Few budget questions...

[Amirah95]

Anybody have a personalized Disney budget sheet that I can work off of?

We have a small family of three (My husband, my 8 year old and I), I just got my tenure at my University (yay) but the bucks still not be rolling in anytime soon. We elect to stay off Disney until we can afford to stay on. I always here it is better to stay off Disney than on...can anybody tell me the goods things on why we should stay on Disney? I've priced a vacation and I was like, "Whoa!". Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[powellrj]

I would have to say that I like to stay on-site. I like the early entry, the use of the tranportation, charging with your room key. You might want to check mousavers.com. There are sometimes some great room code that make staying on-site not that much more than staying off.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Value resorts (All Stars, Pop Century) during Value Season (the slowest times at WDW) are very reasonable--in the $55/night range with discount codes. Plus you don't have to pay to park at the different parks (7 bucks a day).

Also, just a heads-up--virtually everybody on the DIS boards says it's cheaper to book room, tickets, and transportation separately rather than buy a package.

 

[disneysteve]

Amirah95 - We are also a family of 3. My wife, me and our 8 yo daughter. And we're from NJ too!

We GREATLY prefer staying offsite. Staying onsite involves too many compromises for us - much higher prices for tiny rooms, more hustle and bustle, parking far from the room, higher food costs, etc.

Offsite, there are wonderful accomodations like suite hotels, rental condos and pool homes where you can get way more space, multiple TV's, a private pool, a fully equipped kitchen, separate rooms for parents and child, etc. And all of that for less than the cost of a plain room onsite.

floridagirrl2 is correct about package deals. They are almost always a bad deal. Some people book a package just for the convenience factor. But if you don't mind a little extra legwork, you will generally save money by booking everything individually.

 

[ceecee]

It's really not that much more to stay onsite at one of the Values. At 8, your daughter would love that! Our 8 yr old DD does and never wants to go anywhere else. It just seems more magical staying onsite, plus you jump on a bus and go anywhere...no driving or parking (okay you do wait on the bus). The value should have plenty of room for the three of you. When I first priced a package with AAA, it was so much more than we ended up paying. So price out everything seperately and you should save more than enough to stay onsite.

 

[disneysteve]

ceecee - It really depends on what you like when you travel. We find that all of us sleep better when DD has her own room. In a regular hotel room, like a Disney Value, we put her to bed then DW and I end up sitting in the bathroom with the door closed until we're ready to go to sleep. We can't talk loud, can't watch TV, etc. Then in the morning, DD gets up first and wakes us.

On the other hand, in an offsite suite or rental home, DD gets her own bedroom. We can put her to bed and then go relax in the living room, watch TV, have a snack or whatever. Then we go to sleep in our own room. When DD wakes up in the morning, she reads or plays GameBoy and doesn't have to worry about disturbing us. I always say - we don't all sleep together at home and we don't want to do it on vacation either.

We also like to eat breakfast in our room. Offsite, we have a regular kitchen and full size fridge to keep whatever we want.

As for price, you may be able to get a Value for about $60, but for that price you can get a 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo offsite so it isn't really a fair comparison.

 

[oogieboogie]

If you were doing your research based on the pricing that the Disney website quoted you, then you're looking at rack rate prices for the resorts. Yes it's a bit of a shock.

Since you're tied to a school/university schedule, my guess is the only time you can go is the typical vacation season, which would be peak season. In that case, you definitely need to do some research to get some discounts.

Mousesavers.com is an excellent source of discount codes and tips. Maybe Annual Passes could also be a good choice for you. The key is definitely researching your options. Most times purchasing your vacation separately is a better option than purchasing a package.

As for staying on-site vs off-site, personally I'd go on-site. It may be a bit more, but you get so much more. The whole feel of the resort, having the disney touch 24/7, ease of transportation, and just being able to forget the outside world is just priceless. We've stayed off-site and although the hotel was much nicer, we just didn't feel like we were at Disney. We felt like outsiders looking in, instead of being enveloped in Disney magic.

Another good plus of staying on-site is the Early Magic Hours, and the ability to just go back for a nap or break before heading back out to the parks is just so wonderful.

