Onsite vs off-site? Budget First Time trip for 4 Disney adults

[elaine amj]

Close friends of mine are going to Disney World for their first (and likely only) trip. They want to go Thanksgiving Week and would like to keep it as budget as possible (while willing to pay a bit more "if it's worth it"). They have a 10 yr old DS and a 14 yr old DD so 4 Disney adults. They came to me for advice - length of trip, best deals, etc.

I am thinking 4-6 WDW park days + 2 Universal days (for the DD). They are budget-oriented and would be fine in a Value and not interested in food experiences (they eat very light normally anyways and don't do soda or desserts plus the DD has egg and nut allergies). Neither parent has any interest in Disney but want to give their kids their one-time childhood trip to Disney - they are feeling the pressure now to do it this year since their kids are growing older quickly.

At first I told them to go a couple of days early for free QSDP. But a quick look at prices is shocking me LOL (I've also been looking for myself in 2016 and am still gasping). I haven't done a WDW package trip since 2012 as my last couple of trips have been short visits offsite.

Please check out what I'm offering as options and give me the heads up if there are better options.

***EDIT - adjusting calculations based new dates of Aug 29 - Sep 3***
Onsite at All Star Sports (or Music) with QSDP, 5 nights (Aug 29 - Sep 3)
4 day + WPF&M
Food - free QSDP
Total: $2119.96 (2 nights less + switch to Value Season so $800 cheaper - Yay!)

Offsite at a nearby hotel with free breakfast, 5 nights (Aug 29 - Sep 3): $300
4 day base from UT: $1287.80
Food - Free breakfast + pack own food - $50 x 5 days: $250
Parking - $17 x 6 days: $68
Driving so no car rental needed
TOTAL: $1905.80

I was also considering what they would lose not staying on-site. I don't think they will mind the driving (they might prefer it). As for FP+, they may not need the 60-day advantage since they are not interested in A&E (probably not characters in general) and I don't see 7DMT being a must-do for them (they could do it at RD anyway). They are fine getting up early and doing mostly RD. I think the other FP+ should be manageable at 30 days out?

As for Universal, I told them onsite for 1 night is the only way to do it LOL!

Any suggestions/tips for my friends? The Dad would feel much better with not spending more than he has to. This is their first ever "big" family vacation and they rarely travel as a family.

 

[ICF]

I just looked on UT and 6 day ph tix were 1595.

Also, what hotel did you find offsite for $60 night after taxes?

 

[elaine amj]

I just looked on UT and 6 day ph tix were 1595.

Also, what hotel did you find offsite for $60 night after taxes?

Oops - meant to say 6 day base tickets as they don't need hoppers (priced them out as hoppers for the free dining pkg). Thanks so much for checking my math!

I bought a 1-week stay cert they can use at a nearby 3-star a while back that I would be willing to pass on to them if it works out to be a better deal for them. If the other way works better, I can keep my cert and use it for other trips (we travel a lot).

 

[sksjasams]

What if they did 6 nights at a value with a room only discount like AAA?
Really, the 4(5) day base ticket from UT would be plenty. It would give them one day at each park, and then they could do a day at downtown disney, or go back to their fav park.
I think your food budget is too low for 4 people...it would be "worth" it to up that a bit. Esp since they rarely vacation.

 

[stsomewhere]

$50 a day is ws too low for food for four people.

 

[elaine amj]

What if they did 6 nights at a value with a room only discount like AAA?
Really, the 4(5) day base ticket from UT would be plenty. It would give them one day at each park, and then they could do a day at downtown disney, or go back to their fav park.
I think your food budget is too low for 4 people...it would be "worth" it to up that a bit. Esp since they rarely vacation.

This was a good scenario to consider. I added it to my original post. No discount codes right now that I can find available for a November trip though.

 

[elaine amj]

$50 a day is ws too low for food for four people.

It is very low - but I know these folks will pack it in rather than pay the crazy prices of theme park food for that length of time. They like eating healthy (daughter is a very serious athlete in training year-round) plus value is important for them. They aren't big on the "fancy" healthy food found in the parks either and they will not like eating out constantly. The parents don't even like desserts (too sweet) but will allow their kids occasional treats. At first I was going to give a "low" budget of $60-$100/day (which is what our family would do) but then I thought a lot more about this family and their travelling style (I've gone on a short trip with them before and we eat together very often) and they would eat differently from my family.

