Talk to me about Disney

MLvK · December 2011

I'm pretty sure this is not going to happen, but maybe we might take E to Disney for her birthday. Is February a bad time to go? How does one go about getting discounted tickets, because HOLY LORD they are expensive. How do I do it most economically?

I figure throwing her a party will cost close to what a day at Disney would. We could dovetail with a visit with DHs parents.

Anyhow, Evie was telling me that once she's 4 she won't be afraid of princesses. So maybe we can do this? Hmmmm.

hthomas02 · December 2011

February is probably a good time to go, before spring break but after the holidays. We went during an off season time. we drove, rented a 3 bedroom off-site condo (for $600 for 7 nights) which allowed us to leave the park in the middle of the day for lunch and naps and return for the evening and have dinner at the park. you can bring in your own water and snacks, which rocks (saves you money and time waiting in line). the place we stayed at was a 10 minute drive from the parking lot (or TTC as they call it). it had an awesome pool with a slide and had a badass castle playground. I don't know about discoutned tickets because we couldn't get our act together to figure out how many days we were going to the parks while we were there so we just bought ours at the gate. Liam will be free though! email me if you have more questions.

mingaling2 · December 2011

February is a fantastic time to go.

dbryson · December 2011

Feb is perfect EXCEPT for President's Day weekend...and if you are like me you are on an iCal so you don't know or mark silly holidays that no one gets off except public schools and banks.

Had no idea and it is one of their 5 busiest times a year.

Daisy22 · December 2011

dbryson:
Feb is perfect EXCEPT for President's Day weekend...and if you are like me you are on an iCal so you don't know or mark silly holidays that no one gets off except public schools and banks.
Had no idea and it is one of their 5 busiest times a year.

We went last president's day. It was busy but do able. I would try to plan it a different weekend through.

Sign up for the mousesavers.com email. I can send you this months. They have discounts for hotel and tickets a lot of times.

For us, we cant go to Disney and not stay on property. It just makes the vacation for us to be in Disney the whole time. The room rates are pretty good in feburary. We are going the last weekend of February for the princess half marathon and we rented Disney vacation club points from a broker to stay at bay lake towers. It was way cheaper then what Disney does for a room rate for the same room.

slwprincess · December 2011

February was a great time to go! We did this for Gavin's birthday this year and it was awesome. But I was surprised how cold it was. We took Sophie (at only 8 weeks old!) and I ended up wearing her in the Moby almost the entire time just to keep her warm! So just make sure to pack some jackets just in case you need to layer up.

As for tickets, they have it set up so that you really only get a deal if you buy multiple days. So if you are just planning to go for 1-2 days you really can't save any money and you might as well just buy them at the gate- there is no benefit to buying in advance. Now, if you think you will go back, I HIGHLY reccommend buying multi-day tickets with the No Expiration option. Since we go so often, this is how we save hundreds of dollars. We shell out $500 at a time but they last us for YEARS. The last time we bought (about 2 years ago) we bought 10 day Park Hoppers with No Expiration and Water Park Fun and More. This equals 10 days in the main parks and 10 days in the water parks. So 20 days worth of tickets at $500 equals $25 a day. It hurts less when you think of it this way :-)

Check out www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net and www.disboards.com for lots of advice and information (probably an overload so take your time!)

K&P414 · December 2011

I think February is a good time to go. You can probably save a little extra money with things like bringing your own snacks and bottled water. Also, check out this link for specials offered through Disney.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/

Not sure when Evie's birthday is but I think there is a difference in price from 3 years to 4 years so if you could go before she actually turns 4 you might save a little extra.

MrsL1022 · December 2011

slwprincess:
February was a great time to go! We did this for Gavin's birthday this year and it was awesome. But I was surprised how cold it was. We took Sophie (at only 8 weeks old!) and I ended up wearing her in the Moby almost the entire time just to keep her warm! So just make sure to pack some jackets just in case you need to layer up.

As for tickets, they have it set up so that you really only get a deal if you buy multiple days. So if you are just planning to go for 1-2 days you really can't save any money and you might as well just buy them at the gate- there is no benefit to buying in advance. Now, if you think you will go back, I HIGHLY reccommend buying multi-day tickets with the No Expiration option. Since we go so often, this is how we save hundreds of dollars. We shell out $500 at a time but they last us for YEARS. The last time we bought (about 2 years ago) we bought 10 day Park Hoppers with No Expiration and Water Park Fun and More. This equals 10 days in the main parks and 10 days in the water parks. So 20 days worth of tickets at $500 equals $25 a day. It hurts less when you think of it this way :-)

Check out www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net and www.disboards.com for lots of advice and information (probably an overload so take your time!)

