DL on a BUDGET!

[whoopsiedoodle]

Ok DH has agreed to a vaction but now it looks like the budget my be tighter than I had first anticipated. We are planning on the last week in Feb. Staying at possibly HOJO's or BWPPI or CCI but I'm so not sure about that yet! Any other suggestions for a DL novice??? I am the only one who has ever been to DL and I want everyone else to have a blast. The kids will be 2 and 4 (boy and girl). THANKS!

 

[milan15]

use getawaytoday to save on hotel and tickets (if you don't have annual passes) and look for coupons regularly.

 

[SomeDude78]

What kind of budget are you on? (For example how much to spend on a hotel per night.) There are less expensive hotels in the surrounding areas if you're willing to take a shuttle as opposed to be within walking distance.

 

[MICKEYFIL]

Get a starwood american express card before July 31st and you can get 15,000 points and the card free for a year. You do have to spend $1,000 in total over the first three months to get the reward. That is enough points for two free nights at the Sheraton Park or the Sheraton shaped like a castle. Then cancel the card and avoid paying a fee. I don't want to make it sound like I work for AMEX cause I don't. This is just a strategy I used.

Also check Alaska air's website for tickets to disneyland. Every once in a while they put the multi day hopper tickets on for a decent price. It doesn't seem like you need to buy a plane ticket in order to get the deal, but I could be wrong.

 

[skiingfast]

What kind of budget are you on? (For example how much to spend on a hotel per night.) There are less expensive hotels in the surrounding areas if you're willing to take a shuttle as opposed to be within walking distance.

Staying at possibly HOJO's or BWPPI or CCI but I'm so not sure about that yet!

You can cut that cost by close to 1/2. Look at the Anahiem Plaza, or the BV! or Super 8 both on Katella.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Ok DH has agreed to a vaction but now it looks like the budget my be tighter than I had first anticipated. We are planning on the last week in Feb. Staying at possibly HOJO's or BWPPI or CCI but I'm so not sure about that yet! Any other suggestions for a DL novice??? I am the only one who has ever been to DL and I want everyone else to have a blast. The kids will be 2 and 4 (boy and girl). THANKS!

OP- HoJo's currently has lots of dates avail at the ET/Retro Rate of $59/night for Jan & Feb http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14. When planning on a budget, I always start here! You just CAN'T beat $59/night for a clean, comfy hotel within walking distance! Call in house res asap so that you can get this rate- they sell out quick!

Are you driving or flying? Jet Blue currently has flights for $89/one way flying into Long Beach. Well...coming from my area anyways. If driving, take advantage of being able to pack your own meals and depending on how long of a drive, try to drive straight through- thus saving you hotel costs.

When we drive, I always make & freeze some meals ahead of time. Think homemade mac & cheese or chili- both reheat in the micro very easy and are filling crowd pleasers! I also bake some muffins (Costco sized!) and freeze those for breakfasts in the park.

Try getting the "gas buddy" app for your phone, so that way you can always find the cheapest gas while on the road.

You can sign up for restaurant coupons before you go- I recommend 2 weeks prior as most coupons will expire within 2 weeks of signing up. I know that MiMi's which is right next door to the HoJo's has coupons for FREE entrees all the time. Just go to their website and sign up!

Getawaytoday also offers coupons for the Anaheim area and you can always try the SoCal state tourist websites for additional coupons.

And if you're visiting any other theme parks or doing anything else while in SoCal, try buying tickets ahead of time to save money. For example we are going to a few museums in San Diego. By simply buying them online prior to our trip, I can save $5-10. It's not much, but every little bit helps!

My budget is $2500 for 2 adults/1child for 10-14 days. This includes ALL meals, hotels, gas, activites/tix, souveniers, etc. And most times I am able to stay within my budget. I would LOVE to be able to double that and spend $5K but if we want to go every year or so....this is just the way we have to do it. And personally, I would much rather go yearly and do it on a budget then have to wait every few years!

Good luck! You can do it!!

