THE CHEAPEST TRIP TO DW

[Cinderella]

Okay, most of you know we had to cancel our trip plans for this October when I had hoped to use my AP's we bought last year before Mousefest.
So, it doesn't look like we'll get down there this year to get full use of our AP's but I can start planning now for next year.

I was thinking again of trying for Fall next year when the weather is still warm enough for DH to use the pool (maybe me if my special pixie dust removes all unwanted pounds from my body before then).

Also thought we'd try POFQ which we had planned to do this Oct. (DH needs room to walk/pace and a value room is just too small for him even for the short amount of time we'd be in it).

Planned on not as many sit down dinners in expensive restaurants (as my DH loves to do) but trying our big meal at lunch time (cheaper) and having a light meal at night.

We drive down so save that way and if I could get DH to help more with the driving we can go non-stop and save the one night hotel stop. (If my fibro cooperates).

We bring snacks in car and cooler (juices/water/soda/fruit/cheese/crackers/sandwiches/carrots/celery etc.)

Still have big bills to be paid but will try to add more to the change bank each day so we can pay cash for trip when booking it (paper and not just coins!).

Don't really go out much during the year except to neighbors and have friends visit us from out of state (mostly tour Gettysburg and go locally for sightseeing - not expensive).

Opted not to get season tickets for local summerstock theater this summer to help save and can do that again next year (and should put that entire amount into the change bank instead of buying the tickets).

So, hope this will help (we get behind when tax season comes as our bank does not take it out with monthly mortgage payments and they must be paid all at once - no exceptions - so we must have that put aside also).

Any other suggestions for us to start now for end of 2006 (counting on NO surprise bills/repairs along the way?).

Thanks.

Cinderella (who is feeling a little left out this year with all the meets being set up for each of the Taginators trips I'm reading about)

[SueV]

I think you've got everything covered there CinderClaire! I am also going to look her for tips on making WDW a cheaper vacation. We're planning on going to WDW in January with my best friend and her family and right now they are having cash flow problems. I feel so bad because her poor husband just about works himself into the ground, and they STILL have trouble. But they are insisting on getting back to WDW before their youngest turns 3(she'll be 2 1/2 in January) and at least she'll save them money by NOT having to buy her tickets and at character/buffet meals she is free! I keep trying to tell them that booking seperately instead of package will save them cash but Kathy says that booking all together will be like a lay-away for them, they can put a decent deposit and then pay the rest off each month as they have a few extra bucks to spare! Now since we don't fly, I need to know HOW to get the cheapest airfare for them? Driving is not an option as Kathy gets car sick! They will have 2 adults and their 5 year old daughter, as well as the 2 1/2 year old. Does the baby need a ticket or can she sit on her mommy's lap? And how far in advance should they buy airfare?

[WDWDen]

We just tried to get a flight with Masen in Feb, but after age 2 they need a ticket. Birth certificate is required, so there is no way around it. You KNOW how small Masen is Sue, so he could have easily passed for under 2. I wish there was a weight cutoff instead of age. Of course then, I'd be starving him the weeks before we went! ;-) hehe

The cheapest air we find these days is SouthWest out of Philly. We used to fly Spirit out of AC, but now the secret is out and everybody is flying them. :roll:

Claire, I can't answer any questions as to how to save, b/c I am HORRIBLE at it. I really need to cut down on costs myself. The only way I can figure is too just stay home. :cry:

[SuzyQ]

Looks good, Claire.

I would try the "spare change in the jar" trick for saving some spending money. Just put your spare change each day or each week into a special Disney-decorated jar (I bet that your jar would look especially nice). What I do is, when I am saving this way, is never use my change when making a purchase. I just pay with bills and get the change back. I usually don't miss that extra few cents and it adds up pretty quickly when I put it in the jar. (Plus it's nic eto here that cha-ching when the change falls onto the coins already in the jar.) :D

~Suzy

[Robin]

I know a lot of folks usually have last minute items they need to pick up for the trip. Except for anything perishable, I'd suggest start watching now for sales, or at least end of summer sales. You can simply put the stuff aside as you find it and little by little stockpile the 'new' stuff you will need, instead of paying full price at the last minute.

