Where are the Disney budget tips?

[DFSquare]

I know I've been gone for a couple years but what on earth has happened here? This used to be the place for all the tips for doing Disney on a budget (go to quick serve by Buzz, order double cheeseburger & extra bun). I'm so glad I checked in before sending a newbie here. She'll never find the info she needs with all these other topics.

Did the original intent of the board get moved to a different category? This newbie is trying to plan a dream trip for family of 6 on a very tight budget. I am planning to share a lot of the tips I got several years ago, but was looking for updated info as we all know Disney changes things.

While my guys have all voted to never return to Disney DIS has and will remain my "go to" boards for anyone I know planning a Disney trip. I live with a bunch of party poopers!

 

[Southernmiss]

I know I've been gone for a couple years but what on earth has happened here? This used to be the place for all the tips for doing Disney on a budget (go to quick serve by Buzz, order double cheeseburger & extra bun). I'm so glad I checked in before sending a newbie here. She'll never find the info she needs with all these other topics.

Did the original intent of the board get moved to a different category? This newbie is trying to plan a dream trip for family of 6 on a very tight budget. I am planning to share a lot of the tips I got several years ago, but was looking for updated info as we all know Disney changes things.

While my guys have all voted to never return to Disney DIS has and will remain my "go to" boards for anyone I know planning a Disney trip. I live with a bunch of party poopers!

Try mousesavers.com and allears.net.

 

[midwestdee]

Trust me - if you posted for your newbie friend asking for tips just related to budget saving Disney trip hints - you would get plenty of everyone's favorites. As you know, the more info you can give - # of people, ages, etc... the more focused the tips could be.

 

[DFSquare]

I'll be sure to show her how to get here and help her post very specific questions to get the best possible answers.

I remember when I first found DIS in 2005 and all the AMAZING helpful tips on going on a tight budget as well as family ideas (I see there is still a family board - going there next). I loved all the help for "off menu" items to stretch the eating plans, swaps (stroller/fridge/etc), how to buy souvenirs before hand on ebay or dollar stores, etc. That's why I DIS! Oh how I wish there was a board like this for every destination we want to visit.

Pixie Dust to all!

 

[Marionnette]

I know I've been gone for a couple years but what on earth has happened here? This used to be the place for all the tips for doing Disney on a budget (go to quick serve by Buzz, order double cheeseburger & extra bun). I'm so glad I checked in before sending a newbie here. She'll never find the info she needs with all these other topics.

Did the original intent of the board get moved to a different category? This newbie is trying to plan a dream trip for family of 6 on a very tight budget. I am planning to share a lot of the tips I got several years ago, but was looking for updated info as we all know Disney changes things.

While my guys have all voted to never return to Disney DIS has and will remain my "go to" boards for anyone I know planning a Disney trip. I live with a bunch of party poopers!

The board evolved over time. TPTB decided that room discounts discussions were better suited to the resorts board. Restaurant deals and the dining plan are the focus of the restaurants board. If you want help with airfare, DME or a rental car then the experts on the transportation board will have the answers. Even ticket discussions are referenced to the theme parks board (where they have an entire stickey devoted to tickets).

That doesn't leave much for discussion on here now that fridge swaps and photopass shares don't exist anymore. So we talk about finances and saving money in our day-to-day lives. If your friend has specific questions, we'll answer her or point her in the right direction. But it will take a lot of digging through all of the other threads on here if your friend wants to lurk and look for money-saving hints for a Disney trip.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

The other big thing for folks to put in..an approximate size of the budget. We all have a different number in mind. Some are mind blowing (high and low).

The best to say is (similar) "# of people (adult, children) traveling in (season)..hoping to get away for $3-4,000."

Then, folks can say which establishments are best; the free ice...avoid this area because of construction, etc.

All in all, many of the lists of tips are outdated or were just ways to get around the system. We also argue a lot around here on "mileage may vary." But, as long as your friend understands that we are all a family, I am sure there will be lots of answers and laughs.

As a PP listed, check on mousesavers and allears.

 

[DawnM]

It was determined that any amount of money saved is another dollar for Disney, so ALL budgeting and money saving discussion is allowed.

