Need Help - 1st Time to WDW!

[dreamingdisney]

Hi to all!

After lurking on these boards, I've finally registered and am eager to learn all I can about planning (and affording) our first trip to WDW (in May 2005). Thanks to all for the wealth of information you're providing

My question is this, is it possible for a family of four (2 adults, two kids - ages 4 and 12), from California, to stay in a WDW moderate resort for under $3000.00?

I am one of those who thought I could get a great deal going through AAA, but when I was quoted $3909.00 (MYW package - 6-7 night stay at CSR, plus dining, airfare, hopper tickets) I got depressed. I've tried tweaking the numbers by cutting out the dining option and changing our stay to just 4 nights, but I know there has to be a better way of doing this.

I am willing to do the research and take the time to find the discounts and deals out there to put this trip together myself, but I just need to know where to look. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First thing is to "unbundle" the package. Go to www.mousesavers.com where you may be able to get codes for discounts. Go to some of the airline sites or places like Orbitz or Travelocity and look at airlines. Figure on your arrival and departure times; are you going to want tickets for day of arrival or departure. You will definitely want the park hopper option, but probably do not need either the Plus or No Expire options. Do you really want the meal package?

 

[DissyLove]

I would also consider breaking up the package-and maybe going to a 5 night instead of 6 if that saves you money, and with one day travelling, maybe check in the first day after travelling, rest, and start using your tickets the next day. There is plenty to do the day you arrive without burning thru your ticket on a half day when you might be tired.

Also, I would not do the meal option in order to save money-you can eat counter service in the park for cheaper if cost is an issue, and splurge on one or two nice meals-I recommend the Crystal Palace charecter meal with pooh and friends, which is cheaper for lunch or breakfast than it is for dinner, and do similar at the other parks. Bring your own snacks, also and cut down to eating only once or twice a day in the parks to save money.

And, enjoy, I think your family will love the Disney trip.

 

[pjlla]

Well.... I won't say it can't be done... but I'm not sure how. Our first trip in January 2002 cost a little more than $3000 when all was said and done. On this trip we had 2 1/2 free airline ticket, stayed offsite for $59/night, and only had two sit-down meal on Disney property (Cinderella's Royal Table bkfst and lunch at RFC at AK) (well... three if you count our lunch at Planet Hollywood at DTD).

We stayed for 7 nights, had 5 day park hoppers (not plus), which we used all of, had a mid-sized rental car, and ate every bkfst (except for Cinderella day) and several other meals at our hotel (they had free bkfst every morning and we made our dinner or got take out and brought it back to the room...McDonald's, pizza, mac/cheese, pb&j) (1 bdrm suite). As a matter of fact, we only ate one evening meal (supper/dinner) at Disney the entire week.

We are a family of 4 (kids were 6 1/2 and almost 4 at the time of this trip). We were flying from Boston to Orlando. We had the free tickets from some traveling DH had done for work.

Anyhow... as you can see, even doing a "budget" trip, it still cost us about $3000.... and we were flying on the east coast, not cross country. So, to make a long story short, if you can get a package for under $4000 for all four of you, for a week, staying on-site... I'd say it seems like a pretty good deal!!.............P

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Instead of a mod you might think about a value resort. If given the choice of extra park days or a more expensive hotel I would take the park days in a second! The values are fun, not fancy but most kids love them! They are on-site and you will get the extra park hours as well as trasportation to the parks. You do not even NEED a rental car. It is nice to have but we have taken trips without one and been fine. A car service will even stop at the grocery store for you to pick up soda, milk, juice and snack food. I think you you can get close to $3000, just be creative. Have fun planning!

 

[dreamingdisney]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful suggestions! I am definitely going to unbundle the package and look for deals separately.

Cheshire Figment, thanks for mentioning the mousesavers.com website - it's going to take me a couple of days just to go through all the great info there.

I'm glad I did get the initial quote from AAA because it gives me a good starting price to try to beat. It seems like planning the trip is half the fun!!

 

[amyup]

Our first trip to DW will be in a couple of weeks and before our food costs we are at $2300(we do have a 2 year old so that saves us a couple hundred in park ticket prices). We are flying out of Sacramento and got a good deal on tickets (a little over 200 each). Room only discount for 6 nights at Pop and 2 Nights at WL. A great car rate of 135 for a full size rental.....and so on. All in all our trip will cost around $3500 for 8 nights at DW.

The best bet is searching the boards. I don't post that often but have been lurking for many months its been a great help.

 

[JodyTG]

Call CRO and get a price quote for room only with your AAA discount. This is 15-20%. You can hold this while you're doing research for a cheaper price. I would suggest a value resort to save money. It's just a place to sleep after all. Also look on mousesavers.com and there may be a discount code for your dates that's even cheaper. Even if no discount available, rack rate at the value resorts is cheaper, usually, than discounted moderates.

 

[MeredithJ]

I too was trying to book a package at CSR, and I couldn't get a regular room, only a junior suite, which really racked up the price. So what I decided to do was to split our stay and stay half our time in a value, and half our time in a deluxe. It worked out so that we will be able to go for under $3000 for a family of 5 (4 of which are considered "adults" by disney). If I were you, I would go to disneyworld.com and play around with your dates and options and see if you can save a little money that way. I did that numerous times, and I think I have finally found a combination that will work for us.

Good luck to you, and enjoy your vacation!

Meredith

 

[LilMamiBella]

We'll be going to Disney in almost 2 weeks! This is our first time going. It'll be my dh, kids ages 2 and 5, and I. We'll be staying at ASMo from Jan 25-31st. We're on the MYW plus dining package and we'll have park hoppers. Our price will be 2273.00 and includes gas and souvenirs!

 

[sophiasaranyc]

I did what Jody did - (1) Book the dates and hotel you want with the AAA discount
(2) Wait for the Annual Passholder or other discount rate to come out for your dates (3) The call WDW and re-book your reservation with the new discount code. I did this and got WL for $126.00 per night! You should really invest in "Unoffical Guide to Disney" - It has everything you need!!! Good luck

 

[john2u]

Yes

Make sure you invest in the Unofficial Guide to WDW. It has the answer to all your questions. You can purchase this book from Barnes and Noble for around $20.00

Have fun planning!!

 

[dreamingdisney]

I hadn't thought about the Unofficial Guide to WDW!! I've bought the one for Disneyland in the past and thought it was great. I will post my numbers as soon as I have my plans finalized. Thanks again !!

 

[dimoe]

I am in Canada so it would be different but I am starting to call around to see what kind of rates I can get with a few different options. Then once I get those quotes I will figure it out myself and book the cheapest rate.
Good luck
when are you going in May?
I am staying at POP to save some money, probably flying out of the states ( a lot cheaper so far) buing myw tickets with hopper pass no water parks though or expiry dates. adding on the dining option . so we will see how it goes
Diane

 

[dreamingdisney]

Right now, I'm planning on going May 7-13. I haven't decided which resort, but I'm leaning towards a moderate, or deluxe - if the discount codes come out for May.

I'm also buying MYW tickets (hopper, no water parks). The only unknown area of our plans is the airfare. I'm just not sure how much it will be since specials come out all the time.

I can't wait to go - hope you have fun!!