What are you doing to make your Disney trips more affordable?

[edk35]

Your whole post, especially the bolded part is my family to a tee! I am looking for part time work, basically just to ensure we can take our trips. If not for those, I'd probably not be doing that right now.

You know my kids don't like me working part time either. Never have. I have been working part time for the past 6 years...started our VERY PART TIME until my youngest was in 1st grade then then have added on the past 2 years. However......it does help with the "extras" as I call them.

 

[rbuzzotta]

WE will most likely spend the same amount of days at WDW this year.

The areas in which we cut back:

1. Did not renew my lease on my SUV gas guzzler!!
2. Limit dinners out and eat in more.
3. Purchase more generic brands instead of name brands.
4. Have not purchased additional park passes.
5. Enjoy hanging at OKW more often and people watch at night.
6. Limit dinners out while on vacation.
7. Eat off property more often instead of on property.
8. Shop at publix or Walmart at WDW
9. No more buying frivolous trinkets at WDW
We save our change all year round. I cash it in and split it between my 3 DD's so they can use it for spending night. When it is gone, it is gone.
10. NO more smoothies at the Gurgling Suitcase for the girls. WE buy the mix and make them in the room now.

Pending: This upcoming year we may use Magical Express instead of renting a car. Still up in the air on that one.

 

[vwlvette]

We are not changing anything, This year we are going with 15 of us all together!! 39 more days and we are Disney bound, VWL, can't wait ti get home, anyway this year we remodeled our home did it all on the Disney Visa rewards, now we have $750 rewards dollars, what a deal, some free money.

 

[Anal Annie]

I have been laid off for just about 7 months now so we've cut back on just about everything. I am job hunting and do not want to plan a whole bunch of trips and then have to tell a new employer "Oh, BTW, I need off here...and here...and here!" Having one trip planned I think is OK, but I'd rather wait & see what kind of vacation policy I get into before planning anything else.

I am also not going to take 2 days to drive down and 2 days to drive back when I can fly in 2 hours. The round trip gas would cost almost as much as flights...but both are more than they used to be. We went 3 times last year but we just let our AP's expire in August so it's not as tempting to plan another trip until NEXT summer. Those AP's lead to more trips for sure! I would LOVE to sneak one trip in...but not willing to pay for the park tickets right now. Rather than a long weekend to WDW in January we're going to make a 3 hr. drive and go skiing in Western Maryland instead. (By the time we pay for lodging & rentals it's still pricey but it probably will cost half of what WDW would cost with park tickets figured in.)

I imagine as soon as I land a new job and find out how much vacation time I will have I will probably start planning something else. But it's likely nothing will be planned until next summer.

 

[edk35]

I have been laid off for just about 7 months now so we've cut back on just about everything. I am job hunting and do not want to plan a whole bunch of trips and then have to tell a new employer "Oh, BTW, I need off here...and here...and here!" Having one trip planned I think is OK, but I'd rather wait & see what kind of vacation policy I get into before planning anything else.

I am also not going to take 2 days to drive down and 2 days to drive back when I can fly in 2 hours. The round trip gas would cost almost as much as flights...but both are more than they used to be. We went 3 times last year but we just let our AP's expire in August so it's not as tempting to plan another trip until NEXT summer. Those AP's lead to more trips for sure! I would LOVE to sneak one trip in...but not willing to pay for the park tickets right now. Rather than a long weekend to WDW in January we're going to make a 3 hr. drive and go skiing in Western Maryland instead. (By the time we pay for lodging & rentals it's still pricey but it probably will cost half of what WDW would cost with park tickets figured in.)

I imagine as soon as I land a new job and find out how much vacation time I will have I will probably start planning something else. But it's likely nothing will be planned until next summer.

You know what...you hit the nail on the head with those AP's. We got 4 trips out of our first ever set of AP's. We bought them in Aug. last year....used them for that 8 night trip, then our 8 night trip in Nov., then again in Jan. for like 5 nights and then our longgggggg trip this past July which was 14. Sure we got out money's worth out of those AP's but we also spent tons of money on those trips including airfare. So I am trying to keep that in mind too.

 

[Anal Annie]

You know what...you hit the nail on the head with those AP's. We got 4 trips out of our first ever set of AP's. We bought them in Aug. last year....used them for that 8 night trip, then our 8 night trip in Nov., then again in Jan. for like 5 nights and then our longgggggg trip this past July which was 14. Sure we got out money's worth out of those AP's but we also spent tons of money on those trips including airfare. So I am trying to keep that in mind too.

Exactly! Well, and for us, we were out of points last year too 'cuz I didn't want to borrow ahead on our points - so in addition to the extra airfare we also paid for DVC cash discount nights! But I was DETERMINED to use and re-use those darned AP's!! Next go around we may do the non-expiring hoppers. We'll see...but we'll definitely make sure we don't buy AP's again without a plan for using them wisely.

