OVERwhelmed , please help!

[CajunDixie]

Nice pics of the Days Suite Steve...gotta love the caption under the beds "2 double beds in bedroom (plus one exhausted wife)"

Each day will cost you $255.60 ($511.20 for 2 days).

Not quite....WDW has the bounce back tickets. On the first day buy the 1 park 1day ticket then either at that time or before the ticket window closes for the night bring back your 1 day tickets and purchase your second day's 1 day 1 park ticket (to be used within 4 days. Total cost for 3 adults and 2 children for these would be $480.34.

Depending on what parks you go to and how many hours you live from WDW you may only need a hotel 2 nights. You'll need to see what time your 2nd park choice closes....if it is early then you may be able to drive straight home at that time. AK closes most days @5 and Studios @7.

For meals you could use part of your normal grocery budget since you'll not be eating at home for at least 3 days. Or pack a cooler for lunch and dinner on the first day and breakfast on the second and third days.

Also, will probably be going the second or third week in February.

President's Day is Feb 16th and the parks may be pretty busy that day.

2 days of Parking=$14
2 nights cheap hotel=$100.
Tolls=Depends on what route you use and where you stay but if you come down 75 to the FL Turnpike you'll pay a toll twice. If you're staying on the south side of WDW you can save yourself 1 toll by using Highway 27 (much less traffic than Interstate 4)
To get tons of coupon books/brochures stop for gas at the first station on the Turnpike (gas prices are usually lower here than they are in the WDW area)

At this point the total is just under $600. and you still need gas money and food money. For another $100 you could most likely do this. Since you live in GA is your weather warm? You might consider having a garage sale before the trip.

 

[CajunDixie]

A little information on the camping idea
Quote from WDW Site:

Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground

Camping doesn't get any better than this! Just a quick boat ride from the Magic Kingdom® Park, all private campsites are surrounded by lush wilderness. Arriving on 02/17/04 for 2 nights.
2 Adults, 3 Children
Resort Stay only
$133.80†
Room Type: Woodland View, Partial Hook-up Camp Site

Fort Wilderness FAQ

Camping during WDW's Peak season is not any cheaper than an off-site hotel.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by CajunDixie
Camping during WDW's Peak season is not any cheaper than an off-site hotel.

Amazing that Disney can charge more to sleep outside on the ground than offsite hotels charge to sleep inside in a comfy bed and give you breakfast too. Even more amazing is how many folks are willing to pay those prices.

Steve

 

[westjones]

We camped at FW and loved it......and yes, we knew we could stay cheaper off site in a budget hotel....BUT we like camping and FW is absolutely lovely! We went to the campfire program at night. We loved the 'electric water parade' on the lake at night. DH and the kids rode around on the paths with their scooters, and it was wonderful just taking the boat back from MK at night.

I always say that camping at FW is an experience in and of itself. It isn't about saving money (although it is the cheapest way to stay 'onsite').

If you are not 'into' camping then you probaby wouldn't enjoy it. We are DVC members, and own at Beach Club. We have stayed to Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, Old Key West, The Swan, and last month Pop Century (it is really cute). I am still hoping to talk DH into taking the tent to WDW in 2005 for spring break and camping at FW! It is a blast!

DJ

 

[disneysteve]

westjones - I didn't mean to knock the FW experience. I've camped there a few times myself and have wonderful memories from those trips, but it used to be much cheaper then compared to the hotels. Your fee does cover more than just the cost of the site as you mentioned. They have some fun activites and the atmosphere is totally different than at a hotel on or offsite.

Personally though, I think adding a swimming pool and closing River Country were 2 big Disney mistakes. I also miss having the train ride.

Steve

 

[alysaryn2]

WOW thank you for adding up the costs for tickets! It comes out worse than I thought
However one day is enough for me ! It would allow us to decide on a hotel like Holiday Inn ( I have been looking at Sunspree, since it has lots of kid amenities,,anyone have any experience with Sunspree??).

In the end we may still go with the cheaper budget hotel..but would really like to stay in a nicer one for our first Disney exp.

As for camping, we really enjoy that, but have no equipment. I know you can rent it at the resort, but not sure how much it comes to. I Also need to check whether they have a pool at the campground. As much as we love camping,(as Steve mentioned) I am not too sure we want to pay the same price as staying in a hotel unless the camp activities/amenities are REALLY good.

