I need ideas for a ‘cheap’ disney vacation. Please help?
Written by master on June 5th, 2009
financedoctor asked:
I know that is kind of an oxymoron, cheap and disney vacation, but can anyone help me with some money saving tips or secrets they have learned? Any favorite websites for this???
I know that is kind of an oxymoron, cheap and disney vacation, but can anyone help me with some money saving tips or secrets they have learned? Any favorite websites for this???
We are a family of 5 with kids ages being 17,13,10 at the time of travel. We most likely will drive from Chicago. Need accomodations for a week around Thanksgiving and 4 day hopper passes. Also need two days at Universal theme parks.
8
PM
ha ha ha ha. a cheap disney vacation that’s a good one. you made my day. come on now dude they charge you three bucks for a 3.25 for bottle of water. pack your own lunches in a cooler and leave it in your car man.
10
PM
wow. that’s a tricky one. i’ve been there several times, and used to work there. It’s just so darn expensive, i used to feel terrible that people would spend so much!
anyway, i would definatley suggest staying on route 252. it’s in kissemee technically, but still very close and most motels/hotels still have shuttles to disney. then, once you’re on the property you can use all the disney transportation you want, just as if you’re staying at their hotels. if you really wan to stay on property you’d have to stay at all star sports, or music or even pop century. they’re the cheapest- - but honestly, they’re not sooo much better than a good old howard johnson.
there isn’t much you can do about the ticket prices unless you know someone who works there who can get you in. but definately go through AAA, as they have a lot of discounts and packages.
the universal tickets are cheaper if you buy them in advance and online….(you just pick them up from a kiosk when you get there and you don’t have to wait in that crazy line!)
i would also suggest you spend a couple days just doing the free stuff that disney has to offer. The marketplace is great for shopping, eating and just sightseeing and so is the boardwalk.
good luck—i hope you have a wonderful vacation!
13
PM
My girlfriend and I are going next week and our whole trip is gonna cost us about $1000 for the whole trip. We are doing one full day at each disney park. That alone knocks out a little over $400. We managed to get a Howard Johnson Hotel near Disney that will only cost us about $250 for the entire stay. Then you gotta figure gas and food.
15
PM
For folks looking for tips on saving money on a Disney vacation I always recommend allears.net and mousesavers.com.
Allears.net provides reader tips and tricks on everything from saving, planning and saving money while you’re there, all the way to when you go home. Also they include restaurant menus and prices as well as reviews for restaurants, attractions and tours. This is handy for figuring out where to spend your money.
Mousesavers.com has not only money saving ideas and tips but if you subscribe to their newsletter you can get exclusive hotel and theme park ticket discounts. It’s a great site.
P.S.
I am in no way affiliated with these sites just a Disney freak who loves to plan for her next trip. =)
16
PM
Unfortunately I would not describe any Disney holiday as cheap especially when you are such a large group., I used virgin last time as i was able to use my tescos vouchers which where times 4 to cover some and luckily most of the cost. But if you are just paying I recommend Travel city direct who have a good repetition and are reasonable. Don’t forget you have to budget for extras like food, park tickets. You can get included food package but that would be really expensive as you are all counted as adults. its from 9 for park tickets and food package. That’s causing me a problems as i have 12 years old and eat much less then them myself but if you get the package you have to get it for all members of the party regardless.
It may be expensive but its the holiday of a life time and you will not regret going.
19
AM
First off, one of our best places to stay is suites at old town, they are cheap, but nothing fancy the rooms are huge 3 double beds and 4 rooms with a full kitchen. Then take a back pack and pack some water bottles and snacks, you can even pack some food for lunches, I do this all the time, they search it but never say anything about the food, we take one and just put drinks in and use a baggy full of ice to keep it could, then when it melts just dump the water. I wouldn’t recommend carring this around it could be heavy so rent a locker it will save you a lot of money since water is at least 3.00 a bottle !! Plus at the hotels they offer free shuttles. Now to get cheap disney tickets, the best place is AAA but you don’t save much, as for Universal cheapest is there own website, you can get a 7 day hopper pass for 89.95 and if your going during Madi Gras, make sure you stay for the parade, it is well worth it. I love universal you can do the same with the backpacks at both parks. If you really want to save money use the shuttles, parking with rack you 10.00 a day at each place.
20
AM
My first piece of advice is not to wait until the last minute to book your trip. That’s a busy time of year here.
Also beware of deep discounted tickets or someone trying to sell you information about how to get deeply discounted tickets. They just don’t exist. You can save a few dollars off the gate price, but Disney tickets don’t go on “sale”.
Have a great trip - the weather is beautiful that time of year!
20
PM
Stay in Kissimmee. A lot of people want to stay in the resorts or even in Orlando but Kissimmee is literally 15 minutes away with shuttles going to and from disney and for 1/3 of the cost. Also, try to get your tickets when they offer the pay today, come back tomorrow for free or for a cheaper price.
And book NOW.
24
AM
I know they have specials for $1600 for a week with a value resort and with park passes for 4 people. I would call disney at 407-934-7639. Its worth it. Another good website is mousesavers.com, very helpful tips there. We go every year to Disney..We love it there.
25
AM
Biggest travel secret is Name Your Own Price on priceline.com
Air, car, and hotel all right there. We saved about 33% on our rental car off the Orbitz price, about 20% off nationally published airfares, and 40% off our hotel all using the feature.
On Disney tickets, everyone says you can’t save, but they’re wrong. Our family saved over $340 on 5 4 day hopper passes. Just visit this site for the ebook (no timeshare or anything creepy - just plain old savings)
We bought from Disney directly and were just thrilled. Lots of other great tips on saving time and money and it had a Money Back Guarantee, so I said what the heck.
27
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My cousin was the disney employee, so I and my family visited magic kingdom for free.
I works in a motel too therefore I got free disney 1 day pass for my family. We visited epcot on 1st new year sunday.
My advice is that make any disney employee as your friend or work at any decent motel at orlando.