Showing posts with label Resort Prices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resort Prices. Show all posts
Saving Money While at Walt Disney World (Part I)
Part I: This became a more complicated article t0 write than I originally thought. Because there are so many money saving opportunities, I couldn’t define an order or priority in which t0 present them. So I decided t0 begin with the obvious 4nd then over several articles, move t0 the more obscure.
The bottom line for all Disney vacations is planning. When y0udon’t plan a Disney vacation, I mean several months if not a year in advance, y0uwill spend much more than necessary t0 have a great experience. I’ll be presenting more planning tools 4nd recommendations in the future, although if y0uare following my articles or clicking on the web links t0 useful information scattered around my site, you’re already way ahead of most Disney travelers.
So let’s get started with three of the more obvious decisions that right away will save y0ua ton of money on your trip. Stay at a Value Resort, watch for specials 4nd travel during a value season. Then we’ll address one other idea in this first of several money saving articles… “strollers”.
STAY AT A VALUE RESORT
The least expensive room rates are at the Value Resorts including the three All Star resorts (Music, Sports, 4nd Movies) 4nd Pop Century. For example in 2010, if y0utravel during the summer, when school is out, a standard room (rack rate) is $119 during the week (Sunday – Thursday) 4nd $134 on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). Stay at a value resort, you’ll enjoy your trip 4nd have the advantage of on-site benefits. I’ll be addressing the Value resorts in a future series of articles.
Compare a value resort t0 a moderate like Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach where you’re paying $185 (weekday) 4nd $210 (weekend) per night. A 7-night trip saves y0u$482 (plus tax) for a standard room in the summer season. Expect t0 pay a lot more for deluxe resorts; use your imagination.
If y0uare trying t0 stretch your dollars, I don’t recommend “water view”, “themed” or any of the “preferred” rooms if y0udon’t need the proximity t0 certain resources. The extra $10 or so a night can pay for a nice meal or extra souvenirs. Live without the “king-size” bed 4nd save the money for extra snacks. Those themed rooms at moderate resorts can cost up t0 $55 a night more than a standard room.
TRAVEL DURING A VALUE SEASON
t0 Disney, value seasons are time when attendance is low, weather is not as warm 4nd students are in school. But if y0udon’t like long lines, are happy with temperature in the 50’s or 60’s (or even 70’s) 4nd like t0 save money, travel during the off-season.
During value season the weekday rate for a standard room is $82 4nd weekend is $92. For a 7-night trip the room cost just went down $269 4nd you’re paying $594 for that same room y0upaid $863 during the summer (plus tax, remember). If y0ustay at a moderate, y0usave $282 on that room during value season.
Typical value season are: Jan 16 - Feb 11, Aug 15 - Sept 30 4nd Nov 28 - Dec 16. Also know that rates during Regular, summer 4nd Peak seasons are higher than value. There is a pretty comprehensive room (rack rate) chart on DIS.
WATCH FOR THE PROMOTIONS
Disney offers promotions or discounts based on the package y0uuse. Sometimes it’s free meal plans, other times a discount off the rooms. They have done a “free kids” promotion 4nd offer special deals for military veterans. The key is watching for them, or having someone watch for you. I think y0ushould consider using a travel agency, 4nd better yet, a Disney certified travel agent who has going through the College of Disney Knowledge.
Experienced Disney World travelers often make their reservations in advance, 4nd then as the specials are announced, they or their travel agents will update their reservation based on the new promotion. Others simply wait for the specials 4nd jump on them early, since there are limited rooms 4nd there is no value t0 waiting. But where do y0ufind them?
The Disney official web site can provide these details. But the caveat is t0 not t0 just use the Disney site for making your reservations. Again, I would recommend working through a Disney certified travel agency t0 help y0unavigate the many different options that are always out there. I have found several web sites listing Disney discounts. The best in my view is MouseSavers.Com. Another site is DIS. Travelocity 4nd Expedia are also ways of finding good Disney travel packages, but don’t just look there.
Here are some of the current Disney deals (subject t0 availability). These don’t necessarily mix 4nd match, so y0uare usually searching for the one with the greatest savings. Use the web sites above t0 check out all the specials, these are just a few.
