What has been your cheapest trip to Disney?

[samsid99]

Hello all! I am just back from a nine day trip staying at the Pop Century! We had a wonderful trip, and can't wait to go back! Our first trip to disney was in 2001, and then now. I don't want to wait three years between trips again. And was wondering what the cheapest some pro's have done a 5-7 day stay. I live in upstate NY so I would have to fly, and would off course want to stay on site. My last two trips have cost me around $3000 when all was said and done( that's including every last Mickey Bar!)

Thanks for any input. I will be posting a trip report soon.

 

[aunt2brant]

I went to WDW in Feb. I flew down alone and had a friend pick me up at the airport (who is a Fl resident), we split the cost of the rooom (which of course was deeply discounted because it was off season) and I spent $1000, for 5 days. I could have spent a whole lot more let me tell you, but I was smart, and my friend is VERY frugal with her $$, so I kind of followed her lead. The next time that I go, I will rent a fridge and take my own food and not buy as many mickey things!!!
The way I look at it is: It did not COST me $1000, it was worth that and so much!!!!

 

[kaykels]

I've done Disney on every kind of budget..... when I could afford it and when I couldn't!!!!!! I have 3 kids so it's always an expense BUT...
I stayed at many timeshare rentals and saved a bundle. They are big and beautiful! Sometimes I take the 90 minute tour and save SO MUCH MONEY. Last time I stayed at Sunterra Cypress Point (seconds from Downtown Disney) in a 3 BR villa. It was 109.00 p/n and I shared the cost with my parents. It had seperate enterances, 2 kitchens, etc. It was AMAZING!
I would never buy a timeshare but there are so many owners out there renting their units. If you have a small family you can get a studio rental CHEAP. Then hit a grocery store (but go further down 1-4 where the locals shop) and fill the fridge.
Another trick is getting Annual Passes. Passes are the most expensive part of the trip. I paid an extra couple hundred bucks and had my next vacation in the bag 11 months later.
Also, go off season. Right now the air is 98.00 RT from my area (Philadelphia) to Orlando until October1st.
If you want to stay on Disney property, check the codes! Always check the codes!
So for my 2 vacations I spent: $850.00 for the villas (combined)
I drove and spent 250.00 each time
Annual passes approx. $1600.00 passes???????
1200.00 spending
TOTAL COST FOR 2 VACATIONS FOR A FAMILY OF 5 $4150.00
S

 

[mickeymousefan]

Dec 03 budget...

350 hotel ASMo (4 nts value season- in hind sight definetely not enough but had to squeeze trip in between my school schedule)
250 gas and travel expenses (drove from NJ)
150 dog sitter
212 tickets (sea world and MK... had days left on old park hoppers too)
700 food and spending (2 DD's under 3)

1662.00 total. Except for 2 emergencies.... replaceing flat tire- $120.00 and taking DD to emergency room - $40.00 in prescriptions... we stuck to it.

 

[jacquek95]

If you really need to stay on premise and would like to stay at one of the more deluxe resorts, then I would suggest going off season and renting dvc points from somebody. We did this in February and ended up getting to stay at the Boardwalk Villa (we had a normal studio) for only about $110/nights (pool view). That includes ALL PARKING (which I guess you wouldn't need) and taxes (which really pushes up that hotel room price). It was a normal hotel room with a small kitchenette area added. There are also free laundry facilities (although you need your own detergent). Of course, you have to be careful because you'll fall in love with it so much, you'll end up wanting to buy into DVC (we did ) We get to stay deluxe from here on out!!!!! Good luck!

 

[Cindy B]

1999

Our first trip

Me, DH, two kids, (one under three)

MKC club rate at All Stars
Three hoppers
Driving costs
tolls
meals
everything

5 day vacation

less than $900

 

[samsid99]

Wow!!!! Thanks guys!! I am going out today to buy a huge coke bottle bank for saving change, and I have started ebaying so hopefully the dis budget will grow fast. The one down side to my new love is that my husband doesn't share it.... So from here on out it is a princess only trip. I have 2 DD's (8 and 10). How do I find info on renting points? Has anyone ever drove alone? I am coming from upstate NY so it would be a long haul. Also I am a school teacher so me going at off season is slim. Is one school vacation time better than the other?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I truly appreciate it! I love these boards!