Buying an AP is like going to Target! Once you're IN THE STORE you fill the cart! Better off just not going!

 

[edk35]

Exactly! Well, and for us, we were out of points last year too 'cuz I didn't want to borrow ahead on our points - so in addition to the extra airfare we also paid for DVC cash discount nights! But I was DETERMINED to use and re-use those darned AP's!! Next go around we may do the non-expiring hoppers. We'll see...but we'll definitely make sure we don't buy AP's again without a plan for using them wisely.

Buying an AP is like going to Target! Once you're IN THE STORE you fill the cart!

I think you and I commmented to each other about this a couple of months ago too. LOL YES....those AP's are dangerous. Well we did the same thing...we stayed 4 nights on discounted cash this past summer. So we decided to buy more points and so we added on 100. We have 400 and we are still borrowing from 09.

 

[twinklebug]

Exactly! Well, and for us, we were out of points last year too 'cuz I didn't want to borrow ahead on our points - so in addition to the extra airfare we also paid for DVC cash discount nights! But I was DETERMINED to use and re-use those darned AP's!! Next go around we may do the non-expiring hoppers. We'll see...but we'll definitely make sure we don't buy AP's again without a plan for using them wisely.

Buying an AP is like going to Target! Once you're IN THE STORE you fill the cart! Better off just not going!

Great analogy, but I think a Costco trip might be better. Why buy the 2g jug of maple syrup if you know you only use 12oz every 6 months?

The key to saving money using the APs is long term planning with your trips & careful point planning. I'm trying - but finding it's hard to plan out trips/points I might borrow so far in advance (banking I have no problem with, but that reduces the need for the AP ). Addonitis is hitting the area hard too and I keep thinking how much I really want VWL points (that would kick my desire to save points.)

 

[twinklebug]

Other than APs and careful point planning I've gotten very good with making our trips affordable

Have you canceled trips?
Are you cutting back on trips? NO. Added more, but then life did a 180 on us

Are you doing things differently at home so you can still take your Disney vacations? Yes, focusing on our trips as the big entertainment of the year saving money by not doing as much 'other' entertainment (less movies, ballet, theater, boating etc)

Will your upcoming trips be different than they were in the past? How so? Yes, they'll be more relaxed as we know we'll be returning - which in turn means we don't mind spending more time at the resort and less in the parks (bigger savings there too)

My to-do list for trip savings:

$$$: Shop shop shop for airfare. If I have to commit to a higher price trip I make sure it's SW. Also, consider alternate transportation - Train (buy far enough out and you get the best deals) & Driving on your own (if able - I can't drive from MA to FL all on my own.)

$$: Eat in! The reason I fell in love the villas to start with was the kitchenette.

$$: Pack & check an extra box with the food items we love from home. Having brand names and food we're familiar with will encourage the above.

$: buy rechargeable batteries/film/memory cards AT HOME. All parks everywhere will whack you for these.

$: Use the free water in the parks as someone else mentioned. The only issue here is I've found AK to fight back when I ask for ice/water - we just bring our own containers and refill.

$: Use A livery service to bring us to/from the airport instead of Drive & Fly for the long trips, Use Drive & Fly or the T station even for the shorter trips.

$: Use ME. If I need a rental car - shop shop shop (I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to get the best rental deal now- tips are appreciated!)

$: Give the pets a vacation. I hate seeing pets caged up at kennels, why pay tons of $$ for their misery when you can ask a friend/relative to stay with them? I offer my spa services to them and their pets in return.

 

[craiggers]

We are planning to eat OFF premises this year...not all of our meals, but a majority of them...
Fun Pizza night out, etc.
Find some places to eat that have meal specials etc.

PS... Instead of booking a two bedroom unit...I plan on putting all 6 of us in a studio!!!...LOL!!!!!

Air mattresses fit fine in a VWL studio. We only had 4 people, but used one anyway because of kids who kick bad...etc.

 

[Amy&Dan]

You know what...you hit the nail on the head with those AP's. We got 4 trips out of our first ever set of AP's. We bought them in Aug. last year....used them for that 8 night trip, then our 8 night trip in Nov., then again in Jan. for like 5 nights and then our longgggggg trip this past July which was 14. Sure we got out money's worth out of those AP's but we also spent tons of money on those trips including airfare. So I am trying to keep that in mind too.

So true! Were it not for my AP's and the "we have free tickets" idea, we woudln't even be taking this trip next month. Even with our DVC lodging, we had to add on a few nights at Pop and the cost of meals and airfare were really something I didnt' need to tack onto our family budget. This is the last set of AP's I am buying for awhile. Dh keeps saying our AP's also save us money with AP rates and the DDE card. But again, AP rates come about if I am booking so many trips I run out of points and the DDE makes me feel like I have to get my money's worth and do more sit downs.