I had NO idea you could do this! We spent nearly $500 on the 2 days for just Chris and I. I would have spent the $500 with the option to go back!!!!! GGGRRRRRR

Michelle- We did Disney on the cheap in June. Chris had hotel points so we stayed at the hilton for one night and moved to the doubletree. We liked the double tree b/c of the suite style rooms. Both places had breakfast included and transportation to the parks which was great. We made a Publix run and brought all of our own food into the park and rented a locker. We spent no money on overpriced food in the park which was a HUGE savings. We had a fantastic time and can't wait to go back. I think Feb will be an awesome time to go. I would try to go the 1st week in Feb so that it won't be crowded. Colin is dying to go back but I don't know when we will get back w/the new baby coming in June. Evie will be in heaven!

slwprincess · December 2011

I just thought about something else... see if you can get your blessed MIL to actually purchase the tickets herself. FL Residents get a discount!

hthomas02 · December 2011

see, I didn't think the food in disney was really overpriced, or at least the counter places, the sit down places were. we eat out ALOT though, so maybe that's why it didn't seem any different than us going to the ujoint for burgers.

amanda_holbird@hotmail.com · December 2011

If you can, definitely take Evie for her birthday. You will all love it. Four is a great age to go and Liam will have fun, too. Good news is Liam is free so that will help the pocket book. February is a great time to go. It may be a little cool, but still should be awesome weather (better than summer time). We also always stay on Disney property. There's just something about staying at a Disney resort that makes the experience more special...at least it does for us. Definitely check out the websites that people have mentioned and sign up to receive e-mails/snail mail from Disney. They'll send you discounts. Good luck and happy planning.

Daisy22 · December 2011

hthomas02:
see, I didn't think the food in disney was really overpriced, or at least the counter places, the sit down places were. we eat out ALOT though, so maybe that's why it didn't seem any different than us going to the ujoint for burgers.

Maybe it's living in the city! I don't think the counter services are badly priced either. We do only get one kid's meal but it comes with 2 sides and with Bailey sometimes not eating we just make them share.

seansgirl2006 · December 2011

slwprincess:
I just thought about something else... see if you can get your blessed MIL to actually purchase the tickets herself. FL Residents get a discount!

I have lots of relatives in FL and we looked into this forever ago but weren't able to do it. I think you have to show your ID to buy the ticket for only yourself or something? I used to have family that worked there so we used to get in free but need to pay now. Anybody know? We are going in February too and I need to figure this out.

frlcb · December 2011

Daisy22:
hthomas02:
see, I didn't think the food in disney was really overpriced, or at least the counter places, the sit down places were. we eat out ALOT though, so maybe that's why it didn't seem any different than us going to the ujoint for burgers.

Maybe it's living in the city! I don't think the counter services are badly priced either. We do only get one kid's meal but it comes with 2 sides and with Bailey sometimes not eating we just make them share.

I agree, we didn't think it was crazy priced either.

mrsd0907 · December 2011

seansgirl2006:
slwprincess:
I just thought about something else... see if you can get your blessed MIL to actually purchase the tickets herself. FL Residents get a discount!

I have lots of relatives in FL and we looked into this forever ago but weren't able to do it. I think you have to show your ID to buy the ticket for only yourself or something? I used to have family that worked there so we used to get in free but need to pay now. Anybody know? We are going in February too and I need to figure this out.

We looked into this too and weren't able to get the tickets like that. MIL bought a condo miles from Disney as an investment property and we were looking at her buying us tickets and going for Christmas. We talked to someone in the complex who works at Disney and they said you have to show ID and only those who actually live in FL get the FL discount.

K&P414 · December 2011

slwprincess:
I just thought about something else... see if you can get your blessed MIL to actually purchase the tickets herself. FL Residents get a discount!

Yeah, I forgot to add that.

slwprincess · December 2011

mrsd0907:
seansgirl2006:

slwprincess:
I just thought about something else... see if you can get your blessed MIL to actually purchase the tickets herself. FL Residents get a discount!

I have lots of relatives in FL and we looked into this forever ago but weren't able to do it. I think you have to show your ID to buy the ticket for only yourself or something? I used to have family that worked there so we used to get in free but need to pay now. Anybody know? We are going in February too and I need to figure this out.

We looked into this too and weren't able to get the tickets like that. MIL bought a condo miles from Disney as an investment property and we were looking at her buying us tickets and going for Christmas. We talked to someone in the complex who works at Disney and they said you have to show ID and only those who actually live in FL get the FL discount.

