[sendme.todisney]

Over the past few years, we've tried unsuccessfully to plan a trip for our family of 5 to get down to see WDW. Hubby and I have both been down with our families when we were younger, one time each.

For many people, I know Disney is a yearly or even bi-yearly event. For us, this really will be a once in a lifetime vacation. I have no doubts that it'll cost us more than we've spent in the last 5 years on small family vacations, and that by the time we save up enough for another trip, the kids (or at least our older kids) will be married, and out of the house.

When we've planned a trip in the past, it always came down to not being able to save up the money. It was more of a half-hearted hope on my part, rather than an actual trip planning.

Now, though, we have the financhial ability to save up some money to try and do it.

I'm starting off with a decent chunk of change that I won online (can't say how much, cause the contest winnings change at that site from month to month, and I had to sign a non-disclosure paper when I accepted the winnings). Aside from that, with the help of 4 small quarterly profits bonuses (usually 1-2% of hubby's yearly salary), and 1 nice Christmas bonus, plus the rebate this summer, we're going to get it put away.

Half of each bonus will be going into the account, including the Christmas bonus (last year, we had a takehome bonus of about $1300, but it was based on his income of the year, not salary, and he only started there in April- this year, his income raised, and he'll be there the entire year, so bigger Christmas bonus). I'm hoping that the bonuses alone will get us around $2,000 for the fund.

Then, we're planning to put away $50-100 every month from our regular salary. We're also putting 50-75% of the summer tax rebate away.

That, coupled with the money I have set aside already, should put us at around $3500-4000 for the trip. After that, we'll use money from our tax returns next year to make up the difference.

I have my change jar started (I always keep one anyway, and usually have about $35-50 a month in it- but I plan to start adding in $1's, too).

Then, I do make some minimal money online in the form of Visa or Mastercard gift cards, and cash. That will also go towards the trip. The gift cards sometimes have fees, so those I plan to just turn around and buy Disney gift cards with. The cash will just be deposited, though.

All in all, I'm really hoping that once the Christmas bonus comes in, we'll have around $5,000 in the bank.

We're tenitivly planning for the last week of April, 2009. One upside/downside (depending on which side you look at), is that my oldest daughter and myself have a birthday that week.

While I like the idea of a few perks for celebrating down there (the cakes are gorgeous, plus the freebies you can sometimes get food wise, and special recognition) are great in my book, I am not sure it's fair to the younger two children, either. I don't want them to feel like we're going because of our birthdays, but not theirs.

But, we want to go in April because of a few things- weather, for one, rainfall is a concern. Also, by the end of April, it's less crowded, but without the concerns of rides closed for refurbishing. It's past Easter by enough that Spring Breaks will be over with. It's warmer out, but not boiling hot. So, that's our major reasons for wanting to go in April. Easter next year is April 12th, so the week before and after are out of the question.

What else... my FIL is planning a move to FL sometime soon. His mother and brother each live in Homosassa, but he is looking at Orlando, or within 30 minutes of Orlando (not sure where Homosassa is) for job reasons. His office was bought out, and while he's still on the payroll, he's done working for now, so he can move now, or try to find another job in NC until then.

He's actually going to be in FL visiting his mom and brother over the next month and he plans to look at houses. If he finds one, he's intending to buy it now, and move when he's off the hook in NC. That means we have a place to stay.

Except- darnit, I really would like to stay on-property! I know it adds tremendously to the cost, but I love the idea of the resort. And the dining plan! And the pool. Just the overall atmosphere. When I went to Disney at 17, I looooved the atmosphere of the hotel, and the people all over, and how nice it was to not worry about driving there, parking, finding the car at the end of the night, fighting traffic, etc.

Anyway, that's my story. Hopefully I'll manage to keep the savings going, and we won't have to worry about a car dying this summer, or bills that are unexpected, etc.

[mommyof2]

Sounds like you have got things pretty much figured out!! I am with you about staying onsite, but if it is going to save a lot of money, then that may be the route to take!! Good luck in your planning. Oh, and April is a great time- that is when we went in 2006 and it was great crowd wise and weather wise!!!!

[bethishooked]

Seeing this may be a once in a life time trip, you should make the most of it and stay on site. Keep an eye on Discount codes, that will help keep costs down. Also, you won't have to deal with driving to and from, parking and you will be able to use Extra Magic Hours, which you will get more time in the parks. Glad you are finally able to make it.

[tiggerlover1971]

yes I also agree if its a once in lifetime trip I would stay on property... and get the use of transportation and EMH . Instead of doing a deluxe resort you could stay at a Moderate or even a value resort... I would keep a lookout for discount codes that come out ... or even if you get a package they sometimes have discounts that way ...

[Willbegone]

Absolutely stay on site as this is a once in a lifetime trip. You can of course look at allearsnet.com for information on the resorts including prices. I would also recommend the dining plan, you do have to pay for it up front but it has been awesome for us. Even if you don't do the dining plan try to squeeze in at least 2-3 character meals they are so worth it.

[gina]

I also agree. Stay on site. Keep checking for discounts. My family booked with mouseketrips and Keith was great with new discounts coming out. He saved us some $$.

