Priced out :(

[pocomom]

Typically we go to Disney every year/every two. It has been over a year now and I am desiring a little Disney magic, so I priced out vacation options. We are a family of five, typically when we go somewhere my husband and I prefer to have our own room or a one bedroom situation where the kids sleep in the living room. For him this is a deal breaker. It's not a vacation if we can't have couple time and he likes his space. 5 people (when two of the kids are nearly adult sized) in one room is pretty tight.
Because of the distance traveled to get there we like to stay for at least week. We are OK with not going to the parks everyday but 4-5 days is expected.

One of the things I have always wanted to do was stay at animal kingdom with the kids with Savannah view . NOT.GOING.TO.HAPPEN.EVER. Using their Spring discount I was getting prices in the 11K range just for tickets (5 days, not hoppers) and 2 rooms/6 nights, we would still have to get there and my children insist on eating I really don't think I convince my Dh to spend THAT much for a vacation where we are not even going overseas or something. I mean I literally just looked at a 6 bedroom chalet in Europe that comes with a private chef and chauffeur for the same price (just for fun , not doing that either ). I could talk him into one room, but it seems unfair since it is literally the only thing he cares about in a vacation, and it is STILL so much to spend.

Maybe sometime if we are passing through Orlando we could stay for one or two nights. Just sad , it was something I've planned on for years, it always seemed like something expensive but manageable but now just totally out.

About ten years ago we were a lot less comfortable than we are now and I managed to do a week at the Polynesian with 2 rooms and paying for Grandma to come along to help with the (then 2) kiddos, 2 years in a row. Pricing sure has changed!

 

[HM]

Your best bet is to forget actually staying onsite. Though I understand the want to stay onsite and in a place you've been dreaming of trying. I've pretty much been priced out too. We were faithful onsite deluxe resort stayers....not any longer.

Getting a condo unit in a timeshare place with two bedrooms will be a lot cheaper. For example, I stayed in the Hilton Grande Vacations last trip in a two bedroom unit. The drive to WDW is really fast and easy, the hotel has great units, great pools, and kid/family activities.
You'd still have the ticket and food prices (which keep increasing too). Transportation costs will include a car if you family doesn't drive, and parking at the parks ($20 a day).

 

[scrapquitler]

Don't rule out the option of renting a house or condo offsite. You should be able to easily get a 2 bedroom for about $1000-$1500 (depending on location/amenities) for a week. That would also give you the ability to cook at least some meals in the condo (even if it was just breakfast and a couple dinners) to save on the food budget. Everything has lower cost options except the tickets.

 

[4Ds4Diz]

Have you looked into renting points from a DVC member? You could get your 1 bedroom that way and still be in the parks.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Look into renting DVC points for a 1 bedroom studio at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Ava]

If you have your heart set on staying at AKL, look into renting DVC points. The one-bedroom units sleep 5, and you & your DH could take the bedroom and have the kids sleep in the living room. I just looked at the cost calculator at DVCRequest to get a ballpark, and for a week in June a one-bedroom Savannah-view is $3388. You may even be able to get one cheaper by renting directly from a member instead of through a service. Check out the DVC boards here, there is a board dedicated to renting points.

 

[Marionnette]

Look into renting DVC points for a 1 bedroom studio at Animal Kingdom.

1-bedroom units and studios are two different villas. I'm sure that the OP doesn't want a studio if she is interested in couple time. A 1-bedroom unit would realistically run somewhere between 162-334 pts. for a week, depending on season and view. It would be more affordable than staying in two hotel rooms in AKL but likely not be as cheap as staying in one of the Value family suites.

 

[gorkt]

My DH is the same way regarding the extra bedroom, so we usually rent points. Other options on property are All Star Family suites, Fort Wilderness Cabins, or Art of Animation suites.

