Someone suggested I post this here

[FirstTimer]

Me, DH, and DD are planning a trip to disney this summer. My DD turns 5 Sept. 13 so this is going to be her birthday present. We want to go either late august or early September. Now originally I had planned to just book the 4 night on land 3 night on sea adventure from disney.com Unfortunately I waited too long and the price jumped about $1000 and my DH doesn't want to spend more than $3000 for our trip (just for air, hotel, cruise, not including food & excursions). So he's suggesting we just stay at disney for the entire week and forget about the cruise part.

After reading the many threads, I feel like we would be missing out if we didn't go on the cruise. Now, here's my plan b. We have a timeshare in hawaii that's affiliated with DVC through the points system, I could exchange my points and use it for the hotel at one of DVC's properties (I heard BCV is good). Leaving us with only having to pay for the 4 night cruise and airfare separately. Is this a good idea? Has anyone ever purchased the cruise and hotel separately? What site offers the best discount on the disney cruise? Also how do I buy meal vouchers, park passes, and what other things will I need for my time at disney, thx? I'm traveling from NJ, Newark Int'l Airport, where can I find a good airfare rate?

P.S. Me and my DD have never been to disney before and I really want to have the most memorable experience I can without breaking the bank.

 

[MarkRG]

In a number of ways this is even better than doing the package deal.

1) DVC resorts are better in most ways than even the Deluxe resorts.
2) I have read here of people having issues using the package airline. Much better to book your own airfare.
3) Cruise price might be better going to someone else.

For the meal vouchers, park passes and such you're on your own, but can be arranged with your resort stay. My personal opinoin is you're almost better doing the meals all on your own.

And I have always used the sponsor of this site, Dreams Unlimited for all our non DVC Disney trips and have never been diappointed.

 

[tawasdave]

Last April, I booked hotel and cruise seperately...most people on here would tell you from a cost standpoint it is chaeper to do them seperately...just more convienent to buy the package....I have always booked online with DCL...so I am no help there...goodluck...

 

[lbgraves]

Good to see you on the boards, firsttimer! First thing to do is NOT book the insurance thru Disney. Assess America is the company they use and you can book thru them directly with their AAA Family plan. You do NOT have to belong to AAA and if you get an agent who insists on it, just tell them you want to talk to a sup or call back. Your DD will be covered for free and the rates are much lower than thru DCL. Add up the cost of your entire vacation to have coverage from one company.

I just pulled up a few dates in late August for 2 adults & 1 4 yo. I took off insurance & transfers & no airfare.
8/25/05 cat 11 1462.89 cat 10 1562.89 First seating at 6 pm is still available!
8/18/05 cat 11 1522.89

Last year the value resorts were priced at 55 a night including taxes around that time. We have stayed at the AS Movies which the kids LOVED and had just as great of a time at MK & DTD as if we had stayed anywhere else. We were upgraded to an 8 from an 11 on our first cruise but stayed in a cat 10 on the second. There was the same amount of room space in the 10 as there is in the 8 AND we had more storage space in the double steamer trunk. In fact, I will miss that next cruise in our 8. IMO there will be plenty of room for the 3 of you in an 11. You get to experience the same cruise as if you were in a higher category. We also did not go on any excursions but walked around the areas on our own. With the air fare wars going on all the time, you should be able to get a better rate that will also help. GOOD LUCK!

If you can transfer the time share for WDW, you will have an even nicer experience.

 

[FirstTimer]

Good to see you on the boards, firsttimer! First thing to do is NOT book the insurance thru Disney. Assess America is the company they use and you can book thru them directly with their AAA Family plan. You do NOT have to belong to AAA and if you get an agent who insists on it, just tell them you want to talk to a sup or call back. Your DD will be covered for free and the rates are much lower than thru DCL. Add up the cost of your entire vacation to have coverage from one company.