 

[robinb]

You have not budgeted nearly enough money for food ... $50 per day is not enough even for 4 light eaters. That will barely cover one CS meal with NO dessert and NO soda as CS entrees are now approximately $10 each. Maybe they'll share or maybe they'll buy kids meals, but I wouldn't want to budget on that since they really won't know how they will eat until they get there. Plus, you have to budget for 7-8 days since you have to also budget for the 21st and the 28th (at least 50% for those days). They could plan on some super-cheap offsite food (like 2 footlong subs at Subway for $16 and chips from Publix or Cici's pizza). I would double it to $25 per person per day. That will cover 2 CS meals with water and one snack per day.

I also think your car rental estimate is low. I just plugged in those dates and a Compact car from Dollar is $237.00.

Here is your new offsite total:

Offsite at a nearby hotel with free breakfast, 7 nights (Nov 21 - 28): $420
6 day base from UT: $1339.80
Food - Free breakfast + lunch & dinner @ $100 x 7 days (50% on arrival & departure): $700
Parking - $17 x 6 days: $102
Car rental: $237
TOTAL: $2798

If they can go earlier, I think it's a no brainer for them to grab onto free dining for less than $35 more. I would also suggest they get the WP&M instead of the hopper.

 

[kymom99]

Close friends of mine are going to Disney World for their first (and likely only) trip. They want to go Thanksgiving Week and would like to keep it as budget as possible (while willing to pay a bit more "if it's worth it"). They have a 10 yr old DS and a 14 yr old DD so 4 Disney adults. They came to me for advice - length of trip, best deals, etc.

I am thinking 4-6 WDW park days + 2 Universal days (for the DD). They are budget-oriented and would be fine in a Value and not interested in food experiences (they eat very light normally anyways and don't do soda or desserts plus the DD has egg and nut allergies). Neither parent has any interest in Disney but want to give their kids their one-time childhood trip to Disney - they are feeling the pressure now to do it this year since their kids are growing older quickly.

At first I told them to go a couple of days early for free QSDP. But a quick look at prices is shocking me LOL (I've also been looking for myself in 2016 and am still gasping). I haven't done a WDW package trip since 2012 as my last couple of trips have been short visits offsite.

Please check out what I'm offering as options and give me the heads up if there are better options.

Onsite at All Star Sports (or Music) with QSDP, 7 nights (Nov 19 - 26): $1175
6 day hoppers - $1657.16 (hoppers OR WPF&M are now required for free dining)
Food - free QSDP
Total: $2832.16

Offsite at a nearby hotel with free breakfast, 7 nights (Nov 21 - 28): $420
6 day base from UT: $1339.80
Food - Free breakfast + eat light & cheap - $50 x 6 days: $300
Parking - $17 x 6 days: $102
Car rental: $150
TOTAL: $2311.80

Added another scenario based on sksjasam's suggestion (Thanks!)
Onsite at All Star Sports (ORBITZ), 6 nights (Nov 21 - 26):$936.60
5 day base from UT: $1287.80
Food - Free breakfast + eat light & cheap - $50 x 5 days: $250
Parking - $17 x 5 days: $85
Car rental: $150
TOTAL: $2709.40

I was also considering what they would lose not staying on-site. I don't think they will mind the driving (they might prefer it). As for FP+, they may not need the 60-day advantage since they are not interested in A&E (probably not characters in general) and I don't see 7DMT being a must-do for them (they could do it at RD anyway). They are fine getting up early and doing mostly RD. I think the other FP+ should be manageable at 30 days out?

As for Universal, I told them onsite for 1 night is the only way to do it LOL!

Any suggestions/tips for my friends? The Dad would feel much better with not spending more than he has to. This is their first ever "big" family vacation and they rarely travel as a family.

On the 3rd scenario, they will not need parking, but they also won't get free breakfast. I assume they also wouldn't need the car if staying onsite, since you didn't allow for it in the first scenario. How are they getting there? Flying?