If I don't have AP's I am not as tempted to book trips to get more use out of them.

 

[Mick West]

We love DW and go often. We never thought we went "on the cheap" but I guess we always have! We always carry a backpack and take water and snacks in the park. We make up bags with nuts, dried fruit or a "hardy" candy - like M&M's. We don't do the DDP. That's really more food than we care to eat, plus it is another thing to schedule or plan. Our primary purpose there isn't to eat, so we have our favorite quick service locations that work great for us. We have actually bought park hopper passes on e-bay, saving a good bit of money. Knock out the rental car and DDP and you'll have plenty!

 

[jamstew]

No, no, no and no

 

[jblrn2b]

Well, I have always searched in the middle of the night for cheap flights (I work nights). - I will never be able to get a Jetblue $69 flight again - boo hiss.

The biggest cost cutting we are doing is eating at home. With two sports kids it seems easier to grab a pizza, etc. after games, practices but it was costing a lot of money. I am actually having fun planning weekly meals and grocery shopping. We are saving over $200 (sometimes more) a month and still eating very well.

When we are vacationing - we are vacationing and will continue to eat at all the fun places. We will get studio accommodations most of the time and won't cook much at WDW.

I only work 7 miles away so I got a new car 2 yrs ago that is much more gas efficient. I go through a tank every 10 days even with traveling to games.

As far as vacationing? We go to Cape Cod every year in August just like we always did and we will take a WDW trip at least every other year.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I'm waiting on my bail-out check!

I'm thinking about 750,000 per tax paying citizen ought to do it. Let me know when you get yours!!

To answer OP, we're really not changing anything. We have APs, we always fly as cheap as we can, we have an owners locker where we store our Disney only stuff so we don't have to buy replacement lanyards, light toys, etc.

 

[corpcomp]

1. AIRLINES - We look for the lowest fares possible. - Moved our trip from April to February since the fares are so much cheaper.

2. ME - We will use ME instead of renting a car.

3. FREE FOOD - We use Disney credit cards for more purchases to get the Disney points. We pay off the cards every month and end up with about 700 points during the year. Gets us FREE FOOD during our weekly stay and we do not waste money on the DDP - it only forces you to eat more.

4. ANNUAL PASSES - By going in Feb instead of the normal Spring break, we will have been able to go three times in one annual pass season this time.

5. NOT getting caught up in the hype - NOT BUYING BLT

6. NOT TELLING MY RELATIVES IN FL WE ARE COMING - When we do they show up and we end up feeling obligated to treat everyone. They do not know we own DVC.

7. NOT PAYING TAXES THIS YEAR. It will only go to the banks and brokerage houses -

 

[LIFERBABE]

7. NOT PAYING TAXES THIS YEAR. It will only go to the banks and brokerage houses -

Be sure to tell Wesley Snipes I LOVED him in BLADE when you see him!!

Let me know how that works out for you. If my bailout check doesn't come, I may give that a whirl!

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I am leaving my family at home! LOL

 

[PinkTink63]

Well, we are still planning to go on our trip next summer, but we only get one trip per year. We're hoping that the airfare doesn't continue to go up too much more!

We really don't eat out much, but I have been even more strict on that! We get an occasional Papa Murphy's or McDonald's.

I have a Grand Jeep Cherokee, but I have only been driving it to and from my part time job. I drive my husband's little Dodge Neon for all my other errands.

This next trip we will only be staying at DVC. We usually go to the gulf coast or someone else in Florida, but this time our off property will be Vero Beach. We might not be able to eat out as much also. We have to be pretty selective on our meals out while at WDW.

Our tax return always goes in our vacation account. I do an annual yard sale every year before we go and I have a vacation can!

 

[edk35]

So true! Were it not for my AP's and the "we have free tickets" idea, we woudln't even be taking this trip next month. Even with our DVC lodging, we had to add on a few nights at Pop and the cost of meals and airfare were really something I didnt' need to tack onto our family budget. This is the last set of AP's I am buying for awhile. Dh keeps saying our AP's also save us money with AP rates and the DDE card. But again, AP rates come about if I am booking so many trips I run out of points and the DDE makes me feel like I have to get my money's worth and do more sit downs.

If I don't have AP's I am not as tempted to book trips to get more use out of them.

Yes the DDE is great but in order to get that discount...you have to book sit downs. I will probably miss that card some...but we did do more sit downs because of it. Disney knows exactly what they are doing. We have always gotten Park passes and I think we will just go back to that. I think AP's are great too but for us they just entice me to schedule more trips. The developer points we got.....those added more trips too ...to start with anyways. Not that I am complaining. I wish we could go about 4 times a year. I just know that we spend a lot of money even with dvc accomodations, AP's and such.....so if we scale back to one big summer trip each year or one medium trip and maybe a small Jan. trip every other year...we will save money in the long run.