I think I should stick with the Budget Board!

[NancyIL]

Getting a great bargain is like - the thrill of the hunt! It's getting a $200+ room at the Marriott Orlando World Center for $48/night through Priceline. Or a "buy-one-night-get-one-night-free" at the Holiday Inn Family Suites. I'm not talking about cheap quality, but good quality at bargain prices. Finally - there's great contentment after the fact, because the budget hasn't been overextended to the point of indebtedness.

 

[JACKIE042]

IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING THERE HOMEWORK. NOT ALL SUITES GOES FOR $700 A NIGHT. IF YOU HAVE A LARGE FAMILY, THERE IS NO HARM IN CONSIDERING A ROOM LARGER THAN THE STANDARD.

CORONADO HAS A SUITE THAT HOLDS 6 FOR $348.00 A NIGHT AND THIS IS WITHOUT THE ANNUAL PASS RATE. WITH AN ANNUAL PASS DISCOUNT, YOU WOULD HOPE IT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY LOWER.

THE WILDERNESS LODGE/JR SUITE GOES FOR $430.00 WITHOUT THE ANNUAL PASS RATE.HOPEFULLY THE DISCOUNT WOULD BRING IT MUCH LOWERE. BOTH RATES ARE FOR APRIL.

WE'VE DONE THE 2 ROOM THING BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING THE ENTIRE FAMILY TOGETHER.

 

[BambiTamby]

<font face="Comic Sans MS">The ONLY way we can afford to go to WDW is discounts and budgeting!!

I look at it this way...I have X amount of vacation dollars we spend.
(The average person spends 10% of his income on recreation!)
Then...with reward points of every kind,
I go hunting for the best deals and when I find them I share with others!!!

I am so glad that I found this board last summer!
Saved at least $70 on rental car and I got the
courage to do a priceline "try" and scored the
MOWC for under $60!!!
I immediately cancelled my YC Fall Fantasy ressies!!!

I do love staying at the WDW resorts,
but there ARE ways to get great deals!!!

Currently....I'm waiting for the Summer Poly specials or AP rates for July!!!

Meanwhile...this IS the place to be to learn and share with others on how to go to WDW
on a budget !!!

Even if I did have the money....$700 per night for lodging still doesn't add up on my calculator!
JMHO.....



<img width="200" SRC="http://www.homespundesign.com/Valentines/BLOKISSX.GIF">

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size=4 color=blue><marquee direction="right" align="middle" behavior="alternate">Co-Captain/Chrtr Mbr of Swan/Dolphin Resort Cheerleading Team!</marquee>
<font color=magenta>15th Adventure-July/Aug 2001-16 Days at Dolphin & Polynesian !!!
<font color=#FF0066>16th Adventure-Nov/Dec 2001-6 Days at Swan!!!

 

[dmslush]

I agree bambi, without doing the different rewards programs and such, we would never be able to afford even the cheapest of trips. I grew up POOR, and I mean POOR!! And I have never been on a vacation. The closest that I ever came to a vacation was one and half weeks on an army base when I was in JROTC.. now how pathetic is that?? There I was, doing push ups in the mud and it was a vacation to me because I had crossed the state line

And I guess growing up with so little, I have always been very tight with what money I had. This may sound stupid, but planning this trip is almost scary to me because I have never ever spent this kind of money. I have never paid $600 a week for a hotel! I have never paid over $200 for a ticket. I have never ever done anything like this and I keep worrying that I after this trip is over something will happen and I will need the cash that we have spent!! Like I said, I'm pathetic

 

[BambiTamby]

<font face="Comic Sans MS">No! Don't say that dmslush!!!

I grew up very POOR also!!!
My parents married when they were 16 and 15!
I remember dad struggling with a construction job, school (he went on to get an engineering degree), AND managing a RANCH!!!

I knew SOOOO many friends and relatives who would
"gloat" around us about going to Disneyland!!!

I also remember about 9 years ago,
I was a single parent.....
one day I stopped by my cousin's job (travel agent)
and was waiting to pick up tickets for my father.
Meanwhile, I looked thru all these wonderful WDW
brochures and told my little DS that one of these
days I would take him there!
She just laughed and said, "You! YOU can't go there!!! It's WAYYYYY to expensive for you and your family!!!!"

14 trips later....I hope she's enjoying her "crow" !!!!

My motto....NOTHING is impossible to a WILLING heart!



<img width="200" SRC="http://www.homespundesign.com/Valentines/BLOKISSX.GIF">

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size=4 color=blue><marquee direction="right" align="middle" behavior="alternate">Co-Captain/Chrtr Mbr of Swan/Dolphin Resort Cheerleading Team!</marquee>
<font color=magenta>15th Adventure-July/Aug 2001-16 Days at Dolphin & Polynesian !!!
<font color=#FF0066>16th Adventure-Nov/Dec 2001-6 Days at Swan!!!