Thank you for those who posted the parking prices and toll information,,had not even thought of that !
Thank you also (mad4themouse) for the free and cheap link!!

As for Priceline, have never used it before, thank you for the ideas.

There is also a hotel that looks like the Disney World castle ( http://www.doubletreecastle.com/specials.html ) that has some good(I THINK they are good lol) package specials....BTW if anyone is interested(still way too much for me, since there are five of us), they have this three night special:

"As low as $92 per person, per night!
Includes:
* Luxury accommodations for 3nts,a 3 day Disney Park Hopper.
* Tickets, transportation to all four Disney Theme
parks. The 3 day Park Hopper Plus pass includes 3 days of
admission to the Magic Kingdom, MGM, Animal Kingdom and Epcot,
plus 1 admission to your choice of Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard
Beach, River Country, Pleasure Island or Wide World of sports
complex.
* Cook to order breakfast in the Castle Cafe.
Each day the 3 day Park Hopper is used at any park constitutes 1 full day of use. Unused days may be saved for your next visit.Price of package based on double occupancy with 2 adults. Package is tax inclusive.* Packages must be booked within a 14 day grace period for proper set up. Packages booked inside 14 days will not be honored. Minimum 2 adults on package. "

 

[WDWisTheBest]

alysaryn2, you need to pick the exact dates in February that you plan on visiting in order to try to get the lodging arranged.

The Double Tree that you highlighted is on International Drive and the deal is not that good. Packages usually work for 2 but are not that good for a family of 4 or 5.

Camping for you is probably not viable this time.

I highly suggest you investigate the use of Priceline, using the biddging for travel web site. It is possible to find a Holiday Inn, like the Nikki Bird on west 192, using Priceline, for under $30 per night. The Sunspree will be considerable higher than that, as will HIFS. Take a look at the Nikki Bird, using www.holiday-inn.com to see what you think.

Of course, there are other 2*, 2.5*, and 3* motels available in the WDW area for good rates using Priceline. But you have to be informed. I encourage you to check it out soon.

 

[westjones]

If you don't have the equipment, then camping would be too costly at FW.

I would suggest you look very closely at 'packages'. I have found it to be less expensive to arrange things seperately.

I guess what you need to do is figure out what is REALLY important to your trip. For example, the first several years I didn't care about staying 'onsite'. Now I consider it part of the trip.

Also, I never cared about character meals. Lately we have been trying to do a different one each time (BTW, the least expensive is the Ice Cream Social at Epcot---this was our first and it was delightful):

Least Expensive Character "Meal" at Walt Disney World

Well, okay, it's not really a meal. It's even better, as far as I'm concerned -- ice cream! Every afternoon at 3:00 (and in high season, also at 3:15) there is an "Ice Cream Social" at the revolving Garden Grill restaurant in The Land at Epcot. The price is $6.99 plus tax and tip per person (same price for kids). You get to enjoy a massive and delicious ice cream sundae while Mickey and friends visit the tables and interact with the guests. A great way to get out of the heat and relax in the mid-afternoon. Priority Seating through (407) WDW-DINE is highly recommended. (By the way, if you inquire in advance, a diabetic/sugar-free version is available.)

Also, until this year, we never visited Downtown Disney. Now, we like to take a stop there for shopping (instead of in the park).

We also enjoy trying some different places to eat outside of the parks. We love getting the Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream (at Beach Club Resort). It is pricely at around $22 but the 4 of us were stuffed and couldn't finish it (we had skipped lunch--I know, not a very healthy lunch---but there was a banana in there somewhere ).

Then figure out the costs of each thing, and calculate the cost.

Tickets are hard if you want park hoppers. We tend to go 2 days at a time, but we buy 4 day park hoppers and save the other 2 days for our next trip. But if you only want 2 days, you will probably have to just pick 2 parks and visit them.

Good Luck in your planning. This board is GREAT with advice, and I have learned so much after finding these boards. Visit some of the other ones too for ideas on visiting the parks.

