in desperate need for saving tips!

[kiera915]

hello. im 18 years old and my 3 friends and i have descided to go to disney world this summer from new york. i am in DESPERATE need to cut corners and save money. ive already bought my cheapest plane ticket possible and have searched for the grimmiest motels because i wil be spending most of my time at the park. SO, now i need help cutting corners on the actually park, food, tickets ect. If anyone knows where to get coupons or discounts on food and tickets i would be so greatful. PLEASE HELP!!!! :D

[JuniorMickey]

Well, there aren't really any discounts on food unless you're an AP holder and get a DDE card, but an AP will run you major $$$$

The cheapest way to eat is to either 1) always eat offsite or 2) if you're eating onsite, eat counter service or split meals at sit-down places (not possible at buffets or family style places)

Where are you planning on staying?

[kiera915]

thank you anyways...were staying at the rodeway inn or the days inn not too sure yet...i really dont care how nasty the rooms are considering most of my time will be spent at the parks.

[JuniorMickey]

If you are trying to save money be sure you have free shuttles to the parks. For the price difference of what some charge, you could stay onsite at one of the values and have free transport to the parks.

BTW - Maple Leaf, one of this site's sponsors has a great rep. for cheap tickets

[DisneyObsessive]

I cant help but give big grins to this post :D :D :D

im doing the SAME THING!

Me and 3 other friends are trying to get to Disney sometime between our college semesters in 2006... from New York as well! I almost laughed out loud because i was reading the post and was like "wait am i reading my own or is this new?" apparently not though lol. Anyway, id love to tip swap with you, and since you are going sooner than i am, maybe you can help me out when you get back and let me know how the budgeting goes! So PM or email me sometime!

[benjones70]

thank you anyways...were staying at the rodeway inn or the days inn not too sure yet...i really dont care how nasty the rooms are considering most of my time will be spent at the parks.

I stayed at the Rodeway Inn on I-Drive and it's fine, shuttles to Disney are $12 each though. As for saving money on eating, stuff yourself at the Ponderosa or Sizzler first thing and try and avoid eating too much at the parks, then go back to similar places at night.

[firsttimer03]

When my family and I went I took along an insulated back pack. I packed sandwiches, snacks, bottles of water, and chips in it. I was also able to carry my cell phone and our tickets. They checked my back pack at the entrance and they let me through no questions asked. We still ate at the parks but it was more pretzels, and ice cream.
Hope this helps!
:)

[Huntermom]

If your interested in saving money on hotels, checkout Priceline and BiddingforTravel.com. Orlando has tons of hotels and I've seen really low bids (under $30.) if you'll accept a 2-2 1/2 star. If you're lucky you can get a hotel with a free breakfast.

Seeing as you're kids, pack some granola bars in your hand luggage and if you're really trying to save money a container of KoolAid and some water bottles-you can mix it yourself. You can also pack peanut butter crackers and single serving cookies etc. This will cut down on buying snacks in the parks-that's where you can really spend a lot. Ice cream and soda are each about $2.50-$3.

Meals in the parks are pretty good sized so you can share or have a kids meal. I've also split drinks with my kids. A large isn't much more than a small and you get lots more. Also I find in the summer, water ($2.50/bottle) really adds up. If you want pack a filtered water (Brita, for example) bottle and refill in from the bubblers in the parks.

You should look at Magic your way tickets without all the extras-no park hopping and with an expiration date. We have always had passes with hooper options but seldom actually hop. You can really live without this option. Decide how many days you'll do and also consider whether you might have days where you just hang out at Down Town Disney or as my kids did on school trips-ride the monorail.

Diane