 

[trstno1]

Renting DVC points is a great way to save a lot of money on a Disney Resort, but you should be aware that studios at AKL are in much higher demand than the larger rooms. If you want a studio, try to reserve 11 months in advance, and be aware that rooms might not be available.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I also recommend not getting a savannah view, but calling to make your reservation and asking if they can put a note on your reservation to give you a room with a view of the animals. The way the cast member who booked my reservation explained it to me was that a savannah view was a guaranteed 180 degree view of the "savannah." However there are quite a few standard rooms at AKL that still have a view of the animals. Ours was on Kudu Trail and we had zebras, a warthog, and many deer outside our window every morning, and the giraffes were let into our paddock area at about 10 AM every morning. It's not a guarantee you'll get one of those rooms, but there were many rooms overlooking that view where we were.

 

[HM]

When I stayed at AKL (twice in 2001), the standard room price we paid was $145 a night or close to it.

 

[chicagoshannon]

You should try staying in a two bedroom somewhere off property. The park tickets would still cost the same but lodging would be much, much less

 

[DisMommyTX]

We love the 3/2 condos at Windsor Hills for extra space and a second bath-usually well under $1000 per week. When we have additional family joining us, we'll get a 5 or 6 bedroom house with private pool and hot tub. Our 10 night stay this summer over the 4th of July in a 5 bed/5 bath Windsor Hills home is under $2000 including all taxes and fees.

We have also stayed on property at the Poly, AKL, and AoA, and found the drive from Windsor Hills much faster and easier than using the internal bus system. Plus the rental car allows more flexibility for dining and shopping. I highly recommend it, particularly for large families and/or long stays.

 

[piccolopat]

Also look at the Swan. It has most of the same benefits as a Disney hotel but for much lower cost and you can walk to Epcot and the Studios. They use the Disney transportation system so you can take the bus to the other parks. With the age of your kids, you can get two rooms or one of their suites. When we went in December, a standard room with AAA discount was less than $150 a night. We've stayed at Windsor Hills as the PP suggested and liked it but I'd rather not have DH deal with driving on vacation if he doesn't have to.

 

[kniquy]

Definitely look into renting points from a DVC rental company like Davids. We used them, great to deal with and good communication. A one week stay at AKV one bedroom would be anywhere between 209-272 vacation points - depends on the time of year that you go. They typically charge around $13 per point -so $2717 - $3536 for a week. If you are talking about holidays (easter & christmas) then it would be 334 points. If you go so often have you ever considered buying a resale DVC contract? Might be worth it in the long run if you frequent disney. Direct purchase from disney is way too expensive and you can buy for 1/2 the cost by resale. We just purchased so that we could go every 2 years. We did not want to pay the $7400 bill for a 2 BR so DVC made so much sense. If think DVC is the route to go then check out the section of this forum for disney vacation club -- tons of info there.

 

[kniquy]

The above prices and points are for a savanah view so if you want to save a little more a one bedroom standard would cost a bit less. If you check out davids dvc rentals they actually have a points/cost calculator so that you can price out different time of year and resorts.

 

[ICF]

look into a townhouse at Windsor Hills....3 BRs / private "small" pool, kitchen, family room, 3 baths -- and when we've gone in late May / early june it's been about $600.

 

[TippeeCanoe]

When I stayed at AKL (twice in 2001), the standard room price we paid was $145 a night or close to it.

That is about what value rooms cost now.

 

[scottmel]

REnt DVC points for 10 per point...

 

[pocomom]

Your best bet is to forget actually staying onsite. Though I understand the want to stay onsite and in a place you've been dreaming of trying. I've pretty much been priced out too. We were faithful onsite deluxe resort stayers....not any longer.

Getting a condo unit in a timeshare place with two bedrooms will be a lot cheaper. For example, I stayed in the Hilton Grande Vacations last trip in a two bedroom unit. The drive to WDW is really fast and easy, the hotel has great units, great pools, and kid/family activities.
You'd still have the ticket and food prices (which keep increasing too). Transportation costs will include a car if you family doesn't drive, and parking at the parks ($20 a day).

Yes. I know that is kind of the typical vacation for us, or we stay in our RV at Fort Wilderness which just may be the best way to get what everyone wants ( on-site, bedroom, beds for everyone ) for an affordable price. This was just more about wanting to try that specific resort for years now, and probably missing our window of opportunity. I know for my animal loving kids it would be especially magical