WDW tickets can be pricey, make no mistake, but that doesn't mean that you can't save money.
1. Be aware that the more days you add to your ticket, the cheaper your per day rate. If you are going to be there a week, consider buying the 7 day pass.
2. Get your tickets from Undercover Tourist. They are the only place to get tickets legitimately aside from Disney.
I won't go into detail regurgitating details from other sites. Go to this link and it gives a very nice synopsis of WDW tickets.
Advice, tips and tricks for WDW tickets and passes
If you are a DVC member, there are some options for Annual Passes that can be a tremendous savings.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Saving on resorts at WDW
In my opinion, we can break things down into a few simple categories
1. Resort
2. Park tickets
3. Dining
Let's start with the resort options. For this discussion, I'm focusing only on the WDW resorts.
Disney offers plenty of discounted rates. It just depends on when you want to go. In previous posts I've noted the seasonal flow for WDW. When kids are off from school, it's busy and you won't see as many discounts.
Here's a link to the Spring specials: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/spring-room-savings/
There are a great many things to take into consideration when choosing a resort....ambiance, location, room size, amenities, capacity...PRICE!
Disney breaks their categories down into 3 categories:
1. Value
2. Moderate
3. Deluxe
3a.Villa
These terms may not be clear to everyone. Simply put, these are least expensive to msot expensive as well as smallest to largest.
People assume that I'm a resort snob b\c I am a DVC member. Not true. We were slumming it...er...I mean staying at the value resorts (and participating in a fridge swap no less!) before we ever entertained the DVC.
While there is a vast array of differences between the types of resorts, the Value resorts are an excellent way to save dollars. They aren't glamorous but you certainly have the Disney flare that you would expect. We have stayed at the All Star Movies and All Star Sports and had excellent experiences.
If you are used to something a little more chic but really don't want to pony up the cash b\c you expect to spend a lot of time at the parks and other areas of interest, there is a lesser known option. That is to rent vacation points. Yes, you can live like DVC member without all the commitment. This is something that I recommend to folks that aren't sure about joining DVC. Check out the following link. http://www.dvcrequest.com/
David's is well known and reputable.
Basically, people end up not being able to use all of their points <insert reason here> and want to recoup some of the cost. So they rent them out.The rates vary from season to season as well as the resort. normal supply and demand logic applies.
We'll cover Park Tickets in the next post.
1. Resort
2. Park tickets
3. Dining
Let's start with the resort options. For this discussion, I'm focusing only on the WDW resorts.
Disney offers plenty of discounted rates. It just depends on when you want to go. In previous posts I've noted the seasonal flow for WDW. When kids are off from school, it's busy and you won't see as many discounts.
Here's a link to the Spring specials: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/spring-room-savings/
There are a great many things to take into consideration when choosing a resort....ambiance, location, room size, amenities, capacity...PRICE!
Disney breaks their categories down into 3 categories:
1. Value
2. Moderate
3. Deluxe
3a.Villa
These terms may not be clear to everyone. Simply put, these are least expensive to msot expensive as well as smallest to largest.
People assume that I'm a resort snob b\c I am a DVC member. Not true. We were slumming it...er...I mean staying at the value resorts (and participating in a fridge swap no less!) before we ever entertained the DVC.
While there is a vast array of differences between the types of resorts, the Value resorts are an excellent way to save dollars. They aren't glamorous but you certainly have the Disney flare that you would expect. We have stayed at the All Star Movies and All Star Sports and had excellent experiences.
If you are used to something a little more chic but really don't want to pony up the cash b\c you expect to spend a lot of time at the parks and other areas of interest, there is a lesser known option. That is to rent vacation points. Yes, you can live like DVC member without all the commitment. This is something that I recommend to folks that aren't sure about joining DVC. Check out the following link. http://www.dvcrequest.com/
David's is well known and reputable.
Basically, people end up not being able to use all of their points <insert reason here> and want to recoup some of the cost. So they rent them out.The rates vary from season to season as well as the resort. normal supply and demand logic applies.
We'll cover Park Tickets in the next post.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Gift Cards! The gift that keeps on giving
Gift Cards:
These are a great way to save some cash. I know that some of the warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's sell these at a discounted price. Most stores sell Disney gift cards and several carry gift cards for the larger airlines. My brother will pay for his entire trip using these. I know that our grocery tore frequently offers fuel perks when purchasing gift cards. It's usually .10 off a gallon for every $50 worth of gift car purchase. At various times throughout the year, they will offer .20 fuel perks. Items like gift cards can be purchased throughout the year and you can always requests them from friends and family that you normally exchange gifts. The nice thing about this is that you can use them online or at the Disney store. So they aren't just relegated to being used on vacation. We have personally found that these are also excellent for teaching life lessons to our girls. For each trip we give each of them a gift card with money on it. They get to use it at their discretion. But once it's gone, that's it. It has help to teach them the value of a dollar, simple math and they have learned not o buy the FIRST thing that they see! When your 3 year old is looking at an overpriced stuff animal in a gift shop, your logic will fall on deaf ears! These have really helped with that. Our girls now wait and evaluate what they want to buy.
