Need budget guru/Disney help...family of five.

[lmhall2000]

I rented DVC for 3 of the last 4 years for our family of 5. One bedroom at OKW is the way to go. Points are cheaper and the rooms are HUGE!!!!!!! I mean HUGE! Couple the DVC discount with the YES program (which we did for 2 of those 3 years) and then add dining plan. You can rent from David's (Which I think is a sponsor here on the boards) for I think $13 a point. Or there is a rent/trade board here on the DIS. You cannot take advantage of Free Dining on points (which is why we stayed POR last year), but you do get free internet (which some places are including now anyway) and you still park for free. Plus the accommodations are much larger, plenty of room to spread out. King size bed in a separate master suite, two couches (one is a pullout) and a pullout chair. The balcony is large enough to be another room. Full kitchen and OKW has the divided baths. Toilet, vanity, shower in one half and huge jacuzzi and vanity in the other. So you can get ready while the kids get ready without bumping into each other.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!

I am so confused! This whole DVC thing is confusing...from what I can find I need 200 points for a 1 Bedroom at OKW for a week in September...well if they're renting for $10-13 a point, that means I'm paying $2000 for the week for lodging, not $100 a night...it would be cheaper to do the free dining option if it comes available..am I missing something here? Thanks!! We are traveling Sept8-14..so a slow time, Bonnet Creek may be a better option?

 

[hopare]

I am so confused! This whole DVC thing is confusing...from what I can find I need 200 points for a 1 Bedroom at OKW for a week in September...well if they're renting for $10-13 a point, that means I'm paying $2000 for the week for lodging, not $100 a night...it would be cheaper to do the free dining option if it comes available..am I missing something here? Thanks!! We are traveling Sept8-14..so a slow time, Bonnet Creek may be a better option?

I doubt you will find any lodging for $100 a night even at Bonnet Creek. As far as DVC, old key west, you can fit in a 1 bedroom. We did it, we also have 5 and it was great! That would be 157 points for that week. It would have a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. If this is what you want, you should book very soon, DVC books quickly. I am going the last week of August and most DvC resorts were full already.

 

[mistysue]

I would look at staying at POR- they have some 5 person rooms. It's a moderate so the price is right between the value and deluxe. If they do come out with free dining (that is what the bounce back was) that may be your best value.
I put monetary value on not having to drive and knowing the busses/boats/walkways/monorails are all fairly constant.
Without free dining, if I needed to cut costs I would do POR with the YES tickets. Even with a crappy discount it will probably be under $150/night and will include the $14 you need to park if you're offsite. (so $136/night offsite is the same cost)

ETA: people never consider their gas costs, assuming short trips you would probably still go through at least a gallon of gas per day offsite. If you would use the free transportation on-site add in another $4/day or so when comparing.

 

[lmhall2000]

I would look at staying at POR- they have some 5 person rooms. It's a moderate so the price is right between the value and deluxe. If they do come out with free dining (that is what the bounce back was) that may be your best value.
I put monetary value on not having to drive and knowing the busses/boats/walkways/monorails are all fairly constant.
Without free dining, if I needed to cut costs I would do POR with the YES tickets. Even with a crappy discount it will probably be under $150/night and will include the $14 you need to park if you're offsite. (so $136/night offsite is the same cost)

ETA: people never consider their gas costs, assuming short trips you would probably still go through at least a gallon of gas per day offsite. If you would use the free transportation on-site add in another $4/day or so when comparing.

Wish we could do POR! The makeup of our family prevents it Daughters could share a queen bed which means my 6'3 17 year old would have to use the 50 inch bed...not a good option.

Gas is not so bad for us, we have a Prius...one gallon could serve us the whole week! Even at 157 points for OKW, and folks charging $10 and more a point, it does not seem like a deal. We were able to get a night at Bonnet Creek hotel for under $80 last September the night before our cruise...we had a room with 2 queens and 2 bunkbeds...I do like having maid service, we only stay in the room to sleep...we may have to consider that option and just drive to the parks... so sad that so much has changed in 8 years...it really has been cheaper to cruise than do the parks...

 

[Teacher03]

I doubt you will find any lodging for $100 a night even at Bonnet Creek. As far as DVC, old key west, you can fit in a 1 bedroom. We did it, we also have 5 and it was great! That would be 157 points for that week. It would have a full kitchen and a washer and dryer. If this is what you want, you should book very soon, DVC books quickly. I am going the last week of August and most DvC resorts were full already.

We are renting a one bedroom at BC through Vacation Strategy for less than $100 a night in June. I would check them out if you are interested.

 

[keywestbride]

We're renting a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek in May through Vacation Strategy at less than $100 night. After I add in $14 parking/day, it comes to right around $100. The pools look fantastic, it gets great reviews, you'd have a w&d, a full kitchen, a big tub with jets, and a balcony. You can even request a room with a view of the parks (no guarantees you'd get it).

This is the first time we're staying offsite, but I just couldn't see cramming ourselves into a value room with no kitchen for the same price. I would have done it for free dining, but not for 15% off.

