How can a family of 8 go to Disney World on a small budget.?

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zuesefl

Well there are lots of different ways that you can "cut corners." For instance you can bring small snacks and water bottles with you in the parks in a back pack, and you can purchase some discounted tickets. You have to becareful and make sure your buy from someone who has a good reputation. I know that www.OrlandoFunTickets.com is good and is a member of the BBB. I hope that this helped!

Dream Vacation G

You can save a lot of money by renting a vacation home as opposed to a hotel. We have 1-5 bedroom vacation homes with personal washer and dryers, full size kitchens, starting from $49 a night close to disney. Email me for more info.

FLmom3

I think it depends on a lot of things. Are you Florida residents? You could get the special ticket prices if you are. Also, what do you mean by a small budget? How old are the children?

itchianna

There is no free dinning plan, the dinning plan has a flat rate cost per person. For the group size you mentioned you would have to get a large suite, two rooms or a villa. Go to www.waltdisneyworld.com and see the cost. If you stay in a timeshare, and pay for transportation, or drive to the parks and drive back for meals etc, you may miss out on a lot of the fun. Good Luck with the planning, I hope it works out your family.

jeza66

You need to stay at a vacation condo rental and save big bucks!
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kill_yr_television

The other respondants are correct: it is food and gift shop items that will break you. Many of the rides are cleverly designed so that you exit through an ice cream parlor, gift shop, etc. Start training your family right now to "don't look, don't touch, don't ask" or else. Start planning on foods you can bring with you to the parks each day, like apples, bananas, sandwiches, cans of tuna, meal bars. Carry your supplies with you, like suncreen, film, rain ponchos -- such items will cost you royally at a Disney gift shop.

If you MUST buy food at WDW, consider walking (or riding) from the theme park to the nearest hotel. The hotel gift shop will have a section of convenience store type groceries -- much more expensive than a real supermarket, but still much less than eating at the theme parks. I assume that you will driving to WDW and parking each day. If you get a ticket package that includes free parking, you can go back to your timeshare for lunch and a rest each day. Or just drive "off campus" for a more reasonably priced meal.

Usually "park hopping" isn't worth the extra money. Pick a park for the day and stick with it. Or get a ticket plan that doesn't restrict you to single park per day. You can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the lakeshore behind The Polynesian Hotel.

Unless you really want to eat WDW food instaed of packing lunches, etc, then don't bother with the dining plan. Surely a thrifty minded adult can manage to keep from starving on less than $35 a day.

l3utman

Family of eight !!! I would deffinitely check out the Vacation packages. The time share may still be the best deal but all that little free stuff the packages give adds up fast.

time share is good three disney parks for $100 dollars is an amazing price at a timeshare

tgkeira

I'm a CM at Disney World, specifically in Vacation Planning.

The ticket cost/hotels are what is going to be the biggest expense, but do budget some to include /some/ souvenirs and foods. It's well and good to bring your own chips, but never having a Mickeysicle is a little bit sad! As long as you budget how much you're going to spend - it's not that bad.

The first day is the most expensive, the second less so, the third less so, and after that, it's less than 9$ a day. With such a big group, and if any of your children are little - you might want to skip the park hopper option. It's difficult to move around easily with that many people, and depending on how late/busy the parks are - it might not be worth it.

Most people don't know, but a cheaper option to extend your Disney Vacation time is adding the 'fun and more' option to your tickets. If you had a one day ticket, for fifty more dollars you'd get two fun visits. After that, it's equal to your theme park days. Those fun 'visits' are visits to the Disney Water Parks, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island (for the 21+ crowd) and Disney Quest (an indoor virtual reality arcade). They have wonderful, large, water parks and such - and it's a great way to extend the vacation on a smaller budget! Fifty bucks added onto a four day ticket, and you've essentially got yourself an eight day vacation! Or alternatively, fifty bucks onto a two day ticket - and you've got a four day vacation. It's a great deal, and one most people aren't well informed about.

