Where to start??

[Charitycase20]

So I am new to the boards and have just been lurking for about a week. I do have some questions...

Where do I start???

DH and I started saving this month for a WDW trip. Originally I wanted to go in Jan 2010 for our DD 4th birthday. After stepping back and taking a breath, I realized it wasn't doable because even though we could save enough money by January, I don't know that we would have enough saved in time to pay for the trip at booking. So it looks like we are putting it on hold until January 2011 or maybe November 2010 if I can talk DH into it.

But where to I go from here? Any thoughts? TIA

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

So I am new to the boards and have just been lurking for about a week. I do have some questions...

Where do I start???

DH and I started saving this month for a WDW trip. Originally I wanted to go in Jan 2010 for our DD 4th birthday. After stepping back and taking a breath, I realized it wasn't doable because even though we could save enough money by January, I don't know that we would have enough saved in time to pay for the trip at booking. So it looks like we are putting it on hold until January 2011 or maybe November 2010 if I can talk DH into it.

But where to I go from here? Any thoughts? TIA

You have found the most helpful group on the internet. I joined disboards when Disney World was just a dream. Now I am planning trip #2 for this Dec. There are many, many ways that you can plan your trip. Many great ideas to budget. My favorite is to plan my trip using WDW Travel. This way I can go to the Disney World website and see my reservation and make payments on it. This way I don't have to worry about saving it and then dipping into my savings. You can make many payments on it. As long as they are at least 20.00 and you have to have the trip paid off 45 days in advance. There are also tons of specials and personalized deals (called PIN Codes) floating around. I would go to the Disney Website and sign up to receive a planning DVD. You are not guaranteed a PIN code but Disney will have your name, address and email address so they can send you one if one is available to you. I am sure I have more ideas and I know others will have a million ideas for you. GOOD LUCK!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Also there are some great rewards sites. Sunshine Rewards and Creation Rewards. You take surveys and complete special offers. You can cash out for Disney Gift Cards. Last trip, all the money I took for souvies, came from rewards site. I had about 800.00 but there are many others that have earned even more.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Also, you can upgrade your ticket once you get there for the same price as it would cost you to pay for it now (as long as prices don't go up before then). You could get a 1 day ticket for everyone at booking if you are trying to do a package, and then upgrade it once you check in.

This makes it so the part you have to pay 45 days before your trip is smaller. You can pay the rest of your ticket price once you are there, so you can use those 45 days to save longer.

Also, sign up for the mousesavers.com newsletter. There is link in the newsletters to a reliable ticket broker called Undercover Tourist that will save money on park tickets if you aren't getting a special price for buying a package through Disney. Usually, the package price is the same as buying each thing individually from Disney, so you save a little by purchasing tickets elsewhere. If you are offered a special (like free dining), you have to buy your tickets through Disney to use the special. You can still do the buy 1 day ticket and upgrade once you get there thing.

You may also want to check into getting a Disney Visa. They offer 6 months interest free financing on Disney vacations. Once you are there, they also have a free character meet & greet with a free photo that is only for Disney Visa card holders.

 

[semo233]

This whole board is dedicated to finding all the ways to save money here and there to make Disney possible more often or at a more magical level!

Start reading and do one or two things everyweek. REALLY using coupons and paying special attention to the freebies and special deals has helped me a lot! Creating new habits are the best way.

I recently put myself on a weekly budget for food and gas and everything and it's working very well! We are able to take a trip this August!

 

[Charitycase20]

Thank you for the replies thus far!!

It looks like we could have roughly $2000 saved by January, I just don't know if I should try to plan the 2010 trip or just scrap it and wait a year. A $2000 trip could be value accomadations, QSDP, 4 days of park hopper and roughly 6D/5N. If we wait, we could spend a whole week at a moderate to delux resort with more days in the park!! I just don't want to wait that long!!! You know?

Of course this is our first trip as a family, Gracie will be 4 and Zach will be 2 so a short trip might be better this time. The budget is working and we have a plan, I just don't know what to do in the meantime!!

 

[kwhite1022]

Well the other way to look at it is, your 2 yo would be 3 if you wait and he might get more out of it at that age then at 2 I took my daughter when she had just turned 3, and it was a perfect mix of the magical age, and yet, not needing as many naps, or a stroller. Just something to think about.

 

[stazmatic]

Thank you for the replies thus far!!

It looks like we could have roughly $2000 saved by January, I just don't know if I should try to plan the 2010 trip or just scrap it and wait a year. A $2000 trip could be value accomadations, QSDP, 4 days of park hopper and roughly 6D/5N. If we wait, we could spend a whole week at a moderate to delux resort with more days in the park!! I just don't want to wait that long!!! You know?

Of course this is our first trip as a family, Gracie will be 4 and Zach will be 2 so a short trip might be better this time. The budget is working and we have a plan, I just don't know what to do in the meantime!!

I would go with the sooner trip and then start planning and saving for another trip the next year! But I am a little fanatic like that. Also, I don't agree with PP about waiting until 3. My kids have loved it at all ages and part of the magic is watching them experience things. DD2 still talks about memories from our trip last December and wants to go back every day! DS 6mo had a great time and loved the characters and rides.

The PP idea about only booking one day tickets as part of the package and then upgrading is a great idea! I wish I would have thought of that a couple years ago. I have stayed at value, moderate, and deluxe and each vacation was magical and perfect. The kids truly don't care and DD14 liked POP way better then Saratoga Springs.

Have a garage sale, sell some stuff on Ebay and look at lots of little ways to save cash.

