Trip Money Matters! Help!

[BeckWhy]

Ok, I guess, I have a few questions for a few things. I would like to go to Disney World this summer (which if I can talk my boyfriend into going, I will probably go). My major problem is, I'm really squashed for money. So that leaves us staying at the All-Stars. Which isn't bad. I stayed there last year when I went with some cheerleaders. Well, when I called to price the room with the AXA code it saved us about $100 on the room. Ok that's only one aspect of the trip. Granted I would like to save more on the room, I'll take what I can get. Now to park tickets. We are looking at getting a 5 day Park Hopper Plus. Is there anyway, besides pre-ording it from DisneyWorld.com to get it cheaper? Then there is airport transfers. As of right now we are gonna take the Mears Shuttle service. It's the cheapest. How does Mears work? Are there certain pick up times and what not? Or is it as soon as I get to the shuttle, they will take off to the resort; and when I'm ready to head back to the airport do they come when I say, or only at specific times? Lastly, that I can think of right now, is there any way to get meal vouchers without getting a package, and if so, how much do they cost?
Thanks so much for the help! I'm sure I'll have more questions in the future!


PS I think I posted this on the wrong board before!

 

[BethR]

Welcome to the DIS BeckWhy!

You have come to the right place to plan a trip to Disney on a budget.

You have done the right thing in booking the lowest priced on-site room with a code. I would just say to keep watching and see if anything else comes up that is better. It may not, but you never know.

Tickets - you can check out ticket brokers like www.ticketmania.com , www.floridaorlandotickets.com , www.paramountinternationaltravel.com , as well as others. There you will probably find the best price that you will get on tickets. Check them all out and be sure that you are comparing prices that include tax.

Food - vouchers are convenient and are nice for preplanning and prepaying for your meals, but they are not always the most cost efficient. There are tons of threads on this board regarding them to give you some idea if they really are what you want.
Don't forget that you can have breakfast in your room with cereal that you have brought from home, etc.
We usually TRY to only buy one meal a day. Usually we have breakfast in our room, a bought meal and a bought snack.
There are many money saving ideas for food on this board.

I am not sure about Mears and how they work times. I am sure that someone else can help there.

Good Luck and keep reading these boards. You will find yourself planning a great budget-minded WDW trip!

 

[staylor]

Again, you picked a great place to begin your planning.

Look at www.biddingfortravel.com
Right now the Swan and Dolphin are going for about $65 a night on priceline.
We always eat poptarts/cereal/granola bars in the room for breakfast. For lunch we try to get a PS at the park for the latest lunch time available. Then snack or cheap food for dinner.

We also carry our own water bottles during the day.

Good Luck and ask lots of questions around here, everyone is very helpful.

 

[beansmom]

are you just 'locked' into summer travel? Value season can save you more on the room. And it's not so hot so you won't drink as much. Less crowded as well.

It will also give you more time to plan and save. Just a thought.

 

[BeckWhy]

Originally posted by staylor
For lunch we try to get a PS at the park for the latest lunch time available.

What's PS? I think food isn't really much of an issue. The past times I've been there, I've only ate like once and a snack, and I usually don't eat breakfast. I have no idea why I want meal vouchers. LOL. Mainly I think that the park ticket is what is creating a problem for me. The water bottle is a must for me too! Don't think I'm weird or anything, but one year, I spent a month in Orlando, and with the price of soda, all I drank was refils from the waterfountains. So I got used to the water down there, so everytime I'm there, I try to drink a lot (I got so accustomed to it, I can't drink the water here! lol).

I wouldn't say I'm locked into summer travel, but it's just the easiest time to go. I'm in college and my boyfriend works. And when the fall semester comes around, he'll start classes too. But I looked into going durning my times off, possibly missing some classes to go, and with the way he is on vacation, and the parks only being open to 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm it doesn't seem like there is enough time (he usually sleeps in until 11:00 am or noon). But again, I'm not worried about the hotel price really. It's cheaper to stay in Disney World than it is to go to Mytle Beach or anything, so I'm pretty cool with that. Also, The summer is a better time for me to go. I'm a redhead and I don't tan to easily, and the high UVs down there (I know SKIN CANCER) help a lot. Surprisingly, as much as I've been there, I've never got sunburned.

I think basically, it comes down to ticket prices. I'm totally willing to pay money for food (I love food, especially Disney food ).

Anyways, thanks for the help so far!