The planning has begun, help me save $$$

[LAH]

Hello to all,

I haven't been to Disney World since 1992 and I am just starting to plan a Feb. 2004 trip. Feb. 2nd to be exact. 7 nights, 2 Adults, All Star Movies. My first call was to my Travel agent who gave me a price of $1663.00 total. (Disney Winter Dream Maker package).
someone on another board said I could do a lot better is I book everything myself.

Where do I begin??? Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lori

 

[Debi]

You usually can do better booking everything on your own as opposed to a package. The reason for this is because packages often include a lot of 'extras' that you would never use. If you have the time to do the research, look to see how much the room and park tickets would cost you if you bought each seperately. Keep in mind that the Ultimate Park Hopper ticket (the ticket included in all packages) include admission in to all 4 theme parks plus the water parks and Pleasure Island. Will you be visiting the water parks and Pleasure Island? If not, it would be less expensinve for you to buy a park hopper ticket.

Also, look in to purchasing an Annual Pass. If you have the most remote possibility of returning in the next year, or if your trip will be 8 days or longer, an AP will save you money. There are also hotel discounts available to AP holders, especially in the off-season. February is one of the slower seasons, so even if you don't plan on returning in the next year, the money you save on your hotel room would more than offset the extra money you'd pay for the ticket. For example, you might pay an extra $100 for the ticket, but you'd save $300 on the room. Make sense?

As far as saving money for the trip itself, there are a few things that I do that really add up over the course of a few months:

1) Save all your loose change. Just before my most recent trip to WDW (8/29-9/6), I took my change to the bank and had it counted. Between May and August, I had saved $144 in loose change. Get a large container (an empty water jug is usually good) and throw your loose change in there. It adds up!

2) Start using coupons at the grocery store. Take the money you saved by using the coupons and throw that in to your piggy bank (or savings account, which ever you prefer). This also adds up.

3) Have a garage/yard sale. My general rule of thumb is that if you haven't used something in the last year, it goes in to the garage sale pile. At my last yard sale in May, I brought in $150. Some other DISers have made considerably more than that at a yard sale, but every little bit adds up.

4) If you can't get your stuff together for a yard sale, sell your stuff on eBay. There is a whole thread on the Budget Board about "Ebaying your way to WDW."

And this is just the beginning! Other DISers will (hopefully!) add their creative styles of saving money. Hope this helps!

 

[LAH]

GREAT ADVICE. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!

I just came across ticketmania.com. those tickets prices seem to be the cheapest. ($240.00 for a 5 day park hopper plus)

I found Mears Transportation at $28.00 round trip.

Now for the room and airfare.

THANKS!!!!!!

 

[Debi]

Not a problem at all, LAH! Keep watching this site (especially the Resorts Board) to see if any discounts come up for the hotels. Have a great trip!

 

[airhead]

to register and visit www.mousesavers.com everyday!!

have fun planning!
airhead

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Check the Disney Store for the park tickets. When I looked online at the official Disney site, the 7-day tickets (which I'll be purchasing) were $326, ticketmania's price is $315, and our Disney Store's price is $307. I don't know what the 5-day cost is, but it may be cheaper.

Can someone also verify for me - I read somewhere that ticket prices increase every year, so it's a good idea to buy them before January 1st? I never looked to see if there were restrictions as to when you need to use them - for instance, do you need to use them at least once during the year in which you purchase, or can you save them until your trip? If this is true, that may also save some money in the long run.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...................................Consider a towncar.

For about $25 more for a roundtrip, you can get a private towncar for the two of you, that will stop for groceries on the way to WDW for you, then straight to the hotel,not stopping at ten different hotels to empty the bus.

What you save on food can make up the difference.

Work the elections in November. Either as a polling person or afterwards where they take the votes. One day job, but if you are breathing they will hire you, and make $30 to $80 depending on what you end up doing.

Book yourself. You will always save.

 

[january]

The last few weeks or even now rather than eating out as often cook something at home inexpensive and throw the savings in the change jar. You'll eat out enough at disney as it is.

If possible use transportation from airport to disney that includes a grocery store stop. Buy a cheap styofoam cooler drinks for room snacks maybe gallon of milk and box of cereal or whatever for breakfast in room. (Myself I hate the refillible mugs to small and to many trips back for refills but then not all families drinks the soda we drink)


Looks like your going to WDW right after the 1st of the year how about IOU a disney souvineer for Christmas and doing your shopping at WDW? Have friends and family over after you return home for dessert and give them their gift.

