Help! Sister coming to visit -- Need to do Disney cheap!

[MelissaE1]

My sister is coming to visit Florida in mid-November. She has never been here before and her #1 goal is to go to WDW. I would love to take her, but we have several large budgetary outlays coming up... Christmas, new camcorder, Disney Cruise in January to name a few.

How can I go for the cheapest amount of money? I figure two days at the parks will be enough to at least say she went, plus she can't afford much either. We live on the Florida Panhandle about 7 hours away, so we have to pay for gas, 3 nights lodging, and food. We do have annual passes this year, so myself, DS8 and DD4 won't have to pay to enter the parks. We also can get resident rates to stay on property (which my DH would prefer because he worries), but the only cheap rate they have left is for All Star Sports ($165 for 3 nights).

Any tips on doing this cheaply would be much appreciated!

 

[Candace]

I don't know if camping is appealing to you, but have you considered camping at Fort Wilderness? As campgrounds go, it is really "state of the art", and there are so many neat things available there. Just a thought........

 

[mcm]

I would say that's as cheap as it comes on property. If you don't like the sports you might try calling back for the music (I think things open up in the evening more) but the movies do not participate. If you don't think you will all fit, keep calling for POR, it's $86 a night (that includes tax) and has a trundle.

But I don't mind the sports, it's smaller than the other all stars (chance to be closer) and the kiddie pool is separate from the big pool, which is nice.

My sister did a length of stay pass as the cheapest way to go for a hopper. (we went one night two days) She got two days for $126 but if she would have called ahead it would have been 116. I noticed a debate on the board about whether you could shave off a day and I think the bottom line was depends on the CM. (Order ahead and keep calling until someone tells you what you want to hear about shaving off a day)

Then fix your own food. I know what you mean about staying property. It's just more relaxing.

Atleast your got the FAPs!

 

[Disney Fool]

Have you considered staying at the Hotel Plaza Road at Downtown Disney? If you go to the home webpage for this site, www.wdwinfo.com there are several very good deals for hotels at Downtown disney for the time you plan to go. The Grosvenor is listed at $49 a night. Check them out. You'll still have access to the Disney buses, and other on-site amenities.