Spill your secrets on affording Disneyland!

[Carter'sMommy]

I want to start out by saying I appreciate the advice given to me on this post. However... some of the replies stung of critisism -vs- advice ...I was simply looking for savings tips.
I did not intend to ruffle any fur for pete's sake.

What it all comes down to is what is important to each of us to experience during our time there. Of course our priorities will differ, we are not clones of one another. We all have our unique preferences and loves . It depends on who you are with, how much time you have, and how much you can afford.

Well, let me ( )reply by stating "you asked for this advice".

I (not speaking for ANY of the other posters ) were just trying to HONESTLY let you know how we do afford DL, WDW or Cruise (or all of these ) more than once a year.

It seems like you have your trips already planned out and seem "rigid" in your itinerary, Maybe... if I now understand what you were looking for, you should have titled this thread differently. Maybe "How can I discount my current trip plans".

My husband and I work VERY hard for our money and time off - we just choose to spend it differently than you. Touche.

I just thought I was offering some FRIENDLY advice and definatley NOT critism -- I come to this board for a touch of "The Happiest place on Earth". My post was not intended to critize you or your "must haves".

My fur or feathers are not ruffled - We will continue doing what we do to get to DL as many times as we can --- Kids grow up fast and before you know it they do not want to go on vacation with Mom and Dad -- even if it IS Disney . As we see it, we have a limited time to make a positive, family oriented impression on our child and we are going to do whatever it takes to make that happen!

Don your costumes and go have a "Merry good 'ole time" ixiedust:

 

[DangerMouse]

I would be interested to know what hotel / motel is the absolute closest to the entry gates of the parks please.

I have looked at the maps, but they still appear rather far from the pallisade area.

This link will show actual distance measured in feet from hotel to entrance plaza. They even show routes. It's pretty cool.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mm060329as

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well just went to frys today. we used two coupons. and we used frys card. (we saved 12dollers in pepsi, and 26 on regualar food, pizza lunchbuels chips..what not) we did a whole weeks of shopping for 60dollers, and saved 36 from the card. that 37 im putting away in saveings

 

[CalGal]

To be truthful, I don't try to pinch too many pennies when I go on vacation. I live pretty conservatively the rest of the year, and for me, this is a time to reward myself and my family. However, some of the lessons I've learned over the years:

1. Flying can be cheaper than driving for me. I buy fewer souveniers --and usually, cheaper ones. When I drive, I'm more inclined to purchase breakable dishwear, fragile artwork, larger pieces, etc.
2. APs can be very expensive! The last time I upgraded to an AP, I spent $1000s of dollars. We probably would have come back once during the following 12 months, but instead, we threw in a Dec. GCH trip, a June DLH trip, and a last minute August off-site trip.
3. Never stay at the GCH. Is can so spoil you and your loved ones. Now my compromise is a view room at the DLH at a mere $300 (AAA peak season rate)/night.
4. Obviously, go in off season if you can and plan ahead so you can catch the deals before the "Limited number of rooms available" sell out. I was able to get off-season rates and a fourth night free for the beginning of Christmas break in 2005, so the view room at GCH wasn't quite so bankrupting.
5. Now,I personnally don't mind splitting my stay. I'll stay a couple of nights off site before I move to Disney property. I advise staying off-site FIRST for two reasons -- one, you can use your EE on your parkhopper (you'll get EE anyway once you are staying onsite), and it's easier to move up than to accept staying off-site after a couple of nights at GCH or DLH.
6. I look forward to the nice dining, so I like to plan one nice meal a day, and often can get a 10% discount with AAA or Disney Visa (or AP when I had one). It's usually a little cheaper (and healthier?) to eat the big meal midday, and I supplement the meal with light meals and often snacks that I bring with me.

 

[Evita_W]

Ok, here it is....ready??

Live only 20 min. away from DL!! hahahaha I save on Hotel...I have an AP so I save on admission and get discounts on food. But, save some money? Hummm...that depends, on if it is my birthday or not.

 

[Master Mason]

forgot one thing, the way we saved money when I was a kid was to have an aunt that lived in Garden Grove, we crashed on her floor. So just convince a relative that they need to move down there.

