Taking the challenge of a "budget" WDW stay..... help?

[crazymomof4]

For the past several wdw trips, things were pretty simple for me.....
#1. Wait for Free Dining to be released.
#2. Book a package
(for many years, FD was the best discount for us.)

So.... we just finished our rather expensive 9 ngt, 10 day stay at BC with free dining. Sadly, 2 of my kids were sick for most of the stay! I felt so bad that in a moment of mom-insanity I told them we could upgrade our tix to AP's and come back on more of a budget trip in early Feb (?- dates flexible) We have the AP's now but.............

Since I've done packages for so long, I am quite out of practice putting together more of an "al a carte" stay. I've read that AP holders get room discounts available to them but don't know what to expect. Would it be my best option to go with one of those or are they few and far between. Might the standard room-only discount be better and does WDW generally release those for the time period we'd like to go (late Jan/early Feb)
We will be a family of 4 for this trip.

 

[Marionnette]

For the past several wdw trips, things were pretty simple for me.....
#1. Wait for Free Dining to be released.
#2. Book a package.

With a family of 5 (including teens/young adult children) FD was the best discount for us.

So we just finished our rather expensive 9 ngt, 10 day stay at BC with free dining. Sadly, 2 of my kids were sick for most of the stay! I felt so bad that in a moment of mom-insanity I told them we could upgrade our tix to AP's and come back on more of a budget trip in early Feb (?- dates flexible) We have the AP's now but.............

Since I've done packages for so long, I am quite out of practice putting together more of an "al a carte" stay. I've read that AP holders get room discounts available to them but don't know what to expect. Would it be my best option to go with one of those or are they few and far between. Might the standard room-only discount be better and does WDW generally release those for the time period we'd like to go (late Jan/early Feb)

Generally speaking, AP discounts are slightly better than discounts released to the general public (~5% better). However, AP holders will wait longer for any room discounts because Disney wants to sell tickets, so they offer discounts to the general public first and then offer AP discounts to fill rooms that the general public doesn't want. Ap holders get the leftovers, so to speak.

There's a list of historical discounts that you can reference on Mousesavers .com. I would say that late Jan./early Feb. has a high likelihood of having discounted rooms. However, you never know what Disney may end up doing.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

 

[crazymomof4]

Generally speaking, AP discounts are slightly better than discounts released to the general public (~5% better). However, AP holders will wait longer for any room discounts because Disney wants to sell tickets, so they offer discounts to the general public first and then offer AP discounts to fill rooms that the general public doesn't want. Ap holders get the leftovers, so to speak.

There's a list of historical discounts that you can reference on Mousesavers .com. I would say that late Jan./early Feb. has a high likelihood of having discounted rooms. However, you never know what Disney may end up doing.
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

Great! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for! It's ok if we just get "the leftovers" as far as resort. I'm actually a bit excited about not knowing where we'll be staying. Sort of like a "grab bag". There are many resorts that only sleep 4 to a room that I've always wanted to try!

 

[potterfanatic]

We went in Feb of this year. We own a home in Florida so we could get Florida Resident rates which are pretty similar to AP rates. I kept waiting for the discount and then when it came out I found the room I wanted for less than the resident rate on Orbitz with an extra discount. We are also a family of 5 and I ended up getting a room at POR for under $200 a night including taxes.

 

[crazymomof4]

We went in Feb of this year. We own a home in Florida so we could get Florida Resident rates which are pretty similar to AP rates. I kept waiting for the discount and then when it came out I found the room I wanted for less than the resident rate on Orbitz with an extra discount. We are also a family of 5 and I ended up getting a room at POR for under $200 a night including taxes.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[powellrj]

you can check into renting points for DVC, and also check expedia. You can also stay off site in a condo to bring your price down too.

 

[ldo]

I did the AP upgrade and took my younger kids back for a 5 day trip. It was really fun. Remember AP gets you free parking, if you will have a car. Many nearby hotels, condos will be heavily discounted for Jan/Feb. I would compare value to moderate pricing. I have done an AP with the kids in value lodging for VERY cheap. Bring snacks, breakfast foods, and an empty water bottle for everyone. We ate breakfast in the room, made sandwiches, cheese sticks, etc. for lunch and ate 1QS meal in the parks and had a fabulous time.

