My Family's tips on Saving $ at WDW!

[bom_noite]

Now, let me start by saying - we are not cheap! But, I just hate to lay out big wads of cash every time I turn around. Actually, my wife and I really believe that there is so much going on at WDW that we do not have to spend all our time in the parks.

With that said, here is a list of money saving ideas we used on our trip that just concluded (May 31 to June 4). You will notice that I stayed away from the Hotel savings (since that is not much of a concern to DVC Members).

The list, assumes 2 things: 1) You are staying at a Disney Property and 2) Have access to a car.

Many of you old-timers know of all these - but - for new members, it may be helpful. If you have ideas, please share them with us as we are always looking for ways to save money:

10) Take a Boat Ride: WDW offers a bunch of pleasent boat rides (OKW and Port Orleans to Downtown Disney, BCV to Swan/Dolphin and BWV, All around Bay Lake, etc.). They are pleasent, they are usually not real busy and the price: FREE!

9) Go to the Zoo: Ok, we are not much of a zoo family, but, going over to the AKL is fun for those that love animals. Just book a meal and they will let you in (or, I do not think any guard will say no if you say you are going in to shop). Price: Nothing.

8) Kids Bucks: This one saved us more in aggrevation then money. Neither of our kids get an allowance. 45 days prior to our trip we came up with a list of rules (room cleaning, behavior, study habits, etc.). We were very specific. Each day, the kids got judged. If they passed, they got $1. At the end of the 45 days, their earnings is what they were allowed to spend at WDW (we told them that we WOULD NOT buy them any gifts while at WDW - also - any money they did not spend could be spent upon coming home). Funny how a $22 hat or pair of earrings is not that much of a necessity when the money came out of their pocket. Price: forget the price - it totally eliminated the "ohhhhh come on DAD - I have got to have this...." speil.

7) Photography: We got both kids a cheap disposable camare with 24 exposures. We then told them to have at it. We also tried to help them with basic photography (dont take pictures of fountains from a mile away, uhh I think it is too dark now, etc.) Upon arrival home they both selected their favorite picture. We enlarged that picture and framed it for their room. This became fun for the kids as they searched for the perfect picture. Price: I think we invested $30 for 2 kids.

6) Fireworks: We watched both the Epcot and MK fireworks by loitering around the other hotels. I am sure everyone has their favorite place to watch them - but - the bridge between BCV and Boardwalk and Grand Floridian are ours. Price: NADA!

5) Monorails: A big secret is that you can ride up front with the Monorail driver. Just let the attendant know that you want to do this. If the driver has folks up there - you may have to wait another train or 2. Most of the drivers are very friendly and will give the kids a drivers certificate. The best time to do it is in the afternoon or mid-morning after people have already left for the parks. Price: Zip!

4) Food Courts: We always save money by eating breakfast and lunch in the room. And, even though we do splurge on dinners - it gets expensive. So, one or two nights we will go to one of the hotels with a food court. Give the kids 10 bucks and let them pick their own food. My wife and I will probably split a hamburger and fries. Price: $30.00 for a family of four (a lot less then many of the restaurants).

3) Free Stuff at DVC: The DVC is great about scheduling free activities (Pool contests, family bingo, trivia, etc.). You can fill a morning or afternoon just with this. Price: Gratis.

2) Bob Jackson: This guy is trully a hidden gem at WDW. He plays 3 or 4 nights a week at the Port Orleans (starting at 8 or 8:30). He plays a ton of sing alongs and has everyone from 1 to 101 laughing and singing along! The kids especially love him as he has them up on stage to participate! Price: We got away with a bill of 9.36 (including tip - a few soft drinks and 2 bottled waters).

1) Pool Hop/Hotel Visits: The kids love to swim. My wife and I love the architecture and landscaping at all the hotels. This trip we took one day and hit 9 hotels! The one rule is that the kids could only swim for 30 minutes at each hotel. At the end they each could vote on their favorite so we could come back to those pools later. Price: Zero.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks for taking the tijme to type thsi up. I'll think we'll try a few of these ideas...

