Not doing too well with budget.. any input

[summer33ny]

My fiancee and I are recently out of school and working low paying jobs We have free airline vouchers that were rewarded to us for giving up our seats on an overbooked flight from Miami last year.. and we were hoping that we can use them for a trip to Disney World for our birthdays (we're a day apart!). It turns out Disney is a lot more expensive that we had anticipated. We are on a very tight budget.. but we also want to be able to have an enjoyable time or else it's just not worth us going. I have been doing a great deal of research and this is our expenses so far for a 5 day 4 nite trip in early December:

airfare: not an issue. This is covered by our free vouchers!

hotel: $77.88/nt (around $350 total) I found two nice villas with generally good reviews off of the hotelkingdom.com website. Both include a complimentary full breakfast buffet and shuttle service to the parks. One is in Lake Buena Vista and the other is near I-Drive in the Universal area. I don't know which park we will be spending more time in.
I considered using Priceline for a 3* hotel where rates generally go for around $40/nite. However, there is a good chance that we will end up at a hotel that does not offer a complimentary breakfast or shuttle service. Therefore, it may not turn out be to be such a great value as we may have to factor in the additional cost of breakfast everyday and a rental car. We're not willing to stay at anything less than a 3*. We don't want a dump!

Park Tickets: $385pp. We felt that the annual pass (with blackout dates) to Universal and Island of Adventure would best suit us. The price is $109.95pp and is only $10 more than the 14 consecutive day pass which expires. We're hoping that we might be able to make another trip and get more use out of this pass.
We also thought that the 5-day Disney Hopper PLUS Pass for $259 was the best value. Not that we necessarily need 5 days, but we can get use out of the two free nites to Pleasure Island and we're hoping that whatever days we have leftover can be used for a future trip.

Rental Car: $140. This is something that we can probably do without... especially considering that we are 24 and are going to be hit with young renters fees. We heard that transportation from the airport to hotel can be quite expensive so that it may pay to get a rental car. I'm not too sure how reliable hotel shuttle busses are to the theme parks...plus we would like to explore the area on our own and come an go in the theme parks as we please.

Extra Expenses: $400. We don't plan on going crazy spending.. but eating out and going out at night and other expenses will probably put us close to this range.


This puts our total at $1660!!! This is a little bit more than we can afford! But we also have to keep in mind that leftover days can always be used for a second trip! Does anyone have any other suggestions on ways we can save? I know the basics like cooking rather than eating out (that's why we're choosing a villa with a kitchen).. but if there are any others you can think of let me know. Does it pay to get a car? Or are there other cheaper ways of exploring the area? Any ideas about cutting corners will help.. or else it looks like we're not going Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[jann1033]

sorry don't know about the car. imo on property it does not pay but only stayed off once and had a car. however did you remember to add parking the car if you don't use the shuttle ( think it's $8 a day at wdw) $400 for meals if you have a free breakfast and plan to cook in seems like a lot, we use about that without cooking in so you might be able to trim a little there . i think 1600 for a wdw trip including passes isn't bad and don't see a whole lot you could cut out unless you wait to visit universal till you go again when you won't have to buy wdw passes ( or vice versa but i don't think i would go to universal for 5 days) and spend one of your days at the pool or resort hopping or something or use a plus for a waterpark if it's nice enough

 

[sarahsmom73]

Did you go on the disney world website? You could stay in a value resort for $61 per day with thier fall holiday package.. You wouldn't need a car that way... ($68 savings)

When we went in April, we packed breakfast and snack foods (nutirgrain bars etc).. So we did breakfast usually on the run. We usually returned to our hotel for lunch and naps and were able to get a boxed lunch with a sandwich and fruit rleatively cheap... We did budget for a couple of more expensive dinners but you could do counterservice or eat little things around the World showcase.

If you join the Hotwire savings club (It's free for the first 30 days and then cancel) you could get 5 day park hopper plus tickets for $248.27. (4 day are 208.96)

If you used FL tours and were picked up at the airport (you get a free grocery stop ) it would cost you $100 with the online coupon. It is worth not having to drive IMHO... (so there is $40)

I'll keep thinking....

 

[ricktib]

You can get much better hotel rates through hotwire.com. And for even more savings drop the Universal tickets - you won't need them!

