Heading to Disney! Any tips?

**Tater** · 01-31-2006, 06:48 PM

We've been saving for two years and are finally taking the plunge!! Our dds are SOOOOO excited ( they are 10 and 7).

I want to go and have a great time because I know this will probably be the only time we ever go, but I want to be as frugal as possible. We've already gotten a great deal on hotel and tickets.

What I'm looking for are ideas for saving money once we get there - food, souveniers, etc. Would like to hear from people who have "been there- done that." We've never been so I have no idea what to expect other than it being expensive.

A friend of mine told me, "Take a $100 and flush it down the toilet. If you flinch even a little bit, DON"T GO to Disney!"

I know it's gonna be expensive, but I want to save as much as I can and still have a great time. Ideas?

**Kimberlina** · 01-31-2006, 08:12 PM

Are you staying in one of the Disney hotel? I know it sounds impossible, but we've actually saved money by staying in the All-Star hotels because 1)the have cafeterias and 2)you can take the Disney shuttles to and from the airport and the parks.

We don't buy much food at the parks. We take on suitcase that has only food. We pack a loaf of bread, granola bars, plastic bowls and utensils, cereal, peanut butter, dried ftui, etc. Then in the AM, we go to the cafeteria and get fresh fruit, drinks (you can get fountain drink free after you purchase the refillable cups) and a small carton of milk for the cereal. Then we go back to our room and eat breakfast.

Of course, you can do the same thing with any hotel and a rental car to go to the store, moreso if your hotel has a refrigerator in the room- then you can buy fruits, milk, etc and just keep them in the room. You can also buy yogurt and string cheese and carrot sticks. This convenience food is portable (into the parks) and still a lot cheaper than what you would buy in the park. We would only spend a little bit of money in the parks for food. (However, I highly recommend Portobello's at Downtown Disney for lunch or dinner. It isn't too formal for children, and boy, is the food good! The kids will love the atmosphere of Rainforest Cafe, too.)

We always used to buy Park Hopper passes, but a friend told me they have changed it to something called Disney my way or something like that since we last went (before DD was born.)

Epcot is a lot of fun for me, but I don't think it is probably a favorite for children. Most of the rides there are more grown-up or outdated. I personally love the old rides, like the Norway ride and It's a Small World at Disney (recently updated at one of the parks, though I can't remember if it was FL or CA) so I'm not really the best judge.

MGM studios is a lot of fun. If you are into roller coasters, definitely don't miss the Rock'n'Roller Coaster- it is my favorite roller coaster.

Definitely use the FastPass. Last I knew, it was free (unlike some parks) and keeps you from waiting in intolerably long lines for the most popular rides. It is so stupid to stand in the regular line for 40 minutes when you can get the fastpass that says to come back at a certain time (10 minute window to get there) and enjoy the rest of the time doing something else. You will still have a wait, but it will be VERY short.

Animal Kingdom didn't hold our attention for more than half day, but kids might like it more.
Plan to go back to the hotel for a rest some days- you can't do it all in one day and you don't want to always miss the night shows because you are too tired.

Take a camera and lots of film and memory cards.

If Alien Encounter is still running, you may want to have one of the adults go on it first and decide if it is appropriate for a 7 year old- it is pretty intense. Ditto Mission Space, from what I have read, but that is new since I last went, so I can't be sure. (Scratch the alien ride- just read it has been replaced with Stisch's escape ride.)

On my don't miss list:
Innoventions Pavilion at Epcot
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean, and make sure to get a dish of pineapple dole whip at the stand outside it
Maelstrom
Spaceship Earth
Living with the land
Don't miss the glazed almonds/pecans at epcot
All the 3-d shows, especially the Muppets one at MGM
The Great Movie ride
Tower of Terror
Sounds Dangerous (MGM)
Small World
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress (not always open)
It's a Small World
Space Mountain
Rock'n'Roller Coaster

And lastly, my cery favortie Disney ride,

Splash Mountain!!!

Have fun. If I think of anything else, I'll be back.

**Kimberlina** · 01-31-2006, 08:15 PM

Meant to say that when we stay at the Disney hotels, we don't rent a car at all, and that is how we save the most.

Also, I love Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island Comedy Club and Adventurers club, but they aren't all that appropriate for kids. I think at least the improv comedy is considered fmaily friendly, and it is generally "clean" but I just wouldn't take a kid. If you have anyone going with you and can somehow finagle a baby sitter, don't miss the improv show at the comedy club- it is always hilarious!

