What are your best $$ saving tips while at Disney?

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by nkjzmom
Thanks for all the ideas. I am also wondering how everyone affords staying onsite all the time. I was looking over the list for Nov over on the strategies board and there are only a few of us staying offsite and all of us have at least some time planned at an onsite resort. I guess it has just really sunk in how much lodging can cost at the Disney resorts. I knew the prices, but to actually stay at one for 8-9 days....WOW!!!

Sorry if it's too personal a question.

It depends on where you stay and when you go. Also, we just got AP's and AP rates. We got Pop Century for 2 adults , room only for $273 (total!) for 5 nights and 6 days.

Also check www.mousesavers.com

Do you have AAA? You can sometimes get AAA rates too.

I personally don't mind staying offsite. We have a timeshare off site one week a year and I actually don't mind not being in a DIsney resort. But sometimes it's nice, for the atmosphere.

 

[FTWFAN]

We give the kids part of their allowance in Disney Dollars. That way they can't spend it before we go to WDW. Then set a certain amount to spend each day. If they spend their money that morning and find something else in the evening---too bad!!!!
It makes them think a little harder before buying junk!!!

 

[diznygirl]

Ask for a cup of ice at a vending cart and fill it with water from a water fountain - then you don't have to lug around water bottles - but you get free ice cold water!

Split meals - definitely! DH and I started this on his business trips when he could only expense one meal - that meal was an appetizer, an entree and a dessert! Plenty of food for two, but only counts as one meal to the accountants!! Nowadays we skip the appetizer and dessert. You can't swear off sit down meals entirely - sometimes it is sooooo nice to be waited on! Just share - DH and I order something that can be shared with the kids.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by diznygirl
Ask for a cup of ice at a vending cart and fill it with water from a water fountain - then you don't have to lug around water bottles - but you get free ice cold water!

Split meals - definitely! DH and I started this on his business trips when he could only expense one meal - that meal was an appetizer, an entree and a dessert! Plenty of food for two, but only counts as one meal to the accountants!! Nowadays we skip the appetizer and dessert. You can't swear off sit down meals entirely - sometimes it is sooooo nice to be waited on! Just share - DH and I order something that can be shared with the kids.

This is how we eat too. There is NO WAY we could eat an appetizer, two full entrees and a dessert! The size of these meals is huge.

The only time we pay for two meals is at buffets where we can choose how much food we want. Or if we're really hungry.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by nkjzmom
Thanks for all the ideas. I am also wondering how everyone affords staying onsite all the time. I was looking over the list for Nov over on the strategies board and there are only a few of us staying offsite and all of us have at least some time planned at an onsite resort. I guess it has just really sunk in how much lodging can cost at the Disney resorts. I knew the prices, but to actually stay at one for 8-9 days....WOW!!!

Sorry if it's too personal a question.

We stay on site each time by taking advantage of codes. We travel during peak seasons, and still manage to get discounts.
This Christmas we're staying at Music for $49.00 a night.
(I hope I'll be able to change it to PC.)

This Easter I paid $79.00 for 9 nights at Pop Century.

 

[LisaSt]

Drive down buy an electric cooler and use it for milk and drinks and cold cuts that way you can make your own breakfast without going out to eat every day and you can make lunches to take to the parks and have cold drinks for the day and evening while you are at the parks and in your room.

 

[nkjzmom]

Thank goodness for AP rates. We did get ASMu for $49/night in Nov. So we have 2 rooms for around $100/night. Not bad.

I am definitely keeping my eyes open for those over the next year.

 

[LisaSt]

We bought into DVC best decision we have ever made especially after looking at how much we had spent on accomodations over the past years staying at WDW.