to those with annual passes

[Eeyoreloverforever]

how do you afford to go more than once a year?

With the costs of flights, hotel, food and stuff our trip usually costs us about $6000.

We try to go about every year to year and a half.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Drive...

Use skyauction for a great condo for a week at less than a hotel would cost...

Go one year then go again the next year the week before your annual pass expires...

Limit the budget for each day...

Make lunches to bring to the parks....

Eat at the condo...

Save all my change...

It can be done...

Last year we were there for about 50 days...but remember that I work 7 days a week, 12-15 hours a day ALL SUMMER!!!

 

[CdnDisneyer]

Ditto what PhotobearSam says. It can be done!

 

[CJK]

These tips are great! We often use priceline for a cheap motel since we can't afford to stay onsite for every trip. Try having your main meal at lunch (around 2pm or so) so that the prices are cheaper and you would likely only need a snack in the evening.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I try to make most of my meals at home and avoid eating out. It's good for my wallet as well as my waist I also have a savings account which automatically takes money from my regular account every week. We also try to get at least one ticket through a reward program (ie. Air Miles or Aeroplan) so that we only end up buying one ticket.

The annual passes can also give you some savings on hotels. Last December, we stayed at AKL for $109/night in a standard. I think the rack rate was $199. Of course, AP rates are never guaranteed, so I don't base my vacation around it.

This link will give you a list of current AP benefits.

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/apass.htm#2004

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Ditto again for Photobearsam.

We drive so we take lots of stuff with us such as a case of water, snackies, pop etc. We have a car fridge so we can take just about anything and then we stop in at a grocery store once down there to supplement. We figure we save a bunch just by driving and not just the cost of the flights.

We eat breakfast in the room and pack a lunch for the park. We eat some dinners in as well. We don't feel deprived though as we do eat out for dinners as well.

We've gotten really good rates with the AP and with the Cdn at par discount (although I don't think we'll see that again this year).

We watch for rates at the resorts and don't stay in the most expensive resorts. We've been quite happy at the ASsp.

We always stop at the Belz Character Outlet to shop first as sometimes you can get stuff there for 1/2 what it's selling for in the parks.

Disney is a priority in the budget at home.

Hope this helps.

 

[Rob&Jan]

You may want to consider Disney vacation Club.
Because of it we go 2 to 3 times per year.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

What does it offer? How much does it cost? I would like as many details as you can possibly give.

How do you afford to go so often?

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

What does it offer? How much does it cost? I would like as many details as you can possibly give.

How do you afford to go so often?

 

[Stitch 03]

I just bought into the DVC since I plan on making many trips in the future. If you want more info on DVC I highly recommend posting your question on the DVC board.

There are a few ways to make travelling to WDW more affordable:

1) Travel from the US when possible - I can get airfares for as low as $300 CAD, including taxes, out of Seattle.

2) Annual Passes - I find one of the most expensive aspects of travelling to WDW is the passes. Annual passes allow you to spread the cost out. It is great making a return trip knowing you do not need to buy another pass.

3) Discounts - Check out www.mousesavers.com . They list all current discounts available. One of the best sources for hotel discounts is an annual pass.

4) Stay at moderates - Not as inexpensive as value resorts, but they have a resort feel without paying deluxe prices.

5) DVC - Although the upfront costs are quite substantial, it does pay in the long run.

6) Do smaller trips - Instead of going once a year for 2 weeks, do two or three smaller trips.

Those are just a few things that can help reduce costs. Hope they help.

 

[Rob&Jan]

Eeyoreloverforever,
As Stitch 03 said I would suggest going to the Disney Vacation Club forum on the DIS and there they have an FAQ thread and you can also post questions. The people there are great just like all the folks on the DIS., or if you wish you can PM me and I'll help any way I can.

 

[jersey shark]

I have to ditto what Stitch 03 mentioned....two great approaches to save money if you're a die-hard Disney fan are

a) Annual Passes...in any 12 month period if you plan on visiting the parks more than 8 days, the APs will pay off....personally, I'm at day 12 with this years' pass...will probably get 16 days total use out of the AP, making the effective admission price per day about $27/person. Not bad!

b) Disney Vacation Club...see the separate forum on this concept.

My other thought (a no-brainer if you have a road warrior in the family) is to save mega $$$$ on the trip via free hotels, free airfare, free rental car if you simply redeem points earned on all of the programs that Marriott and Hyatt, any airline, and Hertz car rental offer....of course families with road warriors know who they are....but it's truly amazing the perks that can be had out there!