New to board & Disney - help please!!

[MilitaryMommy]

Hi everyone - trying to talk my husband into a trip in late October with our three kids. At that time they'll be 5, 3 1/2 and 1 1/2. It'll be about 3-5 days before we go over to Cape Canaveral for a Carnival cruise. We'll be flying down from Virginia to Orlando and then driving over to the cruise site, and I wanted to make the most of it and do some Disney. I had no idea of all the options and costs and planning that would go into it. We are on a very tight military budget. Can any of you experienced Disney-goers please help me sort it all out, and quickly?? Thanks!

 

[canwegosoon]

Ok...first of all welcome to the DIsboards :welcome

You are 2A, 2C, and an infant(your infant is NC for tickets or dining plan) so if you need Disney accomodations, you can technically stay anywhere(value-Deluxe, you can also stay at Shades of Green if your have military status).

POP Package:
Oct 19th-23rd(didn't know your dates) Value room, Tickets and Dining plan 1600.12

same room/time/tickets-but no dining $1208.00

Room only:441.60 plus tickets 1179.60($738 for 4 day with 2 plusses) or 1137.60 (696 for 3 day no plusses) (tickets are from Undercover tourist). You would be responsible for food(I guess you could do it for 75 a day if you stick to counter service primairly)

SOG: please call and check price or use www.dreamsunlimited.com to get a price...No charge.

Good luck, you can usually get a better deal doing things seperatly-but if a code comes out Dreams unlimited will rebook for you.

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis

 

[MilitaryMommy]

Thank you, and whoa! I never dreamed in a million years it would be so expensive!! Oh, my goodness. Please tell me it would be worth every penny??

 

[CA Disney Fans]

Thank you, and whoa! I never dreamed in a million years it would be so expensive!! Oh, my goodness. Please tell me it would be worth every penny??

Welcome to DIS! It's definitely worth every penny...that's why we keep going back. To see our DS's reaction to everything is priceless and he's 10.

 

[torinsmom]

You could cut the cost some by staying offsite, since you already have a car. You can find a decent hotel with free breakfast for $50 or under per night vs. around $100 per night for a value resort. And if you bring in snacks and drinks to the park, you can cut out some more expense.


Adult tickets(3 day base)--$202 x 2=$404

Child tickets--$164 x 2= $328

Total--$732 tickets


OR you could buy non-expiring tickets for slightly more and save the extra days for another trip in a few years. Definitely cheaper than buying the $732 tickets AGAIN.

Adult tickets(6 day non-expiring)--$252 x 2= $504

Childs ticket--$214 x 2= $428

Total =$932

Even more days = more value and when you go back, you would just have to buy a ticket for your youngest if he is over three at that time.

It is definitely worth it! We went in March and are going back in October. Great time to go too!

Marsha

 

[smellyann]

It's me, fka MilitaryMommy.

We decided to go!!! And 2 seconds after we agreed not to tell the kids, I screamed it out loud and told them anyway! So now we have to figure out all the arrangements and hope they forget about it by October! Woohoo!

 

[laura001]

WElcome to DISboards!!!

Good Luck on your planning....what about SOG? I am not sure how the discounts work for there but I believe they are good.

You didn't mention when you were going, perhaps you could take advantage of the the Free Dining in August and September?

 

[amathieu]

i would stay at shades of green. i've stayed there before and it's great. the park passes there are cheaper too.

 

[sschro3]

Welcome to the DIS
Glad to hear that you decided to go to Disney. It can be really expensive, but I think it is worth it. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[honeybee30]

Welcome MilitaryMommy!

This forum is the best place to start your planning. Allearsnet.com is also one of my favorite resources.

Disney World is sooo worth the expense! The only thing you have to worry about is becoming a disney addict like the rest of us!