How much is too much?

[Kath2003]

That is really great. Were the flights with AA including all charges? Fab prices.

Yup, they were all-in

If we had a car, then obviously it would be more expensive - and if we were doing Disney too. But we're only doing Universal, Islands, Sea World, Aquatica and Wet 'n' Wild. We have 10 days in which to do those so having a car for convenience doesn't really bother us - we won't rush anywhere and I've done Orlando without a car twice before.

The best bargain is the bus from the airport to the hotel for $1.75 The first time we went, we took a cab TO the hotel and the bus back - we saved $40 and it only took an extra 15 minutes. The bus runs everywhere we want to go (theme parks, malls, airports) so that saves a chunk of money.

We don't skimp - some days we get up late, grab a big pizza for lunch etc. and then get just a Subway or something in the evening; other times we'll hit 'nicer' chains like Outback etc. for steak. It worked out at £15/day last summer - that included some Disney meals (breakfast at 1900 Park Fare, for example - because we only needed a KFC for dinner!), so I've budgeted £20/day to account for the dollar changes etc.

 

[joolz1910]

Yup, they were all-in

If we had a car, then obviously it would be more expensive - and if we were doing Disney too. But we're only doing Universal, Islands, Sea World, Aquatica and Wet 'n' Wild. We have 10 days in which to do those so having a car for convenience doesn't really bother us - we won't rush anywhere and I've done Orlando without a car twice before.

The best bargain is the bus from the airport to the hotel for $1.75 The first time we went, we took a cab TO the hotel and the bus back - we saved $40 and it only took an extra 15 minutes. The bus runs everywhere we want to go (theme parks, malls, airports) so that saves a chunk of money.

I can't believe that bus price. I haven't looked into Universal - would you say it is significantly cheaper than staying near Disney? I want to 'do' both Universal and WDW.

 

[Kath2003]

I can't believe that bus price. I haven't looked into Universal - would you say it is significantly cheaper than staying near Disney? I want to 'do' both Universal and WDW.

You can find cheap accommodation either end - the skill is finding good value accommodation. You can get some expensive places that are crappy and some awesome cheap places - depends what you're after. We stayed in the Wynfield Inn (now being demolished) for £19/night between the two of us last summer - it was SPOTLESS! Hoping the Doubletree will be okay; I always check out the reviews on TripAdvisor for the hotels in our price range and choose. I like staying on I-Drive because it's very easy to get around as a pedestrian - lots of nice restaurants within walking distance - and is well-served by public transport.

 

[joolz1910]

That's why I would be influenced by recommendations on boards like these. I would hate to pay a lot for somewhere sub-standard. I will look at I Drive. Have you stayed in LBV? That's where I was thinking of.

 

[Kath2003]

That's why I would be influenced by recommendations on boards like these. I would hate to pay a lot for somewhere sub-standard. I will look at I Drive. Have you stayed in LBV? That's where I was thinking of.

No, I'm not a big Disney fan. The times we've done Disney, we've stayed in a villa. There were more of us going then. Now it's either me and a friend or me and the boyfriend, so hotel rooms are cheaper. Not sure how good the public transport is in LBV but once you're in Disney it's easy to get around.

 

[wayneg]

You can find cheap accommodation either end - the skill is finding good value accommodation. You can get some expensive places that are crappy and some awesome cheap places - depends what you're after.

I am just in process of booking a cheap trip for May half term for 9 nights.
Got flights for £322pp with AA, will book hotel tonight, going for same place we stayed last August http://www.countryinns.com/orlandofl_wdwresort on their website its £81, I am paying £26.05/night includes breakfast, wireless internet, fridge, microwave & homemade cookies 24/7.
Full size car with gold Insurace £221
Total for flights, hotel & car £1,421 or £474pp

We only paid £20/night for same hotel last August but the £ was stronger then.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Still planning Joolz lol

 

[joolz1910]

I am just in process of booking a cheap trip for May half term for 9 nights.
Got flights for £322pp with AA, will book hotel tonight, going for same place we stayed last August http://www.countryinns.com/orlandofl_wdwresort on their website its £81, I am paying £26.05/night includes breakfast, wireless internet, fridge, microwave & homemade cookies 24/7.
Full size car with gold Insurace £221
Total for flights, hotel & car £1,421 or £474pp

We only paid £20/night for same hotel last August but the £ was stronger then.

