Disney just released new free dining dates for Disney Visa cardholders from September - December 2012. These deals are usually released to the public soon after, so be on the lookout for that if you're thinking of going to Disney this Fall. You cannot beat a free dining deal! Once the offer goes public, you can find it at http://www.waltdisneyworld.com/ under Special Offers.
Also, starting today, you can book 2013 Disney vacations on http://www.waltdisneyworld.com/. Quick tip: You can go ahead and book your vacation for the dates you have in mind, and if a deal comes out between now and then, you can apply it to your already existing reservation!
It's a great time to start thinking about a trip to Walt Disney World!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
Showing posts with label getting started. Show all posts
Showing posts with label getting started. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
You CAN afford it!
So many people have told me "I'd love to go to Disney World, but I just can't afford it!" It is my mission to assure you, a Walt Disney World vacation can be affordable! For our family, a week at the beach costs about the same thing as a week at Walt Disney World. We have paid upwards of $200 a night for a hotel in Myrtle Beach during the summer, and that doesn't even count what we spend on food and entertainment. When we go to Disney World, tickets and dining are included in the total price of our vacation package (we always get the dining plan). That includes a resort stay in a Walt Disney World resort, park tickets (regular Magic Your Way), plus dining, and we don't usually pay much more than $200-$300 per day.
So here are my budget planning tips:
1. Don't buy park tickets for every day that you're there. We usually reserve a couple of days for down-time. We go to Downtown Disney, resort hop (visit other resorts), or just hang around the pool at our resort.
2. Don't buy park hopper passes. Yes, it is nice to be able to park hop, but when you're planning on a budget, it is just not worth it. We still come and go to the parks as we please, but we just leave and come back to the same park in the same day. We just aren't able to go to 2 (or more) parks in the same day. No big loss to me.
3. Save on dining. If you are planning to do character meals, or table service meals, go with the Disney Dining Plan. It is well worth it. If you are just planning to grab a bite whenever you get hungry, you're probably better off without it.
4. Shop for deals. You can check out Special Offers at waltdisneyworld.com. This is where you can find room discounts, or special offers like free dining or ticket discounts. You can also use websites like mousesavers, and knowbeforeugo.com to find discounted tickets, if you're not using a vacation package.
5. Compare prices. When I help people plan a trip for their budget, I create a spreadsheet where I lay out prices and options like dining plans, resorts, and number of tickets. That way they can see all the different options they have within their budget. For example, maybe you could stay in a moderate or deluxe resort with no dining plan for about the same price as staying in a value resort with the dining plan. Try different options and find which one works best for your needs and your budget.
6. Try the Chase Disney Rewards Visa card. You get 6 months with 0% interest to pay off your vacation, plus you earn Disney Rewards points for any purchases you make. You can save up your points to pay for future Disney trips! I'm not a big supporter of credit card use, but I use this card for everything, and just pay it off at the end of every month.
With a little effort, you will find that you can plan a trip to Disney World on your budget. So get started planning your magical vacation!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
So here are my budget planning tips:
1. Don't buy park tickets for every day that you're there. We usually reserve a couple of days for down-time. We go to Downtown Disney, resort hop (visit other resorts), or just hang around the pool at our resort.
2. Don't buy park hopper passes. Yes, it is nice to be able to park hop, but when you're planning on a budget, it is just not worth it. We still come and go to the parks as we please, but we just leave and come back to the same park in the same day. We just aren't able to go to 2 (or more) parks in the same day. No big loss to me.
3. Save on dining. If you are planning to do character meals, or table service meals, go with the Disney Dining Plan. It is well worth it. If you are just planning to grab a bite whenever you get hungry, you're probably better off without it.
4. Shop for deals. You can check out Special Offers at waltdisneyworld.com. This is where you can find room discounts, or special offers like free dining or ticket discounts. You can also use websites like mousesavers, and knowbeforeugo.com to find discounted tickets, if you're not using a vacation package.