 

[crazymomof4]

We used to stay off-site often when the kids were all little. Rented a vacation home and enjoyed it. What concerns me now is the delay in ability to get fastpasses. 30 day vs 60 for onsite guests. What has been your experience? My kids really like using the FP+ for their faves (which, for the most part, are the headliners.)

 

[crazymomof4]

One way I know we can save $ is by splitting meals with DD16.... She eats like a bird! The dining plan, paid oop, would be a total waste on her!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

you can check into renting points for DVC, and also check expedia. You can also stay off site in a condo to bring your price down too.

This is what I was going to suggest. In Jan 2015, ds16 & I stayed at OKW in a studio for 4 nts for only $425 total. There's no sales tax on point rentals so that saves you 12.5% right off. Also DVC resorts are all deluxe so it won't feel like you're dropping from BC to Pop. Also it would enable you to buy the DP OOP if you like.

 

[crazymomof4]

As to renting the DVC points... I'm interested. What is the best window or time frame for doing this? For ex. if our intended stay is end of Jan, beginning of Feb, should I be looking now or wait a bit for better rates?
Also, when can DVC rental people get FP+? 30 or 60 days out?

 

[Marionnette]

As to renting the DVC points... I'm interested. What is the best window or time frame for doing this? For ex. if our intended stay is end of Jan, beginning of Feb, should I be looking now or wait a bit for better rates?
Also, when can DVC rental people get FP+? 30 or 60 days out?

The time frame would be NOW. Any DVC owner can book at any of the DVC resorts, not just their home resort, because we are now inside of the 7-month window for late Jan/early Feb stays. That also means that availability at the more popular resorts will not be as plentiful as it would have been a couple of months ago. For a family of 5, there are only a limited number of DVC resorts with studio villas that will accommodate you. Those would be Boardwalk, Poly, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. Of those, GF would be very hard to book at this point and BWV standard view is probably not going to be possible for more than scattered days here and there. You should also be aware that you will need to pay the entire amount at the time that you book in most cases.

If you decide to rent, you will still be able to make 180+10 dining reservations and 60-day FP+.

 

[crazymomof4]

The time frame would be NOW. Any DVC owner can book at any of the DVC resorts, not just their home resort, because we are now inside of the 7-month window for late Jan/early Feb stays. That also means that availability at the more popular resorts will not be as plentiful as it would have been a couple of months ago. For a family of 5, there are only a limited number of DVC resorts with studio villas that will accommodate you. Those would be Boardwalk, Poly, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. Of those, GF would be very hard to book at this point and BWV standard view is probably not going to be possible for more than scattered days here and there. You should also be aware that you will need to pay the entire amount at the time that you book in most cases.

If you decide to rent, you will still be able to make 180+10 dining reservations and 60-day FP+.

Thanks! For this trip we will be a family of just 4 as my DH got his fill of WDW (for a while anyway) on this past trip.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The time frame would be NOW. Any DVC owner can book at any of the DVC resorts, not just their home resort, because we are now inside of the 7-month window for late Jan/early Feb stays. That also means that availability at the more popular resorts will not be as plentiful as it would have been a couple of months ago. For a family of 5, there are only a limited number of DVC resorts with studio villas that will accommodate you. Those would be Boardwalk, Poly, Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge. Of those, GF would be very hard to book at this point and BWV standard view is probably not going to be possible for more than scattered days here and there. You should also be aware that you will need to pay the entire amount at the time that you book in most cases.

If you decide to rent, you will still be able to make 180+10 dining reservations and 60-day FP+.

I agree. As soon as I have my dates set, I start looking at people willing to rent. I use the Disboards and another similar message board that rhymes with houseowners. The most I've ever paid was $12 per point but generally they run higher. It's just luck to find someone looking to get rid of their points quickly but I have to admit most of our rentals are for 1-2 nights pre-cruise. Our longest rental was the 4 night stay. I'd think selection (of DVC owners looking to rent) decreases when it's a longer stay and more points are required.
Keep in mind it's a timeshare so you don't get daily trash/towel/bedmaking service. I think you get all of that after the 4th night but as I said, we've never stayed longer than that.
Studios can use public laundry rooms & have kitchenettes but 1BR and larger have their own w/d & full kitchen in each unit. We've never rented a 2BR but I believe they have 2 baths as well.
If you're reluctant to rent privately from an owner you could always use a broker such as David's (see DVC rental board). He basically matches owners with renters so as long as there's availability, he can book it. It's convenient & there's no negotiating so some people like going that route.

