Cheapskates at Disney - Lodgings, Part 4

Our home resort: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village 1 Bedroom Villa shown)

In just about 4 weeks, we will be checking in for 5 nights at Kidani Village at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Our villa will be very much like the one pictured.  The entrance door/hallway is just out of sight on the right of the picture.  There will be a full bathroom located off that hallway.  The kitchen has full-sized appliances and comes equipped to create many standard meals. (I'll be bringing my crockpot along, and that's about all I need to add to this kitchen.)  The bedroom has a king-sized bed, storage, a nice big wall-mounted TV, a balcony, and a full bathroom.  The living room has a sofa-bed couch (I've slept on one of these couches, and it was the most comfortable sofa-bed ever.), a chair that is a twin-sized pullout bed, storage, and another flat-screen TV, as well as a sliding glass door to the balcony shared with the master bedroom.   The size of this villa is really quite significant; the one-bedroom we have reserved is 807 square feet, so about half the size of our house.  We have reserved a standard view, which, to be honest, may not be spectacular at all.  Last time we had a standard view, we could see a bit of the parking area, the bus queu area, and a field.  It was not fabulous, but it was fine.  Of course, the savannah view rooms do offer those spectacular views.  Several years ago, we had a savannah view where 3 giraffes tended to hang out, as well as ostrich and zebra.  Each morning the wild red hogs would zoom by on their way to their morning destination.   

Doesn't this kid's water park area look like fun? Not only does Kidani Village have its own highly-themed pool area, it also has a super-fun water park area that I just know my kids will adore.  I can't wait for them to try it.  Maybe after half an hour at the water park, they will sit quietly on the bench while the grown ups enjoy the hot tub for 10 minutes? (Yeah, maybe if we add the privilege of playing Angry Birds on our phones while they sit!)

So, with a sticker price of $580 per night, how can I call this my way to do Disney the Cheapskate way? Five years ago, we joined the Disney Vacation Club.  As Disney vacationers, it was the best vacation-related decision we could ever have made.  It does require a hefty initial investment, about $17,000.  After that, there is a yearly dues payment which amounts to several hundred dollars.  We financed our membership, and our monthly payments for the year for both the membership and the dues is a bit more than the published price of this one vacation.  Our membership is valid through 2057.  That means that, once we pay off our membership, we'll have years and years and years and years of vacations that will only cost us the annual dues.  We could never have afforded to stay in such beautiful, spacious, luxurious accomodations without DVC.  If you think you might want to visit Disney World annually with your family, the DVC is a cost-efficient accomodation choice you should look into.  Even if you think you might only vacation at Disney once every 3 years, you might want to think about how much you could save on a really top-notch vacation by joining DVC.  You could easily stay for a week in a 2-bedroom villa or even in a 3-bedroom Grand Villa with a three-year-bundle of points, depending on the season you travel. 
Being DVC members saves us money in another way, too.  Because we have a full kitchen, we will cook most of our meals ourselves instead of paying the premium Disney prices.  We are planning to eat our lunches in the parks, but I'll make breakfast and dinner (hooray, crockpot!) each day.  I figure that, even with purchasing groceries, we can save at least $100 over the course of the 5 days.  I made my menu and shopping list weeks ago and I've been stocking up on the shelf-stable items when they go on sale.  I've knocked several dollars off my grocery budget this way. (I'm on track to save at least $18 out of the budget I set for vacation grocery shopping. Yes! I'm getting a Dole Whip!)
DVC makes our vacation what it is.  We enjoy our room; we enjoy the resort.  If you have interest in DVC, stop by one of the many DVC kiosks throughout the parks or resorts and request an open house.  Disney provides the transportation, and you might even get to see some of the behind-the-scenes areas. (We got to see the backside of several of the country pavilions in Epcot. Our driver was very knowledgeable about how the city-unto-itself that is Disney World functions.) You'll get to tour some amazing model rooms and get a walk-through of the Club's point system and pricing.  There really is absolutely no pressure at all to purchase. (The salesmen don't have to rely on pressure to sell; the product will sell itself to you if you're willing!)  Once you're done, you and your kiddos can enjoy a free ice cream sundae before Disney provides your transportation back to where ever you want to go.  Let your sales rep know that Talani and Barbie Tupua of Pensacola, Florida, referred you.  We do get a kickback if you join and name us as your referral.



Cheapskates at Disney - Lodgings, Part 3

In this post, I plan to tackle the Moderate and Deluxe Resorts at Disney World.

1.  Moderate:

Larger in size than the Value Resorts, at about 340 square feet, and more elaborately themed, the Moderate Resorts appeal to those who need a bit more space to settle in. More storage is available in these rooms, and most have two sinks (not Coronado Springs). Bus transportation is readily available to all theme park areas. The food courts are a step-up, too, and many of the Moderate Resorts have a table service dining option. The pool areas are more lavish and most include hot tubs, which are not found at Value Resorts.   Rooms in moderate resorts also come standard with small refrigerators and coffee makers.



Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is rather large.

The pool area at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is one reason why I fell in love with staying at a Disney Resort.  Dianna first got into a Disney swimming pool right over there by those steps up the Mayan pyramid.

It's lovely shaded walkways that give Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort's Alligator Bayou area its secluded feel.  This is my favorite moderate resort.  I would love to stay here again.  If the lush wooded areas don't appeal to you check out the Acadian House side of this resort - think stately southern manor life.  Take the boat from this resort to Port Orleans French Quarter and Downtown Disney.  Bus transportation is available to all other theme parks and attractions.

The lobby fountain alone of Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter is enough to make me want to stay there.  Many folks feel that is resort makes a great romantic getaway, although I'll say that the best anniversary trip for just my husband and me was had at the Riverside portion of Port Orleans.  This resort features a fun waterslide and is just a boat ride away from Downtown Disney and Port Orleans Riverside.  You can get to any of the other major Disney attractions by bus.

The cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort are considered a Moderate level, but they are quite different from the other Moderate resorts.  Much more comfortable for a growing family, the cabins come with a full kitchen.  Also found at Fort Wilderness are sites for your RV, pop up camper, or tent.  You can get really rustic here!

Well, that covers the moderates.  My bottom line? My favorite moderate resort, hands down, is Port Orleans Riverside.  The lushness of the scenery made it feel so secluded. 

On to the Deluxe Resorts . . .

Deluxe Resorts are lavishly themed with dynamite views, both from the individual rooms as well as from the public areas.  The pool areas are more elaborate and most have a kiddie pool area, a spectacular water slide, and a hot tub or two.  Dining options abound.  Resort activities are numerous, including a showing of a Disney movie under the stars each evening, often near the pool.  You can splash away, or relax in the hot tub, and enjoy a family flick. (Not first-run.  When we were there in July of 2011, Rapunzel was being shown.)  Standard rooms are around 340 square feet and deluxe rooms run a bit bigger.  Some of the Deluxe Resorts have expanded suites available.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is an absolutely beautiful resort.  This picture shows the Christmas tree in the 6 story lobby.  Just past the large wall of windows in the background are multiple viewing areas of the resort's savannahs.  Zebras, giraffes, and other exotic creatures are frequently seen.

Disney's Boardwalk Inn is just full of fun, as you can see by the waterslide in the background.  There are numerous dining and shopping options at this Deluxe Resort, and more to do right around the corner.  In the background of this picture, you can spot another Deluxe accomodation: The Swan.  The Boardwalk Inn is within walking distance of both Hollywood Studios and Epcot, and boat transportation is also available to these parks as well as the nearby resorts, The Swan and The Dolphin, The Beach Club, and The Yacht Club.  Bus transportation is available to all other guest areas, although the busses are shared between the same resorts as the boats. (This can mean a rather long wait for a bus or a rather crowded bus or a rather long ride, depending on where you are in the transportation route.)

Oh, Disney's Contemporary Resort is a work of art!  Yes, that monorail is entering the resort! You can eat breakfast downstairs, take the elevator right up to the monorail loading area, and get whisked away to the Magic Kingdom!  With super-modern decor, this resort will take your breath away.  I had a really hard time choosing a picture to show you, since you really need to see them all to get a good idea of the amazing-ness of this resort.  Someday . . . Yes, someday I will get to stay here.  (It isn't cheap! Like the other Deluxe Resorts, rooms run from the $300's per night to almost the $3,000's per night depending on the room type and time of year of travel.)

As I browse through pictures of each resort, I'm astounded.  They just keep looking better and better.  Each one better than the last!  Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is Disney's flagship resort in the Orlando area.  It doesn't get any better than this.  And the price tag doesn't get any higher, hitting in the $3,000's depending on the type of room and time of year.  Food options abound.  The monorail makes a stop at this resort to take you directly to the Magic Kingdom or to the Ticket and Transportation Center so you can transfer to another monorail heading to Epcot.  The beach area is beautiful, allowing for great views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show and the Electric Water Parade each evening.  This resort is renown for its romantic atmosphere.

Disney's Polynesian Resort is spectacular.  Look at the lavish theming in the lobby!  Amazing!  We have never stayed at this resort, but we frequently visit.  We'll be having breakfast with Lilo and Stitch at 'Ohana on our upcoming summer vacation, and we'll be back for lunch at the counter service restaurant, Captain Cook's.  The volcano-themed pool area is beautiful, as are the beaches where, like the other Magic Kingdom area resorts, perfect views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and water parade are available.  You can take a boat from this resort to the other area resorts.  The monorail makes a stop here, as it does at the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian.  Bus service is available to all other guest areas.

