Parking

[MrsMcgaugh]

If you're only going to be there for 8 days, then why do you need the 4-day AND 8-hopper day tickets? That's admission for 12 days....I'm confused.

Why not just buy 4 of the military 4-day hoppers at $99 and then you'll both have a total of 8 days, save a fortune on tickets and then have the money for parking?

no we are buying 2 4-day hopper passes a piece

 

[seamour]

They certainly dont! however, i would just think that their appreciation of our service members would allow for us them and their families to have more saving to make it more affordable its just blowing off steam..I just see as i plan to spend 3,000 on my trip (in parks and eateries) that they would offer a wider array of discounts

It would be nice but I guess I just appreciate the discounts they do give us. Don't forget you can visit Sea World and (the other park) as well with the offers they have out. Have a great trip whatever you do!

 

[msmayor]

They certainly dont! however, i would just think that their appreciation of our service members would allow for us them and their families to have more saving to make it more affordable its just blowing off steam..I just see as i plan to spend 3,000 on my trip (in parks and eateries) that they would offer a wider array of discounts

Disney has a great appreciation of service members. They already do quite a bit to make it affordable for service members...Shades of Green Resort, which Disney permits on their property, provides substantial lodging discounts compared to Disney-owned resorts for military service members and their families.

Its a BEAUTIFUL resort (I stayed there) that comes with all the perks of staying on-site, including free parking at all the parks. Some of the largest accommodations on property, comparable to the deluxe resorts, and priced based on your military rank.

I'm not sure how many more discounts you feel they should give.

 

[Planogirl]

MY thought is simply that if Disney wants to charge $14 dollars a day to use their pavement, that's fine...but i would think that they would consider that for people planing in being in the parks over 5 days should have parking privileges. no EMH or anything like that but we are spending JUST as much money in parks as on-sites guests

If you have ADR's you're likely spending more. No free dining plus like you said your hours are reduced since you get no EMH's.

We actually spent twice as much on parking during our last trip. We stayed offsite and actually often spent half a day at that other place and then half a day at WDW. Since our hotel and rental car were free it was still a good move budget wise. But it is true that these high parking fees are pretty standard at themeparks.

 

[DawnM]

I fully agree that WDW should offer a parking pass option......we got the cheaper APs and I go the more expensive one just so that we could include parking (FL resident APs as we have property in FL and a FL ID).

When we lived in CA you could buy a Disneyland parking pass for $40 that would allow you parking all year.

And for the OP, if you have a FREE condo stay for 2 weeks, I wouldn't stress about the $14 parking pass.....

We get a condo for $199/wk including tax, so that is $28 per night......adding in $14 for parking if needed isn't that much.....still WAY cheaper than staying on site and allows us much more room for our family of 5.

Dawn

Many places that you stay have shuttle or busing, check into that also.
I would consider the offsite hotels, which you can find for less then half of the onsite rooms.

I also think $14 is outragous for parking. If you are going to Disney and paying for an extended length ticket, there should be an offset for parking. All these additional cost do add up and at some point will affect the volume of people that can enjoy an extended stay Disney.

Purchasing a parking pass, just like a hopper option should be an option,

I would love while my dd is younger and dgs to go again. But at the cost of onsite, at $129 a night or more for just a bed, not even coffee pot, is out of reach. When I can get a suite, off site for $89 a night, I just have to add the parking, and decide which is the vacation I want.

BUT I also can find a room, with a fridge and coffee pot, micro wave for $50 a night.
Just as nice as a Value room.(depending on season and Specials)

 

[Lisa_M]

It sounds like you have a great honeymoon planned for almost no money to you. Free lodging and $400 total for 2 people park hopping for 8 days. Just pay the $14/day and enjoy what an inexpensive wonderful vacation you will have.

An 8 day parkhopper for 1 person on undercover tourist is $295.95.

By getting these military tickets AND paying for parking your saving almost $100 off what it would cost to park and enter the parks otherwise from the cheapest legit ticketing site I know of.

Or you could pay $489 each for an annual pass, but get the free parking. It seems like a no brainer to me to stick with the deal you have. You are very lucky to receive such significantly discounted tickets.

