First time...Help.

[DD2Disney]

Two days ago we made a spur of the moment decision to 'move up' our first Disney vacation (originally planned for Nov/Dec 2004). So now we are going April 28th- May 4th. We were able to get good airfare through Southwest. We also got a good rate (we think) at Holiday Inn Maingate East. We are purchasing 2 adult 4 day hopper passes. We have a reservation through Alamo for a rental car....(sorry had to get that all out of the way).

For all the big ticket items listed above we have spent $1360.00 Now we have a budget of $2000.00 Is this going to be enough. We are totally ok with eating mostly fast food items (to save money). Souveniers, we don't usually do a lot of these for other trips, (but have never been to Disney World). We are taking DS (2) I am sure he will want a baloon or stuffed animal or something. I just don't know what to expect.

Is this doable? Can I cut costs anywhere?

Tricia

 

[MELSMICE]

I think mousesavers is coming out with resort rates soon (check Tuesday morning). You may be able to get a better or comparable rate on property & then do without a car.

If you can swing staying on property I would definitely consider it. It makes the trip that much more magic, especially with a young one. It is more convenient to get back to your resort for mid-day breaks (& you'll need those).

I think that $2000 will be plenty for the 3 of you. You'll be able to have some nice character or sit down meals also.

Have a great trip!!!

P.S. Just saw this on another thread. Check out the rates at this site: http://www.shopthemouse.com/walt_disney_world_discounts.htm#Room Only FOR ALL GUESTS

Scroll up to get rates for other resorts instead of just the cabins. Remember to ask for the reference code when you call Disney.

 

[DD2Disney]

Hi Melsmice Thank you so much for that info. I have another question....I did the math with that offer... It would be approx $100.00 more to stay at a Value Disney hotel then to take the Holiday Inn offer we got (and give up the rental car). So being that we are trying to stay budget shouldnt we just do Holiday Inn w/car?? $100.00 doesn't seem bad and it IS doable. But then we would have to eat ALL our meals on Disney property.

What does anyone think of which of those would be the better option???

edited to say I forgot I would have to pay for transfer from the airport if we did this too.

 

[jcemom]

I really hate to say this because I absolutely loved staying on property... (We had a rental car and barely used it.) BUT, if budget is a concern, I think you should stick with off-site. As it is, you have about $600 left for food and souvenirs which should be plenty. If you'd like you can see menus and prices here: Menus to help you plan your meals. If you don't mind sharing with your little one from your plate (portions are large) he'll be eating "free."

Unless you find a lower rate somewhere, paying $100 more to stay at a Value, then another $100 for airport transfers, will only leave you with $400 which I don't think would be enough for a week's meals and souvenirs.

Keep checking Mousesavers.com for resort discounts. You may be able to do better and get to stay onsite. It would be much more convenient with a toddler, but would definitely increase the amount spent on meals by not having the option to eat off-site.

If you don't mind my asking, what are you paying for the Holiday Inn?

 

[MELSMICE]

This is just my opinion, & I know others will disagree (although many will agree also I think ) but.......................

for an extra $100 or even $200 I would definitely stay on Disney property. You will get the whole experience of a WDW trip - there is nothing like it.

As far as food, there are places to eat on Disney property within reason. I have seen the food court at the All Star resorts & they have quite an array of choices. There are also counter service restaurants in every park. Also, as I mentioned, with the amount you have budgeted, I really feel you can do some nice sit down dinners & character meals.

Some tips for saving on meals, however, is to have your big meal at lunch or eat a large breakfast & then you won't be hungry until dinner time most likely if you have some snacks in between.

Get a car service that will do a short grocery stop. Have a list made up & get some snacks & breakfast items for the room. Bring a collapsible cooler with you so you can put some drinks & snacks in it for a day at the resort pool. You can also buy a styrofoam cooler on your grocery stop to leave in the room.

There are many, many ways to pinch pennies & you'll get all kinds of ideas right on this Budget Board.

Again, this is just my opinion, but if it were me, for the couple hundred $'s difference I would definitely stay on property. Nothing compares!!!

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by jcemom
As it is, you have about $600 left for food and souvenirs which should be plenty.

Unless you find a lower rate somewhere, paying $100 more to stay at a Value, then another $100 for airport transfers, will only leave you with $400 which I don't think would be enough for a week's meals and souvenirs.

I think I might be confused. Do you have a budget of $2000 total or do you have $2000 left after you pay for airfare, tickets & your resort? I was thinking you had $2000 left for meals, etc.

 

[DD2Disney]

JCEmom- $34.95 for Holiday Inn Maingate East and they have small fridge and microwave in the room. I am almost sure this is what we will be doing.

Melsmice- Our budget is $2000.00 TOTAL..not just for food and souveniers. So you can see why I don't think Disney property is going to work for us this trip. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Tricia

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by DD2Disney
JCEmom- $34.95 for Holiday Inn Maingate East and they have small fridge and microwave in the room. I am almost sure this is what we will be doing.

