Disney World (Orlando) Deals and Discussion

Just came back from WDW 2 weeks ago with my first hotwire rental car booking (usually I use thrifty). I was expecting the worst but really it was as easy as possible. I too was given Alamo as my company and they let me pick my car. Plus, just as it said on hotwire, all my taxes were covered (I opted out of insurance since Geico covers me for rentals). I know I sound like a hotwire spokesman, I just was really surprised the experience was as nice as it was (cynic that I am).

Glad to see SD finally got a WDW thread. Like some of the other posters I too am well versed in all things Disney (except for dining, sorry we always brownbag it) so feel free to ask me any questions you have.

Oh, and just one correction, the restaurant is called Cinderella's Royal Table. Most of the travel agents will know what you're talking about, but just in case :-)

Quote from bendy : Just came back from WDW 2 weeks ago with my first hotwire rental car booking (usually I use thrifty). I was expecting the worst but really it was as easy as possible. I too was given Alamo as my company and they let me pick my car. Plus, just as it said on hotwire, all my taxes were covered (I opted out of insurance since Geico covers me for rentals). I know I sound like a hotwire spokesman, I just was really surprised the experience was as nice as it was (cynic that I am).

Thanks for that feedback. I usually book right through National with coupon codes and such, but the deals don't seem to be as good this time of year as during the summer. I am planning to book car rental through Hotwire and have found a decent deal on a hotel through Expedia (this trip I want to choose the hotel, otherwise I'd take my chances with Priceline.) Glad to know your HW experience was a good one!

Follow-up: I ended up booking with Hotwire. I got a reservation with Avis that was over $200 less for the week than I could get with any of the major rental companies, even with contract id's and coupons. I was hoping National would have a "special to go" for the week I needed, but Orlando completely disappeared off of the list for that time period. Oh well, I have never booked with Avis before, but at least they are a major company. Thanks again for the info. (BTW...went through Expedia and got my hotel for over $50/night less than the hotel website, including parking, internet and breakfast).

We leave in a couple of hours...I will report once we return!

Quote from tinker79 : For those w/ school age kids Disney has a great youth program that you can particapate in and get tickets up to 8 days deeply discounted.You child gets a 3 hours behind the magic "class" and you get a great deal on tickets for your whole family. If you can get a group of 10 kids together you can go whenever. If your just going as a family, then you have to wait for individual enrollment classes which are released a few months at a time.They have lots of different classes for ages from 6-18. Here is the link DISNEY YES [disneyyouth.com] We just bought 5 day tickets (no park hopper) for $147. each, you can add the park hopping option and waterparks for a little more. HTH ETA: We also use www.vrbo.com to rent off property we get a townhouse, condo, and sometime a pool home for less then we'd pay for a hotel room at disney. Just booked a 3 bedroom townhome for 8 nights for $495 all inclusive, your not getting a hotel room w/out roaches for that price

Quote from oracle732 : Very useful info! How does this work? Say I have 2 adults and 2 children, so I can buy four 5 day tickets for $147? Or it's only good for kids? And are these tickets the same as the ones you buy from the booth? Thanks.

Quote from tinker79 : Yes & Yes You can get tickets for everyone in your party, adult or child they are the same price, but any children old enough for the classes must attend it, most of them are only 3hrs so you still have plenty of time in that park the same day. You order the tickets from the site, someone fro Disney will contact you to confirm your order and then they will express mail them to you or you can pick them up at will call when you get there. Same tickets you get at Disney only difference is they say "YOUTH"(for Youth Education) as opposed to Adult or Child on the back.

Thanks so much! I was just looking at this info.. The tickets are much cheaper

The last one listed for this year is in August.. Does that mean they won't have any later in the year, or that they just haven't listed them yet? we were hoping to go at the end of September?

Another question.. I have 4 kids.. 18, 16, 13, and 3.. The class I saw listed for end of August was age 8-15.. so, that means, only the 13 year old would have to attend? Could others go if they wanted? and is it one parent allowed?

Thanks!