 

[jennz]

have you considered upgrading one of the tickets to an ap? You would get the credit of $99, save the $99 of another ticket, and $112 on parking, so your "savings" would be $310. If you can get the price that Joie mentioned, $358, it could be worth it. You ap would give you some dining and shopping discounts. Just a thought.

I do agree that $14 is a lot to pay to park after paying for the tickets but that's just how it is.

 

[Lady V]

I hope you have a wonderful time. But I do think to be dissapointed you don't get a discount parking is kinda off. You are already getting drastically reduced tickets. Everyone I know thinks they should get a discount for this or that....but the thing is they are a business. The people staying onsite (and paying onsite prices) should get more perks. Otherwise why would people stay onsite versus a much cheaper room elsewhere?

 

[livie1205]

no we are buying 2 4-day hopper passes a piece

i would pay the extra and get a AP, you only need 1 AP to get the free parking...the money you would pay in parking would make up for the AP upgrade.

 

[pearlieq]

i would just think that their appreciation of our service members would allow for us them and their families to have more saving to make it more affordable

So the discounted tickets and the onsite premium resort just isn't enough? The generous cancellation terms for military orders? The in-park ceremonies honoring service members and veterans? The giant charitable donations?

I'm all for showing appreciation for service members, but sometimes the sense of entitlement gets out of control. It's statements and attitudes like this that make people less inclined to support service members.

You've got $3,000 to take a long, luxurious trip to WDW, and you're complaining because you have to pay full price to park even though you're able to take advantage of other discounts (that other people who sacrifice and get in harm's way, like law enforcement officers, don't get)? I seem to have misplaced my violin.

 

[MrsMcgaugh]

So the discounted tickets and the onsite premium resort just isn't enough? The generous cancellation terms for military orders? The in-park ceremonies honoring service members and veterans? The giant charitable donations?

I'm all for showing appreciation for service members, but sometimes the sense of entitlement gets out of control. It's statements and attitudes like this that make people less inclined to support service members.

You've got $3,000 to take a long, luxurious trip to WDW, and you're complaining because you have to pay full price to park even though you're able to take advantage of other discounts (that other people who sacrifice and get in harm's way, like law enforcement officers, don't get)? I seem to have misplaced my violin.

Im sorry, i was just blowing off steam..my orginal "cheap" honeymoon is getting more costly...I totally agree they are wonderful to service members. I guess the parking irritates me alittle bit, im sure im not alone

 

[pearlieq]

I guess the parking irritates me alittle bit, im sure im not alone

I totally understand you there. The parking charge irritates me too, mostly because they charge it just because they can.

My mall doesn't charge me to park and come in and spend money. My favorite restaurant doesn't either. The casinos in Vegas don't charge--heck, they valet my car for free. But Disney knows they can get away with a parking charge, so they cheerfully make it go up, up, up!

 

[mjkacmom]

I totally understand you there. The parking charge irritates me too, mostly because they charge it just because they can.

My mall doesn't charge me to park and come in and spend money. My favorite restaurant doesn't either. The casinos in Vegas don't charge--heck, they valet my car for free. But Disney knows they can get away with a parking charge, so they cheerfully make it go up, up, up!

I don't know of many amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, concert venues, etc., that don't charge for parking. Locally, if I go to a Giant's game, it's $15 to park.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Im sorry, i was just blowing off steam..my orginal "cheap" honeymoon is getting more costly...I totally agree they are wonderful to service members. I guess the parking irritates me alittle bit, im sure im not alone

It shouldn't. Put it in persepctive as Pearlique did perfectly.

 

[jennz]

Feel free to blow off steam! You have a legitimate question, especially for the budget board. Everybody is different and to me, paying $14 to park anywhere is a lot. Yes of course this place charges more and that place charges more, but it's still a lot of money! Trying to save money on your honeymoon, or for any reason, is good!!