What about souvenirs? Do you have the 'need' to bring home new goodies like I do? :oops: I went to the Character Outlet by DL and got some great buys. I really curbed my urge to pay park prices for goodies. Sweatshirts are sweatshirts right? ;)

[Robin]

I think you've got everything covered there CinderClaire! I am also going to look her for tips on making WDW a cheaper vacation. We're planning on going to WDW in January with my best friend and her family and right now they are having cash flow problems. I feel so bad because her poor husband just about works himself into the ground, and they STILL have trouble. But they are insisting on getting back to WDW before their youngest turns 3(she'll be 2 1/2 in January) and at least she'll save them money by NOT having to buy her tickets and at character/buffet meals she is free! I keep trying to tell them that booking seperately instead of package will save them cash but Kathy says that booking all together will be like a lay-away for them, they can put a decent deposit and then pay the rest off each month as they have a few extra bucks to spare! Now since we don't fly, I need to know HOW to get the cheapest airfare for them? Driving is not an option as Kathy gets car sick! They will have 2 adults and their 5 year old daughter, as well as the 2 1/2 year old. Does the baby need a ticket or can she sit on her mommy's lap? And how far in advance should they buy airfare?

I used to do packages and never will again. Not only are they often 'not' the best price, but they usually give you horrid flights to make up for the 'cheap' price. I pretty much ended up losing the first and last day of my trip because of their flights, while still paying for a room for those first and last nights. :evil:

I know for most rooms reservations, you don't have to pay the balance until close to your trip (or when you get there...I'm blanking here.) I wonder if Disney will let you send in a few payments toward your room in advance? If they don't they should, as many folks would find this a better way to budget for their trip.

Paying piecemeal rather than a package also lets you break your costs into 'chunks'. Worst come to worst, if you are still 'short' at the end, there is always the option of downgrading your room to off site. From what I remember, once you're locked into a 'package' there isn't much in the way of options or 'wiggle room' to adjust your costs.

[Stinkerbelle]

Do you have enough stuff for a good old fashioned garage sale? Seems like everyone has extra stuff haning around that they need to get rid of - maybe someone out there wants to buy yours?

To save money on groceries and drug store items you may want to check out www.grocerygame.com. Even if you don't join, the message board is free and has great tips. I have saved $$ and gotten lots of stuff free since frequenting this site.

Ask for Disney Dollars as gifts. My family knows that I have them as a standing wish for Christmas and Birthdays - even if I don't have a trip planned at the time of gifting I know they will not go to waste!

I'll report back if I think of anything else.

[Timon]

I need to know HOW to get the cheapest airfare for them? Driving is not an option as Kathy gets car sick! They will have 2 adults and their 5 year old daughter, as well as the 2 1/2 year old. Does the baby need a ticket or can she sit on her mommy's lap? And how far in advance should they buy airfare?

Sue,

I'm assuming your friend is in South Jersey too. Do they have a problem with flying out of AC? I've already booked my flights for MF and my total round trip including taxes is $189.40 with Spirit on direct flights. Long term parking at the AC airport was only $4.00/day, a bargain compared to $20.00/day at Newark Liberty. I have no idea what long term parking is at Philly. Now that I think of it, doesn't Southwest fly out of Philly? That may be an option for them.

Another option is for them to pay for everything with a credit card that has a points/frequent flyer program. That's how we went to Vegas this year. They have to be disciplined and pay off their balance every month. But if they can do that, it's a great way to get points in a hurry. My card gives me double points for purchases at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores all the time.

[SusanP]

Claire,
I would add up what your trip would cost ie what you estimate the room to be, your meals on "your plan", travel expenses to and fro, passes-everything you can think of-but NOT souvenirs with a little fudge room for inflation. Then divide it by the months (or weeks) you have until then and it gives you a goal to save that much/month or week. It can become a game to spend the least amount for groceries so you can add it to the fund (I'd even get a separate bank account somewhere), or save on clothing purchases, fast food, or the old wallet eater, the "miscellaneous" fund!!
I find it much easier to save with a goal right in front of me like that-at least you know if you are getting somewhere! So, if $2000 would be enough for your trip, that's about $135/month or $30/week. Looking at it that way, $30/week almost sounds managable!

[Bookwood]

Claire-

I'd sign up for the emails from Southwest and watch for sales from your closest airport! (Philly??) We've found flights out of there (round trip) for $79.00 last summer for the girls and between food /gas/hotel room down and back it might be cheaper for 2 to fly! I'd definately look at it (it's also something that could be paid off early- and earn points to boot).