 

[limace]

I want to start out by saying I appreciate the advice given to me on this post. However... some of the replies stung of critisism -vs- advice, so I wanted to explain why I have the "non-negotiables".

.

No criticism here (or in the loooong post I wrote yesterday that was unsent when my helpful toddler turned off the laptop). But basically, you were asking how folks manage to go more than once a year, and I think people were just giving you their answer-they manage to go more often because their non-negotiables are much cheaper than yours. No judgment there, but just a fact. The fact that my Hojo costs 1/3 of your DLH is significant if money is an issue. I totally agree though, that it's YOUR vacation and you should do what you want-there are just tradeoffs to that and only you can decide if they are worth it for your family. I absolutely stay onsite at WDW, but haven't found it to be worth the extra money at DL-I can't afford GCH and the other hotels just don't ring my bells enough to be worth the money (plus the whole issue of proximity-other hotels at DL are as close or closer than the DLH, which is of course different than WDW).

Re some of your other questions about how we do it:
-We both have good vacation allowances with our jobs-4 or 5 weeks a year, in addition to sick leave. One of the perks of a long tenure in gov't jobs-the negative, of course, is the crappy salary.
-We have an Alaska Airlines Visa, which lets you get a RT ticket for only 20K miles. In addition, I get a yearly $50 companion ticket.
-This trip, DH is going for a conference in Anaheim, so much of our hotel and his plane ticket is paid for. My toddler flies free, and my older daughter's ticket is $50 plus taxes with above companion ticket. Our package for 7 nights, high season, at HoJos plus 3 5 day park hoppers was $1300. I think we'll get reimbursed $500 or so of that for the hotel during the time of the conference. Our rental car if we decide to get one should also be paid for. Plus most the week won't deduct vacation time for DH at all. I know this is an unusual circumstance, but definitely worth taking advantage of if it happens along.
-We prioritize travel over lots of other things (and we love to travel places other than Disney-gasp!!!). We don't have cable, we don't eat out much or buy much convenience foods, we don't have fancy cars, you know the drill. We do, unfortunately, have two mortgages as we have DHs old house to get on the market-once that sells life will be good

And hey, OP, are you in Oregon or northern CA? I agree that it is totally not worth the drive....

 

[clcb13]

No criticism here (or in the loooong post I wrote yesterday that was unsent when my helpful toddler turned off the laptop). But basically, you were asking how folks manage to go more than once a year, and I think people were just giving you their answer-they manage to go more often because their non-negotiables are much cheaper than yours. No judgment there, but just a fact. The fact that my Hojo costs 1/3 of your DLH is significant if money is an issue. I totally agree though, that it's YOUR vacation and you should do what you want-there are just tradeoffs to that and only you can decide if they are worth it for your family. I absolutely stay onsite at WDW, but haven't found it to be worth the extra money at DL-I can't afford GCH and the other hotels just don't ring my bells enough to be worth the money (plus the whole issue of proximity-other hotels at DL are as close or closer than the DLH, which is of course different than WDW).

Very well put! That was just what I was going to say. I think most people that go several times a year aren't able to afford such a nice vacation the OP listed. I am sure no one meant to offend. I think we all wish we could go all out on our stay at DL....personally my family has to really save just to able to afford our cheapskate way of doing Disneyland once every 2 years or so. I am looking forward to staying at the Best Western Park Place Inn. I believe it is the closest non Disney hotel.

 

[joeysmommy]

Saavy- I totally understand your desire to stay at DLR and being immersed in the Disney magic. I know the feeling of if you're going to DL do it up right!
We stayed at DLR last year(1st family trip) and this year we will be schlepping across Harbor Blvd to cut our hotel cost by 50%.

I think why some posts may have come at you with criticism is becuz to do DL on the cheap staying at DLH isn't the way to do it. Also the balcony seating at Fantasmic is a big splurge most people are not willing to do it with kids but I love it that you do. We've never even seen Fantasmic(off season visitors)
I feel you..I would love to stay at DLh everytime, especially since the monorail was down on our last visit due to Nemo construction. But I promised my husband we would not go crazy this time, and if I keep my promise maybe he'll let us go crazy and stay at the GCH next time.

As a child I got to go to DL every few years and I swore that when I had kids we'd go every year. So I'm trying to make that happen without breaking the bank.