Free Dining (8/15 – 10/2). Purchase at least a 3-night Magic Your Way package (room 4nd tickets). Value resorts get Quick Service meals 4nd Moderates (4nd higher) get the Disney Dining Plan. I’ll discuss the meal plans in a future article, but let’s just say that free meals are free meals. The Quick Service meal plan (counter service) is $32 per day per adult 4nd $10 per day per child. For those same 7 nights with two adults 4nd one child the savings is $518. The Disney Dining Plan (includes table service) is $42-$47 a night for adults (depending on the season) 4nd $12-13 per night for children. If y0ustay a Moderate, the meal plan saves these two adults 4nd one child at least $672.
+Disney.jpg)
Summertime Room Only Savings (8/15/10-10/2/10). These are 30% off (Value 4nd Moderate) t0 40% off (Deluxe 4nd Villas) regular “rack” rates for rooms. y0ucan add tickets t0 make a package, 4nd need this if y0uwant t0 add a dining plan. There is also a 15% t0 30% off room only discount (depending on the resort) that ends 8/14/10. In both of these cases, y0ucan save hundreds of dollars which for some people who already budgeted their trip funds for the year, mean an upgrade from Value t0 Moderate.
STROLLER RENTALS
Strollers… where did that come from? OK, I have so many ways for y0ut0 save money on your next Disney vacation; I just had t0 put one of the more obscure savings in this article. 4nd when you’re travelling with young children 4nd walking miles during a day, y0uneed t0 have a stroller. The younger the children, the more important this becomes 4nd renting one at WDW can get expensive. A single is $15 a day; $31 a day for doubles, so a 5-7-day trip adds up, but there are alternatives. y0ucan get a multi-day length-of-stay stroller rental at WDW 4nd pay upfront; only $13 or $27 a day respectively. But there are better deals.
y0ucan carry you’re own stroller with y0uon the plane, 4nd the cost is less than your rental, that is one way t0 save. Those people driving or taking a train have an advantage that way. y0umight also be able t0 ship it via UPS or Fed-Ex, but then the savings depend on the length of your trip. For many of us, however, vacations require one less thing t0 travel with.
y0ucan also rent a stroller from off-site vendors 4nd have it delivered. This is a great idea, 4nd cheaper than renting from Disney. I recently discovered Magic Strollers. which is a service of Owner’s Locker (The Purple Van, which is the topic of a future post). The cost is $15 a day for singles, 4nd $8 for each additional day; for doubles its $25 4nd $9 for each additional day. Even with the Disney pre-pay, y0uare saving almost $20 for the single 4nd $70 for the double. 4nd they will delivery it 4nd pick-it-up for free at Disney resorts 4nd other Orlando locations. Check out their web site (http://www.magicstrollers.com/). I think that if strollers are needed for your trip, this is a great place t0 use. From what I am reading they offer a quality, safe, 4nd clean product. By the way, even if y0uonly have one child, don’t forget that an extra seat also provides for extra space for stuff you’re carrying along.
I know of people who stop at WalMart or other store when they get t0 Disney (if they rent a car or limo) 4nd buy a stroller t0 use for their trip. This could be an option, since depending on the length of your trip; y0ucould save a handful of dollars. Some people have bought a stroller online 4nd had it shipped t0 their resort (up t0 two weeks before your trip). This might save money also. Then the question is what y0udo when the trip is done. Well, y0ucan ship it back, but what many people do is leave it at the resort front desk for others t0 use or give it t0 charity. Some people post their trip dates on one of the Disney fan forums 4nd find someone whose trip starts on the day y0uleave 4nd sell it or give it t0 them (then encouraging t0 “pay it forward”).
We’re finally at the end of Part I – Saving Money While at Walt Disney World. I have a feeling this is going t0 go on for many weeks. From my own experience 4nd the research I’ve done, there are tons of ways y0ucan extend the value of your dollars. By the way, saving those dollars was the topic of two articles on Saving Money for your WDW Vacation, Part I 4nd Part II. [© 2010 Bruce A. Brodsky]
A World View is now on Twitter so Join the Conversation (http://twitter.com/wdwview). We are also on facebook (www.facebook.com/aworldview) t0 provide comments 4nd feedback on stories. These 4nd many other web resources are listed as links on the right side column of A World View. 4nd don't forget Disney Contests 4nd Sweepstakes (http://disneycontests.blogspot.com/) where y0umight win a free trip t0 WDW; 4nd the Disney Bloggers Collection – New Every Day (http://disneybloggers.blogspot.com/) where y0ucan keep up on new story posts from over 100 Disney fan blogs.