Good luck on your research, and congrats on your tenure.

 

[Amirah95]

Thank you all for your thoughts and opinions!

I took a look at the value resorts on the Disney site and it looks like (my husband's words) "a well decorated Days Inn room." It's not enough room for us. Last year we stayed in a 2 bedroom condo on a resort in Kissimmee that was lovely and child friendly...just like Steve said (Go New Jersey!), we found ourselves as if we were home. I was in the master bedroom watching the Discovery Channel, my husband in the living area watching Court TV and my daughter in her bedroom watching the Cartoon Network when were back at the condo from a long day in the park. LOL. To stay in one of the value resorts with one television would be a nightmare.

I priced the 1 bedroom villa on Disney's Boardwalk on the Disney site and Travelocity. The price it quoted us was rediculously high. My husband said that it's not worth even going unless Disney is prepared to wait on us hand and foot, fan us and feed us grapes at the pool. He's a little outrageous but we still have school loans to pay for.

How do you guys get around Orlando without a car? The Disney transportation certainly doesn't take their visitors to Universal Studios or any other place in the Orlando area...how does this work for any of you?

 

[canwegosoon]

Perhaps looking into renting DVC points might be for you.

 

[Amirah95]

What is DVC points and where do I go to get more info about it?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Amirah95
How do you guys get around Orlando without a car?

We always have a car regardless of where we are staying. Its really a must if you are offsite. And even when we have stayed onsite, we much prefer the convenience (and safety) of doing our own driving. Disney does a great job at moving people around but their transport system still leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC - is Disney's version of a timeshare

summer (magic season for DVC resorts) June 11 thru Aug 15 - if you want to go in the summer.....Orlando is too hot in the summer - but this season is also for most of spring break (except Easter and since that varies with each year...)

OKW
studio - Sun thru Thurs 11 points so $110 each night
fri/sat - 27 points so $270 each night
weekly 109 points

1-bedroom Sun thru Thurs 22 points so $220 each night
fri/sat - 54 points so $540
weekly 216

BWV (Preferred), BCV, and VWL
studio - sun thru Thurs 14 points so $140
fri/sat - 32 points so $230
weekly 134

1-bedroom Sun thru Thurs 30 points so $300
fri/sat - 60 points so $600
weekly 270

BWV(standard) if you can get it - very few - so hard to get
studio - Sun thru Thurs 11 points so $110
fri/sat - 28 points so $280
weekly 111

1-bedrom - Sun thru Thurs 24 points so $240 per night
fri/sat - 51 points so $510
weekly 222


there is also the new resort SSR that is openning the end of May -
[the point cost is between Epcot/MK resorts (BCV,VWL,BWV preferred) and OKW] if you want more information - email me

to rent points just go to the DVC rental/trade board on this site.

be careful there was a problem - so be very careful with anyone trying to rent for less than $10 a point.

Unless they have an II exchange - you can tell these - first they can't change the dates (DVC member can) and secondly they will want you to pay the $95 exchange fee that DVC charges II exchangers. these generally start for around $12 a point and sometimes will go as low as $6 a point if the II exchanger can't find anyone who wants it.

if you go with a DVC member it is always cheaper to go Sun-thur (leaving on Friday morning) than to stay the whole week.

hope this helps!

if you want to do Universal - then I would stay at their on-site hotels - during high season this is a must - Universal's Hotels- offer first in line if you stay on site....

don't paid WDW price (or Universal for that matter) to go to other places.....

there are several timeshares In Orlando (around 60 would you believe) that have plenty of room and will always have a better price.

 

[Amirah95]

Hi there Pat,

I didn't know what the abbrev. DVC was. I just called the Vacation Club and their going to send me a brochure to look over with my DH. The rep told me that I will need about 285 points based on our preferences (1st or 2nd week of May). My husband has to have a 2 bed-room wherever we stay and we must stay for at least 7 nights. She told me it is $95 per point and that we need to put down a 10% deposit if we wanted to finance. It is good for 50 years and we can pass it to our daughter. She said we can split up the points but I can't see us doing that since we live in New Jersey and we don't fly.

