Trip Planning Advice *teenager*

[FairyPiranha]

Hello!

Sorry for the obvious title, but this is question is a little odd. So I am a senior in a georgia high school and I have a groups of 7 friends who, instead of wanting to go to PCB or Daytona, would like to go to Disney for our senior trip. I think it is awesome. This would be my 30th trip to Disney World, but this is my first time planning it. Every time I have gone it has been with my parents, however this time I am considering going out on my own. This is not set in stone but I would like to get an estimate and plan so I could bring it to my parents and my friends and really open it up as an option. So that brings us to the budget. There are eight of us and we would drive down, but we have to keep the costs under 450$ each for the entire trip. We are looking at a week off that we have in February the 14-18th. We would leave after school on the 13th and some how wind up there on the 14th. Should we consider booking hotel outside for that one night? There are going to be 3 of use (including me) who are 18, but everyone else is 17, will that be a problem? Do the wise Budget boarders have any advice?

 

[msmayor]

You will struggle finding a hotel that will be willing to rent rooms to 7 unrelated teenagers, most of whom are under 18.

My daughter and her friend went to Orlando last year...both were 20...and they had to search around to find a hotel that would permit them to stay. In addition, they had to have a major credit card in order to check in. A debit card may work, but remember that the hotel will put a hold on a chunk of funds on the account linked to the debit card.

It will be a challenge.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I ran a very few numbers and your best best seems to be getting 2 rooms at a value, base tickets and quick service dining plan. For that, from the numbers I quickly entered into the WDW website, each person's cost would be $530. That doesn't include gas or anything else, but it gets everyone a room, 2 meals a day, and base park tickets.

You could also stay off property. You could rent a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for about $125 a night, which if you all bought base tickets would put you right over $300, but wouldn't include any of your food. This would also get you transportation to and from the parks and Bonnet Creek, I'm told, has a great water park. You would have a full kitchen and plenty of room with this.

I'm looking, but not really finding anything better that's suited to your situation. Other people may have better ideas. There are other hotels, but for 8 people your options are somewhat limited.

I don't know what the rules would be on your 17 year olds either; you might have to actually call Disney on that one and find out.

 

[imsayin]

You can book rooms on Disney property as an 18 year old and for the 17 year olds. DD went last June with 2 18 year olds and 1 17 year old. No problems on Disney property. Just make sure to book an 18 year old in each room.

 

[ceecee]

You can book rooms on Disney property as an 18 year old and for the 17 year olds. DD went last June with 2 18 year olds and 1 17 year old. No problems on Disney property. Just make sure to book an 18 year old in each room.

My DD wants to do this next year for her senior trip as well. They will have to fly which will cost more. Since you have been 30 times I'm assuming your parents are Disney addicts like us. Your mom may be able to help. I said DH and I will go and stay in another resort in case of an emergency there would be an adult there! DD's not keen on that idea though. However, two of the girls who want to go will be able to if we go too (the parents will kick in some $)!
If you stay on property you can use Disney transportation, much easier and less worry! Check out the All Stars...4 to a room and QS dining unless you think you can eat cheaper than that.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't get the dining plan! You can eat cheaper on your own and kids can get by on a lot less for a week if they have to. Take stuff for the room to eat for breakfast since you are driving, Share meals, etc.

Staying at Disney takes care of the finding a place since you are only 18. It also helps since you can take Disney transportation in case a few want to go in a different direction once in a while. It will also help your parents feel easier because of the Disney safety factor. I know I would feel better having my 17/18 yr old staying on Disney versus somewhere out in Orlando.


Now for my PSA Promise you will always stay in groups of 2 and no one goes off alone OR with someone they just met!!!! Ever, Never! . Ok Mom speech over.

 

[HM]

I wouldn't get the dining plan! You can eat cheaper on your own and kids can get by on a lot less for a week if they have to. Take stuff for the room to eat for breakfast since you are driving, Share meals, etc.

You MIGHT eat cheaper, but if you do it this way, they know their dining costs up front. And the Quick Service plan CAN cover all their eating needs if they can do two meals a day (which most teen girls can do).