READ MORE - Saving Money While at Walt Disney World (Part I)
The bottom line for all Disney vacations is planning. When y0udon’t plan a Disney vacation, I mean several months if not a year in advance, y0uwill spend much more than necessary t0 have a great experience. I’ll be presenting more planning tools 4nd recommendations in the future, although if y0uare following my articles or clicking on the web links t0 useful information scattered around my site, you’re already way ahead of most Disney travelers.
STAY AT A VALUE RESORT
The least expensive room rates are at the Value Resorts including the three All Star resorts (Music, Sports, 4nd Movies) 4nd Pop Century. For example in 2010, if y0utravel during the summer, when school is out, a standard room (rack rate) is $119 during the week (Sunday – Thursday) 4nd $134 on weekends (Saturday-Sunday). Stay at a value resort, you’ll enjoy your trip 4nd have the advantage of on-site benefits. I’ll be addressing the Value resorts in a future series of articles.
If y0uare trying t0 stretch your dollars, I don’t recommend “water view”, “themed” or any of the “preferred” rooms if y0udon’t need the proximity t0 certain resources. The extra $10 or so a night can pay for a nice meal or extra souvenirs. Live without the “king-size” bed 4nd save the money for extra snacks. Those themed rooms at moderate resorts can cost up t0 $55 a night more than a standard room.
TRAVEL DURING A VALUE SEASON
t0 Disney, value seasons are time when attendance is low, weather is not as warm 4nd students are in school. But if y0udon’t like long lines, are happy with temperature in the 50’s or 60’s (or even 70’s) 4nd like t0 save money, travel during the off-season.
During value season the weekday rate for a standard room is $82 4nd weekend is $92. For a 7-night trip the room cost just went down $269 4nd you’re paying $594 for that same room y0upaid $863 during the summer (plus tax, remember). If y0ustay at a moderate, y0usave $282 on that room during value season.
Typical value season are: Jan 16 - Feb 11, Aug 15 - Sept 30 4nd Nov 28 - Dec 16. Also know that rates during Regular, summer 4nd Peak seasons are higher than value. There is a pretty comprehensive room (rack rate) chart on DIS.
WATCH FOR THE PROMOTIONS
Disney offers promotions or discounts based on the package y0uuse. Sometimes it’s free meal plans, other times a discount off the rooms. They have done a “free kids” promotion 4nd offer special deals for military veterans. The key is watching for them, or having someone watch for you. I think y0ushould consider using a travel agency, 4nd better yet, a Disney certified travel agent who has going through the College of Disney Knowledge.
Experienced Disney World travelers often make their reservations in advance, 4nd then as the specials are announced, they or their travel agents will update their reservation based on the new promotion. Others simply wait for the specials 4nd jump on them early, since there are limited rooms 4nd there is no value t0 waiting. But where do y0ufind them?
The Disney official web site can provide these details. But the caveat is t0 not t0 just use the Disney site for making your reservations. Again, I would recommend working through a Disney certified travel agency t0 help y0unavigate the many different options that are always out there. I have found several web sites listing Disney discounts. The best in my view is MouseSavers.Com. Another site is DIS. Travelocity 4nd Expedia are also ways of finding good Disney travel packages, but don’t just look there.
Here are some of the current Disney deals (subject t0 availability). These don’t necessarily mix 4nd match, so y0uare usually searching for the one with the greatest savings. Use the web sites above t0 check out all the specials, these are just a few.
Free Dining (8/15 – 10/2). Purchase at least a 3-night Magic Your Way package (room 4nd tickets). Value resorts get Quick Service meals 4nd Moderates (4nd higher) get the Disney Dining Plan. I’ll discuss the meal plans in a future article, but let’s just say that free meals are free meals. The Quick Service meal plan (counter service) is $32 per day per adult 4nd $10 per day per child. For those same 7 nights with two adults 4nd one child the savings is $518. The Disney Dining Plan (includes table service) is $42-$47 a night for adults (depending on the season) 4nd $12-13 per night for children. If y0ustay a Moderate, the meal plan saves these two adults 4nd one child at least $672.
