Going to DW in 2005

[Disney4me04]

Okay my son has decided he wants to do DW instead of DL. Fine with me. I just want a vacation!

So now I have looked at some packages (prices for 2004) We are going in 2005 but I need to have some idea.


I found one for 1600.00:
Flight-
Hotel (All Star Sports)-
5 day tickets - do not think they are hoppers (so I think I would not get those and get hoppers)
Mears Transportation
Insurance

What do you think of the price?

Dates: August 8th to the 12th


I have already started buying DD for food and spending.

 

[brandip22]

We are going in 2005, and I'm already planning. I would not book a package yet, though. I would book room only ressies and then watch for special rates to come out. If they do, you can call and get the rate changed so it'll be even cheaper. The tickets can be added on at any time if you want UPH or you can just go buy the others at TDS. I've been putting a plan together and will be staying in late May. I will probably get an AP for me to take advantage of that rate. The rest will probably get UPHs for the length of stay, but we'll buy them early and get that discount. For lodging and tickets at the Wilderness lodge, it will be $2600, but we need the cabin so we can cook at night. This price is before the discounts, though. Hopefully that'll give you a guideline. Check out mousesavers to see what deals are usually available at your time of stay. Happy planning!

 

[mad4themouse]

Depending on what airfare runs in your area, I think that you should be able to beat that package cost easily.

By booking the "parts" instead of the package you could get:

• 4 nights AllStar Resort (std view, rack rate, tax included) $443.52
• 4-day PHPs (1 adult, 1 child from Hotwire Savings Club) $376.71
• Mears Transportation (RT MCO -->All Star Resort, tip not included) $50

No need for insurance if you book the parts separately, by yourself.

Total cost without airfare: $870.23

Prices would be slightly higher if your son is over the age of 9.

Now if RT airfare for 2 from your area runs in excess of $700 on a routine basis, then the package might be a better deal.

I would follow brandip22's advise and book the room when your dates are firm. Buy the tickets when you have enough money set aside for them and keep an eye out for discount room codes, which should come out sometime next April or May.

Edited to correct a typo on the ticket prices. Originally entered $276.71.

 

[Disney4me04]

DS will be 13 when we go...maybe 14 -- if we go after birthday.

Air is running right now at about 222.00 for each of us.

If I book room now do I have to pay for all of the days up front or 1 night?

I figure 60.00 a day on food. We will be having breakfast in the room. Since DS is one of these get up and eat now people. I am going to ship water and snacks down there.

I want to stay at Pop Century in the 80s or 90s building

 

[Disney Debbie]

For room only you just have to pay a one night deposit.

$60.00 would be too low for our family - but we like to eat at least ONE nice meal per day - so if you're just doing fast food you will be okay - assuming it's just you and DS? There's no DH/DW?(sorry can't tell if you're a man or a woman!!)

 

[Disney4me04]

I am a woman and yes it is just me and DS. And you are right I need to bump up the food bill. What am I think...a 14 year old can eat the whole 60.00 a day!

Thanks for the hotel info. So I know that I can go and book my dates soon.

Does anyone know if the 2005 hotel days are open yet.


Nope just us going on the trip!
12
30 something

 

[AdventurerKat]

I think you can book now for that room, just know that the price might raise if the raise the hotel rates in the interim.

 

[OLT2004]

Don't forget to ask for an American Automobile Association(AAA)
discount when inquiring about room rates from WDWTC.

I just saved $138 from what I thought was an already great rate!

We are paying $549 W/All Taxes for 8 Nights @ Pop Century in November. This is value season. This works out to $68 per night With All Taxes!

We already belong to AAA but if we didn't I would join just to get the savings!

 

[karebear1]

I noticed your from Milwaukee- if that's Milwaukee WISCONSIN, then you should be able to get 2 tickets for $222.00 if you watch for deals! Go to travelocity and have them alert you to ticket prices for Milwaukee to Orlando. I have a friend there that got RT tickets as low as $120.00- and that's a pretty average price. $222.00 is way high!

 

[Disney4me04]

Yes I am in Milwaukee, WI. Thanks for the tip!

I will look into booking my room soon.

I am going to start making a list of what I need to look for.

I already starting buying DD. I have $8.00 so far. WOO HOO!!! but every time I go to the mall I am going to buy at least $5.00 worth.

Do I pay for the room when I arrive or when I check out. My goal is to have everything paid for when I step on Disney Property.

Love the planning to DW.

We will be going Oct. 26th to Oct. 31 2005


Guess I should figure out how to get a clock soon. I will once I book that room.