 

[Random Ninja]

I like numbers so I've run a few for you.

Plan 1
2 Rooms at All Star Music = $1616/$230.86 each
3 Day Base tickets + 1 day free from UT = $255.95
Gas to/from Georgia = $200
Food @ $25/per person/5nights = $125

Per person cost = $640.38

Plan 2
If free dining is offered, 2 rooms at All Star Sports/Music, 2 day base passes with WPF&M would be $480.49 + gas/ per person

Free dining with 3 day base passes would be $489.77 + gas/per person


Plan 3
Best Western DTD = $1349.78/$192.83 per person
2 day base tickets with WPF&M = $248.15 each
or 4 day base tickets from UT = $255.95 each
Gas to/from Georgia = $200
Food @ $25/per person/5nights = $125
Total per person cost = $594.55 or $602.35


Nothing on-site is going to get you under $450 a person though free-dining does come close. If you can wait until the 14th to drive down, it will cut out about @$200 ($28.57 per person). Check when Disney puts out the spring free dining offer to see if your dates are covered. The free dining promo would get you to around $480 per person for hotel, tickets, food, and gas. I recommend getting the 2 day pass with the WPF&M option because you get more entrees then the 3 day passes and the 4 day are out of your budget.

A sample iteriry might be:
February 14: travel to WDW, check in, dinner at captain cooks and Wishes from the beach
February 15: all day at one of the parks
February 16: sleep in, early lunch, Disney Quest, campfire at FW
February 17: all day at one of the parks
February 18: sleep in, pack cars, mini-golf or waterpark, travel back home

You may want to have the 18yos join an online rewards site like quickrewards or swagbucks to earn a few gift cards. You may be able to knock out a good portion of the fuel cost or save up for desert at a TS one night. Pixie dust for your trip!

 

[FairyPiranha]

Thank you everyone for replying, y'all have given me some great ideas and I appreciate you running some numbers for me they definitely helped I think we are gonna wait until about november so we can see if there are any deals and we can see whether they help with the prices.

Thanks again!

 

[starry_solo]

Have you tried a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom at Bonnet Creek (it's a timeshare)? I heard you can get a week for $500-800 total so that would save on the lodging (not sure if parking is included in this rate though).

Staying on Disney property, you would get free parking at any of the parks whereas staying at Bonnet Creek, you'd have to pay (unless you took their shuttle).

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Have you tried a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom at Bonnet Creek (it's a timeshare)? I heard you can get a week for $500-800 total so that would save on the lodging (not sure if parking is included in this rate though).

Staying on Disney property, you would get free parking at any of the parks whereas staying at Bonnet Creek, you'd have to pay (unless you took their shuttle).

I was going to suggest the same. Windsor Hills also has affordable weekly rates. You can get a 3BR condo rental through Expedia too for about $130/night in the Lake Buena Vista area and will sleep all of you... So about $600 for hotel probably if you'd go that route. You'd have to park, but you'd also be able to eat in the condo easily and get fast food off site.

 

[danceintherain]

First of all, you're going to have to check the policy for staying anywhere other than Disney.
Disney's policy allows you to book a room as long as one person in each room is at least 18. Other hotels have different policies.
Disney also NEVER requires a credit card for their hotels. Other places pretty much require that someone staying in the room has a valid credit card in their name, no matter how old you are. (I'm 25 and finally had to cave and get a credit card, because it was too complicated to book a hotel without one). You can probably arrange it for one of your parents to call and fax some information down to put a credit card on file, but it can be frustrating.

Now, money-wise staying on the Disney property will be difficult, at least until the discounts for next year are released.
$450/person is not a lot of money to work with at Disney. A 3-day ticket will run you over $250/person, which would only leave $200 for hotel, food, and gas money.
If one of your parents is military, qualifies for the Armed Forces Salute tickets, and is willing to drive down with you to activate them, that could help.
Otherwise, you'll be cutting it close no matter where you stay.