DJ

 

[wimom02]

My brother stayed at the Calypso Cay Amerisuites / Country Inn on some timeshare sales pitch and liked the resort. They have 2 pools with waterslides and zero entry. They also have free mini golf and breakfast included. The resort provides transportation to disney and goes for about $100 night in the spring (2 doubles + a sofa bed and kitchenette). They may have better specials.

http://www.calypsocay.com

I've used priceline. I recomend it for stretching your hotel budget if your flexible about where you stay. People have been getting 3* hotels in the $30's (Best Western LBV, sheraton safari, radisson) and 2* LaQuinta Lakeside for $18-22 night. The resorts (DTD Hilton, DTD Wyndham, Marriott World, Gaylord, Dolphin) are going from 60-85 night +tax fees). The DTD Holiday Inn comes up on Hotwire for around $35. www.biddingfortravel and www.betterbidding.com offer help on using hotwire and priceline.

 

[crazelion]

I say pick a hotel at hotelkingdom.com then cross check it with tripadvisor.com for hotel reviews so you make sure don't get stuck in a bad hotel.

You can make driving in 10 hours a less from Georgia. Matter fact substrat 2 hours it will be 8 hours. I only live 2 hours away from Atlanta if i do it 10 you should make it 8 hours easily.

Okey try this short weekend trip plan

Friday leave for Orlando and arrive that night do mini golf have dinner at M Donanlds

Saturday : Go Majic Kingdom dinner at Wendy's

Sunday :Leave Orlando for home

This one you only have to buy one set parks tickets for everyone.

I am the queen of weekend trips. If have any more questions PM me. I will more than happy to help.

 

[wimom02]

deleted a double posting.

 

[jgates]

The only thing you need to be careful on with Priceline, is that they will only guarantee 1 bed per room. Most all hotels (except maybe NYC/D.C. area) will have rooms with 2 beds and will allow you that option, but you are guaranteed accomidations for 2.

And my response to the 'Why let the gov't keep your $$?'.

1.Well, we only pay about .35% - I don't even make enough now to get a 1099 on my interest anymore!!!

2. The extra $50 a week would have disappeared in minutes - trust me - I have been there - tried it! However, getting anywhere from $2500 on up at the end of the year has made significant differences for us. Same basis as buying Disney $ and sticking them in the drawer - you can't just spend it one week and then again the next if things are tight.

3. Ours is usually a forced savings for something significant. In the past we have purchased the new living room furniture, dining room set, etc. Unfortunately this year - it's 2nd half of tuition and a dorm room payment along with several hundred dollars worth of books!

If interest rates were 14% I would think twice about it!

Now I am a queen of weekend trips. We have done it many times - I'm just not sure Disney is one I would want to do it with!

Remember my plasma idea!!!! Put it off for a month or two and go sell - sell - sell!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Don't mean to sound down, but have you considered waiting and taking your trip when it better suits your financial needs. Any day in Disney is better than none, but are sure one will be worth it with all the planning and budgeting you have to do?
Never say never okay! You would be amazed at what could happen if you start saving now for a trip this time next year with your next income tax refund! Just be positive. How far away do you live again?
If you can work this trip out with only $600 for five people, then you go for it, but consider and just PRAY about a trip later when you can double your funds...you can do it...I have!
Best to you,

Denise

 

[pheebs]

I agree with waiting to take the trip.I know how much you want to go but to me half the fun of going to Disney is the planning and anticipation.If you plan your trip for next year you will have all that time to save more money, read these boards and really make the most out of your trip.There are some people on these boards who are planning trips that are years away.IMHO you really will have a much better time if you have more money saved and can enjoy a little more of the magic.

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I are going to Disney Feb 5-8. I tried Priceline last week (since we used Priceline for our last 2 Disney trips) but gave up after 2 bids when I couldn't get a 3 star hotel for $38--not worth the gamble to me. We ended up getting a $54 internet price on Comfort Suites Maingate, which includes refrigerator, microwave, and free breakfast. (Don't forget hotel tax, which is another 10 or 11%). They do have rooms that sleep 6--don't know if you want to all be stuck in the same room together, though.

I would suggest you firm up your dates and start looking at www.hotelkingdom.com and www.travelweb.com for cheap rates. Make sure you search these Disboards (there is a search feature at the top of the screen) for hotel reviews before you pay for a reservation--there are some real dives in Orlando!

Also make sure you know exactly where the hotel is before you reserve a room--for instance, you would not want to end up reserving at the Comfort Suites downtown when you meant to reserve the Comfort Suites near Universal (or one of the 2 Comfort Suites near Disney).

Also, read cancellation policies carefully before you make reservations online--Priceline requires pre-payment in full, no refunds, Travelweb charges $25 if you cancel at least 48 hours ahead of time, etc.