 

[Judy from Boise]

completly off-topic....but why do your feet hurt ? What shoes do you wear ? Have you tried Birkenstocks ? Danskos? Crocs? Do you have socks with lycra woven into the arch areas ? I worked a lot of 12 s in the ED, and usually changed my shoes and or socks mid shift........

 

[bouncy54]

completly off-topic....but why do your feet hurt ? What shoes do you wear ? Have you tried Birkenstocks ? Danskos? Crocs? Do you have socks with lycra woven into the arch areas ? I worked a lot of 12 s in the ED, and usually changed my shoes and or socks mid shift........

I tend to walk on the insides of my feet and I have no arch at all. I have the best New Balance shoe for these problems, but my arches still ache. I've done the test where you lean against the wall with your fingertips and try to stand on your tiptoes....I can't do it with either foot. Plus my shoes are worn on the inside.

Crocs don't have enough arch support although I love how cool my feet stay in them and how cushy the soles are.

And to top it off, because I walk weird, it makes the outside of my thigh muscles ache like crazy when I walk.

I know there are inserts that help you to walk like a human, but there are so many to choose from, I don't know which one to try. I'm don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive insole until I know it's going to help me...so I want to try some that are not made by a specialist first. If I get any relief at all, then I'll go to a specialist.

 

[bouncy54]

No criticism here (or in the loooong post I wrote yesterday that was unsent when my helpful toddler turned off the laptop). But basically, you were asking how folks manage to go more than once a year, and I think people were just giving you their answer-they manage to go more often because their non-negotiables are much cheaper than yours. No judgment there, but just a fact. The fact that my Hojo costs 1/3 of your DLH is significant if money is an issue. I totally agree though, that it's YOUR vacation and you should do what you want-there are just tradeoffs to that and only you can decide if they are worth it for your family. I absolutely stay onsite at WDW, but haven't found it to be worth the extra money at DL-I can't afford GCH and the other hotels just don't ring my bells enough to be worth the money (plus the whole issue of proximity-other hotels at DL are as close or closer than the DLH, which is of course different than WDW).

Re some of your other questions about how we do it:
-We both have good vacation allowances with our jobs-4 or 5 weeks a year, in addition to sick leave. One of the perks of a long tenure in gov't jobs-the negative, of course, is the crappy salary.
-We have an Alaska Airlines Visa, which lets you get a RT ticket for only 20K miles. In addition, I get a yearly $50 companion ticket.
-This trip, DH is going for a conference in Anaheim, so much of our hotel and his plane ticket is paid for. My toddler flies free, and my older daughter's ticket is $50 plus taxes with above companion ticket. Our package for 7 nights, high season, at HoJos plus 3 5 day park hoppers was $1300. I think we'll get reimbursed $500 or so of that for the hotel during the time of the conference. Our rental car if we decide to get one should also be paid for. Plus most the week won't deduct vacation time for DH at all. I know this is an unusual circumstance, but definitely worth taking advantage of if it happens along.
-We prioritize travel over lots of other things (and we love to travel places other than Disney-gasp!!!). We don't have cable, we don't eat out much or buy much convenience foods, we don't have fancy cars, you know the drill. We do, unfortunately, have two mortgages as we have DHs old house to get on the market-once that sells life will be good

And hey, OP, are you in Oregon or northern CA? I agree that it is totally not worth the drive....

Please...what is an Alaska RT Ticket? I just found out that I get the companion fare every year...but I don't know what an RT ticket is. If I have 20K miles/points, can I fly at a discount rate AND my husband fly on the "companion" rate at the same time?

 

[Ashlotte]

I use the Alaska Airlines Visa also. The $50 companion ticket can only be used in conjunction with a full priced fare. On our trip last January, we paid for one full price ticket (about $250), plus we had the $50 companion ticket, then we used airline miles for the my son's ticket, and my daughter rode free as a lap child. Airfare for the four of us was around $300. We use our card for everything and sign up for auto pay for as many montly bills as possible to get miles. We pay our card off every month, but just take advantage of the miles and companion tickets without getting into debt.
Our other trick for going cheap is that we are timeshare owners in WorldMark the Club, where we get about a week's worth of lodging. There are condos in Anaheim that we stay at. They have full kitchens, so we eat breakfast there, come back for lunch and naps, and then eat dinner out. So, our lodging is pretty cheap (our dues are $430 per year, so I consider that the cost of the room) for a one bedroom suite with a full kitchen.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Please...what is an Alaska RT Ticket? I just found out that I get the companion fare every year...but I don't know what an RT ticket is. If I have 20K miles/points, can I fly at a discount rate AND my husband fly on the "companion" rate at the same time?