 

[dmslush]

LOL Bambi, I have a few neighbors that will be sharing that crow!! About 75% of our trip is coming from the different rewards programs that I do. The only people that know that I am on the computer all of the time is because I am doing all of this stuff for a disney trip is my immediate family. I've not told anyone else because the trip is going to be my daughter's birthday present, and I don't want anyone to ruin it!!

All of my neighbors think I am insane for being on the internet so much.. I wonder if they will feel the same when they find out how much I saved on this trip!!

 

[glo]

I am happy to have company likeyou guys! Even if I had tons of money, I just can't see myself blowing it on things I really don't want!

I have gone to Disney 15 times, and only the last three were on-site. I just can't see spending thousands on a hotel room. I guess what is most important to me is seeing my kids there. The wonder in their eyes, and sharing my love of the place.

I can't say I don't like staying sompeplace nice, but not at an exhorbarant price! I guess that is why I love the S/D so much. I feel like a queen there and still can afford it at the teacher rate!

That with all the rewards programs! Makes it a luxury vacation at a fraction of the price!

<font size=2><font color=red>
Co-Captain & Charter Member of the Swan/Dolphin Cheerleading Team!!</font>
Inauguaral Member Of the WDW Resort Cheerleaders</font>
<font size=2><font color=green>HAPPY <font color=red>HOLIDAYS<font color=red>!
<font color=red>15 times to WDW 13 off-site three on! Next trip Dolphin in July & Swan in DEC. 2001!</font>

 

[Bella331]

I want so badly to stay at DW but going with 4 kids it's impossible, we'd need two rooms or a 2 br. Now I have to deal with the condo by Universal with a 1 1/2 promo thing to sit through. I just don't see the Magic there. They don't even sell hopper passes to Disney, Just universal...
I with I found this board 2 months ago I would have saved a bunch of money with all the advice and planning tips here.
I can still cancel our ressies at the condo if I can figure out how to buy these points.

Thanx for letting me vent
Bell

 

[wmears13]

She would stop just inside the doors at Wally world and sniff to see where the clearance racks were-the thrill of the hunt.
Grew up 'frugally', but it paid off. My parents were able to retire VERY comfortably-Thank God.
Even if we had the money, still could not blow it on a vacation. I would feel guilt knowing how much good that money could do elsewhere.
Besides, gotta take the 'save a buck' challenge!

 

[robinb]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I can still cancel our ressies at the condo if I can figure out how to buy these points.[/quote]

Do you mean DVC points?

Check out this link for help in renting DVC points: DVC Points Rental FAQ


-- Robin

 

[Lucky4me]

It depends on HOW much money I had. If I had millions yes, I would gladly spend $700 a night and not give it a thought. Since I don't, and probably never will, I will always be a bargain Betty! I do like staying at really nice places for really cheap prices. Keeping your eyes open on these boards is the trick.

Last month we stayed in a three bedroom vacation home. $400 for the whole week. (Bought from someone on these boards) Full size car for $120 from National (Thanks to Gail Hayden for giving me the heads up) $130 airfare from NY (Priceline) and several restaurant Gift Certificates from various websites. Oh yes, I also purchased park tickets from The Disney Store during that promotion where you got free GCs for merchandise. I ended up with $200 worth of Christmas presents. (Saw that here on the budget board) All in all the trip cost including food, well under $2000.

If I can duplicate the same thing for next year, we'll be going again. Where theres a will theres a way!

 

[Bella331]

Robinb I will check out that site. This trip is costing us $5,000 for a week and we're not staying onsite. That just kills me. I want to find a deal for the 6 of us onsite for 2/17 to 2/25 My kids would love me forever. LOL I hope they do anyway.
This was a Christmas present for them. I got it together in 2 months. I guess thats why I didn't get any deal, my own fault I guess.

 

[Aaron42]

Just for fun, I thought I'd put a post on the DVC board to ask what the true cost of a DVC membership was.

Caused quite a commotion. Check it out here.

Just coming back from Disney with my gf, I spent only about US$600-700 total for an amazing 10-day vacation:
Hotel: $18/nite (Rosen Center, almost a 4-star)
Car rental: $18/day (Priceline)
7-day park hopper plus Passes: $228 each (CAA member price)
Plane fare: $65 each way (Southwest online)
Food: $150 (buffet breakfasts, plus grocery food and the occ. nice dinner)

I think I definitely should stick to the budget board. $700 per night, just for the hotel room?!? Not me - I think one can get a great vacation just by spending wisely and looking out for sales.