I do think that's the way to go. With the refrigerator and microwave, breakfasts in the room won't be a problem, and will save you time as well. It will be nice for keeping milk and juice for the baby also. You can even chill your own bottles of water and juice boxes for taking with you into the parks. (We didn't have a fridge but did this with a cooler and it worked well for us. Not just a money saver, but a time saver as well. Not having to stand in line every time you want a drink is nice.) If I'm not mistaken, that hotel isn't more than a few minutes from Disney. Not too bad, and it will give you a lot of dining options. I wouldn't bother leaving the park to eat offsite just because you are hungry, but if you're leaving for a break anyway, then by all means take advantage of the lower prices off site. The park prices for counter service aren't too bad and for the most part servings are pretty big, allowing you to share sometimes. If you think your son would like it, I would go ahead and schedule a character meal for him, it should fit into your budget (breakfast and lunch cost a little less, and the Garden Grill Ice Cream Social is a real bargain). You'll do fine and have a terrific time, I'm sure of it!

 

[DD2Disney]

Thank you so much Tracey. I was convinced it looks good on paper, I just needed someone who has actually been to WDW to give me validation I guess

You were a lot of help, again thank you.

Tricia

 

[senecabeach]

Tricia,

Tracey's got the right idea!! Its what I would do too!

If I had a car I would certainly go to the grocers for snack, drinks.
Also..Brita has a H2O bottle ( in Wallmart, Kmart) for about $6. with a filter in the bottle, which will allow you to fill up anywhere rather that buying expensive H2O in the parks.

I would also consider:
Will you be doing WDW..only??? Do you really need a car??
Does the hotel have shuttle service to the parks?? Free??
How about complimentary breakfast @ the hotel??

Best of Luck with your plan!!!!

Keep us posted??
Carol

 

[mad4themouse]

Tricia,
Those numbers sound good and from the looks of it, the HI Maingate is probably the least expensive way to go. Just remember to factor the following into your budget:

• Room tax (11.5% to 12.5% depending on which county your hotel is in)
• Resort fee (some hotels charge this in addition to your room rate). Make sure that you know if there is a fee and if so how much it will be.
• Make sure that Alamo's rate quote includes the Concession Fee Recovery Charge (9.8%), State Sales Tax (6.5%), Florida Surcharge Waste Tire Battery Fee ($2.05/day) and Vehicle License Recoupment Fee ($0.49/day).
• Print a 2 copies of your car reservation confirmation. Show the person at the counter one copy when you go to claim your vehicle. Make sure that those numbers match the paperwork that you're signing. If not, whip out your second copy to prove your point. Check the Car Rental...I Think I got Rooked Thread . Not too many nice things being said about Alamo there.
• Make sure that your own car insurance policy and/or your credit card covers insurance for the vehicle and decline it when offered at the counter. And make sure that they do not sneak it in on you by asking if you want "premium coverage or just the standard?" . You do not need to purchase insurance thru them if you already have coverage from some other source. They are notorious for high-pressure sales for insurance. Don't let them con you.

If you're interested in anything that is going on at WWoS during your stay, check out the I got a Good Deal on 7 Day PH Tickets Thread . There are hints there on how to get a 4-day PHP pass for $149 per adult. That's probably the best price that you'll find anywhere.

Since your DS is only 2, consider purchasing a few souvenirs for him ahead of time and giving them to him as you see fit. He won't know the difference and will be just as happy with a Mickey from KMart as he will be with one from the gift shop.

The only other cost-cutting measure I have would have to do with your one last major expense - food. I'm sure you probably already have that covered.

Have a great trip!

edited to add:
Don't forget that parking for the car will be $7 per day at the parks (x4 days = $28).
You will need to pay tolls for the car to/from the airport.
You will need to gas up the car before you return it, otherwise you'll pay a hefty fee to Alamo.
Those factor should also be considered when deciding whether it is truly less expensive to stay offsite.

 

[kilee]

Possibly consider priceline. Just a thought on how to save even more for your hotel room. Of course you have to be comfortable with it.

Also, now matter which way you slice it, food is more at Disney. So being on a tight budget, you definetly don't want to go w/o a car and not be able to eat offsite some.

Don't forget about money for things like tipping and parking. They can add up quick. You should most definetly be able to fit one or 2 nice sit down meals. Go for breakfast or lunch, which is sometimes cheaper than dinner. Go to the buffets--- because if I'm not mistaking your DS is free (???).

With a toddler I wouldn't rely on the free shuttles. Most of them only run a few times a day. Meaning you could be stuck at the parks for hours after you really wanted to. We went once w/ the shuttles. Well on the last day we wanted to sleep in alittle so we drove ourselves. Thank goodness. It was terrible, terrible thunderstorms that day, and DH was not feeling good (next morning went to the ER for Kidney stones). If we wouldn't of brought the rental car we would of had to stay soaked to the bone (ring out your clothes wet) at the parks for an additional 5 hours past what we did. We could of called a taxi, but when you're on a budget these can eat money fast.