 

[philliplc]

depending on where you live i second checking out jetblue to long beach (LGB).

recently saw some seats in august through october this year go on sale $44 each way ($110 w/tax roundtrip) from portland. pretty sick price.

 

[DreamingofDaWorld]

There are 14 going in our group (me, my 6 kids, my parents, my brother, sil & 3 of his kids). We rented a house nearby for our 6 nights. It will end up being half the price of what hotel rooms would have cost us. Plus a full kitchen, laundry & a backyard so the little ones can run around in. We plan on hitting up Walmart our first night for food. Breakfast at the house each day, and most dinners too. We will splurge and get food a couple of times at the parks. We also our buying most of our souveneirs ahead of time. Goodwill is GREAT for 99 cent light spinners. I am also a crafty person, so kids will each be getting m&mtube penny holders for smooshed pennies, and we are making our own autograph books. The kids are working on earning some spending money- I plan on having them each have their own disney dollars to spend.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Wow. Lots of good info Chrissiecutie! Thanks for posting!

OP- HoJo's currently has lots of dates avail at the ET/Retro Rate of $59/night for Jan & Feb http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14. When planning on a budget, I always start here! You just CAN'T beat $59/night for a clean, comfy hotel within walking distance! Call in house res asap so that you can get this rate- they sell out quick!

Are you driving or flying? Jet Blue currently has flights for $89/one way flying into Long Beach. Well...coming from my area anyways. If driving, take advantage of being able to pack your own meals and depending on how long of a drive, try to drive straight through- thus saving you hotel costs.

When we drive, I always make & freeze some meals ahead of time. Think homemade mac & cheese or chili- both reheat in the micro very easy and are filling crowd pleasers! I also bake some muffins (Costco sized!) and freeze those for breakfasts in the park.

Try getting the "gas buddy" app for your phone, so that way you can always find the cheapest gas while on the road.

You can sign up for restaurant coupons before you go- I recommend 2 weeks prior as most coupons will expire within 2 weeks of signing up. I know that MiMi's which is right next door to the HoJo's has coupons for FREE entrees all the time. Just go to their website and sign up!

Getawaytoday also offers coupons for the Anaheim area and you can always try the SoCal state tourist websites for additional coupons.

And if you're visiting any other theme parks or doing anything else while in SoCal, try buying tickets ahead of time to save money. For example we are going to a few museums in San Diego. By simply buying them online prior to our trip, I can save $5-10. It's not much, but every little bit helps!

My budget is $2500 for 2 adults/1child for 10-14 days. This includes ALL meals, hotels, gas, activites/tix, souveniers, etc. And most times I am able to stay within my budget. I would LOVE to be able to double that and spend $5K but if we want to go every year or so....this is just the way we have to do it. And personally, I would much rather go yearly and do it on a budget then have to wait every few years!

Good luck! You can do it!!

 

[lorieintucson]

.some of our budget strategy is to bring our breakfast and snacks into the park. Sometimes lunch for the kids as well. You can bring in a soft side, six-pack size cooler full of frozen go-gurts, frozen drink pouches for ice, sandwiches for the kids, grapes, cheese sticks--anything that needs chilling. Then in your diaper bag pack your dry snacks: crackers, goldfish, fruit leathers, etc... Those kids meals and 'power packs' can really add up.

.for dining in the park, do you research on menus and see where there are things that you really want to try and what are good values. I find that my husband I can can split many main entrees and keep refilling our camel bak bottles with water to keep costs down (favorite split is a big pasta and an entree salad from Redd's Rocket Port, and the fried chicken at Plaza Inn).

.we buy souvenirs from home and have them "surprised delivered" in your room. Or have them to break out in the park instead of buying the little things.

.bring your own double stroller so that you don't have to rent there.

. pick up dollar store rain ponchos so that you won't be caught needing to buy a disney poncho (and buy one for the stroller, too).

 

[sheetz]

And if you're visiting any other theme parks or doing anything else while in SoCal, try buying tickets ahead of time to save money. For example we are going to a few museums in San Diego. By simply buying them online prior to our trip, I can save $5-10. It's not much, but every little bit helps!

