

 

[foreUT]

OP--just like the value hotels, with 5 persons, you cannot stay in a DVC studio. You would need at least a 1 BR. OKW and most rooms at AKV allow 5 persons. The cost to rent DVC points for a 1 BR (or getting 2 value rooms or getting a value suite) would be higher than an offsite condo.

The OP stated earlier that her Dad is not coming, only four in her party, so that is why I suggested a DVC studio.

 

[foreUT]

We all have preferences. How you like to vacation wasn't the issue. The OP asked about staying at Disney on an extreme budget. OKW even at $9/point is not an extreme budget decision. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to try it one day, but if I were on a super tight budget, I would be staying offsite to save money. I don't know anyone who pays rack rate for a value, unless it comes with free dining. OP, if you don't have any PIN, I would request a Disney planning CD from their website and you should get a PIN for a discount code in a few months. That's how we got ours.

Emteach, I apologize if I seemed pushy or insensitive to your search for a great vacation at a small price, as pointed out by the quoted poster.

Also, sorry, I didn't realize that PIN's were an automatic perk with a planning video. If you can get a Value for significantly less than $140 a night (no taxes when you rent DVC), I agree that would probably be a better way to save a few dollars. JMHO, of course, and I realize that this is my take on the situation and no one else's, but if you are only going to be at WDW a very few days, the benefits of have EMH for the days you go to the parks, plus the WDW transportation w no parking expense would seem to outweigh the additional $ of staying on property, especially during the very busy summer month of July.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

OP--just like the value hotels, with 5 persons, you cannot stay in a DVC studio. You would need at least a 1 BR. OKW and most rooms at AKV allow 5 persons. The cost to rent DVC points for a 1 BR (or getting 2 value rooms or getting a value suite) would be higher than an offsite condo.

Yes you can, so long as you've booked with points and not directly thru Disney and at some locations are willing to bring your own air mattress. Renting thru points you play by DVC rules.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Yup, we just stayed on site and our cheapest dinner was $97 pre-tip at 50's PTC. Every other meal was in the $120 + tip range. We say for 8 nights, so that's $800, or free tickets. Yeah, hand me the crock pot please!

Here's my problem with the crock pot.

I have one of those new fangled crock pot that cooks at a higher temperature.

My roast, which should take about eight hours to cook, is done at six hours.

Therefore, leaving for rope drop at 8 AM, means you have to get back to the condo by 2, or your dinner is ruined.

I'm already. sadly, budgeting for lunches in the park every day, and dinners outside of the park. The new slow cookers don't cook food slowly.

 

[DawnM]

A lot of the newer crockpots have a timer on them so that you can set it to cook for 6 hours and then shut off.

Here's my problem with the crock pot.

I have one of those new fangled crock pot that cooks at a higher temperature.

My roast, which should take about eight hours to cook, is done at six hours.

Therefore, leaving for rope drop at 8 AM, means you have to get back to the condo by 2, or your dinner is ruined.

I'm already. sadly, budgeting for lunches in the park every day, and dinners outside of the park. The new slow cookers don't cook food slowly.

 

[DawnM]

I don't mind. We do quick type meals......pizza, steak and potatoes, hamburgers and chips, eggs and pancakes, frozen lasagna or salmon.

Sometimes it is quicker and easier than finding a restaurant and waiting to sit, order, and get served.

We do eat out for some of our meals, just not all of them. I actually start feeling sick if I eat out all the time. My digestive system doesn't like that at all.

also for me there comes a time where I have to look at the cheapness/enjoyability ratio. for example I could go to disney and cook all my meals to save money but I would be miserable for having to cook every day. So when I do extreme budgets I'm always concious of at what point will my cost cutting, cut into my enjoyment.

 

[Burnedout]

I don't mind. We do quick type meals......pizza, steak and potatoes, hamburgers and chips, eggs and pancakes, frozen lasagna or salmon.

Sometimes it is quicker and easier than finding a restaurant and waiting to sit, order, and get served.

We do eat out for some of our meals, just not all of them. I actually start feeling sick if I eat out all the time. My digestive system doesn't like that at all.

I find that I cook better than most places we go to eat. So we keep with a simple plan of some meals out, when it makes sense, and eating in when our choice in would be better.

 

[eliza61]

I don't mind. We do quick type meals......pizza, steak and potatoes, hamburgers and chips, eggs and pancakes, frozen lasagna or salmon.

Sometimes it is quicker and easier than finding a restaurant and waiting to sit, order, and get served.

We do eat out for some of our meals, just not all of them. I actually start feeling sick if I eat out all the time. My digestive system doesn't like that at all.

some times I get like that, I think I was just pointing out that folks have to find their balance on what is a savings and what is unrealistic.


I think it's like the old saying where "some times a bargin really isn't a bargin". If you buy a sweater that you didn't need or want and justify it by saying "I saved 20 bucks". did you really save any thing?

I just caution people to think truthfully about whether a suggestion would really be a savings.

For example one suggestion I hear all the time which was a total bust for my family is the "splitting meals" one. I have yet to be to one disney restaurant and after 15 years I can say I hit them all where, me and my dh split a meal and both come away satisfied. So this is what usually happens.

We get a sandwich from earl of sandwhich we split it but dh then buys a soda and chips to supplement his half really not much of a savings and then maybe 2 hours later we are both hungry again so we eat a "snack". oops there goes our savings.

That's all, it was just my long winded way of suggesting that op, look at the budget and decide what's best for each family.

 

[LadyBeBop]

A lot of the newer crockpots have a timer on them so that you can set it to cook for 6 hours and then shut off.

I have one, and it still cooks, even after I put it in warm.

Maybe I should do a little more testing. But it's hard when you are out of the house for 11 hours during the day.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I find that I cook better than most places we go to eat. So we keep with a simple plan of some meals out, when it makes sense, and eating in when our choice in would be better.

That's another problem. I'm not a good cook. When I cook quick and simple, I overcook and burn things. I follow instructions, and my results are usually edible, but dry.