Where are my people?

[Jennifer Striblin]

Where are my people who love Disney but are unable to go all out? The ones who stay in a 75$ condo off property. The ones who take sandwiches to the park. The ones who will never be able to afford the resorts. The ones who drive any can't afford to fly. Local people who like to visit. the parks. Will never pay for genie plus. I see up at the parks. What are your strategies now for rides , shows, etc. Rope drop is no longer an option. Any advise? I know up hardworking, middle class, Disney lovers are there somewhere. Lets join together.

 

[Splash2013]

I'm somewhat local but go often enough with my toddler as an AP that budgeting is a must. My number one secret is staying at the rosen Inn Lake Buena vista...its a good neighbor hotel so you get early entry like an on property guest but it usually runs around $50/night and I've even snagged it once at $39/night off priceline as a VIP member (free, just need an account). Even the 30 min early entry usually let's us get most of the rides we want to do done, no need for genie.
We pack uncrustables and snacks in baggies and never have a bad trip. All about expectations!

 

[Splash2013]

Double post

 

[hsmamato2]

I remember those people..... I'd repost this on the budget board b/c that's where I remember finding them...... I learned a lot from these discussions.

 

[Upatnoon]

Where are my people who love Disney but are unable to go all out? The ones who stay in a 75$ condo off property. The ones who take sandwiches to the park. The ones who will never be able to afford the resorts. The ones who drive any can't afford to fly. Local people who like to visit. the parks. Will never pay for genie plus. I see up at the parks. What are your strategies now for rides , shows, etc. Rope drop is no longer an option. Any advise? I know up hardworking, middle class, Disney lovers are there somewhere. Lets join together.

There is no question that Disney is targeting a more affluent guest. However, as you point out you still have choices on what you can spend your money on.

My advice is not to paint yourself in a corner by saying you will never fly, never stay at a Disney report, never pay for Genie+ or eat at theme park.

The best strategy is to plan a trip that fits your budget and will leave you satisfied. If you go in disappointed, you will likely leave disappointed.

As to what to do if your budget is tight, much of what you get when you spend more at Disney is saving time.

Can you afford to take a longer vacation, for example by staying offsite, with more park days but more time spent in line?

Or should take fewer Disney vacations but spend more when you do go? Do you have the money to save for a trip?

It is all a balance.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Here! I can afford it …I just see no value in it to be honest and I’d rather bring something I like then to get a huge bill and feel ripped off and sour about disney.

 

[goofyernmost]

To put it in todays stupid terminology.... the people you are referring to have technically been "cancelled". And some of us have "woke" to the reality that we are currently being milked for the benefit of the kings of the company, not ourselves and no longer will allow ourselves to be sucked into that abyss.

 

[Yoshi]

As an annual passholder since September living 90 minutes away, I go to the parks around once a week sometimes twice. Most of the time I don't buy food in the parks at all usually eating peanut butter and jelly in the car or bringing it in a park to have later. For dinner, we sometimes get quick service but normally wait until leaving the park to get Wawa or burgers from a fast food place. When we do eat at a quick service place, I normally get a kids meal or a cheaper adult meal like chicken tenders and have a snack later at home. For some variety, next year (blocked out until January), I am going to bring with flavored tuna pouches and crackers.

We also bring in snack bags of pretzels and cookies from Costco or Sam's Club.

When I used to visit for a vacation every few years, I would eat 2 meals in the park and buy an occasional snack but with the price increases and visiting so often, it would get expensive fast. A quick service meal for 4 adults with no drinks other than free water is around $50 with tax, possibly more depending on when you go.

 

[Jennifer Striblin]

Thanks so much for the info. Yall are the best.

 

[Jennifer Striblin]

This Rosen Inn is amazing. I will look into this. Again yall are the best.

 

[goofyernmost]

This Rosen Inn is amazing. I will look into this. Again yall are the best.