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful? The lobby of Disney's Wilderness Lodge just takes my breath away.  I clearly remember walking into the building for the first time and just thinking, "I didn't know places like this existed on earth."  The Magic Kingdom is just a boat ride away; no monorail service here, though.  Fort Wilderness campground and cabins are within walking distance on a paved, partially shaded walkway.  There are two table service restaurants as well as a pool bar and counter service offerings.  Rooms here, like other Deluxe Resort rooms, are pretty standard in size, although the larger suites and presidential rooms are available.  The price tag is about the same at this resort as the others as well; you'll pay at least $300 per night to stay in this beauty.

The Stormalong Bay pool site is really a highlight at Disney's Yacht Club.  The sand-bottom, zero-entry enormous water play area is a huge amenity at this amazing resort.  Within walking distance of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Boardwalk, there is plenty to keep you busy.  When you're ready for a treat, head over to Beaches and Cream at the nearby Beach Club and try out the Kitchen Sink, a $24, 8-scoop treat topped with an entire can of whipped cream!

Disney's Beach Club is so much  like the Yacht Club that I had a hard time finding a picture that was unique enough to post.  The architecture of the two resorts is nearly identical.  From the outside, you can tell where the Yacht Club ends and the Beach Club begins because the buildings are different colors.  The two resorts share the Stormalong Bay pool area as well as boat and bus transportation.

The Swan

The Dolphin

I'll be honest and say that I don't know a whole lot about the Swan or the Dolphin.  I know they are close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.  And I know that they sometimes have pretty decent rates (as in less than $200 instead of over $300 per night).  I'm not familiar with the recreation or food offerings at either resort.  www.allears.net has plenty of information, though, if you're thinking this might be the place for you.

Wow, I'm exhausted from all the possibilities at Disney.  And after the big dollar signs in this post, does it seem unrealistic to stay at any of these places without having to boycott buying movies, Starbucks, or any food at all for 8 months?  In my next post, I'll tell you how I've stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's BoardWalk, and Disney's Beach Club but paid less per night than I would at a Value Resort.

Cheapskates at Disney - Lodging, Part 2

Disney's Pop Century Resort - a budget-friendly Tupua family favorite

The cheapest hotel rooms in the Orlando area are definitely found off Disney World property.  We stayed exclusively off-property for the first couple of years of Disney vacations.  We enjoyed ourselves just fine and weren't bothered by the commute to the parks.  Once we stayed on-property, though, we knew we were hooked and wouldn't choose to stay off-property again.  (And that was after just one night at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.)  In light of that, I'll be focusing here on the types of accomodations available on Disney World property.  To find out more about off-property resorts, visit expedia or allears.

1.  Value Resorts:

     Disney currently offers 4 Value Resorts, with a fourth scheduled to begin phased opening at the end of next month (May 2012). 

          A.  All-Star Movies: With over-sized icons from movies like 101 Dalmations, the All-Star Movies Resort is a favorite among Disney movie lovers of all ages.  The rooms are small, just 260 square feet.  A family of 4 will find this snugly comfortable.  There is only one sink in the bathroom area.  Drawer space is minimal.  A small refrigerator is available.  I have heard rumor that these small refrigerators will soon be standard with all resort rooms, but the last time I visited Disney it did cost about $10 per day to rent one.  The All-Star Movies resort has a food court style dining area (breakfast menu and lunch/dinner menu) and connects to all theme parks, water parks, and Downtown Disney via bus.  At some times of the year, the resort may share bus transportation with the very nearby All-Star Music and All-Star Sports Resorts.  Published rates for an All-Star Movies standard room range from $84 to $184, depending on season and day of the week (weekends are more costly than weekdays).

          B.  All-Star Music: This resort has a special place in my heart.  Our first week-long vacation as a family of three was centered here, when Dianna was just over a year old.  Large icons, similar to those at All-Star Movies, dominate the courtyards.  Various drums, guitars, fiddles, or Broadway-style signs take the place of the dalmation (pictured above) in the center of each building.  While all standard rooms at the All-Star resorts are the same size, the All-Star Music does offer a family suite with more space (and a higher price tag).  A food court similar to that available at all other Value Resorts provides the dining options here; bus transportation is available to all parks and other major attractions.  All Value Resorts have themed pool areas which will appeal especially to children and families.  Laundry facilities are available at all Value Resorts, as well.  Standard rooms range from $84-$184 while family suites range from $198-$375.

          C.  All-Star Sports: You'll find giant footballs, tennis ball cans, and soda cups as the icons at this resort.  This resort is similar in many ways to the other Value Resorts.  The rooms are the same size; the food court has similar offerings; the pools are sports-themed but roughly the same size and in the same locations as the other All-Star resorts. Like the Value Resorts, resort activities are available through the day and into the evening.  Often when Disney hosts events at the Wide World of Sports Complex, this resort will teem with groups of youngsters (little leaguers, cheerleaders, etc). 

