We really want to do Disney World this year! Any ideas on how to save money? So far I'm trying to price out the difference between staying in a Disney resort versus off the property. If you stay on the property there are all kinds of deals going on with tickets and such. Off the property we could buy some meals and save money, but then we have to rent a car to get to the parks and pay for parking. I can't find any off property deals as good as staying on property right now. We're looking to go at the end of May, ideas are welcome! What did you do for food? How much are the meals at Disney? Is buying the meal plan a good way to go? It looks like you can save if you buy the meal plan.
we went to disneyland....... things may be a bit different. Anyway we stayed at the Embasy hotel, they have a made to order breakfast (saves money there) and they have a "managers" thing in the evening--- like popcorn and hotchocolate....... so your late night snack is free....... we had a room we could sit and watch the fireworks from our room..... pllus we had a microwave and small fridge in our room (I know this sounds fancy but it was my son's make a wish thing)...... but in reality it saved us because we could keep water bottles in the fridge and took one with us to the park. we also kept drinks for when we were there in the hotel. (pop and juice) One night we ordered chineese to be dilivered to the hotel and one night pizza I think,.... cheaper for us than going to a sit down resturant... plus with the little refrigerator we were able to keep the left overs and re-heat (the kids love that). we also found out that there was a few floors in the hotel that had coin-op washer and dryers..... so we didn't have to pack as much. also they have a shuttle to and from the park that runs every hour I think..... though since we drove we just parked at the park also we bought our soulvineers off e-bay...... but I know e-bay is not the "thing" to do now. (we did it before all the fees and hastle) however you can find a disney store and buy thing that may be on sale instead of buying at the park.
When I went (I was 16 or 17) we stayed on the property because it really was cheaper. It was a package deal and we got free breakfast each day, choice of one free gift (there were bunches to choose from including character breakfasts and backpacks), passes that we could use to "reserve" a spot on the more popular rides so we didn't have to wait in line nearly as long. Oh and our room keys were like little credit cards so when we had lunch or snacks we could pay with the room key and it would be charged to our room so I never had to carry cash around the park! I bought my souveniers at the park but we looked for stuff on the clearance section or that was just out of season or things that we'd buy anyway. I really think that staying at the park is cheaper because then you don't have transportation to worry about. Oh and if you can get into it I highly recommend the luau at the polynesian resort hotel it's phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just got back. We're military so we stayed this time at Shades of Green (the military resort on WDW)...but we stayed at the Contemporary in Dec 2006. Staying on site is easier but not necessarily cheaper (although places like Pop Century are just as reasonable as off site things). The Frommer's Guide to WDW with Kids has LOTS of great info on the rides, hotels, etc. It's nice to be onsite and get to go back to the hotel mid-day if you need too. If you don't think you need to, then on or off works because you can use the monorail or the WDW buses all over and not be onsite guests. The real benefit of a WDW resort guest is the MAGIC hours. These are the hours where one park opens early or closes late and is ONLY for WDW resort guests. This is especially good in busy seasons. Hope you're going before the schools let out in May otherwise, it's gonna be crowded. We went in Feb....great time and the crowds were down....although it was a bit too cold compared to what we wanted but hubby was deploying so we had to go when he could.
First I would like to share this: http://www.homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?t=4204&highlight=disney+thread There are lots of good tips and info in this old thread. I have been to WDW over 25 time at all time of the year. I consider myself a Disney expert and have tons of information that I love to share with others. I am happy to answer specific questions through PM, e-mail, or you can post them here. I can recommend a Disney forum that I live on that will have all the information you could ever need. Now, my take. Staying on Disney property far outweighs any off-site lodging. The transportation is great, you won't even need a car. The resorts are phenomenal, plus you are immersed in Disney for your whole vacation. The resorts come in a wide variety of price ranges and should fit most families. Disney is offering amazing deals and discounts right now. There is free bus transportation from the Orlando airport to any Disney resort. I want to share that May is a very busy time of the year and it will be quite hot. There are also a lot of school groups in the parks around that time of year. The Disney Dining plan is worth every penny and you will enjoy your vacation that much more because you don't have to worry about that expense. I am available for any input, advice, questions, or anything else you may need. I am so excited for you!
We used to go A LOT when we lived in FL, now we go about once a year. Most of what I have to say would echo Timkelmom - it sounds as if our experiences have paralleled hers. The only thing we're on the fence about is the dining plan. Yes, you definitely make out money wise...but there are different versions of the plan (last time we went, there were two different versions, we've done both). First, we actually found it a challenge to eat all the food! Second, one of the plans has each meal at a sit-down restaurant. While I enjoyed that the most, I found we spent an AWFUL lot of time eating(!) and traveling to and from the various restaurants. I think this might have been a better option if we had chosen a few restaurants that were central to our activities and stuck with them rather than going for variety. Also - if you get this version - there are a very limited number of table-service restaurants at Disney that serve breakfast AND participate in the dining plan (when we were there last - in August - not every restaurant participates). One REALLY nice thing about the table-service plan is refillable souvenir cups are included - they can be filled with hot or cold drinks, so you can get unlimited soft drinks or COFFEE!!!! Sorry, I got excited there. You can also get tea or hot chocolate. Another thought - you have to tell them you want to add on the dining plan BEFORE you arrive -it's either 48 or 72 hours ahead. At least, that's the way it was in August. Just curious - which resorts are you considering? We have our favorites...I vacillate between wanting to try them all, and thinking, No, this one is great, we just need to come here every year.:lol:
I wanted to share that the Dining plan has added a new option for counter-service only this year. No sit down meals, so less time in restaurants and less food. Another option for more varied choices.