I stayed there a few years back and was extremely happy. Wasn't a 4 star but it was comfortable and clean and much cheaper. I think I remember that I stayed there right after Disney decided to charge for resort parking, which when one considered the almost criminal charges for a room was unbelievable. But I digress, what I was getting to was they had a big sign out saying that they would never charge hotel guests a parking fee. Don't know if they held to that promise or not, it was a few years ago.

 

[EpcotPhoenician]

When I was a child, my family used to stay at Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista Resort. Some of my earliest memories are of landing at MCO and pulling up to the hotel in our rental car... the building was painted a very odd shade of pink. You could see it from a mile away. I also remember the Mickey Waffles they used to serve for breakfast (this was many years ago - early 1990's). Despite not being able to afford the luxury of staying on property, we always made the best of it. I remember blasting our Disney VHS tapes on the car ride into Disney property, to get us excited for the day ahead.

What I also remember, though, was how much we hated having to leave property at the end of the night. I told myself that, when I am old enough to travel to Walt Disney World (which I now am), that I would save my money as long as I needed to in order to stay on property. Waking up at Poly, hearing the boat horns, and walking just a few hundred feet to the boat dock is a beautiful thing. Vice-versa... at the end of a long day, there is no greater feeling than stepping onto the monorail, and stepping off at the lobby of your resort. I don't think any other resort destination is able to capture this convenience factor as well as Disney does.

On property vs. off property will be debated until the end of time, especially given the current environment. What I can say (from experience) is that wherever you stay, be sure to take time and enjoy it, and make memories with the ones you love... regardless of how much cash you are able to spend.

 

[Selket]

If Southwest flies to where you live I'd check them out. We took them for the first time for our early December trip and it was $49 per person each way ($98 round trip including fees) and 2 free checked bags per person. Considering the cost to park at the parks plus the cost of gas from where we live plus we usually have to spend a night each way going down we live so far....it was quite a bit cheaper to fly.

Park tickets were my single biggest expense and we stayed on property (all Stars). I think the cost of park tickets is less in the summer than it was for our trip - perhaps something to price out along with the hotel. Honestly I don't know why Disney was so expensive with zero discounts in early December - the only thing cheap was the airfare!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Honestly I don't know why Disney was so expensive with zero discounts in early December - the only thing cheap was the airfare!

Probably because demand is so high and there's no need to discount rooms. Between pent-up vacation desires, the 50th, and the holiday season back at WDW, they didn't need to discount rooms to sell them.

 

[Selket]

Probably because demand is so high and there's no need to discount rooms. Between pent-up vacation desires, the 50th, and the holiday season back at WDW, they didn't need to discount rooms to sell them.

Yes there's been a lot of speculation (by those of us who were watching for early December discounts). I was just posting on another thread how dead the resorts seemed. We stayed at AS Movies and it was so, so quiet. Food court was dead. Didn't see many walking around or at the pool or gift shop. Busses rarely had long lines. I wonder if only some buildings were open and not all? I have been there lots pre-covid and stayed at values and no matter when I've been I think the resort had a busier feel. Walking around other resorts (like CR) - also seemed quiet.

Also they did have a discount for the 2 weeks before Christmas....just not the first 10 or 12 days of December. Just was interesting! I would have moved my trip to take advantage of the discount but it was for a birthday event so couldn't be moved.

 

[Upatnoon]

Yes there's been a lot of speculation (by those of us who were watching for early December discounts). I was just posting on another thread how dead the resorts seemed. We stayed at AS Movies and it was so, so quiet. Food court was dead. Didn't see many walking around or at the pool or gift shop. Busses rarely had long lines. I wonder if only some buildings were open and not all? I have been there lots pre-covid and stayed at values and no matter when I've been I think the resort had a busier feel. Walking around other resorts (like CR) - also seemed quiet.

Also they did have a discount for the 2 weeks before Christmas....just not the first 10 or 12 days of December. Just was interesting! I would have moved my trip to take advantage of the discount but it was for a birthday event so couldn't be moved.

The value resorts may not be running at 100% capacity because of a lack of staff.