          D.  Pop Century: This is the resort that we choose to stay at when we have to pay cash.  It is roughly the same size and design as the All-Stars, but it is not located in the same area.  Currently, the Pop Century Resort does not share bus service with any other resort. (This may change upon the May 2012 opening of the Art of Animation Resort.) 

          E.  Art of Animation: This resort is not open yet but will offer families a whole new range of options.  Family suites abound in this new resort, with a much smaller number of standard-sized rooms.  Calling upon the characters from the very popular Disney-Pixar movies, this resort offers a new level of theming.  I don't know about the menu in the food court here; it may be a step up from other food courts at Value Resorts the way that other areas seem to be a step up.  We will be staying at the nearby Pop Century Resort when this resort is newly opened, so I look forward to exploring the grounds and taking a meal here. 

 

Much more information can be found at my favorite resort planning site: www.allears.net. 

 

I realize that I have touched on only one level (out of 4) of Disney Resort offerings.  The Value Resorts offer the best, well, value, for families.  I'll deal with the other levels in other posts.

Cheapskates at Disney: Lodging

Jarod and Dianna at Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival 2011

I'm beginning a series of posts on how we manage to go to Disney fairly often while maintaining a cheapskate status.  I don't do nearly the job of Kristin from www.couponingtodisney.com when it comes to saving for the trip.  A Disney vacation savings has become part of our annual budget.  Currently, my goal is to make the most of the money we have saved, to do the most with the least amount of money. 

We once spent 5 days at Disney's Old Key West Resort with not more than $20 in our pockets after buying groceries.  We didn't go to the parks; we just relaxed at the resort, went to the pool every day, visited Downtown Disney, and toured the other resorts.  It was probably the most relaxing Disney vacation we've ever had. I tell that story to say that it's totally possible to go to Disney World without breaking the bank.

One of the most expensive areas of Disney spending is lodging, or at least it can be.  There are rooms available at or near Disney for nearly any budget.  You can get a room for about $45 off-property, or you could spend over $1,000 per night for the most lavish Disney resort room.  We've tried all sorts of methods, and we have definitely found what works for us.  Here are just a few of the ways we have saved on Disney-area hotel rooms over the years:

1.  Priceline.  I think this website has changed their own methods somewhat in recent months, and we haven't used it in several years.  We used it back when you picked the star-level of the room you wanted and gave the price you were willing to pay.  If a hotel was willing to accept your offer, you were automatically booked and informed of where you were staying.  We did this at least 2 times in my memory, and maybe more.  Once we stayed at a Days Inn or Comfort Inn or something along those lines.  Breakfast was provided.  We weren't on-property, but we could get there rather quickly.  Another time we were able to get a room in a Downtown Disney area hotel (Grosvenor), and we enjoyed that as well.  The pros are that you can get a room through the website more cheaply than anywhere else.  The con is that you can't (couldn't? maybe you can now) know exactly which resort you will get.

2.  Expedia.  We booked our honeymoon hotel through expedia and had very good results.  Again, we were off-property; actually, we were at a Howard Johnson Inn and Suites that no longer exists.  We had a very nice suite with a living room area and a small kitchenette and a bedroom with a balcony.  We were within easy driving distance of the parks and very close to restaurants.  Unlike priceline, you can see all kinds of pictures and maps on expedia.  Unfortunately, not every place is as nice as it looks on line.  (We had a pretty horrible experience at a hotel in the Atlanta, GA, area that we booked through expedia.  Truly awful.  But not related to Disney business at all, so back on-topic I go . . .)  Even Disney resorts are available through expedia, sometimes at a cheaper rate than Disney is offering.

3.  AAA.  The AAA website offers all sorts of resort packages, room-only rates, and ticket choices.  While I don't think we've ever purchased from the website, we have bought tickets through the local AAA office.  (I don't think we've ever booked a room through them at all.)  There are Florida resident rates available, as well as regional discounts. (So, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, you may be in luck!)  Visit the website (aaasouth.com) or your local office for more info.  You do have to be an AAA member to book or purchase; an annual membership costs about $60.

4.  Disney.  We do most of our booking directly with Disney these days.  I have found that the Disney Florida resident discounts are about the best we can find.  I feel very confident in working with Disney; any time I have a question, I can just call and get it answered.  In September 2011, I booked on-line for our summer vacation: 8 nights at Disney's Pop Century Resort.  Earlier this year, when the Florida resident rates were released, I called and had my booking changed to reflect those rates - a savings of about $20 per night.  Then, when my mom and dad offered to share their 3-bedroom timeshare condo with us, I was able to call back and cancel 7 of the 8 nights, no problem.  I also love the on-line check-in option that will be available 10 days before our official check in date.  It makes checking in at the resort so much smoother.  I don't think that option would be available to those staying at a Disney resort on an expedia booking, though. 

