Planning a quick trip with dd, what is the CHEAPEST way while staying on property?

[JUJU814]

I am going to take my dd, age 6 on a mommy/daughter trip, probably at the end of February.

I haven't stayed at a value resort in years. I have stayed at movies and pop and loved them both....but it has been many years.

Which value is the most fun for a little girl?

I have an annual pass and if I stay at least 4 nights can get 40% off with the annual pass.

I've become so spoiled in recent years staying at the deluxe resorts, but I really don't think dd could give a hoot, and the values are sooo bright and "disney"..and it's just two of us so the smaller space in the rooms isn't a big deal.

Does anyone know if free dining is going on now? I'm wondering if I would be better off to forego the room discount and get the free dining for the two of us.

This trip will be a totally princess trip. Can we meet the Princess and the Frog princess? Where?

Does anyone have any tips on getting a low airfare? We usually travel southwest, but I still usually can only get $225 or so roundtrip..and I KNOW people from our same airport get fares way lower (from talking to people at the airport)

Dh and ds have a list of museums and stuff they want to go together and some building projects (they are two peas in a pod)

How do I get the best deal? This is a quick trip..mon thru fri..and in the past I've spent thousands on our family vacations..I really want to do a budget trip as dd and I will be all about the parks this trip. (not always the case on other trips)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I stayed at the POP and Movies also and I think the POP would be more fun. It just seemed to have more stuff since it was a bigger resort and the transportation was great. I also liked the food court better. I wish they had a food court like that at the Deluxes!
As for airfare, with Southwest they don't always Ding you with cheaper fares. When we are planning a trip I check the flight cost about 3 times a day. Last trip they were super cheap for only about 1 hour on the day I bought them. Then they bounced up to almost double that. I have found that checking them multiples times per day will usually get you the best discount. You can also sign up at Airfare Watchdog. They will email you discount flights every day.

If it were me I think I would take the 40% discount instead of free dining. Are you planning on many TS meals? Even if you are, since you just have one child with you I would go on Allears and figure out the costs of the meals you want to eat at, add it up, and then see if you do better with the 40% discount or the dining plan. Which way would you save more? Do you have the discount dining card since you have an AP? If you have that then I think you get 10-20% off all TS meals and that would take your cost down as well.
All that math can make you bonkers after a while but it's worth it if you can save a few dollars for the next trip!

I would love to hear the answers about Princess Tiana.
Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[JUJU814]

I stayed at the POP and Movies also and I think the POP would be more fun. It just seemed to have more stuff since it was a bigger resort and the transportation was great. I also liked the food court better. I wish they had a food court like that at the Deluxes!
As for airfare, with Southwest they don't always Ding you with cheaper fares. When we are planning a trip I check the flight cost about 3 times a day. Last trip they were super cheap for only about 1 hour on the day I bought them. Then they bounced up to almost double that. I have found that checking them multiples times per day will usually get you the best discount. You can also sign up at Airfare Watchdog. They will email you discount flights every day.

If it were me I think I would take the 40% discount instead of free dining. Are you planning on many TS meals? Even if you are, since you just have one child with you I would go on Allears and figure out the costs of the meals you want to eat at, add it up, and then see if you do better with the 40% discount or the dining plan. Which way would you save more? Do you have the discount dining card since you have an AP? If you have that then I think you get 10-20% off all TS meals and that would take your cost down as well.
All that math can make you bonkers after a while but it's worth it if you can save a few dollars for the next trip!

I would love to hear the answers about Princess Tiana.
Good luck and have fun planning!

You know, the most disappointing thing to me about all the deluxe resorts is their lack of a big food court like the value resorts. I too loved the pop food court. I *really* love Coronado springs food court because they have way more options.

Dd eats like a bird. I SHOULD eat like a bird! LOL I don't have the tables in wonderland thing to get the additional discount..unfortunately. Had I gotten that last august when we went with the family, this would be a no brainer!

I loved the Pop. I remember showing my dd, now 18, then, 9 or so? the album cover of Michael Jackson. She just looked at it confused and said "THAT isn't Michael Jackson!" LOL His look had changed so dramatically since the 80s.

Lastly, WHAT does "ding" mean in airfare prices??
What is the best time frame to buy tickets? There seems to be a window. Too far out, more expensive..too close..more expensive.

Thanks!

Julie

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If you go to the SW website it will show something that says "download Ding."
Download it onto your computer and then there is an SW icon that is on your desktop. Each time they have a special a little envelope pops up on the icon to let you know so you can check it. It also makes a Ding noise but I don't leave my speakers on all day so I never hear it.