I just pulled up a few dates in late August for 2 adults & 1 4 yo. I took off insurance & transfers & no airfare.
8/25/05 cat 11 1462.89 cat 10 1562.89 First seating at 6 pm is still available!
8/18/05 cat 11 1522.89

Last year the value resorts were priced at 55 a night including taxes around that time. We have stayed at the AS Movies which the kids LOVED and had just as great of a time at MK & DTD as if we had stayed anywhere else. We were upgraded to an 8 from an 11 on our first cruise but stayed in a cat 10 on the second. There was the same amount of room space in the 10 as there is in the 8 AND we had more storage space in the double steamer trunk. In fact, I will miss that next cruise in our 8. IMO there will be plenty of room for the 3 of you in an 11. You get to experience the same cruise as if you were in a higher category. We also did not go on any excursions but walked around the areas on our own. With the air fare wars going on all the time, you should be able to get a better rate that will also help. GOOD LUCK!

If you can transfer the time share for WDW, you will have an even nicer experience.

thanks did you find the price from the cruise off the disney site?

 

[lbgraves]

Yes, I just entered the info for August 2005 with 2 adults & 1 4 yo.

 

[westjones]

If you would consider September I think you will find the prices are MUCH better for the cruise. We have sailed the last 5 years in September and it is the least expensive month of the year to cruise.

With the cruise, the price really depends on the time of year. There is a BIG difference from when the kids are in school and when they are out. With your DD so young, going in September shouldn't be a problem. We have to stop cruising in September because my twins are going into Middle School next year and we are going to start working around the school schedule. The 4 night cruise we are looking at for March 2006 (spring break) is $500 more than the 7 night we just took in September last year. We are still going through sticker shock.

DJ

 

[kaykels]

Do yourself a BIG FAVOR... wait to book your air. I'm from the Philadelphia area and I always compare the rates from Newark b/c it's not that much further. I can almost guarantee that the aifare will be about 98.00 RT as it gets closer. Also, book it ala carte!!!!!! Never a package! The codes will come out THEY ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS do for late August, early September. Did I mention ALWAYS? Look on mouseavers.com
The other poster was right, it should be about 55.00 for AS, but my personal favorites are Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge for $105.00 per night. September cruise rates are much better. And rent a car for the transfers if it works out cheaper. You should be able to do it in your budget. Have a great time.

 

[Rence]

You might want to also post on the Disney Vacation Club board for information on trading into DVC.

It is very difficult to trade into DVC. There are many many many more people who want to trade into DVC than want to trade out. The one advantage you may have is that you want mid-Sept which is a slower time.

 

[lbgraves]

I checked out the rates for September & the difference is 200-300 total. Is your DD going to be starting Kindergarten next year? If so, I would go early.

 

[FirstTimer]

Yes my DD will be starting kindergarten in September. She already goes to school for pre-k so I'm thinking it won't be too much of a hassle to pull her out for a week since she already knows the other children. Also, the more I think about it I really want her to be down there for her b-day which is Sept. 13 but convincing DH it's ok for her to miss a little school is gonna be tricky.

 

[westjones]

Yes my DD will be starting kindergarten in September. She already goes to school for pre-k so I'm thinking it won't be too much of a hassle to pull her out for a week since she already knows the other children. Also, the more I think about it I really want her to be down there for her b-day which is Sept. 13 but convincing DH it's ok for her to miss a little school is gonna be tricky.

Look at the cruise prices that week. They are the lowest of any time of the year. My twin DDs have birthdays on September 19th, and they spent their last 5 birthdays on the cruise. It is the most affordable time to go.

It is, however, hurricane season, so keep that in mind. Our first 4 years were great, last year we had to get off of the ship on Friday night before Hurricane Jeanne came. Disney handled it very well, they put us in the Dolphin for the night and we had breakfast provided the next day. So it didn't scare us from going in September, we just can't do it anymore because our twins go to middle school next year. But for Kindergarten, I wouldn't think twice about taking for for her birthday. It is MAGICAL spending your birthday on the cruise. My girls are SO disappointed that they won't be spending anymore birthdays on the cruise.

 

[logan1_2000]

...a week of Kindergarten? LOL, welcome to the boards, and you will find threads here on the merits of pulling children out of school for WDW or DCL. I think you have assessed your own child very well, given her preparation for Kindergarten you have already provided. If it is going to be a once in a lifetime trip--or if not once, then a FIRST impression and always memorable, then the $ you save from going in September once school has begun could help to make it more special--hopefully the teachers in your DD's school will be like the teacher's in my DS's school--when we tell them about the trip in advance, they get excited for him, and his first grade teacher even made snorkling recommendations!! You've gotten the Hurricane Season caveat, which last year everyone learned was for real if they didn't already know it. so go, keep it all light hearted and exciting, and yes, take in the DCL experience--I think it is best suited to a DD more so than a DS, and for a 5 year old who would thrill to see princesses, DCL should be a part of it.

