What is the most cost efficient way to plan a disneyworld vacation?

Question

There will be three adults and one child, age 6. We will be there for five days and four nights. We want to stay at one of the disney resorts and also have our round trip plane tickets included in the package. We want to visit the ocean on at least one of the days and visit the actual disneyworld theme park at least two of the days of our vacation. Our travel spending limit cannot exceed two thousand dollars. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi L!

Perhaps you could think about staying with family in Florida (or your friend's family) and driving up to Orlando instead of staying at one of the resorts. You can save a lot of money that way.

Or, you can also stay about an hour out from Disney if you want. Look at hotels in a city called Kissimmee or in a city called St. Cloud. Kissimmee is a cool place... they have a lot to do and it is very easy to get to Orlando from there.

For example, My husband and I plan on going to Disney this summer with our 6 year-old son. We will possibly joining our neighbors too and their 5 or 6 year-old niece. If money is too tight at that time, I was thinking of staying in Jacksonville/Orange Park- which is about 2 and a half hours away from Orlando (instead of a Disney resort). I have family in Jacksonville, so I am hoping that we can all all crash with them. If not, hotels are cheap in Orango Park. Also, that way we can go to the beach as well... The drive down from Jacksonville to Orlando is easy (taking I-95 south) and there are beaches all along the way, so you can stop off at, for example, Daytona beach.

Check it out on Yahoo Maps.

Eitherway, I hope it works out for you. If push comes to shove, go check out some travel agents and see what packages they have to offer. Maybe, if you book early enough, you can get a good deal.

Best Wishes and God Bless...
T.

Answer 2

Well, good luck, I guess. If you want to order a vacation package with round trip flights included then order directly through the Walt Disney World Company online or over the phone. You said you want to visit the ocean - keep in mind that Walt Disney World is pretty much in the middle of the state, so you're going to have to waste an entire day for that. And then you said you want to visit the actual Walt Disney World theme park at least two days. Well, Walt Disney World isn't a theme park, it's the largest Resort in the world. There are four different theme parks within Walt Disney World - Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Disney - MGM Studios, EPCOT, and the Magic Kingdom. There's also two water parks, Downtown Disney, and a countless amount of recreation, all right on property. Each park takes about about a day to complete - EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom easily take a day or two to fully enjoy.

Walt Disney World is such an amazing place. I can't go unless I'm going for at least week, or else I'll feel badly that I'm missing out on so much. I'm assuming it's your first time going, since you referred to Walt Disney World as a single theme park. Five days just isn't long enough to really experience Walt Disney World, but you can make the most of it and do as much as possible.

Answer 3

Last month we went to Florida and did what you want to do but we didn't stay at one of the Resorts. I was trying to work with a budget too. We had 3 adults & 1 child. We watched for sales with the airlines. Under $180. RT. We did the same for car rentals. Book & prepay online. Saves money there. Instead of staying at a hotel we stayed at a house in Davenport FL. About 20 min. away from Orlando. Booked the house online at www.ownerdirect.com. Look under last minute specials. The fully furnished 3 bdrm house with pool was $50. per night with 3 night minimum. (I think it's up to $75 now) As far as disney tickets go, we just bought them at the park. (you may try e-bay) We were able to see the ocean also.

Answer 4

Here is my suggestion(s);

1. Order the WDW vacation planining guide it come on cd/dvd combo. This way you can plan in advance exactly what it is you want to do in WDW.

2. Contact a WDW travel rep and lay out what you want and your budget and the time you have to work with.

3. Keep something in mind when your choosing where you want to stay. If your like us you spend all your time in the parks, we use the rooms for sleeping, showering, and the pool at night. The most we will pay for is a moderate price resort.

4. After getting your best price from WDW do some leg work and check out some of the local travel agencies, you would be surprised on the good deals out there and perks you get.

5. Check out Yahoo travel and some of the other internet travel companies. A word of caution with deaaling with private parties selling deals and tickets, many are time and date sensitive and some are outright scams.

Answer 5

In order to book an all-inclusive Disneyworld vacation, which will include your flight tickets, you'll need to book with a travel agent.

However, it is cheaper to book your own flight and then book your hotel with Disney. To save money on park tickets, purchase them at your local Disney Store or at a AAA office for a small discount.

To visit a beach, you'll need a rental car. Do not book your rental car until you are done at Disney. Disney provides free transportation from the airport to your Disney Resort and then provides transportation to anywhere on Disney property while you are a Disney Resort Guest. You can arrange to have Enterprise bring the car to you on the day you wish to visit the beach, rather than having a rental car during your entire trip, to save money.

Disney's Value Resort is the All Star. You can stay at the All Star Music, Sports, Movies, or Pop Century Resort for a lot cheaper than other Disney Resorts.

If you would like any help planning your trip, or if you would simply like to read up on some fun tips and advice, please visit my Disney Vacation Services Blog, I'm All Ears at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/2006/06/free-tips-are-listed-below-im-all-ears.html

Have a great time!

Answer 6

It's doable If you just must stay in the park choose one of the modarate hotels, however I suggest staying outside the park you get better rates. Don't worry to much about a kitchette in your room as long as the have a cooler for your use. When you get there go to the nearest grocery store and buy sandwhich makings the park will allow you to take food inside and this will save a Ton of money a Hot dog is like $10.00 inside the park. Don't forget to pack water bottles , bottle water goes for $3.00 a bottle they do water fountains but Central FL water is nasty if you are not accustom to it. Search on-line for the best ticket prices you can get them quoted at differnet prices from differnet sites. I suggest the ATlantic Ocean for the beach serveral good options there but looking at a 2-4 hour drive. Have a great time

Answer 7

Been there 5 months ago, and going back in 3! Take at least 7 days to see it. You will enjoy DisneyWorld way more than Disneyland. Make sure you see EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios can be done in a day, you will want at least 2 or 3 in Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

Answer 8

Do you know anyone in the state of Florida? The themeparks often have special deals at the slower times for instate residents to buy tickets. If you knew someone they could buy your tickets.

It's hard to give you any real info because of your $2,000 you didn't indicate if that includes your airfare and if so, from where, and if you need a rental car and what time of year you want to visit. In Florida, thanksgiving-april is high season and hotels usually cost more--however, with the themeparks they are busy all the time.

Answer 9

if you really want to stay on budget, forget about staying IN the park. There are plenty of places nearby. Rent a car, stay at teh Residence lodge in Kissemee, you get an apartment with a kitchen (saves money having to go out to eat every meal). Buy the tickets for only the 2 days you plan on being there. I suggest you talk to a travel agent (no one says you have to BOOK it with them... call them, ask them for a price for the hotel, car and tickets to the park)

Answer 10

I am assuming 2k is outside of your airfair, please go a slower time of the year, jan feb march, you will find it much cheaper. check with local hotels, lake bunevesta area ect. you may land better deals, shop around. do you know anyone in the hospility industry--you could hook up friends and family discounts. To make it worth it by a 5 day hopper, i recomend spending 1 day at each park it is worth it. You dont want to miss too much then you get back damn why dint we do it. We have gone to DW every year for the past 4. love it everytime. just shop around