**Mom23boys** · 01-31-2006, 08:19 PM

No advice as I have never been there myself, but wanted to wish you a wonderful vacation! I have always wanted to go to Disney.

**Kimberlina** · 01-31-2006, 08:21 PM

Oh, and if you are going to eat in the parks, the restaurants at MGM are the most fun. You usually need to make reservations.

**suesue** · 01-31-2006, 08:45 PM

We go to Disney a lot, and I have a document I've made that contains my favorite tips. I can't get to it right now, but if you pm me your e-mail, I'd be glad to send it to you.

In the meantime, here are a few...
1. Definitely stay on site. The All-Stars are our favorites.
2. The Campground had free a free campfire, sing-a-long, and movie every night!!!!
3. Free Water - Any of the counterservice or kiosks will give you a large cup of ice water, with lid and straw (except at Animal Kingdom where there are no straws). We don't mind the flavor of the water at Disney. If the kids want something sweet to drink, I always carry some kool-aid in a baggie, which I add to the water, and instantly they have a free drink, and I just saved $3 on a cup of soda!!!!
4. This has saved us a lot of money. When ordering burgers at the counter service restaraunts, you'll notice they post all the food as "meals". If you don't want the french fries, you can ask them to delete them, and they will drop the cost. They just don't advertise that.
5. My favorite food tip---- If you do eat hamburgers, here is a great deal. Order the double burger meal (Around $7), and order an EXTRA HAMBURGER BUN (They might look at you weirdly, but there is a key on their computer/cash register for the bun. It costs 80 cents) Anyway, the "condiment bar" has liquid cheese on it, so what we do is separate the 2 burgers, put one patty on the new bun with a little liquic cheese, and then split the fries between the 2 plates. It's plenty of food for my kids, ages 10 and 8. Hopefully it will work for you.
6. I don't have a large appetite, so I often order a child's meal for myself. They have no problem with that.
7. Check out mousesavers.com and disboards.com for lots more tips and lots of great information.

Most of all have a great time.

suesue

**PennyPincher** · 02-01-2006, 10:50 AM

We just got back from Disney and Kimbery covered a lot of what we do. We stayed at All star sports and I have to be honest, I was not impressed...last time we stayed at all star music and it was kept up better not sure how that works since they are both all star hotels....anyhow the busses are a big plus!

As far as meals we had breakfast in our room ( danish, donuts, cereal, breakfast bars) and for lunch we usually got something light at the parks. I also brought bottled water with those on the go flavorings ( lemonaid, ice tea) For dinner we would eat at the hotel the kids usually split a kids meal, the prices at the "cafeteria" were outrageos....almost $3 for one scoop of ice cream, $1 for a banana but some of it was a good value because the portions are huge! We just got off a cruise so we were use to eating 24/7 and the portions were enough for us to be satisfied.
Since there was a large group of us ( 17) we didnt go to too many of the resturantes there.
As far as souveniers we bought some stuff in the hotel store and the kids never asked for anything in the parks, they understand the whole money doesnt grow on trees concept so they are generally very good about not asking for many souveniers, they had plenty from their disney cruise including free t shirts.

I agree on the tip of disboards, I am a member there and they have great tips just watch out for all the bad apples & trolls that are there

**Kimberlina** · 02-01-2006, 10:56 AM

All Star Sports must have changed- we have stayed at both Sports and Music (as well as non-Dis hotels) in the past and they were all fine, though I did like theMusic resort better than sports. Loved the piano-shaped pool.

Of course, we were hardly ever at the hotel, so I honestly don't remember a whole lot about it.

**paelthom** · 02-01-2006, 01:50 PM

When we went to Disney a couple of years ago, we stayed at Pop Century and loved it. I think buying the cups as soon as you get there and using them for all your drinks is a big plus. Also we found that in the parks we were able to get one good meal and share it easily. We are hoping to go back next year.

**Tater** · 02-03-2006, 04:50 PM

WOW!! Great tips! Keep 'em coming!!

We're staying at an All-Stars hotel and can't wait!

Suesue - I pm'd you!!

**carolyns** · 02-05-2006, 03:11 PM

We went to Disney and on the Disney cruise a couple of years ago, and it was just the best trip EVER. We had soooo much fun; your family is just going to love it. Have a wonderful time