 

[summer33ny]

Thanks everyone for responding! I realize that I don't leave much room for flexibility. I definitly want to go to Universal. That was the highlight of my vacation last time I went 8 yrs ago. I was told that Islands of Adenture was a must... but I guess that's subjective. I am not a huge Magic Kingdom fan...but I don't think you can go to Orlando without going there. And considering my fiancee hasn't been there, I think it's important for him to see everything. The good point is that we probably won't use all our days.. so that we may be able to go back in the future. However, this is probably far down the road and doesn't help us with our current situation now. $400 probably is a lot in spending money, but this is how much we will bring and HOPEFULLY it won't all be used. I've learned that I usually spend a lot more than I think I will, so I always want to be on the safe side. Maybe we will do away with the rental car or only hire one for a day or two out of the weekend. The rental car is actually a small expensive in the whole scheme of things. $100 is a lot for transportation to and from the aiport! Did I understand that correctly? May be more convenient to get a car then?!
To the previous poster: where did you find better hotel deals on Hotwire??? I didn't find any prices lower than $80 for a decent hotel and I have no way of knowing whether those hotels offer free breakfasts, etc. This is why I thought the villas for $77 were a good deal and they include kitchens so we can prepare some of our own meals. Although we did want to go on this vacation for our birthdays.. we would be willing to wait. Does anyone know if rates are lower at certain times during the year??? Thanks to all for your advice!

 

[ceecee]

Try a value resort (Perfect for two people and they are still clean and nice in my opinion). Then drop the rental car. Maybe have bagels or something in the room for breakfast.
Maybe you could get by with 4 day hoppers or do Universal another time, that would save some on tickets as well. $400.00 seems high if you want to only buy one or two meals out and don't plan on getting souviners.

 

[hockey mom]

Can you ask family members for Disney dollars for both of your birthdays or do some major hinting

 

[year2late]

If you are going for budget and plan on having a car, priceline could give you pheomenally better deals on the hotel and car.

I do priceline all the time for our frequent Disneyland trips and have yet to have a bad experience with the car or rhe hotel.

 

[ricktib]

Originally posted by summer33ny
To the previous poster: where did you find better hotel deals on Hotwire???

I just ran 5 random Oct. nights thru hotwire and found 2 with comp. breakfast under $32. (I haven't gotten a bad hotel from them yet - even the 1 and 2 stars). If you do go thru hotwire, you may have to pay the room tax upon check-in.

I don't know anything about shuttle service to/from parks, but if you get that rental, it's (as Joey from 'Friends' would say) a 'moo point'. "it's like a cow's opinion - it doesn't matter."

 

[Local_Girl]

You might try Skyauction for your lodging...there is availability showing for the Ready Set Go auctions in early Dec. at several resorts. You get 7 nights (full week) of accomodations, but you don't have to stay the full time...and you'd still come out ahead. The RSG auctions usually go for around $50 and with the additional fees of $195 + $15 ($210 total), that brings your total bid + fees to $260 or so for 7 nights accomodations. Can't be beat, IMHO. You could do a search on the DIS Orlando Hotels board for more info.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by summer33ny
Park Tickets: $385pp. We felt that the annual pass (with blackout dates) to Universal and Island of Adventure would best suit us. The price is $109.95pp and is only $10 more than the 14 consecutive day pass which expires. We're hoping that we might be able to make another trip and get more use out of this pass.
We also thought that the 5-day Disney Hopper PLUS Pass for $259 was the best value. Not that we necessarily need 5 days, but we can get use out of the two free nites to Pleasure Island and we're hoping that whatever days we have leftover can be used for a future trip.

Rental Car: $140. This is something that we can probably do without... especially considering that we are 24 and are going to be hit with young renters fees. We heard that transportation from the airport to hotel can be quite expensive so that it may pay to get a rental car. I'm not too sure how reliable hotel shuttle busses are to the theme parks...plus we would like to explore the area on our own and come an go in the theme parks as we please.

Extra Expenses: $400. We don't plan on going crazy spending.. but eating out and going out at night and other expenses will probably put us close to this range.


This puts our total at $1660!!! This is a little bit more than we can afford! But we also have to keep in mind that leftover days can always be used for a second trip! Does anyone have any other suggestions on ways we can save? I know the basics like cooking rather than eating out (that's why we're choosing a villa with a kitchen).. but if there are any others you can think of let me know. Does it pay to get a car? Or are there other cheaper ways of exploring the area? Any ideas about cutting corners will help.. or else it looks like we're not going Thanks for any suggestions!

=============================================

In regards to park passes. You say "We're hoping that we might be able to make another trip and get more use out of this pass." While I understand you are looking at future savings, this may not be the best for your budget this trip. Consider purchasing the passes you will need for this trip alone. If you're not going to go to all 4 WDW parks and the waterparks, you might want to only buy one day/one park tickets for MK and passes to PI if that's all you think you'll be doing this trip.

Most hotels offer shuttle service. If you're in doubt, give them a call to be sure. The hotel my mom stayed at didn't mention shuttle service to AK in her docs from the travel agent. I called, checked online and she called verifying that they did indeed run a shuttle to AK. A hotel shuttle also picked them up and dropped them off at the airport.

