Need advice....budget trip for two?

[Zoemakes5]

So, been looking to try to take my DD for her "golden bday" she's been asking for years. We live close to DL and have AP's, but she's wanting WDW.

So, been looking all over for various deals. Disregarding flights, the cheapest I seem to be able to find is actually onsite at a value. $1600-1800 is what I'm seeing for tickets, hotel and dining plan for a week (anytime between mid-summer and late fall). Just about anything else I'm looking at is actually more, rather than less, than staying onsite, especially when you add a rental car into the picture.

I can purchase 7 day park hoppers for a little more than $500 for the two of us through a program here at work.

Am I missing something? Is there better/cheaper out there? I'm looking at adding another $500 or more on for flights, so want to keep it as inexpensive as I can.

 

[David Brent]

Since you are coming from SD, and it will be the first time for all, try staying onsite. That's just what I would do if I put myself in your situation, given your location and for your DD bday.

 

[Marionnette]

So, been looking to try to take my DD for her "golden bday" she's been asking for years. We live close to DL and have AP's, but she's wanting WDW.

So, been looking all over for various deals. Disregarding flights, the cheapest I seem to be able to find is actually onsite at a value. $1600-1800 is what I'm seeing for tickets, hotel and dining plan for a week (anytime between mid-summer and late fall). Just about anything else I'm looking at is actually more, rather than less, than staying onsite, especially when you add a rental car into the picture.

I can purchase 7 day park hoppers for a little more than $500 for the two of us through a program here at work.

Am I missing something? Is there better/cheaper out there? I'm looking at adding another $500 or more on for flights, so want to keep it as inexpensive as I can.

Not sure what a "golden bday" is. But if she will be under 10, then there is a kids stay & play free offer for that time period. Her ticket would be free but you would pay rack rate for the room.

Or you could get a room only discount for the same period. It would be 25% off the rack rate of a value room. If you add tickets, then you will also be able to add the dining plan (for regular price).

 

[tripletots]

A golden birthday, at least around here, is if her DD is 8 now she will be turning 9 on the 9th of whatever month.

My DH's father has given my 2 oldest golden coins on their golden birthday, ten gold dollar coins for my DS's 10th birthday and 7 golden coins for my DDon her 7th. However, the triplet's golden birthday won't happen until they are 30. They are 13 now. Got a ways to go!

I hope that made sense.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Not sure what a "golden bday" is. But if she will be under 10, then there is a kids stay & play free offer for that time period. Her ticket would be free but you would pay rack rate for the room.

Or you could get a room only discount for the same period. It would be 25% off the rack rate of a value room. If you add tickets, then you will also be able to add the dining plan (for regular price).

I didn't see that on the website...do you know where I can find it? Thanks!!!

And, yes, it's her 9th bday on the 9th. For some reason it's a really big thing to her. It would be just the two of us, can't afford a 6,000+ trip for all 5 of us, and frankly, it's really just the two of us who would be interested.

 

[brymolmom]

I don't think you're missing anything - I think $1600 - $1800 for an all-inclusive for 2 for a week (dining, tickets, accomodations and transportation to and from airport and around the parks) is a pretty decent deal. If you go during when the free dining plan USUALLY is offered (starting on or around 20th of August) - then you can get a good chunk off that amount if it is offered and you rebook with that code (not sure if this will happen, they did offer it already last year for various dates throughout 2011 so not sure if they will offer it again for the Fall). If you really want to stick to a tighter budget - you could go with the Quick Service dining plan or you can save some money by not getting it if you're small eaters and share a bunch of meals.

 

[Marionnette]

I didn't see that on the website...do you know where I can find it? Thanks!!!

And, yes, it's her 9th bday on the 9th. For some reason it's a really big thing to her. It would be just the two of us, can't afford a 6,000+ trip for all 5 of us, and frankly, it's really just the two of us who would be interested.

They kind of hide the special offers link in the newly designed website. Scroll to the very bottom of the page. There are 4 columns of links. Special Offers is located in the third column from the left. Top link.

These offers are valid for the time you plan to travel. There is no guarantee that there will be another offer for free dining during that time. But since the current offers must be booked by 3/37, it might make sense to book one of them now and then change your reservation if free dining becomes available and is a bigger savings for you.

 

[semo233]

Re-think the dining plan. Depending upon how you like to eat and how many character meals you want to do, you may be able to cut a bit out of the cost by eating on your own.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Thanks everyone...by changing the dates slightly and using the specials suggested, I was able to bring the price down to $1474. Might be doable for us...still working on it. Still have to add in the cost for flights....
I honestly don't see the two of us being able to eat on site for less than $40 some a day. DD tends to be an adult menu eater most of the time. Planning to use the buffet meals to our advantage! I'm still hoping this will be an option for us....it's something she's wanted to do for years and I'd like to do it before it costs us even more and she's billed as an adult!

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks everyone...by changing the dates slightly and using the specials suggested, I was able to bring the price down to $1474. Might be doable for us...still working on it. Still have to add in the cost for flights....
I honestly don't see the two of us being able to eat on site for less than $40 some a day. DD tends to be an adult menu eater most of the time. Planning to use the buffet meals to our advantage! I'm still hoping this will be an option for us....it's something she's wanted to do for years and I'd like to do it before it costs us even more and she's billed as an adult!

I'm not sure if this is a possibility for you but check the thread about 2 Free Round Trip Tickets . If you apply and qualify for a SWA Visa card, you will get 2 free round trip flights for the cost of the annual fee ($59). Not a bad deal if you don't mind having another credit card in your wallet.

 

[starry_solo]

Where are you planning on staying? If you can rent at DVC (through a disboards member), would it be cheaper (so you don't have to worry about time/free dining so that the money saved for the lodging could be used towards food, etc).

Also, you can then use it to have groceries sent to the villas (with a fridge, microwave, etc.)

 

[Marionnette]

Where are you planning on staying? If you can rent at DVC (through a disboards member), would it be cheaper (so you don't have to worry about time/free dining so that the money saved for the lodging could be used towards food, etc).

Also, you can then use it to have groceries sent to the villas (with a fridge, microwave, etc.)

DVC resorts are typically more expensive than value resorts, even when you are renting points. The cost is more in line with the rack rate for moderate resorts.

 

[kchughes]

Don't know if it is an option, but you may be able to upgrade your DL AP's to the premium(or whatever they call it) for less than the cost of the tickets you were planning to buy. Then you may qualify for an AP holder room discount. Might be worth running the numbers, depending on when your current AP's expire. Hope it works out for you and your DD.