Need help with Cutting Costs PLEASE

[BeckWhy]

Yes, I know I'm kinda "strict" when it comes to vacations. The thing is, everyone suggests something that I have already tried and doesn't seem to cut costs. I've also priced the trip to go in January, and it's still more expesive.

We may hitch a ride with my aunt if she doesn't have to work. Other than that, work comes first.

Staying off site and taking the hotels shuttles is not a good idea. I tried that once, the shuttle left the hotel at about 12 noon, and then picked you up at the parks at about 5 pm. I'm sorry, but if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a ticket ($260 something I believe for a 5 day park hopper), its not worth it to me.

I believe that if we go we can cut food costs. No doubt! But my mom always says you have to be prepared.

See I think my thing is, there's always someone who has a discount code that gets you a better discount than any other, and that wasn't published. Or even park tickets that didn't cost more than $100 (for a 5 day).

Right now with the Fairytale Package we get the hotel and TICKET for about $77 a night. A five day park hopper is almost half of that cost.

So I don't know.

I may just say screw this trip, buy a system for my car and kill my hearing.

 

[DMRick]

I'm really not sure why you posted asking for help, since I think you are all set in how you want to do it. I suggest you put off the trip for this year, and go next year, when you'll have more money, and can do it just as you want. Every suggeston has been rejected..and we don't have a magic way to cut the costs, if you don't want to make changes. Short of each of us sending you $100 toward the trip, there doesn't seem to be anyway to cut your costs, without changing how and where you want to do it LOL!
Go for the new system in your car!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I've got to agree with DMRick. There are ways to cut. There are those to whom staying on site, staying seven days, eating well, and being in the parks every day are essential to enjoying the trip. If that's the case, I've never seen a better opportunity than the current promotion. If that's what it take to make your trip, buy the stereo!

The ideas here are great ways to enjoy Orlando, get plenty of Disney, and a decent hotel, and get the trip down in cost. But they aren't, and will never be, Disney all-inclusive packages. But during lean years, they're pretty fun for me!

Pat

 

[poober25]

I have to agree with everyone else. Why post asking for help when you are not willing to take any advice? Personally, I will probably never stay on-site again, just too much money. There are many places where you can stay off-site where the shuttle service certainly runs more than once per day. OTH, the FTP is a (pretty) good deal.

I have used Mears once, the one and only time we flew and it was fine. To save money you have to make a few sacrifices. Yes, you can take the towncar, but it will cost you more. If you want to save money, use Mears, or as someone else suggested you can use public transportation.

However, you seem to keep going back and forth on this trip. Why not skip the trip this year, don't spend the money or your stereo system, save it for a better trip next (or Jan.). Or use for the computer you mentioned you needed for school on another post. Or, take some of the excellent suggestions that have mentioned by people on this board and go now. Whatever you decide, have fun!!

 

[Lewisc]

You really aren't looking for advice. Normally I don't suggest off site shuttles but you're really making stuff up. I suggested a DTD hotel--which are actually on Disney property (BW LBV) which offers buses every 30 minutes.

An example of an off site schedule is HIFS http://www.hifamilysuites.com/shuttle.html

I doubt ANY offsite shuttle only offers 1 bus at 12 with the only return at 5:00.

I think you have already decided what you want your trip to be. Did you really think someone could find you any additional discounts over and above FTP?

Your only option is to work extra hours/second job to get more money or delay your trip.

Originally posted by BeckWhy
Staying off site and taking the hotels shuttles is not a good idea. I tried that once, the shuttle left the hotel at about 12 noon, and then picked you up at the parks at about 5 pm.
So I don't know.

I may just say screw this trip, buy a system for my car and kill my hearing.

 

[crisi]

I think she is just not receptive to the type of help you are able to provide. She is hoping that someone will be able to say "oh, here is where you can get a towncar for half that." Or, if you use code blahblahblah, they will give you an extra 10% off the FT package. Or this is where you can get two for one meals on Disney property. Or "I know of a bargain on airfare."

The FT package is a great deal for staying on property, and given her parameters (wants to stay on site, doesn't want to bother with Mears or public transportation, can't work a cheaper deal to her airport, etc.) she might be better off buying a stereo.

It sounds like she is getting a good price for the stuff she wants, but was hoping someone had a magic idea for getting the stuff she wants at an even lower price - and what you guys have given her is stuff that is cheaper, but isn't what she wants. The price just isn't good enough to make the trip worth it and she isn't willing to skimp on the stuff she wants in order to save money.

 

[Lewisc]

Well said.

