Help! $2500 for 6!!

[mom4graceandlogan]

You have lots of time to come up with ways to help by then also. We took our kids last November and their tickets were their Christmas presents, just in advance. They were told not to expect any big present from us. Any kids that have birthdays etc. coming up could ask for $ Disney gift cards. I am taking my mom to disney in Sept. She is paying for part but still been hard to come up with money. Tommorrow is her birthday- she is getting $50.00 Disney gift card. For mother's day she got MNNSHP tickets. For CHristmas last year, I got her a 5 day ticket/ no park hopping. For my birthday I get an annual pass. For our wedding anniversary, I will get $ for disney. We are going also in feb. and I know if I give the girls a choice of big christmas present or park hopper and a chance to go to Disney in February, they always pick DIsney. You can have kids start to put away allowance etc. for the trip. Challenge them to raise enough to take the family to their favorite character meal and have them look at menu etc. and come up with $ to pay for it. Start stockpiling snacks on sale etc. I would drive, but priceline a room for one night as there is no way we could show up rested trying to sleep in the car. Also, check any odd reward points you might have. Last year we stayed two nights at the swan on THank YOU rewards points we had forgotten we had. We loved FW cabins last year. You could probably do six nights there pretty easy with discount code. May be much better than free dining because you can cook so easily in room etc. I froze some meals and drove down with a cooler. we ate great there. Our best meal was actually hot dogs on the grill we loved just hanging out and grilling. I think we paid $179.00 a night with a 40% off code

 

[Bete]

We do it from Crawfordsville.

Try to take turns driving and catch a nap when your not driving; so, you can go on longer and stay only one night as a layover. I take sanitizing products with us and I disinfect everything before anyone walks into the cheap resort room for our overnight stay. You may need to consider bringing a twin airbed or two, as well.

Absolutely bring a cooler and a picnic lunch and dinner for your travels. Not only does this save money on the road it saves time. Enjoy your picnic lunch at rest stops or in the car. On the way back save a CS meal credit if you do the free dining for everyone and get sandwiches or pizza for the trip back. You can use some snack credits for muffins, fruit, crackers, and cookies.

I would crunch the numbers staying on site with free dining and off site, as well. Do the crunching with and without the Y.E.S. program. Show hubby the figures. Tell him the differences especially in regards to the dining.

I really think you need to consider offsite where the kids can utilize a sofa bed and/or get three kids to sleep in a queen bed, etc. You can do your own cooking in a condo/townhouse arrangement. You'll have a car to get groceries. You'll have to eat a lot of hot dogs, pasta, and peanut butter sandwiches.

Explain to the kids ahead of time there's no money to buy snacks and such at the parks if you are staying offsite. If you go for the free dining then they will have better meals and snacks. Make sure hubby understands the difference, too. There will be no steaks on this trip if you opt for off-site. This might mellow him some and funding may go up.

Maybe, you can do some cutbacks now and save money for the trip yourself. Eat simple foods for the next 5 months. Stretch your food budget with rice, noodles and potatoes for all your dinners. You still have time for a garage sale. Cutback on school supplies; buy the non-brands, etc. Same thing with the clothes budget.

You may have to consider some non park days and not get Disney park tickets for the full week. If you have a car you may want to opt for Universal Studio/IOA for most of the trip. Tickets are much more reasonable there. Maybe, get the two day minimum requirement for the free dining at Disney and then go to Universal for the rest of the time. I believe Universal has a 7 day pass. Again crunch the numbers. Use off days to enjoy the resort pool or go to a cheap mini golf place, etc.

Finally, talk to the kids and see if they are willing to sacrifice Christmas presents to go for a better vacation or at least a much smaller budget for Christmas. It may make a big difference, but they have to realize you mean it.

 

[twoplustwins]

We also have 6! We are staying for 5 nights. We were able to take advantage of the kids free promo. Our total for two rooms at POP is $1558 (including insurance) and then we added the qsdp dining for a total of $2078. We are driving, so it will cost us between $250-300 for gas.

 

[my2minnies]

We also have 6! We are staying for 5 nights. We were able to take advantage of the kids free promo. Our total for two rooms at POP is $1558 (including insurance) and then we added the qsdp dining for a total of $2078. We are driving, so it will cost us between $250-300 for gas.

We are doing the same thing as well. We have the Visa deal where the kids stay, play and dine for free. We have connecting rooms at the Pop and upgraded to the regular dining plan. It is $2500 for 6 nights and that is with park hoppers. Take away the park hoppers and you would save $300.

So it is possible, but I dont think the promotion is going on at that time. Perhaps something similar will come up.

