Looking for advice

[Mummy2Sydney]

Hello all!!
This is my first post
I am trying to plan a Disney trip for myself, my husband and our two daughters (5 & 7) for January 2011. We'd love to stay on the resort to experience everything but money is a definate factor.
Right now I am getting prices from CAA, anyone who has any advice to reduce fees I'd love to hear.
Thanks very much,
Julie

 

[fan1080]

Disney has some special offers out right now that could be good for you. Check out the Disney site and click on special offers.

I haven't dealt with CAA, so I can't comment on them. We always book through a travel agent that offers the same price as if you booked direct with Disney. There are however, some TA's who charge an extra fee for Booking a Disney vacation so watch for that if you book outside CAA.

I believe there are quite a number of threads here about cutting costs at Disney. Try the search function above, that should give you quite a bit of reading.

If you have any other specific questions let us know, we are here to help.

Have fun.

 

[Mummy2Sydney]

thank you for your response!
I am finding this totally confusing, the internet is jammed with too many options and acronyms I don't understand...I'm trying to remain positive lol.
When I search there are so many budget options which don't have to do with travel planning etc that it would be nice if I could get tips here

 

[fan1080]

Yes, the acronyms here can be confusing. There's a thread that explains them all.....

CLick me

 

[Susan2771]

There are a few windows for free dining in January which is a fantastic savings. Have you consider going then?

 

[candielips]

I would also suggest going during the free dining. Opting for a value during free dining would probably be your best bet.
http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....CA&promotionCode=fy11dineca&market=fy11dineca

 

[iluveeyore]

I always book my own vacations to Disney through the website - I find it easier to make my own changes if necessary and to research and find the best deals myself. You can book specials (like 25% off rooms or the free dining packages) online or call and they are very helpful. Then I book our flights/rental cars myself and find better deals that way. I also order tickets through Undercover Tourist website with my mousesavers.com link from their monthly newsletter (free to sign up, very helpful tips and links, and we save $20 per pass at least!). Happy planning!

 

[c&m]

For us, the planning boils down to these basics:

On-site or Off-site?
Everyone has their preferences. You'll find lots of threads on the Dis on the pros and cons of each. For us, after our very first trip to WDW years ago where we stayed off-site, we have always stay on-site. We love being totally immersed in Disney.

Which resort?
This may depend on many factors, such as the ages of the kids when going to WDW, your budget, what themes you like. If you have a sky-high budget, you may want to head straight to the deluxe resorts (think Grand Floridian , Beach Club ). There are moderate resorts and value resorts - something for all budgets. If you have small children, you may want to stay on a monorail resort such as Polynesian or Contemporary to be close to Magic Kingdom as it has more rides for younger kids. Also, it depends on what the family is into, for example, Animal Kingdom if you want to be in a safari-like setting, All-Star Sports if they're into sports themes, All-Star Music if they like music, etc.

Free dining Plan?
Do you plan on doing more sit-down dinners or all counter service? Do you have kids who like to eat or kids who are picky with the food? We have a tweenie and a teen who like to stop and eat, and aren't picky, so we always opt to go during free dining. It is so worth it for us to have that included in our package.

Time of Year to Go?
We always pick end of August. Pros are that it's not crowded because a lot of U.S. kids are back in school, our kids are still on summer vacation, the resort rates aren't expensive, free dining is ON, and airfares are OK. Cons are that it's hot and humid. But then, Christmas is also such a lovely time of year to go too albeit crowded and expensive. Spring break is crowded but the weather is so much more comfortable.

Rent a Car or Not?
We always rent a car, because we feel that time is never on our side. We also like to make side trips to the Super Target and to the outlets, so the car comes in handy. Disney has good transportation onsite, which is fine for a lot of folks.

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you even further ! Happy planning!!!

 

[CanadianPaco]

I've used CAA for my first 2 trips but since then, I do my own. I have booked through the Disney site...great deals right now! I book my own dining on the phone and on line. My next trip is a room only booking - no package. I got one park pass with airmiles and the others thru CAA. The more research you do the more you can save... I think!

 

[Sugar Jones]

What is your budget for the whole trip including flights? That makes a big difference. With a family of 4 you have many onsite affordable options. Especially if your going in January there are some deals that you could really benefit from.

My family of 5 drove down in September during free dining. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside (loved it) with the free Disney Dining Plan, for 6 nights. No park hoppers. Our Disney total was $2189.00 Our hotels and gas and food on the way there and back was $400.00 Each of our kids had $100.00 spending money (they saved) So our grand total was approx. $2800.00

You have even more affordable options since there are only 4 of you. Go to the WDW website and check out the deals that are available and price them out. I found it easier to do it myself directly through WDW.