 

[caskar]

Thanks for sharing those great ideas. Many people think it cost sooo much money to go to WDW. But there is so much to do that does not cost. We do many of the things your family did. The money issues with children we are doing right now. Two Christmases ago I told my children (11, 8) we were going on the Magic and to WDW and that I would match dollar for dollar any money they saved until we went. My children always have to spend their money as soon as they get it. Wow, what a difference that made. They would not spend money for 5 months. That cost me a lot. But when we went, they knew I was not buying them anything. They had to decide whether "they" wanted it badly enough. The snack they had to have because they were starving at MK wasn't as necessary to them or the choice they made was a smaller priced item because it was coming out of their account. We really had fun with doing that. This summer, we have been putting money in a jar for them as they do work without being told which is beyond our normal expectations of them. This isn't going to cost me as much as last summer.

 

[Abbeysdaddy]

Nice list.

We go quite often to Disney (we are DVC owners and have moved to GA, quick drive down).

One of our $ saving ideas also is a healthy idea (especially during the summer months).

We buy a case of bottled water, freeze them, and bring them to the park. By the time we are thirsty, the ice has at least partially melted, and we have fresh cold water. I love walking by the $3 bottles of water, knowing I probably paid $5 for a case of water. We usually throw in some fruit snacks as well.

I'm curious about your comments about Animal Kingdom. Did I read you correct, you can gain admission to the "zoo part" by eating there? Please explain.

thanks

 

[CarolA]

I think the OP is talking about the AK Lodge. If you go there to eat or shop you can go to all the public animal viewing areas. It is not open for pool hopping so eating or shopping are your only choices. When it first opened you had to have a dinner reservation, but I think they have backed down on that. They do give the 3 hour parking permits there so I would not plan to park and stay ALL day.

 

[Beth]

Abbeysdaddy...

That one caught me, too - I had to re-read it a few times.

Actually - the OP was referring to Animal Kingdom <i>Lodge</i> - not Animal Kingdom <i>Park</i>. With their many viewing areas - it "is" sorta like being at a zoo!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I don't know if this is a money-saving idea, but we always go over to Epcot on our first day and have lunch at Le Cellier. You can get a bowl of cheese soup--wonderful cheese soup!!--for $3.50, I think, and you can get all the bread you want! they have the greatest pretzel bread, and after eating a couple of sticks of that, and you don't need any other food. Our lunch is $7, and then we walk around while we wait for our room to be ready. It helps to have an annual pass, though.

 

[bom_noite]

On the zoo - others have corrected me, but I was referring to just heading over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and looking at the animals from the viewing areas.

Someone told me that they do not allow pool hopping because they dont want hordes of folks near the animals.

So, as the one reader suggested your options for going in are either to eat or to shop.

Thanks for the comments on the Water and Cheese Soup. I definately want to try both.

 

[Pa@okw95]

The last time I stayed at GF I paid $650 per night. We went down to the docks one night to sit and watch the fireworks, the dock was loaded with people. We found out none of them were staying at GF. One man even said he was told of this place by a employee at POR. So much for my $650 per night and a nice place to sit to watch the fireworks. I won't tell you what I think of people that do these kinds of things. None of the people ate at the restaurants there and decided to walk down to the water after which would be fine. They just were people looking to save a buck and not caring about the people that paid to sit there. The same problem happens over at the Poly. WDW does nothing about this situation.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
The last time I stayed at GF I paid $650 per night. We went down to the docks one night to sit and watch the fireworks, the dock was loaded with people. We found out none of them were staying at GF. One man even said he was told of this place by a employee at POR. So much for my $650 per night and a nice place to sit to watch the fireworks. I won't tell you what I think of people that do these kinds of things. None of the people ate at the restaurants there and decided to walk down to the water after which would be fine. They just were people looking to save a buck and not caring about the people that paid to sit there. The same problem happens over at the Poly. WDW does nothing about this situation.

I certainly can see your point. The one thing I will say, whenever I call Disney dining or if I am calling CRO (because I'm out of points, again!) I ask what there favorite Disney thing is to do or see or there best tip. I am often directed to something at a resort I am not going too. When I question it, I am told the resorts are open to everyone for there enjoyment.

