How to do Disney on the cheap?

[tmj212]

Just got back on 9/20 and must admit that I have now become full-blown obsessed with Disney. This was my 3rd family trip, and for each we have spent ~$5K-$6K for 7D/6N at a Deluxe resort. I now want to do a budget trip minimum of 4D/3N. I mean like super cheap. Prefer to stay on site since I LOVE EMH. Would love to go in December close to 12/20--my DD's birthday. This way we can see Osbourne Lights for a final time--also a fave. I checked some of the value resorts, but the pricing was still much more than I am willing to pay. I am now appealing to my Dis experts for help. Hoping that there is a Disney vaction for every budget...

TIA!

 

[lorenae]

Just got back on 9/20 and must admit that I have now become full-blown obsessed with Disney. This was my 3rd family trip, and for each we have spent ~$5K-$6K for 7D/6N at a Deluxe resort. I now want to do a budget trip minimum of 4D/3N. I mean like super cheap. Prefer to stay on site since I LOVE EMH. Would love to go in December close to 12/20--my DD's birthday. This way we can see Osbourne Lights for a final time--also a fave. I checked some of the value resorts, but the pricing was still much more than I am willing to pay. I am now appealing to my Dis experts for help. Hoping that there is a Disney vaction for every budget...

TIA!

There is- but going at Christmas at peak season means few discounts and rack rates (or worse, "holiday rates") apply. Super cheap would be like the second week of January, when it would be MUCH cheaper for a room and dining, and well, everything. Except park tickets- those don't change.

 

[nym4588]

That's Christmas week, it might be hard to find a great deal. Travelocity has the values for around $200/night.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'd check into looking for any DVC confirmed rentals out there that are being sold last minute, or if you can possibly book a quick trip that way. That time of year is prime season, so prices are going to be high. If you could swing it sooner, I'd try and get earlier than the 20th if possible, like maybe beginning of December. You'll be lucky to find much of anything though right now, being that the time around Christmas is very heavy there.

 

[dansdad]

With that being Christmas week, Disney and cheap will definitely not be in the same sentence.

 

[Minniekins]

The first couple weeks of December, the rates will definitely be much better than holiday rates the week of Christmas. So, I suggest trying to go earlier in the month and stay at a value resort. You could try the DVC route, but the DVC resorts book up quick so finding any openings now may not be possible. Though, someone may be selling a confirmed ressie so it doesn't hurt to check, just in case. Good luck!

 

[minnie mum]

While room rates are much lower at the beginning of Dec, availability is really tight already. You might be able to find a value resort on Orbitz or Travelocity. But I think you'll have better luck, and better prises if you look at dates in Jan.

 

[mousehockey37]

While room rates are much lower at the beginning of Dec, availability is really tight already. You might be able to find a value resort on Orbitz or Travelocity. But I think you'll have better luck, and better prises if you look at dates in Jan.

I think the OP is trying to get there for the Osbourne Lights, so January is probably out for them. At this "late" stage with the high demand around the holidays, it's slim pickin'. I think through all the posts, we've laid out all the options possible.

 

[Anchored]

I just checked Orbitz and saw some Downtown Disney hotels for $89/$95 a night 12/16-12/20... I have never stayed there, but I am pretty sure the partner hotels at Downtown have transportation so you don't have to park and pay in the lots. On Site is going to be rack rates or holiday rates and just not cheap at all.

 

[bumbershoot]

With a September trip done and a December trip planned, the first thing I hope is that you upgraded your September tickets to APs!

 

[JenB1104]

We are in the same boat - we did a week at the Grand Floridian this summer and are doing a quick December trip cheap. It is just DD and I so we are staying at Pop in early December - 3 nights for 333.00, free airfare with Southwest points and Companion Pass, and then just one day tickets plus tickets for the Christmas party to get us in to parks two days.

 

[robinb]

Look at the Lake Buena Vista Hilton on Hotel Blvd. It includes bus transportation to the parks *and* EMH and is only $129 (plus $24 resort fee) per night! I stayed there years ago and it was very comfortable.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I just booked (about a week ago) a long weekend at the beginning of Dec. I booked POP on Orbitz. Getting the WDW room only discount plus adding an Orbitz code I got my room for $102/night incl tax. I also linked thru to Orbitz from Ebates.

There are a lot of ways to make a WDW lower cost. Travel in value season, book only a discounted room, bring breakfast food to eat in room, don't eat TS meals, don't buy sodas...get the free cups of ice water, use credit card rewards for things like airfare or park tickets, buy discounted Disney gift cards to pay for things, don't get park hoppers....the list can go on.

 

[poppinspenguins]

We are super lucky because we have like 13 visits left on non expiring tix so that helps us. Unfortunately that's no longer an option.

