How to visit WDW on $2000 budget??

[deedeetoo]

While I love staying on-site and love DVC, I just don't think it makes sense for this family on their budget. They would spend so much of their budget on the "magic" of their resort, that they won't have enough money left for park tickets.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

My family includes, me, husband, four children ages 8, 3, 5, 1. We were thinking going in June, but that is very flexible. Dreams Unlimited gave a quote of 1600 which includes on site hotel, dining and 2 day passes for all. That leaves me with 400 for travel. I can't find air for 5 for $400. Air is coming up a little over $1000 with Southwest. Driving by rental van looks to be $358 for van rental and gas about 400 from Oklahoma City. We are not AAA members.
Tamiko

Four of us are flying out of OKC in May for almost $1200 round trip, so you'll save a bundle driving.

I can't help you with the budget (because I'm too to add up what we're spending on this trip), but I wanted to say hey to another Okie!

 

[LoriMomx5]

I agree with DeeDeetoo, we are also DVC members and love onsite but have stayed offsite and even camped at a close State park or a combination of both to save points and money. We have a large family as well and space to spread out and relax is valuable. Offsite will be more cost effective IMHO. Lori

 

[luvmy2sams]

Ido believe she said this included gas, which makes the price about right.

I have ot say that driving and not flying is NOT the budget friendly way to do things wiht Gas prices so high. We got airline tickets for less than we would have spent on gas.

I would rethink the driving part.

Jackie

No way! Flying our of OKC you're very lucky to ever find seats at less than $200 per person. We always drive to DFW and still haven't flown for cheaper than $140/person. Driving is a cheaper option here.

Good luck finding a solution within your budget OP. I wouldn't go all that way for only 2 days in the park. You've gotten a lot of good advice here, so I won't add anymore at this point. Let us know what you decide.

 

[katybugsmom]

We are going to WDW in June and staying on-site for 5 nights with 5-day base tickets for each of us-we have two kids ages 9 and 3 so everyone requires a ticket. We also requested the dining plan. Our total for all of this is $2007.00. We thought this was a great deal considering the time of year we are going. We are staying at ASM.
Now this does not take into effect that we have to spend two extra nights on the road-one night each way and the scooter I need to rent for our length of stay. I feel our total cost with along with gas for the car will total around $2600.00
You could probably spend three nights and do three days base tickets and come in under $2000.00. If you want to stay longer I would save for another year, but I know that's hard to tell children who are very eager to go to WDW!!! Good luck to you!!!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

We are going to WDW in June and staying on-site for 5 nights with 5-day base tickets for each of us-we have two kids ages 9 and 3 so everyone requires a ticket. We also requested the dining plan. Our total for all of this is $2007.00. We thought this was a great deal considering the time of year we are going. We are staying at ASM.
Now this does not take into effect that we have to spend two extra nights on the road-one night each way and the scooter I need to rent for our length of stay. I feel our total cost with along with gas for the car will total around $2600.00
You could probably spend three nights and do three days base tickets and come in under $2000.00. If you want to stay longer I would save for another year, but I know that's hard to tell children who are very eager to go to WDW!!! Good luck to you!!!

Wow!! Does that include your transportation?

 

[katybugsmom]

Wow!! Does that include your transportation?

I included gas with the other 600.00 I felt we would need-total budget $2600.00. We could drive it easily in one day-we're in SC-but because I have a bad back we have to break it up into a two day trip-that's why we have to spend one night on the way and one night back-add's more $ to the trip, but it's the only way I can go. Also included in that other $600.00 is the scooter I have rent for the week($154.00).
Where are you guys staying when you go? Did you book through someone or did you make all the reservations yourself?
I feel we got a great deal considering the time of year we are going!
Good luck to you and have a great trip!!! You don't have long now!!!!!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I included gas with the other 600.00 I felt we would need-total budget $2600.00. We could drive it easily in one day-we're in SC-but because I have a bad back we have to break it up into a two day trip-that's why we have to spend one night on the way and one night back-add's more $ to the trip, but it's the only way I can go. Also included in that other $600.00 is the scooter I have rent for the week($154.00).
Where are you guys staying when you go? Did you book through someone or did you make all the reservations yourself?
I feel we got a great deal considering the time of year we are going!
Good luck to you and have a great trip!!! You don't have long now!!!!!

Way to go!! I'm impressed.

There are 5 of us plus an "infant." He's almost three. Gotta get that last trip in before he costs us! We're staying at the Poly. I haven't even looked at adding everything up yet. I'm kind of scared!! We've been saving for a year, though. I've had the money gaining interest since last summer. I'm paying with the Disney Visa, though, so we can get those reward dollars!!
I had started out with a travel agent, but I'm OCD, so I eventually decided to take it over. I was emailing her every other day with questions and requests, so she was probably glad when I decided to do my own leg work! I think we've done ok. Saved money where we could, but also splurged just in case it's a while before we get to return. Can't wait!!!