5. Compare prices. When I help people plan a trip for their budget, I create a spreadsheet where I lay out prices and options like dining plans, resorts, and number of tickets. That way they can see all the different options they have within their budget. For example, maybe you could stay in a moderate or deluxe resort with no dining plan for about the same price as staying in a value resort with the dining plan. Try different options and find which one works best for your needs and your budget.
6. Try the Chase Disney Rewards Visa card. You get 6 months with 0% interest to pay off your vacation, plus you earn Disney Rewards points for any purchases you make. You can save up your points to pay for future Disney trips! I'm not a big supporter of credit card use, but I use this card for everything, and just pay it off at the end of every month.
With a little effort, you will find that you can plan a trip to Disney World on your budget. So get started planning your magical vacation!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
Monday, June 11, 2012
It Matters When You Go!
So, if you're planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, the first question you have to answer is a biggie - "When to go?" I was just reminded of the importance of this question today as I was planning our next vacation. I discovered that visiting the parks just one week later, would save us over $150 on our total vacation package! What?!?!? That's because the first week I was thinking of fell during summer season, and the next during value season. Sometimes, by changing the dates of your vacation by only a few days, you can save hundreds of dollars! The days of the week you'll be staying also make a difference. Weeknights, of course, are slightly less expensive than weekends in the resorts. Check out this breakdown for Pop Century from mousesavers.com. You can see what a big difference the dates you choose can make. Taking the time to research pricing for different dates can really pay off in the long run!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
Until next time...
Disney Diva
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Choosing the Right Resort for You
Walt Disney World has different "tiers" of resorts: value, moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villa. Each of the Disney resorts are full of character and charm, and each has its own unique qualities. The right resort for you depends on personal preference, your budget, amenities you'd prefer, and the amount of time you plan on spending there. Here is a breakdown to get you started:
Value Resorts
The value resorts are generally the most affordable (as low as $82 per night). We usually stay in these resorts. We don't spend a lot of time in our room, and the accommodations are better here than most of the hotels we've stayed at other times. There are 4 value resorts: Pop Century, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Sports. There is a new Art of Animation Resort that is scheduled to open in 2012. We usually choose Pop Century, mainly because of the bus situation at the All-Star resorts. The three resorts share buses and there were times we waited in line for an hour or more just waiting on a bus. We have never had that problem with Pop Century. All of these resorts have pools, arcades, food courts, and gift shops. The maximum occupancy of these rooms is 4, except for All-Star Movies which has a family suite that sleeps 6. If you have a smaller family, I'd definitely recommend the value resorts for their affordability. Here is a link to check out more.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78175=on
Moderate Resorts
The moderate resorts are a little higher priced (as low as $154/night). These include the Port Orleans resorts, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. These resorts generally have more amenities, like larger rooms, trundle beds (in some rooms), mini-fridges (these are available at value resorts for an extra charge), double sinks, and ceiling fans. The moderate resorts also have larger pool areas with water slides. Some of these resorts have nicer dining experiences as well. The Caribbean Beach Resort also has a pirate theme which can be lots of fun for young boys. These rooms also generally sleep 4, but the rooms with the trundle bed can sleep 5. The cabins sleep 6. You can find out more at the following link.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78119=on
Deluxe Resorts
There are several deluxe resorts, so I won't name them all. They are a bit more pricey (as low as $250/night and on up to the thousands). The deluxe resorts are very nice, and their amenities vary widely. These resorts boast things like wildlife outside your window (Animal Kingdom Lodge), access to the monorail right in your resort (Contemporary, Polynesian), spas (Grand Floridian, Beach Club), beaches, watercraft rentals, bike rentals, health clubs, and so much more. They also offer things like concierge service, valet parking, and Signature Dining experiences. If you can afford it, go for it! These resorts are awesome! You can get more information at the following link.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78513=on