If there is a disney store near you and you have trouble saving money go to disney store and buy disney dollars they good most every where at WDW and you can't spend them till you get there.

Breakfast in room is a big money saver and time saver as well.... I usually eat while DH showers and vise versa.

 

[crisi]

I think one of the things most people are disappointed in is booking Mears and then discovering towncar services. Especially if you book a package, it becomes too expensive to dump Mears.

Hang out here for two weeks (the budget board, here, the resorts board, the restaurant) before you book ANYTHING. Ask questions. And remember that what works for one family to save money, does not necessarily work for everyone (for instance, check out meal vouchers - there is almost always a voucher topic over on the budget board - some people save big, for others they spend more than they would have. Or driving - some people save big by driving rather than flying - doesn't work for us - we are from Minnesota and can't afford the travel time).

 

[turnlisa]

Rather than booking your room yourself you can book the room only through Your Magical Journeys. These women are amazing and saved me over $1500. They can book the room for you now and then they watch for when discount codes come out. If the code applies to you, they will work with Disney to get it applied to your reservation. This means you don't have to constantly watch Mousesavers everyday.

We originally booked our hotel only through them for November. When the FTP got extended, Karen got in touch with me the night before to ask me if we wanted to extend our reservation. We saved more than the price of the passes for the entire package! Quite a deal. If you are interested, their website is yourmagicaljourneys.com.

I also encourage the loose change thing as well as the Disney Rewards Visa. Another thing I did was set money aside for my kids every week. We tend to spoil my children with small goodies and special treats. Rather than spend the money, we put it aside and got Disney dollars for it. It has added up to quite a bit and now the kids can buy their own souvenirs!

 

[EthansMom]

Sign up for the newsletter from www.mousesavers.com. They have some special deals on WDW tickets from Ticketmania. I was able to get 5 day park hoppers with 4 plusses for $257 ea. (incl. tax and shipping!)

If you have a AAA discount, you can probably get a 20% discount on the All Stars for room only -- you'll need to know your AAA number when booking. Also, I always book directly through CRO rather than dealing with a travel agent.

You may also want to check out the hotels at Downtown Disney, which are "on-property" but not owned by WDW. We were able to save a bit by changing from the ASMo at the AAA rate to a special rate at the Courtyard by Marriott at Downtown Disney.

Also, check rental car rates. I was able to get a weekly rental for the same price that a towncar or Mears would have cost.

Download Sidestep (www.sidestep.com) to compare airline and car rental prices. I haven't used them to book, but love it for getting a "reality check" on prices.

Did your quote include tickets and hotel only? For comparison sake, I'll tell you that 2 adult 5 day park hoppers with 4 plusses (from Ticketmania) and 7 nights at Courtyard by Marriott (5 nights @ $39 through Dreams Unlimited and 2 nights @ AAA rate of $69 through Marriott) are costing me a total of $886 with taxes. If so, that's a 43% savings over your quote.

EthansMom

 

[jjsmom]

I agree with the posters above, we have actually used nearly all of these tips to save money. I am a huge fan of Mousesavers, too.

Another thing to check is the travel section of your Sunday paper. Sometimes, Disney will market special deals to certain regions of the country (you may have to show proof of residency). Since you should get the paper anyway for the coupons, it won't hurt to skim the travel section.

We too, are huge fans of breakfast in the room (trust me, it's not a hugh inconvience), let me explain why: you will save a LOT of money. But, better than that, you will save precious park time by skipping a big breakfast (except for a character breakfast, of course, which you should try to do). Eat a quick breakfast in your room, do the big attractions early. Then eat an early lunch before the crowds hit. Counter service restaurants are usually mobbed between 12-1:30.

Have a great trip

 

[LAH]

ETHANSMOM & JJSMOM

THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE. I JUST SIGNED UP TO MOUSESAVERS AND SIDESTEP. MY FATHER HAS A MEMBERSHIP TO AAA SO I ASKED HIM TO ADD ME TO HIS ACCOUNT.

I GUESS A LITTLE WORK DOES PAY OFF IN THE END.

QUESTION: YOU STATED TO HAVE BREAKFAST IN THE ROOM EACH MORNING. DO YOU MEAN GET BREAKFAST IN THE FOOD COURT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE ROOM, OR RENT A REFRIGERATOR AND BRING FOOD WITH US?

