Heres how I do Disney CHEAP!!!!

[wiskband]

HI all been on these boards about a week and just noticed this BUDGET board. So heres my two cents:
We are a family of six. my hubby myself, anastasia 10, AJ 7, Atheena 4, and Andrew 1. On a budget we make it to Disney every year somtimes twice a year. So I just thought I'd share how we do it. And please by all means if you got any suggestions.......please share I love to hear new ways on how to save a buck! Fist off, I have a DC card which unfortunately will be ending soon. But this has been so helpful over the years. We started out going to WDW when we just had two kids and quickly learned the in's and out's.
NO MORE PACKAGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I figured out when WDW offered FLEX feature packages and we were getting this "FREE GIFT" the gift was actually very expensive.
We do everything Ala cart these days.
HOTELS:
Wait for Disney to come out with there deals. I usually make my ressie a year in advance then just wait closer to our vacation time till they come out with the deal. I keep the same ressie (which I have not yet paid in full) and simply tell them I saw a deal and/or discount and they apply it.
EXAMPLE: a few years back I had a ressie for the All star( approx. 89. a night). I was paying it off throught the year and then my mother got a post card with a discount code for the same date and same hotel @ 49. a night. I called them they honored it and everything stayed the same.
TICKETS:
It finally dawned on us that when we got the packages these tickets were length of stay. Problem is, we usually get there in the afternoon/evening and we are exhausted from traveling with four kids. SO............... we usually spend the first day poolside or shopping for the essentails we will need for the week (setting ourselves up) We just paid for a day will we not be at the parks. The same thing goes for the last day were there. You have to be out by 11:00. Although the hotel will hold your luggage for the day, alot of time is spent packing. Whether your driving home or flying we like to get a head start on your travle home. Once again you just paid for a day at the park that you won't be at or at least can;t get a full day of.
So, if we're there for 7 days we buy 5 day tickets. We just subtract two days a day to arrive and a day to depart. Even of you get there ealry and leave late theres plenty to do at WDW. We love to hang at the campground or visit other hotel.
FOOD:
AHHHHHHHH.. kids are getting older and eating more. GET A FRIG IN YOUR ROOM. It's worth it. GO to the supermarket "set yourself up for the week" and make sure you go to a supermarket at least a few miles form WDW (not the crossroads). We buy cereal. milk donuts for the mornings. lunch meat (coldcuts) for late night snacks. Water and capri suns. We used actually make sandwiches and bring them to the parks but that became to much work and very messy. We slurg on one WDW meal a day. Sometimes go off propery and grab a bite.

Being that we have gone every year. We have now decided that buying a 7 day park hopper can be split into to vacations.
EXAMPLE: we went in June (four night) bought 7 days tickets with 4 options. we only used 2 days at the parks and one option (at the water park) so we have 5 nights left and 3 options. We have seen it all so we take time off, rent mouseboats, and visits all of the beauty WDW as to offer that are not in the parks. We may even be able to stretch the tickets we currently have into one more vacation. Really when you think about it, 7 days with 4 options is like 11 days. When we go to the waterparks, its a whole day! Then that evening we'll play minatur golf or go hit the market place and spend all the money I just told you how to save . Anyway once again if you have any inout on my ideas

DO TELL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to hear. Hope I helped. and looking foward to some more great money saving tips!

 

[tinaluis]

We try to stretch our PHP tickets, too, and we also spend time every trip at US/IOA (annual passes are $100). We always use Priceline for our hotels and we always have about $100-$150 in Disney Dollars and restaurant cards through rewards programs. We usually buy at least 10 Quick & Casual Vouchers for our meals while at WDW and we always make sure to bring at least a cooler for juice pouches, water, chocolate milk, toast, bagels, etc. Having breakfast in the room really cuts down on costs and also on time because I have three DDs (7,5 and 2) and they tend to dawdle over breakfast. Thanks for the tips and WELCOME to the Budget Board!

 

[Robinrs]

Well, WELCOME, wiskband. Nothing I like better than a person who can streeeeeeeeetch a dollar!!

Great tips! I especially like the buy the food and fill the fridge tip. I find that to be the biggest moneysaver of all!

My son and I go to Universal mostly so we buy the $99 AP that's offered annually for Georgia residents. We go about 6 to 10 times a year so that AP gets WORN out!! We use every discount available for accommodations, mostly the Entertainment book, AAA and AP rates, I check the TUG2 for timeshare deals, use hotel kingdom for offsite deals and, hey, it doesn't hurt to have friends in high places, also!!

Again, WELCOME!!

 

[safetymom]

If you buy the UPH tickets when you arrive they can take the first and last days off for you. I have done that several times. My kids liked going to Disney Quest and waterparks with the UPH.

