Reservation regret????

[Momofmack]

I just booked a room at AKL for Sept. 19- 25 and dh and I are both in sticker shock! We got a good rate, but the trip will cost lots- no matter how you do it, right??? Dh now says we can't eat out between now and the trip so we will have $$ for food there. That means a lot of cooking for me! It seems like the food is outrageous!

Any great tips on paying for the trip? Is it worth getting a Disney visa for? We are generally a cash only family. We use a check card and get a 1 % cash rebate from our bank for that, so I am thinking that would be a great way to get some $$ for the trip. We are having a yard sale this week and all the proceeds go in the vacation fund. We had the room money in the bank, too.

Now I have to get tickets, gas and food. Am I leaving out anything? IS it best to get a 5 day PHP? I was leaning towards a 4 day, since our dc are young and we will probably need down time, but I'm not sure.



TIA!

 

[momxx5]

Did you book a room only reservation?

Would it be cheaper to get the 7/5 package ?- pay for 5 nights and 6 days of UPH and get 2 more free nights and 2 more days UPH.

This way you will have a whole package - go to any park any time.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

yeah you might as well stay the next day the 26th because its free. I am there the 19 -26th aswell but staying at All Stars Movies.

 

[Nanu57v]

Maybe an AP rate will come out, and then you can get an AP and save money.

About the credit card, if you can control your spending I'd say go for it. My husband and I get about 100 cash back a year with our rewards card and we just pay it off every month. Its like free money. We put all our bills on it, and its like getting 1 percent off everything.

And I know about the money adding up, its amazing how it does it. I'd recommend keeping your eyes out for a better rate and checking out the 7 for 5 package. You don't have to rush to buy tickets because there is no more savings for buying them this far in advance verses 2 weeks before you leave.

The AP rate up to the end of August saves you 85 dollars a night there, so maybe something similar will come out for Sept.

Good luck!

 

[canwegosoon]

Did you use a code, get a package, or other discount like AP or AAA? If not you could check out Mousesavers.com and get the up to date info. Also check out allearsnet.com for info on rooms and menus. Another thing you could do, if you are the type of people that are easy going, possibly split your reservation between a deluxe and a moderate or value. You have to be willing to pack up, and checkin again, but it might make the trip more bearable cost wise, and you would get a chance to try out different accomodations.

I know on my last trip I was sorry that I did not think ahead to book 3 nights at Wilderness, and 4 nights at POR, the package that I was traveling under, it could have been done, but got a great rate 2A/2C 7N POR with basic package(including passes and airline ticks for 3) for under $2100.

 

[mad4themouse]

Are you pretty much set on staying at WL? Would you be willing to stay in a DTD hotel for less?

MouseSavers just announced a really nice deal for the DoubleTree Guest Suites that sounds good. The rate for your stay would be $109/night plus tax and includes a continental breakfast for 4 each morning. You can check it out here:
Mousesavers.com - DoubleTree Guest Suites Special Rates

And you can read reviews of the hotel here:
Frommer's
TripAdvisor

The extra room might be worth it with a 2yo and you would still be very close to WDW, so that you can take afternoon breaks back at the room. If the cost of the WL is giving you sticker shock, this could be a more economical choice.

 

[disneysteve]

I totally agree with mad4themouse.

I've got nothing against staying onsite, even in a Deluxe, if money is no object. But from the sounds of your post, money is an object. So rather than scrimp and worry about how to afford it, why not stay somewhere more economical? There are so many wonderful hotels in the area. No, you won't have giraffes outside your balcony, but personally I would enjoy my vacation a whole lot more knowing that it wasn't busting the budget. And you can always drive over and visit the giraffes.

I also agree with the suite recommendation. When we have a regular hotel room and our DD is sleeping 3 feet away from us, none of us gets very good sleep. It is so much nicer to have her in one room and us in another.