5.  Travel agent.  For no extra money at all, you can talk with a knowledgeable Disney travel agent.  They know all you need to know about booking a room at the best possible rate.  You can find tons of Disney travel agents; just google "Disney travel agent" or search on Facebook.  There's somebody out there with just what you need.  I've never used a travel agent to book a Disney vacation; I've studied the guidebooks so much I don't really feel like I need to.  I would recommend considering an agent though, if you're planning a trip for the first time.  Also, check out www.couponingtodisney.com for LOADS of planning info.

Okay, all of that was just to discuss some of the various ways to book your vacation.  I didn't even go in to the variety of room types available.  Here's my bottom line up to this point:

After booking Disney trips through multiple websites, I've committed to booking through disneyworld.com.  I get the discounts I need and the customer service I want. 

In my next post, I'll discuss the different types of lodging available and how it can affect your budget.

Doing Disney the Cheapskate Way

I have several pictures of our room that I hope to upload here, but I'm really awful with that stuff, so I may have to wait until my technology guru (aka my husband) can work on it.
First of all, I want to say that just because we are being cheapskates at Walt Disney World doesn't mean we're slumming it.  Quite the contrary.  My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying the standard view studio we have for 4 nights (only 3 left) at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Villas.  This beautiful resort and spacious, nicely appointed room is anything but cheapskate-y.  You can read more about Kidani Villas here.
To view pictures other than my own (which I Talani really will work on.), see the information about the Animal Kingdom Jambo House here.  The rooms here are very similar to Kidani, and just a short walk or bus ride away, since they are both part of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Our lovely room has a small kitchenette with a little sink, a microwave, a coffee pot, a toaster, and a mini refrigerator.   It also is stocked with paper plates, coffee cups and glasses, and plastic knives, forks, and spoons.  We even received a roll of paper towels, a dishcloth and sponge, and a tiny bottle of Palmolive dish soap.  The bathroom is wonderfully spacious, bigger than our bathroom at home by at least 50%.  The bedroom area has a queen bed as well as a sofa that pulls out into another queen bed.  The room also came with a pack and play at no extra charge.  We have free high speed internet access (not wifi, though). 

Since I'm being honest about finances here, it makes sense that I be honest about other things, too.  I do think our room has a couple of drawbacks.  Our view is of the parking lot and bus transportation area.  In the time we have spent in the room, we haven't heard any noise from down there. (We're on the fifth floor, though; second floor rooms might not enjoy such quiet.)  In defense of the Lodge, we did reserve a standard view, knowing we'd be overlooking the pool or the parking lot.  We are high enough that, if there were any parks in our line of vision (I don't think there are), we'd have a good view of fireworks.  The other thing that I would consider a negative is the fact that it seems as though the lobby and transportation options are far away.  This is something we've experienced at the larger Jambo House, too.  The layout of the resort means that some folks have a VERY long walk to the main hub of the resort.  I wish we were closer to the lobby.

So, curious how this great resort could be on the Wannabe Cheapskate's blog?  Simple: we are members of the Disney Vacation Club.  This membership requires a large purchase (upwards of $17,000), but is soooo worth it for families like ours that want to vacation at Disney as often as possible.  Our membership is valid for another 45+ YEARS, and it has already paid for itself in the money it's saved us on accomodations.  I looked up the room we have this weekend on the official Walt Disney World website, and priced it out as though I were willing to make a cash reservation (yeah, right!).  If we had to pay for this room ourselves, the cost would be $1,597!  Our whole vacation is costing less than half that!  There is no way we could stay at such a lovely resort, with such a great room, without DVC.  Because the cost of our membership is considered one of our regular monthly expenses until it is paid off, it feels like our room is free.  I did a little figuring about the actual cost of our membership over the years of the membership, and it comes out to around $3 per point.  Since this vacation cost us 68 points (less than half the year's allottment of points), we are essentially paying $204 for this room, or just $51 per night!
If you are looking for a way to make Disney more affordable and enjoyable for your family, you should consider buying into the DVC.  You can tour the model rooms and see a very honest and informative presentation at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort.  And no pressure from the sales staff -- I mean it, NO pressure.  When they ask you who introduced you to DVC, tell them it was Talani and Barbie Tupua of Pensacola, Florida.  If you buy in, we get a kick back. :)

We're on Our Way to Disney!

A little weekend getaway for our family is underway. We are thrilled to surprise our children with a quick trip to Disney World. It's been almost 5 months since our last trip, and since our annual passes are expiring soon, we wanted to get one more trip in. We are staying at Disney's pop century resort, a very cheapskate choice. We are heading to Epcot tomorrow and Magic Kingdom for a bit on Sunday before coming home. We are not being especially cheapskatey, at least not any more than usual, but are planning to enjoy this trip without being obsessive about each penny spent. We will be on the road for at least 6 more hours. More to come!