 

[PatriciaH]

The best hotel deal the past few years was the Marriott in Downtown Disney. They were offering $20.01 a night in 2001, $20.02 a night in 2002 and $20.03 a night in 2003! The rooms were nice, they had a managers party every night with free drinks (beer, wine, soda) and snacks (popcorn, chips, etc..) It was for Sunday-Thursday nights and had to be paid for up front. We did this special last year and then moved over to the WL for 3 nights. I think the Marriott has been sold though

 

[Sammy]

Well.....our cheapest trip will be the one DH and I have coming up in September. It will be just the two of us.....anniversary trip w/out kids. I don't think this will help you with savings ideas, but I just had to share:

2 RT tix JetBlue BOS to MCO: $0 (had $175 credit from previous flight going down in price)
4 Nights BCV: $0 (own DVC....ok, ok....I've already paid for this, but it's no $$ out of pocket right now)
Car Rental - 4 days - National: $93.xx (AMEX code)
Estimated spending budget for 4 days: $250 (mainly counter service and no souvies..)

Total cost for 4-night trip: $343!!

Even I can't believe it!!

Sammy

 

[TSWJan78]

We are going in September and Staying at the Sheraton Vistanna in a 2 bedroom unit for $99.00 per night, Round trip tickets on Delta from Boston were $114.00 with tax and we already have passes... I am sure we will spend money but those were to good of deals to pass up!!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

Our cheapest was an impromptu trip in April. Decided at 6pm on a Thursday night to go to WDW~THAT NIGHT! We had to pay for a preferred room (ASMo) because all others were booked, but we had tickets from a previous trip, DS is still only 2, no cost for him. We packed our own breakfast food and snacks, ate Counter Service (took PBJ for DS), and bought no souvenirs. It was one of the best trips we ever had (although I think the one the next weekend-yes, the NEXT weekend-was even better!). Ha! At least we decided on Thursday morning for that trip! (Check out my trip reports on the TR Board!)

 

[heathrow42]

I had a fairly cheap trip in Feb. with a friend - 4 days at Pop for about $50/night - airfare $180 and an annual pass. We worked it out so she paid for the room and I paid for the car and it was just about even.

Sept. will be even cheaper with SW airfare at $116 R/T, Pop again for a similar rate and annual pass. I am sharing the room with a friend and we are doing the pin event ($75).. I think I figured that the total for room, air and the event would be around $250. Not bad- and it all comes out of my mickey fund! Looove southwest, when they drop fares I always end up planning a trip!

--heather

 

[LisaNJ25]

Originally posted by samsid99
Hello all! I am just back from a nine day trip staying at the Pop Century! We had a wonderful trip, and can't wait to go back! Our first trip to disney was in 2001, and then now. I don't want to wait three years between trips again. And was wondering what the cheapest some pro's have done a 5-7 day stay. I live in upstate NY so I would have to fly, and would off course want to stay on site. My last two trips have cost me around $3000 when all was said and done( that's including every last Mickey Bar!)

Thanks for any input. I will be posting a trip report soon.

You could always take the train out of NY to Orlando. Or if you want to bring your car drive to VA and take the auto train. They run specials most of the time.

 

[HauntedMansionFreak]

The way we save money is to prepare as many of our meals as we can ourselves. This time we are renting a pool home which gives us some added benefits of having a full size kitchen, washer and dryer, eash person has a private bedroom, and a private pool (nothing I hate more than a resort with a crowded pool). It's costing us $695 for 6 nights, but what we'll save on meals alone (from being able to cook our own) will make it worth it.

The second thing we do is to severely limit the souvenirs. We agree that each of us can buy ONE Disney souvenir. My first 2 trips, I spent so much money on knick-knacks at the parks only to come home and put them up in my closet. Now, 10 years later I wish I would have either saved that money or put it ot better use to have a more memorable trip.

Always remember that it's not JUST about saving money, it's also about WHERE you spend the money that you do have. Combining those two ideas can make a vacation go al ong way for a few dollars.

