How cheap do you think I can get a 4 Day, 3 Night trip to Disney World?

[nickapoohiluvu]

I have a family trip planned this August but I'm already thinking ahead to next June. Anyway, my son has had lots of struggles in school and has really pulled a wonderful year and, I'm hoping now that he's diagnosed (ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder) and on a 504 plan, he'll keep getting better with appropriate intervention and home treatment. My daughter will also be finishing out her first year in Kinder next year and I'm thinking about having a Mommy and Kids extended weekend to Disney World, possible during Star Wars Weekends, but the trick is, I've got to do it on the cheap. I never did price out the Value Resorts and my dates aren't popping up in the reservations system yet. Rack rates for a similar weekend in June this year are over $1400! This is with a QSDP and 4 day base tickets. Obviously, I am not going to spend $1400 plus airfare for a 4 day weekend, 'cause I'm just too dang cheap. My question is this, how low do you think we can drive this price?

 

[CoolPool]

Disney tickets are front-loaded: the greatest cost by far is for the first 3 days. That's what makes 3 day weekends so expensive if you have to buy tickets.

I wish you had booked under the kids stay/play free promotion; that would have saved you $445 or so right there (assumes 2 kids under 10). You need to keep a lookout for deals! Can you get a AAA discount at least?

Congratulations to the kids for a great year!

 

[Miaka]

Well if you are going august of 2011 and back in June of 2012 then one of the ways to save overall is upgrading your tickets from this year to an annual pass before leaving, that way next year you have just flight and room cost as well as food. Then you can watch all year for discounts stay at a value and book your flights on the cheap. That's just my idea

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

Hmm... Off to go check on the cost of an AP!

 

[StuckInKS]

I don't know how old your oldest is, but...This year they had an offer for Kids Free. I believe it extended into June. We got a 3-night/4-day May reservation using this promo for $670, including tickets. BUT that is with a preferred room (minus $50 for a std room) and with 7-day tickets. You would save a couple bucks only getting 4 days. I would say that total would likely be $600 for room and tickets. This is only if they run the same promo at the same time next year and if room rates or tickets don't go up too much. I think $600 is a great rate for an on-site room and tickets for 3 people, and I hope (for your sake and ours) that they run the promo again next year!

 

[nickapoohiluvu]

My son will be ten, so no go on the kids free. A room only discount might get us there and so would FD. If FD extends into the first week of June like it did for 2011 (at least I think it did), it would be perfect. I'd be perfectly happy with QS dining and a value resort with just me and the kids.

 

[Bete]

If you know you will go as a family next year, too then you may be able to get in three trips with the APs and that would make APs a no brainer.

I'm not sure how sticky Disney could be, but if your child is a kid for the August trip this year but not for the next June trip then you may have an issue. You can upgrade his AP ticket, but it would be at a cost for next year.

I would consider two trips while he's still 10.

 

[mark jalali fortmyer]

I would like to know of new deals on Disney Cruises. Thanks.
Mark Jalali

 

[vicki_c]

If you know you will go as a family next year, too then you may be able to get in three trips with the APs and that would make APs a no brainer.

I'm not sure how sticky Disney could be, but if your child is a kid for the August trip this year but not for the next June trip then you may have an issue. You can upgrade his AP ticket, but it would be at a cost for next year.

I would consider two trips while he's still 10.

You will not have to pay to upgrade a child's AP to adult if the child turns 10 during the validity period of the AP. We just got my 9 year old an AP last month which we will use again for our Easter 2012 trip even though she is turning 10 next month.

 

[vicki_c]

I would like to know of new deals on Disney Cruises. Thanks.
Mark Jalali

Mark- welcome to the DIS. There is an entire set of boards dedicated to Disney cruises (just scroll down the main DISboards page a bit further). You would do best to ask your question there vs. here in the Resorts boards.