Whats cheaper than Disney?

[Donut23]

What's cheeper than Disney.......ANYTHING!!!! HAHAHA what a question!

Here is an example.....

2010 we spent 7 nights at WDW

Value Season - December
WOWZA Castmember discount for room - Beach Club
FREE park passes
Ate off property most of the time - 40% discount on food budget-and the food was FAR better!!
FREE airfare (my travel rewards)
FREE car rental (my travel rewards)

Cheep Disney holiday you say? One might think so.

Until I got home. A little noodling and we will be spending 12 nights in an aft-facing suite (FAR better room than water view at the Beach Club - half again as big and GREAT bathroom!!) on the Explorer of the Seas. When you add the gratuities, excursions, shopping, parking at the port, night in the hotel 1 night ahead......we will be spending 13 days this December for LESS than our 7 night castmember discounted trip to WDW in 2010.What's cheeper - EVERYTHING!!! Only takes a little research

 

[bcrook]

Really? We live just outside of Bangor and cannot touch decent hotels (and I'm talking Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, etc- not even top level, just decent) in Portland, Freeport, or Bar Harbor in the summer for under about $200 a night. Also, in BH and Freeport, a lot of the accommodations are old, mom-n-pop type motels with low ceilings, musty smells, poor ventilation, and dampness that seems built-in. If you want to go to Bar Harbor, you can stay in Ellsworth for a little less, but it's a 40 min. drive into BH. Southern seacoast is just as bad... $150 for a suite/cabin at a mom-n-pop across from the ocean with 1 double bed, minifridge and microwave. Right now I am looking for a hotel room in Ellsworth in early December (DD dances in Nutcracker, they have a Sat night show that will get out around 10 and have to be back in Ells at noon the next day for the matinee, and it's an hour's drive home, so we do a girls' overnight with another dance family) and am coming up with $129AAA rate... IN DECEMBER, when everything in BH is closed.

I find Disney a most affordable vacation, BUT... travelers are usually only myself and DD, DH rarely joins us, so staying at POP is fine. We aren't big pool people, we are there for the parks, so values serve us fine. DME means no rental car (although I HATE the Disney bus system, we do it to save the $$$) and we go during free dining, which I upgrade. On QSDP, we'd still want to do Boma and Kona... depending on the length of stay, that's the difference in the upgrade to DDP. We also suck it up and get base tickets. We like being in the parks after dark so pick the park that is open latest and don't EVER do rope drop!

Last August, DD and I went to Disney for 10 nights. We paid $920 for hotel and upgraded dining plan (Disney forgot to include the price of the upgrade when they quoted our vacation package price, but they honored their quote). Park tickets were an additional $500, approximately, but that works out basically to $75 a day, per person, including hotel, food, entertainment, local transportation (can't include airfare, not fair to compare this to a staycation where we don't fly). I don't see how we can beat that, especially when I had over $900 on my Disney Rewards VISA to offset the costs!

We stayed in some lovely bed and breakfasts in Freeport and outside of Bar Harbor for much less than a studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Shopping in Freeport, Desert of Maine, Vodka Distillery, Whale Boat Rides, the Amazing Acadia National Park all cost us less than Park Hoppers and and souvenirs. We never go during free dining. Our dinners in Bar Harbor (especially Havana) and Portland and even Kennebunkport were outstanding and much less than a Boma buffet.

 

[bcrook]

Right?! You can't have fun at Disney when you just got out of a room where your brother was breathing down your neck and plastering his nose on the window, and your sister was hogging the bathroom, claiming she can't go out 'cause she's got bad hair, now could you?

Yes all of that and...

how about when DS 14 and DD 17 have to share a bed? They keep me up all night fighting. I started sleeping with DS and my wife started sleeping with DD. When I had to go and sleep in the car, I knew it was time to move on up.

The Kidani 1 bedrooms have the pull out chair - that at least gives two beds. But I do love the three bathrooms.

 

[bcrook]

My kids are still little (well, 12, 10 and 8 but physically they are all teeny) maybe when they are older, I will care more about space.

Don't take the tour.