Doing Disney the Cheapskate Way

We just returned from a wonderful week at Disney World. We had to be careful with our spending, though, which can sometimes put a damper on enjoying the magic. Here are a few things we did to help us get the most out of our trip while spending as little as possible:

1. We bought a cooler ($30) on wheels so we could keep food in our standard room. It has a drain spout near the bottom, and the wheels made transporting to the ice machine easy.
2. We bought groceries to last the week. ($60) We bought lunch meat from the deli, chips, bread, snacks, drinks, you name it. We also delved into our stock pile for lots of needed items. We had a limited menu: bagels and instant oatmeal for breakfast; sandwiches, chips, cookies for lunch and dinner; granola bars and muffins for snacks.
3. We "splurged" occasionally. If we had never been able to buy a treat, I think the magic would have been sapped right out of our vacation. We tried to splurge smart, though. One day at Epcot, we bought ONE chicken meal at Sunshine Seasons. It came with potatoes and barbeque beans. We each ate a little of it, plus our sandwiches and chips. We had a feast! It was delicious! We got to try something we'd never had before and didn't break the bank to do it. Cost: $10 for a meal and a drink. (Thanks to a 30% off coupon Disney was offering at many places.) Another time, we bought 3 snacks at the Germany pavilion in Epcot (not the same day as the lunch at Sunshine Seasons). We spent about $12, but enjoyed the snack immensely. Again, something new. We revisited a favorite at Animal Kingdom: Yak and Yeti local cafes. One lunch of sandwiches was supplemented with a couple orders of fried rice and a side of egg rolls. We spent around $12 or $13 there. (We LOVE the chicken fried rice there!) While our splurges were more than we would normally spend around town for a snack, it was so worth it! We felt like we feasted all week long, without spending like we were feasting at Disney! We spent, I'm guessing, less than 25% of what we would normally have spent at Disney for meals and snacks.
4. We took advantage of a special deal at a favorite restaurant -- We went for dinner at Panda Express, a favorite Chinese fast-food joint that we don't have here in Pensacola. They were offering a free meal with a purchase of a $25 gift card. I bought the gift card and got my meal for free. Talani, then, used the card -- and the free-entree-for-taking-a-survey thing that printed out on my reciept -- to purchase his dinner and dinner for the kids. We still have about $10 left on that gift card for later use. Without the gift card promotion and free entree, we figure we would have spent $27 to get the same amount of food.
5. We planned ahead for spending money and gas money. When Publix does their gas card or gift card promotions near Christmas, we try to snatch some up to offset our vacation costs. We got $150 in American Express gift cards and $100 in BP gas cards for around $200 -- that's a savings of 20%! (That made it a little easier to pull up to the BP station to pay $3.03 per gallon. We knew that we paid only $40 for the $50 in gas, making our actual cost for the gas just $2.42 per gallon.)

Our trip was amazing. We can't wait to go back, although it will be a while before vacation plans allow us to go. There are so many ways to do Disney cheap . . . it's almost always possible to work a trip into your budget!

Frugal Day 2 at Disney -- Epcot

At the Mexico pavilion in Epcot at Disney World.

It's so easy to go way overboard with spending at Epcot. There is an abundance of food, and the souvenir possibilities are nearly endless! We

had a blast today, and kept our spending to just $22.30, aside from the cost of groceries that we already bought. Pictured here is our first "snack" purchase of the day -- 2 pieces of candy from the Italy pavilion. Cost us $1.39. The one in the red wrapper had hazel nuts inside -- very much like Ferrero Rocher.

Here is a picture of our second snack -- a pretzel and two cups of ice water from the Germany pavilion. It was pretty good. I liked the fact that they gave us big cups of ice water. This snack cost us $4.59.

Not pictured is the snack we had a Sunshine Seasons food court in the Land pavilion. We ordered a kid's meal of sweet and sour chicken. It was NOT fried chicken, which was nice. It came with rice and another side -- we chose jello -- as well as a drink. The total for this snack was $6.92.

Here is our last snack of the day. We ordered a quesadilla. It came with black beans with cheese on them and rice. The little container is fresh pico de gallo. This was AMAZING! It cost us $9.34.

We got so full from all our snacks, that I don't know if I am going to have to make dinner!

Here's what we did when we weren't eating!