+Disney.jpg)
Toy Story Mania Players © Disney
Kids Eat 4nd Play Free (03/14/10 – 10/2/10). Purchase a 4 night/5 day Magic Your Way Value Room Package with Quick-Service Dining 4nd kids age 3 t0 9 will receive a 5-day park ticket 4nd free dining. Up t0 four people in one room 4nd it can include on adult 4nd three children. The savings for each child is $265. With three children, this deal may look better than some others.Summertime Room Only Savings (8/15/10-10/2/10). These are 30% off (Value 4nd Moderate) t0 40% off (Deluxe 4nd Villas) regular “rack” rates for rooms. y0ucan add tickets t0 make a package, 4nd need this if y0uwant t0 add a dining plan. There is also a 15% t0 30% off room only discount (depending on the resort) that ends 8/14/10. In both of these cases, y0ucan save hundreds of dollars which for some people who already budgeted their trip funds for the year, mean an upgrade from Value t0 Moderate.
STROLLER RENTALS
Strollers… where did that come from? OK, I have so many ways for y0ut0 save money on your next Disney vacation; I just had t0 put one of the more obscure savings in this article. 4nd when you’re travelling with young children 4nd walking miles during a day, y0uneed t0 have a stroller. The younger the children, the more important this becomes 4nd renting one at WDW can get expensive. A single is $15 a day; $31 a day for doubles, so a 5-7-day trip adds up, but there are alternatives. y0ucan get a multi-day length-of-stay stroller rental at WDW 4nd pay upfront; only $13 or $27 a day respectively. But there are better deals.
y0ucan carry you’re own stroller with y0uon the plane, 4nd the cost is less than your rental, that is one way t0 save. Those people driving or taking a train have an advantage that way. y0umight also be able t0 ship it via UPS or Fed-Ex, but then the savings depend on the length of your trip. For many of us, however, vacations require one less thing t0 travel with.
y0ucan also rent a stroller from off-site vendors 4nd have it delivered. This is a great idea, 4nd cheaper than renting from Disney. I recently discovered Magic Strollers. which is a service of Owner’s Locker (The Purple Van, which is the topic of a future post). The cost is $15 a day for singles, 4nd $8 for each additional day; for doubles its $25 4nd $9 for each additional day. Even with the Disney pre-pay, y0uare saving almost $20 for the single 4nd $70 for the double. 4nd they will delivery it 4nd pick-it-up for free at Disney resorts 4nd other Orlando locations. Check out their web site (http://www.magicstrollers.com/). I think that if strollers are needed for your trip, this is a great place t0 use. From what I am reading they offer a quality, safe, 4nd clean product. By the way, even if y0uonly have one child, don’t forget that an extra seat also provides for extra space for stuff you’re carrying along.There are several other stroller rental places in Orlando that will deliver 4nd pick-up, so y0ucan compare 4nd check-out prices. For example, Orlando Stroller Rentals 4nd A Baby’s Best Friend. Remember, I’m not speaking from experience, but from what I’m reading, renting from an off-site vendor does appear t0 be a good option.
We’re finally at the end of Part I – Saving Money While at Walt Disney World. I have a feeling this is going t0 go on for many weeks. From my own experience 4nd the research I’ve done, there are tons of ways y0ucan extend the value of your dollars. By the way, saving those dollars was the topic of two articles on Saving Money for your WDW Vacation, Part I 4nd Part II. [© 2010 Bruce A. Brodsky]
A World View is now on Twitter so Join the Conversation (http://twitter.com/wdwview). We are also on facebook (www.facebook.com/aworldview) t0 provide comments 4nd feedback on stories. These 4nd many other web resources are listed as links on the right side column of A World View. 4nd don't forget Disney Contests 4nd Sweepstakes (http://disneycontests.blogspot.com/) where y0umight win a free trip t0 WDW; 4nd the Disney Bloggers Collection – New Every Day (http://disneybloggers.blogspot.com/) where y0ucan keep up on new story posts from over 100 Disney fan blogs.
