Looking for discounts!!

[raysnkaysmom]

So, my family and I have had our vacation planned since March, resort paid for. We haven't been in over 3 yrs (long stint for us), and our youngest two will thoroughly enjoy this trip...
That said, the timing came horrible for us! Along with some things that needed replaced at home, we threw a new home into this month as well!! So, money is tighter than expected, and we've been talking of skipping the parks altogether and just enjoy the resort, DTD and such.... I just feel bad (and sad) that we are contemplating perhaps ONE day at MK... I have 4 kids (2 adult ages for tickets), so any tips on getting a great deal for 6 of us into the park for a day? We are open to a timeshare presentation, but couldnt' find any really online worth reserving...

Tips/ideas?? We are driving down from Ga... and arrive next week!!

Thanks (I haven't been on the boards in FOREVER!)

 

[Marionnette]

So, my family and I have had our vacation planned since March, resort paid for. We haven't been in over 3 yrs (long stint for us), and our youngest two will thoroughly enjoy this trip...
That said, the timing came horrible for us! Along with some things that needed replaced at home, we threw a new home into this month as well!! So, money is tighter than expected, and we've been talking of skipping the parks altogether and just enjoy the resort, DTD and such.... I just feel bad (and sad) that we are contemplating perhaps ONE day at MK... I have 4 kids (2 adult ages for tickets), so any tips on getting a great deal for 6 of us into the park for a day? We are open to a timeshare presentation, but couldnt' find any really online worth reserving...

Tips/ideas?? We are driving down from Ga... and arrive next week!!

Thanks (I haven't been on the boards in FOREVER!)

The Florida Children's Hospital had 1-day ticket packets that they gave in return for donations. I know that they no longer offer them online for this year. There is a local phone number that you can call to see if they still have them in their gift shop. Phone: (407) 303-5836. It's the only way that I know of to get 1-day passes cheaper than the gate price unless you do a timeshare presentation or know a CM.

TBH, if I could not afford to go in the parks and I had not been there in years, I would not make the trip to Disney. I might go to Orlando and do some of the other attractions in the area. But truth be told, I would postpone the trip until I had the money to pay for a real Disney vacation. The last thing that I would want to tell the kids is that you can stand at the gate, but you can't go in.

But if you are dead set on going, maybe look at the MVMCP tickets, which are $58.95+tax (adult) and $53.95+tax (child) when purchased in advance. You would be able to get into the MK at 4:00 the afternoon of the party. It's cheaper than a 1-day park ticket but it's only for the MK. Not all attractions will be open but you will get to enjoy a special Christmas parade and fireworks, plus characters in their holiday attire and special Christmas decorations.

 

[Nayan]

I agree with the PP. Go somewhere else besides Disney or cancel the trip.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I agree with the PP. Go somewhere else besides Disney or cancel the trip.

We will be doing other things besides Disney... but, being Disney lovers, we are hoping to swing that as well (since that was the original plan).. That said... We aren't cancelling a trip we already sunk over a $1000 into!! We have a resort with kitchen for a week, and there is fun to be had there as well

 

[DawnM]

How much would you lose if you cancel the resort stay? I ask because we are here right now and staying off-site for much, much cheaper. If you can save $1000 on your hotel stay, you might be able to afford tickets into the parks.

I would opt for parks over resort stay every single time.

 

[hops&dreams]

The Florida Children's Hospital had 1-day ticket packets that they gave in return for donations. I know that they no longer offer them online for this year. There is a local phone number that you can call to see if they still have them in their gift shop. Phone: (407) 303-5836. It's the only way that I know of to get 1-day passes cheaper than the gate price unless you do a timeshare presentation or know a CM.

TBH, if I could not afford to go in the parks and I had not been there in years, I would not make the trip to Disney. I might go to Orlando and do some of the other attractions in the area. But truth be told, I would postpone the trip until I had the money to pay for a real Disney vacation. The last thing that I would want to tell the kids is that you can stand at the gate, but you can't go in.

But if you are dead set on going, maybe look at the MVMCP tickets, which are $58.95+tax (adult) and $53.95+tax (child) when purchased in advance. You would be able to get into the MK at 4:00 the afternoon of the party. It's cheaper than a 1-day park ticket but it's only for the MK. Not all attractions will be open but you will get to enjoy a special Christmas parade and fireworks, plus characters in their holiday attire and special Christmas decorations.

Are all YES classes full for the whole time you'll be there? I've read that sometimes there are cancellations.

 

[mrsklamc]

We aren't cancelling a trip we already sunk over a $1000 into!! )

Are you staying off property? Disney does refunds right?

 

[HeatherC]

You can probably get a timeshare resort for about $300 for the week. Check skyauction, condodirect, redweek, govarm, getravelop, etc.

This would save you $700 which should help cover Disney passes for even more thanone day!

I even saw Bonnet Creek on SkyAuction a little bit ago. This is on Disney property. (see the Bonnet Creek thread).

Hope this helps!

 

[DawnM]

There are no YES classes in Nov. or Dec.

Dawn

Are all YES classes full for the whole time you'll be there? I've read that sometimes there are cancellations.

 

[Marionnette]

We will be doing other things besides Disney... but, being Disney lovers, we are hoping to swing that as well (since that was the original plan).. That said... We aren't cancelling a trip we already sunk over a $1000 into!! We have a resort with kitchen for a week, and there is fun to be had there as well

Is there a reason why you cannot cancel the reservation and get most, if not all, of your money back? I wouldn't throw good money after bad just because I didn't anticipate other expenses.

If you cannot cancel, then I suggest just forgetting about even trying to get into the parks. Since timeshare presentations are out, you have to either buy tickets or know a CM. There's no getting around that.

I posted the phone number for Florida Children's Hospital. You can call them to see if they have ticket packets available at their gift shop. They might have some there. You never know unless you ask. But they aren't going to be cheap. They will just be cheaper than buying at the gate.

I suggested MVMCP tickets, which are a fraction of the cost of a one-day base ticket for the MK. You're not going to get anything cheaper than that.

If your budget is so tight that you cannot scrounge up the $366 for the MVMCP tickets, you're not going into the parks on this trip. Focus on whatever there is in Orlando that interests you. Or just hang out at the resort that you've booked. I'm sure that you will find something to keep the kids happy just because they are some place different from home. What I wouldn't do is go into Disney just to look around. It would be like taking a child into a candy store but telling them that they cannot have even a taste.