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

[tinkerbell1967]

I will agree about the breakfast being cheaper. We are staying offsite this time in a condo so we will be doing most of our breakfast's at the condo. But.....since I'm on vacation they will consist of easy to prepare items like ready cooked bacon that needs heated up, cereal, muffins, ready made pancakes, etc. That is the only meal we will eat in, the rest will be out for the week. Since we will have our DD who is 14 and her friend, the breakfast in the condo is a good idea because it is tough some mornings to get them up and going!

 

[disneymom2one]

I think again it's all about the value. If I had to cook meals all week, that would be no value to me. I cook every day for my family. Since we homeschool, that often means I fix three meals a day. Small family but I'm in the kitchen a lot. On vacation I don't cook and I don't go to Wal-Mart because I despise Wal-Mart. We will make a Publix run because I can relax at Publix. But I'll only be picking up easy things - lunchables, bagels, cream cheese. We'll be in a studio at the Boardwalk Villas for most of the trip and the microwave is all I'll need.

For me, it's better to stay onsite and cut costs other ways. I've done trips where our daily food budget (for three) is under $50. This trip it will be $100. That includes food and any extras. We do that easily by eating breakfast in the room as well as having one nice meal and then counter service or snacks for the other meal.

 

[brunette8706]

I hate to cook to! Heck, we just had a few breakfast items nuked and cooked a pizza for dinner or got a rottesserie chicken for $3.99 at Walmart along with some salad veggies and a few snacks here and there..

BTW Why do you "despise" Walmart?? Just curious.

brunette

 

[TMTIP]

I must make a comment here. I am new to this board, (lurking from the Disney Cruise boards) and I can't believe the childishness that I have found! I thought I would find some good "BUDGET" tips but all I am hearing about is "it's worth it to me so thats the way it is". Very dissapointing to say the least.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by TMTIP
I can't believe the childishness that I have found! I thought I would find some good "BUDGET" tips but all I am hearing about is "it's worth it to me so thats the way it is". Very dissapointing to say the least.

I'm not sure if you read the whole thread, but someone gave their money saving tip (staying off-site on a deal) & then when others said they saved money in other ways & preferred to stay on-site even if that part of the trip cost them more money they were "questioned" as to why they would want to spend more money when they didn't have to.

So......................this thread has king of strayed (a little) from the topic of "How Do You Save Money at WDW".

IMO, I think people save in all different ways & while one person likes to save on some things (lodging, food) others prefer to save it in other ways (souvenirs, snacks in the parks). I don't think there's a right or wrong way of ways to save, and I think some people felt berated for saying they disagreed with the OP as far as staying off-site & saving money and would prefer to save money in other ways.

Okay - I'm done now!!!

 

[CheapMom]

BTW Why do you "despise" Walmart?? Just curious.

Hey Brunette- There is a book called something like "How Walmart is Ruining The World" I read it because when I was extolling the virtues of the Walmart supercenter to my brother he said- "You shop at Walmart- you are destroying the American economy... They drive all indepentant store owners out of business... they are the definition of corporate greed..." and so on. So I read the book- it was interesting but I am cheap (see screen name) so I still shop at Walmart.
A few weeks later I had a family get together and my brother's wife said- "This salsa is so good- where did you get it?" I said "I got it at Walmart. But don't tell Joe because he is totally against Walmart." She laughed and said "Oh yeah- he is against Walmart- until it is somebody's birthday- then he is the 1st one through the door."
That cracked me up- sorry that was so long.

 

[disneymom2one]

Because I live in a very touristy (beach) area our Wal-Mart is just always packed with vacationers. It's loud, it's crowded, and I just don't have a good time. Our Publix on the other hand is smaller and much quieter and they will carry your groceries out to you. Publix also has things like sushi which we tend to eat a lot. Ours has fresh seafood (and Wal-Mart doesn't). Wal-mart is just way too big for me and way too crowded.

 

[brunette8706]

I never knew that! I'll give Publix a try. Is there one near WDW?

Thanks!
Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

Yea, Walmart is pretty cheap! Yea, Walmart is a big capitalist corporation....Your last statement cracked me up too! I've had walmart salsa, and it is cheap and good!

When are you going back to WDW???

brunette

 

[CheapMom]

I must make a comment here. I am new to this board, (lurking from the Disney Cruise boards) and I can't believe the childishness that I have found! I thought I would find some good "BUDGET" tips but all I am hearing about is "it's worth it to me so thats the way it is". Very dissapointing to say the least.

Tracy- I agree that some of the replies have sounded a bit superior and sharp, but others have expressed interest in the OPs lodging recommendation. And eating breakfast room is a good tip that many agree upon. The OP- brunette- has taken a great attitude about the whole thing- even though some people don't find her advice useful, others do- that is the whole point of this board.
Brunette had a great vacation- saved hundreds of $$ on lodging and was very pleased with her accomodations- and came back to share with us. Thanks Brunette!