Here's my super cheapskate's tip for saving at museums. Lots of museums participate in a reciprocal arrangement with other institutions around the country, meaning that if you are a member of one you can get admission for your entire family to all the others!

Example: If you like visiting science museums you can become a singles member of the Castle Science & Technology Center for just $25 and gain admittance for your entire family to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, the Natural History Museum of LA County, and both the Ruben H Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum in San Diego.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Here's my super cheapskate's tip for saving at museums. Lots of museums participate in a reciprocal arrangement with other institutions around the country, meaning that if you are a member of one you can get admission for your entire family to all the others!

Example: If you like visiting science museums you can become a singles member of the Castle Science & Technology Center for just $25 and gain admittance for your entire family to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, the Natural History Museum of LA County, and both the Ruben H Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum in San Diego.

This is an excellent idea. I think zoo's do this too!

However, we aren't members of any museums. We choose to take advantage of FREE days/nights at our local museums. Can you tell I'm all about saving money!

Perhaps they do this in your area too? In Seattle, it's typically a Thursday night from like 5pm to close. We have an awesome children's museum in Everett (about 15 mins from us) that offers every 3rd Friday night free. By simply using the free days/nights my family saves $$hundreds!

I know this is a bit off topic, but there's really SO much you can do for FREE or very cheap with your kids, especially in summertime. I apply my money saving strategies for vacay too! So this includes local pools that have small waterparks- price is usually under $5- MUCH cheaper then a big, independant waterpark. Movie theaters often offer $1 movies, Regal Cinemas is currently doing this for summertime. FREE museum days/nights & FREE movies in the park...there's just so many ways to save at home and while on vacation!

Last time we went to Universal Studios, I scored an awesome deal through Arrowhead water. I know...weird huh! But they had a special online promo for literally half price. So if there's someplace you know you want to visit, spend time doing research and look into every option.

I also only try and do one other "major" thing in addition to Disney. Disney takes up the majority of our budget so we just have room for one more big ticket item. I always discuss with DH & DS what we want to add and we all have to agree. Last visit it was Universal & this time we are going to Legoland. On our budget, we could never afford to do & see it all. But that's ok- it gives us plenty of reasons to keep coming back!

 

[NiceOneSimba]

We went when my DD wasn't quite 3, and we purchased little Mickey and Minnie bean-bag stuffed animals at the Disney Store before we left and packed them with us. I think they were on sale 2 for $10 or something like that around Christmas. She loved them, and it was a major savings over buying something in the parks. We honestly didn't buy her any souvenirs in the park! And, the only ones we bought ourselves were silhouettes and a magnet for our fridge!

Also, if you are going to splurge on a character meal, your 2-year old will get to eat for free!

If you are flying, you can order groceries from Vons.com, and have it delivered to your hotel. We got water, soda, milk (in shelf-stable boxes), juice boxes, string cheese, pre-sliced apples and some other snacks. It was easy to put those in our soft-sided cooler and take them into the park for snacks throughout the day. If you need them, you could also have diapers and wipes delivered, and then you wouldn't have to worry about carrying them on the plane. Delivery is free with your first order. I found it to be a little more expensive than the grocery store here at home--but much cheaper than in the park or at 7-11.

Others will have great ideas about hotels. My advice is that you will want a place that is close enough so that you can easily go back for nap time. We stayed at the BWPPI, and were thrilled to be so close. If you're not driving, they do have a "no car" rate, which can be a big savings.

You will have a great time!

 

[sheetz]

This is an excellent idea. I think zoo's do this too!

However, we aren't members of any museums. We choose to take advantage of FREE days/nights at our local museums.

For sure I take advantage of free days, too, but the reciprocity arrangement works for when I'm on vacation since free days are few and hard to schedule vacations around. In fact, the only reason I hold a museum membership is for the reciprocity.

And remember that the museum you are a member of does not need to be your local museum, nor even one that you've ever been to. Just find the cheapest museum membership you can and join! I currently hold a membership to the Newark Museum which I've never been to and is 1000 miles away, but there was a great groupon deal on a membership so I joined.