 

[torinsmom]

You could probably do it with the YES program and staying offsite. Just know it is not open enrollment, so you would need to join with one of the groups that is coordinated here on the Dis(in PP's posts)

I noticed you stayed offsite a few years ago(in your signature). Did that not go well? We stayed offsite in June, and I don't think we will ever stay onsite again! It was so nice to have the extra space, washer/dryer, kitchen and internet. We were in the parking lot of the parks within 15 minutes of walking out of the condo. There is no way you can be in the parks quicker using a bus(from when you walk out your room door until the bus drops you off) except for MK. Same thing at night; no waiting in a massive line waiting to go back to your resort and then walking from the bus stop to your room. It was heaven for me. It was so easy to get to the parks from Emerald Island too. We went back to the condo for a break every day and had lunch or dinner there or offsite.

Marsha

 

[Taja]

You'll want to check out renting DVC points. I'm guessing that is the only way it might make this possible. And you're looking at arriving on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend--I'm guessing that might make things a bit dicey.

Here's what I came up with using two value resort rooms. I rounded and used 11% as room tax--couldn't remember if it's 10.5% of 11.5%!

11/27/2010 - 12/02/2010 Room with Free QSDP

Sat. 11/27/2010 $277.50
Sun. 11/28/2010 182.04
Mon. 11/29/2010 182.04
Tue. 11/30/2010 182.04
Wed. 12/01/2010 182.04
Thu. 12/02/2010 204.24

Subtotal Room + Free QSDP 11/27/2010 - 12/02/ 2010 = $1,187.70
Fri. 12/03/2010 Room Only = $210.24 (no free dining-might be discounted later-possible 20% to 30%)

Subtotal Room $1,391.94 (Room 6 nights, Free QSDP 5 nights)

Park Tickets (6-day base, no hopping)
3 adults $738.06
3 child 632.61
TOTAL TICKETS $1,370.67

Additional QSDP for 12/03/2010 6 x $30 = $180 (slightly high, I think, but pretty close)

Total for Room (6 nights), Park Tickets (6-day base) + 1 day QSDP = $2,942.61

I think someone posted something similar to this already. I just had to work it out for myself!

You would still need to budget for additional food (breakfast in room, drinks, etc.). At least $200 to $300.

And transportation. Your choice.

Offsite or DVC points would be your best options, as far as I can see. And even that is going to be close!

Hope you can work it out!

 

[Mandychelle79]

You'll want to check out renting DVC points. I'm guessing that is the only way it might make this possible. And you're looking at arriving on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend--I'm guessing that might make things a bit dicey.

Here's what I came up with using two value resort rooms. I rounded and used 11% as room tax--couldn't remember if it's 10.5% of 11.5%!

11/27/2010 - 12/02/2010 Room with Free QSDP

Sat. 11/27/2010 $277.50
Sun. 11/28/2010 182.04
Mon. 11/29/2010 182.04
Tue. 11/30/2010 182.04
Wed. 12/01/2010 182.04
Thu. 12/02/2010 204.24

Subtotal Room + Free QSDP 11/27/2010 - 12/02/ 2010 = $1,187.70
Fri. 12/03/2010 Room Only = $210.24 (no free dining-might be discounted later-possible 20% to 30%)

Subtotal Room $1,391.94 (Room 6 nights, Free QSDP 5 nights)

Park Tickets (6-day base, no hopping)
3 adults $738.06
3 child 632.61
TOTAL TICKETS $1,370.67

Additional QSDP for 12/03/2010 6 x $30 = $180 (slightly high, I think, but pretty close)




Total for Room (6 nights), Park Tickets (6-day base) + 1 day QSDP = $2,942.61

I think someone posted something similar to this already. I just had to work it out for myself!

You would still need to budget for additional food (breakfast in room, drinks, etc.). At least $200 to $300.

And transportation. Your choice.

Offsite or DVC points would be your best options, as far as I can see. And even that is going to be close!

Hope you can work it out!

From what I remember as long as you check in during the free dining part, you have free dining throughout your stay.

 

[Iott Family]

My Dh just told me we could go to Disney in Nov-Dec. but my budget would be $2500 including transportation from Indiana!! Our trips usually run $4000 or more. Everyone really wants to go because we know that this will be the last chance for at least 2 years. How can I make this happen???

Yes, you can do it! Drive instead of fly, stay off site in a rental OR in a value resort, depending on your dates you can book free dining deal.......we are a family of 6 from Indy and have done it for $3000.

 

[rdevine10]

I would look into offsite.

You can buy a skyauction certificate for $270 (inlcuding tax) right now. For later November there are a couple of places with availibility for a 2 bedroom...

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/1801578

Orbit One for example

So: 270 lodging
$1289 is a 6 day base via undercover tourist (per prev post)
parking x 6 days: 84
driving expenses: $300
food budget: $550

Total: $2493

You could spend less if: you made dinner in @ night, packed your own lunches for the park, etc, or joined a yes group for reduced ticket cost.

