I need help planning a really cheap trip.

[LovesTimone]

Is the wedding this Sept.? or next year? If its this year I honestly don't see it happening, not unless you already have saved some cash. If its next year, I think it is more than doable.

I would talk to the bride and find out if anyone needs to share a room, bridesmaids, or someone other family member. This could save you a lot.

When my DD got married, they choose a destination wedding in Fl, several of her friends, got together and split the cost of the hotel. The wedding was at this hotel and even with the room discount it was still costly. I know that there were 3 girls in one room ( king size and pullout couch) and 4 in another ( 2 queens).

Are you getting tickets for the each day? With all the wedding stuff going on, the day before and wedding day do you need tickets for those days? Maybe you could cut back on Park tickets. DD and her friends, hung out by the pool and then after rehearsal they went to a local hot spot, for a couple of hours. You have DTD which might be a nice distraction for a couple of hours, even going over to city walk at universal.

Check to see of free dinning is offered, make sure to bring some food items for the room, or ship a box down ahead of time.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just purchased tickets through USSSA.com and it was a huge savings. Not sure if they have your dates yet but worth checking out.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Oh yes! These were great prices! I couldn't get the website to work for the 1-day ticket I needed for Sept but maybe it's just my computer.

http://store.usssa.com/Products/121-disney-world-theme-park-tickets.aspx

As pp mentioned, I would also recommend trying the Orbitz promo. It gives an extra discount on top of Disney's current discount.

I would cut back on the number of ticket days. Especially if you want to add MNSSHP. You will still be part of the wedding festivities and may not even have time to get a decent amount of hours out of a day at a park. It makes more sense economically to purchase the least amount of park days then add on if you have time. This way no park days are wasted or leave you feeling guilty for spending $100 to spend 3 hours in MK.

 

[ExpeditionEverest]

I am reading, thanks everyone, I'm keeping up! It's just a little tough because I'm at work a lot. I'll check in tonight hopefully with more details, but my family has decided to step in. They're loaning me the money so I can do the whole trip. I'm still looking to keep things on the cheap side so I don't have to borrow much, but they know how much this friend means to me. I might have a roommate too, I should know tonight!

Thanks everyone,
Lisa

We save a lot of money by packing cheap breakfasts like protein bars, granola bars and oatmeal.
Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[epcotmexicopavilion]

DHS

Writer's Stop Carrot Cake Cookie - $3.95

One of my favorite things in all of WDW.

 

[Reginat]

Forget the Free Dining, it will not save you, a single person, money. What you want is a room-only discount and paying for food oop.

Thank you for this advice. I am not the original poster, but benefitting from their question and your insight.

 

[nat8199]

You can check the DTD hotels. DME is free if you stay at a WDW resort. Mears will charge $36 R/T for shared shuttle service to other hotels. Make sure you include the resort fee in the cost of the room. Check travelzoo. They currently have the B hotel in DTD available for $99 (resort fee and parking fee are waived) My guess is you'll wind up saving less then $50 total compared with the cost of a Disney value. Small savings for a better hotel but not as convenient.

See if the wedding party has a block of rooms. Do you have very close friends going? Maybe a family would like the opportunity to have a room for the parents and let you share (and split the cost) of a room for the kids.

Forget about free dining.

Years ago we stayed at the Hilton near DTD. We would walk there and then use the Disney buses to get to the parks. We would take the bus to/from YC for Epcot and HS. Comteporary for MK. There were buses run by the hotel also, but they weren't as convenient all the time.

 

[Lisa10]

You could recheck my math just to be sure but I think this is accurate:

6 nights at ASMu 9/21 to 9/27 w/fall room only discount: $546
5 day ticket from undercover tourist: 310

Total: 856 + food expense
(bring a lot)
OR:


6 nights at ASMu 9/21 to 9/27 free dining package
including 5 day tix: $1,007

 

[ElizabethG]

I just want to make sure that you know that to go to MNSSHP, you don't need a park ticket as well. With the MNSSHP ticket alone, you can get into MK at 4:00pm. You only need the extra day if you plan to be at the parks that morning too. If so, you could go to a different park in the morning and then go to MK in the evening for the party without having a park hopper.

 

[robinb]

You could recheck my math just to be sure but I think this is accurate:

6 nights at ASMu 9/21 to 9/27 w/fall room only discount: $546
5 day ticket from undercover tourist: 310

Total: 856 + food expense
(bring a lot)
OR:


6 nights at ASMu 9/21 to 9/27 free dining package
including 5 day tix: $1,007

If that's true (and she could get free dining for 9/21), I would go with the free dining @ just $25 per day more.

 

[cdrn1]

If the roommate thing falls through, do you have a friend (or two) who might be interested in going with you and splitting room costs? Your roomie doesn't have to be another wedding guest.

 

[hsmamato2]

I just purchased tickets through USSSA.com and it was a huge savings. Not sure if they have your dates yet but worth checking out.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

eat all quick service meals and save- and those codes for allstars are pretty good- grab a room. You should also shave one night off your trip,so you can save that way. Try to get an EARLY flight in,and a LATE flight out, to maximize your time. thru the above site a 3 day PH ticket is 230.00- compare price with UT and buy accordingly. you can also save by attending ,but maybe not doing EVERYTHING the bride does,to save some $$$
Free dining is worthless in your situation anyway so don't sweat it-