 

[Marionnette]

In my experience if you have AAA the ticket prices are cheaper than undercover. I priced 7 day tickets (Basic) today and they were for 3 adults 881.43 and undercover were 902.25 so just check you may save a little more with AAA.

Does your AAA include the tax in their prices? Mine doesn't add the tax into your total until you go to check out. Three adult 7-day base tickets would cost me $864 before tax, if I were to go thru AAA. The price after tax is $920. Tax that is a killer!

 

[rdsx28]

Yes, Marionnette (love your name ) that is the price no further tax added I just double checked. Your tax does add quite a bit to your tickets that's awful.

 

[Marionnette]

I am so confused! This whole DVC thing is confusing...from what I can find I need 200 points for a 1 Bedroom at OKW for a week in September...well if they're renting for $10-13 a point, that means I'm paying $2000 for the week for lodging, not $100 a night...it would be cheaper to do the free dining option if it comes available..am I missing something here? Thanks!! We are traveling Sept8-14..so a slow time, Bonnet Creek may be a better option?

I don't know where you are coming up with the 200 points? The week that you mentioned would cost 131 points at for a 1-bedroom villa in OKW.

Go to http://dvcbyrequest.com/ and click on the points calculator on the left of the screen. You'll get a new window that pops up. Click on the first and last days of your stay. The window will change and shows you the points needed for each resort and type of villa. If you hover your cursor over the points for the OKW 1-bedroom, you'll see that David would charge you $1703 for that reservation (he charges $13/pt.).

It's still a far cry from $100/night and if that's your price point, I think that staying onsite is not going to happen for you this year. Even with a decent discount, you're not going to get two value rooms or a value suite for under that price in Sept. Don't forget that Free Dining involves paying rack rate for your room, so a Family Suite at a value in September (with tickets, because you have to have them to get Free Dining) is going to cost you just under $3000. And it would most likely be for the QSDP and not the DDP. The room with no discount and no tickets would be $1450 and you might see a room-only discount that runs in the range of 15% off of the rack rate (~$1230).

 

[Marionnette]

Yes, Marionnette (love your name ) that is the price no further tax added I just double checked. Your tax does add quite a bit to your tickets that's awful.

It's not my state's tax, it's Florida tax that gets added. Your AAA's prices are excellent! I guess MidAtlantic AAA just sucks when it comes to giving discounts.

 

[dbs1228]

Go to the DIS rent/trade boards and read the stickey's and do some investigating. OKW is a great option and being on site is great! We are a family of 5 and prefer to eat breakfast and 1 other meal in the room - my girls 17, 20 & 21 have been going for the past 17 years and THEY prefer eating in - gives them time to relax, go to the pool for awhile ect.... We go for 10 nights and do a big grocery shop at the beginning of the trip which ends up costing us about 25.00 per day. We get creative and never big meals but we will do spaghetti and meatballs - for lunch the next day have meatball subs - chicken 1 night and have salad with chicken next day. For years we would bring lunch into the parks not because we were trying to save cost but because our daughters would throw 1/2 of their lunch away if we bought in the parks but would eat the sandwich we packed!

Bonnet Creek is another great option - not on property but will save you money over dvc resorts. They are now charging (whether you use it or not) a daily fee for transportation to the parks, I believe it is 12.00 per day. Good luck!

 

[sweetdana]

It has been 8 years since we visited the World (actually cheaper for family of five to do a 7-10 night cruise!!) Kids sail free and we used all our ff miles to get there (Los Angeles, Barcelona, drove to Port Canaveral)..but we have been able to take 5-7 on cruises for less than $4000 each sailing. But, we really miss the World and a lot has been added since we went.

I was in sticker shock seeing the price changes since we last traveled! Gone are the days of $119 a night at AKL, staying at the Poly or Contemporary for under $2500 for five with free dining and park hoppers..

Just priced (no discount) a stay at Contemporary with Plus Dining and park tickets and it is $5700!!

I feel I have looked at all the angles, Value Resorts have suites now, but I 'hear' that they only offer 10-15% off on those and if they offer free dining it is only counter service for Value Reorts. Contemporary Wing rooms are the cheapest option for a family of five and if they offer free dining, that will save our family of five $1700..bringing the cost down to $4000...Even if they offer35% off on Deluxe, it only saves us about $900...what I need is 35% off AND free dining!

If we stay offsite and buy tickets....is that going to work out less? With all the parking fees/dining? We like to eat at 4-5 restaurants while we're there and afraid we can't book dining early or will not get the restaurants we want if we do not stay at park resorts...we plan on travelling 2nd week of September, a bit slower time than summer...but what am I missing? Are there budget routes I have not considered? Staying 7 nights...thanks!!

Oh, and all our children are over 10 now, so I'm sure that affects the pricing as well Port Orleans is not an option as the kid sleeping on the extra bed is 6'4!

How about swan and dolphin they had a rent 1 room at about 150- 180 night get a second room for 99$. Aaa discount, teachers discounts bunches of choices.

Also I love renting dvc points if that works in your. Budget. Or 2 rooms at a value.

 

[lmhall2000]

How about swan and dolphin they had a rent 1 room at about 150- 180 night get a second room for 99$. Aaa discount, teachers discounts bunches of choices.

