My Family's tips on Saving $ at WDW!

[admiral nelson]

I thought the general consensious was you couldn't swim in any pool but the resort you stay at?

 

[Kirby]

Pool hopping is frowned upon but they are just wanting to visit the resorts to look them over, not swim.

 

[admiral nelson]

Originally posted by Kirby
Pool hopping is frowned upon but they are just wanting to visit the resorts to look them over, not swim.

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.

I don't see the part about looking only, do you?
And frowned upon, or not allowed...2 very different things.

 

[Michelina]

The OP is a DVC member and apparently they have access to resort pools other than the one they're staying in at the time, everyone else has to stick with their own resort's pool.
I don't know if this is a money saving tip per say but I like to take a bandana with me as opposed to wipes or a washcloth cause when it's super hot you can wet it in the sink and wear it on your head (might look a little dorkey, but hey-it's hot!) and it really helps to cool down, otherwise you can always wet it and wipe up any sticky hands or faces!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I think some people need to get over it. If Disney didn't want me (you know- the value resort staying person... atleast so far) spending my money at the spa, beautician and restaurants at GF because I wasn't staying there- they would say so. But they don't, so I spent my money there and they were happy to take it.

As for tips on saving at WDW- there are a lot of things to do at FW and it's perfectly okay to go and enjoy them regardless of what resort you are staying at -at WDW. The funnest but also cheap (IMHO) is the campfire singalong. Sing songs, kids meet Chip & Dale, roast marshmallows or make smores also, and watch a movie- all for a $5 smores kit for the entire family! Can't beat that!

 

[admiral nelson]

Originally posted by Michelina
The OP is a DVC member and apparently they have access to resort pools other than the one they're staying in at the time, everyone else has to stick with their own resort's pool.

Oh ok, that sounds fair. Well, whatever. I've got better things to do than swim in other resort pools. I just think the rule should be one way or another, not adjusted for special guests.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by admiral nelson
I don't see the part about looking only, do you?
And frowned upon, or not allowed...2 very different things.

admiral nelson
I think it was my question that caused the confusion. On page 3 of the thread I had asked if it was OK to resort hop but NOT use the pools/playgrounds. I'm pretty sure Kirby was refering to my post and not the OP.

 

[Kirby]

I'm pretty sure Kirby was refering to my post and not the OP.

Yes, I was.

 

[lenshanem]

Originally posted by admiral nelson
Oh ok, that sounds fair. Well, whatever. I've got better things to do than swim in other resort pools. I just think the rule should be one way or another, not adjusted for special guests.

Hi! Actually, I just joined DVC last month. The pool hopping is just a perk they added to get peopel to sign. There are actually very few perks I feel in DVc so I liek the pool hopping. It is not for all resorts, Stormalong Bay has been excluded.
Now I disagreed TOTALLy with the posts about GF restricting visitors outside their own guests to tour their grounds and enjoy their restaurants. A matter of fact I had an experince with a GF guest who was quite rude to my family for using the boat from MK to GF to go eat at 1900 PF. (We were staying elsewherre, at BCV.) , but DVc was a huge decision for our family to make, we are not over following in the money department since I stay at hoem with the kids, so I think throwing in a littel perk here and there into DVC is nice. Actually, I woudln't be surprised if they eventually did away with all these perks. I woudln't neccessailry call them for "special guests." In addition to the money we pay monthly for DVc, we also pay monthly dues. A littel used perk in exchange for a monthly due... Really it isn't that wonderful a perk.

 

[bobcat]

Some free things we like to do:

1. Play with the lego's in DTD. My son could stay here all day. It's only free if the kids don't talk you into buying something.

2. Campfire and movie at FW.

3. Ride in front of the monorail on the MK to Epcot trip. Great views of Epcot as it loops around Spaceship Earth.

4. Take in the traveling acts in Epcot. Each country has some sort of entertainment and many people rush on by without taking the time to watch.

Just add me to the value loving All star staying Disney demise! LOL

 

[lexis53]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
The funnest but also cheap (IMHO) is the campfire singalong. Sing songs, kids meet Chip & Dale, roast marshmallows or make smores also, and watch a movie- all for a $5 smores kit for the entire family! Can't beat that!

If anyone wants to know that this thread has helped, well I must say this tidbit alone made the whole thread worth it despite the "issues"....

I appreciate the tips that people have left. Thanks!

 

[1DisneyFan]

NEW MEMBER!

Please tell me more about the campfire and smores??? Never head about this.

Will be in disney with my hubby and two teenage boys for 7 days (end of July - first of Aug). My boys are 14 and 16....but this sounds like fun....do you think they are too old for this?

We were at disney the summer of 2001 and they still enjoyed he character meals!

Thanks in advance,

 

[bobcat]

1DisneyFan welcome to the DIS! The campfire is located at Fort Wilderness, near the Meadows trading post, and it is free. There is a sing a long and Chip and Dale visit for a while. They have a snack stand where you can buy a s'more kit that will feed a family and best of all its pretty cheap, around $5. You can roast s'mores over two small fires. They then show a Disney movie, the monthly list is usually posted on the camping board. There are wooden tree log benches and also bleachers you can sit on, or you can bring your own blanket. It really is a lot of fun.

 

[Bonny544]

Honestly...unless the people watching the fireworks were causing a disturbance, loosen up!! I understand if you were a guest at GF you should have first choice, BUT.....if people are guests at other resorts on property they have a right too. Not everyone can afford (or is silly enough to pay) $650 a night. Those people with limited incomes on their 1 dream trip to WDW have just as much right to experience the MAGIC as the lucky individual that can afford to go 3 times a year. I think as long as they are RESORT guests (All Star or Yacht Club) they are entitle to the Disney MAGIC.

 

[1DisneyFan]

Thanks Bobcat for the info.

Think I am going to check this out!!!