Multi generation Celebration trip-affordability tips!

[MissyWeeks]

Hi, I'm planning a trip for my family to celebrate my mums 70th. It will be her last ever trip to Disney so must be special but travelling with 3 families (6 children from 1 to 14) plus the grandparents so looking for some tips on ways to make the trip economical and work for lots of ages.
Only ever stayed in deluxe hotels before but open to alternative suggestions. Will use the Disney dining plan and want to stay on site.
All thoughts, tips and feedback greatly appreciated!

 

[Tony Toon]

I've planned big family trips in the past but have always stayed off site to keep costs down. When we go ourselves (DH and I) we stay onsite and make use of the Dining plan. I'm about to start planning next October for my 60th for DH and I, my mum (86 by then), DS and DDIL, DD and DSIL, Niece 1 and her husband, Niece 2, her husband and 2 children (6 and 3). I've priced staying onsite but just can't justify the cost. Offsite villa will be the way to go for us.

Mrs TT

 

[Woodview]

Your best bet would be renting a 5 bed villa .

Yes you will need to rent a car ( hopefully 2 ... to fit you all in ) & to allow some members to split up

& do other things .

Eating at your own villa ( & pool ) is fun ..... yes even shopping at Publix ( Every few miles ) & Aldi ( there are a few )

Try IPG Florida Vacation Homes www.ipgflorida.com

Yes you are a 15 min drive away BUT you see other sights for memories .

Roads I-4 & Hwy 27 to Hwy 192 area === Davenport .

 

[MissyWeeks]

Thanks Tony Toon & Woodview. My dad thinks staying in an offsite villa is the way to go too!
A few questions...
1. What type of ticket do you purchase? Say we stayed for 10 nights.
2. Do you use the dining plan if staying off site?
3. How do you find the transportation into the parks? Time? Cost? Etc.

The other aspects of staying in a villa, shopping etc are all very familiar to us as we used to own a property in S.C.

 

[Tony Toon]

1. Type of ticket? - the family buy the 14 day ticket and just keep our eyes peeled for special offers. Recently Disney kneed £100 off the price for a limited period. In the past one of us has bought an AP for the free parking/meal discounts etc but not sure that this is now a good deal given the poor exchange rate and the recent rather large price increase. We also usually go for 4 weeks in the summer so an AP makes sense.
2.Don't think that the Dining Plan is an option if you're not staying onsite. Again in the past the person who has the AP (usually me) has bought a Tables in Wonderland card. This gave us 20% discount on table service meals and some quick service as well although these are few and far between. The purchase price of the card was to much to justify for just DH and I but when there was a big group the discount was significant.
3. Our favourite place to stay is the Formosa Gardens area. We have stayed most often on Indian Creek. I email the Indian Creek Owners Association http://www.indiancreekflorida.com with my requirements and they put a message round owners who then get back in touch with me if they can help. This area has lots of off site eating places and supermarkets nearby and is very close to Disney property (3 miles) with Animal Kingdom about 10 minutes drive away. Other parks are obviously a bit longer with MK about 40 minutes door to door (having parked at TTA then used the ferry/monorail). This could change this summer with security now taking place at TTA. The close proximity also makes a mid day break back to the villa a real possibility. Not sure what daily parking currently costs. As I said, we have bought an AP in the past that gives free parking.

Mrs TT

 

[Woodview]

Eating out is much cheaper away from Disney

Look up Longhorn Steakhouse www.longhornsteakhouse.com

Golden Corrall , Many's Chophouse mannyschophouse .com

All on Hwy 192 around Formosa Garden area

 

[micksn]

An OKW 2 bedroom sleeps 9 and a 1 bed 5 - you could book both of these with full free dining plan if the room configurations work for you.

 

[elaine amj]

I priced out villas, etc for our group of 7-9ppl as we are going in August this year. Ended up choosing Saratoga Springs with free dining - cost difference was about the same after crunching numbers for a cheap villa and about US$50/day pp for food (fairly indulgent but not Disney-sized budget).

We could have saved about £1200 or so if we had gone with a cheaper onsite hotel and QSDP (which was comparable with offsite and eating cheap incl. cooking more meals).

So for us, onsite turned out to be the best. Plus, less hassle with who pays for what. And more importantly, I like the DDP and prefer staying onsite.

Not sure how 2018 numbers would compare?

 

[starry_solo]

How many people total will be in the party/group?