 

[Mouser]

Even if I had the money to spend $720 a night I doubt that I would, not when I could find something cheaper....we spend little or no time out of the parks at all...I am a park fanatic and feel that is where my time is best spent since I have paid admission to see the parks for the day. I would rather spend less on a vacation and visit the parks more often (once a year for us now) than have a more expensive vacation every other year or so...

This Budget board is great and offers so much helpful info..no reason you cannot go to WDW on a budget and have a great time.

MOUSER

11 TRIPS TO WDW ....
8/86, 4/88, 8/90, 8/92, 4/94, 3/96, 3/97 8/98,
12/98, 12/99, 12/00, 9/01

 

[Disney-Kim]

If I was really loaded...sure I would spend that kind of money for the honeymoon suite at GF.but since I am not ....I do what I can.
I have to say that I am in awe of any family that can afford WDW. We are a couple, no kids, early 30's. we do good. but every time we are on vacation I only try to imagine what it would cost us if we had kids to pay for too.

so heres to everyone who makes it to wdw with a family.
when my DH is CEO of the company I will be the first to stay in that $700 room.

<font face= "curlz mt" size=5 color=purple> Kim
</font>

<img src=http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/routemandan/minhul.gif>
<font face="Book Antiqua" color=#FF0066>
BV Palace 7-92
CBR 9-95
Dixie 9-98
Beach Club 9-99
Dixie 9-00
Poly Concierge 9-01<font>

 

[jgates]

I love the magic of the Rewards Programs. We stayed for 7 nites @ Courtyard DD for $65 out of pocket. One of our 5 day hoppers was free thanks to at the time, pointclick. (I was one of the last lucky few). Gas Cards for driving. Investigated good rates & stayed at the Marriott Ren @ St Augustine for 2 nites for about $160 (that was our pampering time). By using my Marriott Rewards card, I received enough points to earn a free night from Marriott's program. We used food certificates constantly on the way down and back.

I would say, after spending a fortune on souv's, we spent about $2200 for a 16 day vacation including 5 days at Disney & 2 golf clubs at Bass Pro Shops. All in all I was very pleased.

<IMG WIDTH="15" HEIGHT="15" SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif" alt="razz">

<font size="4"><font color="purple"><font face="Book Antiqua">
<marquee> Inaugural Member Of the WDW Resort
Cheerleaders!!</marquee></font></font></font>

 

[Boardwalktime]

Interesting thread. I look for value over price. If I am getting a great value, even if the cost is high, that is a great deal. I am all over the priceline issues and saving money at Walmart, but, if I can stay in a room that sells for 6 or 7 hundred a night, why not. I am a DVC member, and I stay at the Boardwalk. We usually go to Disney for about 3 weeks every other year. My nights in a two bedroom 5 star unit cost me about $150 to $200 per night depending on the season. For me, I would rather pay that price to keep the magic alive 24 hours a day, instead of having to put all of the kids into a car, heading out to HY 191, and getting into the $39. a night hotel. There is nothing wrong with that hotel, its by no means beneath me, its just my choice. Mostly, I am tired of sleeping on the floor on an air matress !!!

my 2 cents

 

[Lucky4me]

2nd reply on this post, is that allowed?

Personally I like paying $50 a night for a $200 night hotel. There are ways of doing this and with a little effort you can have a 4* vacation on a 1* budget!

Someone mentioned about not going on elaborate vacations when they were kids. We went camping a few times when I was 8-13. I think in my generation (I'm 40) that was about it for most of us. I knew of only one kid in my neighborhood who was lucky enough to go to WDW. Most parents didn't go on big vacations until the kids were all up and out.

Today, living in the same suburban setting as my parents, almost everyone has gone to WDW at least once. Almost everyone goes on a yearly vacation of some kind. I think there is a different mindset about vacations today. Like its a neccessity rather than a luxury.

I also believe there is a crisis in this country with personal credit card debt. People will go on those vacations even if it means slapping 3 thousand or more on the visa and paying it off later. For most later never comes and they're sending in the minimum payment for years on end.

I refuse to do this. I love my vacations but will never go into debt to go on one. I have a comfortable life, a savings account and a nice retirement building. I could spend that $700 a night if I really wanted (on credit) but its much more satisfying not to. I don't cringe when I see other people paying through the nose, I just hope that they're wealthy enough to be paying cash for it and not vacationing on their future..

[This message was edited by Lucky4me on 03-12-01 at 06:56 AM.]

 

[disneycampingdad]

Please keep in mind:

The ability to pay for something is not the ability to afford it.....

<html>
<body>
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
</body>
</html>

 

[The Pluto People]

Wow! I agree 100%. Great post!