I like all your other ideas!

[Cinderella]

If someone could tell me what was in the shot the A-TEAM used to give MR.T. each week to get him onto a plane, I would use it on DH and fly in a second!!!! Who wants to spent 17 hours driving, one night's cost of hotel/extra meals etc. when we could be there inunder 2 hours??? DH WON'T FLY!!
Any nurses out there who can lend me some needles???

Cinderella

[SueV]

Claire I'm there with ya I have a hubby who won't fly(or cruise for that matter)! I'm always threatening to call up the neighbor(family friend) up the road who is a nurse and get something strong and MAKE him fly! The other option is a shot to the head with a cast iron frying pan, could work too :wink:

[Robin]

With getting to the airport, security, getting 'from' the airport, it's a bit more than 2 hours but a heck of a lot less than 17. ;)

Don't forget the hidden costs of shuttle to/from airport. (Both on your end and Orlando).

Is DH just afraid to fly, or is there another reason. Might threatening to leave him home next trip help? :lol:

[Photographer]

Sue, you might want to try www.sidestep.com You download their program and use it to research flights. It'll show you a variety of airline prices without having to go from website to website.

Claire - I hardly ever go to the movies anymore because it's so expensive. Do the actors really need 20 million per picture? Anyway, you may want to borrow DVDs from your library. It's free and there aren't any screaming babies.

[3princesses]

Claire, I'm saving for our trip next year and I'm going every payday to the Disney Store and buying $25 in Disney Dollars. It's not much every two weeks, but will add up over the next year and a half. I also use the Disney Visa to get the points, I put most of our bills on it. The little things that don't seem to be much really add up. My biggest thing is that when we're down there and everywhere you look there's something that the kids want. I figure if I save the disney dollars, those little things won't seem to be as bad because I already have the money saved up.

[Sheryl]

Just a suggestion 3princesses, my boys gets Disney money in their christmas stocking, for good grades with report cards, end of school rewards, and for Birthday or anyother gifts. They get to save it up (I hold it until we leave in an envelope) and then when we are at Disney they get to spend it on whatever they choose. This way, they also learn to budget their money, and have to learn how to make choices. It also helps Mom's budget along the way.

Claire, I know Ronnie won't fly so how about ways to save on gas for your trip down and back. I think it was LimeGreenCheri who used her MyPoints for gas cards at one time. Do you do MYPoints? Save up the points and turn them in for Gas cards. What about dropping hints to your kids about wanting either gas cards or Disney money for gifts. I go crazy trying to think what my parents and inlaws want, and would much prefer knowing exactly what they want.

How about doing Priceline and try to get a cheap room for your one night stop. In March we were able to get a 4 Star Mariott room in Tampa on Priceline for $70. I think the normal rate was $250 a night.

You can also get gift cards for restaurants on My Points. I've already gotten one $20 (or was it $25) for Rainforest and am working on another from My Points. We will sue it on our trip. If not for Rainfgorest, then possibly for a restaurant on your drive down at an Olive Garden or another place. When we are driving a long distance we prefer to do a fast food grab and go, so you can always do the Dollar menus at Wendy's or McDonalds for cheap meals.

Sher

[Cinderella]

3P's: I did that the last two Mousefest trips so that all was paid ahead of time. I had Disney dollars in envelopes marked for meals and had money in Disney reward money from Visa account toward souvenirs too. Don't have a spare dime this year to put away and only one pension check coming in so can't save money if it's not there. It does work though and last year I also put all the Mousekeeping Tip money in envelopes I had printed out with Disney characters on them and each day I just pulled one out and didn't have to worry about that. We brought snacks and breakfast foods to save on one meal a day and ate our larger meal at lunch and snacked for dinner. We stopped once going down (we drove) and brought foods for one meal in the car as we drove (sandwiches, apples/cheese/crackers/juices etc.) Once we get even OLDER THEN DIRT like we almost are now, we can use all our soc. security checks for DW!!! Even if I die penniless, at least I'll be happy!!!!!!

Cinderella

[SusanP]

Even if I die penniless, at least I'll be happy!!!!!!


Good motto, Cinderella,

You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul!!!

[3princesses]

Isn't that the truth???? I keep telling my kids we're giving them their inheritance now, with all the trips to DW!