Figure $100/day to cover food and other expenditures like souvenirs and snacks. This worked well for us, a family of 3. If we had money leftover at the end of the day it was carried over to the next day and added to the amount we could spend for that day. I had $1000 on hand for 7 nights and came home with about $150, which paid for one-hour photo processing when we got back.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I suggest you plan on spending most of your time at Universal on this trip. If you want to see Disney, buy a one day pass (at the front gate). Maybe by the next trip you'll be better able to afford those expensive hopper passes. Even though they are a better value than a one day, right now you can't afford them.

If you want a rental car, try staying at a less expensive hotel. If you find something on ValueTrips or HotelKingdom for $50 or less, that leaves you with $27+ to spend on breakfast. There's several all-you-can eat buffets around which are cheap. Or keep protein bars/ cereal bars in your room for a quick breakfast and then eat a brunch and dinner in the park. Personally, I would want the car because I don't like the loss of freedom I feel without it.

Without a car, take a taxi to and from the airport and stay on I-drive. Take advantage of the trolley which goes around the area. It's only $ .75 per person each way or buy a 5 day pass for a couple of dollars.

At Universal you can save 10% on your meals (anyplace but a food cart) with an AAA card. Also 10% off gifts.

Hope this helps. I think the biggest budget buster for a Disney trip are the tickets! Universal just seems to be more affordable.

 

[jann1033]

we got rooms at pop century last jan for 50( we used an ap but the difference was only 5 a night.) there was a code for the fall...check www.mousesavers.com and see if it is still in effect. then you could just rent the car for hotel ? airport trips( someone posted they got it for 25 hrs for under $30 each day so that would save you about $80) unless you eat a ton for breakfast it might me worth your while..you can get ayce breakfast for 10 at Trailsend and Wc pr less than that at the food courts (not ayce) so that is stilll no more than the villa. unless you plan to cook, you could take sandwich stuff and live on that or get some q/c vouchers ( connection vouchers on budget board)

other option why not just go for a long weekend? it would be plenty of time for universal and you could do wdw another time? that would save a lot in tickets, hotels, food and if you are staying at universal( heard they have some good deals but never checked myself) you might be able to go carless

 

[Kevenswife2]

With an Orlando Magicard:

Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista (Palm Prky) $39
Microwave, coffee maker, fridge, complimentary breakfast and theme park transportation.

Comfort Inn Orlando (Turkey Lake Rd) $52
One room suite w/ microwave, fridge, coffee maker, breakfast, shuttle to Universal.

Grosvenor Resort in WDW $59
Transportation to Disney

Holiday Inn Express (I-Drive) $54.95
Breakfast, transportation to Disney.

La Quinta Lakeside $45
Full service 3-diamond hotel with three restaurants. Free shuttle to Disney.

Quality Suites Universal (Canada Ave) $59
Newly renovated one-bedroom suites. Free full hot breakfast, scheduled shuttle to theme parks.

These are just a few which are listed. With it being just the two of you I think you can eat out almost as cheaply as cooking in your room.

Check orlandoinfo.com/specialoffers for online, last minute deals.

 

[crazelion]

I won't do IOA and US I would stay somewhere on close to US. Some hotels is walking distance from the parking garage US. As matter you may want check US and IOA on this site to get more information which hotels is close.

I would start a change jar to. If stay offsite you will have many food places to choose from buffets to fast food places.

IOA has the best ride in town called the Spiderman is not to be miss.

Christmas is coming around have thought about getting a seasonal job to pay for the trip.

I understand completely about having a low paying job. I work 2 jobs to make a living.

 

[Kevenswife2]

Try the Budget Planner at Go2Orlando.com. You put in your dates and number of people. It will give you a low-high expense range for your trip. Then you put in how much you have to spend, whether you need a car or shuttle, hotel info, meal info, park tickets needed, and money amount for extras and it will tell you whether you're over or under budget. I just discovered this and think it's kind of neat. Of course it doesn't take into account car rental codes and coupons you may have, but it gives you an idea.

You're about the age of my oldest daughter and I want to see you be able to go! It's so much fun in Orlando!

Go2Orlando.com
Budget Planner is across the top.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

If the cost right now is the issue, this is what I would do re. tickets. Considering there are no children going, I think Universal is a must do. So is Magic Kingdom, just because that's where the magic lives.

I would get two day tickets to Universal/IOA (way, way cool park!). What's that, maybe $220?

Cut back on the WDW hoppers a bit. I understand your strategy in purchasing the hoppers and saving unused days for later, that is the same way we do it. However, if it comes down to affording to go or not, I'd trim the tickets down to only what I'd need now. Or maybe reschedule the trip for a few months down the road.

Between now and your trip, forego some of your usual entertainment. Instead, put the money you normally spend in a designated place to be used only for your trip. You won't feel deprived because you'll know you're making your trip that much more fun by saving a little more here and there.

Have a great time!