However, if you post the exact perimeters of your friends' trip, there will be all sorts of help available.

For example:

Can they only travel when schools are out?
Do they have to stay on-site?
Do they want to make sure and get free dining?
What is their aprox. budget?
Will they be flying or driving?

I can tell you how I do rock bottom Disney trips, but it won't be of much help if have no intention of traveling the way I do.

 

[StephMK]

It was determined that any amount of money saved is another dollar for Disney, so ALL budgeting and money saving discussion is allowed.

However, if you post the exact perimeters of your friends' trip, there will be all sorts of help available.

For example:

Can they only travel when schools are out?
Do they have to stay on-site?
Do they want to make sure and get free dining?
What is their aprox. budget?
Will they be flying or driving?

I can tell you how I do rock bottom Disney trips, but it won't be of much help if have no intention of traveling the way I do.

I agree, it really depends on how your friend wants her vacation to look and feel. I love reading the threads where someone has a budget, # of people, starting destination, and type of vacation needed. That's where you see how creative disers can be and find some new ideas for ways to travel.

 

[DFSquare]

My family calls me Julie (cruise director from Love Boat) as I learned from DIS back in '06 how to look for deals & have a great experience on a budget. No gaming the system here, all legit deals & resources only. I learned alot back then and have used that to plan trips for many all over the place (had a blast living in Germany for 3 yrs & planning our European vacations).

We'll start with the basics: what is the ultimate dream for your family (ok, we all know all expenses paid 14 day trip, right?!?) then what would be the less she would accept as a successful trip. Somewhere in the middle will be my goal for them. Either she or I will be back in a few days to find out if the goal budget is realistic.

You all are right, how I vacation and how they vacation could be two entirely different things. We bought a class A motor home in April and have changed what a vacation looks like for us. I still miss my condos but have learned how to throw an amazing Thanksgiving party with the family in the next rv slot!

Let the planning commence!

Thanks DIS family (glad to be back even tho the planning isn't for me)

 

[disneychrista]

I would think Food Budget/Savings would be on the Restaurant Board. Hotels on the Resort Board, etc.

Honestly, I think this should be moved into the Just for Fun section, as like you said, it does not really pertain to Trip Planning per se.

 

[DawnM]

Not necessarily. If the family wants a rock bottom price trip, they may not want a Disney resort at all and they may not want to eat all their meals in the restaurants. Maybe they don't know you can carry food into the parks.

I certainly would call it trip planning.

I would think Food Budget/Savings would be on the Restaurant Board. Hotels on the Resort Board, etc.

Honestly, I think this should be moved into the Just for Fun section, as like you said, it does not really pertain to Trip Planning per se.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Fridge swap thread died when Disney installed fridges in all the rooms. Disney no longer gives away free buns with a double burger - they have caught on to that gimmick.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Not necessarily. If the family wants a rock bottom price trip, they may not want a Disney resort at all and they may not want to eat all their meals in the restaurants. Maybe they don't know you can carry food into the parks.

I certainly would call it trip planning.

Well, then there's the Orlando Hotels board .

 

[disneychrista]

I certainly would call it trip planning.

Sorry let me more clear when I said "this" I meant "this board" as is the Budget Board is more a "Just for Fun" board than a Trip Planning board.

Not that this thread should be moved.

 

[Darcy03231]

We're a family of 6 and I would highly recommend your friend look at off-site condos or rental homes/villas. Some are very close to Disney and decorated with a Disney theme. We found it much less expensive than staying on-site (even when you factor in a rental car and parking).

The other nice money saving thing is that you can do some meals in. We did breakfast in every day and some easy dinners (Rotisserie chicken, pasta salad and bagged green salad from the grocery store; takeout Chinese; takeout pizza/subs, etc.). Eating on-property every meal for a family of six can get expensive quickly!

 

[livingthedream]

I for one would like budget travel ideas for ALL of the Orlando area (e.g. Sea World/Universal/Busch) In addition to Disney, so there are lots of needs out there. I do agree, though, that having a dedicated board to just budget ideas for travel to the Orlando area would be nice, and I also seem to remember this board having that kind of focus years ago....