As far as I can tell, the dining plan can only be used if you're staying at a Disney Resort and are buying park tickets. It's $29.99 per day per adult and $8.99 per day per child for the quick service plan. You get 2 quick service meals and 2 snacks per person per day. They also have a plan that's more that includes a quick-service meal and a sit-down meal. Plus they both include a refillable mug. It looks like you'd save money if you're eating at the parks. We're considering it.
Yep...you have to stay at a WDW resort. We did the dining plan 2 years ago and it worked well for us because the kids wanted to see the characters. We ate with characters 5 times on that trip so we got our monies worth. The only negative was I felt that we weren't always in control of our time because we had "such and such reservation" at "such and such time"....but all in all it was worth it both $$ wise and to get to eat where we wanted too for a price we could handle. This past month, we stayed at Shades of Green (which is on WDW property but not a WDW resort) so we couldn't do the dining plan. Since the kids are older and no interest in seeing/eating with the characters, it was nice to be able to eat when we wanted at the last minute. If we weren't hungry, we didn't have to eat because we had a reservation right then. We probably did mostly counter service this trip except for 4 meals (2 at our hotel buffet, one at Planet Hollywood, and one at the Seafood restaurant at Epcot by Nemo...can't think of its name). If we stay a WDW resort again instead of SoG, I'd probably do the new counter service only plan someone mentioned. That wasn't an option when we went 2 years ago...although we plan to continue to stay at Shades of Green whenever possible. It's a good value for us military folks.
The Disney Dining Plan is a way to prepay for your meals and eat really well while at WDW. It must be added as part of a package including tickets, room, plus the dining plan. Unless of course, like me, you know a thing or two () and get it every September for FREE. Here is a link with all the info: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/benefits/disney-dining-plan/ It really is awesome and the places you can dine are outstanding.
ok now if you dine with them you have to eat at there time or the time you pick... what if you are in the middle of something or not hungry? oh if you go in Sept. you eat free, how does that work? Isn't it hot? and busy then
You have to pick your restaurants ahead of time and make reservations. You can make them 90 days in advance and they are highly recommended. It is still quite hot in Sept. usually in the high 70's and 80's, but the crowds are very low. We very rarely wait more than 15 mins. and we can really enjoy our day at our leisure. As far as free dining, for the last 4 years Disney has offered a promotion (it started as a promotion to Disney Visa card holders, but they later offered it to the general public) to get people to come to the parks during this slow time. It usually runs between the end of Aug. through Sept. If you purchase a package with the dining plan, they take the price of the dining plan off of your total and you eat completely free (except for tips). It has not yet been announced for this year, but I really think it will. I have it already for my Sept. trip because I used this promotion last year and when I was actually in WDW if I made a deposit and booked a trip for the next year I would be offered the same promotion. So I have all my restaurants picked out and I just have to wait until 90 days before my arrival which is sometime in July. I hope I explained this clearly.
well then it's more then likely best to wait till after hurricane season or do they refund your money if you can't go or have to leave because of hurricane. Man I was looking today and thought wow there is alot to do and alot to see. Ok Ladies how would you tell a new timer to go have fun and see as much as they can without spending tons and tons of money. What I mean is where is the best deals, when is the best time to come in, where is the best place to stay and what should you see and not see? It was overwhelming when I went on the web site I thought wow how do you know what to do and what to see and when to go?
Good questions, Kris. I think tinklemom is the best one to answer those. She has been there the most. We usually stay at my cousins, and drive to the parks. We go into the front gate, grab a map and go. I'm sure we missed a lot of things. One time I would like to stay at the park and do everything
I am with you Kris I ordered the CD, went to mousesavers, got two Disney books and I feel even more lost! Especially with the food options, is there some plan that will let you eat when you get hungry and not have to make reservations without costing my arm or leg? I have decided to stay at Disney World but then I came to the problem of we wont fit in double beds which most of the hotels have,,,,. We at least need two Queen size beds, kings would be better or one bunk bed and one queen/king We were thinking of going at the end of May too because thats what it says to go on one option. Right now Southwest has $99 tickets one way to Orlando from San Antonio can't beat that! Sam
Sam, we are were looking to go the middle of Nov. Now is that a bad time? Wow I don't know I am with you Sam, I got the CD got the mousesavers and I am still lost... I want to do and see as much as I can and where does one person start?
