Disney/Orlando bargains - please share your best tips

[bklapacz]

Hi All

I'm very new to this board. My in-laws moved to Florida. My kids and I (4.5 and almost 2) are going to spend 2 weeks visiting them. One week will probably be spent at their house an hour north of orlando, and then we'll spend a week in our hotel in Orlando.

I've been a stay at home mom since my second was born and on a very tight budget.

Can you share your best Orlando bargains and tips for saving money?

We're looking to go to Disney 1-2 days, universal Studios for 1-2 days and are open to other family fun things to do.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!
beata

 

[Marionnette]

Hi All

I'm very new to this board. My in-laws moved to Florida. My kids and I (4.5 and almost 2) are going to spend 2 weeks visiting them. One week will probably be spent at their house an hour north of orlando, and then we'll spend a week in our hotel in Orlando.

I've been a stay at home mom since my second was born and on a very tight budget.

Can you share your best Orlando bargains and tips for saving money?

We're looking to go to Disney 1-2 days, universal Studios for 1-2 days and are open to other family fun things to do.

Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!
beata

Disney tickets arent cheap and there arent any discounts on one day or two day tickets unless you are attending a convention or doing a YES program. Your children are too young for the YES program which is an educational enrichment program. The only cheaper option that I know of is to make a donation to the Florida Children's Hospital. You will get 4 one day passes and a $40 Planet Hollywood voucher in exchange for a $300 donation. http://www.fhfoundation.com/Disney/page4/page4.htm
To compare prices: 4 adult one day passes would cost you $349 and you wouldnt get that Planet Hollywood voucher.

Your in laws would be able to purchase a Florida resident child's ticket for your older child for a savings of about $8 on that ticket over the gate price for a non resident. But they would have to be the ones to purchase the ticket.

Your 2 year old would get in for free and will eat free from your plate at table service restaurants.

If your in laws stay onsite with you (or at least check in with you at the resort with their names as the lead names on the reservation) then you can get a room onsite with a Florida resident discount.

Staying onsite for one night will mean that you are eligible for Extra Magic Hours both the day that you arrive and the day that you check out. Those extra hours can mean a few extra hours in the park either in the morning or the evening. Schedule varies as to whether it is morning or evening and what park is participating on each day.

Staying onsite will also get you free parking at the parks, which will save you $14 in the parks. Parking at the resorts is free.

There's much more but that's a start. I'll let others chime in with their suggestions.

 

[crazelion]

I would make sure hotel have free breakfeast to save money. That will leave two meals to pay for. I would stay offsite with kitchen to save money on food. Having snacks and drinks at the hotel will do wonders. I would eat dinner offsite. That would save money too. If this first trip I would concretion on WDW. If had little ones I consider Sea World too.

 

[bklapacz]

Thanks for the suggestions. We bought a Hilton Vacation Club years ago, so our accomodations are taken care of.

I know the Disney tickets aren't going to be "cheap" but wondering if there are some tips and tricks to spending less on parking, on food, or on universal tickets.

I've also read that you can get disney tickets at a walmart or at another reseller for less. Is that true?

thanks!!!!

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for the suggestions. We bought a Hilton Vacation Club years ago, so our accomodations are taken care of.

I know the Disney tickets aren't going to be "cheap" but wondering if there are some tips and tricks to spending less on parking, on food, or on universal tickets.

I've also read that you can get disney tickets at a walmart or at another reseller for less. Is that true?

thanks!!!!

I've heard good things about the Hilton Vacation Club resort. Never stayed there so I can't offer any info on it.

You will not get a discount for one day tickets anywhere. Disney doesn't make them available to ticket discounters for a decent price so they either don't offer them or they charge more than the gate price. You might get free or cheap tickets if you do a timeshare presentation.

Parking is free for annual passholders and onsite guests. Otherwise it is $14 per car per day. There are no parking discounts.

Bring your own food into the parks if you really want to eat cheaply. Or share combo meals. Order yourself a kids' meal if you're not hungry and like what is on the menu. Ask for a cup of ice water instead of ordering soda or bottled water. It's a rare thing but Disney had printable discount coupons for counter service restaurants during Christmas. I'm not sure if they will repeat this at any time in the future. Just keep your eyes open.

Universal does some discounts for tickets if you buy online. Check their website for deals. You can also check undercovertourist.com for pricing. You will save more on multiday tickets than on one day tickets. If you plan to visit other attractions in Orlando then check the Flex Tickets to see if they are a better value for you.

 

[twinboysmom]

This might help a little bit with ticket prices but with the ages of your children I would skip universal. This comes from a huge universal fan (prefer it over Disney) but there is not a huge amount for the little ones. I believe a 4 day WDW ticket will cost you less than a 2 day ticket to each place. Just a thought. Have a great trip!