How do you Save Money at WDW? Here are my tips!

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by brunette8706
So let me get this straight You would spend hypothically $250.00 per day at the Polynesian than spend say $99.00 a day at a 5 STAR HOTEL the Hyatt Grand Cypress which in my opinion is much better than the Polynesian hotel and 1/3 the price...After all it is a 5 star hotel...

I guess another issue that I have is that I would prefer to stay at EXCEPTIONAL places outside the park that are about 1/3 the price than to stay in the park....This way I can go to WDW 3-5 times a year....Why spend a tremendous amount of money on a hotel that you're really hardly never in anyway? Most people are at the parks...but again that is only my opinion. We simply drive to the parks and pay NOTHING for parking because we have annual passes..we also drive to the other resorts within disney for recreation and dinner etc...so what is the importance of staying at the park...? I guess my contention is that I would like to go 4-5 times a year rather than spend all my hard earned money on a hotel when I'm going to be spending my majority of time at the parks....?

Here is the Hyatt Grand Cypress link! Check it out and check out the pools and beach...they're gorgeous!

http://grandcypress.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

brunette

That's what works for your family.

I wouldn't be happy staying off site no matter how cheap it was. If I stay off site I can't take advantage of EE, eride nights, or have our packages delivered to the resort.

Once the shuttle drops us off from the airport, we don't leave Disney property until our vacation is over. This is what works for my family. The biggie for us is being on Disney property.

Some people would rather buy tons of food and pack lunches than spend money on Disney food. Some people will only buy souvenirs at the outlets. Still others buy all of their souvenirs
before leaving home. If I'm visiting Disney, I want official Disney souvenirs.

People find different ways to budget for their trips, without losing the things that are important to them. There isn't a right or wrong way do this.

 

[brunette8706]

.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by brunette8706
You're absolutely right...It does work for us! We're going in August, November and New Years Eve....because we are saving money in the long run...staying at much nicer places...but hey what ever works for ya...

I also noticed you have stayed at the All Star Sports. Now that to me is not a vacation...It's a budget hotel the rooms are extremely small and the bathroom is tiny. ....but hey if that what you prefer over a 5 STAR hotel that's your option...I like a more exotic getaway, where I don't feel like I'm being swindled out of every last dime....

Have fun though....I know we will.

Brunette

The title of your thread is "How Do You Safe Money at WDW?"

It isn't "This is the Way I Safe Money at WDW. Anyone That Doesn't Agree With Me Must Have A Problem."

Yes I've stayed at the All Star Sports and Pop Century. They both were fine for my son and I. I knew exactly what I was getting when I booked the rooms. I work hard for my money and will spend it the way I see fit. If I'd rather spend it on a value resort as opposed to an off site villa, that's my choice. If I decide to put it in a bucket and burn it, it's my business. When you start paying for my vacations, then you can worry about how the money is spent.

Your responses have been both arrogant and condescending to those who don't agree with you. Maybe the next you start a thread, you should request that only those that agree with you respond.

 

[brunette8706]

I have in no way been condescending...I have questioned a few posters...because I wasn't clear on things...as for you DIS JUNKIE, you're the one that's consdecending and arrogant, and lastly defensive....

You think that The All STars Resorts is the best for you and your familly....and that's your opinion and you have every right to that opinioni That budget hotel for the same price as the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress there just isn't a comparison, All star sports just isn't worth the money...in my opinion for ME!!! I personally find it like a low end motel....but again, that is only my opinion...I personally would rather stay off site with more luxurious surrounding for the same price....I couldn't care less about getting packages delivered to my hotel, and I couldn't care less about getting official Disney Souveniers that cost an arm and a leg...but again that's only my opinion..... So we have to agree to disagree...okay?


Brunette

 

[zakatak]

I agree Disneyjunkie! I haven't read such arrogant posts in a while! It's almost as if she is selling the offsite rentals. Weird.

