Is it possible to make Disney a budget friendly trip

[KY*Figment]

Closer to time the moderates may have a better offer. The year we stayed at CBR it was cheaper to stay there than a value w/ free dining. I would call about 11 months out then watch the offers then call again at 6 months out then 3 months out. I always got it cheaper calling than online because of pins. I also freeze water bottles and carry cold water too. It's heavy at the beginning of the day but it will be empty by midday. Carry snacks w/ protein such as nuts or seeds. Quick service portions are huge so they can be split. Character breakfast are cheaper than other meals. I am a fan of character meals so I don't have to wait in line at meet & greets or it lessons the lines I have to wait in. I also make the character meal reservation for late morning so it covers our midday meal. We eat something in the room or on the bus before we leave to get to rope drop. Also, for souvenirs have the kids save for them such as chores nickle, dime,& quarter a chore. Family who buy toys for your kids could give them $ to save for trip. You could also do a savings to Disney plan for 52 weeks leading up to it like a count down.
$1 first week, $2 second week,........$51 the fifty first week, $52 for the fifty second week or reverse the amounts. My mom has done this before. We budget vacations and save throughout the year but we do a modified Dave Ramsey approach to things. We don't do park hoppers at all bc it was a waste of $ for us. I'm sure you will find a plan that works for you. Have a Magical Day!

 

[Marionnette]

I am aiming for our first trip in Sept 2014. The kids have never been and its been years since i went. We are driving down with parents, but i am responsible for our own costs. They are staying at the Disney Carribian Resort. Its me and my two girls, who will be 11 and 8. Now i can save 3200 by then, but i read that resort is more. If i stayed at another resort, can u get to one from another. What about tickets and what nots. I am hoping they have free dining again in sept 2014. just any ideas on how to have a budgeted disney trip and still have fun, is it even possible?

$3200 is a very generous budget for one adult and 2 children. You should be able to book a value resort room at rack rate, get hopper tickets and the regular dining plan for 7 nights for under $3000. If any kind of discount comes out for that time, you will be in great shape!

Personally, I never go into vacation planning with the expectation that there will be some sort of discount offer later on. It can lead to big disappointments. I just think of any discount that comes out as an opportunity to upgrade for the same price as my original plans or I put the extra money I saved towards another vacation.

 

[Sunnywho]

Free dining is different at the value resort than at the moderate. Do you want quick service or table dining? If the grandparents end up with free table dining at the moderate, than you're on different plans unless you upgrade. With table dining, there's the added cost of tips which can be surprisingly high.

Are the grandparents at all flexible in their choice of resorts? They will see more of the kids if they're at the same resort. Definitely for a budget trip, a moderate hotel is not necessary.

 

[EagleScout]

Regarding budget of 3k, as others have mentioned, if no airfare needed, that should easily get you a week at value with dining and park tickets, even with no discounts. As others also mentioned, there may be discounts, and sept is a common time for some type of discount. Also, you could even "make your own discount," and actually stay at a "better" resort than port Orleans for same money or even less (not that po is not nice). Much relates to "renting" someone's timeshare, either the wyndham. Bonnet creek (as others mentioned), which is "sort of" offsite - right near cbr, but not have disney privileges like emh, could easily get 100 (or less) per night. Another option is renting disney vacation club timeshare, which for september, would probably be between 200 and 240 per night, depending on particular resort, room type, etc. Also, the swan/dolphin, which are starwood hotels (sheraton), but are onsite between boardwalk and yc (so walk or boat to epcot and dhs), give true deluxe amenities, have access to emh, and likely 150/night for spetember. Good luck.

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

I am aiming for our first trip in Sept 2014. The kids have never been and its been years since i went. We are driving down with parents, but i am responsible for our own costs. They are staying at the Disney Carribian Resort. Its me and my two girls, who will be 11 and 8. Now i can save 3200 by then, but i read that resort is more. If i stayed at another resort, can u get to one from another. What about tickets and what nots. I am hoping they have free dining again in sept 2014. just any ideas on how to have a budgeted disney trip and still have fun, is it even possible?