 

[jjsmom]

LAH,
Here's how you do breakfast in the room: 1) if you fly & are renting a car: go to the Publix Grocery store on 192 a mile or so from the main entrance purchase a styrofoam cooler for perishables such as milk and cream cheese. Some other items are cereal, bagels, danishes, pop tarts, fruit, instant oatmeal for breakfast. It's worth it also to buy your own sodas, water, and snacks. We get the standard stuff- chips, cookies, crackers, Easy Cheese, pretzels, etc. Don't forget to pick up some plastic bowls and spoons,(or bring them from home-they dont take up any space in the suitcase. If you wish to toast a bagel or warm a pop tart, go the food court. Ask the front desk at check- in time for a coffee maker (for coffee of course, and to heat water if want oatmeal).

2) If you don't want to rent a car, use a town car type shuttle (not a bus shuttle) service that will make a grocery stop.

3) If you decide to drive (this is our usual method of transportation) you have the luxury of packing whatever you want including a cooler, coffee maker, hot pot, etc. I even packed the hot pot when we flew one time. I've even heard stories of folks bringing their own microwave, toaster oven, and George Foreman Grill. I haven't tried that yet.

We truly love some of the Disney restaurants and encourage anyone to eat out until their hearts and wallets are content. However, by doing just an extra step (going to the grocery) on the trips, we figure we save $100-200. As far as a frige is concerned, we have never rented one (they're $10/day). We've always made out fine with the cooler (even baby formula 12 years ago!!). We've also never eaten breakfast in the food court (lunch and dinner, yes). Our "big, hot, breakfast" comes on the day we do the character breakfast.

Have a wonderful trip; if there's any more questions please ask!!

 

[LAH]

Thanks for the info!!!!!! I just went on the AAA website got a quote for $61.60 per nite at the All Star Movies. Does this sound right? I will save $172.00 booking myself instead of through my travel agent!!!!!! I am doing the happy dance right now

I am flying from Philadelphia to orlando and was going to book with Mears but maybe a towncar service would be better so I can make that stop at the store. Any suggestions on a good towncar service or a website?

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says....................................Welcome Lah, You have done well.

Don't rent a frig. $10 a day?

Styro coolers work fine, we bring a collapsable full of food and bring it home full of junk, I mean souvenirs.

For less slogging, and to protect your food, bring some tupperware to put cheese, meat etc, into, it stays cold and dry.
Ziploc bags for the ice will reduce the water and still keep everything cold. Or if you have a big tupperware, close to the size of a cooler, fill it with ice and put it on top of everything. Everything is cool and not a drop of water.

Of course to save space, fill it with food or clothes or something on the way down.

Breakfast in the room is cereal, muffins, etc. We bring a hot pot so our BK can include ramen noodles, soup etc.

Not that I would reccommend this, but I can have cereal and a banana for breakfast in less than five minutes!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

There's also the Super Wal Mart near Medival Times for cheap supplies.

In room breakfast usually means(for my family at least) cereals,fruit bars and drinks(Dr.Peppers and coffee)

 

[beglluvr]

When we went this August, we booked a towncar through Tiffany Towncar... they offered a free 30 minute grocery stop. It only ended up costing us $72.00 round trip (that included the $8.00 discount with the PassPorter coupon). We didn't have to sit on a crowded shuttle bus while they stopped at a dozen different places before getting us to POR. As well, with a shuttle, they pick you up extra early on your departure day so they can also stop at other resorts, etc. on the way to the airport.

We felt that the towncar was the way to go because you don't end up wasting as much time going to and from the hotel - they pick you up just in time to get you to the airport with the recommended 2 hour window before your flight... more time in the parks!

Check out the website www.tiffanytowncar.com for rates.

BTW, it's also pretty cool to come out of the gate and see the guy holding the sign with your name on it... it was the highlight of our first day, but then again, we don't get out much1

Enjoy your trip!

 

[LAH]

Beglluvr,

Quick question for you, how far in advance should we book the towncar and what kind of tip should we give? (2 adults, no kids, round trip POR)

Thanks!!!!

LAH

 

[Pointdisney]

If you do want to work as a "Board Worker" in the Elections, New Jersey pays $200.00 for the day.

Granted, as previously mentioned, it is a very long day but $200.00 is a pretty good chunk of 'Disney Change'.

Good Luck!