Seriously-how do you afford it?

[Floridasunshine]

Lee, I just have to say that I LOVE your avatar! A fellow Browncoat? Firefly=Best Show Ever, Serenity=GREAT movie! :wave:

And, I have to agree: I moved here 16 years agao and living here in Florida DEFINITELY has its WDW advantages! But, sometimes I have to remind myself not to overlook all the other beautiful places in Florida: the beautiful crystal clear springs only about 30 miles north of Orlando, the beautiful east coast beaches, the manatee habitat in Homosassa, the quaintness of St. Augustine,,,,, and there are STILL so many more places I still need to go (the tropical Keys, the seashelling on Sanibel Island, the white sand of St. Georges' Island)...

Gotta love WDW & Florida!!! (and Firefly & Serenity... )

 

[ZapperZ]

There are certainly ways one can minimize the expenses of going to WDW.

1. Go during off-peak times of the year. You get tremendous discounted hotel rates, both on-site and off-site. In Sept., for example, I have stayed at the Grovsner for $69/night during the week, and they were also giving a special where you stay 5 nights, and get the 6th night free. If you wish to stay at a Disney resort, then needless to say, you may want to stick to the Value resorts. Often, these resorts are an attraction in themselves (such as Pop Century), and the kids love them, probably more so than if you stayed at the Grand Floridian, for example.

2. Book your plane tickets early. Many airlines, especialy Southwest, JetBlue, etc. will give you plane tickets as low as $56 or $69 per person each way. I have flown in Sept. from Chicago to Orlando on Southwest roundtrip, and the total ticket price for TWO people, including all airport tax and fees, $302.

3. Try to get one of the Disney vacation package. Very often, you get a lot of discounts on the theme park admission prices.

4. If you go more than once in a 12-month period, and you buy at least a 5-day park hopper for each visit, then you may want to consider getting an annual pass.

Zz.

 

[LouDisney]

I used to go every other year, but not the case for the past few years. Before I used my AAA discount. This year I am buying a annual pass and dining card.

I like many others here drive down, but when I do fly, I fly Southwest and take advantage of their low airfare and I love non-stop flights, which they have a lot of. Also I am in their Rapid Rewards program. I am also a member in certain car rental clubs (some are free) and they offer many great discounts. (if I fly and want to rent a car).

I am single, but my trips are always with other single friends/or family, so we split the room cost.

I usually eat breakfast in my room. I guess it depends on my day and what I am in the mood for. One day, I may want something light for lunch and have a great dinner and vise versa, so I am not spending a lot on 3 meals a day.

I don't always go crazy with the souvenirs, some trips I may spend more money than others.

 

[basas]

There are certainly ways one can minimize the expenses of going to WDW.

1. Go during off-peak times of the year. You get tremendous discounted hotel rates, both on-site and off-site. In Sept., for example, I have stayed at the Grovsner for $69/night during the week, and they were also giving a special where you stay 5 nights, and get the 6th night free. If you wish to stay at a Disney resort, then needless to say, you may want to stick to the Value resorts. Often, these resorts are an attraction in themselves (such as Pop Century), and the kids love them, probably more so than if you stayed at the Grand Floridian, for example.

2. Book your plane tickets early. Many airlines, especialy Southwest, JetBlue, etc. will give you plane tickets as low as $56 or $69 per person each way. I have flown in Sept. from Chicago to Orlando on Southwest roundtrip, and the total ticket price for TWO people, including all airport tax and fees, $302.

3. Try to get one of the Disney vacation package. Very often, you get a lot of discounts on the theme park admission prices.

4. If you go more than once in a 12-month period, and you buy at least a 5-day park hopper for each visit, then you may want to consider getting an annual pass.

Zz.

I just came back from a group tour (once again from Wpg), and even with a huge cut in airfare price (highly discounted group rate), and a package deal (discount on hotel (Pop Century...value) and park admission), it was still $1,400/person for 5 days. Then you have to include food and everything. So it is still pretty expensive but fortunately not as expensive as when we go with a family (where everyone needs to be paid for, and then you have to add rental car, etc.etc.). This was just two weeks ago too, so not exactly a 'peak' time.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I believe it is if you are acutally paying rack (not using or renting points) on a studio accomodation or something I believe I saw it on WDW info (under the rates section) last year and wrote it down. Maybe it has changed or maybe it is never enforced?!?!

Yes, I wonder too. I also wonder how many people pay rack rates for DVC rooms. (I know sometimes they have deals on them too, especailly a studio at OKW.) Also as member you can get a room for 25% off if you want to pay cash if you don't have enough points (some people do this for the weekend since it is more points.) I would expect the extra person doesn't mater then. While they allow up to 4 adults in a studio and or One bedroom, they are pretty strick on not letting more then the allowed number of people in the room. I have heard they look the other way for 3 rather young kids, and 2 adults, in a one bedroom, but won't give you any extra things at all for the extra person so you need to bring it all (blow up bed, sheets, extra towls ect.....)