[whitba]

When you get closer, and they announce the 2009 planning DVD, make sure you order it online. They periodically followup with an email discount code. May or may not happen, or apply for the dates of your trip, but it's worth a try. They gave us 20% for our September trip and we were able to apply it to 3 rooms. My MIL did the same and was able to discount the other 2 rooms.

And, of course, watch this site, MB'ers are among the first to know if there's a discount out there.

[dixie]

What a great savings plan, sounds like you have it all figured out finance wise. Good Luck with your plans.

[spacerangerspin]

Good luck to you with planning & saving!! We go frequently, but I always use a discount code at WDW property. We have stayed at all the value & moderate resorts b/c you get Extra Magic & free parking ($11 per day/vehicle this year) & I think that more than covers the extra $$ involved in staying on property. Also, tax rate is lower at POP than All stars & resort is nicer. POP would be my recommendation for Value. I've gotten AAA discount there as well. Also, plan to book via telephone b/c changes & cancellations are 48 hours vs. 5 days online. May want to check out mousesavers.com for more hints!! Hope you have a MAGICAL trip!!!

[smee57]

Wow, you are so financially organized! I'm jealous. I never even know how much cash I have in my pocket. Drives DH crazy. Anyway, sounds like you are well on your way to an awesome trip. Stay on property if you can swing it! It's worth the extra bucks.
Another thought . . . do you have a Disney Visa? You have plenty of time to use it and save the reward dollars for your trip, whether you spend them on food, souvenirs, or whatever.
Good luck!

[sendme.todisney]

We applied for tyhe Visa this week- not sure if we'll get it, but we have decent credit, so maybe! ;)

Thanks for all the tips. If we stay on-property, it would be at Port Orleans Riverside, because there's 5 of us. I know there used to be 2-room suites at ASM, but no matter what date I plan, I can't get the site to offer me anything at ASM based on a party of 5.

My FIL is great, I wouldn't mind staying there, but before he mentioned it, we had already figured lodging in the budget. It would be closer, we could eat in our room for lunches- or just take an hour or two away from the part easily if one of the kids gets crabby, we wouldn't have to pay for parking, and we'd have the added bonus of not having to stay together the entire time. If me and the girls wanted to go to Epcot, and Nick and Chris wanted to hit MGM (I know- they changed the name, but it'll forever be MGM to me), we could seperate. Or if my youngest is getting too much stimulation (she has adhd, and can get out of sorts if too much is happening), I can take her back to the room to nap or relax.

Someone on a yahoo group suggested splitting our stay- getting the hotel for the first 3 days, then spending 3 days with FIL at his place. That wouldn't be bad, and it's something I'll consider. The savings would mean we could splurge more at the parks, so I'm keeping it in mind.

And of course, any discounts would be great. :) I'll be keeping that in mind as I get ready. :)

Thanks so much for the tips!

[tiggerlover1971]

instead of using the website I would call Disney Direct 1 407 W disney they would be able to help you with the All star suites .... and that should be cheaper then POR

[bribren]

As a frequent visitor, I would absolutely stay on site. The savings are lost when you pay for parking, gas and in the time wasted traveling to and fro. Imagine your 1 week vacation has 112 wakeful hours (-8 hrs sleep). A $4000 trip costs about $36/hour. If you spend 1 hour a day commuting thats $252 of wasted time and $70 for parking + gas. Plus you can't go wasily back for your nap and you have to deal with surly hotel staff!

Have you looked into renting DVC points for a family of five to grab a studio some where. For us it was not to much more than a moderate.

To help save I grab disney dollars now and again, helps me to not spend.

[nitaworm]

If it was my only time ... I would say stay onsite, however if you are on a deep budget, there are great places offsite that you can get a REALLY great deal renting at. Vacation homes, Timeshares, and Hotels (like Nick Hotel) have specials all the time. Just check all of your options and make the best decision for you. I've stayed onsite and off and can say some of my offsite experiences rival my onsite one.

[A Goofy Family]

Treat this trip as a "trip of a lifetime"...that's what we did when we took our kids in 1999 for their 5th birthday, but now we have 7 trips under our belt and 2 more planned for this year!! It's addictive and somehow we find a way to figure out another trip. As recommended above, get with one of the Mousebuzzers that have DVC points to rent...it's a really great way to go and you get a mini-kitchen in a studio and a full in all of the others. We are DVC owners, but our friends that do alot of our trips with us have found it to be very easy to rent points and stay at the resort with us. Works great!
As for your concern for your little ones missing out on their birthday celebration, here's what we did when my sister & I went a few years ago with our families. We went in March. DNiece's bday is in Feb and my twins are in April...DNephew's is in October. Since we were going at a half way point between the twins and Dniece's..we celebrated their birthdays, but we celebrated Dnephew's 1/2 birthday...no questions, just lots of birthday wishes and all the kids had fun together, no one felt left out.
Our 1st trip was in April too, so I'm sure you'll love going then...great weather and crowds are good too. Sounds like you have a good grasp on planning costs and budget. Keep us posted and let us know if we can help!