What's a "good deal?"

[fuzzlekins]

Assuming a value conscious family of 3 going to Disney on a non-peak week, what would you consider to be a good deal price for the whole trip? (including transportation, lodging, tix, & food)

As I'm budgeting my trip, I'm having trouble deciding what's reasonable.

Thanks for the input!

 

[sksjasams]

This is completely subjective, but I would consider $3000 for everything to be a good deal for a family of 3.

 

[fuzzlekins]

That makes me feel better. I'm usually pretty cheap but we're splurging a bit on this trip and my number was getting near the $3000 mark and I kept questioning if that was reasonable. It is definitely subjective, I know, but it's interesting to see what the Disney veterans consider a good deal for a Disney trip. I mean, I'd love to do it for a grand, but that's obviously unreasonable. I could easily spend $5K, but I think I'd hyperventilate at that point. LOL Would love to hear what others consider to be a good deal or a reasonable amount.

I should have probably included a few more details ... we're doing Universal IOA for one day, SeaWorld for 2 days (B1G1 tix though), and Disney parks for 6 1/2 days - staying 8 nights.

 

[sksjasams]

I think if you can keep it near $3000 when staying 8 nights, and doing other parks beside Disney, you are doing really well!

Don't forget to include tips, souvenirs, parking at your home airport, any pet boarding, any car rental/transportation costs such as gas and parking, and any groceries you want to buy for your room.

Nice job! Enjoy your trip

 

[Marionnette]

This is completely subjective, but I would consider $3000 for everything to be a good deal for a family of 3.

And I would consider that to be an extremely generous number.

Like you said, it's all subjective. But it is also dependent on how many are adults or Disney "adults" or even if the there are any "under 3's" in the family.

And then flying vs. driving, onsite vs. offsite, bringing food vs. eating every meal at a restaurant, etc. all influence what it costs.

For me, if I'm budgeting $2000 for a trip, I'm spending a lot more than usual. But then, I can find all kinds of ways to cut out most of my OOP costs by using rewards.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Don't forget to include tips, souvenirs, parking at your home airport, any pet boarding, any car rental/transportation costs such as gas and parking, and any groceries you want to buy for your room.

Nice job! Enjoy your trip

Thanks! We're actually driving which is helping to keep costs down. I did include gas and parking though, as well as tips. We're not big on souvenirs so I'd be surprised if we spent $10 the whole week (all depends on how often my hubby gives into our whining/begging 5yr old ).

 

[fuzzlekins]

For me, if I'm budgeting $2000 for a trip, I'm spending a lot more than usual. But then, I can find all kinds of ways to cut out most of my OOP costs by using rewards.

Are those rewards from having a Disney credit card or are there other rewards I don't know about? (I'm all about rewards and coupons!!)

 

[Marionnette]

Are those rewards from having a Disney credit card or are there other rewards I don't know about? (I'm all about rewards and coupons!!)

Pretty much a combination of things. I do a number of online rewards programs like ebates and mypoints. Plus we use rewards credit cards for both our personal expenses and our business overhead. I rarely pay for airfare and often have Landry's restaurant gift cards to use for Yak & Yeti, Rainforest Cafe or T-Rex. With a lot of advance planning, you can shave a lot of the cost off of the OOP price of your trip.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Assuming a value conscious family of 3 going to Disney on a non-peak week, what would you consider to be a good deal price for the whole trip? (including transportation, lodging, tix, & food)

As I'm budgeting my trip, I'm having trouble deciding what's reasonable.

Thanks for the input!

Well, we are doing 5 nights/4 people and this is what we have:

Hotel- 5 nights at VWL, studio rental- $924
Air- $1028
Park tickets- $1035

So we are at $2987 and not counting food, parking at airport, few things for each kid...

How in the heck are you doing 3 more nights for less than we are?