 

[Leajess99]

My dilemma is that i am getting reduced military tickets...a 4 day hopper for $99 and we are buying two (8 hopper days) we are staying at summer bay resort condos, which was a gift for out honeymoon...they do offer shuttle buses, HOWEVER i do not like the idea of having to be on their schedule...what if i want to do hopping throughout the day and want to use my car instead buses...Disney for the first time in my life really let me down with their not having a discount on annual passes for military members

OMGosh, please be thankful that Disney is willing to run any discounted tickets for our military members. Disney does NOT owe the military anything but thankfully they have made offers so that many military families can get to Disney.

No one but the US Government really owes the military anything. Yes, there are many people and corporations thankful to the military and as such show their appreciation in offering discounts but they do NOT have to do this. Please don't make people think that you expect stuff to be handed to you because you chose to marry a soldier and please don't take this same type of attitude to deal with any part of your husband's military duties. I have seen wives expect the military to follow what they want (ie not sending hubby overseas or telling commander that hubby cannot work the holiday because of kids, etc) and it does not go well for the soldier.

 

[pearlieq]

I don't know of many amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, concert venues, etc., that don't charge for parking. Locally, if I go to a Giant's game, it's $15 to park.

It is getting more and more prevalent, but it irritates me just the same. Like it's not enough that I'm coming to their place of business and spending money there, but I also have to pay for the privilege of driving there?

Something about that type of charge just bugs me, so I resist whenever possible. I vote with my wallet and make a point to patronize places who offer free parking and who don't tack on greedy fees for "processing" or "convenience".

I may just be tilting at windmills, but it makes me feel better.

 

[MrsMcgaugh]

OMGosh, please be thankful that Disney is willing to run any discounted tickets for our military members. Disney does NOT owe the military anything but thankfully they have made offers so that many military families can get to Disney.

No one but the US Government really owes the military anything. Yes, there are many people and corporations thankful to the military and as such show their appreciation in offering discounts but they do NOT have to do this. Please don't make people think that you expect stuff to be handed to you because you chose to marry a soldier and please don't take this same type of attitude to deal with any part of your husband's military duties. I have seen wives expect the military to follow what they want (ie not sending hubby overseas or telling commander that hubby cannot work the holiday because of kids, etc) and it does not go well for the soldier.

I think you misunderstood my whole blowing off steam..i retracted my statement and said that OVER ALL EVERYONE (on site or off) that buys a 5 day+ park pass should receive free parking...I also said it was frustrating that WDW did not offer a better discount on the AP but i was happy with my 4 day hoppers for $99.

My frustration was simply that my "cheap" honeymoon is getting rather expensive and i suspect that MANY families deal with this. Think about it disney has a special on hopper passes so a lower-income family decides to make a trip to WDW and a family gets a cheap off-site hotel room ( super 8, motel 6) $40 a night. then you factor in meals which can get rather costly BUT families can choose to get counter service every meal and save BUT families drink alot when its hot and disney charges alot for even water....THEN add $14 a day to use disneys pavement.

OR take my situation for example...I was going to go on a carnival cruise for my honeymoon for 7 days but decided that $3,000 was alittle steep for my college student pocket book, By the grace of God my grandmother offered my a 2-week free stay in Orlando at the Summer Bay resort condos! Great, I was so thrilled!! Disney has a promotion for military members which is 4-day pass for $99 and add hopper for $25 we are going a total of 8 days a piece. So that is $500 on my tickets and about $300 on gas and travel. Food, To eat breakfast in my room and lunch and dinner in the parks or in DTD will be roughly 1400 for the 2 weeks (drinks and snacks included)..THEN add $14 a day for 8 days. We have not made one purchase in WDW and we are nearly at the same price as the cruise. IT just gets rather stressful when you add it up

 

[pearlieq]

OR take my situation for example...I was going to go on a carnival cruise for my honeymoon for 7 days but decided that $3,000 was alittle steep for my college student pocket book, By the grace of God my grandmother offered my a 2-week free stay in Orlando at the Summer Bay resort condos! Great, I was so thrilled!! Disney has a promotion for military members which is 4-day pass for $99 and add hopper for $25 we are going a total of 8 days a piece. So that is $500 on my tickets and about $300 on gas and travel. Food, To eat breakfast in my room and lunch and dinner in the parks or in DTD will be roughly 1400 for the 2 weeks (drinks and snacks included)..THEN add $14 a day for 8 days. We have not made one purchase in WDW and we are nearly at the same price as the cruise. IT just gets rather stressful when you add it up

Well, you've come to the right place! People here all understand being on a budget and would be happy to help you get costs down.

