So my hubby is thinking about an incentive program for the folks at work, and since we all have small kids (6 kids under 8), we might take everyone to Disney for a few days. It would be 6 adults and 6 kids. We've been twice in the last 5 years, so I know about the parks, but nothing about the resorts. We'd like to stay in the Disney complex so we can all get around without having to drive anywhere. Does anyone know a cheap time of year, if there's anyplace to get some discounts on tickets, what the good/bad Disney hotels are? I'm pretty sure the value resorts are out because we're a family of 5, and they only take up to 4. I already know the obvious things, like don't go during Christmas break due to the lines, but I'd like to know the best time of year to go. Also, don't they offer some kind of meal plan? Since we'll be paying for everyone's meals thought this might be the easiest way to do it.
It might be worth looking into working with a travel agent. I'm sure they could get you group discounts for hotels and parks and maybe help with your transportation needs as well.
there are a gazillion links if you google Disney and they actually have a commercial out now and I can't remember the address you are suppose to use on the computer....its Disney/affordable or something like that.....
I've heard in the past a lot of supposed deals, but they end up being nothing...like timeshare type things, or discounts on things around disney world, but not in them. I know disney itself doesn't usually offer discounts, but i thought maybe someone affiliated with them might. And Mnredsky, I'll PM you also, thanks!
about 7 people I work with went last year and booked everthing online and saved hundreds and all recommended the food pass, whatever that is, and said it was more than they could use.
Do you know what type of website they used? Disney, Orbitz, or something similar? When you start looking up Disney online, there are a million websites that pull up, so I'd like to use one that someone recommends.
If you go to ivillage.com they have a message board under the parenting section that is totally dedicated to disney deals and what not..... Check it out.
Disney actually has a commercial out right now, about affordable vacations and I can't remember the way they tell you to look it up online....I will keep my eye out for that commercial and make note....sorry. There are a gazillion sites.
Here's a good site http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#2008 http://www.discountthemeparkvacations.com/disney/vacations.cfm?LinkID=MainMenu
Mom, dad, aunt & her friend are down there now. mom & dad are RCI members and always save a boat load of $$
The mousesavers site previously posted is a good one for finding out about deals. I would recommend also http://www.allears.net and http://www.wdwinfo.com as good sources of general information about all things Disney World. They have tons of information on the parks, resorts, restaurants, the works. Also, you will find discussion boards at http://www.disboards.com. I had good results using an online travel agency called Small World Vacations (http://www.wdwvacations.com/). They weren't able to get me a better deal than I could find online at disney.com, but they were trying, which meant that I did not have to keep watching myself. The agent was also very helpful with making and changing dining reservations. In general, Disney deals are hard to come by. Disney itself offers some, and usually you don't find much better using a travel agent. With regard to the value resorts, they can only take 5 in a room if one child is under 3 and sleeps in a crib. Even if that is true, I wouldn't recommend it, because you will be very cramped, and have only one bathroom. One option is to book connecting rooms (not just adjoining). Connecting rooms have an interior door between the 2 rooms. They will tell you that they cannot guarantee this, but if you book early and indicate that there are small children in the party, they should be able to provide it. We've done this numerous times and always gotten the connecting rooms. I know that there are other options for 5, but we've never done anything else. You could look into the Wilderness Cabins, or some of the villas in the Disney Vacation Club, but cost will start going up quickly. What Disney calls "Value Season" is the time to get the cheapest rates, and this generally coincides with the times that are least busy. For 2008, value season is now through 2/13, 8/3-10/1, and 11/30-12/18. As you said, Christmas is very busy (actually from the weekend before Christmas Day until New Years or the day after). Most of summer is the same, except it is busy AND miserably hot. Spring break (most of March and April) is also very busy. Early December is a nice time to go (anytime after the weekend of Thanksgiving up until the weekend before Christmas Day). The crowds are lower, the weather is pleasant, and the place is beautifully decorated. We've been in late January and found that to be a good time as well, although you should avoid the weekend before MLK, Jr day. I hear that most of September after Labor Day is a less crowded time, but it is still fairly hot that time of year (if that is an issue for you). You probably see the trend that the lower attendance times are when everyone's kids are in school, and fewer families are vacationing. This works nicely for my family, as we homeschool and can adjust our calendar as desired. If you are staying in a Disney resort hotel, you can book the Magic Your Way package. With this you get your hotel, plus park admission for 1 or more days. The more days you buy, the cheaper they get. For example, we stayed 7 nights last time, and bought 8 days admission. The last 3 days of admission only cost $4 each. This means the average cost per day drops significantly as you stay longer. Somebody in another post suggested using the meal plan, which is an available add-on to the Magic Your Way package. While this started out as a very good deal (if you like to eat a lot for less money), it has changed drastically in 2008. The price per day has increased, tips are no longer included, etc. From my calculations and what I have read on various boards, this is no longer seen as a very good deal, unless it is offered free in your package. Disney has offered the meal plan free a couple of times during slower seasons, and could possibly do that again. Your mileage may vary. Regardless of whether or not you use the meal plan, I would highly recommend making some advance reservations for sit-down dining, if you want to do these restaurants. Since the introduction of the meal place, it has been harder to be seated as a walk-in, particularly with a large party. Sometimes you will have a very long wait; other times, no seating will be available at all. Have fun planning your trip and then going!
I was also going to suggest allears.net. There are several benefits for staying on a disney resort, like getting in early or being able to stay later...I personally prefer to stay OFF the resort. There are sooooooo many hotels nearby, plus they offer free shuttle service. We went down at the end of October (a few years ago) and we found a hotel for $30 a night. Free breakfast, free shuttle...it was awesome. The only complaint I had was the annoying time share person in the lobby. It was a Days Inn but I dont remember which one. Plus, we were in walking distance to a couple of stores so that came in handy. Anyway, hit up www.tripadvisor.com and search around. Plenty of deals to be found plus they have some boards similar to this one where you can ask folks who actually stayed at the hotel what their experience was. Good luck!
Disney is awesome. We have 3 biological children and three godchildren that go with us on our vacations. This past summer, we stayed at Old Key West in a 2 bedroom villa. It was great!! Full kitchen, laundry room, 2 bathrooms, ..... We found airline tickets for about $89 per person round trip through Southwest. We did use the dining plan and will use it again when we go in December. We had a character meal every day and the kids LOVED them. All of the websites in the other posts are great. I also buy a Birnbaums Guide to Disney World each year.(i usually pick one up at Barnes and Noble) It's really helpful. The more that you know before you go, the more fun you'll have when you get there. Check out the disney website for this year's best rate times. www.waltdisneyworld.com Sounds like a great idea!!!!
If you have a group of more than 10 you can book through http://www.youth-group-discounts.com/ They offer pretty decent discounts. Technically there are supposed to be 10 youth, kids under 18, but the tickets all read youth and are the same for kids and adults. We had no problems at all. They do have a date range that they can be used, you tell them your dates and have to use them during that time +/_ a week. We have a Disney visa an while you only earn $1 per 100 you spend, something is better than nothing. Over a couple years time we had $120 Disney dollars which can be used on anything Disney. We used them for parking (which won't be an issue if staying onsite) and snacks and meals and didn't run out until our last day there. Of course we only ate counter service meals.
I've always wondered about the Disney visa, if it was worth having. My personal visa right now doesn't earn anything at all, which seems like a waste. My husband's business credit card earns miles though, which comes in handy. I probably wouldn't switch my personal over though, because we've stopped using the credit card - and it feels great!