Originally posted by crisi
I think she is just not receptive to the type of help you are able to provide. She is hoping that someone will be able to say "oh, here is where you can get a towncar for half that." Or, if you use code blahblahblah, they will give you an extra 10% off the FT package. Or this is where you can get two for one meals on Disney property. Or "I know of a bargain on airfare."

The FT package is a great deal for staying on property, and given her parameters (wants to stay on site, doesn't want to bother with Mears or public transportation, can't work a cheaper deal to her airport, etc.) she might be better off buying a stereo.

It sounds like she is getting a good price for the stuff she wants, but was hoping someone had a magic idea for getting the stuff she wants at an even lower price - and what you guys have given her is stuff that is cheaper, but isn't what she wants. The price just isn't good enough to make the trip worth it and she isn't willing to skimp on the stuff she wants in order to save money.

 

[C.Ann]

Seems like an "all or nothing" mind-set to me.. Only problem is you seem to have "champagne taste - on a beer pocketbook"..

So - if you don't want to make any adjustments to your trip you have a few options:

Stay home - because you can't have it "exactly" the way you want it..

Work harder/longer/extra so you CAN have it "exactly" the way you want it..

Or skip the stereo and SAVE all your money for the next two years or so and THEN have it "exactly" the way you want it..

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And just out of curiosity - unless you were planning on New Year's Eve - HOW could it be just as expensive - or MORE expensive to go then? Isn't that the off-season?

 

[BostonMouse]

It's as expensive or more expensive in Jan. because she can't use the FTP and there are no room only discount codes out yet for Jan. So she's pretty much pricing it at rack rates.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by BostonMouse
It's as expensive or more expensive in Jan. because she can't use the FTP and there are no room only discount codes out yet for Jan. So she's pretty much pricing it at rack rates.

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Well - sure - it would be more expensive if she sticks with the "I-only-want-it-this-way" mind set - but she led people to believe that she was simply looking for a less expensive way to make the trip in "general"..

If she HAS to stay on-site - and HAS to do everything a certain way - then she HAS to find a way to earn more money.. The cost isn't going to change just because she doesn't like what her "must haves" amount to..

 

[lexis53]

I have priced it both ways (including the FTP)....I thought I would have time off of school and work to take advantage.

BUT, I am going to be able to take my entire family for $1900 staying in a rented house and buying PH's for my mom, stepdad, disabled sister, dd and myself. I am spending $495 (since I am going in December) for the house for a week. (Cannot believe the deal!) Thanks to these guys for the suggestion!

I am paying around two hundred a piece for PH's when you figure in DD is going to be 5. They are paying their airfare, and ours (2 seats) will be $300. I did MyPoints for a webbie so I only owe $100 for a minivan for all of us for the week.

If I can pack that much into a budget, pre-food, then I think anyone who wants advice can do more. I'm not even going the truly inexpensive route, either! I could probably save on lodging by pricelining two 2.5* rooms as someone suggested, but I saved by not doing the UPH that comes with the FTP and we get to eat a lot more in the house. DD's souvenirs have been bought with rewards GC's various places. (She is used to a single mom for a parent so she hears "We cannot afford that" often when it is some trinket.)

I haven't budgeted food. I don't yet know who wants to do the character breakfast I promised her. They will have to pay for that if they want to go But we are not big eaters so we (dd and I) will share one of the larger CS meals for lunch.

I appreciate all the tips provided here! The OP might not want to change her itinerary around much, but I appreciate all the tips in this thread!

 

[crisi]

C.Ann

There isn't anything wrong with that. Her vision of a Disney vacation includes staying on site.

If someone told you they could give you a lovely Disney vacation and save you a ton of cash, would you go for it? Sure. How about if they said, "Well, don't buy park hoppers, they are too expensive. So we stay off site. Then we drive in to do the free or cheap things at Disney. We visit the resorts. We go to DTD. We play a round of minature golf. You can see the castle from the CR for free, and to us its just as magical."

My husband and I are spoiled. We won't go to Disney if we don't stay on site in a Queen bed. Which means a Deluxe now that we have kids and we need two beds in a room (we bought DVC, now we get a king and the kids sleep in another room). As important as the attractions are the meals, so our food budget is pretty high. Those things are part of Disney to us. Other people won't go if they can't budget in a character meal or Hoop de Doo or Cirque.

Everyone makes their vacation plans differently and prioritizes things differently. Then many people look for the best deal for what they want.

 

[DMRick]

We won't go to Disney if we don't stay on site in a Queen bed.

And that's fine, if that's what you can afford. The difference was, the OP can't, and may not be able to go, because of that. She came looking for ways to cut costs and still have a vacation..but without making any changes..which none of us realized. She already has the best deal (FTP) as far as what she is looking for. If there is no way to cut that, and she can't pay for it, then the only way to still go on vacation is to lower her expectations. For you the reasoning was simple..if you can't have it, you won't go. I think most of realize that's also the same answer for the OP. As you seem to realize, you can't have it both ways...a cheap Disney vacation, as well as all the perks.