Also I love renting dvc points if that works in your. Budget. Or 2 rooms at a value.

You all are super!! So many options to work on! If we stay at Swan and Dolphin, do they still have Disney transportation via buses? Could we then get free dining if it comes out? Thanks!!

 

[Marionnette]

You all are super!! So many options to work on! If we stay at Swan and Dolphin, do they still have Disney transportation via buses? Could we then get free dining if it comes out? Thanks!!

S/D use Disney transportation within the parks. No DME to/from the airport. And since they are not Disney resorts, no dining plans are available.

 

[dsneprincess]

I don't know for sure, but Fort Wilderness cabins rank moderate & sleep 6. I'm not sure how they rank price-wise compared to family suites, but I know they won't be Contempary pricing. I imagine this would also make you eligible IF (and it seems a big if) free dining became available. Just a thought as I didn't see this option mentioned anywhere.

 

[dbs1228]

I don't know for sure, but Fort Wilderness cabins rank moderate & sleep 6. I'm not sure how they rank price-wise compared to family suites, but I know they won't be Contempary pricing. I imagine this would also make you eligible IF (and it seems a big if) free dining became available. Just a thought as I didn't see this option mentioned anywhere.

Okay can I just say if Ft Wilderness is even an option I would go for it! we have stayed in the cabins every year for 16 years and LOVE the outdoor space. If you do stay there a golf cart is a MUST. We used the grills, full kitchen and with the golf cart easy commute to the boat to the MK. Can I say we love love love the cabins! Even after staying in the Grand Villa(3 bedroom 4 bath) at BLT my DD's have all said they miss Ft. Wilderness!

 

[Teacher03]

Go to the DIS rent/trade boards and read the stickey's and do some investigating. OKW is a great option and being on site is great! We are a family of 5 and prefer to eat breakfast and 1 other meal in the room - my girls 17, 20 & 21 have been going for the past 17 years and THEY prefer eating in - gives them time to relax, go to the pool for awhile ect.... We go for 10 nights and do a big grocery shop at the beginning of the trip which ends up costing us about 25.00 per day. We get creative and never big meals but we will do spaghetti and meatballs - for lunch the next day have meatball subs - chicken 1 night and have salad with chicken next day. For years we would bring lunch into the parks not because we were trying to save cost but because our daughters would throw 1/2 of their lunch away if we bought in the parks but would eat the sandwich we packed!

Bonnet Creek is another great option - not on property but will save you money over dvc resorts. They are now charging (whether you use it or not) a daily fee for transportation to the parks, I believe it is 12.00 per day. Good luck!

I just wanted to point out that the fee for transportation at BC is now $5.00 per person for a round trip. If you have a large family it could really add to your budget.

 

[DawnM]

When are you going?

There are 3 times when you can ALL get the YES rates, even adults, for homeschoolers. Typically Homeschool days are late Sept, late Jan. and then there is a group that is going the 3rd week of November this year that you can tag on with.

We do Disney on the cheap and I post about it often on here. Homeschool tickets for 8 hopppers + waterparks and DQ run about $1,200 for the 5 of us now. We typically stay 2 weeks now once per year.

We also get SkyAuction.com condos for $250 per 7 night stay, so $500 for two weeks, including taxes. We do need to pay DIsney parking, but it is fine for us. We eat most of our own food too, but do have our favorite places to eat counter service and budget for them.

Our typical two week Disney vacation is around $2,000 for two weeks. This takes into account eating our regularly budgeted grocery amount which is not included in the total.

Dawn

Wow!! YOU guys are great!! Never heard of YES, but 2 of our kids would qualify, we do homeschool and I had heard of groups of homeschoolers doing some sort of educational discount, but since it was just our family figured nothing we could qualify for. Will definitely check that out!

Word out is they are not offering free dining but definitely offering discounts on rooms, for the family suite at Value..we'd save 10% off $230 a night or 35% off $400 a night for Contemporary...so essentially $210 v. $260..I think we'd rather pay the extra $50 for Contemporary..

Now if we can rent DVC points for $100 or so a night, that would be saving us $160 a day...if we get free dining instead we'd be saving $300 a day by staying at DVC..would we spend $300 a day eating? Possibly at their prices..maybe not, more like $200 a day, so let me chew on this..

$100 a day DVC
$200 a day food budget
(would we have to pay for parking if we stay at DVC?)
YES Tickets $1000 for 5 day park tickets?

$700
$1400
$1000

$3100...YES!! That fits into our budget!! Now am I adding this up correctly? And how do I go about renting DVC for September? Is there a plan for that? Thanks everyone!! I might just make this work!!!

 

[veraletta]

How about staying at Fort Wilderness but renting a trailer or even a pop up, it would be less then the cost of the cabin.

 

[khaoskat]

How about staying at Fort Wilderness but renting a trailer or even a pop up, it would be less then the cost of the cabin.

How do you figure a pop up or trailer rental is cheaper? The few places I have found would run around $3,000 for the week, plus the $55/night fee at WDW for the space...

If you know of a cheap rental place for campers/trailers/pop ups I would love to know.