I did go to the website and I saw a few houses for rent. I would not feel comfortable staying in someone else's house. Now, I know it is most likely just a condo being rented week by week, but I like to stay ON property, in a hotel during my Disney vacations. All other times of the year, including all other vacations, I cook, clean, wash, sweep, do dishes, etc... which isn't really a "vacation" as much as it's a "change of scenery, more work" when you have 3 kids. I look forward to my Disney vacation as a time when I don't have to cook, clean, sweep, etc... for a week or so. And I get fresh towels each day! THAT is value for me! Also, being able to sleep on the bus after an evening in the parks... value again!

Don't bother attacking me with your "hey, whatever works for you... blah blah blah...". I've stayed offsite ONCE at the Marriott Grande Vista and NEVER AGAIN. Took the magic and smashed it for me. Never again.

Karen

Who is SOOOO looking forward to trying those Heavenly Beds at the Swan and then coming "home" to AKL for 7 more days of bliss.

 

[brunette8706]

Another tip.....ignore all RUDE posters!

I feel like I have been ganged up on this thread...So I will ignore!

Bash Away....By the way if it doesn't stop I will tell Management!

Brunette

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by brunette8706
So let me get this straight You would spend hypothically $250.00 per day at the Polynesian than spend say $99.00 a day at a 5 STAR HOTEL the Hyatt Grand Cypress which in my opinion is much better than the Polynesian hotel and 1/3 the price...After all it is a 5 star hotel...

I guess another issue that I have is that I would prefer to stay at EXCEPTIONAL places outside the park that are about 1/3 the price than to stay in the park....This way I can go to WDW 3-5 times a year....Why spend a tremendous amount of money on a hotel that you're really hardly never in anyway? Most people are at the parks...but again that is only my opinion. We simply drive to the parks and pay NOTHING for parking because we have annual passes..we also drive to the other resorts within disney for recreation and dinner etc...so what is the importance of staying at the park...? I guess my contention is that I would like to go 4-5 times a year rather than spend all my hard earned money on a hotel when I'm going to be spending my majority of time at the parks....?
brunette

Yep. I'd rather spend $300 a night and stay at the Poly than $100 a night on an offsite condo.

We don't want to go to Disney 3 or 4 times a year. We are happy to go every other year for a week. I probably spend less biannually than you do on Disney - even staying on site and eating every dinner in the park. So here is my big tip for saving money on Disney....

Go less often.

It won't work for everyone, but it works fine for us.

You may not think you are being condesending, but you are coming across that way.

 

[hulabird]

I, too, would rather pay to stay at a Disney resort than off site at some place I just consider "another hotel". I have stayed at higher priced luxury hotel in Las Vegas and in other major cities and I still like staying in the Disney resorts the best. We use our resort for alot more than just sleeping. We have a great vacation within a vacation when we stay in a Disney hotel. I would not change for anything only because it is what our family enjoys.

 

[brunette8706]

Listen folks!

Hold on there a moment.....

Before this gets "out of hand", let me say a thing or two here....

My purpose of starting this thread, was to offer some tips that we have found over time to allow us to get the most out of our vacation at our favorite place, DisneyWorld. I know of folks that have waited years to go to WDW, and waited until they could "afford" it. In fact, I have a close friend that wanted all his fatherhood years to take his kids there. It never happened, because he couldn't (or thought he couldn't) afford it. Come to find out, he was wrong. His kids are now grown up and they never had the memories of a vacation that they always wanted, but never took. Take that for what it's worth.

As to the rest of the subject, whatever one chooses to do with their own hard earned money is absolutely up to them and I am not criticizing that. What has bothered me a bit on this thread however, is the defensiveness that I witnessed and the resistance I've gotten by simply suggesting ways for folks to take a vacation that they may not have otherwise taken. We have cut down our trip costs to such an extent, that we can take several a year. We love it. We love the freedom of being able to do so and we simply wanted to share that information with others that were interested. From the start however, I have been to an extent condescended in a way, as it almost seemed "blasphemous" to suggest anything but an on property vacation that would cost us three or four times as much.

No offense intended....., if that was the result, then I sincerely apologize. But also consider, that if you felt condescended in some way, that was how I felt after the first few posts.