 

[AuntTink]

DVC Animal Kingdom Value Studio Rental from David's DVC Rental - 6 nights(nov 22- Nov 28) $952
5 day base from UT $1287.80
eat light and cheap $55 * 5 = $275
no parking
no car rental

 

[AuntTink]

Sorry, I just checked availability of the value studio and it is unavailable that week.

 

[robinb]

DVC Animal Kingdom Value Studio Rental from David's DVC Rental - 6 nights(nov 22- Nov 28) $952
5 day base from UT $1287.80
eat light and cheap $55 * 5 = $275
no parking
no car rental

Did you check those dates before you posted that? A value studio is sold out for every day 11/22-11/28. (whoops! We were looking at the same time ) An SSR studio is currently available for 94 vacation points or $1316 at David's.

 

[Marionnette]

Close friends of mine are going to Disney World for their first (and likely only) trip. They want to go Thanksgiving Week and would like to keep it as budget as possible (while willing to pay a bit more "if it's worth it"). They have a 10 yr old DS and a 14 yr old DD so 4 Disney adults. They came to me for advice - length of trip, best deals, etc.

I am thinking 4-6 WDW park days + 2 Universal days (for the DD). They are budget-oriented and would be fine in a Value and not interested in food experiences (they eat very light normally anyways and don't do soda or desserts plus the DD has egg and nut allergies). Neither parent has any interest in Disney but want to give their kids their one-time childhood trip to Disney - they are feeling the pressure now to do it this year since their kids are growing older quickly.

At first I told them to go a couple of days early for free QSDP. But a quick look at prices is shocking me LOL (I've also been looking for myself in 2016 and am still gasping). I haven't done a WDW package trip since 2012 as my last couple of trips have been short visits offsite.

Please check out what I'm offering as options and give me the heads up if there are better options.

Onsite at All Star Sports (or Music) with QSDP, 7 nights (Nov 19 - 26): $1175
6 day hoppers - $1657.16 (hoppers OR WPF&M are now required for free dining)
Food - free QSDP
Total: $2832.16

Offsite at a nearby hotel with free breakfast, 7 nights (Nov 21 - 28): $420
6 day base from UT: $1339.80
Food - Free breakfast + eat light & cheap - $50 x 6 days: $300
Parking - $17 x 6 days: $102
Car rental: $150
TOTAL: $2311.80

Added another scenario based on sksjasam's suggestion (Thanks!)
Onsite at All Star Sports (ORBITZ), 6 nights (Nov 21 - 26):$936.60
5 day base from UT: $1287.80
Food - Free breakfast + eat light & cheap - $50 x 5 days: $250
Parking - $17 x 5 days: $85
Car rental: $150
TOTAL: $2709.40

I was also considering what they would lose not staying on-site. I don't think they will mind the driving (they might prefer it). As for FP+, they may not need the 60-day advantage since they are not interested in A&E (probably not characters in general) and I don't see 7DMT being a must-do for them (they could do it at RD anyway). They are fine getting up early and doing mostly RD. I think the other FP+ should be manageable at 30 days out?

As for Universal, I told them onsite for 1 night is the only way to do it LOL!

Any suggestions/tips for my friends? The Dad would feel much better with not spending more than he has to. This is their first ever "big" family vacation and they rarely travel as a family.

Your first option begins before Thanksgiving Week. I understand that you've done that scenario because *Free* Dining ends after 11/19 and doesn't resume until mid-December. But the family you're doing this for might not be aware of this and they may also have issues with removing the kids from school for a vacation. Make sure that they are aware of the restrictions on dates and resort availability when you present them with this option.

The second option is way too low on the food budget. Light + cheap does not equate to healthy eating unless they are bringing their own food into the parks each day. Cheap food at Disney is pretty much devoid of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins. Heck, one piece of fruit will cost you $2! I don't think that $50/day for 4 people is realistic, even if they are light eaters. I also feel that your car rental price is a low-ball estimate when you consider that they will be traveling during a holiday period.

The problem with the 3rd option has been pointed out by a PP - they will not get free breakfast with an onsite stay. Not only that, but they would not have access to a kitchenette in order to prepare light, healthy meals for themselves to take into the parks. They would not need the rental car but if they did get one, they would not have to pay for parking.