 

[sarmat1]

Well, we are doing 5 nights/4 people and this is what we have:

Hotel- 5 nights at VWL, studio rental- $924
Air- $1028
Park tickets- $1035

So we are at $2987 and not counting food, parking at airport, few things for each kid...

How in the heck are you doing 3 more nights for less than we are?

She indicated that they are driving, so there's a large savings right there vs flying.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Well, we are doing 5 nights/4 people and this is what we have:

Hotel- 5 nights at VWL, studio rental- $924
Air- $1028
Park tickets- $1035

So we are at $2987 and not counting food, parking at airport, few things for each kid...

How in the heck are you doing 3 more nights for less than we are?

Here's what I've budgeted. Sorry this is kind of long but we've got 2 possible scenarios depending on whether free dining is offered.
Condo thru our vacation club for 7 nights: $155
Gas: $214
3 inexpensive hotel stays to break up drive & for first Fri (using some rewards): $160
7-day Disney tix for 3 from Undercover Tourist: $853
1-day Universal IOA (we have 1 leftover adult ticket already): $176
1 1/2 days SeaWorld (B1G1 on UT): $204
Disney Food*: $918
Universal Food: $20 (we'll be packing some PB&J)
Sea World Food: $40 (we'll again be packing some PB&J and do just food carts)
Stopover Hotels: $160
Parking: $140
Total: $2,930

If they offer free dining at Disney, then we'll stay at a value resort and upgrade to the regular dining plan. Most of the above stays the same except lodging and Disney food should be about $2,140 for 8nts. Total of $3,097.

*Food includes: 50's Prime Time lunch, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Akershus lunch, Ohana dinner, Coral Reef lunch, Biergarten dinner, 1900 Park Fare breakfast, and ctr svc for the rest. Will also do a couple of PB&J lunches if we don't get the free dining plan. With the free dining, we'd also do the Chef Mickey dinner.

 

[Marionnette]

Well, we are doing 5 nights/4 people and this is what we have:

Hotel- 5 nights at VWL, studio rental- $924
Air- $1028
Park tickets- $1035

So we are at $2987 and not counting food, parking at airport, few things for each kid...

How in the heck are you doing 3 more nights for less than we are?

She indicated that they are driving, so there's a large savings right there vs flying.

And maybe that 5-night studio rental at @$185/night for VWL is more than the OP would be spending on her resort? That's not exactly an economy resort, even if you did get a good price for the points rental.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Here's what I've budgeted. Sorry this is kind of long but we've got 2 possible scenarios depending on whether free dining is offered.
Condo thru our vacation club for 7 nights: $155
Gas: $214
3 inexpensive hotel stays to break up drive & for first Fri (using some rewards): $160
7-day Disney tix for 3 from Undercover Tourist: $853
1-day Universal IOA (we have 1 leftover adult ticket already): $176
1 1/2 days SeaWorld (B1G1 on UT): $204
Disney Food*: $918
Universal Food: $20 (we'll be packing some PB&J)
Sea World Food: $40 (we'll again be packing some PB&J and do just food carts)
Stopover Hotels: $160
Parking: $140
Total: $2,930

If they offer free dining at Disney, then we'll stay at a value resort and upgrade to the regular dining plan. Most of the above stays the same except lodging and Disney food should be about $2,140 for 8nts. Total of $3,097.

*Food includes: 50's Prime Time lunch, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Akershus lunch, Ohana dinner, Coral Reef lunch, Biergarten dinner, 1900 Park Fare breakfast, and ctr svc for the rest. Will also do a couple of PB&J lunches if we don't get the free dining plan. With the free dining, we'd also do the Chef Mickey dinner.

So the $155 for the 7 nights at the condo is a little deceiving as its a timeshare, there are annual dues and the initial cost sitting out there too, correct?