 

[tjmj9801]

I only go to Dolly Wood one day and spent another day in the park. Your forgetting all the go-cart rides, bungy jumping, all the over priced Ripley attractions and dinner shows. I was over $6,000 for a week.

I will check out the other place you mentioned.

I don't think I could spend more than $2000 for a week in Galinburg/Pigeon Forge if I TRIED! And that includes shopping.

 

[Donut23]

We stayed in some lovely bed and breakfasts in Freeport and outside of Bar Harbor for much less than a studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Shopping in Freeport, Desert of Maine, Vodka Distillery, Whale Boat Rides, the Amazing Acadia National Park all cost us less than Park Hoppers and and souvenirs. We never go during free dining. Our dinners in Bar Harbor (especially Havana) and Portland and even Kennebunkport were outstanding and much less than a Boma buffet.

Oh my you touched a nerve. That part of Maine is God's country. You don't have to do a THING but survey the vistas at the top of the mountain to have a wonderful time.

There is sooooooooo much to do in Acadia and each penny you spend, supports the National Park system....a wonderful investment.

Lobster dinner at Abel's Lobster Pound - best lobster on the east coast!

Thanks for bringing up so wonderful memories. DH is now an LLBean-aholic after one trip there. They hoist the sign at the end of each year......"Thank you Jim, for a record breaking year!!"....hahaha

 

[Donut23]

Really? We live just outside of Bangor and cannot touch decent hotels (and I'm talking Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, etc- not even top level, just decent) in Portland, Freeport, or Bar Harbor in the summer for under about $200 a night. Also, in BH and Freeport, a lot of the accommodations are old, mom-n-pop type motels with low ceilings, musty smells, poor ventilation, and dampness that seems built-in. If you want to go to Bar Harbor, you can stay in Ellsworth for a little less, but it's a 40 min. drive into BH. Southern seacoast is just as bad... $150 for a suite/cabin at a mom-n-pop across from the ocean with 1 double bed, minifridge and microwave. Right now I am looking for a hotel room in Ellsworth in early December (DD dances in Nutcracker, they have a Sat night show that will get out around 10 and have to be back in Ells at noon the next day for the matinee, and it's an hour's drive home, so we do a girls' overnight with another dance family) and am coming up with $129AAA rate... IN DECEMBER, when everything in BH is closed.

I find Disney a most affordable vacation, BUT... travelers are usually only myself and DD, DH rarely joins us, so staying at POP is fine. We aren't big pool people, we are there for the parks, so values serve us fine. DME means no rental car (although I HATE the Disney bus system, we do it to save the $$$) and we go during free dining, which I upgrade. On QSDP, we'd still want to do Boma and Kona... depending on the length of stay, that's the difference in the upgrade to DDP. We also suck it up and get base tickets. We like being in the parks after dark so pick the park that is open latest and don't EVER do rope drop!

Last August, DD and I went to Disney for 10 nights. We paid $920 for hotel and upgraded dining plan (Disney forgot to include the price of the upgrade when they quoted our vacation package price, but they honored their quote). Park tickets were an additional $500, approximately, but that works out basically to $75 a day, per person, including hotel, food, entertainment, local transportation (can't include airfare, not fair to compare this to a staycation where we don't fly). I don't see how we can beat that, especially when I had over $900 on my Disney Rewards VISA to offset the costs!

You need to spend a little more time with your research. Maine is part of my sales territory and I am tasked with .... um ...... ultra affordable accommodations. There are some perfect jems along this pretty coast.....Strawberry Hill overlooking the rocky coast (between Rockland and Camden) is worth a trip to the Maine coast alone. An adorable little motor hotel with an owner who had decorated each room differently. It's spotless, grounds are explosions of flowers and I have never spent more than $100 p/night there.

Bar Harbor Regency - on Holiday Inn Points so that would be..........free.

The bed and breakfasts are abundant and wonderful in Maine. Just call the local chamber of commerce or tourist office for the town you want to visit......and chat with the person on the phone. Ask where SHE/HE would stay and poof - you're set.