Oh, and as a note, it is fun to do at least one character dining experience if you've got young kids. They can have one on one time with their favourite characters, and you can get great photo ops - without the hassle of lines, and while enjoying a great meal! For example, 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian (and you don't have to stay there to enjoy breakfast) has a breakfast buffet for 18.99 per adult and about 16.99 per kids - a standard breakfast rate, in a /beautiful/ hotel - and your kids get to have breakfast with Mary Poppins and Pooh and a great deal ofo ther characters. I know budget is a concern, but that's a great way to explain it to kids; "No, we can't go to this restaurant! If we go here, we can't have breakfast with the princesses tomorrow!", etc.

Dont' count on the dining plan being free - it isn't always free, only at select times. Just getting food at Walmart or bringing food with you is fine, it's totally allowed. Oh, and most people don't know this, but asking for a glass of water at any Disney location is free - it's the bottled water that's expensive.

Bring your own stroller. Ours are lovely but expensive.

Oh, and do be prepared to be tempted. Our stores are set up to be very convincing, and I know the first time I came here I spent much more than I meant to. Budget for the day, and simply bring that amount - it's easier. But even during the night time parade, people will be walking around waving light-up wands and sparkly things, and be prepared for kids complaining for them. It's not hard to resist, but just be prepared. That's your biggest concern.

I go to the parks plenty of times and don't buy anything at all, food or otherwise.

Don't worry, you'll have fun!

Steelhead

You could check...but if you have a timeshare I'd use it...WDW is not a place to go on the cheap...just try to take snacks with you so u don't have to eat in park...if you are on a small budget I'd suggest a weekend at the beach.

Lilli

Dining plan: It's not worth it to me. This is because when I go, I usually don't have sit-down meals. I usually try to go cheap on food by eating outside the parks, eating in our kitchen at our rental when possible, and eating quick counter-service restaurants in the park. I don't like to spend my whole vacation at sit-down restaurants. Now, if you do want to do a sit-down restaurant everyday, the dining plan most likely would be something you need to consider.

You mention staying at a resort to get free dining. Free dining is only going on for another week. Therefore, I believe you must be going within a few days. So no, if you haven't already made reservations, you aren't going to get them. So that's not even an option.

The best ways to save at Disney are to eat outside the parks as much as possible, eat at counter-service inside the parks, and buy some souvenirs before you go from places like Wal-Mart. Cut down on buying at the parks.

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just stop being CHEAP.
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steven v

First, you don't know Disney will offer the free dining plan next year so I wouldn't count on it when working your budget. I have also heard they are making some changes to the dining plan that may impact people on a budget a bit more.

You can go about this two ways, first watch the TV and Disney website for advertised specials and book when they offer one you like. You will need to be a bit more flexible on when you go to do this.

The other is to plan your dates at WDW and try to find a cheap price. once you have your dates planned (if you can be a little flexible it can help save some money) call Disney reservations and get a price quote for your family. Since you don't mention the family dynamics other than 4 adults 4 kids its hard to tell how you can split up a trip. Its different if its mom and dad and six kids, two who are adults compared to two families with two adults and two kids each or two one and three. Ask about a group rate for 8 people and see what they have to offer.

The value resorts are good, they are small but who spends a lot of time in the room anyway. 4 people is just right for a value resort room. The longer you stay the cheaper the park tickets get, so you may want to maximize your time there.

There are places you can order some groceries on-line for delivery but you ar talking about a mini fridge so its not like you could get a lot of food. I would take one suitcase with some food in it, mainly breakfast stuff, the little boxes of ceriel, packaged oatmeal, oatmeal bars, you can get boiling water and milk at the food court. Eat breakfast in your room and take snacks like granola bars to the parks with you. If the kids can do childs meals do that to save some money also.

Eat counter service and at the resort food court most meals, but try to do at least one character dining experience, you are there to have fun. Plan how you spend your money, refill water bottle and avoid sodas and snacks you didnt bring yourself.

