looking for a cheap stay

[momandseandodisney]

Hiya all, this will be our lucky 13th trip to disney
never really done it on too much of a budget though, from stays at poly, and floridian etc. staying off property once (was thinking of doing that again to keep costs down, but there are so many perks staying on prop. some being the transportation and dinning plan etc.
****

Jan 31st 2014 for 7 nights (I am a bit flexible with my dates)
right now
I have a quote of $3039
2 adults (myself and my 15 year old son)

that is for a standard room at all star music
7 nights
Disney dining (1 counter, 1 table etc)
5 day park hopper with water park options etc.
and return airfare from toronto to orlando

$3039 usd sounds like a great price, but I am still hoping to do better - any sugesstions? Tips?

HELP, I am open to any ideas
With thanks, Amanda and Sean

 

[amw]

There are always Disney discounts for that time of year. The rumours on the Resorts board is that something should be released within the next month (by mid-October). There is supposed to be a Stay/Dine/Play package special -- pay child price for tickets and dining with room at rack rate. And, there is supposed to be a room-only offer up to 35% off.

I would sit tight for a little bit. If you like staying on property, wait for the offers. ... You will here it here first!

 

[momandseandodisney]

There are always Disney discounts for that time of year. The rumours on the Resorts board is that something should be released within the next month (by mid-October). There is supposed to be a Stay/Dine/Play package special -- pay child price for tickets and dining with room at rack rate. And, there is supposed to be a room-only offer up to 35% off.

I would sit tight for a little bit. If you like staying on property, wait for the offers. ... You will here it here first!

sounds great, I have time

which of those 2 would be a better offer? How do I find those when they come out?

 

[amw]

sounds great, I have time

which of those 2 would be a better offer? How do I find those when they come out?

Last year they came out the first week of October, and we are supposedly getting the same discount. There is a "Codes and Rates" thread on the resorts board that you can check for announcements.

Basically, if you know you want to stay at all-star...

Then for SPD package:
--calculate rack rate for room
--take the tickets you want and calculate what it would be for 2 kid versions of that (a few dollars less per adult)
-- you get the dining plan for the kids price (this is the savings) BUT for All-Star that would be the QSDP

For RO-offer:
--take 25% off rack rate (last year's offer for values)
-- full price for your tickets
-- full price for your dining plan

I think room-only is supposed to be better if you are staying deluxe. Of course, you could keep your fingers crossed that you get a personal PIN for free dining. That's what I want!

 

[momandseandodisney]

Last year they came out the first week of October, and we are supposedly getting the same discount. There is a "Codes and Rates" thread on the resorts board that you can check for announcements.

Basically, if you know you want to stay at all-star...

Then for SPD package:
--calculate rack rate for room
--take the tickets you want and calculate what it would be for 2 kid versions of that (a few dollars less per adult)
-- you get the dining plan for the kids price (this is the savings) BUT for All-Star that would be the QSDP

F

the quick service could be upgraded though right? Any idea the approx. savings here, I cannot obviously search for 2 kids only lol

what is the dinning plan rate for kids vs. adults?

 

[amw]

the quick service could be upgraded though right? Any idea the approx. savings here, I cannot obviously search for 2 kids only lol

what is the dinning plan rate for kids vs. adults?

I am by no means an expert, so I recommend looking at this thread & posting any questions there. There seems to be some "insiders" on that thread!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3016688
Post #510 has the details.

ADDED: This thread has more info on pricing the dining and upgrading:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3142325&highlight=play+stay+upgrade


I think the upgrade on plan would cancel the kids fee? Not sure. The regular DDP kids fee is around $18. It might be worthwhile for you to calculate doing CBR and getting regular DDP at the discount if that's what you want.

I only want it for free!

 

[Disneylover99]

If you want to keep costs down a bit, I would drop the park hopper and waterpark option especially if you are going in January/February......Brrrr.

 

[momandseandodisney]

If you want to keep costs down a bit, I would drop the park hopper and waterpark option especially if you are going in January/February......Brrrr.

I thought of that, but with hours being cut down in the parks around then I was hoping for the hopper to get in the extra magic hours etc, i would ditch the water, but my son wants to do Disney Quest, how much is it to get in to just one time?

 

[souris]

With a 2013 disney package 2 admissions to Disney Quest are included for free. It is about 45$ each for the tickets. There are passes for mini golf also. Disney Quest can be fun, but not sure i would go multiple times in one visit...

We save big on air faire by flying from the US (Buffalo or Rochester are not that far). We also enjoy going through customs at the border as opposed to long lines at the airport. From Buffalo you can fly Delta for about 250$ taxes included per person. We found 215$ from Rochester. All direct flights. It might be worth looking at that. I like the Kayak website to search for fares. Delta seems to have the cheapest fares from Buffalo and Southwest from Rochester. We also usually stay overnight the night before since there are many cheap hotels with park n fly options.

 

[momandseandodisney]

So when you book a package (like what I orginialy described) you get 2 disney quest tickets (1 each) anyways?

does anyone do water parks in jan/Feb?

 

[momandseandodisney]

we used to always go out of Buffalo, however for this trip it was only like $30 cheaper for the both of us combined hmmmmm

 

[souris]

So when you book a package (like what I orginialy described) you get 2 disney quest tickets (1 each) anyways?

does anyone do water parks in jan/Feb?

Exactly... Two DisneyQuest tickets. (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2013/base/). I heard the same is true for the 2014 packages. So a 90$ value!

My husband and I will often chose colder days for the waterparks. The water is heated, there is no wait for anything plus there are plenty of chairs. It is strange to be swimming when the lifeguards are wearing coats! We did try a nice warm day once... Never again ! I hate having to wait for everything. On a cold day, you have to park to yourself. And it takes so little time to do everything! However, if you want to lounge around and sunbathe... Not sure about January and February weather. There is no guarantee. I think you can add waterparks and more once you are there. So book regular tickets and add option at the hotel. Might be worth waiting to see what the weather would be like when you are there.

Seems like an awesome deal from Toronto! Wow.. 30$ differences! Which airline?

 

[momandseandodisney]

Exactly... Two DisneyQuest tickets. (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/2013/base/). I heard the same is true for the 2014 packages. So a 90$ value!


Seems like an awesome deal from Toronto! Wow.. 30$ differences! Which airline?

cool so maybe I can ditch the fun and more part, that will save about $160 I can (almost) do another night and WDW for that

It was Air Canada suprising enough

 

[momandseandodisney]

cool so maybe I can ditch the fun and more part, that will save about $160 I can (almost) do another night and WDW for that

/QUOTE]

nope i figured it out wrong it was an extra $126 total for adding the hopper
and $178 total to add the hopper and more
so only about $50 savings total grrrr and a single day to a water park is $50+ hmmm