Not that it would apply to this trip for you but if you're ever looking for holiday/peak time, you have to book before the 7 month mark, as close to 11 months as you can. This would be Christmas/Easter/early summer, etc. So in that case, you find an owner whose home resort is where you want to stay.

 

[stazmatic]

You can save a lot by skipping character meals and not using the dining plan. All of those "free" drinks and desserts that don't get eaten is how they make their money.

 

[Marionnette]

I agree. As soon as I have my dates set, I start looking at people willing to rent. I use the Disboards and another similar message board that rhymes with houseowners. The most I've ever paid was $12 per point but generally they run higher. It's just luck to find someone looking to get rid of their points quickly but I have to admit most of our rentals are for 1-2 nights pre-cruise. Our longest rental was the 4 night stay. I'd think selection (of DVC owners looking to rent) decreases when it's a longer stay and more points are required.
Keep in mind it's a timeshare so you don't get daily trash/towel/bedmaking service. I think you get all of that after the 4th night but as I said, we've never stayed longer than that.
Studios can use public laundry rooms & have kitchenettes but 1BR and larger have their own w/d & full kitchen in each unit. We've never rented a 2BR but I believe they have 2 baths as well.
If you're reluctant to rent privately from an owner you could always use a broker such as David's (see DVC rental board). He basically matches owners with renters so as long as there's availability, he can book it. It's convenient & there's no negotiating so some people like going that route.

Not that it would apply to this trip for you but if you're ever looking for holiday/peak time, you have to book before the 7 month mark, as close to 11 months as you can. This would be Christmas/Easter/early summer, etc. So in that case, you find an owner whose home resort is where you want to stay.

You get a "trash and towel" housekeeping service on day #4. They take out your trash, replenish your consumables (toiletries, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue, coffee, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent), and provide fresh towels.

After an 8-night stay, if you're still in the unit, you will get full housekeeping. Then the cycle begins over again.

If you want daily housekeeping, you can have it for an extra charge.
Additional Housekeeping Service Daily Rates:

• Deluxe Studio: $30 per day requested
• 1-Bedroom Villa: $45 per day requested
• 2-Bedroom Villa: $60 per day requested
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villa: $75 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Service Rates:

• Deluxe Studio: $15 per day requested
• 1-Bedroom Villa: $20 per day requested
• 2-Bedroom Villa: $25 per day requested
• 3-Bedroom Grand Villa: $35 per day requested

Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities at no extra charge at the start of your stay and during each Housekeeping service. After that, you may purchase more amenities for the following fees (fees are subject to change):

• Toiletries Package: $8 - includes 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
• Coffee Package: $5 - includes 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
• Towel Package: $10 - includes 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
• 2 Bathrobes: $6
• Laundry Detergent (only in 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas): $1 - includes 1 box for 1 load of laundry

 

[PatMcDuck]

Skip the dining plan, and eat only a few table service meals. When we travelled with my 4 kids (adults now) we would only eat 2 table service meals per trip. We had DVC and I would even cook (VERY!) simple meals in the room. But with your group i would consider booking a suite at Art of A, the 2 full bathrooms and additional space are fantastic with teens and a group of 5 people. You get a 1/2 kitchen at AoA (no stove/oven), and you can save LOTS just by having breakfast in the room, and also extra food in the room, like PB&J, bread, juice, fruit, snacks, etc. With the food court resorts (and other resorts too, but not always as convenient like Kidani and FW), the refill cups seem to really pay off as well. Bonus, AoA suites are discounted with the usual promos.

 

[crazymomof4]

You can save a lot by skipping character meals and not using the dining plan. All of those "free" drinks and desserts that don't get eaten is how they make their money.

I hear you! After this most recent trip, we all decided we are *done* with character meals now. They were fun when the kids were little, but now our "baby" is 16 and she said, "the characters popping up next to me while I have a mouthful of food is a bit stressful". And we all agreed that the DP is something we don't need..... despite walking an avg of 8-10mile/day, we all came home with our clothes fitting a bit tighter! (except DD16... the only one who wishes she could gain weight! LOL)

 

[crazymomof4]

I requested a quote from a DVC rental broker. Looked at David's prices too. Also requested a quote from another travel agency often recommended. Looking at Orbitz and Expedia but when I search for the Disney owned resorts (and also Swan/Dolphin) I mostly getting messages like "this resort is not available for your checkin date" or "Not available" and similar. I will be crunching the numbers while I anticipate the AP discount release