I asked her about the benefits and she said that we get a 10% discount on Disney tickets, dining, golf and some other activities. We get to use all the facilities and transportation.

What do you recommend? Should we buy a timeshare off-site because right now we go on vacation using a friend of the families getaway through her exchange company and we pay next to nothing for a 7 night stay in a 2-bedroom in Kissimmee.

She also said the maintanence fee is $90 per month.

Is this worth it? Does the Disney resorts stay packed with people year round? My husband isn't into the hustle and bustle of large crowds when he's trying to relax at the pool. In what months do you see less than the normal crowds? We are considering this because DVC will give us the option to finance and after all it's Disney.

 

[disneysteve]

Investing in a timeshare is a major decision so make sure you do your homework. Many people have bought into DVC and love it. Others have bought offsite timeshares for considerably less money and love those. Still others have bought timeshares (Disney or otherwise) and found it just wasn't working out for them for one reason or another.

Reselling a timeshare can be difficult. I'm not sure how the Disney resale market is - maybe someone else knows. Reselling non-Disney timeshares you are almost certain to lose money due to the high number of units available at any given time so don't consider your purchase to be an investment.

Just as a ballpark comparison (not totally accurate due to different types of accomodations):

285 points x $95/point = $27,000
Annual maintenance = $1,080

Offsite 3-bedroom pool home rental in May: $625/week

So at current pricing, which is subject to change of course, the $27,000 you will pay Disney could get you an offsite house for 1 week/year for about 43 years.

Just your annual timeshare maintenance fee is more than you would pay for the week offsite. If your husband prefers a quiet pool, at a rental home you would have a pool all to yourselves.

Now the timeshare is exchangable for other locations and you can rent your time to someone else if you don't want to use it one year, so those are some other things to consider.

Personally, we've looked into timeshare ownership several times at various locations and it always worked out to be considerably more expensive than just staying in a nice suite hotel or renting a home. But everybody's situation is different.

I suspect you'll get responses raving about timeshare ownership. I have several close friends who are DVC owners and they are thrilled they took the plunge. It just isn't for everyone.

 

[spiceycat]

go join

www.tug2.net

before you buy any timeshare. this people know timeshares and where to find a bargin....

now these people don't necessary like DVC - but they are not Disney freaks....

I am definitely!!!

if you are happy staying off-site (I stay off-site too- I go alot!!!!)
then don't.

much cheaper off-site - plus all those inexpensive restuarants on US192 Kissimmee are much more difficult to get to from WDW property - maybe it is just being lazy.

I also own a SA that the maintence fees are less than $200 a year - it cost me $350 (they cost more now) and I have traded it to 2-bedroom at Hilton Grand Vacation Club, Sheraton's Vistana Resort (this year for Thanksgiving) and Orange Lake resort (next year for July 2 so we will be there on the 4th).

DVC resorts are generally less crowded (even when full) than WDW resorts - they are made that way.

OKW is my home resort and first love...I brought back in 93 when it was $52 a point - now even in the resale market it is around $68 - so I could sell now and make money. WHY? because DVC controls the pricing - when they think their resorts are being undersold they will buy back the contract.

I have been at OKW when the resort is full. Now the main pool will be busy - but OKW has 4 pools - so generally the one closest to me was not busy. (sometimes we were the only ones there)

Right now DVC is only selling SSR.

If you want DVC I would go look on the resale market. Also be aware of the annual fees - right now VB (this is also a DVC) looks like a bargin - but it has the highest maintence fees of any DVC resort and it probably always will.

the SSR is good until 2054, the other DVC resorts quit in 2042. I really think your husband would be happier at OKW than SSR - however go rent some points and take him for a visit. If you are just as happy off-site as on-site then don't waste your money....

however if you are happy staying off-site then look here
www.skyauction.com
this is a RCI site so the timeshares are real. some go for $1 or $2 plus the $195 +$15 = $212 for a week in a 2-bedroom....

others - Sheraton and Orange Lake are in my opinion overpriced on the whole.

Orange Lake and Hilton only trade through RCI.

Marriott and DVC only trade through II.