 

[karebear1]

My DH was born and raised in the Green Bay area and we lived in Brookfield for quite sometime. I love Wisconsin and we are both hoping to buy some land there to build our retirement home .
FYI- if you book your room directly through Disney, you can make payments on your room until it is paid off if you'd like to. Then- when you get there, you won't have to pay anything! I love this about booking through Disney! Just take the total resort bill and divide it by the # of months you have until you arrive. Then that equals the monthly payment you send. So- if you have $400.00 in room fees and 10 months until you leave, you send them $40.00/month for 10 months and VOILA! You are paid for!

 

[Disney4me04]

Karbear
I work in brookfield and live in Wauwatosa.

Thanks for that tip of booking with Disney and paying it monthly.

I love the idea. I will be doing that one way or another. I am sure I will not be booking a package. So I guess I will be booking with Disney.


Okay so I have:
5 nights of hotel : $500.00
meals: $500.00
Plane: $450
spending: $400.00
Transfers: $100.00
Tips: $25.00
Tickets:$ 400.00


Give or take: $1900.00

PLEASE TELL ME I OVER ESTIMATED!

Do I have it all covered? Nothing to spend at home for pets etc. Since we know Grandma will babysit for the hamster (yes we will bring her a gift)

 

[Disney4me04]

What is the difference between the Ultimate Park hopper and just a regular hopper ticket?

I priced out my room dates adding tickets and the price is 1,176.00.

 

[karebear1]

An Ultimate Park Hopper is a ticket that activates from the time you check in until the time you check out. If I were you, I'd get a 4-5 day PH, depending on how many FULL days you can spend in the park. If you get the UPH- you may be paying for tickets that will only be good a half day depending on the time you arrive and leave. On those days, I would hang at the pool, make special dinner plans, ride monorail the night you get there- all those kind of things.
On your $1900 estimate- you under estimated on the park tickets- how old is your son? And over estimated on plane tickets.

Let's do it this way.... when are you planning on going and for how long? What resort are you planning on staying at? How old is your DS?

 

[Disney4me04]

Okay here is the infoL

Who is going:
Me: 38 (at time of trip)
DS: 14 (at time of trip)

Leaving from Milwaukee, WI

Staying at: Pop Century

Dates: October 26 to October 31, 2005

The 3 things I MUST do:
1. Character breakfast
2. waterpark - warm enough
3. Living Seas (the seafood place - DS will insist on it)


Okay incase you have not figured it out. I have NEVER planned a vacation before.

 

[crazelion]

Do not do Mears transportation from the airport. Book a Towncar with a free grocery stop so want how to ship snacks.

 

[karebear1]

[Okay incase you have not figured it out. I have NEVER planned a vacation before. [/B][/QUOTE]

 

[Disney4me04]

Town Car - $120
Transportation - $80.00

That is $40 difference. I can ship from work using our Airborne rates and there is now way it would cost me 40.00 to ship.

I would only do 12 pack of water an some snacks. Not that much!

 

[karebear1]

Sorry about that- last post! My computer did something really weird!
Anyway- Let's start with the dates you're going Oct 26-31. I believe you will be going during regular season. Non discounted rates would be $99.00/night. If you are diligent and watch the resort boards, you'll probably be able to get this price down to somewhere around $80.00/night with special codes etc. As soon as you see they are available BOOK WITH THE CODE! they go fast. Some codes are only for Disney Visa card holders. So maybe you should consider getting one just in case.
If you could change your dates and go either in September or November BEFORE Thanksgiving, or early December, Jan and Feb. - you'd be dropping the reg. price to about $77.00/night because this is considered value season- with a code you could possibly get this rate down to about $60.00/night (I've seen them as low as $49.00/night!). For now, I would plan on the full cost and pay accordingly- if you do find a code, the resort will credit anything over to your account and you can use it at the parks.
Tickets- I would buy a 4 day PH pass. If you belong to AAA you can get a great rate, or try PI or hotwire- these have even better rates. On the day you arrive and leave, I would plan things outside the parks to do- and there are LOTS! OR you could plan to go to Mickey's Not So Scarey Halloween Party? Trick or treating, rides, special parades- it's cost around $30.00 to go, but you can get into the park around 4pm and stay until midnight, and you DON'T have to use a day on your PH to do this. I went last here and had a ball. This might be something to do (if it's available on that day) on the day you arrive!
Let's stop there- do you have any questions?

 

[Disney4me04]

Dates: are pretty much set in stone. I am still taking DS out of school for 2 days. I don't want to do more than that.

What time is Hotel Check in?

How much is a 4 day hopper? and can I buy at Disney Store?

I do like the idea of not using pass on days we arrive or leave. I am okay with just hanging out at the pool and DTD. I also want to be able to get my bearings and know where I am going.

So I guess the thing to do now is to:
Book the room --- if possible
Start setting up a budget

When can I purchase plane tickets or when should I think of buying them?