Best Bargain at WDW...

[BC-MAV]

Since we just took a trip to WDW I thought I'd share how to save some $. Just some simple stuff since we are not experienced WDW go-ers!

I highly recommend bringing a back pack and filling it with frozen bottled waters and refrigerated juice boxes. Water, soft drinks, and the like are a fortune.... $1.50 for one little juice box!!! Also pack healthy munchies like boxed raisins, PB crackers, fruit, etc... so you don't have to pay a fortune for lunch. Even the fast food places are expensive and your kids are probably so excited they won't likely eat all their meal anyways.

Bring your own autograph book instead of buying a Disney one if your child is going to want to get signatures. DS didn't care for getting autographs from characters and would rather go to the rides than wait in a line. He did like the penny machines that for .50 +.01 you get a flattened penny of Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Pluto etc... This was quick and fun for him and that was all the "souvenir" he needed!

The character meals aren't really necessary. We did one and they are nice because the characters visit EVERY table and make SURE they do, but you can still get nice photos of characters and your kids at the park. Maybe for girls the princess breakfast/lunch are a delight, but for boys I don't know if it's a must.

Also take a camera so you don't have to pay for the fancy pictures that Disney offers. Ask crew members to take pictures for you or other couples and in return you can take their family photo!

That's all I can think of.... anyone else feel free to add your bargain ideas!

[Ang]

We probably won't be going to WDW anytime soon but I just wanted to let you know I am glad to see you back.

I hope you all had a wonderful time.

[mmi]

Another tip. The longer you stay, the cheaper the tickets are per day. So consider buying a longer ticket with no expiration. For myself and my 2 girls, a 5 day park hopper(that expires) is 638. For only $300 more, I can get a 10 day NO expiration..... and since we usually go for 5 days at a time(at least now while they are small)... I am bought the 10 day and will use half this year and half next year.

Also, to get the AP discount... only one member in your party has to have it(whoevers name the room is booked at). So when the AP codes come out(can find at sites like disboards).... see if it pays to buy the AP code. It is activated the day you first go to the park... so you have 365 days to use it. So say you could go the week after thanksgiving one year, and the week before thanksgiving the next year and use the AP code for BOTH rooms.

One more.... Personally, the Fantasmic dinner package is worth the extra money(we ate at hollywood and vine) so that you don't have to get to the show so early to get a seat. Yes, the seating is to the side, but we could see quite well and only got to the show 20 min before it started, not an hour and 20 mins!

[DiIP]

Glad to see you back MAV

[Twinkle]

Welcome back, MAV! Glad you had a nice trip to WDW!

MMI, what's an AP discount?

Thanks for the tips, ladies. I hope to get there in the next year or so w/ my family.

[mmi]

AP is annual pass.... even if you live far away(like OHIO ) you can benefit from all the savings that AP holders have. They get room and food discounts and it is good 365 days... so say you go the last week of may this year.... and the first week of may next year.... you will have room/food discounts plus unlimited parkhopping for both trips. Sometimes the room discounts are substantial. Right now I have my room booked with AAA discount, but when the november codes come out in August, I will do the math and see if it is cheaper for me to buy an AP. hope that clears it up a bit