(You have wandered over to the other side of the tracks- here- the cruise board is much more genteel and civil. . There really is a ton of good budget advice here- this particular thread just got a bit out of hand.)
____________________________________________________
Brunette- we are going back December 11-19 (and doing the 4 night Wonder cruise Dec. 12-16th) We are from Maryland too- Sparks - 10 minutes due north of Towson- where are you?

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by TMTIP
I must make a comment here. I am new to this board, (lurking from the Disney Cruise boards) and I can't believe the childishness that I have found! I thought I would find some good "BUDGET" tips but all I am hearing about is "it's worth it to me so thats the way it is". Very dissapointing to say the least.

Look at it a different way.

There are people here who love vouchers. And people here who don't like vouchers. Every so often, someone gets one side of the voucher story because you are in a "positive" voucher thread, buys vouchers and discovers they aren't a voucher person. Or gets only the negative side of the voucher story, finally uses them and then wonders why they didn't use them all along. With almost any budget methodology, there are going to be pros and cons. And those pros and cons are going to weigh differently for different inviduals.


There isn't ONE way to save money at Disney, there are hundreds. Some of them may be too much effort for you. Some may be impractical - you can't drive from England no matter how much cheaper it would be. Some of them may cut your enjoyment. You deserve to hear why some people think offsite cuts their enjoyment and why others think its such a great deal so you can make an informed decision. Maybe you will decide there is no value in onsite. That's fine, but you won't stay offsite simply because its cheaper, only to regret not being informed because no one ever mentioned how easy it would be to take your four year old back for a nap while hubby rode coasters with your 10 year old if you stayed onsite.

This thread has been much more expository than most here outlining budget ideas. We've had plenty of list threads, I find these sorts to be much more educational - it lets me "see" why something I think would be an incredible waste of time to save a few bucks could actually be a pretty good deal.

If you want some really good undistilled budget ideas, without a lot of commentary, if you haven't found Mousesavers, you should take a look (www.mousesavers.com). Mary also does a newsletter.

(and I hang on the cruise board too, this is the "veranda debate" or the "formal night" debate or the "I don't understand why anyone cruises as a family if their kids spend all the time in the clubs, don't you love your children" debate.)

 

[Talargain]

Originally posted by TMTIP
I must make a comment here. I am new to this board, (lurking from the Disney Cruise boards) and I can't believe the childishness that I have found! I thought I would find some good "BUDGET" tips but all I am hearing about is "it's worth it to me so thats the way it is". Very dissapointing to say the least.

Yes it is tracy. I even wonder if this brunette person is renting these villas out. She gets totally upset when someone stays in disney resort!

To Brunette:

The reason for staying in a disney resort is the experience and obviously you do not have children as i mentioned before. The disney resort experience is unrivaled by any "villa". Yes I've stayed in Villas before and I've also stayed at the contemporary and the wilderness lodge. No villa can compare to the experience to adult but also to a child. I stayed in the contemporary as a child and the experience will remain with me always and I want my children to experience it.

My advice to those here is that if you can afford the package, It is a deal. There is no comparing it. I am not rich and I work hard that's true. But I work for my vacation. I want to be treated as a king. I want my children to enjoy their time and I want to provide them with every ammenity. Just the face of my daughter as she enters her room is enough for me.

You want to go to walmart and cook? That's fine do that. I prefer to be catered to and all I spend is a measly 25 to 50 dollars more than you, that's fine. I'm not that bad of a hard case.

If you have tips to make my "DISNEY" (NOTE: NOT MY "VILLA") Experience better, by all means. If you don't like the way I do things, that's why you don't live in my house. Advice is only worth what it costs. If I like it I will take it. If I don't I won't. I exchange ideas with co-workers and with friends all the time. I found out about Villas from a friend who suggested the same as you that it is cheaper. I gave it a shot. And it is a nice deal and the resorts are very nice. But it's not Disney.

You have never stayed in a disney resort. We can tell. You go by what you've heard and read and look at the prices.

Grab life by the horns, come to a disney resort. Then tell us we are wrong and get angry and abusive and condescending. It is amazing the level of childishness and Rudeness and Stubborness that you display.

In doing so, even in apparenting nice. You give us a bad name. Oh by the way as to your threat to contacting the Moderators, please do. I am not ashamed of what I have posted. I stand by it 100% and i'm sure many here will back me up also.

If you feel in any way insulted. That's ok too.

Just My two cents.

TRACY:

We are not all like this user here....please do not think us immature or childish. I'm sorry you stumbled accross this thread or this member. I apologize for all of us Disney Fans. I would like to try the cruise maybe next year, You might see me in the cruise forum soon.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

<b> No villa can compare to the experience to adult but also to a child. I stayed in the contemporary as a child and the experience will remain with me always and I want my children to experience it.

My advice to those here is that if you can afford the package, It is a deal. There is no comparing it. I am not rich and I work hard that's true. But I work for my vacation. I want to be treated as a king. I want my children to enjoy their time and I want to provide them with every ammenity. Just the face of my daughter as she enters her room is enough for me.