Deluxe Villas
Several of the Deluxe Villas are inside the Deluxe Resorts, but there are a few outside. These offer more of the conveniences of home. Rooms are offered for as low as $305/night for a room that sleeps 4. Some Deluxe Villas can sleep up to 12 people. These rooms come with things like full kitchens, washers and dryers, whirlpool tubs, private balconies, sleeper sofas, and more. They offer many of the same services as the Deluxe Resorts, because most of them are at the same physical location. You can find out more at:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78265=on
I hope this helps you choose the hotel that is right for you! There are lots of hotels outside Disney World that are affordable and super-nice, but I don't think you can beat staying on Disney property! You'll get that one-of-a-kind Disney service and experience, and you'll get to be a part of the magic even when you leave the parks. Not only that, but you'll get bonuses like Extra Magic Hours, and Disney Transportation! We usually park our car when we get there and don't see it again until we leave! Disney hotels are the way to go!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
Value Resorts
The value resorts are generally the most affordable (as low as $82 per night). We usually stay in these resorts. We don't spend a lot of time in our room, and the accommodations are better here than most of the hotels we've stayed at other times. There are 4 value resorts: Pop Century, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Sports. There is a new Art of Animation Resort that is scheduled to open in 2012. We usually choose Pop Century, mainly because of the bus situation at the All-Star resorts. The three resorts share buses and there were times we waited in line for an hour or more just waiting on a bus. We have never had that problem with Pop Century. All of these resorts have pools, arcades, food courts, and gift shops. The maximum occupancy of these rooms is 4, except for All-Star Movies which has a family suite that sleeps 6. If you have a smaller family, I'd definitely recommend the value resorts for their affordability. Here is a link to check out more.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78175=on
Moderate Resorts
The moderate resorts are a little higher priced (as low as $154/night). These include the Port Orleans resorts, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. These resorts generally have more amenities, like larger rooms, trundle beds (in some rooms), mini-fridges (these are available at value resorts for an extra charge), double sinks, and ceiling fans. The moderate resorts also have larger pool areas with water slides. Some of these resorts have nicer dining experiences as well. The Caribbean Beach Resort also has a pirate theme which can be lots of fun for young boys. These rooms also generally sleep 4, but the rooms with the trundle bed can sleep 5. The cabins sleep 6. You can find out more at the following link.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78119=on
Deluxe Resorts
There are several deluxe resorts, so I won't name them all. They are a bit more pricey (as low as $250/night and on up to the thousands). The deluxe resorts are very nice, and their amenities vary widely. These resorts boast things like wildlife outside your window (Animal Kingdom Lodge), access to the monorail right in your resort (Contemporary, Polynesian), spas (Grand Floridian, Beach Club), beaches, watercraft rentals, bike rentals, health clubs, and so much more. They also offer things like concierge service, valet parking, and Signature Dining experiences. If you can afford it, go for it! These resorts are awesome! You can get more information at the following link.
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78513=on
Deluxe Villas
Several of the Deluxe Villas are inside the Deluxe Resorts, but there are a few outside. These offer more of the conveniences of home. Rooms are offered for as low as $305/night for a room that sleeps 4. Some Deluxe Villas can sleep up to 12 people. These rooms come with things like full kitchens, washers and dryers, whirlpool tubs, private balconies, sleeper sofas, and more. They offer many of the same services as the Deluxe Resorts, because most of them are at the same physical location. You can find out more at:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/hotels/?sortBy=nG:hasResortCategoryFacet&fv_78265=on
I hope this helps you choose the hotel that is right for you! There are lots of hotels outside Disney World that are affordable and super-nice, but I don't think you can beat staying on Disney property! You'll get that one-of-a-kind Disney service and experience, and you'll get to be a part of the magic even when you leave the parks. Not only that, but you'll get bonuses like Extra Magic Hours, and Disney Transportation! We usually park our car when we get there and don't see it again until we leave! Disney hotels are the way to go!
Until next time...
Disney Diva
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