I think if you ever considered a career change, 'Disney Trip Advisor' would ensure you were never out of work. I think the bargains you get are pretty amazing.

 

[joolz1910]

Still planning Joolz lol

Hiya Emma. Yep, still Disney-obsessing. How about you?

 

[randy muffler]

have a look on ebay for a villa i got a great deal on a listing that was wrong his first time of posting on there and he said he would honour it wait for it £400 for a 4 bed villa sleeping 10 then the mrs decided we should wait till madam is older than 2 aggghhhh got flights car hire and villa sorted for 2 weeks £1800

 

[joolz1910]

have a look on ebay for a villa i got a great deal on a listing that was wrong his first time of posting on there and he said he would honour it wait for it £400 for a 4 bed villa sleeping 10 then the mrs decided we should wait till madam is older than 2 aggghhhh got flights car hire and villa sorted for 2 weeks £1800

I will be checking out ebay.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Hiya Emma. Yep, still Disney-obsessing. How about you?

Yep, just need to get the money now

 

[MrsTigger]

Yep, just need to get the money now

I just want September to hurry up

 

[joolz1910]

Yep, just need to get the money now

Tell me about it.

 

[mark&sue]

Have you thought of renting points from a DVC member who can't go to WDW next year? I have rented mine out for the last 3 years as we are not going until next July (unfortunately I don't have any spare at the moment) as you can fit five people in the new villas as Animal Kingdom Lodge.


Susan

 

[MrsTigger]

Have you thought of renting points from a DVC member who can't go to WDW next year? I have rented mine out for the last 3 years as we are not going until next July (unfortunately I don't have any spare at the moment) as you can fit five people in the new villas as Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Susan

How does that work?

 

[wayneg]

Have you thought of renting points from a DVC member who can't go to WDW next year? I have rented mine out for the last 3 years as we are not going until next July (unfortunately I don't have any spare at the moment) as you can fit five people in the new villas as Animal Kingdom Lodge.


Susan

It all depends on time of year and offers available elsewhere.
We have compared twice now, last August for 3 nights at AKL but it was a weekend so renting points worked out more than Annual pass rate.
This August with 44% disc and free DDP at OKW Again direct with Disney was cheaper than renting points.
Many do it though so it works for some.

 

[mark&sue]

It probably works out best for a uk school holiday time when they are not offering free dining say october half term when the points are at the lowest. If you have have five in your party is defo good value as the points are per room and the new five person villas animal kingdom villas look lovely. I am going to try to get a treehouse villas next summer. I think these are for a maxium of 9 people.

You can check out the dvc boards for more information.


susan

 

[joolz1910]

It probably works out best for a uk school holiday time when they are not offering free dining say october half term when the points are at the lowest. If you have have five in your party is defo good value as the points are per room and the new five person villas animal kingdom villas look lovely. I am going to try to get a treehouse villas next summer. I think these are for a maxium of 9 people.

You can check out the dvc boards for more information.


susan

I had a look at the DVC boards and couldn't understand what I was looking at. I understand that you rent points, but how many points convert into a week's accommodation for low season, for instance? It looks really complicated. But then again, my maths is hopeless.

 

[wayneg]

I had a look at the DVC boards and couldn't understand what I was looking at. I understand that you rent points, but how many points convert into a week's accommodation for low season, for instance? It looks really complicated. But then again, my maths is hopeless.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resort/dvcpoint.cfm
If you look at this calc enter dates you want to stay, where you want to stay it calculates how many points you need.
For our stay in August at OKW its 248 points, what would that cost to rent? We paid £1,456 but includes 16 days DDP for 3 adults.