Looking for a cheap date

[lucysdad]

After going to the World twice last summer, we weren't going to commit the $$ to going again this year. Well, of course that plan is out the window. So, now I'm starting the search for good deals. The Dolphin comes to $175 a night with the AAA discount. The teacher discount was slightly more. Three years ago the teacher rate was 119, then 129, now 149 plus a cleverly disguised 10 dollar resort fee!!!! I haven't had a raise in three years and think there must be better deals out there. We plan to go in mid June. There are no AP rates yet and our AP pass will expire before we get back there. Should we try to get that VISA? Come on DISers. I know you know everything there is to know about deals. So, please help me plan. We don't want a value and would prefer a deluxe. So, share the scoop with me, puhleeze!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

There should be codes for the general public released about the same time as AP rates are released.I figure tey will be out in a couple of weeks..

I LOL when i read the title to your thread.It struck me as funny.

 

[Lori-n-NY]

You could love into renting DVC points. Check the forum on DIsboard and find all sorts of people looking to be the rentee and many looking to be the rentor. Figure out how many points your stay will be using the charts on the top of the forum and then consider DVC resorts.

Lori

 

[hellokitty]

yeah, i was gonna say

mcdonald's $1 menu
and a $1 movie. no snacks. (sneak them
in your purse) now that is cheap.

 

[hightown]

Lucysdad, I made a reservation thru DU for the Dolphin, AP rate at $147.50 + tax (and resort fee) and it included one upgrade--standard to Lake View. That's about as cheap as you can get in the EPCOT resort area. If you need tickets anyway, it might be worth the extra to get another AP. I also just added a night at same price and when I checked by Ressie on the SPG site, it now shows Resort view--another upgrade.

This will be my first time to Swan or Dolphin so I'm hoping I don't wind up missing the Disney touch for 8 nights. But I got sick and tired of waiting for AP codes from Disney.

Good luck...Sharon

 

[magicmouse2]

mcdonald's $1 menu..........

HelloKitty that is hilarious.......

 

[Esmerelda]

I thought this was one of those threads and you were looking for a "match".......


(hope you find a good deal LucysDad.....)

Esmerelda

 

[tinkie]

I laughed at the title too.

I thought you were looking for a "friend" to accompany you to Disney who was willing to do things cheaply....not THOSE things...I mean like value resorts and making your own breakfasts!!!

 

[lucysdad]

That's funny. I thought the heading might get more people to read the post. Lori-n-NY thanks for the idea about DVC, after I get back from McDonald's and a movie, I'll check it out. Are you buying, HelloKitty?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I've always said that I'm a cheap date since I get amused so easily. I also thought that maybe the OP wanted some cheap date ideas for a night away from the kids when at WDW.

T&B

 

[mikesmom]

It makes me cringe when people suggest DVC rentals as a "cheap" way to get a room. It's a great value, but I'm afraid it gets peoples hopes up out of proportion to reality. A studio at Boardwalk or Beach Club in July, for example, would be 14 points/nite Sunday thru Thursday and 32 points a nite on Friday/Saturday. I checked July as OP is a teacher and could likely be traveling around that time. A Studio would be the closest in size to a regular hotel room, although it also has a mini fridge, microwave, and toaster in the room.

Anyway, generally accepted rate for point rental is $10/point. That would make the weeknite $140, which isn't too far off from the price the OP said was too high! If the OP went for a whole week, he would have 2 higher point nites (32). The average of 7 consecutive nights would then be over $190/nite.

You might get lucky and find a DVC owner who was having a "fire sale" - maybe already had a reservation that they had to cancel and were too close to deadline to bank the points, for instance. That would be a real long shot, though. DVC can be a bargain if you get a "standard view" room (less points for worse view) - those are very few and you are now probably too close to summer to get them - owners usually book them 11 months out. OR, if you want a lot of space - DVC 1 bedrooms are like apartments and you get a lot of bang for your buck (but they cost even more). OR, if you were going way off season - room are way less points in January, but this isn't the case for the OP.

Don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but I see folks all the time on Rent/Trade board that get upset or even angry at owners because they can't score a room for the price of All Stars. For the money, renting DVC gets you great space and amenities, but it's not a "cheap date".

 

[lucysdad]

Thanks for the info on DVC, mikesmom. Who was I trying to kid anyway. There's really no such thing as a "cheap" date at WDW is there? Short of staying off site, or at an All Stars, is there?