I need a Cheap way to stay at Disney..

[elmonshea]

I am not worried about my budget because I think I did good research.
BUT
My brother is going with us and he wants to get it cheaper than I have figured up for him.
Can you plaese help me ....
Here is What I have for them ( 2 adults )

Hotel POR ( sharing with us ) : 300.00
DW tickets ( 3 day hopper) : 438.78
Air Flight : 240.00
Taxi/transportation : ??
Food: they are on there own in that part.

Should I look on Ticketmaster or somewhere else for better DW tickets?????
Us: 2 adults 1 6yr old and 1 infant.
Them: 2 adults
= 4 adults( 2 per bed) , 1 6 yr old ( trundle) & 1 infant ( either with us or in crib)
They will not be there the first night and they plan on staying out of the room all day and night, I will bring the kids back during the day for a nap and rest. But it will be only 3 of us then.

What doyou think???

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

You may be able to skim a little money off for the tickets (try ticketmania, they generally have the better deals that Ive found).
On a side note...isnt it crazy how you try to do your homeowrk and plan a trip for a loved one and you show them your figures and they give you that look like you have three heads. I dont think people in general realize just how expensive a trip to Disney really is.

 

[robinb]

I think you have that budget to the bone. I'm surprised that you will fit 6 (and 1/2 ) people into a room at POR, even though it's "legal". If you really want them to join you, maybe you can treat them on the room or just make them pay the 2 adult upgrade fee.

 

[ttommy2x4]

I found that undercovertourist.com has the best prices for WDW tickets. Check Bookit.com for hotels as they don't charge those extra 10 to 20 dollar fees that other sites do.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

For 6 people, you might be better off staying offsite in a 2 bedroom suite than trying to squeeze into a single WDW resort room. The cost would be about the same and you'd have more space to get away from one another. Check the rates at MouseSavers.com for the Buena Vista Suites or the Doubletree Guest Suites .

For tickets, consider the special 3-day Hopper passes at DiscountOrlandoVacation.com . They would only cost $386 for the pair with shipping.

For transportation, to POR after May 5, Disney will be running their own complimentary shuttles from airport to resort and back. If you decide to stay offsite, a limo service like Tiffany Towncar to transport your whole group in a van for $110 round trip, plus tips.

Hope this can help.

 

[dreamgirl]

I would look into renting a vehicle. We usually use Dollar and have never had a problem with them. The Mears transportation usually takes a while to get where you're going and can also be VERY pricey but if you're going after May depending on what airlines you are flying on it could be free. Good Luck!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

...but if you're going after May depending on what airlines you are flying on it could be free.

The Magical Express is free to anyone staying on Disney property and arriving at MCO regardless of their chosen airline. However, only those flying on American, Continental, Delta, Song, United and Ted will be able to check their bags and obtain boarding passes at WDW for their return flights.

 

[robinb]

For 6 people, you might be better off staying offsite in a 2 bedroom suite than trying to squeeze into a single WDW resort room. The cost would be about the same and you'd have more space to get away from one another. Check the rates at MouseSavers.com for the Buena Vista Suites or the Doubletree Guest Suites .

Great idea! The OP can also probably move to 2 rooms at a value resort for the same price as POR + $50 for the extra adults. Two rooms, two baths, each family has it's own space.

 

[canwegosoon]

If you are going from now until April 16th, I think I would do two values. Depending on the lenght of your stay, perhaps you could get an AP(1A) to qualify for the discounts (and the DDE card) there are many places that you get a 10% discount for lunches even wo the DDE card. Price with an AP according to Mousesavers would be Moderate (104+30=134pn 4A2c)or 2 Values at Pop Century ($74*2=148) plus taxes. I just think you would be happier to have 2 rooms for the extra $14 a night. It would just have to be worth the extra expense of the AP vs the tickets

Please read over the Mousesaver web site and read about different ways to save money on meals. You should do a Van from the Airport to WDW, and get a grocery stop.

But one thing I would not do is feel that you have to pay for 4 adults and 2 children on a budget designed for 2a2c. Your family members should be picking up their share of expenses.($74 dollars a night for hotel, plus $50 for a van, their own airline tickets, park tickets and groceries) IMO

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Mebbe you could reduce the room rate? I'm assuming your total is $600 for 4 nights? Is this discounted at all? If not you could look into something like AAA or AAA package. You could go offsite and carless as long as you were at a DTD hotel.

If pre-Magic Bus a limo ride would be cheaper than Mears for 6 people. With small kids you would probably have to rent a mini van so that would be more money than a limo with grocery stop.

Other than that...unless you want to subsidize your brother's trip I don't see where anything can be cut. The problem is that at 3 days the tickets are 60 to 70 dollars a day. Oh...he could choose to cut out hopping or only go two days.

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Have you gotten a referral and signed up for an ING account and got the $25 bonus? If not, I'd recommend doing so and then referring your brother. You'd get another $10 for him signing up and he'd get $25. He can then start trying to get friends and family to sign up for $10 a referral. Not a whole lot of cash but it does add up!

 

[CarolA]

I have a suggestion... Let you brother do his own research LOL!

Truthfully, what he may be trying to tell you is that he either can't afford it or doesn't want to afford it. In either case could you go without him?

 

[canwegosoon]

Did you consider camping for the rock bottom lowest way to go? Just throwing more options out there.

Just Gotta

 

[Tigger1]

How about Fort Wilderness campgrounds? They have cabins that sleep 6. You would also have a kitchen and living room. How many days is this for? Is he paying half or 1/3? The tickets sound high. Have you checked any of the packages Disney has?

 

[lsteadman]

I have never had a cheap trip to Disney. Cheap in my vacation book = <$500. Cheap at Disney now that's funny

 

[2d_star_to_the_right]

Having traveled with family before and sharing rooms- I offer this:
1) 6.5 people in POR is going to be downright miserable- seriously- we have done it with 6- 3 adults, 2 kids, 1 infant. The beds are doubles, the trundle is a very narrow single on the floor. The bathroom is small and the room is small in general. YOu might want to consider doing 2 rooms at the Value Resorts- we like the Music one, or camping over at Fort WIlderness, or a suite in an offsite hote. When you have cranky adults, cranky kids, one toilet and one shower- things can get a bit out of hand.

2) Be very clear on "sharing" meals up front- inevitabley you will eat together and there will be one check- so be clear who is picking up that check

3) Cutting corners and doing Disney on the "cheap" is everyone's goals- but sometimes cutting too many corners makes for misery- such as too many people in a hotel room, or standing in the crowded season waiting for a bus when a rental car would get you there with alot less hassle. The same with staying onsite vs. offsite arguement. Definately work your budget- but sometimes a few extra dollars makes the vacation a success rather than family world war.

just thoughts

 

[tinkinthehouse]

What is the Magical Bus......?
Thanks,
Tink

 

[DreadpiratK]

I know many will disagree, but you might consider staying off-site with that many people. No matter how you slice it, Disney resort rooms are small, and expensive. Staying off-site is really not bad, we always do it, and you get much more for your money. Consider a vacation home or a condo rental, both would give you much more room for everyone, and for less then a over-crowded hotel room.

I know there is more magic on site, but no amount of magic can make up for 6 people in a hotel room, that's just misery, especially with kids!

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

I would have to agree that cheap and disney in the smae sentence is a little scary. Staying off site is a better option than inadequate accomodations on site. Maybe less quality time is better than more of a less quality time. I personally love a good deal but be careful not to sacrifice too much or it won't be much as a vacation.