And, Im willing to bet you would still have a great time!

 

[KELLY]

I'm not sure but I think the best bet is to maybe see if he is willing to add a bit to the budget and go with the free dining. That way everything is paid for up front. Especially if you want to go for 7 days.

I have a family of 4 and one is free we are going during value season. My total package for 9 nights at pop is 1675.00 for 10 myw and free qsdp. But we are flying.

 

[Bete]

I would look into offsite.

You can buy a skyauction certificate for $270 (inlcuding tax) right now. For later November there are a couple of places with availibility for a 2 bedroom...

http://www.skyauction.com/action/offer/1801578

Orbit One for example

So: 270 lodging
$1289 is a 6 day base via undercover tourist (per prev post)
parking x 6 days: 84
driving expenses: $300
food budget: $550

Total: $2493

You could spend less if: you made dinner in @ night, packed your own lunches for the park, etc, or joined a yes group for reduced ticket cost.

And, Im willing to bet you would still have a great time!

I did a little investigating on this site; I was curious for myself. There are no 2 bedroom places for the Orlando area. Most say maximum occupancy is 4; anything else would be considered a fire hazard, etc. There would be no guarantee if you got 2 places that they would even be in the same location. This could turn into a nightmare.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I did a little investigating on this site; I was curious for myself. There are no 2 bedroom places for the Orlando area. Most say maximum occupancy is 4; anything else would be considered a fire hazard, etc. There would be no guarantee if you got 2 places that they would even be in the same location. This could turn into a nightmare.

Inventory changes daily. We've used these many many times, and have always found a 2 bedroom.

It isn't a fire hazard to have more people in a room, btw. It is just against the guidelines set by the owners. (Which they have every right to do.)

 

[rdevine10]

I did a little investigating on this site; I was curious for myself. There are no 2 bedroom places for the Orlando area. Most say maximum occupancy is 4; anything else would be considered a fire hazard, etc. There would be no guarantee if you got 2 places that they would even be in the same location. This could turn into a nightmare.

Actually when I just looked again this morning, for the last week of November (as I believe the dates the OP gave were), there are 10 places available that are 2 bedrooms that sleep 6. Availability does change regularly though.... I have used skyauction before myself and it was great.

Edited to add: these are all 2 bedroom condos/timeshares... no presentation required, all units I suggested it was legal to sleep 6 in one 2 bedroom unit. And, yes it a guarantee where you book after you get a certificate. FWIW, if you ever go on the hotel and attractions board on DIS they talk about skyauction all of the time.... its where I found out about it.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I noticed you stayed offsite a few years ago(in your signature). Did that not go well?
Marsha

Looks like that was at the Disneyland Resort ~ it's super easy to stay off site there, we usually do, there are a handful of decent places within walking distance *several closer than the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[katied]

I've stayd at Windosr Hills before and was very happy (and as a DVC owner, I am spoiled by staying onsite). Eating in saves a ton of money (plan breakfast and dinner at the condo, and for lunch you can pack and take in)- we did our grocery shopping at the Wal-Mart. And, since you'd drive, you don't need a rental car (just budget for parking).

Have you priced tickets thru the mousesavers link - it can save a bit of money?

 

[Bete]

and I stand corrected on the skyauction.com site. I do see 2BR places, now and I see a lot more resort areas then when I first did it. It must change often; so, I apologize.

Anyway, I came back to this thread to inform the original poster that you need to be aware that park ticket prices for Disneyworld traditionally has gone up in price on the first Sunday of August. This is two weeks away, right now (7-17). This will affect park tickets in vacation package pricing, too if you don't do it before August 1.

It's probably not going to be significant, but every little bit helps and when I think of getting 6 passes I say yikes.

 

[hopeandtink]

We have decided to go Dec. 11-18th. We are gettting YES tickets.
Here is the breakdown
Yes tickets $950
Lodging $600-Bonnet Creek, 2br off ebay
driving-$350 gas, reward points for hotels to and from orlando
food-500
parking-60- we might take shuttle
total $2460
I also have about $300 in rewards from our chase card that I am going to use for extra's

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[G's mommy]

Looks great! Congrats for getting the trip within your budget.

 

[Kat&Dom]

We have decided to go Dec. 11-18th. We are gettting YES tickets.
Here is the breakdown
Yes tickets $950
Lodging $600-Bonnet Creek, 2br off ebay
driving-$350 gas, reward points for hotels to and from orlando
food-500
parking-60- we might take shuttle
total $2460
I also have about $300 in rewards from our chase card that I am going to use for extra's

Thanks for all the advice.

Have a great trip! Way to stay in budget!

 

[lillygator]

cool I was just coming here to suggest Bonnet Creek!