Grad Trip - On A Budget

chimchimcheree

chimchimcheree

Well-Known Member
Here's the sitch: my little brother is graduating from high school in May and I'm surprising him with a trip to WDW. This trip is on a VERY tight budget, as I'm a law student and that ain't cheap. I just learned WDW no longer offers the robocalls (absolute sad face) and the in-room celebration options aren't grad-themed. I'm a bit dead-set on doing something nice to honor his graduation (he's finishing in the top 10 of his class AND he got into his top choice college), BUT I don't have that much money to spend on something extravagant. Ideas?

(Trip details: May 17-21, Pop Century, 4-day base ticket, no dining plan)
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Surely your brother knows your limited money situation and wont be disapointed if you dont do a lot of exravagant celebratory things. Just giving him a trip to WDW will be special and fondly remembered that you arranged a WDW trip for him. Just grab a few gift cards so he can get what he wants. Grab some cheap party streamers and things from the dollar store and dress up the resort room. Get a button at guest services for celebrating the event and let CM's know hes on a graduation trip and maybe they will magic up your day. One day when the both of you are in a better place financially you can do a return trip and go all out on each other.
 
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JohnD

JohnD

Well-Known Member
chimchimcheree said:
Here's the sitch: my little brother is graduating from high school in May and I'm surprising him with a trip to WDW. This trip is on a VERY tight budget, as I'm a law student and that ain't cheap. I just learned WDW no longer offers the robocalls (absolute sad face) and the in-room celebration options aren't grad-themed. I'm a bit dead-set on doing something nice to honor his graduation (he's finishing in the top 10 of his class AND he got into his top choice college), BUT I don't have that much money to spend on something extravagant. Ideas?

(Trip details: May 17-21, Pop Century, 4-day base ticket, no dining plan)
Click to expand...

Make sure to let Disney staff know you're celebrating your brother's graduation at check in. (They usually ask if you have any celebrations.) You never know what Disney CMs may come up with to make your trip more magical.

At a minimum, he'll get this button:
result-3-1.jpg
 
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I am Timmy

I am Timmy

Well-Known Member
This is such a wonderful thing you're doing! Congrats to your hard working little bro! As Jiminycr has suggested, grab decorations from the dollar store and do up the room. We go wild with decorations at xmas time, tape does not rip the paint off the walls at Pop. Next, look up Disney gift cards at online stores like Bj's, you can get them at least 4% off (check every GC denomination, for some reason $150 3 packs tend to have the biggest discount, even over the $500 ones). Bj's has a $10 online only membership fee, so calculate what you'd be saving to make sure it's better. Sam's Club also has discounted GC if you know someone with a membership. The Disney GC can be used to pay room, tickets, souvenirs, and even restaurants. If your budget is $1500, then you can save $60 just by using GC to pay instead of cash. Bonus - if you use a cc with any cashback, your savings is bigger. At Target, with their Redcard (can be visa or debit) you can get 5% off GC. This way you'll have a little extra for the decorations and grad Mickey Ears! Good luck!
 
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