I need help!!

[jmcdc]

I'm trying to plan a trip for my 30th birthday in December. I looking to go December 11-December 14 with DH, DD(6), and DS(18mons). I've been looking around and just don't know where to start to get the best savings. Just like most on this board, money is really tight and I'll be lucky to go.

I would really like to stay onsite because of the kids, but I know that I can save money by staying off site. Can someone give me some insight?

Please get me going in the right direction.
Thanks!!

 

[peanutzmom]

Check for room codes as it gets closer to your date, and you might be pleasantly surprised to find it's less expensive to stay at one of the onsite Value resorts than even many of the offsite hotels. Two good places to find room codes (and other money saving information) are www.mousesavers.com and www.themouseforless.com .

 

[tink2dw]

How To Plan a WDW Trip!!

Go to your library and get a guide book for WDW to help you get oriented to the parks and the rides. This will save time when you are there.

Then you can start deciding what are the things that are "must do's" and "must
see's." and decide the length of your trip.

Then decide on the tickets you will need here.
http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html

To keep an EYE on All the discounts for on-site and off-site resorts check here often and sign up for the MouseSavers.com newsletter to get all the best news.
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

For Air fares sign up at all the Airline Web sites that fly out of your airport that fly to Orlando or MCO in airline speak. Then Check Expedia,Travelocity for airline deals. Also check out the Transporation Board air,car deals.
http://www.disboards.com/

Start a WDW change jar to save for your trip.[there are many tips here on this
board!!]

Also you can decide where you will want to eat and start making plans to make your food budget and check the Priority Seatings Calculator to know when you can make PS's some are as far out as 730 Days.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining.htm

Also to help decide where to eat you can find menu's at Deb's wdw site,this works 2 ways to see where to eat what,and how much it costs, to finalize the food budget.
http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

You will need a "Water Plan"
The water in Florida smells and tastes like sulfer!! WDW sells bottled water for $2.50 each for a small bottle!!That can be a real budget buster!! SO a Water Plan in necessary. Here are some of the solutions That have been posted

1. Buy water filtering Britta Sports bottles.
2. If you Drive bring cases of your Favorite bottled water from home
3. Flying, Buy bottled water at Walmart near All Stars.
4. Send cases of your Favorite bottled water to your WDW Resort


Well,this should get you start on a thousand more Questions!! So,don't be shy! Ask away!! The kind members here will share what they know! So,check back often!!

tink2dw

 

[Doodlebug939]

If you belong to AAA you can make a reservation at one of the Value Resorts for fairly inexpensive. That will get you started plus you have time to get the room that you want without worrying about it being a limited selection. I have heard really good things about the All Star Movies as a good place for the little ones. Then you just watch for the codes to come out and make the room cheaper then just call and they will adjust the rate if it is available for you. I have heard many people say that they have paid in advance and have gotten a refund.

Probably in the early fall time but really it is a lotto. I hear many people say Hurry up and Wait! Then what I would do is to pay each month slowly on your room because you have several months to pay for it. Break it down to how much the total trip is and divide it out by the number of months you have left.

For example, I send Disney about $50 a pay day (Twice a month) so that way the room is taken care of before we even get there. My husband is less likely to want to cancel the trip (Grumpy is his nickname) because he is worried that the expense is too much. Ok he is really not Grumpy but actually the voice of reason. I dont know which is worse.

Then as I make the adjustment for that I start saving for the tickets. I go the the disney store or go online and buy Gift cards. You know $25 here and there and it adds up. Slowly and I mean slowly I buy passes for our trip. You have to decide how many days you are actually going to go into the parks then plan accordingly. There are several ways to get tickets at a small discounts that I am sure that everyone will share with you. But going to the Disney Store or Online giftcards is really the method to my madness. And as a bonus your DS is free. Even better!

I think that you will find that many of us are budget minded and save where ever we can. It is actually almost a sickness for me and many others to get the best deal for our money. Relax you have plenty of time to plan plan and of course dream.

Also congrads on turning 30. I am in the same boat but my birthday is in May and the trip is not till November.

 

[Focusdude]

I tried to save as much as possible last time (and I saved alot from ideas that I got from this Board!). We stayed in a value resort, with AAA discount (it was not value season - which you are looking at by staying in Dec) - our room was $103 a night. We flew at an off time (our flight left Boston at 8:00) - which made for a pretty cheap flight - but we had to deal with the kids being tired (our flight was late - we got to our hotel at 1:30 AM). We ate breakfast in the room most days, had a very small lunch - more like a snack-and a good dinner, either at a restaurant or at the food court. We had the Brita bottles, and told the kids before leaving they could only have two soveneiners (sp??). We came home with money - I was thrilled!! I had worried about the money aspect of it for months - I even moved the trip once because I was afraid we wouldn't have enough! Planning is the key - bring snacks, your own laundry detergent, and don't have your film developed there! Good luck!!!

 

[jmcdc]

Thanks everyone for your help.

After talking with DH, I have a new question. I am a member of AAA, does anyone know if the AAA discount or the codes on Wilderness Lodge make it worth staying there. This is the only hotel that DH is interested in staying at.

Thanks again!

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by jmcdc
Thanks everyone for your help.

After talking with DH, I have a new question. I am a member of AAA, does anyone know if the AAA discount or the codes on Wilderness Lodge make it worth staying there. This is the only hotel that DH is interested in staying at.

Thanks again!

Generally, the AAA discounts are in the range of 15%. The rack rate for WL during value season is $199/night (standard view). You would save approx. $30 per night with the AAA discount. Only you can decide whether the room is worth that cost.

You could always book with the AAA discount now and have the reservation changed when (if) any codes come out that offer a better price. When codes are available, the rates are generally 35-40% off the rack rates.

You can visit MouseSavers to see a chart showing past discounts, when they were made available and what they covered.

MouseSavers - Discount History

 

[Microcell]

Pleas don't get mad at me DIS folk... I would look up all the deals you can and come up with a grand total and call a travel agent and see if they can beat your total. They have access to good discounts, so they could be helpful, and if they can't don't use them!

 

[mmeb144]

Wilderness Lodge is really nice. I would like to stay there with my family. I got to stay there for my 40th birthday. My sister and brother split the cost of the room with me. (I think my sister paid for a little more than her share.) Even with a code, the price may only drop to around $125/night. Try showing your DH pictures from the moderates. CBR is my families favorite! The main pool and the carribbean background music are cool. The rooms are the same size as the WL.

Marie