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

I collect bottles, cans, newspapers, etc. and turn them in for spare change. I also take any extra money out of the collection plate at church and sit in the subway begging for money.

he forgot to mention that he SINGS on the subway

:lookaroun


*hums copacobana*

 

[AliciaLuvzDizne]

I bought an AP
I also own some timeshares, and havent been on vacation in a few years so I have weeks saved up...
I eat as cheaply as possible (im not usually that hungry during the day when I'm there anyway) and since i'm in a timeshare I grocery shop, which helps.

 

[jsfra209]

5k is way too much for you and a small child. My fiancee and I go every year and spend nowhere near that. We pay approx:

500.00 for airfare(for both) Try jet blue or Delta/Song
700.00 for hotel We stay at the doubletree club on ApopkaVinland Rd
150.00 for car Use Alamo


Total for us together - 1350.00

This is what we pay every year, consistantly. 7night, 8days.

 

[bgraham34]

I try and go once a year. when I go it usually 4-5 days. I wait until i can get a deal on my hotel and or airfare and then book. In some cases I use my miles to fly to Orlando. I also stay away from peak periods so costs are usually lower.

We also only eat 2 meals per day. And we ahve no kids so its cheaper for us to go.

 

[ZapperZ]

I just came back from a group tour (once again from Wpg), and even with a huge cut in airfare price (highly discounted group rate), and a package deal (discount on hotel (Pop Century...value) and park admission), it was still $1,400/person for 5 days. Then you have to include food and everything. So it is still pretty expensive but fortunately not as expensive as when we go with a family (where everyone needs to be paid for, and then you have to add rental car, etc.etc.). This was just two weeks ago too, so not exactly a 'peak' time.

I don't think I was trying to present that a vacation at WDW costs nothing. However, I do think that there are ways to minimize the expenses, at least for people who do go more than once a year, something that I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

For people who are in the DVC, then there is an added bonus that you can spread out your accommodation cost over a year, rather than paying one large bill. So that can be an additional benefit, but not necessarily a cost-saving benefit.

Zz.

 

[basas]

I don't think I was trying to present that a vacation at WDW costs nothing. However, I do think that there are ways to minimize the expenses, at least for people who do go more than once a year, something that I've been doing for the past 3 years or so.

For people who are in the DVC, then there is an added bonus that you can spread out your accommodation cost over a year, rather than paying one large bill. So that can be an additional benefit, but not necessarily a cost-saving benefit.

Zz.

True...but I guess I'm saying even with large discounts, and minimizing prices, prices from some places (like here in Winnipeg) will still be pretty high due to high airfare, etc.

We also own a home in the Orlando area which takes away some of the lodging costs, but then that right there has other expenses.

 

[tyler75]

try six flags. its cheaper.

 

[spitfire]

I am worried about same problem.

My family (3) we are flying to flordia,(live in Pa.) We were concerned with same thing. but we found an awesome solution(Disney Vacation PLanning kit)
it shows you what you need to do and Disney/website actually help you plan your vacation NO MATTER what kind of funds you might have. Or what you can afford. I RECOMMEND THIS ! It has helped us plan the Vacation of our dreams!! And it's under $5000 for 3 people at a deluxe resort(contemprary) WITH A DINING PLAN AND 14 DAY HOPPER PASSES(magic your way plan)
You can do it!!!!!!!! website is www.disneyworld.com:sohappy: :animwink:

 

[shoppingnut]

We also own a home in the Orlando area which takes away some of the lodging costs, but then that right there has other expenses.

I hope then you are taking advantage of the fact that you can buy a Florida resident annual pass and the disney dining experience card, both of which will save you quite a bit of money.

 

[cloudboy]

14 days???? That would eat up my entire vacation for the year in one trip! How long are you planning on staying?

As far as from the UK, first book by web-site, not agent. And when you go matters alot - travel off season (sept to may, minus vacation week times). Also, think about flying over - usually getting to Orlando is pretty cheap, but check to see if it might be cheaper to fly into another city and then take a domestic low-cost carrier to Orlando.

Personally I go down once a year or so, but I don't go overboard when I do. I try and stay onsite, but when you can stay offsite for 1/4 or the price of an onsite, sometimes that makes a huge difference.

I also only try and go out to one or two big Disney meals, and then often eat offsite for the rest. Gives a good break, too.

But I think that the real difference may be that what you are trying to do in one holiday is what other people do the entire year.