My first thought--drop the hoppers. That would save you $100 right there. You'll have 8 full days, which means you can spend a full day in each park twice, so it's not like you're on a tight timeline and "need" to hop. That seems like a great savings opportunity there.

Also, don't drive to WDW every day. On days when you know you'll be spending a full day in the park, go ahead and take the hotel's transportation. You won't want to do this every day, but any day you can manage it saves you $14.

You could also get that food budget down pretty painlessly since you'll have a car and a condo. Breakfast in your room is easy, but packing lunch for the parks for a couple days wouldn't be that hard. We make it fun by buying all the "good stuff" like chips and cookies that I won't usually buy at home. You don't have to do it every day, but if you can do it for 4 days, that will save you $100. And believe me, the CS food at MGM is nothing to write home about.

There are quite a few inexpensive food options both on property and off. There's a pizza joint called Flippers right across from DTD that is awesome. Earl of Sandwich is legendary. A salad from Sweet Tomatoes might taste amazing after all those days of burgers and fries. Any of those could provide a great dinner for under $20.

Also, grab a couple of cases of water and tote some along to the parks every day. Between that and asking for a large ice water every time you buy a CS meal, you shouldn't have to buy too many drinks in the parks.

Finally, your wedding is coming up. Have you considered putting out the word that you'd enjoy getting gas gift cards or restaurant gift cards as gifts? Some guests would be happy to buy you a gift card for gas instead of a place setting if they knew it would help you have a nice honeymoon. Let your mom and bridesmaids know so they can answer if anyone asks them what you'd like.

A few little tweaks--dropping the hoppers, cutting your food budget to $75/day, skipping parking for 3 of the 8 days, and scoring $50 in food/gas gift cards as wedding presents would save you almost $550 on your trip!

 

[jennz]

Well, you've come to the right place! People here all understand being on a budget and would be happy to help you get costs down.

My first thought--drop the hoppers. That would save you $100 right there. You'll have 8 full days, which means you can spend a full day in each park twice, so it's not like you're on a tight timeline and "need" to hop. That seems like a great savings opportunity there.

Also, don't drive to WDW every day. On days when you know you'll be spending a full day in the park, go ahead and take the hotel's transportation. You won't want to do this every day, but any day you can manage it saves you $14.

You could also get that food budget down pretty painlessly since you'll have a car and a condo. Breakfast in your room is easy, but packing lunch for the parks for a couple days wouldn't be that hard. We make it fun by buying all the "good stuff" like chips and cookies that I won't usually buy at home. You don't have to do it every day, but if you can do it for 4 days, that will save you $100. And believe me, the CS food at MGM is nothing to write home about.

There are quite a few inexpensive food options both on property and off. There's a pizza joint called Flippers right across from DTD that is awesome. Earl of Sandwich is legendary. A salad from Sweet Tomatoes might taste amazing after all those days of burgers and fries. Any of those could provide a great dinner for under $20.

Also, grab a couple of cases of water and tote some along to the parks every day. Between that and asking for a large ice water every time you buy a CS meal, you shouldn't have to buy too many drinks in the parks.

Finally, your wedding is coming up. Have you considered putting out the word that you'd enjoy getting gas gift cards or restaurant gift cards as gifts? Some guests would be happy to buy you a gift card for gas instead of a place setting if they knew it would help you have a nice honeymoon. Let your mom and bridesmaids know so they can answer if anyone asks them what you'd like.

A few little tweaks--dropping the hoppers, cutting your food budget to $75/day, skipping parking for 3 of the 8 days, and scoring $50 in food/gas gift cards as wedding presents would save you almost $550 on your trip!

Fabulous ideas!! Just had to add Disney Gift cards.