Disneyworld is an awesome place, it would be nice if more people could afford to go there that want to. That was my purpose for starting this thread....

brunette

 

[crisi]

No one has said its wrong of you to stay off site or cook. We've just said "it isn't for us." You are making a big jump from there. I can't speak for everyone here, but I've made recommendations to many friends over the years to look into offsite condos. I usually say "I'm on onsite snob, and if you can afford it, I'd encourage you to try onsite. But there are some great deals on condos offsite - and you'll get a lot more room for a lot less money." I've also been known to say "we wouldn't cook more than a pop tart on vacation, but a lot of people have success with crock pot meals or pasta."

You are on a board of Disney addicts. Most of us are well versed in onsite vs. offsite - we know we aren't saving money on site - few people here are under the illusion that rooms at Disney are cheap, but something makes it worth it to us. Just like you choose an expensive day at Disney over pitching a tent at your local campgrounds.

If your friend would have come here, we would have taught him how to take a cheap trip. Some would have recommended the All-Stars - some would have put him in a offsite hotel - Priceline has some great deals. We'd have taught him about buying hoppers from a broker and to beware of "used" hoppers on eBay. We'd have taught him how to make one $11.50 voucher feed two people - and maybe recommended he splurge on a character meal. We'd have taught him what packs well for a park lunch (sandwiches) and what doesn't (canned corn). We'd have provided a link to Mousesavers and told him about people who save on airfare by driving from Canada.

One of the things it takes a while to learn is that everyone has different priorities for their vacation budget. I'm always slightly shocked at the people willing to spend $100 on gifts for their children's classmates - but I will spend a few hundred a night on a room. Trinkets to me are junk, experiences are forever, and its nice to watch Illuminations from your balcony. I'm sure other people think I'm selfish, gifts are an obligation, and Illuminations is better from inside Epcot. I'm shocked anyone would buy pins for pin trading, but I'll put down $5 in rum drinks sitting by the pool. People probably think I'm a lush missing out on the most fun Disney has to offer - with only a $30 investment in your first pins and lanyard.

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by brunette8706
...Disneyworld is an awesome place, it would be nice if more people could afford to go there that want to. That was my purpose for starting this thread....

brunette

And that is exactly why this board is here.

But if there is one thing that I have learned in the 5 or 6 years that I have moderated this board is that "budget" is in the eye of the beholder.

Everyone is looking for something different in their Disney vacations. Many are willing to spend more to be immersed in the "Disney Magic" 24/7. Many others find that they do not need to be surrounded by Disney in order to have a perfectly lovely Disney holiday.

There is no RIGHT or WRONG way to do (or save at) Disney. There is just DIFFERENT. And that is perfectly OK!

Please let me remind you all to please let's "play nice." And please reread what you type before you post. Sometimes what is meant as enthuiasm or passion can be misconstrued as nastiness or condecesion. And if you are angry when you go to post something, try this tip that I learned long ago from a wonderful Webmaster - "Use the Back Button!" It works wonders.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm confused...

Aren't you the same person that posted on the Attractions board about how things aren't the same as they used to be, and rattled off a list of missed attractions that haven't been there in YEARS?! And then you're on here talking about how the All Stars are small, this is how you visit all the time, etc etc? Have you been 4-5 times a year, or have you just started going back again after many years not visiting? By the thread you started over there, you haven't visited in a LONG time, NOR read anything about the parks in a LONG time. So how do you know what staying at the All Stars is like? Have you really done this villa cooking bit 4-5 times a year, or just tried it this one time and recommend it?

It just seems like this post comes from a person with lots of WDW experience, but when you compare it to the other thread (that had the same condescending tone to it, I might add) you come across as someone who did NO research prior to your visit, did not bargain shop to find out real prices on WDW resorts, and are just now planning on making WDW trips a regular event for your family.

So I'm just curious.

BTW- we, too, rented a house one week and we won't do it again... I didn't feel like I was at WDW, but just returning home each night. Like visitng Six Flags each day and going back home. It was cost effective, yes, but not worth losing that magical experience for us. You obviously HAVEN'T stayed onsite in a really long time, so perhaps one of our trips you should take advantage of those annual pass rates and book a room for a trip and see what you think... To each his own, but we have tried it!

 

[klfrech]

To the poster who mentioned staying at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress for $99.00:

How did you get such a great rate??? I'd love to stay at this property for a couple of nights and was wondering how to do in the least expensive way possible.