 

[katybugsmom]

Hope you guys have a great time! It looks like you've got everything lined up! I am a little on the OCD side too! I constantly email my agent with questions-I just did so today! I don't like putting my life in someone else's hands! Let us know how you trip goes!!! Good luck!

 

[Michael_Shannon]

This sure is a great thread for those of us looking to visit Disney on a budget. Thanks for all othe info. Looking forward to more money saving tips.

We are planning a trip in December for 7 days/6 nights. Can't wait till then.

Michael Shannon

 

[saimore]

Thanks everyone for your great advice. We will be driving out in late Aug. for three days. I am still looking for a cheap, nice place to stay? Also, need advice on cheap restaurants? Both close to WDW.
Thanks

 

[tripletots]

Have you tried pricing one of the value resorts now that free dining is out to the public?

 

[newtowdw1]

Hi! To maximize your park time, try to reduce your accomodations cost.

We've stayed at Ft Wilderness, and had a wonderful time. If your family is at all into camping, that might be a solution.

However, we also rented a vacation home, and that's what we plan to do in the future. Buy a roast chicken and a salad at the store, and you've got supper. Multiple bedrooms, private pool, multiple bathrooms, and laundry facilities.

Another thought, if you're good at saying no, and can stand to stay off-site, you can get a great rate on rooms by doing a time share tour. Take all four kids with you on the tour and I guarantee they'll have you out in the promised 90 minutes!

CiCi's by mm11 on US 191 is my kids' favorite place to eat. $5 pizza/pasta/salad buffet. Works for me!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I understand you are on a budget, but with four children, I'd fly. I'd fly even if it was $1000. That's a long drive with four kiddos. Plus, you will be giving up at least two days of your vacation just driving.

 

[ldo]

I would get 2 connecting rooms at a value at $82 a night (or see if you can all fit in POR-Riverside with the trundle bed--I know 5 can, and maybe they allow baby for free). Free dining starts 8/24 and you have to stay 3 nights.
You can go to 3 really great character meals---a BIG splurge for free. IT would be worth paying a bit more for hotel to be onsite and get all that free dining---the character meals are usually $28 for adults and $13 for kids.
FYI--you can look and book online. To help your budget--scroll down to tickets and take off waterparks and more and take off park hopping.

 

[PRINCESSMOMX3]

We are a family of 5. Two adults three children. We will be in Disney World August 29-Sept 2. We got free dining at Pop Century. Our total was 2016.00 for two rooms. I figure about 300.00 on gas. So we came in just a little over 2000.00. Not to bad.

 

[saimore]

How do I find out about doing a time share tour, to try and get a discounted rate on a room?
Thanks

 

[3happydancers]

I am new to the board. This will be our first trip to WDW. Our budget is $2000. We will be driving a rental van so gas and van cost will be $758.00. That leaves us $1242. I would love for us to stay on premise and dine. Does anyone have any suggestions. I really don't want to cook or worry about finding cheap places for us to eat.
Thanks

I don't know the availability, but from Aug 24th thru Sept 20, Disney is offering Free Dining. The code is listed on the board under discounts. Maybe the $$ will come up promising. Also, have you tried looking for better prices on the van rental, seems a little steep? Good Luck Oh, almost forgot, when booking this type of stay I do believe the minimum is a 3 night stay. If your length of stay is shorter then you'd be better off trying AAA if you are a member, if not join. You get a decent discount on rooms only. The value resorts, I hear are great for families w/children.

 

[lastminutemom]

How do I find out about doing a time share tour, to try and get a discounted rate on a room?
Thanks

If you only have three days, you need to be very careful with your time. You can find these things, but they will eat up at least several hours.

Can you wait until you can stay longer? Three days isn't very long for a first trip.

If you do go, plan to eat breakfast where you stay. Have people eat in shifts, while some are getting ready. Be at the park at opening.

 

[Abharmagic]

Marriott Vacation Clubs does timeshare sales tours and last year we got a 4 night stay at Cypress Harbour for $299 in a 2 bedroom 2 bath villa AND free 2 day Magic Your Way tickets for Dh and I- all we did was upgrade our tickets to Park Hoppers and buy DD a park hopper (Ds is still free). We did it on the CHEAP.

We were solicited by mail. The tour lasted 90 mins- and was very low pressure. Not sure if you can call them and get one or if you need to be solicited by them.