 

[fuzzlekins]

We've had the vacation club membership for years - paid $1000 for it on Ebay. We do have to pay a $220 maintenance fee/yr but we have to pay that whether we go to Disney or not, so I never count that in the budget. Believe me, I totally understand that it's not apples to apples - we've VERY lucky to have the awesome condo deal. That's why I'm really just wondering what other people think is a reasonable overall budget b/c we're splurging on dining this time around. My last trip cost me $1200 total for a week but it was just me and my daughter and we ate CHEAP.

 

[Marionnette]

So the $155 for the 7 nights at the condo is a little deceiving as its a timeshare, there are annual dues and the initial cost sitting out there too, correct?

It's not any more deceiving than a DVC owner who says their accommodations "cost $0" because they are DVC. Or an AP holder who declares that they have no cost for tickets.

In fact, even me accounting for my airfare costs as $0 is deceptive since I could conceivably use those credit card rewards for a cash rebate instead.

To me, it's all about what I have to pull out of my pocket to cover the cost of the vacation. A timeshare owner already spent their $$$ whether they use their timeshare or not. An AP holder spent their money whether they visit the parks once or 200 times. And my rewards points are going to get spent on something that I want, whether it's plane tickets or a new iPad.

 

[sksjasams]

It's not any more deceiving than a DVC owner who says their accommodations "cost $0" because they are DVC. Or an AP holder who declares that they have no cost for tickets.

In fact, even me accounting for my airfare costs as $0 is deceptive since I could conceivably use those credit card rewards for a cash rebate instead.

To me, it's all about what I have to pull out of my pocket to cover the cost of the vacation. A timeshare owner already spent their $$$ whether they use their timeshare or not. An AP holder spent their money whether they visit the parks once or 200 times. And my rewards points are going to get spent on something that I want, whether it's plane tickets or a new iPad.

I totally agree! Again, nice job OP

 

[stephie1012]

once i get close to $3000 thats enough for me lol. Our tickets, lodging and dining are $2000 and i dont like to pay more than that ever lol.

 

[carebee21]

Here's what I've budgeted. Sorry this is kind of long but we've got 2 possible scenarios depending on whether free dining is offered.
Condo thru our vacation club for 7 nights: $155
Gas: $214
3 inexpensive hotel stays to break up drive & for first Fri (using some rewards): $160
7-day Disney tix for 3 from Undercover Tourist: $853
1-day Universal IOA (we have 1 leftover adult ticket already): $176
1 1/2 days SeaWorld (B1G1 on UT): $204
Disney Food*: $918
Universal Food: $20 (we'll be packing some PB&J)
Sea World Food: $40 (we'll again be packing some PB&J and do just food carts)
Stopover Hotels: $160
Parking: $140
Total: $2,930

If they offer free dining at Disney, then we'll stay at a value resort and upgrade to the regular dining plan. Most of the above stays the same except lodging and Disney food should be about $2,140 for 8nts. Total of $3,097.

*Food includes: 50's Prime Time lunch, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Akershus lunch, Ohana dinner, Coral Reef lunch, Biergarten dinner, 1900 Park Fare breakfast, and ctr svc for the rest. Will also do a couple of PB&J lunches if we don't get the free dining plan. With the free dining, we'd also do the Chef Mickey dinner.

Sea World does not allow you to bring in any outside food. So you'd have to either rent a locker or keep your pb&j in the car if you decide to go that route. And they are very strict about it (at least they were the last time we went), won't even let you bring in a water bottle. They use animal safety as their excuse. Just a heads up so you can budget to eat in the park or plan to rent a locker.

 

[fuzzlekins]

Sea World does not allow you to bring in any outside food. So you'd have to either rent a locker or keep your pb&j in the car if you decide to go that route. And they are very strict about it (at least they were the last time we went), won't even let you bring in a water bottle. They use animal safety as their excuse. Just a heads up so you can budget to eat in the park or plan to rent a locker.

Thanks for that tip!

 

[fuzzlekins]

once i get close to $3000 thats enough for me lol. Our tickets, lodging and dining are $2000 and i dont like to pay more than that ever lol.

What's your secret?? $2000 sounds great to me!