There are wonderful-wonderful gems just about everywhere. No, you don't have to stay in El Tovar at $300 p/night when you are at the Grand Canyon in the summer.....but you CAN stay at El Tovar (Historic Inns of America) for $125 in a shoulder season! Be sure to get one of the rooms which overlook the canyon!!

 

[Rudi610]

I think the tourist trap towns are around the same price. Not really cheaper but in the same price range.

I would pick Disney over a tourist trap town any day and I don't like theme parks. I am more of a sit on the beach with a frozen drink kind of guy. Maybe rent a boat and do some skiing or better yet jet skies.

This trip to Disney is next June for 7 nights at the CSR with park hoppers and water park tickets. I am going OOP with the food because I cant see the dining plan saving a thing and I don't want to force feed myself deserts I don't eat. I am also driving and even with gas I cant see this costing more than $4,500.

I do need to add my daughter was married this year and this is our first year with out her and all her spending. LOL SO maybe that is where I am seeing a big savings..

If you like to do all of this stuff and you like Disney, but you don't like theme parks, why don't you try a Disney Cruise vacation. We took a cruise on the Disney Magic in 2009 and loved it. It is more expensive than other cruises but maybe less than Gatlinburg, especially if you go during the off-peak times.

 

[tony609]

I have been to Vegas many times,don't gamble. We went each time to see a specific entertainer. Cost of her shows each night were around $75-$90, plus hotel (we never get comped), air fare is comparable with Disney air fare. It costs us (for2) about the same for 3/4 nights in Vegas then a 8 day Wdw trip. Staying value at Wdw on dldp. Granted it's the show tickets for 2,meals we don't do 8.99 buffets in Vegas...we hit better places, taxis etc...

For me Wdw is the best value, plus I can make payments and just have everything included hotel, park, dldp.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I don't think I could spend more than $2000 for a week in Galinburg/Pigeon Forge if I TRIED! And that includes shopping.

What is there to do in that area? I know there's Dollywood, but I don't know what else... our Disney trips (without paying for one child who's still under 3) are around $1600 before airfare/driving costs, so that's similar - maybe we should look into it?

 

[smidgy]

I'm always surprised when people say how affordable Disney is. I don't find it to be so affordable. We've done two trips: One to the Contemporary where we drove, and one to Pop Century (two rooms) where we flew. Even with some type of code/discount - our trips cost around $5,000.

We don't buy a lot of souvenirs, either.

How people do Disney for less than $3,000 blows my mind. I'm trying to do our next trip for around $4,000, and my preliminary pricing shows $5,000 (on-site, value suite or Contemporary Garden Wing, 4 days non-hopper tickets, dining plan - I'm willing to drop the dining plan or do QS instead of the full out plan). Still - I think our third child puts us over the edge for rooms, tickets and dining.

I realize we could save more staying off site and then not having the dining plan, but my DH likes the "on-site resort feel" of not needing to drive all week.

no, don't stay off site, you won't like it (MHO). but I WOULD drop the dining plan. if you stay at the suites, you will have a micorwave. hubby and I, our upcoming trip, will be eating some meals in the room.. liversuasge on rye. nuking canned beef stew, canned ravioli, chili, etc. (we drive down and bring lots of food). and we eat counter service meals, sometimes split, without paying for the dessert we don't eat. or the HUGE drink we don't need cause we have the mug anyway (at the resort).
with your kids, you could then splurge on a couple sit down dinners.. character ones of ones with soe "fun".



the first time we ever went to WDW the boys were 10 and 13. (now 29 and 32) we were going to go to the Wisc dells. hubby thought we should look into WDW. I thought it was only for rich people. I was wrong.

by the time you add up the outrageous costs of every was museum go kart, ripleys, etc etc.!!!!and all those things are over so quickly, by the end of the day, you've spent well over the cost of tickets to the parks. and, after day 4 the tickets are only $8 each at WDW!
sure you could go cheapto the dells, if you camp and don't do anything.

