Most bang for your buck at WDW?

[Jonfw2]

So we all know we're going to spend a ton at WDW. But strategizing the perfect trip is all about maximizing those many, many dollars. What are a few things you can think of where you really get a lot for those bucks you're spending?

For me...

1. Staying at Beach or Yacht Club- getting Stormalong Bay along with the price for your room (similar to other premium properties) is like getting an extra water park free. And since they try to restrict it to guests only, it might even be less crowded. Also, the proximity to the International Gateway is good for one free Lightening Lane to Remy or Frozen Ever After.

2. The "mid level" tours- for those of us who can't afford the full day personal concierge, a couple hundred bucks can get you a half day behind the scenes at AK or a full day of skipping lines all over the parks (assuming all these tours eventually come back) with a group not much larger than you'd have in your fancier tour for thousands more.

3. Using the monorail- for starters, it's as fun just to ride it as a few of the actual park attractions. Additionally, it's hands down the easiest way to get to some of the best parts of WDW. Never a line, rarely more than a couple of minutes wait and in a world where resort hopping is discouraged, it's still completely acceptable using this service.

 

[kanerf]

The all-you-care-to-eat meal at Sebastian's Bistro for $29 is a WDW bargain.

 

[Jonfw2]

The all-you-care-to-eat meal at Sebastian's Bistro for $29 is a WDW bargain.

Shoot! That really is!

 

[Mandy Poppins]

I agree about the "mid-level" tours. We did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at MK on Black Friday 2019. We enjoyed it so much and didn't notice how crowded the park was because we were focused on the information. Well worth the money.

 

[MaC410]

I know it's hard to get but to go along with your first point...Staying at the Beach Club with rented DVC points is one of the best bang for our bucks we've ever had. We got a studio villa for a great price compared to what it would usually cost to stay in a regular standard room.

 

[NavyDad]

Even though prices have gone up the last few years, we still think Pop Century is the best bang for your buck resort. We always request a room on the back side of the 50's building (towards the lake) and it is as quiet and peaceful as any of the deluxe an moderate resorts we have stayed at. We love having the easy access over to the AoA food-court and now with the skyliner it opens up a world of possibilities. We are usually able to get a room at Pop for not much more than the Holliday Inn Express we stay at in the middle of nowhere on the drive down. Just great theming and great value!

 

[holden]

The ham & cheese croissant at Les Halles is a meal in itself...all at around $7. I think it's the best bang for the buck in WDW.

 

[RLGNC]

Even though prices have gone up the last few years, we still think Pop Century is the best bang for your buck resort. We always request a room on the back side of the 50's building (towards the lake) and it is as quiet and peaceful as any of the deluxe an moderate resorts we have stayed at. We love having the easy access over to the AoA food-court and now with the skyliner it opens up a world of possibilities. We are usually able to get a room at Pop for not much more than the Holliday Inn Express we stay at in the middle of nowhere on the drive down. Just great theming and great value!

I'm so happy to hear this since we're planning to stay at Pop in Sept. When and how is the best way to submit your room request?

 

[Melemonie]

The ham & cheese croissant at Les Halles is a meal in itself...all at around $7. I think it's the best bang for the buck in WDW.

Agreed! My teenage boys will sometimes go even cheaper and wolf down an entire baguette as a snack at Les Halles for $3.50!

 

[Jonfw2]

Oh one more: single rider lines. an hour plus wait for any one of the single rider attractions can easily be knocked down to ten minutes or so.

 

[Fastpassminus]

Hoop De Doo. For 74.00( for PRIME SEATS) you get an AYCE meal ( that is delicious) all you can drink Sangria or Beer ( even if you have 2 Sangria's that is like 26.00 dollars at other bars at Disney) and THE BEST SHOW EVER. Seriously with Chef Mickey's with Meh food and meh character interaction at 60.00 per person and not including adult beverages it makes HDDR feel like a BARGAIN

 

[NavyDad]

I'm so happy to hear this since we're planning to stay at Pop in Sept. When and how is the best way to submit your room request?

It's been a few years but I think you can add the room request when you book. Also, I believe you can call and have the room request added to your reservation.

In the past (pre-covid) we usually skipped online check and and checked in at the desk. I know at least once I asked during check in and they changed our room to the back side of 50's.

If you request lake view I believe they will put you in either back of 50's or 70's with both being vey quiet and peaceful IMO.

We have stayed at Pop 3 times and gotten back side of 50's all three times. No pool noise and there really isn't much going on back there so we found it to be super quiet. Open your door and you have a view of the lake with AoA across the way. There is a nice path there that loops around the resort. We have also stayed in the much more expensive deluxe resorts that have interior hallways that are very noisy when excited children are running up and down them at 6 am or 10 PM. I always get a chuckle when people say they prefer deluxe resorts because they are quieter than value resorts because that has been the exact opposite of our experience.

I honestly could go on and on about Pop Century for pages. I think people have caught on to how great it is since the refurb and addition of the skyliner but it has always been our favorite resort.

 

[CarolynFH]

in a world where resort hopping is discouraged,

Just a little quibble here. Resort hopping isn’t discouraged. Taking up a parking spot when not staying there or having another reservation there (ADR, fireworks cruise, etc.) is discouraged.

 

[Jonfw2]

Just a little quibble here. Resort hopping isn’t discouraged. Taking up a parking spot when not staying there or having another reservation there (ADR, fireworks cruise, etc.) is discouraged.

Okay...well..where certain methods of resort hopping are discouraged.

 

[afgoplen]

We are usually able to get a room at Pop for not much more than the Holliday Inn Express we stay at in the middle of nowhere on the drive down. Just great theming and great value!

Absolutely! So many perks to staying on site (Skyliner!) and with Pop the price tag also fits.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Personally I would say the refillable mugs that you can buy at the resorts that can be used for your entire stay. If you are a soda and/or coffee drinker, it's a great deal for only $20 especially with how much 1 bottle of Coke and 1 coffee costs. On my May trip I filled mine before going into the parks, at night and while I was at the pool and felt like I was getting good value out of it. Also if you're visiting other resorts you can use the refill stations there.

 

[legler2250]

When looking to do an inexpensive trip, buying groceries for breakfast and lunch is my go to strategy. Having already paid the up front cost of DVC contracts, a week long Disney Trip can be as cheap as 300.00 to 400.00. This of course assumes that you are not buying all the extra stuff you don't need but really want =)

 

[MakiraMarlena]

if you're at BC, it is technically also a Skyliner resort.

 

[SkyGuy]

Pork egg rolls at Joy of Tea in Epcot. You get 2 good-sized egg rolls for $4.95; every time I go, I expect to see a price hike and have so far been pleasantly surprised.

 

[Dulcee]

Oh one more: single rider lines. an hour plus wait for any one of the single rider attractions can easily be knocked down to ten minutes or so.

Absolutely. We hopped on this with our 8 year old on our last trip for Smuggler's Run and all ended up in the same car anyway!

Also seconding Sebastian's Grill. We had a great meal there, left with food for lunch the next day, and being on the skyliner makes it easy to hop over to if you are already at HS or Epcot.