Just food for thought.
Sandy

 

[bom_noite]

Pa@okw95 - I also see your point. If you pay that type of money you should get something in return. But also allow me to bring up some other points:

1) My family and I have done this for years and we have never had a problem with crowds at the GF during the fireworks. On Tuesday of this week we stood on the bridge 'tween Boardwalk and BCV and - we were alone.

We usually venture out the Main Building at the GF 20 or 30 minutes before the fireworks (with a ice cream we purchased) and never have a problem finding a place to sit. There are plenty of benches as well as brick "planters" for the tree's.

If there were 1000's of folks and it was not somewhat intimate - trust me - you would not see me there.

2) WDW is a resort - and - 1/2 the fun is seeing the other worlds and themes. If Disney ever tried to confine people to the resort they were staying at they would lose a considerable amount of business.

3) You will notice I posted this in a DVC forum. All of us have made a significant investment in WDW. So, I think this is well within our rights.

Even if you stay at the All Stars you are paying 30% to 40% more for the room then you would if you stayed outside the park. This is one of the perks that justifies WDW for charging extra for the rooms.

With all that said - I do see your point. And, if it is a problem that you have seen repeatedly then I would suggest you talk to WDW management and encourage them to create a "GF Resort Only" viewing area.

Actually, the precedent has already been set - only residents of the Yacht, Beach and BCV can use Stormalong bay. This is because it became the pool of choice for pool hoppers.

So, if it is as you say, then, I think WDW management would be justified to protect the rights of the guests staying at that hotel.

Thanks.

 

[RobDoc]

Since these tips aren't a DVC topic, I'll move the thread to the Budget Board.

 

[DEH3rd]

uh-oh, i can hear the goose-stepping of the pool police & resort elitists getting ready to rise up and scold the infidels who dare tresspass on their sacred ground....this one could get ugly.....

 

[BethR]

We will try not to let it get ugly over here, DEH3rd.

Great savings tips everyone! Just what we like to see here on the Budget Board.

As an important note to everyone on the Budget Board who is reading this and is NOT a DVC member. Please note that this thread was started on the DVC Board and moved over here. It is important for the rest of us to know that swimming at other resorts pools is NOT allowed EXCEPT by DVC members.

And pa@okw95, our family likes to make a tradition of eating dinner at the Park Fare, wander around the beautiful grounds at the GF, and then go out and watch the Boat Parade. So I'd bet that at least SOME of the people who were watching the fireworks when you were there had had meals at the GREAT restaurants in the GF.
But I agree with bom_noite, if this is a problem at the GF, PLEASE contact management so that hopefully the problem can be worked out, like it was with Stormalong Bay.


THANKS!

 

[Cinders]

Upon arrival home they both selected their favorite picture. We enlarged that picture and framed it for their room.

I love this idea.....but not for the kids for myself.

 

[DEH3rd]

maybe they could do the wristband thing for the entire property. platinum for YC & BC (has to be the best b/c of SAB), Gold for the rest of DVC, Silver for deluxe, Bronze for moderate, and dirt brown for all-star. That will really help with Pa@okw95's caste system. Then, If you are 'caught' in an unapproved area for your budget type (or caste), they could load up the box cars and ship you back to where you came from. It is efficient and fair to those paying $650 per night. Also, unless you are paying $650 per night at the GF, you should not be able to eat at 1900 park fare. Oh, here's another cool idea, anyone riding the monorail should have to stand and move to the back of the monorail when a wristband of higher pedigree comes aboard. por favor mantenga se alejandro de las puertas.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

DEH3rd,

While I agree with you that some folks tend to get a little upset with these topics, it seems to me that YOU are the only one trying to turn this thread ugly. Let it go

Sue

 

[BethR]

Yes DEH3rd, please let it go.

 

[Mermaid02]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I especially appreciate the tips on where to view the fireworks! My ds is 6 and is really into pyrotechnics..... we want to be sure to have a great view!

 

[luvdisney14]

thanks for the tips. I think this year I will watch fireworks at GF. I never knew you could do that and my oldest son always wanted to go there. something different to do on a night that we go to the water park during the day. thanks again.