Looking for the budget friendly way to visit Disney

[kmmum]

Hi..

We have been to Disney several times, and would really like to go back in April, we usually stay on Disney at the Value resorts.. have stayed at them all, and we enjoy them, were at the parks most of the time..

I was wondering if anyone can suggest a Hotel to stay at, if we decide to stay off site, is there anywhere DTD, and do you use there transportation? We really like staying on Disney, we have never rented a car, always just use disney transportation, and we usually do the Dining plan.. But were on a budget this year.. Any suggestions would be great on doing a cheaper disney trip

Our kids are 12 and 21, and we find Disney is a wonderful family trip, we have done all inclusive.. but just doesn't cut the feelling of DISNEY!!

Sarah

 

[Ted in Halifax]

so four people? Do you plan to rent a car regardless of where you stay?

Ted

 

[lizabu]

I've gotten some pretty good rates at Swan and Dolphin. You use Disney transportation and can access EMH.

 

[kmmum]

Yes family of 4 and we can rent a car, that is not an issue..

 

[minnie mum]

Have you looked at the rates at the DTD hotels? I think you can get the Best Western Lake Buena Vista for less than $100/ night.

You could always book with Expedia for a deeply discounted room. The downside is you wouldn't know until after you booked (nonrefundable) which hotel you've got.

 

[tone.def]

But the dining plan, even the Quick Service one still saves you approx 20% off the cost of food, so why wouldn't you go during a discount time period (like right now there's a room promotion up to beginning of June), stay at a value resort and do the dining plan? Way cheaper than staying offsite, arranging transport and paying for food.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

tone.def covered what I think. The transportation to the resort and back from the airport is a big factor for me.

 

[alohamom]

I would suggest someplace that includes breakfast (there are a lot of them) like Quality Inn, Comfort Suites etc as that can drastically cut your food costs. I read all the time on Trip Advisor about people who stay off site and expect the hotel shuttle to run on similar schedules to the Disney bus system and then are very dissapointed that the hotel bus doesnt run every half hour. I suspect you have to resign yourself to a lot of waiting for hotel shuttles if that is the route you take.

 

[hockey mom]

I would rent a condo through skyauction. Usually get something under $400 for the week. Then hit a grocery store.

 

[mtmbyck]

I have a few ideas and we have used them all.........

Call a few timeshare resorts and see if they offer a "discover and stay" package. This requires you to participate in a 90 minute timeshare presentation but we got a 2 bedroom condo at Floridays for 4 nights for 249.00 total (this was about 4 years ago). I would try Marriott, Sheraton, or west gate.

Stay in a value resort on a meal plan and pack baggies, rent a fridge, and do your shopping at home. I always bring dollarama glow stuff to avoid wanting those 15.00 light up gifts sold during parades. Get your Disney apparel at a Disney outlet store in Canada.

Rent a home or condo on VRBO - you can often negotiate a good price. Buying groceries and making meals can save lots - though it does require cooking and clean up.

Travel in the offseason or look for last minute packages. Everyone in our company found a JetBlue offer in January for 4 travelers, 7 nights in a 2 bedroom condo, 4 flights for 1300!!! At least 3 families grabbed that.

April isn't a cheap time and you are traveling with 4 adults by Disney standards. Why not do a year at Seaworld or universal(much less expensive parks) and if you need a Disney fix, do a shopping night at boardwalk, a character meal at grand Floridian, or rent a boat at DTD.

For what it's worth, I actually enjoy staying off property more as it is a more relaxed paced vacation. I like my "no Disney days" as much as my "Disney days". The kids do too!

 

[magickingdommommy]

Although I love staying onsite, we also had lots of fun the time we rented a condo nearby (I always use homeaway.com). It was just a different type of Disney vacation. The condo was great because we had lots of space and it was close to Disney.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you stay off site and drive you have to pay for parking. It's not a lot but it adds up..

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I have a few ideas and we have used them all.........

Call a few timeshare resorts and see if they offer a "discover and stay" package. This requires you to participate in a 90 minute timeshare presentation but we got a 2 bedroom condo at Floridays for 4 nights for 249.00 total (this was about 4 years ago). I would try Marriott, Sheraton, or west gate.

Stay in a value resort on a meal plan and pack baggies, rent a fridge, and do your shopping at home. I always bring dollarama glow stuff to avoid wanting those 15.00 light up gifts sold during parades. Get your Disney apparel at a Disney outlet store in Canada.

Rent a home or condo on VRBO - you can often negotiate a good price. Buying groceries and making meals can save lots - though it does require cooking and clean up.

Travel in the offseason or look for last minute packages. Everyone in our company found a JetBlue offer in January for 4 travelers, 7 nights in a 2 bedroom condo, 4 flights for 1300!!! At least 3 families grabbed that.

April isn't a cheap time and you are traveling with 4 adults by Disney standards. Why not do a year at Seaworld or universal(much less expensive parks) and if you need a Disney fix, do a shopping night at boardwalk, a character meal at grand Floridian, or rent a boat at DTD.

For what it's worth, I actually enjoy staying off property more as it is a more relaxed paced vacation. I like my "no Disney days" as much as my "Disney days". The kids do too!

Yup, what she said!!!

 

[wdwmom3]

But the dining plan, even the Quick Service one still saves you approx 20% off the cost of food, so why wouldn't you go during a discount time period (like right now there's a room promotion up to beginning of June), stay at a value resort and do the dining plan? Way cheaper than staying offsite, arranging transport and paying for food.

The dining plan only saves you money of you order the most expensive thing on the menu, always eat dessert and eat expensive snacks. For most people they break even or actually would spend less paying out of pocket for their meals. For our latest trip I priced out paying out of pocket for our meals or the dining plan and the difference was around $300 more for the plan (8 night, 4 people).

I would suggest either stay at a value resort and eat fewer table service meals and breakfast in the room. Or rent a condo offsite and cook most meals.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The dinning plan is ONLY available to those folks saying at a Disney resort. DTD hotels do not qualify.

Also if you are going in April make sure its the end of the month. Since Easter is at the end of March and carries over into April rates will be high and hotels will be full since a lot of schools and colleges will be off for the holiday.