Need Ideas/Opinions!

[TraderAsh]

Hi there! We are hoping to take a trip to WDW this summer (late July early August). There will be one adult two 17 Year olds, and 2 12 year olds. We are trying to find a way to have the BEST exprience possible on a budget... my limit is $2000 dollars.. 3 people *should* be paying for their own 4 day park hopper. so that limit should only include two hoppers, hotel arrangements, gas to go to florida (only 4 hours) and dining for 5. I need reccomendations for a great hotel at a low price (we apply for a dolphin teacher discount) and some great low priced restraunts and maybe a few nicer places that are affordable... heck maybe even a splurge or two. but If I can reach below my limit of $2000 it would be GREAT! any other reactions would behighly apprecited... thank you SOOO much!! - Ashton

 

[tcfdick]

Have you found out the cost for the Swan/Dolphin yet? If you go through Priceline or Tavelocity, you might be better off than using the government/teacher/nurse rate. You could also look into saving money by getting two rooms at a value resort or going to an off-site motel. Are you going to stay 4 or 5 nights? I would stick to counter service restaurants and bring breakfast foods and snacks with me to save on food costs. You might be able to do one character meal if your kids want to do that, but it's not the most important event for my kids. They can see all the characters they want for free in the parks and aren't much into getting close and personal with the characters (my son is 11 and my daughter is 18). They do like to go to Sci-Fi Diner and Prime Time and both are table service restaurants. They like the food and the decor. I would also bring a Brita Water Bottle to filter out the bad tasting water instead of buying the water in the park. That will save $$$. Most of your budget will be devoted to tickets, room, and food.
Room: 5 days = $500-600
Tickets-2 @ $200 = $400
Food- 5 days @ $150 = $750 (you could do this cheaper with breakfast in room and counter restaurants)
Souveniers/gas for car - $250
Total - $2000

I think you can go and have a great time on your budget of $2000! Have fun!

 

[TraderAsh]

Sounds like a good start... we'll be staying five nights the gang is mostly teenagers/tweens... we always do breakfast in room wherever we go so thats no biggy. I think 1 counter service and 1 table service meal a day would be nice.. maybe we can skip that in the Magic kingdom since there seems to be a lack of table service places there. Dolphin is something like $139 a night plus tax and a $10 a night fee. We have never stayed at a disney resort and would really like to stay at one and the dolphin seems attainable... but im certainly open to anything else anyone can think of that would be as fun/exciting but cheaper. I don't know a whole lot about the all stars/pop century resorts quality wise but I hear the dolphin is wonderfull (especialy to those of us who havent stayed at a really nice place in a LONG time) I also hear some off property resorts are nice but the idea of staying on is appealing. This is how we are celebrating birthdays that have occured all year too... sort of an all inclusive Birthday present so I want it to be special!

 

[Denmage]

With 5 people (no toddlers or babies), I would recommend getting a Disney Vacation Club villa. If you look on the DVC Rent/Trade forum on DISboards you will find many people who want to rent points. If you shop around a bit it really isn't that expensive to get a one or two bedroom villa. At least it beats having to pay for two rooms, IMHO.

Good Luck,

Denis