I think you should GO FOR IT! You and your family will have the times of your lives--even just one day at a park will result in years of magical memories! On the one day, you could just park at Disney ($7.00) and ride the monorails (free) and the ferry (free) to the different resorts and walk around, or spend time at the pool at your hotel, or play goofy golf at one of the places on 192!

 

[Tigge50447]

I've been a lurker for several months and recently started posting since our trip is getting closer (lol) Dec '04.

I went to Disney in 2000 and we stayed at a hotel that offered one of those Time share deals we went, it was okay they offered a free breakfast (I've never had eggs that tasted so gross before I think they where powered eggs) but anyhow we ended up with 2 free disney admission tickets for adults. (just a thought)

Also I've been saving since my son was born in 2000 for this trip in december. I've done rebates and when they come in I buy disney cash with them. I save my spare change and roll it up and buy disney cash with that as well. I've also done surveys. And sold things on ebay.

Maybe you can have a garage sale. I did pick up an idea a few post up on the consignment shop. I have a ton of nice boys clothes and a few toys I could maybe sell.

 

[westjones]

Those are great ideas. Garage sales can be very helpful for some extra cash.

Also, if you live 8 hours from WDW, you may want to consider driving through the night (leaving around 1:00 am) and letting the kids sleep in the car. We have done that for our 17 hour drive to Florida when time is an issue. It does save on a night's hotel bill. You could be there when the park opens. Then check into a hotel that afternoon. Take a couple hour nap, and return to the park that evening. Then the next day go to the park for the day, but then leave by 3:00 pm, and you will be home by 11:00 pm that night.

We do things like this because it costs too much to fly, but taking 2 days to drive takes up a lot of our vacation time. But it also saves us money. This last time, we left WDW at 7:00 am and we were home by around midnight that night. We went straight to bed and unloaded the car the next day.

Anyway, just wanted to 'throw' that idea out there. This would give you days at WDW with only 1 night's stay in a hotel.

Oh, and take a cooler with you can have everyone 'eat' along the way from what you brought instead of stopping to eat. Then just stop at road side rests for potty breaks.

You can also bring along some snacks to take with you into the parks (although, I must confess, we don't do this because there are some 'special' thing we like to get at the parks--like Dole Whips at Magic Kingdom--you can't get those anywhere else).

Bring water bottles with you, those help a lot.

It will be tiring, so try to have a 'day' to rest up after you get home, but it an be done. If we lived as close as 8 hours, we would be doing this all the time! But 17 hours is just too much to do more than once or twice a year for us.

DJ

 

[sln88]

I think this will work for your dates:

Special Offer from EasyClickTravel.com: Offer Expires February 29, 2004
$29 -- Lakeside 3-Diamond Orlando Hotel near Disney
Orlando, Florida - Travel dates: February 1 - March 15
You might have seen a $29 rate in Orlando before, but at a AAA 3-diamond hotel?

Between February 1 and March 15, EasyClickTravel.com offers the La Quinta Lakeside for just $29 per night. That's roughly half of what you would typically pay.

The hotel is located 2 miles from the Walt Disney World Resort. It is a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel, and scheduled transportation to the theme park is FREE.

To Book: Click here for full details and to purchase through EasyClickTravel.com.

EasyClickTravel.com



Also, someone suggested Saturday at magic Kingdom. I would avoid that myself. Too crowded to enjoy yourselves!

 

[kalamazoo]

Here's a link to a post where someone got a 1 bedroom at Oak Plantation for $39/ night. This is an excellent price and since it has a full kitchen you could save a lot of money by having breakfast and dinner in the villa. It's in Kissimmee, about a 20 minute drive from WDW. We stayed there once and paid way more than that (there are better, closer places for what we paid). It was nice enough with a regular pool and a kids' zero entry pool.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=496733

HTH

 

[CajunDixie]

have you considered waiting and taking your trip when it better suits your financial needs

I agree with waiting to take the trip

I wouldn't wait. Life's too short!!! Once your family goes and experiences Disney magic then they'll help you save for a future trip. The kids can ask for Disney Dollars for birthdays and holidays and you can read through the other posts on here about how to save $$$ for vacations. Like garage sales, Ebay, coupons, and saving change.

Also, will probably be going the second or third week in February

Weekdays or weekend? Parks are generally not as crowded on the weekdays.