Help me plan a CHEAP trip.

[dhardawa]

We just got back from Disney a few weeks ago, but my son was a typical three year old which meant my daughter missed a lot of things she wanted to do. I'd love to take just her back for 4-5 days, but I'm having a hard time doing just the two of us and leaving him when the price for all of us for a week isn't that much more. I have run the numbers a zillion different ways on the Disney website, but I'm wondering if there are cheaper ways to do it. I'll stay off site if that helps (although the value resorts are pretty cheap and when I figure in transportation and potentially parking, I'm not sure I gain anything). We can pack food for many meals, especially since we just went on free dining. The park tickets are killing me because the price for 4 days vs 7 days is so small. Are there any other money saving things I'm missing?

 

[JennSaint]

We just got back from Disney a few weeks ago, but my son was a typical three year old which meant my daughter missed a lot of things she wanted to do. I'd love to take just her back for 4-5 days, but I'm having a hard time doing just the two of us and leaving him when the price for all of us for a week isn't that much more. I have run the numbers a zillion different ways on the Disney website, but I'm wondering if there are cheaper ways to do it. I'll stay off site if that helps (although the value resorts are pretty cheap and when I figure in transportation and potentially parking, I'm not sure I gain anything). We can pack food for many meals, especially since we just went on free dining. The park tickets are killing me because the price for 4 days vs 7 days is so small. Are there any other money saving things I'm missing?

You should look into the YES program Disney has. You can sign your daughter up for a Disney class and they sell you tickets at a discount rate. There is a thread on this board all about it.

 

[JennSaint]

Here is a link to the thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2332767

 

[dhardawa]

You should look into the YES program Disney has. You can sign your daughter up for a Disney class and they sell you tickets at a discount rate. There is a thread on this board all about it.

I did look into that, but the problem is I won't go during spring break or the summer due to heat and crowds and all the fall ones are in Disneyland, unless I'm looking at it wrong. Maybe I'll look again...

 

[Bren's Mom]

I just did a quick check with a random 5 days in September. Total of parking for 4 days, rental car, and a $65 a night well-reviewed offsite hotel is coming out to what I'm seeing on the Disney site for a value for the exact same time frame.

It will still likely be cheaper for offsite in the long run, you can priceline a room and the car and likely save considerably. You'll also have better access to grocery and much less expensive restaurants.

The tickets are what kill you.

 

[EveDallas]

I did look into that, but the problem is I won't go during spring break or the summer due to heat and crowds and all the fall ones are in Disneyland, unless I'm looking at it wrong. Maybe I'll look again...

No ideas here, but I just have to say - I love that pic! Your daughter is beautiful, and your son is just the cutest thing

 

[JennSaint]

I did look into that, but the problem is I won't go during spring break or the summer due to heat and crowds and all the fall ones are in Disneyland, unless I'm looking at it wrong. Maybe I'll look again...

For individual enrollment I don't see any classes offered past August yet? So maybe they will add more for the rest of the year at some point.

 

[dhardawa]

For individual enrollment I don't see any classes offered past August yet? So maybe they will add more for the rest of the year at some point.

I'm going to keep my eyes open. She is very into drawing and I'd love to get her in the animation class. She'd like the animal class too.

 

[JennSaint]

Not sure the exact dates you are looking for but here's what's offered under special offers at Disney for some dates in September for value resorts.
Thu, Sep 15 $ 63.75
Fri, Sep 16 $ 71.25
Sat, Sep 17 $ 71.25
Sun, Sep 18 $ 63.75
Mon, Sep 19 $ 63.75
Personally if it were just me and one child I would definitely stay onsite. Once you figure in parking cost and rental car I think it can almost be as cheap as offsite.

 

[crusoe2]

Having gone thru a similar situation, I thought I'd throw in another perspective. We did a family trip and our youngest was the one who seemed to miss out on doing the stuff she would really enjoy. She wasn't told no - it was just that there is a big age gap between her and our son and we were trying to squeeze in things for both of them. Sometimes DD would get too tired and overwhelmed with it all before we got around to all the things she would like to do and we'd have to take her back to the resort for some downtime. She still enjoyed her trip because it was her first time and she didn't really know what all she was missing. I felt bad tho and wanted to take her back soon. We priced it out and there really wasn't much difference between taking just her and taking the whole family again. But DS wasn't really interested in going back that soon and I'm afraid if he had, we'd have just wound up in the same situation again. Long story short - even if it wouldn't cost much more to take the whole family, your daughter may still miss out on a lot cause of you having to deal with your 3yo. We were so glad we took DD back and gave her a few days that focused on what she wanted to do. It made for a very relaxed trip and was worth every penny.