New Here, Need Help

[sunnymommy]

We are planning a family trip to Disney in October...We have lots of factors at play here so bear with me.
My husband and I are going down on Sept 30 with our four children (1, 3, 5, 11) We want to spend Oct 1, 2, 3 at SeaWorld and Universal on site at Universal. We want to then go to Disney and stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah view room with bunk beds. My question is....how do I do this the least expensively...AAA? AP? Double secret codes? I know this is the best place for advice so please help!!!
Sunnymommy

 

[lucincia]

Reserve it now with AAA code, room only ressie. Then, when AP codes come out later in the summer / early fall, you can see what is better. You can buy your AP and tickets then and apply the discount to the room ressie. That's how we're doing it. So someone correct us if I am wrong

And of course, you can try to win lottery. That would be the cheapest way!

 

[sunnymommy]

OK, Duh...we will be leaving DW on October 9th. I am sure that information will help.
Sunnymommy

 

[sunnymommy]

Thanks luci!!! (couldn't remember the rest of your name) You are quick!!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

If you check into the AKL by Oct 4, your entire stay will be billed at the "value season" rate. If you check in on Oct 5 or later, you will begin your stay during "regular season". The difference in rack rates between the seasons is $40/night (regular season costs more)!

I agree that you should reserve a room at the AAA rate as soon as you know your dates (if you're a member). You wil save 10%-15% off the rack rate, depending on whether it's regular season or value season.

AP rates are not a sure thing. And AKL is one of the first deluxes to run out of AP rooms since it is one of the least expensive deluxes. You may not be able to get an AP rate for your stay, so hold off purchasing an AP until you're assured that you have a discounted room. Right now, Disney does not require that you have an active AP in order to reserve a room at the AP rate. They don't even require that you have an AP voucher. They may eventually close that loophole since there were fewer AP rooms made available this last time around and some current AP holders were not pleased.

It looks like you'll have between 5 and 6 days to spend in WDW, depending on when you arrive and what time you will depart on your last day. I would recommend getting 6-day MYW hopper passes (expiry) at one of the ticket brokers. The price difference between a 4-day and 6-day is only about $6 per adult pass. Even if you only visit the parks for a few hours on your first and last days, that extra $6 is worth the added expense IMO.

Other cost-cutter would include eating bringing breakfast foods that you can enjoy in your room and some snacks for in the parks. Eat a large, late lunch in a sitdown restaurant if your children can wait until after 1pm. Lunch is generally less expensive than dinner. It has smaller portions but often the same menu items are featured for both meals. Share platters from the counterservice restaurants. Your 1yo will dine for free.