 

[profa]

The HOJO retro rate is a steal. We were at Disney last month family of 5. We drove from WA
I do know people who have done the grocery delivery. You can bring anything but glass in. We only ate one meal/day at a restaurant. We ate our breakfast in line while waiting for the park to open.
I bought tix through the entertainment book and it was the best deal I could find. 3 day passes for all 5 for 920. We didn't do hopper and didn't find it necessary for 3 days. 2 at DL and 1 at DCA.
I bought glow sticks and other things from the $$ store. My friend who is a drama teacher gave me disney hats when she was cleaning out a closet. What a bargain. I had been checking e bay as that was a gift for departure.

 

[Jkpark]

We drive when we go to DLR and we bring water, juice, breakfast foods, snacks and usually things to make sandwiches for the kids for lunch. I also keep an eye out for when Disneystore.com has sales on park merchandise. I've pre-bought autograph books and then I go to Party City and get a 3 pack of Disney pens for $1. I've also bought $1 Disney journals/notebooks at Party City/Target $1 bins and the girls use those as autograph books. (just have to remember to take vertical pictures and not horizontal ). I've also bought ears and stuffed Disney friends during disneystore.com sales. Old Navy has great childrens Disney tee shirts too!

Pressing pennies as a souvenir is fantastic, too to remember something in the park.

For hotels - if you have more than 1 car, the Desert Inn large suite won't let you park the 2nd there, even for an extra fee. This can be a hassle to figure out where you can leave your car safely and you will likely pay for that. If you don't have two cars, the C2 suite is great for your group (4 queen beds, 1 sleeper sofa, 2 full bathrooms) and it's right across the street. If you will have 2 cars, you can check Costco travel for discounted rooms at any of the 3 Best Westerns nearby (BWPPPI seems to be the most popular but I haven't stayed there yet).

For splitting meals - the Pommes Frites and Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans is one of our favorites to split - plus we can splurge on Mickey Beignets for dessert

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

You guys are simply amazing!!! ixiedust: I was really starting to stress because when I started pre-planning and looking my budget was much larger. We are driving down from Idaho and plan on staying a few says in Santa Cruz with some friends before DL. The one thing I can't compromise on is being walking distance to the park, my kids are still nappers and I know they will need a break in the middle of the day. I also know that there is a strong posibility of the ever-so-fun out-of-the-blue total meltdown so we need to be able to run back for a break whenever needed! I will definitely be calling HOJO to see if they have retro-rates available!!! I really feel so much better now. Even reading other threads and getting ideas I was getting a little worried.

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

OP- HoJo's currently has lots of dates avail at the ET/Retro Rate of $59/night for Jan & Feb http://www.boards.hojoanaheim.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14. When planning on a budget, I always start here! You just CAN'T beat $59/night for a clean, comfy hotel within walking distance! Call in house res asap so that you can get this rate- they sell out quick!

It says I need a card?? Is that just an Entertainment Card? Where do I get one?

 

[skiingfast]

It says I need a card?? Is that just an Entertainment Card? Where do I get one?

You can book it now. You need the card at check in.

You can get the cards with Entertainment books sold for your area or any other. Also on Ebay usually for a couple bucks. The problem is you will need a 2013 card, which won't be available for 5 months.

 

[BayAreaMom]

Hi
My best suggestion on how to save $$ is try and minimize eating out (specifically in the parks or DTD- mcdonalds is super cheap!). Also avoid souveniers- I cave and buy my kids 1 item under $20, but I feel guilty about that. I do make them wait until the last day, because if not then they see something else and change their mind.

We have stayed at HoJos 5 times since last Sept 2011- the most recent being 6/1 when we tried the $59 2 double. I have to say, this room may not work for you. The rooms are smaller and noiser (people noise, not freeway). They are in 2 story buildings w/o elevators. I have stayed in the $69 2Q and really think they might be worth the extra $10 if you have to have an elevator for your kids.