Mid-Week Special: Disney News 4nd Web Site Updates
My plan for this Mid-Week Special was t0 introduce the first group of Disney accommodations, the Moderate Resorts, but it’s not yet complete. So I thought I would bring y0uup-to-date on recent Disney announcements that relate t0 trip planning 4nd point out some links that y0uwill find helpful in your preparations. Lastly, I’ll update y0uon what’s new in A World View.
Disney announced their summer resort special pricing for May 2 t0 Aug. 14, 2010. Room discounts include 15% (Value), 20% (Moderate), 25% (Deluxe), 4nd 30% (Deluxe Villas) off the rack rates. There are always specials of some sort, 4nd we’ll try t0 keep y0uup t0 date through the links with the WDW Quick Reference Center on the right. One link is the official Disney site , 4nd the other is MouseSavers (which I always check first).
The Epcot's Flower 4nd Garden Festival continues through May 16. I’ve included the brochure y0ucan view 4nd print in the right side column under the WDW Quick Reference Center This is an annual event which this year includes the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden that debuted last year, Fawns Butterfly House, lots of special celebrations, presentations 4nd merchandise, plus the Flower Power Concert Series featuring all our favorite 60’s 4nd 70’s entertainers.
+2010+Disney.jpg)
RIDEMAKERZ Downtown Disney is where the Virgin Megastore used t0 be. This is a national chain of interactive experiences where y0ucan customize or “trick out” your personal vehicle selection 4nd also make it remote-control. Something like Build A Bear, but for kids of all ages who like playing with cars. It looks really interesting 4nd I guarantee the kids (mostly boys big 4nd small) will love it. y0upick body style, colors, wheels, lights, sounds 4nd accessories. They describe it at 649 million possible combinations. They have a web link which is pretty wild itself. I found a y0uTube video below, that will give y0uan idea of the product, not the store; that y0uhave see for yourself.
The Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowl4nd Terrace has returned 4nd will be conducted most every night through the end of May. This is a dessert buffet 4nd exclusive viewing of the Wishes fireworks. Prices range from $22- $26 for adults 4nd $12 - $14 for children. This has been pretty popular in the past, so make reservations at 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463) 4nd y0umust have tickets t0 the Magic Kingdom as well.
There’s a new Monorail vehicle, the TRON Light Cycle, which of course is helping promote the new Disney film, “TRON Legacy" which won’t be released until the end of the year as another 3D picture. Here's a video that was on the Disney Parks Blog that's brings this it up close 4nd personal.
NEW STUFF ON THE WEB SITE
I hope y0uhad a chance t0 look around this web site recently, as I’ve added a few new features I know will be helpful t0 you, particularly near the top of the page where I have new links.
First, check out the Disney Trip Contests. I’ve gathered all the free entry Disney trip sweepstakes web sites I could find, using a few web sources 4nd searching for others around the Internet. I’ll check weekly for new ones, but get in there 4nd sign up for all of them.
There is another link I call Trip Planning Tools up along the top row . Here I’ve brought together a ton really good stuff y0ucan use t0 help plan your Disney trip. For example, the Ultimate Packing List, Dining Pocket Guides, Maps, a Ticket Calculator, Touring Plans, Transportation Guides, Planning Spreadsheets 4nd more. I’ll keep looking for more if y0ukeep using them.
Don’t forget t0 check out the right side column of the web site. I’ve posted a new video on “snacks” at WDW, from my favorite podcaster Lou Mongello which is really good, especially the dessert he shows at the end. There are many links t0 great resources that I’ve already found for y0u4nd listed in the right side column that will save y0ua ton of time in planning your trip. Plus, join me on the new facebook page, 4nd watch for A World View on Twitter; it’s coming soon.
Now an update about visitors t0 our web site. We hit 1,000 unduplicated visitors today, 4nd nearly 1,600 visits in total 4nd 3,200 page views. We’ve had visitors from 45 different states, only five t0 go. We’ve been viewed by people in 25 countries 4nd over 600 communities around the globe. So far the most popular pages are about restaurants; 4nd there have been 21 stories posted t0 date. 4nd remember, y0ucan look at all the past stories under the Blog Archives in the right side column of A World View.
