Planning trip in August...need recommendations, info

[mattheweston]

I've been out of the trip planning game for awhile with our last trip having been in 2004.

We have a wedding in Daytona to attend on the 10th of August and were planning on spending the week prior at WDW. We have two DD who will be 5 and 1.5 when we go and I had a few questions.

If we book a package through the WDW website, can you still put a small deposit down and pay up till about two weeks before your vacation?

We would like to stay at the Poly as our oldest LOVES the beach.

What are some good tips for saving money?

Any other advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. As I said, I have been out of the game awhile, and this is the first trip I've planned since 2004.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you book a package Disney requires that the package be paid in full 45 days before your arrival date.

As far as saving money I would recommend eating offsite. You can pay as much as $8.95 for a hotdog and fry and no drink.

You can take your own snack and drinks into the park. No drinks in glass bottles. I could not believe in Oct I took a snack size pretzel bag into the park and found they were selling the same product, same size bag. My bag had the price of .79 cents stamped on it yet Disney wanted $2.99 for it!!!

 

[tzolkin]

If you do a room only reservation (not a package), you just pay a one night deposit and the rest is due when you check in.

This would likely be your best bet if you're looking to stay at the Poly. Disney often offers up to 35% off at Deluxes on room only reservations. Not sure if there will be anything offered for your dates though.

I believe the Poly is the most expensive, so if you really need to save money you may want to think about another resort to keep your trip budget friendly. You can always go there for dinner and a walk on the beach, since it's a quick boat or monorail ride from MK.

If that's where you really want to stay, I would agree with the OP and say that food is the biggest area you can save. We never eat offsite, but since we drive, we will do some grocery shopping. We always have food to eat in the room (breakfast and something to snack on when we return mid-day and in the evening) and you can bring food into the parks with you.

 

[Marionnette]

I've been out of the trip planning game for awhile with our last trip having been in 2004.

We have a wedding in Daytona to attend on the 10th of August and were planning on spending the week prior at WDW. We have two DD who will be 5 and 1.5 when we go and I had a few questions.

If we book a package through the WDW website, can you still put a small deposit down and pay up till about two weeks before your vacation?

Deposit is $200 with the balance due 45 days prior to arrival for packages. Room-only is one night's room rate with the balance due on arrival.

We would like to stay at the Poly as our oldest LOVES the beach.

The Poly is lovely and the beach is beautiful. But you can't go in the water.

What are some good tips for saving money?

There's no getting around the fact that the Poly is expensive, although the Grand Floridian is THE most expensive resort on property. A garden view room in early August runs $435/night + tax (rack rate). You might want to consider a Studio Villa at one of the DVC resorts instead. You would get a small kitchenette where you can prepare breakfast and light meals. It has a microwave and toaster, which the Poly does not have. The Beach Club has one of the best pools on Disney property...lazy river, sandy bottom, plenty of lounge chairs and tables. A studio for your dates is $385/night + tax (rack rate). You might be able to find a DVC owner who can secure a reservation for you for even less. There's also a possibility that Disney will come out with a room and/or package discount for your dates later in the spring.

Any other advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. As I said, I have been out of the game awhile, and this is the first trip I've planned since 2004.

Too many variables to give valuable advice. A lot depends on your budget, how you like to eat, if you'll have access to a car and whether staying on Disney property is a priority for you.

 

[mattheweston]

We will be arriving the 5th of August and leaving the 9th of August. We might arrive late the 4th though depends on our drive time as we will be driving in from San Antonio, TX.

We CAN pay full price if we have to; however, I would like to save some money if we can.

Was looking at Poly for Monday - Friday with Dining package originally.

 

[Marionnette]

We will be arriving the 5th of August and leaving the 9th of August. We might arrive late the 4th though depends on our drive time as we will be driving in from San Antonio, TX.

We CAN pay full price if we have to; however, I would like to save some money if we can.

Was looking at Poly for Monday - Friday with Dining package originally.

Then you will probably want to take a look at the Codes and Rates subforum of the Resorts Board. There aren't any general public discount codes for August yet but when one comes out, you will most likely see it posted there first.

If you arrive late on the 4th, consider staying off-property in an affordable hotel. It will just serve as a place to sleep and shower. You can check in at the Poly as early as 6:30 AM the following day to pick up your Magic Plus bracelets with your tickets, FP+ and dining credits on them. Your room probably won't be ready that early, but you can leave a cell phone number with the desk and they can text you when your room is ready.

 

[mattheweston]

So they give you your tickets on a bracelet now?