I also own another timeshare in Panama City Beach - Landmark Holiday that I got for $1,500 - II wants it so badly that they kept offering me a bonus week to trade it.....I brought this one because for a couple of years I try to find a trade to Panhandle and there just aren't that many. which is why II wants it so badly.

that was before I joined RCI - they have several - so they don't value those as much.

my next trip (next week) I am going to the Marriott's Grande VIsta Resort in a studio for $199 with taxes $223....II getaway!!!

 

[Amirah95]

I understand what you're saying Steve and thanks. Most likely my husband will say let's stay off-site because he's done it once and knows what to expect. He's not much of a risk taker and although he is a Disney addict he's not very enthused about staying on Disney.

Pat, the rep at DVC said that DVC controls their own exchanges. I had no idea that II traded them too. I use my friend's getaways every year and it saves us tons of money.

I think that I'm into owning so much that I forget the big picture. And what Steve says is right, right now it's hard for owners to sell their timehares let alone get make a profit because there are so many. My husband was just contacted by a timeshare resaler and they are very cheap to buy. And he says it's because people are trying to get rid of their timeshares. It's a lot to think about but we are not going to jump into anything.

Also, what I thought was interesting was that the DVC rep says that they don't give lifetime ownership because they figure that in 50 years people will not be travelling as much as they do now to Orlando....anybody heard anything like this?

 

[spiceycat]

Disney likes to kept their option open - even the leases for the Dolphin/Swain, all the DD resorts and the Shades of Green are just for 99years....

so 50 years (when OKW originally opened in 92) is a good deal for Dis..... I think it is a control issue????

they are starting a new with SSR - so 2054 instead of 2042.

besides Disney will kept the places up.

and as I say DVC will buy back anything that they feel is undersold. which means it will be a long time before the DVC are a bargin - sorry.....I tried to tell people back in 93 what a bargin (hey until 12/31/1999 we also got free TICKETS).....but there were people who just didn't believe...

anyway if you are happy off-site go join
www.tug2.net
and find you a timeshare closer to home for less than $500 and trade it to Orlando - or go with
www.skyauction.com
if your case skyauction might be the better answer because you don't have to worry about annual fees.

yes although I don't even know if some people who work for DVC know it - but yes they use II - they even got II to lower what they will take because most DVC's own at another timeshare to trade. You own at DVC -- if you HAVE to stay on site....It would take a strange situation to get me to trade my DVC - not saying I won't ever - but it would really take something. DVC is much to expensive to trade. you buy it to use!!!! (or to rent) generally renting DVC points is not a problem.

 

[Amirah95]

My husband made a good point about timeshares. He said that some people are not able to come up with a years worth of saving for a vacation onsite or offsite so paying monthly to be an owner and paying once a year for maintanence is how some people can afford to travel without having to come out of their pocket all at once for accomodations. Usually a disaster may occur where you have to spend some of your vacation savings on an emergency and where are you left?? Broke and not able to pay for your vacation. There is no payment plan for a trip unless you get in good with an agent at your nearest Liberty Travel. Then you have to come up with spending money and airfare and perhaps and rental car.

What about this argument?

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Amirah95
My husband made a good point about timeshares. He said that some people are not able to come up with a years worth of saving for a vacation onsite or offsite so paying monthly to be an owner and paying once a year for maintanence is how some people can afford to travel without having to come out of their pocket all at once for accomodations.

What about this argument?

Sorry, but I don't see how this makes any sense if the total cost of the timeshare is far more than the cost of the non-timeshare trip. If you can afford a monthly mortgage payment plus the annual maintenance fee, then surely you can afford the hotel bill. Instead of paying the money to a finance company, put it in a separate account, buy traveler's checks, or do something else to set aside the money so you don't spend it on anything else.

To go back to my earlier example, you'd only need to save $52/month to get a week in a rental home. Just the DVC maintenance fee is $90/month plus financing the purchase price. So I don't see how his theory would hold up.

 

[Amirah95]

That's what I said, we can just save the money we would spend on a timeshare but he says that we don't have the wheel power to do it LOL (sounds like a personal issue to me). It sounded good coming out of his mouth. I get what you're saying Steve, disregard.

He was talking about an offsite timeshare...we eighty sixed the DVC thing.