Planning a College trip to the World

[TRosty4]

Hey guys, I figured that if I was looking to save money, this was the right place to come! So, me and 3 of my friends are looking to go to the World over spring break. It'd be 4 or 5 nights, and in all likelihood a 4 day base ticket for each of us. What are some ways we could drive down the cost? It'd be the beginning of March, we have 10 days off starting on the first, so there's some flexibility as far as weekend-weekday nights. I'd appreciate any advice! And, do you guys think it's realistic for us? I haven't exactly put a budget on it yet, just looking into the feasibility.

 

[MichiganKris]

You can book the Stay, Play, Dine special they have going on right now for $1852.84 for 4 adults, which includes a 5 day ticket and the QS dining plan at the All-Star-Movies hotel. This is with checking in on March 3 and out on March 8. You can go a little cheaper at the Pop with a basic ticket and no dining plan for $1783.75 for 4 people with a 5 day ticket and no dining plan, but if it were me, I would stick with the dining plan since you get food for less than $100.

 

[dakcp2001]

Rent a condo at Windsor hills.

 

[chimilady]

I would look at renting at Wyndham Bonnet creek for 7 nights (sat to sat) and then either renting a car on priceline (which you can get for under $15/night) and would use the car to get your food or make trips. I would then use the free shuttle service from WBC to Disney every day so you're not tied to each other (if someone isn't feeling well, you can go back, etc.) I would eat at the room as much as possible, and I would buy my tickets through Undercover Tourist.

 

[RitaE]

I would look at renting at Wyndham Bonnet creek for 7 nights (sat to sat) and then either renting a car on priceline (which you can get for under $15/night) and would use the car to get your food or make trips. I would then use the free shuttle service from WBC to Disney every day so you're not tied to each other (if someone isn't feeling well, you can go back, etc.) I would eat at the room as much as possible, and I would buy my tickets through Undercover Tourist.

How old are these college students? Florida car rentals for the under 25 year old set are hard to find AND usually very pricey.

 

[TRosty4]

We'll have a 21 year old, a 20 year old, and 2 19 year olds. In all likelihood, we'll be driving from school (North Carolina) to the world. I was looking into a room in one of the all stars, but I'm also considering staying offsite at a less expensive hotel. The issue there would be paying for parking daily at the parks.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

You can book the Stay, Play, Dine special they have going on right now for $1852.84 for 4 adults, which includes a 5 day ticket and the QS dining plan at the All-Star-Movies hotel. This is with checking in on March 3 and out on March 8. You can go a little cheaper at the Pop with a basic ticket and no dining plan for $1783.75 for 4 people with a 5 day ticket and no dining plan, but if it were me, I would stick with the dining plan since you get food for less than $100.

Dollarwise, I don't think you're going to beat the Stay Play Dine deal. That's about $450 a person. You wouldn't have to rent a car and you'd have 2 meals and a snack paid for, plus drinks at the resort. If you wanted to go a bit more upscale and have the money for it, you could also rent a studio from Dave or The Timeshare Store for that period for about $1100 give or take a couple of hundred, depending on where you can find a studio, but that wouldn't include tickets or any meals.

A car rental, the surcharge for under 25 driver, and parking fees are going to eat into the money you save by staying off property. It's, I believe, about $25 a day just in the surcharge. So for 5 days, that's $125. Say the rental car is $150, tickets would be about, what about $1440 for the four of you? I haven't added in parking fees, the hotel bill or food and you're already at the same cost as staying on property with two meals paid for each day. Plus, if any parents are helping to foot the bill, I'm sure they'll be much happier knowing you're on property than at an unknown hotel..

 

[snarlingcoyote]

We'll have a 21 year old, a 20 year old, and 2 19 year olds. In all likelihood, we'll be driving from school (North Carolina) to the world. I was looking into a room in one of the all stars, but I'm also considering staying offsite at a less expensive hotel. The issue there would be paying for parking daily at the parks.

I don't know how I missed this! So no car rental. . .

So that's about $250 less you'll have to pay. Still, tickets alone will run you about $1400. For $450 more, you can get a room and food for all 4. I think that's a much better deal.

And seriously, if you were my DD? I'd want you to stay on property! You can find out what kind of squicky middle aged guys show up at even 4 and 5 star hotels sometimes when you're older. (If I had a dollar for every time I met up with a squicky guy at a manager's reception or in the exercise room, I'd have about half my trip to Disney paid for!)