 

[jann1033]

with out souves we would have spent about 1500 for 11 days last trip , drove down ( with gas prices might be as cheap to fly now by the time you factor in extra food and hotels since it takes us 2 days) stayed at pop for 50 a night , already had aps, used vouchers for 10 meals. took snacks for hubby who always thinks he is going to starve. most money draining expense was impulse snacks in the parks ( we didn't "need" them, just fell prey to the smells and sights )

this trip we will already have aps, planning on more vouchers and everything else is up in the air!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

Out of necessity our first trip to WDW was done on a shoestring budget. This was 9 years ago, and prices have changed, but it was the best trip we have ever taken. DH, myself & 4 kids drove from KS. Stayed in a pop up camper at FW for 12 days. I cooked food before we left and froze it to reheat for dinners each day. Also had a crock pot and things like hamburgers etc all ready to fix each day. Ate breakfasts at the campground. Only ate lunch out each day (at the parks). Took snacks and refillable bottles for water and drinks (carried powdered lemonaide too). We had hopper + passes (7 day) that let us in the parks and water parks for up to 10 days. Also went to Sea World for a day and the beach for a day. Total cost for our trip was $2500 for 6 of us for 12 days (plus 2 travel days). Since then we have stayed at condo's and 13 of us stayed in a private home with pool 2 years ago. We never spend a huge amount, but we have a terriffic time. DH & I are bringing oldest grandson in Sept and splurging on AKL (with Sept. discount). We can't wait.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Well, we went in May for 7 days, and DH and I spent less than $1000 total (transportation, food, entertainment, shopping, etc). BUT, that wasn't all our doing... my mom is a CM.

Things we did to cut down on costs:

- drove straight through from Texas. Rented minivan for $230 for 10 days, no hotel needed, fast food fare on the way to and fro (sister went along, split costs)

- used her CM discount to get cheap rooms at Pop and Vero Beach for a few nights each

- got into the parks free with her CM badge (except Universal, of course)

- ate inexpensively, used gift certificates for some meals, and had a CM discount to help things out. she has an annual pass at Universal, so there is a small discount at dining there, too. We did more than just Disney, so we stopped at regular restaurants for some meals, and cooked in our villa at Vero. (ChickFilA, Cheesecake Factory, Moonfish, etc)

- changed hotels several times to save money... the Pop CM rooms were only available 2 nights, so we had to move... we did 2 days at Universal and wanted the FOTL so we forked out the cash for one night there, then stayed at a budget hotel for the other nights (AmeriSuites). We were all adults so moving hotels wasn't too big of a pain.

The next time we go down, mom will have room in her home for us to stay, so it will be even cheaper, unless we decide to see if she can get CM rooms, the WL is really appealing to us. We would NEVER be able to go without her living there, really.

Though we scored with her help, we did things on our own to save money too... so if worse came to worse, we could still do a budget trip =)

 

[Golter]

Cindy B posted

"1999

Our first trip

Me, DH, two kids, (one under three)

MKC club rate at All Stars
Three hoppers
Driving costs
tolls
meals
everything

5 day vacation

less than $900"


I just dont see how this is possible, 900 for 5 days. Im assuming 4 day hoppers would have been $500 or so, 5 nights at AS would be approx 200 or more. That leaves $200 or roughly $40 a day for gas, food, tolls, and souviniers(sp?). I guess it would work if you didnt eat. Check my numbers, but I dont see how it would be possible. We drive from Houston and do a 8day/7night trip to WDW and USIOA. Gas runs $200, Snacks and food on the way to and from $50. 5 4 day hoppers - $1000 5 Universal Passes $500. Lodging (which I dont pay for - its a gift from my dad at his timeshare) $350. Food each day $100 and $100 or so on Souveniers. Total about 2300.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I'm from upstate NY as well. Watch the prices at Southwest closely (They fly out of Buffalo, Rochester & Albany). It's often cheaper for three people to fly. Also, the end of August (8/29) is considered value season. Maybe you could squeeze in a last minute trip before school starts. Right now SW is running a special for $49 each way and the Value resorts have a code that makes them $55 a night.

 

[Ishy]

I am embarassed what I have spent already and I have not left yet...
x
But I just booked a trip for my brother and his family.
first week in october
- 115pp * 3 round trip out of Newark (aprx 350$)
- RamadaGatewayInn 43$ * 7 (aprx 350$)
- Thrifty 79$ week rental (aprx 100$)

They master the light breakfast/pbj lunch thing - and they have leftover hoppers from last trip. They try to go every year. This is good for them.

I used to go every year. This is my first trip in about 8 or 9 years now - so I am going overboard on some things.