Another benefit to the gift cards is that helps with budgeting and helps prevent "vacation splurge". Vacation splurge is that phenomenon where you forget that you have bills and such and spend freely. It happens to the best of us.
CAUTION: HIGH RISK\HIGH REWARD BENEFIT TIP!
We are a family that puts 90% of our costs on a rewards card and pays it monthly...usually. Now, this is where you essentially "double dip" but it's a significant outlay of credit.
If you have a rewards card, you use it to purchase the gift cards, thus earning your credit card rewards while procuring the discounted gift cards. Obviously you should not put more on your credit card than you can afford to pay with cash. It's great savings but please be careful as one monthly finance charge can wipe out all of those cost savings that you were about to recognize!
These are a great way to save some cash. I know that some of the warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's sell these at a discounted price. Most stores sell Disney gift cards and several carry gift cards for the larger airlines. My brother will pay for his entire trip using these. I know that our grocery tore frequently offers fuel perks when purchasing gift cards. It's usually .10 off a gallon for every $50 worth of gift car purchase. At various times throughout the year, they will offer .20 fuel perks. Items like gift cards can be purchased throughout the year and you can always requests them from friends and family that you normally exchange gifts. The nice thing about this is that you can use them online or at the Disney store. So they aren't just relegated to being used on vacation. We have personally found that these are also excellent for teaching life lessons to our girls. For each trip we give each of them a gift card with money on it. They get to use it at their discretion. But once it's gone, that's it. It has help to teach them the value of a dollar, simple math and they have learned not o buy the FIRST thing that they see! When your 3 year old is looking at an overpriced stuff animal in a gift shop, your logic will fall on deaf ears! These have really helped with that. Our girls now wait and evaluate what they want to buy.
Another benefit to the gift cards is that helps with budgeting and helps prevent "vacation splurge". Vacation splurge is that phenomenon where you forget that you have bills and such and spend freely. It happens to the best of us.
CAUTION: HIGH RISK\HIGH REWARD BENEFIT TIP!
We are a family that puts 90% of our costs on a rewards card and pays it monthly...usually. Now, this is where you essentially "double dip" but it's a significant outlay of credit.
If you have a rewards card, you use it to purchase the gift cards, thus earning your credit card rewards while procuring the discounted gift cards. Obviously you should not put more on your credit card than you can afford to pay with cash. It's great savings but please be careful as one monthly finance charge can wipe out all of those cost savings that you were about to recognize!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
How can I save money on my Disney vacation?
How can I save money on Disney?
This is a common question that many people ask and even a seasoned veteran as myself continues to look for different angles to save money.
Let me cover a few simple areas to get you started!
The travel seasons cheapest to most expensive
This is a common question that many people ask and even a seasoned veteran as myself continues to look for different angles to save money.
Let me cover a few simple areas to get you started!
The travel seasons cheapest to most expensive
- Adventure Season (Jan 1—31, Sep 1—30, Dec 1—14)
- Choice Season (Oct 1—Nov 25, Nov 29—30, Dec 15—23)
- Dream Season (Feb 1—15, May 1—Jun 10, Aug 16—31)
- Magic Season (Feb 16—Apr 12, Apr 27—30, Jun 11—Aug 15, Nov 26—28)
- Premier Season (Apr 13—26, Dec 24—31)
The basic principle is that when kids are off from school, the demand is way up. Summer and holidays are going to be the busy and more expensive. During the less busy seasons, Disney is more opt to offer discounts and special packages such as free dining. The dates noted above are based off of the 2014 dates. Aside from Disney's prices, there can be a hit on your wallet for airfare as well when travelling during holidays.
Saving on food:
Food at Disney isn't cheap by anyone's standards but there are plenty of ways to stretch your dollar.
Breakfast:We personally don't spend much on breakfast. We ship food to our resort. Simple breakfast items like cereal bars, Pop Tarts, Granola\Protein bars. And we take similar sized items (Nuts, crackers, fruit snacks, etc.) as snacks to munch on between our meals.
Beverages in the parks: Again, grabbing a pop\soda in the Park is around a $3 purchase. You'll read a lot of suggestions about filling water bottles at the myriad of water fountains in the Parks. That's great if you enjoy terrible tasting water. No thanks! 2 tips here!
1. At the restaurants, they will gladly bring you an extra water for free. AND the water in the restaurants is filtered so it tastes much better.
