Originally Posted By Beaumandy I have never taken my family to WDW. We go to DL all the time but seem to be getting serious about the big trip east to Florida and WDW. Any estimates what a 7 day trip to WDW for a family of 4 would cost from the West coast? I'm talking airfare, hotel ( All Star resort or a moderate ), Park passes, food, transportation. I keep coming up with $4500 for the week as a ballpark figure. Can it be done for less without being so cheap you lose the magic?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Beau, I think you nailed it. The budget I came up with (assuming both kids will have to pay for adult park passes). Airfare 1,000 Shuttles/taxis 150 Hotel 700 Food 1,050 Four 7-day hopper passes 950 Souvenirs 500 Misc 500 Total 4,850 You could reduce your souvenir, misc (for us, mainly wine and drinks) and food allowances to save money. I'd say a "bare-bones" budget would change those amounts to Souvenirs 300 Misc 300 Food 700 That would reduce the expense by $750, bringing the total in at $4,100. Have fun. You'll be in neocon heaven down there in Florida.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy LOL, I am still in shock that this trip is going to cost almost 5 grand! My trips to DL usually run me about $1500. But... if your gonna go, you got to do it right!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Off the top of my head, I would consider reducing to a six day pass, or maybe even five. Assuming seven days total, including your flight days, on those transit days you could do non-park stuff like visiting resorts, DtD, etc.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Personally, I would go for a rental car too. I bet you could get it for a good rate, and it's a lot more convenient to have a car than have to wait for public transportation. I know some like to leave the driving and potential stress to someone else; I just prefer to have more control of my time.
Originally Posted By Lake Nona Mary Waring's site for rental car discount codes... <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/ren talcar</a> As for souvenir tips... <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/otherwdw" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/oth erwdw</a>
Originally Posted By LuLu $671 covers 6 nights at a Value resort only, during regular season. (Now $99/nt + tax) Peak will be more, value season will be less. Six nights on the Dining Plan for 4 is only $912, it seems like more than enough food if you can plan it to work for your family. I'm counting on FREE shuttle in FL thru the Magical Express program, and I know spent under $200 for souvenirs and misc on my last trip. I'm weird tho, I don't give my daughter souvenir money, she has to save her own! YMMV, but I think you can do it for a bit less than Trippy's numbers. Taking days off the hoppers really doesn't save you much, it's only about $3 per day per person.
Originally Posted By woody I predict the trip will cost $2500 with another $1000 for food, souvenirs, and incidentals. Some cost savings. 1. Stay off-site and off-season. 2. Disney theme restaurants on property are highly overrated. Eat in them once or twice, but not the whole trip. 3. Don't do Disney all the time. Try cheaper alternatives like Universal and the Space Center, or Sea World. 4. Tickets. Don't overbuy them. You won't need them beyond 4 or 5 days. When you travel in the off-season, you'll be surprise as how fast you see all four parks. You might need only 3 days. Word to the wise, don't spend all your pennies in Disney. The money flows too quickly and you'll regret it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Word to the wise, don't spend all your pennies in Disney. The money flows too quickly and you'll regret it.>> Everyone's opinion is different, but I find that my trips to WDW are far more enjoyable when I don't have to pinch pennies. We save in advance so we aren't putting anything on a charge card, but once we are there we really don't want to worry about what we spend. My budget is not extravagant by any means, but it does allow us to spend moderately on what we want without worrying about it. The only money we spend outside of Disney is for Tiffany Town Car. P.S. It’s impossible to have TOO MUCH “souvenir†or “misc†money!!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ By the way... I'm CHEAP!! I won't pay for premium channels on cable TV. I think paying for digital cable is a waste of money. I don't have a cell phone (though my wife and kids do). I drive a 6 year-old Mustang because it's paid for and I like it (even though my son constantly tells me it's "beneath me"). I buy my socks, underwear, over the counter medicines and DVD's at Wal-Mart. I don't care what people say about them, the price is RIGHT. So I'm not usually a "big spender". But when I go to WDW, I don't like having to worry about what I spend.
Originally Posted By bigthunderranch When planning a WDW trip, it is important to start early and plan. Get the Disney Visa card. The reward dollars have saved me an average of $400 every trip. This also includes some perks like free character photos and a merchandise discounts. On our upcoming trip(in two days!) we saved by waiting for the right promotion- $50/day for POP, free airport transportation - Magical Express, and using the Dining Plan. Also, consider getting a mileage card from an airline. You can get a free flight in no time with the right promotion - I cashed my Northwest freebie for this trip.
Originally Posted By LuLu Yeah, last time I used AmEx Rewards for my park tix and Delta miles for my flight. It was a super inexpensive trip! But Beau, if you want to "do it up right," you may want to budget more for hotel and go Moderate. If you have AAA, you may be able to get a room discount (except during Peak).
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>LOL, I am still in shock that this trip is going to cost almost 5 grand! My trips to DL usually run me about $1500.<< If you compare apples with apples I find that a trip to either coast is getting pretty equivalent in cost. For many a WDW trip costs more than a DLR trip because you will have to fly there, will likely stay there longer and will be more likely to stay at a Disney hotel. We spent 4K+ on our 9 day DLR trip last October.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Get the Disney Visa card. The reward dollars have saved me an average of $400 every trip>> Of course this doesn't work if one doesn't pay off the balance due completely every month... credit card debt is an all too easy trap to fall into!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Make one ticket an AP - and buy the DDE card- will save you 20% on all sit down restaurants. If you plan to eat at many of these this will save you money. Also depending on when you are going, the AP will also get your room rate discounts.
Originally Posted By bigthunderranch This is true, but, if you charge things that you would normally pay cash for, it adds up. I pay my cable and phone bill with the card. Gasoline, groceries, etc. If you are going to pay for them anyway, why not get something back? By no means am I rich, but I have never been in credit card debt. So many people are afraid to use there credit card, but the smart thing to do is get one percent back from your "normal" purchases.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<if you charge things that you would normally pay cash for, it adds up. I pay my cable and phone bill with the card. Gasoline, groceries, etc. If you are going to pay for them anyway, why not get something back?>> We're both stating the obvious, but good things always bear repeating.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo All this tips are right, with the exception of Woody's number of days. If this is the first trip to WDW, especially with kids, as a Disneylander I would recommend 2 days Epcot, 1.5 days MK, 1 day MGM, 1 day DAK, .5 for a water park, mini golf or Disneyquest, and the rest to do whatever. Beau, DL is a better resort in my opinion for quality. But on scale, WDW is massive. Have a great time!!! BTw - another tip, if eating in Epcot, opt for a late lunch - the menu is cheaper and still great. Also, the buffet meals are very good value for money.
Originally Posted By Labuda Absolutely correct on the # of days thing, Dave. NO WAY can you see AND ENJOY the parks over the time frame woody gave if it's your first visit, even if it's in the slow season.