Hmmmm interesting. I know someone told me they bought them at the gate. Her daughter was the FL resident so she was the one that stood in line and bought the tickets. The rest were over to the side standing in a group and she just pointed and said- those are my kids... there were like 17 of them- lol! But they didn't question her. Maybe they are more strict now? I also know that BIL bought a season pass and I thought he said he got a FL resident discount when they were living in Savannah? I'll have to ask him...

slwprincess · December 2011

frlcb:
Daisy22:

hthomas02:
see, I didn't think the food in disney was really overpriced, or at least the counter places, the sit down places were. we eat out ALOT though, so maybe that's why it didn't seem any different than us going to the ujoint for burgers.

Maybe it's living in the city! I don't think the counter services are badly priced either. We do only get one kid's meal but it comes with 2 sides and with Bailey sometimes not eating we just make them share.

I agree, we didn't think it was crazy priced either.

I tend to agree. Especially considering that the portions are huge so we usually share anyway. Some of the sit down places are definitely overpriced though.

slwprincess · December 2011

Sorry for the multiple posts...

Just found this on mousesavers... I forgot about the biometrics.

In order to qualify for Florida Resident pass discounts, you have to show proof of residency such as a valid Florida driver's license or Florida state ID card, showing a Florida address. These passes are also controlled using a biometric finger scan, to prevent them from being transferred to non-Florida residents. Disney has the system down to a science -- trust me, you really can't buy or use these passes unless you actually live in Florida!

The only exception is small children -- since Disney can't reasonably require them to show residency through an ID, it's technically possible for Florida residents to buy Florida resident passes for non-resident kids. For instance, if Grandma and Grandpa live in Florida, they could accompany their grandkids who live outside Florida to Walt Disney World, and buy the kids Florida resident passes.

mrsd0907 · December 2011

Thanks Stacie. This definitely helps and I'll tell MIL about this.

seansgirl2006 · December 2011

slwprincess:

Sorry for the multiple posts...

Just found this on mousesavers... I forgot about the biometrics.

In order to qualify for Florida Resident pass discounts, you have to show proof of residency such as a valid Florida driver's license or Florida state ID card, showing a Florida address. These passes are also controlled using a biometric finger scan, to prevent them from being transferred to non-Florida residents. Disney has the system down to a science -- trust me, you really can't buy or use these passes unless you actually live in Florida!

The only exception is small children -- since Disney can't reasonably require them to show residency through an ID, it's technically possible for Florida residents to buy Florida resident passes for non-resident kids. For instance, if Grandma and Grandpa live in Florida, they could accompany their grandkids who live outside Florida to Walt Disney World, and buy the kids Florida resident passes.

Good to know. I was going to guess the kids thing on your post above since they wouldn't be asking kids for IDs.

MLvK · December 2011

Well that's all well and good, but that would require my bringing my MIL with me and I do not think I can do that. I want to have fun!

I haven't broached the subject with my husband yet, and he is notoriously cheap. He also has no idea that I am planning a surprise 40th for him this January, too. Which he specifically asked me not to do because he didn't want to spend money on a party for him.

I'll do my research and see what I can come up with. Wendy I may have some questions for you about this in park accommodations

Louise06 · December 2011

The two times we've gone to Disney, we went a couple of days after Presidents Day and the parks didn't seem to busy to us. The weather has been perfect both times - you might need a sweatshirt for an hour or so after the park opens, but otherwise it is shorts and t-shirt weather. We saved a ton of money by renting a house with some friends. It was over a thousand dollars cheaper (per room) than staying at a deluxe resort (and that was after our airline discount which is 30-40%). You can check and see if your husband can get a corporate discount for tickets, but I know only a select few corporations offer those. It is so hard to get discounted tickets that we just focus saving money by staying off property (which was way better because we had our own pool and hot tub) and eating breakfast and dinner at our rental. IMO, late Feb is the perfect time to go. Sorry about the lack of paragraphs, I'm on my phone!

Janimal · December 2011

The lowest attendance day of the year is Superbowl Sunday -- which is Feb 5th this year. It's a great day to go - when I've done it we've had really short lines and giggled that the other people in the park were asian tourists and that was about it.

As far as places to stay, there are SO many options. Staying on property = transportation to and from parks. Some options more convenient than others, of course. If you have a car with you, that opens up many more less expensive options for you if you don't need hotel transport. I wouldn't trust the off property hotel shuttles. Long wait time and multiple stops and with little ones it's just not convenient at all, but with your own car you can get some amazing deals.

I'm taking DD next month right at the end of my maternity leave. Leaving DH with the baby and taking DD on a girl's trip. I think it's a great time of year to go - no sweating in line!

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