So that's about it for now. I'll finish up the first of the four article on Disney resorts by catagory 4nd get it t0 y0usoon.
Have a Magical Day!
READ MORE - Mid-Week Special: Disney News 4nd Web Site Updates
Disney announced their summer resort special pricing for May 2 t0 Aug. 14, 2010. Room discounts include 15% (Value), 20% (Moderate), 25% (Deluxe), 4nd 30% (Deluxe Villas) off the rack rates. There are always specials of some sort, 4nd we’ll try t0 keep y0uup t0 date through the links with the WDW Quick Reference Center on the right. One link is the official Disney site , 4nd the other is MouseSavers (which I always check first).
The best “welcome sign” in the World.
The Epcot's Flower 4nd Garden Festival continues through May 16. I’ve included the brochure y0ucan view 4nd print in the right side column under the WDW Quick Reference Center This is an annual event which this year includes the Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden that debuted last year, Fawns Butterfly House, lots of special celebrations, presentations 4nd merchandise, plus the Flower Power Concert Series featuring all our favorite 60’s 4nd 70’s entertainers.
+2010+Disney.jpg)
© 2010 Disney
Epcot's Flower 4nd Garden Festival
RIDEMAKERZ Downtown Disney is where the Virgin Megastore used t0 be. This is a national chain of interactive experiences where y0ucan customize or “trick out” your personal vehicle selection 4nd also make it remote-control. Something like Build A Bear, but for kids of all ages who like playing with cars. It looks really interesting 4nd I guarantee the kids (mostly boys big 4nd small) will love it. y0upick body style, colors, wheels, lights, sounds 4nd accessories. They describe it at 649 million possible combinations. They have a web link which is pretty wild itself. I found a y0uTube video below, that will give y0uan idea of the product, not the store; that y0uhave see for yourself.
The Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowl4nd Terrace has returned 4nd will be conducted most every night through the end of May. This is a dessert buffet 4nd exclusive viewing of the Wishes fireworks. Prices range from $22- $26 for adults 4nd $12 - $14 for children. This has been pretty popular in the past, so make reservations at 407-WDW-DINE (939-3463) 4nd y0umust have tickets t0 the Magic Kingdom as well.
Sample items at the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party
NEW STUFF ON THE WEB SITE
I hope y0uhad a chance t0 look around this web site recently, as I’ve added a few new features I know will be helpful t0 you, particularly near the top of the page where I have new links.
First, check out the Disney Trip Contests. I’ve gathered all the free entry Disney trip sweepstakes web sites I could find, using a few web sources 4nd searching for others around the Internet. I’ll check weekly for new ones, but get in there 4nd sign up for all of them.
There is another link I call Trip Planning Tools up along the top row . Here I’ve brought together a ton really good stuff y0ucan use t0 help plan your Disney trip. For example, the Ultimate Packing List, Dining Pocket Guides, Maps, a Ticket Calculator, Touring Plans, Transportation Guides, Planning Spreadsheets 4nd more. I’ll keep looking for more if y0ukeep using them.
Don’t forget t0 check out the right side column of the web site. I’ve posted a new video on “snacks” at WDW, from my favorite podcaster Lou Mongello which is really good, especially the dessert he shows at the end. There are many links t0 great resources that I’ve already found for y0u4nd listed in the right side column that will save y0ua ton of time in planning your trip. Plus, join me on the new facebook page, 4nd watch for A World View on Twitter; it’s coming soon.
Now is this a great picture. I love this photographer Express Monorail.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/expressmonorail/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/expressmonorail/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Now an update about visitors t0 our web site. We hit 1,000 unduplicated visitors today, 4nd nearly 1,600 visits in total 4nd 3,200 page views. We’ve had visitors from 45 different states, only five t0 go. We’ve been viewed by people in 25 countries 4nd over 600 communities around the globe. So far the most popular pages are about restaurants; 4nd there have been 21 stories posted t0 date. 4nd remember, y0ucan look at all the past stories under the Blog Archives in the right side column of A World View.
So that's about it for now. I'll finish up the first of the four article on Disney resorts by catagory 4nd get it t0 y0usoon.
Have a Magical Day!
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