Help!!!!need All The Best Tips On Saving Money

[jeleadams]

WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JANUARY! WE WANT TO STAY ON SITE AND GET HOPPER PASSES. THE SILVER OR GOLD PLAN SOUND LIKE SOMETHING WE'D BE INTERESTED IN, BUT WE ARE UNSURE IF WE CAN GET GOOD DEALS ON THESE????

ALSO ANY BASIC TIPS WOULD BE GREATLY APPREICATED!

 

[DisneyFeePee]

Congrats! You will have so much fun. The first thing that I do is calculate the pros/ cons of a package versus a la carte. Secondly, I make the reservation. I don't care how much they quote me, because I know that I am going to find a code to help me out on the price. The important thing is to have a ressie. (I made a reservation @ POFQ for $946, and 2 hours later the place was closed. They were able to work with me, but that was only because I already had a ressie.) Then, I just make sure that I am persistant and I keep calling back. Often, the information from CR changes in a matter of minutes, or you just get agents who will work a little harder to get you a good deal. The main thing is to keep checking and make sure that you ask them really specific questions, because they will only answer the ones you ask. Last, check out the DIS as often as you can. The folks here really know their stuff, and you find out a lot of tricks of the trade.



I stayed at the Poly May 1-7 for my DS (4) for $ 696.00. When we arrived, they moved us from a really great room to an even better room and made our trip that much better. We usually stay @ BWV, but this deal was too good to use points.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................Welcome aboard!!

You will find many great tips here.

You will do much better if you book each part of your trip yourself.

For value, try Pop Century, it is new, and though I've never stayed there, it should equal when we stayed at All Star Movies, within months of when it opened.

Try to save money on food so you can spend money on food!!!
You need to have some nice meals, it's worth it. A late lunch will save cash, and you still get the flavor. Many places do lunch till 4:00 pm.

Do laundry! For your typical 8 day trip, pack 4 1/2 days worth of clothes. At the mid point of your trip, send DH down to the laundry, with the kid(s), in the evening. Arm him with quarters, and detergent so you don't pay a buck for one load.

It takes two beers to wash and two beers to dry, and a loving DH would surely take the time and the one beer bonus to fold everything neatly! If you use a suitcase as the hamper, then it all comes back in one container.

DW gets a couple hours of total peace, DH gets to feel like he contributes to domestic activity, kids are happy, and after five beers DH might even say, I think I'll help with the laundry more often!!!!

Watch what you order at the counter service. A kids meal will fill most adults! They give you like 3,487 french fries with each order, so ask for carrots, on at least one order. You get them and still have a ton of fries.

Be a commando the first three hours in a park, by then you will have done more than most people in an an entire day.

Then slow down if you want to.

 

[jeleadams]

THANKS!!!! DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY GOOD CODES THAT ARE AVAILABLE NOW?

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with Disnee Dad, you'll get better prices if you book each part of the trip yourself, rather than booking a package.

If you have a AAA card, you should ask about AAA discounts for the room. I don't know of any other discount codes available right now. Also check out www.mousesavers.com for updates on codes and other great savings.

You might also be interested in looking at the Downtown Disney hotels which are on Disney property, but not owned by Disney. There is a Best Wester, Courtyard by Marriott, Grosvenor, Doubletree, Hilton, and Hotel Royal Plaza. They run their own bus system that runs every 30 minutes. You can sometimes find a room for less money than All-Stars. (I was able to shave $110 off the cost of my Sept. trip by changing from the All-Star Movies at AAA rate to booking the Courtyard at discounted rates.)

If you drive to WDW, it's often a good idea to bring your own snacks, sodas, and water to take into the park. Bottled water is about $3 a bottle in the parks. Although WDW has a no-outside food policy, they are lenient about allowing snacks -- just don't expect to take in a five-course meal for 4 people.

One thing about the packages is that many of them charge you for park tickets for the days you are travelling. You may be better off buying your own park hopper tickets. You can purchase tickets ahead of time at a discount directly from Disney at www.disneyworld.com. Also check out the prices at reputable dealers www.ticketmania.com, www.floridaorlandotickets.com & www.officialticketcenter.com.

Feel free to ask if you have more detailed questions!

EthansMom

 

[Mama2Tink&Buzz]

I would try to book it myself.If you get the hopper tickets they never expire also January is Value season so that is a plus on your side.Also the packages include the ulitmate park hopper ticket wich is good for from time you check in and expires midnight the day you check out.Here are some ways we are saving on our trip.

1.Taking breakfast items and renting fridge-you could also use a cooler with ice-did this last time and the cheese got soggy
2.Aslo taking lunch meat pb&j for sandwiches left in cooler for lunch
3.Take your own snacks and water,even coke in the bottle
4.We bought a lot of souvineirs(clearance of course) and on our trip we will give the kids one everyday
5.If you have a small child take an umbrella stroller if you don't want to take it you could always stop by wal-mart and pick one up for less than it would cost to rent one.
6.Call Disney atlest 2 times a month and see what the rates are for the time you are going,book the first one and then when you call again ask the CM for the very best rate untill you get one your satisfied with.For the asmovies we are spending $59 a night in Sept,but that's with our DCC.I don't know of any codes out right now but check www.mousesavers.com
7 Do splurge on a nice meal while you are there.It is worth it,and you won't get sandwich log either.

 

[LMC]

Make sure you make your room ressies through Central Reservations Office (CRO). They have a much better change/cancellation policy. I was reading some other posts that the WDW Travel area applies trip cancellation insurance to your ressie if you DO NOT TELL THEM NOT TOO!, plus their cancellation policy is not great if you have to change. Just make sure you ask for CRO when you place your call to make ressie's. HAVE A GREAT TIME!! You get hooked; this will be out 4th trip in 3 years! This coming from the person that said "we'll just go every 2 or 3 years"!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by disneefamily
Disnee Dad Says................
Do laundry! For your typical 8 day trip, pack 4 1/2 days worth of clothes. At the mid point of your trip, send DH down to the laundry, with the kid(s), in the evening. Arm him with quarters, and detergent so you don't pay a buck for one load.

It takes two beers to wash and two beers to dry, and a loving DH would surely take the time and the one beer bonus to fold everything neatly! If you use a suitcase as the hamper, then it all comes back in one container.

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Watch what you order at the counter service. A kids meal will fill most adults! They give you like 3,487 french fries with each order, so ask for carrots, on at least one order. You get them and still have a ton of fries.

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Oh my gosh!! I love your mind-set!!

And here I thought I was the only one who noticed the three thousand plus french fries that come with every order!! LOL

 

[Debbie]

And I didn't know that about the carrots! I think that I'm in heaven! (fresh fruits and veggies are what I miss most when I'm on vacation!) Thanks Disnee Dad. (and since DH is not coming this trip, I guess I will have to test the beer theory!