 

[disneysteve]

wiskband - Welcome to the Budget Board. I'm just curious about something. You mention that you stay onsite. Where do you go where you can manage with 6 people in a room? I've seen the rooms at most every Disney hotel and couldn't imagine putting more than 4 in any regular room (and I wouldn't do that unless absolutely necessary). Do you get a suite? Or do you get 2 rooms? If so, my best budget tip would be to consider staying offsite. You could get much more space for the same or less than you are paying onsite. For example, you can rent a 3 or 4 bedroom home for around $100/nite. You'd have a full refrigerator/freezer instead of the little cube one that costs $10/nite. You'd even have a fully equipped kitchen and your own pool, multiple tv's, multiple bathrooms, and a washer/dryer.


Thanks for your tips. I agree that package deals are often not worth the price because they usually include perks that you won't actually use. We always book everything a la carte, too.

Steve

 

[wdwnutze]

My budget tip would be to forget the frig and use a cooler. You can get a styorofoam one for a couple of bucks and fill it with free ice at the hotel. We did this on our last trip and it worked great. We stored lunch meats, milk, juice etc with no problem. You will be saving $10 a day. If you are there for a week you would save $70. Also, if you go to Disney every year, (sometimes 2x a year) why not get AP's. This could be a real money saver if you go 2x a yr. and there are usually good discounts at the resorts for AP holders.

 

[nuala]

You are so right, Wiskband! I have a family of seven and we essentially do the entire trip like you. We can spread our 7+ passes (11) over three vacations and we go every year. My children's ages are 7,8,10,12,13. We have a great time, but we don't rush. We use the All-Star pools, go to the Fort Wilderness Campfire and Movie, (that is free, and wonderful!!) and we take advantage of all the fun that Downtown Disney has to offer. If you have a car, and live in the Northern US, sometimes it is fun just to walk around the Downtown Orlando area and enjoy the warm weather!!!
Your posting was SO accurate. AVOID THE PACKAGES!! I've been telling that to my girlfriend for years. This is the first year she has taken my advice!!
Breakfast in the hotel in the morning, is a great idea. It makes better use of your time, and you can then capitalize on the "early entry days" at the park.
Staying onsite is by far the best advice. There is no comparison to the wonderful atmosphere and amenities that the resorts offer, even if you can find better accomodations for the money off-site.
Enjoy!!

 

[wiskband]

Originally posted by disneysteve
wiskband - Welcome to the Budget Board. I'm just curious about something. You mention that you stay onsite. Where do you go where you can manage with 6 people in a room? I've seen the rooms at most every Disney hotel and couldn't imagine putting more than 4 in any regular room (and I wouldn't do that unless absolutely necessary). Do you get a suite? Or do you get 2 rooms? If so, my best budget tip would be to consider staying offsite. You could get much more space for the same or less than you are paying onsite. For example, you can rent a 3 or 4 bedroom home for around $100/nite. You'd have a full refrigerator/freezer instead of the little cube one that costs $10/nite. You'd even have a fully equipped kitchen and your own pool, multiple tv's, multiple bathrooms, and a washer/dryer.


Thanks for your tips. I agree that package deals are often not worth the price because they usually include perks that you won't actually use. We always book everything a la carte, too.

Steve

Although we prob. shouldn't, we do saty at budget or moderate hotels. PLease remember my kids are still young so.... the 9 and 7 years share a bed. the baby is still in a crib and the 4 year old bunks with me and my hubby. But the past few years my father has been coming so we have had an extra room (ajoining rooms) and one or two of the kids usually falls asleep in his room. I know this won;t last too long cause they are getting bigger. Also, one year when we had a few rooms at the All star cause the extended family came, we rented an extra bed. I think it was 15. 00 a night still worth it.
AND........ If I can continue to get good prices at the allstars in the future years 2 rooms there are better than one room in a deluxe or home away from home. I have gotten rates as low as 50.00 a night. I wouldn't mind paying 100.00 for two rooms keep the door open then we have two bathrooms. I nthis case I eould designate one room sis for adults and the other is for the kids

 

[wiskband]

Originally posted by tinaluis
We try to stretch our PHP tickets, too, and we also spend time every trip at US/IOA (annual passes are $100). We always use Priceline for our hotels and we always have about $100-$150 in Disney Dollars and restaurant cards through rewards programs. We usually buy at least 10 Quick & Casual Vouchers for our meals while at WDW and we always make sure to bring at least a cooler for juice pouches, water, chocolate milk, toast, bagels, etc. Having breakfast in the room really cuts down on costs and also on time because I have three DDs (7,5 and 2) and they tend to dawdle over breakfast. Thanks for the tips and WELCOME to the Budget Board!

What are quick and casual vouchers?I have heard of the meal plans ... is this something like that? I remember reading about food plans on a site or book and i skimmed through it but remember the bottomline was you really don;t get your moneys worth unless you can eat alot. I dont remember specific? But voucher? Never heard of them please tell.....

