When does everyone start saving for their next WDW trip?

[thelittlemermaid]

The family enjoyed their first trip to WDW and DH has been talking about going back in 2006.

So far here is what has been discussed by DH and myself. We would like to go back when it's not so hot {we were suprised that DD made it through the heat} and the crowds not so heavy {I will never get caught at the MK again after Wishes is over with..LOL!!!}. Would like to go to a moderate resort for this trip, even though DH saw the S&D and would like to stay at one of them. He sure doesn't have any idea how much they cost, especially when DH has talked about going for 2 weeks instead of 1. Value is out the question, stayed there and DH said never again.

I would like to start saving as soon as possiable {in my ING account}. I saw so many things I would have loved to have bought, but didn't have the money to get it with. DH said that he would like to have at least $2000 in spending money only.

For the experinced DISner's, can you give me a rough estimate of about how much a moderate would cost for 10 days, plus with UPH tickets on top of that? There is no way we could stay at the S&D unless they run a special like they are now, but I really don't see that happening.

While I'm thinking about it, anyone see the Cinderella castle that you can buy for $65 at DTD? DH and I really wanted to get that for our DD for her b-day, which is today, but couldn't believe the price of it. Anyone know or has seen it anywhere else for less?

TIA!!!!

 

[HappyLawyer]

i save on a consistant basis i am goiing this dec and i am saving for next dec. i empty all my loose change into a mop bucket then i cash it in a month before we go last year i save almost 1000.00 in change and i even dipped in it a little, law school has a tendency to make one very very poor and that loose change came in handy-lol

 

[Amirah95]

We already started saving for our Disney Cruise for 2006. We haven't booked yet, but I got a ball park figure on how much we'll have to pay. We consistently save money in our change jar and we save using our new ING account. We used to pay for trips out of our savings, but not anymore.

 

[Lyn-CA]

DH and I live by the motto "Work hard, Play hard" and in keeping with this motto, we have a vacation fund that we save for throughout the year. We simply go by the amount we spent total last year and save around that same amount.

I am the nuttier Disney nut so while I won't mind vacationing in WDW every year, I have to go with DH to other places (so he will keep going to WDW when I want to).

So, saving for WDW is year-round. Obsessing about WDW, year-round as well.

 

[crisi]

Regular season rack rates start at $144 a night. Add tax (17%). And 2006 rates may be higher - I get about $1700 if you pay rack rate. (Right now the Swan has a special through All Ears Net for $139)

An AP will be cheaper than hoppers if you go to the park every day. An adult AP is about $400. You don't get plus features with that, but you can pay for waterparks out of pocket and still come out ahead.

Keep in mind that if you travel in off season, you can often do as much in a day as you can do in two when its hot and busy. So you may not need as many days - or as many days in the parks.

Start saving now - if you manage to save enough early, it won't hurt to have extra money - either for this trip or for something else.

 

[barbeml]

Our change/singles/$100 per month/"found" money savings never stop, so I always have a Disney fund going.

This fund serves a dual purpose: it is our emergency cash in the house in the event of some catastrophic situation (power outtage, terrorism, natural disaster) etc.

 

[cvemom]

There's always a Disney fund !!!

 

[we3disneygo]

We start planning on the way home and saving too, we have a change jar, save cans when we cash them in I go straight to the mall and buy disney dollars, they now know me at the disney store and just ask "how many do you want today?" we are saving for 2006.happy saving!

 

[MAC3]

We actually start while in Disney. While there we take the plastic cups mousekeeping gives you and put all our spare change in it.

At the end of our vacation DH puts it in his fanny pack and when we get home it goes straight into the Disney Vacation Fund!!!

 

[mad4themouse]

I'm glad that you had such a great trip to WDW that you want to go back again! I know that I begin planning the next trip before we even leave the property!

How much a moderate resort will cost you for 10 days is going to depend upon when you plan to go (Value vs. Regular vs. Peak oor Holiday Seasons). A moderate resort during "regular" season will go for a rack rate of $149/night (standard view) in 2005. You can pretty much count on rates rising 2%-5% from 2005 - 2006. That would mean rack rates around $156/night. Times 10 nights and with 11.5% tax the room would be around $1740. Naturally, it will be more during peak and holiday seasons and less during value season or with a code.