 

[ars0525]

8 years of FL resident Gold AP here. Live about 112-125 miles away during that time. Used to spend a night off site when I 1st got the AP doing a solo trips every month or so. I could do all 4 parks, watch fireworks, spend all day, etc. I ate the kids meals at counter service places to save money or snacked my way around places. Met up when friends from out state would visit. As years went by I quit staying overnight & just did all day trips. Leave home early, usually hit 2-3 parks, had the FPs worked out, felt I got the bang for my buck still so I was a big Disney fan & encourager to others who wanted to visit.

Now a days...I'm feeling ehhh. I only stay overnight if a reason (mom came for the 50th weekend so we stayed for 4 nights at ASMu). If I leave home early I can make the drive in 1.5 hours. But I hate the no park hopping until 2pm so I am stuck usually doing just 1 park lately. By 1pm I am starting to feel tired or not wanting to fight traffic/crowds so I head out. I could leave home later in the morning to stay later at night, but traffic on I-4 is a parking lot so I am leery to try yet. I bring a backpack with Gatorades, refillable water bottle & lunchables or wraps from home to eat. I won't be buying any Genie or extra cost stuff. Wish they'd do something for passholders since they are taking away photopass. It seems less of my friends from out of state are choosing to travel to Disney so not meeting up with them anymore. I am definitely NOT who Disney wants in the parks taking up space anymore. lol

I have only been 1x since the new Genie pay for stuff has been started & that was the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend to MK so I can't give an opinions on new touring plans. I have always found by going early it helps & being a solo visitor I am able to navigate around pretty quickly. I have day trips in coming months scheduled to each park so I'll see how it goes then. My touring style has also mellowed over the years so unless it's something I know is closing/changing permanently I always figure I'll do it next time.

I'll renew my pass the end of April. It will be interesting when the buzz of the 50th starts wearing off & in another year how things are what Disney will be like.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I have DVC because I bought it 20 years ago. they won't let me borrow my full amount anymore so sometimes I do value resorts at AP discounts, but I don't go offsite. I'm too far to drive, so airfare it is, but I only have to buy it for one.

I haven't bought Genie + and probably won't. nor will I buy any of the after-hours gigs or dessert parties.

My annual pass (DVC allows me to buy Sorcerers pass) saves me $ on admission and merch although I don't buy a whole lot in merch anymore. My only big expenditures are airfare and food. I do miss the Tables in Wonderland.

I agree, they do not at this time need to offer a lot of discounts on rooms. If you are looking for rooms, and able to use a car, I don't know why not stay offsite. Bringing food into the park is not my bag but I'm only buying for one. I do buy Diet Coke offsite when I can. it's over $4 for a bottle now I think

Staffing is a huge problem right now. They can't totally fill restaurants or parks or stock enough merchandise, because they don't have the staff.

also Southwest is not always cheap. I am looking at flights now and they are high. I'm looking at a national holiday though.

 

[Lilylogan]

We usually start out booking a deluxe resort for a week...... then later say "oh pop is so cheap lets just stay there for 4-5 nights" lol

 

[PamNC]

I'm somewhat local but go often enough with my toddler as an AP that budgeting is a must. My number one secret is staying at the rosen Inn Lake Buena vista...its a good neighbor hotel so you get early entry like an on property guest but it usually runs around $50/night and I've even snagged it once at $39/night off priceline as a VIP member (free, just need an account). Even the 30 min early entry usually let's us get most of the rides we want to do done, no need for genie.
We pack uncrustables and snacks in baggies and never have a bad trip. All about expectations!

wow - I didn't realize you get early entry at good neighbor hotels. I've looked at that hotel before and almost booked but was concerned about it because of some reviews. Is it clean? that's all that matters and is it safe? I'd love your review on it if you don't mind. I stay on-site sometimes, and sometimes not. I used to stay onsite ALL the time until the prices got completely out of control. I'm sorry but I'm not paying $180-$229 for a value resort just to say I'm on property. I have an AP for the first time in forever so I don't have to pay to park so I'm researching more hotels offsite.