 

[robinb]

One other option is for them to book a condo or timeshare. Even with it being Thanksgiving week I don't think a 2-bedroom will cost more than $500. With a condo or timeshare they will have a full kitchen to cook what they want with the ingredients that they know and trust. They can prepare lunches to carry in and cook dinner at night. They can even arrange to get a pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner that they can finish back in their condo.

 

[scrapquitler]

How about an option that includes a condo/home so they have access to a kitchen. Then they can eat breakfast in the room, QS or bring lunch, then eat at the condo/home for dinner. it would likely be less expensive than staying in a value, and the food budget would be lower, and they could fit their food preferences and needs with the allergy more easily.

 

[elaine amj]

Thanks everyone, I discussed the options with my friends and they went over the schedule again. They have decided since they will have to pull their kids out from school regardless, they will go Labor Day week. Prices for onsite are MUCH more reasonable!

They have decided to drive down to save on airfare. Right now, they are looking at staying onsite at Sports or Music. He just emailed her and we are waiting for a quote from my favorite travel agent.

To reduce prices, they are cutting down the trip to 4 nights at Disney with 4 park days and then 2 nights at Universal Studios.

 

[robinb]

How about an option that includes a condo/home so they have access to a kitchen. Then they can eat breakfast in the room, QS or bring lunch, then eat at the condo/home for dinner. it would likely be less expensive than staying in a value, and the food budget would be lower, and they could fit their food preferences and needs with the allergy more easily.

Jinx!

 

[elaine amj]

One other option is for them to book a condo or timeshare. Even with it being Thanksgiving week I don't think a 2-bedroom will cost more than $500. With a condo or timeshare they will have a full kitchen to cook what they want with the ingredients that they know and trust. They can prepare lunches to carry in and cook dinner at night. They can even arrange to get a pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner that they can finish back in their condo.

LOL - thanks robinb and scrapquitler!
I'm going to run some numbers with a condo rental. Their last trip I helped them get a room at a Towneplace Suite for super cheap and they really liked it. It does help that they are changing their dates to end of August. Perhaps an onsite Universal stay won't even be necessary?

Like I said above, he's going to send me the quote from the travel agent and I will review it with him. They are very good friends who rarely get to vacation. At first, I just referred him to a couple of sites but he's asked me for more detailed help so here I am crunching numbers

As for car rental numbers, yes $150 is very low...but I'm good (and persistent) at hunting for codes and continually rechecking so I feel I could get close to it. Moot point anyway since they are driving now(rather relieved I don't have to stalk for good rates lol)

I am finding it a little sad that my old standby assurance that free dining at a Value for a family of 4 (particularly Disney adults) was the absolute cheapest way to go.

 

[scrapquitler]

I am finding it a little sad that my old standby assurance that free dining at a Value for a family of 4 (particularly Disney adults) was the absolute cheapest way to go.

I don't think free dining is a good deal (at least not for my family). We just got back from a 6 day trip, and our family of 3 spent less than $800 for food & Alcohol during our trip. Free dining would have meant a more expensive room (since you have to pay rack rate, unless I understand wrong) and we don't eat that many meals (plus our 12 year old eats child menu items rather than adult ones) And now that you have to buy hopper tickets or WP&M....it's just not worth it, at least for us.

 

[robinb]

I am finding it a little sad that my old standby assurance that free dining at a Value for a family of 4 (particularly Disney adults) was the absolute cheapest way to go.

I would say that you are still probably right for a family of 4 staying at a Value or Moderate.

I ran the numbers for your friend's stay 9/5 - 9/11.

7-Days at the Summer Rate at All Star Sports with a 4-day base ticket is $1948. The "free dining" promo at the same resort with a 4-day base ticket with WP&M and is $2351. That's a difference of $403. I would ask myself: Can I feed my family of 4 people for 7 days for $403? That's just $58 per day or less than $15 per person per day. I would have to answer a big fat "NO" to that and take the FD. There are plenty of healthier options available at CS places and if they don't want the dessert offered they can always get kids meal apple slices or carrots as their dessert.