Yes, It Can Be Done
Feb 25 '00 (Updated Mar 20 '00)
This is how I am doing Disney on a budget and not slumming it. We are not rich by any means and are barely middle class. When I finally get a vacation, I do it right. I do not enjoy staying in a cheap motel to save a buck or eating Peanut butter and jelly to save another buck. The following are my ideas and suggestions for doing Disney on a budget. Hopefully all or at least some of my suggestions will help you. Not every ones budget is the same, Set yourself something that is reasonable to you and stick to it.
You need to do research, research and more research. I cannot stress this enough. It is very important.Buy a guidebook, read message boards, ask questions, and visit many websites Disney fans have created.
Disney will not volunter any information for discounts when you are calling for information. When you call to book, know what you are asking for. The three ways I have found to obtain discounts for Disney is belonging to AAA, having a MKC card or working for the Department of Defense and belonging to the Military.When you call inquire about MKC and AAA room rates. If you are in the military book through Shades of Green to stay in their resort or book an overflow room at any of the Disney Resorts that are available.AAA and MKC also offer a small discount on your park tickets.
MKC is Magic Kingdom Club Card, you can get these through credit unions , or larger companies that offer them as perks. Military Branches also offer these. You can pay 50.00 to obtain the gold card, which also offers you a 2 year subscription to the Disney magazine. (the MKC card also offers some discounts at The Disney Store, World of Disney, free kids meal at certain restaurants and etc.)
Book off-season and combine it with AAA or a MKC discount and you can book a room at a substansial savings. We decided to travel the first week in December and stay in a moderate resort. Our price for 7 nights and 8 days at Dixie Landings is 771.00 with tax. (rounded up)We are traveling with my mother and splitting the room cost which comes to 285.50 each.
For our tickets, we are going with 5 day hopper passes. With My MKC discount the price comes to 207.76. Unused days never expire and they able you to hop from park to park. I joined a cash rewards program called PointClick.You click on internet sites through their web site and earn cash. If you purchase anything through their site they will double your earnings. If you earn 10.00 and buy through their site you can spend 20.00. Disney is part of their reimbursment program. By joining this program I will be earning my hopper passes for free. Which is a huge savings. Aproxmiately 623.28 for 3 adult 5 day hopper passes. My daughter is under 3 and free.
We chose to drive instead of fly. It is only a nine hour drive which is not bad. THis will save airfare, car rental or car service from MCO and DisneyWorld and back.
I belong to a few other rewards programs which I am earning other gift Certificates for restaurants and a gas card. Through My Points, Memolink and Freeride you can earn certificates to Rainforest Cafe (located in Downtown Disney and Animal Kingdom) fast food restaurants for the drive down and a gas card to help the cost. We are planning on bringing a cooler to keep in our room for a few snacks, soda, water wine and beer. These type of items will put a dent in your wallet fast. Doing the above will able us to spend money on nice dinner, lunces and breakfast.We want to eat at the nicer restaurants and enjoy character meals. Also, buy souvenirs.We budgeted 180.00 a day for 3 adults a one toddler, for snacks, souvenirs and food. THis is high but I overbudgeted on this. I would rather have money to bring home than not have enough. I also do not want to be counting my pennies while on vacation.
A few other suggestions:
Have everything paid for in advance. Do not travel with a credit card. This will only be temptation.
Book as far in advance as possible. Send in your inital deposit. Then send them money as you are able to. 5.00 here,10.00 there will add up over a period of time and you will be amazed at how fast it is done.
Join the rewards programs. There are many programs out there to choose from.You can earn gift certificates for food, airplane tickets, hotel accomadations, and gas.
For birthdays, Christmas and other gift giving holidays request Disney Dollars if asked what you would like. These can be used to pay for your room on Disney property, Food and souvenirs inside the parks.
If your children earn an allowance or you reward them monetarily give them Disney Dollars to save for their spending money. Give them chances to earn the Disney Dollars. Make them responsible for their own spending money and you are off the hook for shelling out more money.
I hope these suggestions will give you some ideas on how to travel to DISNEY ON A BUDGET. It can be done. Only you and your family know what you can afford. Set your budget and stick to it. We plan on going every three to four years and having our Disney vacation paid for in advance everytime. You could do your vacation for less but this is how we decided to plan it on our budget.We decided on a moderate over a value resort. Staying for 7 nights instead of less and so on. This is my Disney vacation on a budget.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jiffyjenn
|
|
Member: Jennifer
Location: Flowery Branch, GA
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 55 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.