Hope you make the trip, do both, and love it all!

 

[jrabbit]

The other poster was right, it should be about 55.00 for AS, but my personal favorites are Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge for $105.00 per night.

When can you AKL for $105 per night? I assume thats for a "parking lot view". What would a savanah view room cost during the same time frame? Thanks. We really want to stay there after the aug repo cruise, but can't stand the thought of over $900 for 3 nights lodging!

Also, the more I think about it I really want her to be down there for her b-day which is Sept. 13 but convincing DH it's ok for her to miss a little school is gonna be tricky.

Shes going to be in kindergarden - whats to miss . Unless your DD isn't a good student, taking her out of school really won't be a problem until High School (so make the most of the next 8 years!!

 

[kaykels]

Yes, it's a parking lot view BUT September is one of the offest of the off seasons... so with that said..... I have been upgraded all three times. There are only a handful of parking lot view rooms anyway, so in the off season your chances of an upgrade are better than excellent. My brother once got a pool view room as an upgrade instead of a savannah (in November) which was an excellent location by the pool, Marrow, Boma and laundry! It's my favorite place!
Have a great time!

 

[Stinasmom]

You might want to also post on the Disney Vacation Club board for information on trading into DVC.

It is very difficult to trade into DVC. There are many many many more people who want to trade into DVC than want to trade out. The one advantage you may have is that you want mid-Sept which is a slower time.

We have tried unsuccessfully a few times now to trade a week to get onto a Disney property but without success...even at an off time...there really is no off time at WDW! We have, however, been really happy at Sabal Palms or Royal Palms at Orlando Marriott World Center (trading through Interval) or at the Sheraton Vistana Villas (trading through RCI) if you are willing to stay off site (and rent a car). We are hoping to do just this for our second cruise in Dec 2006...one week prior in a time share followed by 4 nights on the Wonder. Good luck!
Your daughter is at a very, very great age for all this Disney submersion! I hope it all works out for you!

 

[tvguy]

No offense, but I'm not sure $3000 is a realistic figure even for just a week at Disneyworld. Not sure how prices compare with Disneyland here in California, but I am in the process of trying to figure out if we can afford a three days at Disneyland for 4 people, and so far every option I've come up with is about $3000. Airfare from Sacramento to Orange County is about $100 per person round trip, so most of that is hotel and tickets.

 

[lbgraves]

If you stay at the value resorts & pick up breakfast food & snacks so that you aren't paying the outrageous food prices at the park or at the resort's food courts I don't see why a family of 3 can't spend a week between DCL & WDW with moderation in mind for $3000. Our family of 4 spent 7 days on The Magic 11/15/03 with three days /3 nights at WDW before hand for under $4000 including tips, souveniers, food, cruisefare, gas, & parking at the port. We took two days to drive down to FL & back so there was a hotel room on each drive to FL for a total of 12 days away from home.

 

[FirstTimer]

No offense, but I'm not sure $3000 is a realistic figure even for just a week at Disneyworld. Not sure how prices compare with Disneyland here in California, but I am in the process of trying to figure out if we can afford a three days at Disneyland for 4 people, and so far every option I've come up with is about $3000. Airfare from Sacramento to Orange County is about $100 per person round trip, so most of that is hotel and tickets.

Oh I'm just talking about the price for the cruise, hotel, and airfare. Not for food or tickets, that comes out of a separate budget. Plus it's just me, DH, and DD and for the hotel we'll be using our points from our timeshare so really $3000 for the 3-4night cruise and airfare only.

 

[jel0511]

As a DVC member I have to tell you a few things about trading. First off, it is VERY difficult to trade into DVC. Most of the information I've seen is that there is about a 10% success rate through Interval International with all DVC requests, so I wouldn't get your hopes up too high that a trade would work. Also, when you trade into DVC through Inverval International, you MUST book a whole week, as you must trade a whole week to get the trade. You can't book a few nights, even if your other timeshare allows such bookings.