 

[MrsPete]

Can I argue with the savings of staying in a villa? Nope. Numbers don't lie. But I can argue with the VALUE. Value is not a dollars and cents thing; it's the item's cost compared to the item's worth TO YOU PERSONALLY.

Here's a non-Disney example. My wedding anniversary is coming up in a few days. My husband will take me out somewhere nice for dinner. The bill will be high, but that's okay because it's a special occasion and we are blessed to be able to afford some luxuries in our lives. He could take me to McDonald's; after all, the food is just as filling, and it's much cheaper. But it's not the same, is it? For a quick lunch, I have nothing against a Big Mac, but IT'S NOT THE EXPERIENCE WE'RE LOOKING FOR ON OUR ANNIVERSARY.

There are probably things in your life for which you're willing to pay extra -- even if it doesn't make sense when you look at the dollars and cents. Here are just a few common examples:

People pay $$$ for Starbuck's coffee, though most of them could get it for free from the office coffee pot.
People pay $$$ for designer clothing, though it's going to go out of style just as quickly as the stuff at Kohl's.
People pay $$$ for movie tickets, though they could buy a slightly-older show on DVD for less money.
People pay $$$ to go on cruises, then they stay stinking drunk the whole time, though they could do that at home for less $$$.
People pay $$$ for infant /toddler clothing that fits for only a few months, though they could buy the same things at consignment stores for 10% the price.

I don't spend on any of these things I just mentioned -- for me they have little VALUE. However, I think we're all allowed a few "blind spots" in our financial life. Notice I said a few -- I don't advocate spending foolishly on everything; that's the road to ruin. I will probably take 3-4 Disney trips in my whole life (and I will not pine for more -- we take 6-10 trips to various places around the Globe each year, and we enjoy variety). When Disney is the location of choice, I'm going to stay onsite in a place that -- for me -- will hold great value.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

I have a question. A legitimate, non-sarcastic (thought I better put that in there due to the temperaments here) question.


As I posted earlier, we prefer to stay off-site. We do not stay in villa's, we stay in a private home. They, just like hotels and villa's, are rented week by week. Maid service is available, grocery service is available, you have your own pool, your own bar-b-que grill, along with so many other amenities. It's very private and quiet and we like that.

NOW - I am only comparing this to previous hotel stays. I have never stayed on-site at Disney but for those who have, I have never heard one bad thing about it.

Could someone explain exactly what it is that makes it so great? DO you see the characters all the time? Are the resorts like their own little town? I'm not into golf, crowded public pools, or taking stairs or long hallways to get to my 'room'. I can see why some would like the AKL as you get the view of the exotic animals. I would even give that one a shot. But the others.......what is so special? Please don't think I'm being rude. I simply have never stayed at a Disney Resprt and want to know what it is that attracts you there at the higher price. What is the experience you all talk about?

I honestly pictured it as being no more than a fancy, brightly colored, architectually (sp?) designed/themed hotel with exotic landscaping and expensive stores.

Obviously, I was wrong. PLEASE fill me in. I might just stay onsite for my next trip!

 

[Planogirl]

I've stayed both onsite and offsite and both are great...for ME. We always spend tons of time in the parks and where we stay is irrelevant as far as our Disney experience goes. I have stayed in a few wonderful offsite resorts and also a few not so wonderful onsite resorts so staying onsite is no guarantee of a great stay...in MY opinion.

That said, we are staying at AKL during our next trip because I found a great rate. I really like AKL and the Polynesian and PORS and would gladly make it a point to stay at any of them. I would not necessarily do so at other Disney resorts however.

This is just another philosophy and like BethR said there is really no perfect right or wrong. I would love to try the full home one time (I LOVE the idea of a private pool) and staying at a super luxury resort like the Grand Cypress for such a low cost seems rather heavenly to me.

