Who wants to help?

[pyrxtc]

I ahve a friend that wants to go to WDW, preferably for the last week of february but will go in January if a lot cheaper. He said he is spending $6,000 including airfare to go for 5 of them.

I told him I'd check out to see if I could do it cheaper. Airfare might kill it though.

2 adults, 3 kids ages 11, 6, and 4.

They want tickets and dining. At least 5 day stay.

I know I have never spent that much. So who can help me plana virtual vacation that we could turn into reality for last week of february or for January towards the middle or last week.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Where are they staying? Off site or at resort?
What type of tickets do they want?
Just parks, or everything? Hoppers?
First have him sign up for the Mousesavers newletter- I have found the best discounted ticket offers to be there-
If staying on site has he looked into DDP for dining?
Need a bit more info to actually help but hope the Mousesavers tip works for him!
Sorry about the airfare thing- I can't help there- We drive from NC and enjoy the "calm before the storm" LOL- We like to drive at night- plan to arrive early a.m. in Orlando and then (since this will be our first trip) Take from the tips here at the Dis as to what we can do until check-in! Our first day will probably not be at the parks- Just want to enjoy our new ownership experience and our very first in our lives Disney trip!
But hope I can help w/ the research I've done- We are a family of 7 so I am looking to cut expense everywhere I can and still maximize our stay!

 

[pyrxtc]

they want to stay onsite, want PH but might talk him out of those. Wants basic DDP. thinking of renting him points but trying to get him the best deal.

 

[parrotheadlois]

They can get a no-obligation quote from Dreams Unlimited - that's what we always do.
They're very helpful.

 

[Chuck S]

Their biggest expense will likely be airfare, and that is pretty much a set cost. Be sure to check with all the airlines and airports serving the area. I agree with the suggestion to check with a Disney specific travel agent that has access to discount codes. They may be able to get a good deal on an All Star mini-suite.

Other the that, if you are willing to give them a good price on a one bedroom unit through, that may be their best price.

If they are willing to each counter service meals more than table service, they may be able to cust some costs there by not getting the DDP.

 

[ldo]

WDW changed dining for 2009. The "basic" is now 2 CS meals and no sit-down meals. He need the next step up for the "old" 1 CS, 1 TS, and 1 snack. I would not want him to get the CS plan thinking it has TS on it.
For a family of 5 with airfare, accommodations, tickets and dining plan, I think you will be hard-pressed to come in much under $6K. Also, if everyone is over 2, the only moderate he can stay at is Port Orleans-Rivers. He might only be considering a deluxe,and many do not know that PO-Riverside has a trudnle for a child, so that could get his cost down a bit.

 

[5forDiz]

Not sure but think late January may be best price wise over February. We've gone late Jan. & mornings started off cool ( light jacket, pants ) but by noon we were in shorts & tshirts. Kids swam during afternoon too and just wrapped up in a towel real quick or pulled on sweats as soon as they got out of water.

Seem to remember some good deals around this time ( late Jan. ) on cash CRO reservations at DVC resorts ( think SSR & OKW this year ).

As pp said check into AS Music family suite or cabins at Ft. Wilderness resort might be good choice ( these have full kitchen & bbq on deck ). They can probably eliminate DDP by having breakfast, lunch & maybe some dinners as well at suite or cabin. They can save by not renting a car & utilizing WDW transportation (especially Magical Express to/from airport) In addition to being an adventure in itself ( fishing, boating, petting zoo, hayride, and free evening campfire w/ Chip & Dale + movie <this is free to guests staying at any wdw resort too> ) Ft. Wilderness Resort may offer them better options to get to parks & other resorts as well ( boat goes to MK where they can then hop boat or monorail to TTC or to CR, PR, GF; and they can boat or walk to WL too ).

For a moderate resort I second POR Alligator Bayou rooms sleep 5 (but they could find it bit of tight squeeze). They'd have food court at both Riverside & French Quarter ( they are easy walk to/from each other or they can boat it )and there's boat to DTD to Wolfgang Puck Express & Earl of Sandwich; they are good value/substantial portions and work well for dinner (McD's there as well).

Value resorts can be really fun & even more savings for accommodations but they'd need to take 2 connecting rooms. Definitely do not rule this option out because it could still be good deal pricewise and would give them advantage of kids being in their own room and a second bathroom. A code if it becomes available can make 2 rooms at a value extremely attractive.

No Park Hopper option is definitely a savings for tickets. Just need to plan well which park on which day to take advantage of extra magic hours offered. If they take some 'off' days from parks they can save some money as well although usually if you are buying tickets for 4 days or more it is very close in price to 7+ ticket. mousesavers.com has a list of fun freebies & inexpensive things to do on property on non-park days.

Cheaptickets.com is excellent to price airfares both direct & with stops.

 

[dgaston]

I like www.kayak.com for plane tickets.

 

[eva]

I ahve a friend that wants to go to WDW, preferably for the last week of february but will go in January if a lot cheaper. He said he is spending $6,000 including airfare to go for 5 of them.

I told him I'd check out to see if I could do it cheaper. Airfare might kill it though.

2 adults, 3 kids ages 11, 6, and 4.

They want tickets and dining. At least 5 day stay.

I know I have never spent that much. So who can help me plana virtual vacation that we could turn into reality for last week of february or for January towards the middle or last week.

Are you renting him DVC points? This late in the game it could be tough to get any week in January or February. You are only 4-5 months out right now. It might happen if they are not picky about the resort or type of accomodations. Or you might be able to use the waitlist. Now if you are trying to plan a trip to WDW for a friend and are not looking for him to rent DVC points, then you might have better luck asking this on the resort board. As a DVC member, I am a bit removed from the current price on accomodations. For the $6,000 quote, what resort was he staying at?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I played around on JETBLUE.COM, I could get them to and from on JB out of Boston, on the non-stops, and 5 nights at OKW in a 2 bedroom, 1/18 - 1/23, including 5 day MYW with parkhoppers for 5918!! Now that did not include food, but it was a 2 bedroom at OKW. You should check out the JB vacations, its a little confusing trying to pick the best airfare, because there were cheaper flights, but I knew with kids, you want to fly in the am and come home in the afternoon. Just another option!!

 

[pyrxtc]

I'm thinking renting him DVC points would be the best way to go. He is curently looking at a family suite at All Stars.

 

[eva]

I'm thinking renting him DVC points would be the best way to go. He is curently looking at a family suite at All Stars.

Well, since you have the points to rent him, that helps a bit. If he was trying to rent from someone on the board, it is probably too late to get a reservation only 4 or 5 months out. Unless of course, you find a very kind person who is willing to take a chance with the waitlist. Just check the point charts for the times he is going. Then you will need to decide how much you will charge him per point and arrange payment.

I would check Expedia for airline tickets. I just bought round trip tickets from Bloomington, IL to Orlando for May 2009 for $218 per person. But I have seen it as high as $500 per person. The park ticket prices are listed here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tickets.htm#tickettypes You would then add $37.99 per adult per day and $9.99 per child per day for the standard dining plan. I think that would be it. Once you have that number you can compare to the $6,000 figure.