 

[bcrook]

no, don't stay off site, you won't like it (MHO). but I WOULD drop the dining plan. if you stay at the suites, you will have a micorwave. hubby and I, our upcoming trip, will be eating some meals in the room.. liversuasge on rye. nuking canned beef stew, canned ravioli, chili, etc. (we drive down and bring lots of food). and we eat counter service meals, sometimes split, without paying for the dessert we don't eat. or the HUGE drink we don't need cause we have the mug anyway (at the resort).
with your kids, you could then splurge on a couple sit down dinners.. character ones of ones with soe "fun".



the first time we ever went to WDW the boys were 10 and 13. (now 29 and 32) we were going to go to the Wisc dells. hubby thought we should look into WDW. I thought it was only for rich people. I was wrong.

by the time you add up the outrageous costs of every was museum go kart, ripleys, etc etc.!!!!and all those things are over so quickly, by the end of the day, you've spent well over the cost of tickets to the parks. and, after day 4 the tickets are only $8 each at WDW!
sure you could go cheapto the dells, if you camp and don't do anything.

I spent a week in the Dells two summers ago at Glacier Canyon. It has 3-5 waterparks and it was amazing fun. I just looked up prices for May 29 - June 3 - $160.00 for a two bedroom unit that includes tickets to the waterparks. $800.00 for a family of four - 2 bedroom unit.

Animal Kingdom Lodge for a studio unit is over $300.00 a night and WDW tickets are almost 300.00 per person. $2700.00 for a family of four.

Food is much more reasonably priced in the Dells and it includes options from buffets that cost half that of Cape May to sports bars and family restaurants. The Dells have a lot offer, and I think they are putting together some nice deals to attract customers.

 

[smidgy]

I spent a week in the Dells two summers ago at Glacier Canyon. It has 3-5 waterparks and it was amazing fun. I just looked up prices for May 29 - June 3 - $160.00 for a two bedroom unit that includes tickets to the waterparks. $800.00 for a family of four - 2 bedroom unit.

Animal Kingdom Lodge for a studio unit is over $300.00 a night and WDW tickets are almost 300.00 per person. $2700.00 for a family of four.

Food is much more reasonably priced in the Dells and it includes options from buffets that cost half that of Cape May to sports bars and family restaurants. The Dells have a lot offer, and I think they are putting together some nice deals to attract customers.

I would never spend $300 a night to stay at WDW. I never pay rack rate. I either rent points for a studio, or stay at a value, or moderate, or use a room only code, or a pin code, or, at the very least, AAA. I would NEVER pay rack rate at wdw. (well, except for "free" dining, but that's a whole different thread)

oh and we NEVER buy the hoppers., there's $50 a person right there. no need to, if you plan right.

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

Cruising is cheaper in my opinion. Hotel, food and entertainment wrapped up into one price, plus childcare which is fun for kids is included.

I don't think Disney is a bad deal though and I don't complain about the price. I only get discounted rooms, I have a yearly pass and I have a TIW card.

 

[smidgy]

it is just hubby and I, but even when we had the boys, we didn't need 2 bedrooms. we ahve stayed at pop or the allsatrs , with room only codes, in early dec. for 48 a night., in 2007.

and, just us, but I like a water park, for one day, 2 is pushing it. if you go to the dells, you want to do the ducks, the tommy bartlett water show, the big chief, with the go carts and the roller coasters, you're not going to JUSt do the water park.

oh well, everyone has their own idea of a great vacation.. some like to go to big cities and see museums, some like to lie on a beach for 2 weeks. some like to hike, snow ski, etc. we like disney

 

[bcrook]

I would never spend $300 a night to stay at WDW. I never pay rack rate. I either rent points for a studio, or stay at a value, or moderate, or use a room only code, or a pin code, or, at the very least, AAA. I would NEVER pay rack rate at wdw. (well, except for "free" dining, but that's a whole different thread)

oh and we NEVER buy the hoppers., there's $50 a person right there. no need to, if you plan right.

My point was that you can get a 2 Bedroom unit at Glacier Canyon and that includes playing in one of the most exciting waterpark complexes in the country. All for $160.00 a night. It is very reasonable and fun.