You just have to thing your at WDW and thats whats important, the fun and time with the family, buying things isnt.

sprinkles

The dining plan is not free no matter if you are staying at a Disney resort. I'm going in Oct staying at POP and i paid for my dining plan. Sometimes they have specials though. Tickets are the most expensive part since you have 8 going. Value resorts are about 90/night.

Tommy & Becky

Dream vacations to Walt Disney World are fun, but they can also be expensive. Here are a few ideas for saving money on your next trip:

** Carefully budget an amount of money to be spent on souvenirs, and make sure to communicate that in advance to all members of the family. It's very easy to break the bank in this one area alone. One money-saving tip that's worked well for us is the "WDW Bottle Bank". At the beginning of each year, our family sets out a large clear plastic jar for saving change. Each family member deposits loose change into the jar to be used for a vacation at some time in the future. During some years, we've had enough change in the jar to pay for an entire four-day vacation. This year, it was just enough to pay for souvenirs. Once we took the change to the bank, we divided the total amount and everyone knew what their souvenir budget was for the trip.
*************Disney's All-Star Resorts*****************
These properties are designed for families on a budget, and are a real favorite with kids. Rooms are small, and will accommodate up to four plus a child under three in a crib (although that five is a bit of a tight fit!). The resorts have their own food courts, laundry facilities, lounges and pools. Rates start at $74 and go up to a little over $100 per night during peak seasons.
**************************************... to Save or Earn money for trips to Disney World:

Have a Yard sale.
If you don't sell everything at your yard sale, auction the larger or more expensive items on E-Bay: Click here for eBay!
Recycle cans and bottles.
Clip coupons (and use them).
Take an empty coffee can, put a slit in the top, and label it The Disney Fund. Throw any spare change, found money, medical reimbursement checks, rebates, money saved from can returns, and coupons into this jar. Once a month, roll the coins, and deposit into your savings account.
Kids can earn money by doing chores around the house. Go to your local Disney store and buy some Disney dollars, and pay your kids with these. That way, this money is "ear-marked" for the Disney trip
Take part in surveys online. Some surveys pay cash.
Here is a site with lots more paid to surf, paid to survey sites: http://www.money4surveys.com/PAID.HTM
Baby sit.
Pet sit.
Place ads in the want ads or local newspaper for larger items for sale that you no longer want.
Mail in rebate forms.
Get a part-time job.
Sell items at a Flea Market.
Trade videos with friends rather than renting them.
Enter sweepstakes and contests with trips to Disney World as prizes. Click here for a listing of some. Sweepstakes
Pack your own lunches for work and school most days. Those dollars can add up.
If you visit Walt Disney World often (or plan to), consider buying an Annual Pass. They have discounted rooms (sometimes up to 40% off) and some restaurant meals available to Annual Pass holders, as well as other benefits.
Do you belong to AAA? Ask them about their benefits at Walt Disney World.
Bring your old clothes to a clothing resale shop.
Consider buying the refillable mugs if you are staying at an on-site Disney resort. They can save you a bundle at the food court.
Order water with lemon at meals - it's free.
Small appetite? Split an entree at a Disney restaurant. Or order an appetizer at a Disney restaurant instead of an entree.
Before leaving home for your Disney World trip, pack some snacks. Also, pack some pop tarts (or similar items) for breakfast so you only have to buy 2 meals per day.
Check out the Discounts page for more money-saving ideas. There are phone numbers on that page to call for coupons and discounts in the Walt Disney World area, including hotels, rental cars, dinner shows, theme parks, restaurants, shopping, and area attractions.
Use free internet access to save money.
If you take all your old sporting goods like skates that don't fit anymore and including things like pads, gloves, helmets, etc. you can trade them in for cash!! I traded in old sparing stuff and some old hockey pads that fit my son when he was 8 and got $28 (from Play It Again Sports). I would not have received that much in a yard sale. Peggy G. from Massachusetts.
Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney WorldÂ® Vacation will show you how to save up to 40% on your next vacation at Walt Disney WorldÂ®. Save on Disney hotels, dining, Theme Park tickets, and souvenirs!

Kay jo

u cant really but sometimes you can find deals over the internet

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