5 for under 5K?

[disneyWX]

Hey guys! Any tips/advice for planning a WDW trip this September or October for 5 adults??

It's been 10+ years since my family last visited and I was hoping to stay in one of the resorts (a first for us :sohappy But what's the deal with most of the accomadations being for either 4 or 8 people...i.e. not enough or way too much space (and way too much $$$). Right now Wilderness cabins are looking like the best bargin except they only have one bathroom! We're a bit apprehensive about the value hotels. We feel we'd enjoy something a little less playful in appearance. Will it be possible for us to book a ticket-hotel vacation package spending between 3-4K or are you all :ROFLOL:at me? haha!

 

[miles1]

Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Unfortunately you've missed the free dining offer by a few weeks- It would have saved you a bundle on food, which would have allowed you to upgrade the room. Two adults with three kids would be "doable" at moderate resort, but not with five adults. I think the cabins may be your best bet.

I would check with Kingdom Konsultants, who probably know more than most Disney representatives. They may have knowledge of some discounts that can help you.

 

[yankspy]

Hey guys! Any tips/advice for planning a WDW trip this September or October for 5 adults??

It's been 10+ years since my family last visited and I was hoping to stay in one of the resorts (a first for us :sohappy But what's the deal with most of the accomadations being for either 4 or 8 people...i.e. not enough or way too much space (and way too much $$$). Right now Wilderness cabins are looking like the best bargin except they only have one bathroom! We're a bit apprehensive about the value hotels. We feel we'd enjoy something a little less playful in appearance. Will it be possible for us to book a ticket-hotel vacation package spending between 3-4K or are you all :ROFLOL:at me? haha!

It would be helpful if we knew how many days you wanted to go for.:wave:

 

[DivineMadness7]

I've been looking into accommodations for 6 for friends of ours. Here's something I've found out about the cabins. If you don't have a car, it's quite a hike to the bus stop. You either need to catch a bus to the bus or rent a golf cart. I've read the golf carts can cost $49/day. Maybe you'll have a car and this isn't an issue. We never get a rental car because we'd rather spend that money on a resort upgrade, but that's personal preference.

I suggested to our friends that they try for an All Star family suite or even just get 2 rooms at a value or moderate. They plan to only use disney transportation and with the added $49 a day for a golf cart, it just doesn't seem as economical. They also weren't thrilled with the pictures they saw of the cabins (I wasn't wow-ed by them either, sorry to those who like them.)

I know you said you weren't thrilled at the idea of a Value, but it may be your only option. By the time you would pay for the cabin plus the golf cart or car rental (if you didn't drive down yourself), you could almost get 2 rooms at a Moderate (someone tell me if this is wrong, I can't do the numbers in my head or know them off hand.)

Another option is Port Orleans Riverside. If one of the 5 is a child, you can get a room with a trundle bed. This isn't an option for our friends, since they have 6 and 4 of them are older children.

We had 5 when we traveled last summer. We opted for a room at the Beach Club because my brother's girlfriend is very petite and only 15, so she could sleep on the daybed. This isn't the most economical choice but we were very happy with it (and had an AP discount, that helped!)

 

[KHockett]

Have you thought of a one-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs or even 2 bedrooms? The annual passholder rate for 6 nights in September (15-21) would be $414 per night for a two-bedroom villa. The villas may be an option...

 

[Carolyn1717]

Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Unfortunately you've missed the free dining offer by a few weeks- It would have saved you a bundle on food, which would have allowed you to upgrade the room. Two adults with three kids would be "doable" at moderate resort, but not with five adults. I think the cabins may be your best bet.

I would check with Kingdom Konsultants, who probably know more than most Disney representatives. They may have knowledge of some discounts that can help you.

I take exception to your remark about Disney reps. I worked in the res center for 10 years and to this date have friends who are Authorized Disney Vacation Planners who constantly ask me questions. The calls the average travel agency gets cannot compare to the amount of calls the average res agent gets. If it did they would be getting more than 10% on a booking. On a $2500.00 package a travel agent, after their split with the agency is lucky to make 100 bucks. They work really hard for their money, no question about it, but they still don't know as much as a res agent. Talking about seasoned res agents, not new agents. Travel agents deal only with seasoned res agents, whereas the general public may be getting the new agents, which may be where your opinion comes from.....

 

[disneyWX]

Forgot to mention we're thinking of 5-7 days.