Just my 2 cents, this may not be a good fit for you and your parents but....With your parents staying at the Caribbean and with you even staying at at a value resort it will probably be cheaper if you rent a 2 bedroom Animal Kingdom Villa (1173 sqft)for the week. See floor plan link below. I checked a DVC points calculator and for the first week in September 2014 it would cost $2240 for that type of room at six nights.
But that comes with a full kitchen that you can stock with groceries you buy at the local Publix or Walmart, or you can just have the groceries delivered to your room. If you split it with your parents it will be about $1250 for room and a bulk of your food. That leaves you around $1950., 7 day tickets for the three of you would be $967, leaving you $983 out of your $3200 budget for whatever.

*Please note uses current pricing before Disney annual increases for next year.

see floor plan:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...=yfMHUv_CIeWsyAGBhIBI&ved=0CEwQ9QEwAQ&dur=510

 

[3mama3]

Just my 2 cents, this may not be a good fit for you and your parents but....With your parents staying at the Caribbean and with you even staying at at a value resort it will probably be cheaper if you rent a 2 bedroom Animal Kingdom Villa (1173 sqft)for the week. See floor plan link below. I checked a DVC points calculator and for the first week in September 2014 it would cost $2240 for that type of room at six nights.
But that comes with a full kitchen that you can stock with groceries you buy at the local Publix or Walmart, or you can just have the groceries delivered to your room. If you split it with your parents it will be about $1250 for room and a bulk of your food. That leaves you around $1950. Tickets for the three of you would be $967, leaving you $983 out of your $3200 budget for whatever.

*Please note uses current pricing before Disney annual increases for next year.

see floor plan:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Kidani-Village-2-Bedroom-Floorplan.jpg&imgrefurl=http://**************.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/review-kidani-village-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-villas-continued/&h=926&w=870&sz=91&tbnid=AIkVPiXPjXm8AM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=87&zoom=1&usg=__S2Gv6iLQxKjRx2cqhj0kMKYHOJE=&docid=dGgSOzKHhu7TOM&sa=X&ei=yfMHUv_CIeWsyAGBhIBI&ved=0CEwQ9QEwAQ&dur=510

We rented a two bedroom at Old Key West with my parents and worked out much cheaper than two rooms. And was lovely!! Good luck

 

[Wendybird55]

I have stayed at Disney many times deluxe and some times moderate. When we went for a short trip in Oct. for MNSSHP we got stuck at Disney due to flight cancellations from Sandy. With the unexpected extra costs of staying longer we changed from WL to Pop Century to save money on the extra days and I'm glad we did. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Pop. The food court area is very good, the different buildings are all within decent distance to the main building...and my son really enjoyed it as well. The rooms are smaller but for 3 people it was fine. We had a mini fridge as well. The biggest set back is the beds are full size instead of queen and it wasn't as comfortable for DH and I to share one so I shared a bed with my son as we all had more room that way. With the 3 of you the room size should be fine and your parents may even like it as well.

I found the moderate resorts too big and spread out or me. Depending upon what building your parents are in at Caribbean they may need to take the internal bus to get from their room to the main building...of the 2 I prefer Pop to Caribbean (and yes I've stayed at both).

As pps said if you stay at different resorts you can plan ways to meet up with each other and having a car can make things easier. Unfortunately Disney does not offer transportation between resorts unless they are in a common area like the Monorail resorts or EPCOT resorts. You need to first go to a park or DTD from then transfer to a resort bus.

 

[usd2bmd]

I think $3200 is very possible. I just went on and ran the numbers and this is what I came up with: (Prices will probably change before next year but this gives you a good idea of what it could run you

September 8th - 14th, 2014

Caribbean Beach (standard Room, base tickets, no dining plan)
2176.11

with Quick service dining plan
2746.29

All-Star Movies (same as above)
1635.67

with Quick Service dining plan:
2205.85

So it is completely doable on your budget even if you stay at the same resort your parents are.

Although the moderates rooms are slightly bigger (as well as the beds) if the kids like Disney movies and this is your first trip I think the theming at a value can't be beat and totally delivers the in your face Disney that will make the kids super excited.

Good luck with the planning!

 

[darnheather]

We are 3 Disney adults 1 child. We are going in November with FD and staying in the Port Orleans Royal Room for 5 nights and 6 days of tickets. Our entire trip including the transportation (driving), food (free dining!), dog sitter, is coming under $3000. You can totally do it!