[Bookwood]

Cinderclaire- I was just thinking in the car on the way down (long drive lots of time to think). Maybe you should plan a trip for your church youth group! Our Girll Scouts went down for under $500.00 a piece for 5 days with the youth program discounts. We stayed in the cabins at Ft wilderness and each adult was responsible for a "meal" (cooking- we did allthe shopping at Sams club when we got there). I did breakfast (since I'm such an early bird) and we had snacks ect. We actually had way extra food.


It was far and above our cheapest trip ever! We even got AP rates on the cabins since I had and AP.

[Cinderella]

Great idea Pam but our church has a tiny youth group (little ones anyhow). They have such a hard time getting the parents to get out of bed to bring the kids. Most of the congregation have children in college or older.
Our teen youth group is currently having fund raisers to help pay the cost of them going to San Antonio for next years Lutheran Youth Conference. They've had "penny pitches" during church (they pass metal macaroni pots across the rows for contributions) which raised about $1000 and rockathons (they stayed up all night in their rocking chairs and had sponsors who paid by the hour) that raised another $1000 and they just had a chicken dinner which brought in $1200 and one of the Lutheran Insurance organizations matched that amount. So, all their fund raising money goes toward their trip. Most of the parents would be hesitant to have their children go and would expect us youth advisors to be the only chaperones. My old church had a very large youth group and they worked for families in the congregation to save money for trips they took.

Good idea though. Thanks.

Cinderella

[Sheryl]

Hey Missy Claire,

I think Zachary and I will be in San Antonio next year for the Lutheran Youth convention. Did you know in 2007 or is it 2009 the Youth Group convention will be in Orlando!! I'll be there with my kids!

Sher

[Cinderella]

Wow Sheryl, I'll have to tell the kids to look out for you and Zach. Our Youth always has a good time when they go and they write up reports for our monthly newsletter when they return.

Cinderella

[Lou-Ann]

SAN ANTONIO????? HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLO ... I am 40 miles from there, Claire......

[Bookwood]

Sarah went to the Youth convewntion in Altanta in 1999 by 2009 I won't ahve any youth left! (sad but true). Maybe I should start working on the kids to try for San Antonio in 2006

[Photographer]

I'm thinking of trying for another yard sale to try and drum up some cash. I still have all those Disney T-shirts to sell.

[JustJan]

We always have a yard sale each September - out town has a city wide yard sale to raise money for Fireworks on July 4th so each family pays $15 to have their address advertised on a city wide map.

We have done really well - over $2000 last year total. We are decluttering and getting rid of all the "extra" stuff - spare set of dishes,nightstand, lamps all kinds of junk.

As an incentive to my son to purge some toys, (suddenly toys not touched in 3 years are "my favorite" whatever) we let him "keep" the money from his items. Our rule with him for saving is that every dollar he wants to keep out and spend, he has to put dollars in the bank. He made $300 selling toys, train table, old bike, books and videos. He funded his spending at WDW last October with his earnings and still put over $200 in the bank.

It does take a lot of time cleaning and organizing everything - but we have had one for each of the past 5 years and have done well. We also have other family members bring stuff over as we have a great location on a corner so we get lots of cars coming by. They split the cost with me for the ad.

Last year we even sold hot dogs and pop ( I am ashamed to admit this) - my brother in law thought this would be great. So we went to Aldi and bought the 24 pack of hot dogs for about $3 and buns for 50 cents a pack. We got some condiments and sold hot dogs for $1 each and pop for 50 cents. We made over $200 on this alone so we will definitel do this again!

Just some other ideas - we have a consignment store that takes clothing - never really sells too well at garage sales and made about $80 that way. Also my sister has sold some stuff that they got at close out sales etc on eBay and made money as well. We also look for rebates on things that we buy (not brand loyal here, no way) and all that money goes into the Disney account!

Good Luck - I know how hard this can be! We will keep looking for other ideas as well.

Jan

[Photographer]

Wow! I'm lucky if I take in $30 from a yard sale. We have stuff that needs to be gotten rid of but my mom won't part with it. She's holding onto strollers and changing tables for grandchildren depsite my brother and I telling her when either of us has kids, she'll have to buy new stuff.

[Lou-Ann]

LOL.....You say that now, but when the time comes and you need a sitter I'll bet you will be happy to put those kids in her stroller......She will buy new stuff for you but feel very comfortable reusing her old ond the memories they bring her.......Been there, done that.....