We'll be driving down so we will have a car to get around if we do do the cabins. May have found a doable deal at Saratoga though!! Came down from 7 days to 5 and got a 2bed/2bath villa PLUS hoppers for like 3700. Think there was a comprable option at KeyWest too. Divine don't know the specifics of your trip but you may want to check these out as an option for your friends. I Just learned while researching last night that I missed the free dining but I'll keep on the lookout for other specials and may get with the folks at Kingdom Konsultants for more info

 

[wdwmomof3]

I have also been looking for next Oct for the five of us. We are planning on staying at POR and using the daybed for my youngest. On our trip before last, we booked two rooms at ASMusic and it worked out great. The decor on the outside cracked us up when we got there but we soon got into it. I wouldn't spend hundreds of dollars more just to avoid looking at an over sized object at the hotel. I had rather spend that money else where, but we never spend to much time at the resort. I will tell you that the rooms are not much bigger at all, at a mod.

I am waiting on the rates to see what I am going to do. If I can get two rooms for about the same or just a little bit more than a mod, I am so at the value. Two bathrooms is priceless with the girls. :animwink:

 

[DivineMadness7]

Forgot to mention we're thinking of 5-7 days.

We'll be driving down so we will have a car to get around if we do do the cabins. May have found a doable deal at Saratoga though!! Came down from 7 days to 5 and got a 2bed/2bath villa PLUS hoppers for like 3700. Think there was a comprable option at KeyWest too. Divine don't know the specifics of your trip but you may want to check these out as an option for your friends. I Just learned while researching last night that I missed the free dining but I'll keep on the lookout for other specials and may get with the folks at Kingdom Konsultants for more info

I just put in 5 days at Saratoga with passes on disneyworld.com and got $4800? :shrug: Did you get a special deal?

 

[lilclerk]

Depending on the dates you chose, did you include this?
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/offerDetail?id=08_Q4AugSeptOfferPage

 

[yankspy]

Have you considered 2 rooms at the Swan or Dolphin. From what I understand they are very nice. Almost like deluxe hotels at moderate prices. You can also still use disney transportation. You can also walk to Epcot. I believe there are deals for WDWmagic members.

 

[disneyWX]

Didn't include any special offers, just entered dates for the end of this September (Saratoga & KeyWest). The Swan & Dolphin are gorgeous and best of all they're in Epcot :sohappy: but I'm having difficulty getting available dates. I'd also have to rent 2 rooms which isn't a BIG deal, but if it its going to work out the same costwise I'd rather go for it all in one villa. AND I get a full kitchen which is essential with 5 adults...not to mention the cost of food.

 

[yankspy]

Didn't include any special offers, just entered dates for the end of this September (Saratoga & KeyWest). The Swan & Dolphin are gorgeous and best of all they're in Epcot :sohappy: but I'm having difficulty getting available dates. I'd also have to rent 2 rooms which isn't a BIG deal, but if it its going to work out the same costwise I'd rather go for it all in one villa. AND I get a full kitchen which is essential with 5 adults...not to mention the cost of food.

Gotcha. I will admit the villas are very nice, if expensive.

 

[Grumpy-Fan]

Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Unfortunately you've missed the free dining offer by a few weeks- It would have saved you a bundle on food, which would have allowed you to upgrade the room. Two adults with three kids would be "doable" at moderate resort, but not with five adults. I think the cabins may be your best bet.

I would check with Kingdom Konsultants, who probably know more than most Disney representatives. They may have knowledge of some discounts that can help you.

How does the free dining work?

 

[DisneyPirate85]

Have you considered 2 rooms at the Swan or Dolphin. From what I understand they are very nice. Almost like deluxe hotels at moderate prices. You can also still use disney transportation. You can also walk to Epcot. I believe there are deals for WDWmagic members.

and DHS. Its only like 5 minutes from there and a very nice walkway.:wave:

 

[Disneykidder]

If I had a choice between Key West and Saratoga i'd go for Saratoga because it is newer. I have been there and it is amazing. I am sure Key West is lovely, but I have only been to Saratoga.

Free dining starts on Aug. 24 and ends on Sept. 20. It is what it is...free dining for anyone going on that package during that time. It's one quick service, one table service and one snack per person per night. We paid for it last year and loved it and are stoked to be getting it for free this year.

 

[TheKeeler7]

You may want to look at renting DVC points. We rented a 2 bedroom at Old Key West and paid $1500 for 5 nites ( Sun - Thur) Then go to Mousesavers.com and sign up for the newsletter, They always have links to good deals on tickets. We did 5 nites at Disney with 5 days passes for us and our 5 kids ( 2 of which are considered adults) including gas for a 2700 mile round trip, 2 hotel rooms each way food including a dinner at chef Mickey's and souviners for around $4000.

As a note Old Key West is a great resort and has the biggest rooms for the least points of the DVC resorts.

It can be done with a little effort.