 

[Sheepdog23]

Have you thought about renting a room through a dvc member? It makes it much easier to stay cheaply because of the amenities in the room plus my kids never want to leave the hotel because of the pools and entertainment. I can say that I seriously would not spend too much money on eating out. It has gone drastically downhill since my first trip in 1987 and we only do a character breakfast or dinner and then a night a whispering canyon. We are now members but we went for 5 nights at the beach club with dining plan for less than half your budget in 2011 by renting from a member.

 

[Kristibo42]

You can stay at one of the Value resorts. We love POP. It's great. My family of three all aldults can stay there with dining ans park hopper tickets for less then $2000.

 

[mm1971]

I am aiming for our first trip in Sept 2014. The kids have never been and its been years since i went. We are driving down with parents, but i am responsible for our own costs. They are staying at the Disney Carribian Resort. Its me and my two girls, who will be 11 and 8. Now i can save 3200 by then, but i read that resort is more. If i stayed at another resort, can u get to one from another. What about tickets and what nots. I am hoping they have free dining again in sept 2014. just any ideas on how to have a budgeted disney trip and still have fun, is it even possible?

A little late in responding, but you should be able to do CBR for $3200 in September 2014, especially since you are driving. Free dining obviously helps. I just looked at this year as I do not see 2014 available:

CBR 6 nights: $1,200.36
With 5 days tickets base: $2,107.71

That is without a discount, FD or anything else. If you assume a 10% increase for 2014 (and you should be able to avoid the increases by booking early) you would be at $2,318.48. That would still leave money for food and souvenirs. Now if FD were available or even room discounts, you will be less than that. CBR is totally within a $3,200 budget for 3.

With that said, it would be more frugal to stay at a value resort, but that is your choice.

 

[lnv1122]

September is value season so that's budget friendly and Disney may offer free dining or a room only discount again next September. I think $3200 would be plenty as long as you aren't planning to stay for a really long time.

We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside (moderate) in September in an upgraded royal room, 2 adults and 1 child, with free table service dining, 5 nights, 6 days for $2000. I saved $100 off of that (5%) by paying for our trip with Disney gift cards I purchased with my Target debit card. Staying at a value will be less expensive than the moderate resort and, as another poster said, you can meet up with your parents for meals or whenever you want in the parks. To keep costs down, don't buy park hoppers and bring things to eat for breakfast in the room (cereal bars, protein bars, etc.). Also, don't go overboard with souvenirs. I see souvenir budgets on these boards that amaze me. My daughter is bringing a small amount of money that she received as a gift and my husband and I plan to buy nothing for ourselves because we just are not into Disney souvenirs other than the photos we take. I might buy a Christmas ornament. Maybe. Other than the maybe Christmas ornament, the only cash we plan to spend is for tips and for our daughter's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment and Pirates League appointment. Those two things are totally optional. We are bringing a dress purchased on sale at the Disney store for the BBB appointment and a pirate princess outfit I purchased online for Pirates League.

Have fun planning!

I have a question I'm a bit confused about buy Disney GC at target and paying for the trip with the gift cards.
1. How do you get 5% off ?
2. Can you just go to target and purchase the GC or do you have a special way of going about this?
3. Do you have to have a target cc or does the target debit card work? Or can I use just a normal check card?
Thanks!!

 

[atwmommy]

Target debut card works. Do the pharmacy rewards and get another 5%. Great for budgeting!

 

[lnv1122]

Target debut card works. Do the pharmacy rewards and get another 5%. Great for budgeting!

Okay I'm still not exactly sure how this works can you elaborate please? Or somebody that understands this explain it to me?

 

[Schmeck]

Okay I'm still not exactly sure how this works can you elaborate please? Or somebody that understands this explain it to me?

Target debit card - gives you 5% off of purchases. Check out their website for more info.

 

[crisi]

If you rent DVC points and a free dining offer comes out for that time next year, you won't be eligible and you won't be able to cancel and get all your money back.

I'd stay at Port Orleans Riverside over Carribean Beach Resort - I think its a much nicer resort. And I wouldn't stay at a value - you should be able to do your nights at a moderate. If pricing sends you to a cheaper location, I'd stay offsite - the rooms are much nicer for much cheaper.

I'd be really tempted to get a condo offsite with your parents - you are driving anyway, so you won't need a rental car - EMH isn't that valuable in September. That would let you have breakfast in the room easily - even dinner.