Quote from love2beeamom : Thanks so much! I was just looking at this info.. The tickets are much cheaper The last one listed for this year is in August.. Does that mean they won't have any later in the year, or that they just haven't listed them yet? we were hoping to go at the end of September? Another question.. I have 4 kids.. 18, 16, 13, and 3.. The class I saw listed for end of August was age 8-15.. so, that means, only the 13 year old would have to attend? Could others go if they wanted? and is it one parent allowed? Thanks!

They will list more classes as it gets closer, I think they only go out 6 months at a time.

Only one of your children has to attend a class to get the discount tickets, but they do have classes for kids up to 18, if they want to do a class (provided ones being offered when you go) They allow 1 parent per class. HTH

Quote from tinker79 : They will list more classes as it gets closer, I think they only go out 6 months at a time. Only one of your children has to attend a class to get the discount tickets, but they do have classes for kids up to 18, if they want to do a class (provided ones being offered when you go) They allow 1 parent per class. HTH

Thanks.. I was wrong, they actually have classes through december, but everything after August is in California

Quote from love2beeamom : Thanks.. I was wrong, they actually have classes through december, but everything after August is in California

They will list more for Orlando, Homeschool week is either the end of Sept./Oct. & they will need classes for that week for sure.

Quote from tinker79 : They will list more for Orlando, Homeschool week is either the end of Sept./Oct. & they will need classes for that week for sure.

Yay! I hope so.. We have thought of going homeschool week before, but wondered how crowded it would be..

Quote from tinker79 : For those w/ school age kids Disney has a great youth program that you can particapate in and get tickets up to 8 days deeply discounted.You child gets a 3 hours behind the magic "class" and you get a great deal on tickets for your whole family. If you can get a group of 10 kids together you can go whenever. If your just going as a family, then you have to wait for individual enrollment classes which are released a few months at a time.They have lots of different classes for ages from 6-18. Here is the link DISNEY YES [disneyyouth.com] We just bought 5 day tickets (no park hopper) for $147. each, you can add the park hopping option and waterparks for a little more. HTH ETA: We also use www.vrbo.com to rent off property we get a townhouse, condo, and sometime a pool home for less then we'd pay for a hotel room at disney. Just booked a 3 bedroom townhome for 8 nights for $495 all inclusive, your not getting a hotel room w/out roaches for that price

I would love to know what you and your daughter thought of the program, when you return.

Anyone been to Disney in the latter part of June? Is the heat too much to enjoy the parks in the summer?

Quote from sls123 : I would love to know what you and your daughter thought of the program, when you return. Anyone been to Disney in the latter part of June? Is the heat too much to enjoy the parks in the summer?

She enjoyed it, they rode a bunch of rides, then did activties after each ride about how the ride worked.

I can't handle the parks in June, I really hate the heat & crowds and the summer is the worst for both! Last year (or maybe the year before) we went the 1st week in May and I was about to die, the heat factor got up to 102 & I was preggo, it sucked! We stick w/ January no heat and light crowds.

Quote from love2beeamom : Yay! I hope so.. We have thought of going homeschool week before, but wondered how crowded it would be..

We were actually there during homeschool week at the end of this January (they do it twice a year) and it was not bad at all. Lots of Brazilian tour groups, but as long and you don't get caught in line w/ them ahead of you, nothing had more then a 10-20 min. wait.

They have a special program they do for homeschoolers, but we skipped it since it filled up, we actually decided to skip the park they held the program in that day cause we figured it would be the busy that day. January & October when they do the homeschool days are slow anyways, thats why they are our fave. months to go to Disney

Can anyone tell me, we have booked a trip with the disney express dining plan, would we be able to trade in some of our credits towards a sit don character meal at some point? Thanks in advance!!!

AWESOME TRIP!! Tired now...details this weekend.

Quote from jrross : Can anyone tell me, we have booked a trip with the disney express dining plan, would we be able to trade in some of our credits towards a sit don character meal at some point? Thanks in advance!!!

By Disney express I think you may mean the "Quickservice" Plan? You cannot trade any of your quickservice credits for a sit down or Character meal. They can be used for counterservice meals only. YMMV at some resorts you may use a quick service credit for 3 snacks.