It's so exciting, and everyone here is so helpful so don't be afraid to ask any questions you think of. Even if you think they are silly, someone here WILL now the answer

 

[Mummy2Sydney]

WOW this is great, thanks for the advice. I think I'm just surprised that CAA couldn't find a better deal than I had already found on Air Transat
Right now I have found a price of $3092 for direct flight from Toronto, 7 night stay at Value All star Movies, 6 day park pass and the free dining plan. This is just about $50 more than staying overnight in Buffalo and flying SW.
I have to fly due to back injuries, just cannot take sitting in the car that long unfortunately

Again I'm just concerned with the agent's findings....I think I"ll scout others
Thanks
julie

 

[iluveeyore]

WOW this is great, thanks for the advice. I think I'm just surprised that CAA couldn't find a better deal than I had already found on Air Transat
Right now I have found a price of $3092 for direct flight from Toronto, 7 night stay at Value All star Movies, 6 day park pass and the free dining plan. This is just about $50 more than staying overnight in Buffalo and flying SW.
I have to fly due to back injuries, just cannot take sitting in the car that long unfortunately

Again I'm just concerned with the agent's findings....I think I"ll scout others
Thanks
julie

How much are your flights? SWA has $94 one-way out of Buffalo for a total of $837 for a family of four (about $100 on top of that if you have to stay overnight in Buffalo).

 

[TheBig2na]

Definitely fly from Buffalo, we do it all the time. and call Disney and call Disney and tell them what you are looking for, dates, free dining and they will quote you. FLying out of Toronto isn't worth it unless you can get a flight for well under $100 before tax.

That is how I always do it. They are usually a great help at Disney and flying Southwest i have never had an issue. good luck

 

[Susan2771]

FLying out of Toronto isn't worth it unless you can get a flight for well under $100 before tax.

You can find a base fare out of Toronto to Orlando for less than a $100 before taxes. Sunwing and Transat Holidays very often have base fares between $59 to $99.

 

[gilsan]

Check kayak.com for flight deals.

 

[carwel]

January has individual enrolment for the Youth group programs (Y.E.S.) If I was travelling in January, I'd definitely take advantage of that. You could get the park tickets for your whole family at a much cheaper price. I can't remember the exact price difference, but I think it's 30-40% less for the tickets! If you go to the Budget forum, there's details about that.

 

[webworm]

You can find a base fare out of Toronto to Orlando for less than a $100 before taxes. Sunwing and Transat Holidays very often have base fares between $59 to $99.

You are forgetting about all the taxes and surcharges on top of the $79.00 fare. Here is a sample of a $79.00 airfare with AirTransat in January which turns out to be $316.91/person. For a family of 4 or 5 like we are it is a no brainer to fly out of the US. We have flown out of Buffalo, Rochester, Detroit & Pittsburgh since we live in Oakville anyhow. Save your $$$$$

$79.00 + $237.91 Tx / per adult price details = Total $316.91
Economy

Sat, January 08, 2011 6:30 AM Depart from Toronto (YYZ)
9:25 AM Arrive in Orlando (MCO)
Travel time 2h55 min
TS 950
Operated by
CANJET

Sat, January 15, 2011 10:20 AM Depart from Orlando (MCO)
1:05 PM Arrive in Toronto (YYZ)
Travel time 2h45 min
TS 951
Operated by
CANJET

 

[Susan2771]

You are forgetting about all the taxes and surcharges on top of the $79.00 fare. Here is a sample of a $79.00 airfare with AirTransat in January which turns out to be $316.91/person. For a family of 4 or 5 like we are it is a no brainer to fly out of the US. We have flown out of Buffalo, Rochester, Detroit & Pittsburgh since we live in Oakville anyhow. Save your $$$$$

$79.00 + $237.91 Tx / per adult price details = Total $316.91
Economy

Sat, January 08, 2011 6:30 AM Depart from Toronto (YYZ)
9:25 AM Arrive in Orlando (MCO)
Travel time 2h55 min
TS 950
Operated by
CANJET

Sat, January 15, 2011 10:20 AM Depart from Orlando (MCO)
1:05 PM Arrive in Toronto (YYZ)
Travel time 2h45 min
TS 951
Operated by
CANJET

Oh believe me, I'm not forgetting about all the taxes The BASE fare is between $59 to$99 dollars which is what I posted. The poster mentioned if you could find the fare before taxes lower than $100 from Toronto which is possible. It is a great alternative for those who do not want to drive to Buffalo. Sure, it isn't Air Canada or Westjet, but both airlines are comfortable and they do have free allowance for checked baggage. Both airlines also have reduced rates for children.

A family of 4 going to Walt Disney World for free dining in January for a week, can fly with Transat for $1225 CAD out of Toronto for the round trip compared to Air Trans for $902 for the same week in US funds out of Buffalo. Not that big a difference if you consider the money you spend on gas, the time to get there, paying for parking, checked baggage fees, exhange rate and credit card fees for doing a transaction in US Funds. Not to mention if there is bad weather in January to make the driving even more of a challenge and stressful so if you are going the night before, you will also have to pay for a hotel. It all depends I guess!

 

[webworm]

Southwest has fares for $60.00 oneway from Detroit to both Orlando and Tampa right now as well. They all have 1 stop since there are no nonstop flights with SW from Detroit any longer. Total with taxes is $159.80. So for family of 4 the total is $639.20.

 

[RockerChick]

Is there a 1-800 number or just the 407 number which I believe is long distance from Toronto?

Thanks in advance