 

[ajksmom]

HauntedMansionFreak,
Could someone explain exactly what it is that makes it so great?
Now that we have "officially" stayed on-site I feel that for my family it does work better. This last trip we had two 17yr olds (DS and friend) who had a lot more energy than my DH or I. We also had our DS3. At 8pm while we were all at DTD and the young one wanted to go to bed, we left knowing the older ones could stay, spend some more time at DQ and have trans. back to the resort. I didn't need to arrange where they would be and when in order to head back out and pick them up. At naptime we headed back to the resort and left the older ones to ride. My DH woke with a headache one am, we left him to rest and he met up with us at lunch. All the above scenarios would have been a hassle if we had stayed off-site and needed to make arrangements a couple times a day to pickup or dropoff.You do not need to drive at all if you stay onsite. So transportation is really key for my family.
As for the resorts themselves-yes a hotel room is a hotel roomAn offsite hotel is just that. A hotel in Orlando. Choosing an onsite one lets you pick a "theme" that appeals to you in addition to the trans. convenience factor. You could choose a "modern" one CR, you could pick a "woodsy" one WL, a "beachy" one YC BC BWI, a "backwoods" one POFQ POR, etc. That may or may not be important to everyone but it really is a neat "adventure" to stay a few days at the Poly and then head to WL. And the dining choices? There are way too many. After 3 trips in 10 years I haven't eaten at half the places I want to.
For us the convenience is worth the cost of staying onsite. There are rooms to be had at all price levels so no matter what my budget I can choose to stay onsite.
FWIW, only once in those 3 trips did we stay onsite. Once at a days inn, and once at the grosvenor. We had fun each time, things just went much smoother for my family staying onsite. Our budget was the same each time, and staying onsite made it feel like I really got my money's worth.
Kristy

 

[crisi]

For us its little things. Package delivery back to resorts. EE Mornings and E-Ride nights. Mickey Soap. Although you occationally get dirty rooms at Disney, Disney quality seems to be better than "draw of the hat" offsite resorts. Mickey does your wake up call. Seeing Wishes from your beach at the Poly, then walking back to your room. Not having to drive from the time we leave home - Disney transportation (plus a few cabs) - this is HUGE for us. Walking to Epcot or MGM (our DVC home resort is BW). Not having to "deal" with central Florida (I love DisneyWorld - such a shame its in central Florida, which I don't like). Great pool slides. For those traveling in busy seasons, guarenteed park admission.

But probably the most important thing is that you are at Disney 24 hours a day. That feeling that you get when you walk down Mainstreet hits you while you walk down the long hallway and notice the hidden Mickey in the lighting fixture.

Does it "intristically" add up to hundred of dollars more per night? No. But, as MrsPete said, its a special occation - those are sometimes worth paying a premium for.

We stayed in a great room in San Francisco. From our patio we could see both the Golden Gate and Alcatraz. The room was beautifully decorated. We paid $500 a night. Next trip we stayed in a normal room at the Hilton. View of a back alley. Hotel room decorated. Paid $150. Both were perfectly good places to sleep. Both allowed us to walk out our door and see San Francisco. But my memories are of the beautiful $500 a night room.

 

[beaglebiz]

One of the earlier poster mentioned that one of the benefits of staying in dis property is DTD....Just for the record, DTD is for everyone, not just guests of Dis resorts.
We have been to Dis 3 times, our fourth trip is coming up. We have always stayed on site, (Port Orleans FQ, Ft Wilderness, and what was once Dixie Landings (i think it is something else now). I now have three children, one is a teenager. We decided to try a private home this next time. There is maid service, and the kids rooms are decorated in disney themes. I will miss the Dis transportation the most I think, but I have a few charachter breakfasts and a show (hoop dee doo) and a couple of dinners ps'ed....I have purchased toys from the DS sale, and will leave them on the kids beds as treats. I am also bringing my Mickey waffle iron. (my little ones have not seen this yet), and I have purchased several disney t shirts at the sale mentioned above, so my children (the little ones at least) will be "properly outfitted" for their special trip.
I have met people who would do it no other way (stay in a private home) , and I decided to give it a try. I guess to accurately make a determination you must
a. try both
b. remember everyone has different "tastes" when it comes to vacations. I like being able to make breakfast in the house.

 

[brunette8706]

I used a federal government rate...I got the rate back in April when I booked it...The Hyatt's low season I believe is between June and September...rates are very reasonable...I might add the hotel and the property is gorgeous and it's only 2 miles from WDW..

Brunette