• We arrived at the International Gateway to Epcot at 7:35 this morning.
• We redeemed a special voucher we had for a fast pass card that gave us 6 immediate fast passes each. There were some limitations on the fast passes, but they were very easy to use.
• The gate opened at about 7:45. We walked through the United Kingdom and Canada portion of the (empty) World Showcase, and into the open courtyard area near Innoventions in Future World for the countdown to Extra Magic Hour opening.
• We walked behind the cast member directly to Soarin' in the Land pavilion. There were about 15 people ahead of us in line. The stand-by time was 20 minutes (that must be the minimum). Our wait and ride time was 15 minutes.
• We got a fast pass for Soarin'.
• We rode Mission: Space, Green Team. Stand-by time was 5 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 17 minutes.
• We rode Mission: Space, Green Team. Stand-by time was 10 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 15 minutes.
• We used our special fast passes for Test Track. Stand-by wait time was 65 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 15 minutes.
• We rode Living with the Land with no wait. Ride time was 15 minutes.
• We got Fast passes for Soarin'.
• We used the fast passes we got earlier in the morning to ride Soarin'. Stand-by wait time was 40 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 25 minutes.
• We watched Captain Eo. Our wait and watch time was 29 minutes.
• We rode Journey into Imagination. Stand-by time was 5 minutes. Our wait, ride, and shop time was 15 minutes.
• We rode The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Stand-by time was 5 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 11 minutes.
• We saw Turtle Talk with Crush with no wait. Show time was about 17 minutes.
• We visited Club Cool for a FREE refreshing drink. I love the drinks from China and Japan.
• We returned to the hotel for lunch and nap.
• We were back in Epcot by 4:10.
• We saw the Voices of Liberty at 4:15. We also got a phone call through a cast member from Mickey and the gang to wish us a happy anniversary. The cast member gave us a keepsake card as well. Very neat. The Voices of Liberty were awesome as always. Some work was being done in the rotunda of the American Adventure pavilion.
• We visited Italy.
• We visted Germany.
• We visited China long enough to catch the end of the acrobat show. We want to catch the whole thing again soon.
• Used our special fast passes at Test Track. Stand-by wait was 40 minutes. Our wait and ride time was 20 minutes.
• We got 3 immediate fast passes each for Mission: Space as well as one regular fast pass for Mission: Space.
• We rode Green Team 2 times, then Orange Team 1 time, then Green Team 1 time. A total of wait and ride times was 1 hour, 6 minutes.
• Got fast passes for Test Track. (We never did use them. Even the fast pass line looked about 40 minutes long.)
• We rode Soarin' using fast passes obtained earlier in the day. Stand-by time was eighty minutes. Our wait and ride time was 24 minutes.
• We rode Gran Fiesta Tour at the Mexico pavilion.
• We watched Illuminations: Reflections of Earth as we made our way out of the park.
• To recap: We rode Test Track 2 times, Soarin' 3 times, and Mission: Space 6 times, plus a bit of this and that mixed in!

It was a wonderfully full day. We are planning to go to Hollywood Studios in the morning then back to Epcot in the afternoon. 

A Frugal Day at Disney

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What a fun day! We did so much today. And, as Disney standards go, we did it all fairly frugally.
We opted not to go with the Disney Dining Plan. We would have had a plethora of food on the plan, and the Plan is a good deal, but we decided that we could do better on our own. We stretched our buck today, but we also pushed ourselves pretty hard, too. That's why we're getting ready to bunk down for the night at just 9:15 pm!

Here's the breakdown of the day:

• We ate ham, turkey, and cheese sandwiches for breakfast in our room. (We stopped at Walmart on the way and picked up deli meat, cheese, bread, bottled water, and a few other things. We spent $32.)
• We left the room just after 7:00 am, and had no wait for the bus. We stopped at Blizzard Beach before getting to Animal Kingdom at 7:30.
• After entering the gate, we followed the rope drop on the left side of the path until we got to Expedition Everest, which was ready for us just before eight am!
• We rode Expedition Everest. The stand-by wait time listed was 5 minutes. We made it through the queu and the ride in 7 minutes, 22 seconds.
• We picked up fast passes for Expedition Everest, with a return time of eight:40. (Sorry, my eight button doesn't work.)
• We rode Expedition Everest. The stand-by wait time listed was 5 minutes. We made it through the queu and ride in 5 minutes, 57 seconds.
• We rode Expedition Everest. The stand-by wait time listed was 5 minutes. We made it through the queu and ride in just under 9 minutes. Yes, we did ride it 3 times in a row!
• We took a quick restroom break just outside of Expedition Everest.
• We rode Kilimanjaro Safaris. The stand-by wait time listed was 5 minutes. Our time for queu and ride was 26 minutes. This was one of the best safaris we have ever been on. I don't know if it was because it was so early, or what, but we saw so many animals.
• Our fast pass time for Expedition Everest had begun by this time, so we got fast passes for Kilimanjaro Safaris.
• We rode Primeval Whirl. The stand-by wait time was 5 minutes. Our time for queu and ride was 22 minutes. A large tour group got in line just in front of us, which I believe is the cause for our wait being more than triple what was posted.
• We saw the first Festival of the Lion King show of the day, at 10:00 am. We arrived at 9:50, and the theater was already open and more than 1/2 full. We sat in the elephant section. This was the single best performance of that show that we have ever seen. Every element was superior.
• We took a quick restroom break at Asia near Yak & Yeti.
• We had a delicious snack at the Local Anandapur Cafe. A side order of chicken fried rice and two cups of ice water. We paid $4.25. What a treat. We ate outside in a little secluded portion of the dining area that most likely gets filled during lunch hour, but was quiet and empty - except for us - at 11:00 am.
• We watched the first Finding Nemo: the Musical show of the day, at 11:30. We arrived at 11:10. The theater was open and was already 3/4 full. An okay performance. I'm not crazy about the actor playing Nemo, but Marlin was super.
• We left the park to return to the Beach Club Villas for lunch. We waited less than 5 minutes for the bus to arrive. The bus ride took 29 minutes, with stops at Blizzard Beach, Swan, Dolphin, and Yacht Club, before getting to the Beach Club. The bus continued on to the Boardwalk. (Is it just me, or does that many stops seem extreme for a deluxe hotel?)
• We stopped at the resort's market place (I'm sure it has a name.) and bought a resort mug. We paid $14.37. We have already filled it 6 times, so it's nearly paid for itself already.
• We arrived back at the room at 12:55. We ate sandwiches in the room with Stacey's pita chips and Sabra roasted garlic hummus. We had Ghirardelli chocolate for dessert; we found it on extreme rollback -- just $1 for a bag -- at Walmart yesterday. (Since our shopping cost $32, and we have made two meals out of it so far, we are at an average price per meal of $16.)
• We rested (too briefly, it seemed) before leaving the room at 3:20.
• We waited less than 2 minutes for the bus. The bus ride took 19 minutes, with stops at Boardwalk and Blizzard Beach before reaching Animal Kingdom again.
• We rode Expedition Everest with our fast passes from earlier in the day. Stand-by time was 25 minutes. Our queu and ride time was 11 minutes.
• Animal Kingdom is doing this limited-time afternoon event (today was the last day; I hope they make it a permanent thing) called Taste of Africa: Eats, Drinks, Culture. The street party event takes place daily from after the parade until closing. After Expedition Everest, we stopped at the Harambe fruit cart and bought a coconut macaroon to share. We paid $2.12. This macaroon was so delicious. I can't even describe it. I was expecting something light and dry. It was dense, moist, and so coconuty-amazing. So worth $2.12.
• We rode Kilimanjaro Safaris using the fast passes from earlier in the day. The stand-by wait time was 15 minutes. Our queu and ride time was 34 minutes. We didn't see as many animals this time, but we did have a great view of the cheetahs, which we hardly ever see. I also saw a hippo under a little waterfall with its mouth wide open. Kind of neat.
• We stopped at Tamu Tamu Refreshments in Africa and bought a Kenyan pork slider with coffee-barbeque sauce on a whole grain bun and a mango shake. We paid $7.44. I was expecting a tiny little sandwich, but it was really rather substantial for a "slider." And it was delicious. All the food in the Animal Kingdom was a home run for us today. I love that we shared so many snack-type foods. It really enabled us to try a lot of things without spending too much.
• We ate our sandwich and shake while we hustled back to Camp Minnie Mickey for the day's last showing of Festival of the Lion King. We arrived just before the doors opened for the 5:45 show. We sat in the warthog section, in the first row of the bleachers behind the wheelchair section. I liked the different vantage point, but I LOVED that we were RIGHT NEXT to the exit doors. Literally, we were the first people out the doors after the show. I want to sit in that exact spot every time from now on.
• We waited for a bus back to the hotel. We actually got tired of waiting and decided to get on the bus to Hollywood Studios and then transfer to transportation to the hotel. Over all we waited eighteen minutes for a bus. The bus ride was 13 minutes.
• We waited eight minutes for a boat. The boat ride was 14 minutes with a stop at the Swan/Dolphin. This method of transportation was probably not faster than the bus to the hotel, but we enjoyed it.
• We ate dinner at Hurricane Hanna's at the Beach Club. We ate at about eight pm, so the temperature was mild enough to enjoy sitting outside by the pool. We split a cheeseburger and fries. We paid $7.45.
• We had dessert at Beaches and Cream. We got a hot fudge sundae to go. It was dripping down my fingers by the time we got back to the room to eat it, but at least we didn't have to pay tip for a server. Also, we didn't want to wait TWO HOURS for a table inside, which is what we were told the wait was. CRAZY!! The ice cream cost $eight.34.
• Other than the cost of the groceries, we spent $43.97 today. This does include the cost of the resort mug. This is also much less than we would have spent for the dining plan for one day.

Tomorrow, we are headed to our favorite park, Epcot. I am so excited to have Epcot within walking distance. We plan to keep our dining costs down again tomorrow while maximizing the time in the park. Stay tuned!

Disney's Give a Day Get a Disney Day

We just signed up to help clean up a neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach next Saturday. In exchange for our 4 hours of work, Disney will give us a free one-day-one-park ticket! I'm not sure how we'll use this yet, since we're planning to get annual passes this year. We are planning to buy tickets for some other people later on this year; maybe we'll be able to use our exchange vouchers for them. Who knows? I have read that there are alternatives to the free ticket, such as special fastpasses. We're excited!
PS - Our Disney Vacation begins 21 weeks from today!