When I budget for a room, I do it assuming the highest prices for the time I'm going and then I work my budget to fit that. If I manage to save money with a code or prices don't rise as much as I anticipated, then I win out.

You may want to consider renting DVC points and staying at a DVC resort instead of at a moderate. For a 10-day stay, you might appreciate having the extra room, a kitchen and laundry facilities (in 1 & 2 bedroom units). The cost can be comparable to staying at a moderate resort but you will not get daily maid service if you stay at DVC.

UPHs for 2005 for 10nights/11 days will run $521.88/$418.55 (adult/child) when purchased at check-in. That's a $2 per day increase over 2004 prices. You can expect the about the same increase for 2006. However, if you plan to stay for 10 days, you might be better off buying the FITS passes (if available) instead of UPHs.

Even purchasing APs and then adding individual tickets for DQ, PI or the waterparks might end up being more economical in the long run, especially if having an AP also gets you a good discount on the room. Another advantage to getting the AP is that you can buy the vouchers as soon as you have the available funds and avoid any price increases between now and your trip. The AP does not become active until you exchange the voucher for the AP at WDW.

Good luck with establishing your budget! I know that it helps to have concrete numbers to work with but with a trip that is over a year away, this is the best that I can do.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

As soon as we cash in all the change for our upcoming trip. Which is usually a week before we leave.

 

[wuv tigger]

Set up a new ING account and label it Disney.

Spending Money

$2000/24 months = $83.33 a month

Room & APs

$2000/24 months = $83.33 a month

Set up an automatic monthly transfer for $167. This plus interest should let you do what you want in 2 years.

For some people it is easier to do $38 per week automatically.

Add extra money from change, ebay, tips on this board, etc. and you will easily hit your number.

Depending on your spending, if you like the Swan/Dolphin get an AMEX Starwood card. For 40,000 points you can stay 5 nights for free anytime they have a room at these hotels. You earn 1 point per $ plus they have bonuses, and if you can stay at Starwood hotels it can add up fast. I have 47,000 points in the last year from travel and bonuses. If you do not charge a lot then you can get 1 night for 10,000 points. It might cover some of your room.

David

 

[mad4themouse]

I just wanted to add that once you've got an idea of how much you want to save, this calculator is great for determining how much you need to set aside on a daily, weekly or monthly basis in order to meet your savings goals:
BankRate.com - Savings Calculator
It makes it so much easier for me to see what it's going to take to get there!

 

[Amirah95]

Nice find madforthemouse. This is interesting...I'm going to go play with it now! LOL!

 

[bigbabyblues]

We haven't even gone yet, and I'm thinking that whatever spending/food money is left we can start saving for our next trip....whenever it may be, lol!

As far as how much it would cost, I'd go to disneyworld.com under tickets and reservations, and put in tentative dates, if you want to go when it's cooler, maybe use October/November or if you'll go earlier in the year, try March/April, add in the UPH tix, or make it a package, whatever you think you might want to do, and go with that total, until the new rates come out. They probably won't raise too terribly much higher than the 2005 rates, but of course there's always the chance. That should at least give you a ballpark figure for resort/tix. Then, if a code or discount comes out that you can get for your trip, that's just that much better!

Happy planning!

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Thank you to all for the great replies!!!

Mad4themouse.... I know I can always count on you for great advice!!!

wuv tigger...Thank you for the break down on how much I should consider putting "away" in my ING account. I have been thinking about referring DH and using that account for only Disney. Of course not letting DH know about it. I don't need him dipping into it. LOL!!!

I have thought about the renting DVC points route but not really sure on how to go about it. Could this way possiably be cheaper then staying at a moderate? Having a microwave and frig would be nice to save money on food. Could not believe how much we spent for food at the food court. WOW!!!

DH and I figured 10 days would be enough to do what we weren't able to do on our last trip. Since Hurricane Charley hit, we have a day left that we can use. So not really sure what way to go with the tickets. AP's sound really nice, but how do AP codes work? Does Disney release codes for AP's often? Are AP's worth it if you don't go more then once in a year?

I have heard so many great things about DU, that I might just look into them and let them know what I want and see what they say and what prices they can give me.

I know I ask alot of questions, but my mom always said, if you don't ask questions, how will you ever learn?? She was a teacher. LOL!!!

Thanks again to everyone!!!!