2. Flavor packets -We buy these in bulk a the Dollar Store. We dump these in our girls thermoses and everyone is happy.
More money saving tips to come....
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Disney resources to help you plan
If you start looking up Disney tips on the Internet, you will overwhelmed. Now, I'm not saying these are the only resources to use, but I will tell you that these are very reliable, highly leveraged resources!
There are some key online resources and some books that will not only help beginners, but also novices. Even I check these out now and again from the library just to make sure that we stay on top of things.
Web Sites:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
The DIS discussion forums
allears,net
Mousesavers
www.wdwinfo.com
Books:
Birnbaum's Official Disney World Guide
Fodor's Walt Disney World with kids
Apps:
My Disney Experience
Touring Plans (great for crowd levels and determining which parks to visit on specific days)
There are some key online resources and some books that will not only help beginners, but also novices. Even I check these out now and again from the library just to make sure that we stay on top of things.
Web Sites:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
The DIS discussion forums
allears,net
Mousesavers
www.wdwinfo.com
Books:
Birnbaum's Official Disney World Guide
Fodor's Walt Disney World with kids
Apps:
My Disney Experience
Touring Plans (great for crowd levels and determining which parks to visit on specific days)
The Angry Mouse's unofficial disclaimer:
There are many factors that go into Disney World planning. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that you know your family (or traveling party) better than I do!
So while my advice is tried and true, your situation may be different!
In other words, your 7 year old daughter may not be as approving of the Tower of Terror as this 39 year-old dad!
I am here to help and will answer just about any question you have.
Feel free to email at:
brettcw@verizon.net
brettcw23@gmail.com
Please put my blog name TheAngryMouse23 in the subject. This will help me to sort quicker and make it more likely for me to get back to you!
So while my advice is tried and true, your situation may be different!
In other words, your 7 year old daughter may not be as approving of the Tower of Terror as this 39 year-old dad!
I am here to help and will answer just about any question you have.
Feel free to email at:
brettcw@verizon.net
brettcw23@gmail.com
Please put my blog name TheAngryMouse23 in the subject. This will help me to sort quicker and make it more likely for me to get back to you!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
So you want to go to Walt Disney World. Now what?
Deciding to go can be easy. Figuring out the rest...not so much. Here are some things to keep in mind.
FAQ's regarding this phase
- Are you planning your WDW trip on a budget or....
- Are you planning the budget based on the WDW trip?
FAQ's regarding this phase
- When should we start planning?
- Should we stay on-site?
- Should we get the meal plan?
- What type of park passes should we get?
- How many days should we plan on staying?
- Should we fly or drive?
- Are my kids too young?
- When should we start planning?a Minimum of 6 months out if possible. At the 180 day mark you'll want to plan your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR).
- Should we stay on-site? The short answer to this is YES! Now, if you can't or you got an awesome deal to stay off-site, then that's a different story. But the advantages of staying on-site far outweigh any of staying off site. At WDW, there is built-in transportation, various park perks and amenities. Plain and simple, staying at The World eliminates a lot of the headaches.And who needs headaches on vacation?!?!
- Should we get the meal plan? Ask 10 people this question and you'll get 10 varying opinions! Disney has a few different option. there are their dining plans and then there are the Tables in Wonderland (TIW) cards. The meal plan is approx. $55\day per adult and $15\day per kid (<10 yrs old). My thoughts are if you have kids under 10, get the plan. Character meals often are buffet styles and cost in excess of $15 for kids alone. If your kids are 10-12 age and you don;t think they'll eat a lot, then you may be wasting the meals. A nice option is TIW where you pay $100 for a card and then get 20% all of your meals.
- What type of park passes should we get? Lots of choices here. Basically, the passes get cheaper with each day you add. If you live in FL or are in the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) you can get an Annual Pass for a discounted price. There are many, many options and this depends on how many days you plan on going and if you think you will go to more than one park in a day. Some people like to see Universal Studios or Sea World while in Orlando. So those types of scenarios will factor into your pass.
- How many days should we plan on staying? This will vary depending on the age of the party travelling and what you want to do. I'd recommend at least 5 days but 7 is ideal. If budget necessitates a contracted schedule, you can still enjoy Disney. You simply have to plan a little differently so don't fret.
- Should we fly or drive? If you can fly...do it! A really nice feature for most airlines is the Magical Express, You take you bags tot he airport and then you don;t see them again until you get to your room where the nice folks at Disney deliver them. And how do you get from the airport to WDW? The Magical Express buses pick you up at the Orlando airport and deliver you.
- Are my kids too young? If they can walk, then I say they are NOT too young. We took both of our daughters when they each were 2.5 years old. The experience for them at that age makes all seem very real. So those experiences combined with lots of photos make for great memories. Of course, you know your kids better than I do...at least I hope you do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)