 

[Muffy]

Q&C vouchers are available from connections or hotwire savings club. They are 11.25 ea and can be used at counter service restaurants at WDW. They can also be used at Beaches and Cream and food courts.

 

[mad4themouse]

Hi wiskband and welcome to the Budget Boards! It sounds like you've already hit on the bigger budget-savings tips (room, passes and food). Pull up and a chair and get comfy here. I'm sure that you'll find a lot more.

To elaborate on the Q&C vouchers, they offer an entree and side, beverage and dessert for the price. All taxes and gratuities are included already. Often the food is too much for a single person but perhaps not quite enough for 2. Many people will split the entree and dessert, order an extra beverage and side, and feed 2 people a very filling meal for under $15. In addition to purchasing the meal vouchers from Connection or Hotwire, you can also get them from FloridaOrlandoTickets.com without the hassle of joining a program. You will pay more for them at FOT.

Animal Kingdom has a "Meal Plus" voucher. For around $12 (adult) & $6 (child) you get an entree at any counter service restaurant and a large drink. You also get a coupon for a box of popcorn OR an ice cream AND a 20 oz. soda or sport bottle of water for later. You can purchase those vouchers at Animal Kingdom but they are only good at AK and must all be used on the day they were purchased.

Also, it can be less expensive to eat your big meal of the day at a late lunch. Lunch menus at sit-down restaurants are often the same as the dinner menus but they are smaller portions and cost less. By eating during the later lunch hours, you avoid the big dinner crowds and save some $$$. And don't be afraid to order an appetizer for your entee if that's what appeals to you!

If your children want a character meal, do the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill in EPCOT. The cost is $6.99 (plus taxes & gratuity) for everyone. This is much less expensive than the character breakfast which run from $15.99 (adult) and up.

Trail's End Buffeteria at Ft. Wilderness is buffet-style but did you know they offer take-out? Lunch is $9.99 (adult) and $5.99 (child). Dinner offers more choices (like peel and eat shrimp) and costs $15.99 (adult) and $6.99 (child). Taxes not included. You get a large styrofoam container for the buffet plus a soup container, salad container and a drink for every meal purchased for take out.

And don't forget all the fun and inexpensive experiences that Disney has to offer. Like the campfire and movie at Ft. Wilderness. They also have a petting zoo and hayrides. Try the ladybug release at the GF or storytelling in the evening at AKL. Checkout the Boardwalk activities after dark. As we already know, you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a good time!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by wdwnutze
Also, if you go to Disney every year, (sometimes 2x a year) why not get AP's. This could be a real money saver if you go 2x a yr.

This is definitely true. We've saved hundreds, if not thousands, over the years by getting AP's for the years in which we got to WDW twice. One year, we actually got there 4 times. We never could have done that if we didn't have our park admission already taken care of.

wiskband - That's great if all of you are able to sleep comfortably the way you described. It would never work for my family. We have enough trouble sharing the room with our daughter. And my wife and I rarely get a decent nite's sleep when we have to share a full size bed (we have a king at home). I couldn't imagine being in a full with our daughter with us as well. I don't want to start up the onsite-offsite debate again (it happens pretty regularly around here). I'll just say that if you don't feel strongly about being in a Disney hotel, you can get much more space for far less money offsite. You can get a 2-bedroom condo for $55/nite. We'd rather have the extra space and kitchen then be onsite. When your kids get a little older, it may be worth considering.

Steve

 

[mad4themouse]

If staying onsite is important to your family and space is becoming an issue, consider renting points from a DVC member and staying in a 2-bedroom Home-Away-From-Home for about the price of a moderate. You would have more space, a full kitchen and all the ammenities of a Disney Resort.

 

[Lisa P.]

We stay at offsite luxury timeshare resorts. Our family of 5 (sometimes plus a friend or two) enjoys all the inroom comforts... full kitchen, DR/LR, MBR suite w/double jacuzzi, 2nd BR & 2nd full bath, washer/dryer, screened balcony or patio, 3 TVs w/vcr. With careful planning, a week's accommodations like this only costs us between $300-$500 max.

These resorts offer nicely landscaped main pool areas w/heated pool, hot tub, kiddie pool, playground, poolside bar/grill, game room, fitness center, organized activities, rental bikes and/or boats, sports courts, deli-mart, etc. There are many advantages over squeezing into small hotel rooms. We drive our own car whether staying onsite or offsite. So the absent or limited bus shuttle service isn't noticed.

We eat a big breakfast in, most mornings. The car keeps a soft cooler of cold drinks and snacks, for the ride between parks when park-hopping. Our favorite music is there too. Some dinners are quick, healthy, convenient & prepared in our condo after park closing. We go during offseason & hours are shorter. We save by filling up at buffets, sometimes offsite. 3 teens eat a lot! We have one or two special sitdown dinner(s) or dinner show in a week. So our weekly food budget is only about $400 total.