Things we do:
Drive instead of fly (depends on your location obviously )
Stop at Publix and stock up...we usually get pop, water, easy breakfast stuff, sandwich stuff
We usually only do one or 2 sit down meals
Take drinks and snacks to parks...but buy qs for lunch
Go to the real disney outlet for souvenirs...great stuff
Enjoy the free stuff...we stay at Port orleans...so the boat to dtd., yee haw bob..do a walking trail at ft wildrrness.
We don't overload with disney days...only 2 or 3 a week...enjoy the resort , take a day trip to siesta key , go mini golfing
If you stay off site keep in mind resort and park parking fees
Get a premier disney card for 2%. We use for everything and pay off each month. Use all the benefits. 10% off most restaurants and stores..free pic at epcot

 

[havoc315]

Just got back on 9/20 and must admit that I have now become full-blown obsessed with Disney. This was my 3rd family trip, and for each we have spent ~$5K-$6K for 7D/6N at a Deluxe resort. I now want to do a budget trip minimum of 4D/3N. I mean like super cheap. Prefer to stay on site since I LOVE EMH. Would love to go in December close to 12/20--my DD's birthday. This way we can see Osbourne Lights for a final time--also a fave. I checked some of the value resorts, but the pricing was still much more than I am willing to pay. I am now appealing to my Dis experts for help. Hoping that there is a Disney vaction for every budget...

TIA!

Remember to factor in discounts. Most times of the year, Disney eventually releases a 20-30% off rooms, and/or a dining package.

Also consider the Swan/Dolphin -- Deluxe level resorts, with on-property benefits, but they aren't actually owned or operated by Disney. They often times can be cheaper than the true deluxe resorts.

You can also look at renting DVC points (I believe DVC gets EMH). Renting DVC points can sometimes be the cheapest way to go. For DVC rental, you will want to look immediately, as it's already pretty close. (If available, you can get a studio at a couple of resorts for the weekend of the 18th-21st for $500 to $700).

Save money by not getting park hoppers on your tickets.

Problem with Disney is... Shortening the trip doesn't save a huge amount of money, because the price of a 4 day ticket is pretty similar to the price of a 7 day ticket. A 4-day is $325, and a 7 day is $356 -- So only a $10 per day difference, per person.

 

[GreatLakes]

If you want to do "cheap" you will have to do offsite. I don't even consider the values "cheap", just less expensive. If you are set at going that late in December you won't find good pricing onsite in my experience. You'll have to look offsite. There are pretty inexpensive but not bad hotels on 192. We stayed at a Quality Inn that was very nice and clean for a pretty low amount.

I think the best you'll do for the Christmas season and "cheap" is offsite earlier in December based on my definition of cheap.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Cheap doesn't usually equal fun Disney for us. It means no TS, no PH WPM and no onsite resort. Face it folks...Disney has our wallets and our souls.

 

[dkrauss]

Hope you've done some expectation setting for yourself...........going the cheaper route by doing moderate or value means you lose alot of what you might be use to at the deluxe resorts. Primarily in the food and room size areas. Hey but if you're prepared for that............you should be able to make this work pretty easy, just need to cut back on some things...........you can reduce the number of TS meals and go more QS or food court. DVC is a great option too..............we're cutting a 4N 5D trip down approx in 1/2 from rack rate at the BWV. Only issue there is it could be really difficult to rent DVC now for a December trip this year. I'd check the DVC section on the DIS and see whats available. I also like the Swan & Dolphin idea too..........

Reducing cost can be done...........going on the cheap...........that sounds a bit more extreme to me...........and that would mean offsite for the room.

Hope it all works out for ya..........

Doug

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Hotel - this is easiest place to cut cost. Value is one way, though it sounds like your dates may still be more moderately priced. If you are willing to stay off-site, you can save a bundle. If I were doing a true budget trip (and I have), I would look at skyauction.com to see if I could get a cheap condo. Most of the times, those are for a full week, but it could still end up cheaper.
Travel - this is the 2nd biggest place you can save. If you are able to drive rather than fly (hard for a short trip, I know) or fly out of a nearby airport with cheaper rates, you might be able to save a good bit.
Food - plan breakfast for the room and do quick service for lunch and dinner. If you have a room with cooking facilities, you could do dinner in the room, too, though on a short trip, I would hate to spend the time to cook meals.
Tickets - you can save a little by shopping around and dropping extras. On a short trip, park hoppers may or may not be essential depending on your goals.

Nothing else is essential.

 

[poppinspenguins]

I think it really is subjective. I once posted We have done trips around 1500 including food travel everything. Another poster said it really wasn't a Disney vacation that way.

To us it was fine. We used the free dining plan and saved most of our snacks or desserts for fruit and breakfast pastries. We used our drink that came with the meal to get apple and orange juice and just use our mug for pop. And had prebought snacks and whatnot with us. The argument that it was too much work.made no sense to me. Easy as pie.

But again subjective. I personally ally am not a huge breakfast person...so a full breakfast once in the week is perfectly fine. And we actually prefer qs to table. Just easier with little ones. And we love off site places like sweet tomatoes.

We have never done any of the extra parties and really don't plan to. Doesn't appeal to us. And 7 days in the park...ugh...no. I need some downtime. I really really really enjoy the resort and would prob be ok going without even setting foot in park haha. But to each their own.