I have a DVC membership and a Wyndham membership (Glacier Canyon is part of Wyndham or vice versa I really never know), so I don't pay rack rate either. I was just trying to make comparisons.

 

[smidgy]

Cruising is cheaper in my opinion. Hotel, food and entertainment wrapped up into one price, plus childcare which is fun for kids is included.

I don't think Disney is a bad deal though and I don't complain about the price. I only get discounted rooms, I have a yearly pass and I have a TIW card.

we went on a cruise for our honeymoon (way back in 78). you're right, it was one price and included all, airfare, room, meals, etc. well, not the tours. our son and his bride just went on a honeymoon cruise and it was a good deal.

My point was that you can get a 2 Bedroom unit at Glacier Canyon and that includes playing in one of the most exciting waterpark complexes in the country. All for $160.00 a night. It is very reasonable and fun.

I have a DVC membership and a Wyndham membership (Glacier Canyon is part of Wyndham or vice versa I really never know), so I don't pay rack rate either. I was just trying to make comparisons.

when we went to the dells, we stayed at Chula vista. very nice.. heard it is even better now (that was for our 20th anniversary, back in 98.. sheesh, gettin old) I don't remember the price, but, with the entertainment book, the 3rd night was free.

is Wyndham the same as Bonnett Creek? we still haven't bittne the bullet on the DVC. just went to another presentation. we rent points from friends. I would ove to join , but we figure we would need about 350 points for as often as we like to go. and if the membership is good for, say 45 years.. well.. in 45 years.. we'll be..um... in a Disney world with Golden streets and cast members with wings!

 

[Virtucomp]

We have been pricing vacations for the past few weeks. I figured since were not going to have a full vacation this year we would just go away for the weekend.

My first check was the casino's in Conn. Its a short drive so no air fare. The rooms for a weekend are $600 a night at either Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods.

So then I check Newport RI. Even closer so no big deal. Same thing. The cheapest hotel was $450 a night.

We got offers for Vegas and it worked out to be a package deal for Air and Hotel for three nights was about $2200 for the two of us. Not bad but when you consider that includes nothing for food or shows that is just a beginning.

So then we get the word about free dining at Disney. I check the airfare and there is a deal for $106 each way. So for the same $2200 a night I can go to Disney for 5 nights not 3 and get park tickets, Air and hotel with free dining at Caribbean Beach.

Now consider that air is not part of the Disney cost. If I lived closer to Disney I would drive just as I could go to the Casino or NH by car. The proximity to the destination always changes the cost but overall I see Disney is good value for the price.

 

[Brian Noble]

Cruising is cheaper in my opinion. Hotel, food and entertainment wrapped up into one price, plus childcare which is fun for kids is included.

Having just got back from Alaska on the Wonder, I'm afraid I'll have to disagree...our total cost, soup-to-nuts, was more than 2x what our "typical" WDW vacation runs. Granted, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so we did not skimp. But, still, I don't think I could have gotten the total cost under our typical WDW cost.

 

[duffy]

I figured out the cheapest way for us to vacation was to buy a timeshare.

We own two now. Both are in Vermont. Both were purchased off of Ebay for $1. The first one we bought is a "float" week, meaning we can pick what week we want, and we get that week, but it's only on even years. We went the week before Christmas in 2010, and oh, my! We had such a great time!

We pay $350 for maintenance fees on the even years only. That gets us 7 nights at an old Victorian-style, rambling inn. We skied for 2 days, visited family and just relaxed. Christmastime in Vermont was wonderful.

The second timeshare is also in Vermont, it's week 51, up in Stowe. We will be there that week this year. It's every year, and the maintenance fees are ~$650/year. We have traded next year's (2012) usage there to a place in Orlando for 2013. So, our week 51, at a studio condo that only sleeps 2, in Stowe, Vermont, got us a trade for a 3-bedroom condo at Silver Lake, across the road from Animal Kingdom.

No, it's not a deluxe Disney resort. But this way, we can have our extended family stay with us, all for the price of the ~$650 maintenance fee.

Owning a timeshare also gives us access to great deals. Last year, we stayed for a week in Cape Cod, and paid less than $250 for the unit for the week.