We split the use of 6 day park hopper plus passes over 2 trips, plus visit other non-Disney attractions (usually much cheaper). Park admissions can add up very quickly for a family!

For some people, they would rather vacation in a certain style or put off the trip. For us, we would rather get more vacation nights for our dollar, even though it means making some concessions on where we stay or the number of sitdown dinners we enjoy. Trying different ways (onsite vs. offsite, varying levels of luxury with both) has enabled us to choose what works best for us for our money.

 

[crazymomof4]

Hi wiskband!
We are also a family of 6 and find that even the lowest WDW resort rates (multiplied by 2 bc. we have to get 2 rooms) are still higher than renting a beautiful 3-4 bdrm pool house nearby. It's not hard to find 3-4 bdrm houses for $500-$600/week. We love the space and having the private screened in pool. We find that the drive into/out of the parks is not that much longer than using WDW transportation to/from the resorts. I know not everyone is keen on staying offsite (something about the "magic" not being there) but we are previous "onsite or nothing" people and ever since our first time renting a villa we are hooked.

 

[wiskband]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
If staying onsite is important to your family and space is becoming an issue, consider renting points from a DVC member and staying in a 2-bedroom Home-Away-From-Home for about the price of a moderate. You would have more space, a full kitchen and all the ammenities of a Disney Resort.

Renting points? never heard of it how does that work and where do you do this?

 

[wiskband]

Originally posted by mad4themouse
Hi wiskband and welcome to the Budget Boards! It sounds like you've already hit on the bigger budget-savings tips (room, passes and food). Pull up and a chair and get comfy here. I'm sure that you'll find a lot more.

To elaborate on the Q&C vouchers, they offer an entree and side, beverage and dessert for the price. All taxes and gratuities are included already. Often the food is too much for a single person but perhaps not quite enough for 2. Many people will split the entree and dessert, order an extra beverage and side, and feed 2 people a very filling meal for under $15. In addition to purchasing the meal vouchers from Connection or Hotwire, you can also get them from FloridaOrlandoTickets.com without the hassle of joining a program. You will pay more for them at FOT.

Animal Kingdom has a "Meal Plus" voucher. For around $12 (adult) & $6 (child) you get an entree at any counter service restaurant and a large drink. You also get a coupon for a box of popcorn OR an ice cream AND a 20 oz. soda or sport bottle of water for later. You can purchase those vouchers at Animal Kingdom but they are only good at AK and must all be used on the day they were purchased.

So whats your opinion? Is it cheaper to purchase these vouchers? Are they good everywhere? And you mentioned joining a program? Any web sites on these programs?
thanks

 

[Lisa P.]

Renting points? never heard of it how does that work and where do you do this?

First, read the DVC Rent/Trade FAQ.

Next, look at the points chart for the WDW DVC resort that interests you. Select the unit size and dates for your desired trip. Add up the number of points you expect to need for your stay.

Studios & 1BR units will sleep up to 4 people plus a child in a pack n play crib. 2BRs will sleep up to 8 plus crib.

You'll notice that OKW requires fewer points that the others and Fri/Sat nights cost more than weeknights. Most DVC members want $10 per point for a rental. If the total price for your stay seems reasonable, go to the next step...

Visit the DVC Rent/Trade Board to look for a DVC member interested in renting out a points reservation. Contact them, ask for references, make arrangements for reservation confirmation and payment, perhaps with a written rental agreement.

This is an individual, not a company, so there is a certain amount of trust required between both parties. If the savings is great enough, it may be worthwhile for you. If you are traveling during a popular time, especially Christmas/Easter or just for the weekend, then it may not be a good deal. HTH.

 

[Lisa P.]

Forgot to mention that it's best to contact a member at least 7 months (preferably earlier) ahead of travel, if you want the best chance of securing your desired reservation. The resorts do fill up at times. HTH.

 

[TreeOfLife]

1. Definitely stay away from packages! You will get nothing you'd otherwise get booking on your own, and you'll save.

2. PLAN EARLY! This is the key to our savings. Early enough to catch low airline fares, gather up rewards in certificates and such, and even buy your park tickets earlier. Also it helps if you save every penny and motivate kids to save for their own vacatin money.

Planning early got us three free Delta Skymiles round trip tickets, non-stop flights, helped us buy three hoppers to use this year at last year's prices, helped me earn three $25 Rainforest Cafe certificates, $100 in Disney dollars, $25 to use at Hard Rock Cafe, tickets for Universal & IOA at last year's promo prices of 7 days for the price of 2... With all teh planning we'll be able to visit both parks staying onsite, and HRH's is nearly paid off already.

So, above and beyond, PLAN EARLY!!! And don't be afraid of booking it all on your own. Planning is half the thrill