How can I go to DisneyWorld and not spend a fortune??

Question

I heard of someting like a points program where you just go and spend 1 day at a 2 hour seminar of some sort then you can spend like 4-5 days at a decent hotel in or somewhat close to Disney. Any tips?

Answer 1

What you are referring to is a timeshare presentation. You have to find a timeshare company in the area that is offering this, sometimes the companies will send you information. Then, you book a stay at their condo, sometime during your stay you have to go to their presentation. You will be with a high-pressure salesman for a good part of your day. (I've heard some are a little better than others)

After meeting with the salesman, they will take you around the property to show you around, a lot of times they will take you to their model room, even if you've been staying in one of their rooms. So they will show you around and show what they have to offer, sometimes they will have you watch a movie on their property and timeshare program as well. Once you are done they will take you back to the main building where they will sit down with you to do some "figures" sometimes you sit in their office, other times they offer you breakfast or lunch, etc. They will try to get you to buy one of the timeshares and tell you all the benefits, what you can do with it, etc. Once you say no they are going to try and work on a little better offer with you. When you say no, then they will either try a few more times, or they will bring in their boss. He is going to have a little more say in what is offered to you, so he is going to give you a better offer and/or ask you what would make you more interested in buying (what price) and then he is going to try and meet or beat that price. Once you say no, if you are lucky, you will be done. As with most salesman, some are going to be a little better than others at not getting the sale. If you had any other deals that came with your special, such as free tickets, they will then give you the paper or whatever you need to get them, or take you to get them.

It is a very high-pressure deal, and they really don't want to take no for an answer. Most companies say it is only 90 minutes, most of the timeshare companies in Orlando usually take a few hours, I would estimate half a day or into the afternoon until you are actually done, it can be very hard to get away.

There are some requirements to get one of these specials, you have to be a certain age, I believe you have to be married and you have to have a certain income (usually pretty low) Personally, I've been to one, maybe two, when my parents were interested in buying a timeshare many years ago, and it is something I never want to do again. I just didn't find the stressful atmosphere and everything else the best way to spend my vacation. If you don't mind this type of thing, then it will probably be well worth it to you, they offer great rates on huge rooms and usually some more extras.



Just in case the timeshare thing doesn't interest you are or you aren't able to find something that works for you, I'm going to include my answer to a question on how to go to Disney on a budget, it may help you out.... Good luck with everything.






If you are wanting to stay in a budget, but really want to reduce the amount of time you have to put into the research, I would look into a Disney specialized agent. They can work a budget like magic so you can get so much more with their knowledge, and it takes so much less time.

I'm not sure of what your budget is. If you really want to have a fantastic time, I would try to stay onsite. The value resorts at Disney are really cute (Pop Century, All Star Movies, All Star Music and All Star Sports) they aren't fancy, but they are a lot of fun, and most kids like them better than the moderate or deluxe resorts which cost alot more.

I would say that $2000 would give you a nice stay onsite. The meal plan is a great deal and will save you a lot of money, depending on your kids ages, kids under 10 eat for only $10.99 and under 2 are free. You really can't find less expensive food for the kids, that is a big savings. You can eat for less, you just can't expect to eat at the nicer places you are able to eat at on the meal plan. Bringing some snacks and things will help you save some money and maybe you won't need to eat as many meals in the park. If you go offsite that will also save you money. Have a large breakfast someplace like Denny's and then go to the park, have a snack and then have dinner in the early evening. The meal plan can save you 40% off your food if you want to eat at the nicer places, so if you plan to eat onsite, that is really the way to go and one of the biggest benefits to staying onsite. Counterservice meals only cost about $10 per person, but most only offer hamburgers and fries. There are some that offer other foods for around the same price, but not as many.

Staying onsite also gives you a ton of benefits that you can't get offsite. Here are a few of the reasons I would stay onsite:

1). Better transportation- Especially if you are travelling with younger kids or older adults that need to rest in the middle of the day. Many offsite hotels, if they offer a shuttle (if they don't that is an additional cost you will have to pay) only run in the morning and in evening. You usually need to schedule the shuttle, etc. It can also be a long ride and take away a good portion of your time at the park. Onsite transportation is fast and easy, and it runs all day. Depending on where you would stay you have different transportation options, all resorts offer buses, some of them offer boat transportation and three offer a monorail for transportation.

2). You can take advantage of the Disney dining plan. This plan can save you 40% off of your food and you get to eat at the nicer restaurants that you may not eat at otherwise. It is a great deal.

3). I'm not sure when you are going, but Disney offers promotions for just about every date of the year. Unless you are going in the next few weeks, you should still be able to get a promotion for your dates. Currently they are offering free ticket upgrades, but they often offer free dining, especially during value season. So if you add up the saving there, you will more than likely be spending less, or possibly a little more than an offsite hotel, but you get all of the extra benefits and probably a lot more included.

4) The Disney touch- When you stay at Disney you know you are going to be staying at a nice place. I've gone past some of hotels that offer lower rates, and in some cases the same rates as Disney's hotels, and I think I would be afraid to go inside. Most of them aren't very clean, they can be a few miles away, etc. Also, you get the Disney service. If there is a problem, Disney will go above and beyond to try and fix the problem and do everything they can to make up for it. Even in cases where it isn't even their problem, they try their best to compensate in some way.

5). You can charge purchases to a room card so you don't have to bring your credit cards and cash with you everywhere you go.

6). Parking is free at your resort and you will also get free parking for the theme parks and some of the other places on property.

7). You packages can be delivered to your room. I know this doesn't sound like much now. But when you are in the parks, it is hot, you've been there all day, your tired and you have a ton of purchases to carry around, put on the bus, take back to the room (especially if you have kids that have purchases and/or diaper bags, strollers, etc.) it is nice to be able to make your purchase and then let Disney deliver it to your room.

8). Disney also offers Magical Express. Now, this isn't the best service and it does have some room for improvement, but it is also free. So that is another $100 or so dollars that you can save just for your transfer to and from the airport.

These are just a few of the benefits. I think that if you actually figure out your costs, everything that is included, etc. you will probably find that an offsite hotel actually ends up being more and you don't get all of the benefits. Most people think they are saving a ton of money by staying offsite, but they don't figure in the costs for everything else, or consider other benefits. After everything is said and done, I can almost guarentee you can save money by staying onsite, and you know you have a good room and things like that.

Unless I am in Orlando for business, or have to attend a convention, meeting, etc. I always stay onsite, I even stay onsite when I am just there for business because I like the Disney hotels that much.


If you need any ideas or need some more help, please e-mail me. I go to Disney several times a year and I love to help.

Answer 2

Don't do it. Those seminars are no good. You will get conned. Just spend the money and go. You will not regret it. I leave in 11 days.

Answer 3

Definitely stay at the all star movies, music, or sports hotels. They're really nice, and average around $100/night.

Answer 4

Stop at borders and pick up a book on budget travel. You'll get great tips !!

Answer 5

never heard about it.
my tip: meet someone living in Orlando, and stay at his home.
It will be cheaper for sure!!! ;)