You want to go to walmart and cook? That's fine do that. I prefer to be catered to and all I spend is a measly 25 to 50 dollars more than you, that's fine. I'm not that bad of a hard case.

If you have tips to make my "DISNEY" (NOTE: NOT MY "VILLA") Experience better, by all means. If you don't like the way I do things, that's why you don't live in my house.</b>

And ya'll wonder why this brunette lady has an attitude????? The very first sentence "No villa can compare to the experience to adult but also to a child. " says to me - it's MY way or NO way. That is strictly YOUR opinion.

How about we get back to money saving ideas that some can use, some can not, but we can all enjoy and STOP with this babyish "my way is better than your way" crap.

 

[Talargain]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFreak

And ya'll wonder why this brunette lady has an attitude????? The very first sentence "No villa can compare to the experience to adult but also to a child. " says to me - it's MY way or NO way. That is strictly YOUR opinion.

How about we get back to money saving ideas that some can use, some can not, but we can all enjoy and STOP with this babyish "my way is better than your way" crap.

I never said my way or no way. That's what you read. I said no experience can compare to the Disney experience. I said I've stayed in Villas and I liked them. But I PREFER the resort. That is my preference. Maybe not yours.

If your tips are about how I'm doing it wrong and jumping down my throat if I stay in Disney, I don't want to hear it. If you 'REALLY' have some money saving tips or ideas on how to make my experience better go ahead, I'm all ears.

 

[Talargain]

Originally posted by HauntedMansionFreak
[B
And ya'll wonder why this brunette lady has an attitude????? [/B]

BTW. She had an attitude WAAAAYYYY before me. I've been reading this thread since it started with my wife's membership and thought she was ridiculous. I got my own membership so I could reply because it was way out of hand.

I'm not here to insult anybody but I can't stand for people's opinions and thoughts to get shot down. Specially not in the way she does it. It turns my stomach. It go soo far out of hand that the cruise board is taking notice.

My way or No way.

That's what she's been doing. We are tired of it.

 

[CheapMom]

few people here are under the illusion that rooms at Disney are cheap

I think the rooms at WDW are cheap. I have been forced to pay way more for a room while visiting relatives in Connecticutt and NJ that are not nearly as nice as say a moderate for $94 a night. It is all relative- so if I think rooms onsite are cheap- of course I think rooms offsite are UUBERcheap.

I loved Mrs. Pete's post- that really sums it up... what is the experience you are looking for and what are you willing to pay for it...

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.

 

[Talargain]

Originally posted by CheapMom


I loved Mrs. Pete's post- that really sums it up... what is the experience you are looking for and what are you willing to pay for it...

Like Totally!!!

 

[crisi]

Hey guys, give Brunette a break.

Her first post may have been a little condesencing. And her next few posts weren't great, but she felt under attack. But that was days ago. She seems to have come around on the points - as long as she isn't under attack she is willing to agree that maybe staying on site has benefits she wasn't aware of, or cooking meals isn't a great option for everyone. And I think that we can all admit that, if you are willing to stay offsite or cook on vacation, these things CAN save you money. Certainly a spaghetti dinner cooked in a condo with a nice bottle of wine will be cheaper than a dinner at Alfredos - and only you know if the atmosphere and food at Alfredos (plus the whole not cooking and having a waiter) is worth the difference to you.

She's come back, done an admirable job with her last few posts, and really doesn't deserve to be beat up any more about it.

She sounds like she found a great offsite resort. Those of us who look for good value, clean, well maintained offsite resorts should be grateful. Those of us who won't stay offsite are free to say "thanks for the info, but it isn't for us."

(oh, and CheapMom, I'll agree - though its my quote. I don't find Disney food unreasonable or Disney hotel prices highway robbery. Can I spend less someplace else....sure. But I've spent as much or more for similar things. )

 

[brunette8706]

Thank you so much for your support! You really are one of the nicest people here along with MANY OTHERS! There are a few people though that still want to condemn me and YES, ATTACK ME IN THEIR VICIOUS MATTER!!! I have apologized if indeed I did sound condescending way back in an earlier post and that was after I was attacked! So get a grip Talagain! I'm not here to be ripped apart! I have never said "It's my way or no way!" So stop telling fabrications about me!!! I'm getting sick of it! I have asked questions to people about why they think the value is not there for them...They in fact answered my questions.....so much so that WE are thinking about BOOKING a room at the AK or the Wilderness lodge on value season! Again, I have had terrific luck with the villa and the Hyatt Grand Cypress! I have not condemed or attacked any one here. STOP putting words in my mouth. For crying out loud this is a Disney board and I and many others have given very good tips and suggestions...and I have listened with an open mind to some of them! So with that said stop right there with YOUR attitude, if it continues I will take further action.

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

Yes it is tracy. I even wonder if this brunette person is renting these villas out. She gets totally upset when someone stays in disney resort!

*********************

This is another down right fabrication about me!!! STOP IT!