 

[Disneylvr]

Honestly the FTP is the best deal I have seen for onsite in years. If you are going to stay onsite for 7 nights, I can't see you saving more $$$ unless you can be convinced to use Mears and eat all your meals in the room. Maybe instead of trying to cut your costs how about finding ways to make some extra vacation money? There is an excellent thread on this board about eBaying your way to Disney. That is exactly how I am earning my vacation money for our October trip. Good luck to you!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by crisi
C.Ann

There isn't anything wrong with that. Her vision of a Disney vacation includes staying on site.

If someone told you they could give you a lovely Disney vacation and save you a ton of cash, would you go for it? Sure. How about if they said, "Well, don't buy park hoppers, they are too expensive. So we stay off site. Then we drive in to do the free or cheap things at Disney. We visit the resorts. We go to DTD. We play a round of minature golf. You can see the castle from the CR for free, and to us its just as magical."

My husband and I are spoiled. We won't go to Disney if we don't stay on site in a Queen bed. Which means a Deluxe now that we have kids and we need two beds in a room (we bought DVC, now we get a king and the kids sleep in another room). As important as the attractions are the meals, so our food budget is pretty high. Those things are part of Disney to us. Other people won't go if they can't budget in a character meal or Hoop de Doo or Cirque.

Everyone makes their vacation plans differently and prioritizes things differently. Then many people look for the best deal for what they want.

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And that's exactly what I was talking about in my post.. If she won't settle for anything less, the ONLY options she has are those that I mentioned..

She obviously can't afford to take this trip AND have all of her expectations met so why did she even ask? Did she expect someone to wave a magic wand and make all of her "musts" somehow fit within her budget?

She doesn't seem to be very receptive to ANY of the suggestions made here - including working harder to earn the extra money she needs for the "must haves" - so what is it exactly that she wants any of us to do??

 

[BeckWhy]

Y'all are acting like I ain't got no money. I make more than the average person my age. The idea is to CUT COSTS but I don't want any extra stress. Now, do I need to explain what extra stress is?

Besides, you should just stop posting on this cuz I'm not going. Unless something really really bad happens between me and my boyfriend, then I have no reason to go.

Second of all, before you judge me and say I'm not being "receptive" you have to assume, I've figured this trip every way possible, well every way y'all suggest.

 

[mum4jenn]

I ain't got no money

WOW!!! We won't even go there on those "words??"

 

[shelle94]

Y'all are acting like I ain't got no money. I make more than the average person my age. The idea is to CUT COSTS but I don't want any extra stress. Now, do I need to explain what extra stress is?

How rude!

All I have to say is thank you everyone for trying to help this person even though she doesn't appreciate it. Your tips have helped others along the way, so your time is not completely wasted.

Beckwhy, I have read a few of your posts on other boards here at the DIS. Many of them are very rude and your attitude seems uncalled for. People are just trying to help you and you don't even have the common courtesy to say thank you.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by shelle94
How rude!

All I have to say is thank you everyone for trying to help this person even though she doesn't appreciate it. Your tips have helped others along the way, so your time is not completely wasted.

Beckwhy, I have read a few of your posts on other boards here at the DIS. Many of them are very rude and your attitude seems uncalled for. People are just trying to help you and you don't even have the common courtesy to say thank you.

If I might suggest to everyone....

There's a handful of posters here at Disboards (and I'm not naming names!) who seem to either have their rudeness spindals wound too tight, or else they enjoy making waves. Firing back at them in any fashion is like trying to put out a fire with Coleman fuel.

As you said in your first paragraph, this has been an excellent exchange of tips. If the OP doesn't appreciate them (or intended from the start to stir manure to kill early summer boredom), ignore her! The topic is Budget, the post was how to cut costs, and in that respect, I think this post was a winner. Thanks to everyone for great ideas, and thank you to the OP for bringing up the topic.

Pat

 

[meandtheguys]

Regardless of how the OP has reacted I found a great deal of useful information and ideas for future trips ( With our AP's my DH said to plan at least one or maybe 2 more trips this year!...then it may be 2 or 3 years...) I do need to make them at least reasonably cost efficient, however. So thanks for all the different scenarios!

Pat-it tickles me that your little girl is due while I am at the world! She will be recieving pixie dust covered prayers that week!

I really appreciate the helpful attitudes and the work that so many people do to help others on this board. I hope you don't get too discouraged with the occasional bad apple!

Michelle