I believe she is just using RT to refer to "round trip"

 

[limace]

Please...what is an Alaska RT Ticket? I just found out that I get the companion fare every year...but I don't know what an RT ticket is. If I have 20K miles/points, can I fly at a discount rate AND my husband fly on the "companion" rate at the same time?


I believe she is just using RT to refer to "round trip"

Yep, sorry for the confusion. I don't think you can do both. You can redeem 20,000 miles for a free ticket if you do it far enough in advance, but you wouldn't also be able to get a $50 ticket with that.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

If you are considering the Disney cruise line, use their website to browse the prices for different dates. We went on a 4 day 3 years ago - Spring break week was $4,200 for cheapest cabin (cat 12). The week AFTER spring break was $1,800 (cat 12). I had to take the kids out of school, but they did their homework over break. I had a cruise credit card that knocked $800 off and my usair frequent flier points for the airfare. We went to MK for 3 days on land on our own. Total cost of the entire trip was about $2500.

 

[lisadoll93]

I use my bonus checks. We 99% stay on site due the fact my son is special needs and it makes easier for him. The staff is wonderful with him. I watch rates. We bring our own snacks. Hit up the AMS character warehouse and get our so sounviers there. We have DL fund bank, the kids throw change that they find in there. A typical DL vacation cost us from 750-1100. I will also cut out extra spending 2 weeks prior.

HTH

 

[bouncy54]

I use the Alaska Airlines Visa also. The $50 companion ticket can only be used in conjunction with a full priced fare. On our trip last January, we paid for one full price ticket (about $250), plus we had the $50 companion ticket, then we used airline miles for the my son's ticket, and my daughter rode free as a lap child. Airfare for the four of us was around $300. We use our card for everything and sign up for auto pay for as many montly bills as possible to get miles. We pay our card off every month, but just take advantage of the miles and companion tickets without getting into debt.
Our other trick for going cheap is that we are timeshare owners in WorldMark the Club, where we get about a week's worth of lodging. There are condos in Anaheim that we stay at. They have full kitchens, so we eat breakfast there, come back for lunch and naps, and then eat dinner out. So, our lodging is pretty cheap (our dues are $430 per year, so I consider that the cost of the room) for a one bedroom suite with a full kitchen.

So I can pay full fare for my ticket, companion fare for DH, and my mileage points for one of my sons? That's a great deal...especially if we fly to Florida next year which is around $500 right now. Thank you so much for information! I wish I had known about this perk when I purchased our Alaska tickets in March...I could have saved us some real money.

 

[Blackunicorn]

I tend to walk on the insides of my feet and I have no arch at all. I have the best New Balance shoe for these problems, but my arches still ache. I've done the test where you lean against the wall with your fingertips and try to stand on your tiptoes....I can't do it with either foot. Plus my shoes are worn on the inside.

Crocs don't have enough arch support although I love how cool my feet stay in them and how cushy the soles are.

And to top it off, because I walk weird, it makes the outside of my thigh muscles ache like crazy when I walk.

I know there are inserts that help you to walk like a human, but there are so many to choose from, I don't know which one to try. I'm don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive insole until I know it's going to help me...so I want to try some that are not made by a specialist first. If I get any relief at all, then I'll go to a specialist.

There should be a specialty shoe store you can go to, look in the phone book. Call a foot specialist or your doctor and ask if they recommend anyone. We've got a store that keeps records on you, like a doctors office--they do some kind of "scan" of your feet (free, of course) and recommend inserts based on where the pressure is. They carry many different brands and let you try them in store before you buy them, and they also glued wedges in my shoes to help me walk right. You should be able to get *good* inserts for a decent price. It's worth it! Good luck, I hope you find the right inserts!