I also wouldn't do the QSDP for a budget trip. Personally I think you will do better paying OOP. Even eating anything we wanted every time we were hungry we ended up spending about $60 less then QSDP for 4 days.
There are tons of threads about eating on a budget at WDW and at home for that matter. Every dollar you save you can throw in the vacation fund!

 

[neffernie]

I second what the PP said about kids not caring. My daughter's favorite resort is sleeping in a tent at Fort Wilderness (the least expensive way to stay, though it adds up if you start bringing an RV or staying in the cabins.) She would rather be able to pet ponies and ride her bike around than have a bed!

 

[rockundergirl]

I don't know if you are using a promotion or not, but as far as i know if you book room only, the money is not due until when you check in ( you need to make a deposit tho i think) maybe you could book room only to buy you some time to get the money up? keep in mind, I'm no travel agent lol check my facts

 

[brymolmom]

Some things to start you:
1) What exactly is your budget - you need to decide and also decide if you could have it 45 days prior to trip. Although comment above about doing room-only is an option if you really want to go in Jan and can have it by then.
2) Based on #1 - How long a trip?
3) Where to stay? Sounds like budget is a concern - so maybe a Value resort or offsite (can get some great deals on hotels or condos - could get a full week for $250 - $350 total in January with little problem). However, if you are not bringing a vehicle - you'd need to rent a car - so add that into the expected cost.

Focusing on these three things first will help. Looks like there are 4 of you but your youngest would be FREE next year (don't pay until they're 3) - so that would save you a ton. Depending on how you plan to GET THERE - you could definitely do a week in a Value for the $2000 (not necessarily including getting to WDW and back). And keep in mind that after the first 4 - 5 days of tickets - it is only a few (literally) dollars more to add more days to your tickets - so that doesn't really affect budget too much - only the hotel and food costs stay high after the first handful of days.

 

[Kims09]

Thank you for the replies thus far!!

It looks like we could have roughly $2000 saved by January, I just don't know if I should try to plan the 2010 trip or just scrap it and wait a year. A $2000 trip could be value accomadations, QSDP, 4 days of park hopper and roughly 6D/5N. If we wait, we could spend a whole week at a moderate to delux resort with more days in the park!! I just don't want to wait that long!!! You know?

Of course this is our first trip as a family, Gracie will be 4 and Zach will be 2 so a short trip might be better this time. The budget is working and we have a plan, I just don't know what to do in the meantime!!

Just my opinion, but you will have just as much fun, if not more fun at a value resort-especially with kiddies. We've stayed at both Pop and Movies several times. Our last visit in 2007 (which my daughter was 3yo at the time and this was her first visit), we strayed away from value and went to the Caribbean Beach. It was nice, but not any nicer than Pop or Movies. Our biggest complaint about CB was the size of the resort. It took us a good 15 minutes to walk to the food court. Of course, we could have upgraded to preferred rooms and most likely the walk would have been a bit shorter- but we're a budget friendly family. From here on out, we decided we only go to value. Besides, we're not really at the resort that much to justify the extra cost- we'd rather be out playing at the parks with Mickey and co.

Although I agree park hopper is nice, but if you plan out your trip right, I do not think there's the need to spend the extra $$ on it. Our last three visits have been w/o park hopper and we've managed just fine and didn't feel like we were missing out on anything.

Good luck! Enjoy the planning and anticipation- that's half the fun!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

This is what I would do:

1. Go in January 2010. It is value season (so is November), so room rates will be lower. Book a room only reservation (using a AAA discount if you have AAA) - you will pay a one night's deposit now and the rest at check in.

2. If you go in January, your 2 year old will not need a ticket (he will at 3). That saves $200 off a November 2010 or January 2011 trip.

3. Buy tickets from Undercover Tourist using the mousesavers newsletter link. Sign up for the mouseavers newsletter at mousesavers.com - it comes out the 15th of every month. You can buy a ticket at a time as you have the money. A six day ticket is only about $6 more than a 4 day ticket - go for the 6-day even if you just watch a parade or see Wishes or do a ride or two.

4. Do not do the dining plan. It is not necessarily cost effective, and the QSDP doesn't cover any character meals. Book at least one character meal (you can make reservations 90 days in advance - do it). Your 2-year old will be free at all buffets and character meals.

5. If Disney extends the Free on Your Birthday promotion to 2010, you can get a birthday fun card equal to the cost of a one day ticket to be used for merchandise (as long as you have a multi-day ticket). There's your souvenier budget if you are actually there on your DD's birthday (I'm not sure they are doing this in 2010, though.)

6. Watch the DIS for discount codes. They would come out in the fall for January. You might be able to upgrade your room for not a lot more money than you originally booked.

7. Register with Disney.com, request the planning DVD, go online and play around with dates. Disney sometimes e-mails discount PINs, so increase your chances of getting one by letting Disney know you are interested in a trip.

8. Give your kids Disney Dollars as stocking stuffers - more souvenier money. Request Disney gift cards for Christmas to use on the trip.

9. Check out www.sunshinerewards.com to do surveys and get cash back from online shopping. I've made over $1100 in less than two years, and lots of members make way more than I do.

10. Keep costs in check while you're there by packing or buying breakfast items. We have been to WDW many times, and we never buy breakfast unless it is a character meal. We buy granola bars, bananas, milk and cereal at a grocery store and keep it in the room. We also buy bottles water, but we don't usually lug it around in the parks. Ask for ice water at counter service meals, or split a drink with your DH. Order a kids' meal at a counter service place if you are a light eater, or share an adult meal with your kids. Portions are large at WDW. Buy a double cheeseburger and an extra bun, then split it up. There are lots of ways to save on food in particular - mousesavers.com has some great ideas as well as many threads on the DIS.

Happy planning!