Seeking Vacations for Family

Last January, my family of four went for around $2000 out of Midway airport. My son was only 2 at the time. Because of this, we did save @ $250 by not having to buy him a park ticket. My daughter was 4, so we had to get one for her.

I saved money by flying out early Saturday and returning on Wednesday evening. I paid under $200 for each airline ticket. We stayed at the Pop Century Disney Resort, which I highly recommend. We got the non-peak rate of $80 per night. We did not do the dining plan. I found this required to much planning and required you to be more on a schedule, making sure you were at your scheduled restaurant at the correct time.

We got a 5 day park ticket without the hopper option. There is so much to do in each park, I cant imagine going to two parks in one day, but I know a lot of people who do this.

Anyway, that is my two cents. Enjoy the trip. We had a great time.

Hey J.,
Well I took my children to Walt Disney World two years ago. We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort which is on Disney's property. We had a suite that included two bedrooms each on opposite sides on the room. Both had bathrooms attached, one with a jacuzzi bathtub and shower that could be closed off from the bedroom.(It was nice) It had a washer and dryer in a closet. There was a full kitchen (stove,oven, sink, microwave, refrigerator) and there were utensils included (pots, pans, silverware, glasses, plates) and a bench table to eat. The couch let out and there was a balcony in the living room area. This room was $500 a night but I met some people there from Downer's Grove and they said their room had a small fridge and microwave in it. I'm sure this room was much cheaper. Although the room was pricey, we bought groceries at a nearby Super WalMart and cooked everyday instead of buying out and saved a lot of money that way. There are little bus stops in each suite area so you just catch the coach bus that has the name of the world you want to go to and they take you. This bus runs all day and at the different world's parking lots they have signs in the lanes with your resort name on it so you will know which bus to get on. Downtown Disney was also right through this trail so you could go there too ( much fun make sure you go). I booked mine through a travel agent which helps you pay on it instead of all at once. Good Luck and have fun!

Try checking out Ebay, sometimes you can find discount tickets to the park and accomodations that include the park tickets. I know that if you travel after April 15th you will no longer be in "peak season". Best of luck to you and have a great time!

Hi, we're going in October, and we used a travel agent who only books Disney vacations. It was very reasonable and we searched for and booked our own flights. I highly recommend using a travel agent depending on how much time you have to research options, because this agent has stayed at all the Disney resorts and was very helpful in suggestions with which hotel/resort made the most sense for what we wanted, plus choosing meal plans, making reservations, letting us know about special events, etc etc. My sister had worked with her a couple times before and has had a great experience. The agent's name is Julie Ipjian, ###-###-####. Have fun!

J.,

It depends on when you would like to go; value season is the cheapest and you can determine those dates on the Disney site. The value resorts (All Stars and Pop Century) are great resorts and then you can use the transportation. My husband and I are going on Sept. 10 to the 16 (and our son in the Air Force is getting leave and meeting us there and my husband does not know) on a special they ran last April to June, that included free meals (for travel during a set time between Aug. and Sept.) and we are staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort and the cost for the 3 of us is $1325.00. There are many options and ways to go, we try to go at least once a year and know the ins and outs of Walt Disney World. I can help you if you would like and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I will send you my email address so you can contact me.

J.

hi J. we just did this with a four year old. have you looked in to the all star resorts on disney property? they are disney's reasonable lodging. they are just small hotel rooms but, they have nice pools and a buffet type meal area to grab quick food. we were at the parks so much that the smallness of the rooms didn't bother us at all. my daughter loved it because they are set up with giant characters from disney movies. you can use disney transportation so that eliminates a rental car/parking issues. have fun!

Hi J.! I just sent away for my free Disney vacation dvd. I just searched for Disney vacation (or something). I have not planned it yet as for we aren't planning on going till about 2011. We had a Visa that my husband and I just switched over to a Visa Disney Rewards card. We do most of our shopping with a credit card, so this is good for us. You have to spend about $100 to get one "Disney dollar, but in 3 years this will be huge. You can earn rewards for the tickets and hotel. I happend to hear about this through a friend and the info. came in the mail about a week after the dvd, so I'm sure it came from Disney, not just by chance. If your trip is in the future maybe this info. will work for you. If not, hope other suggestions are helpful. Have a great trip!

Disney can be very affordable if done right--I take my two children every year(because it's where they want to go), however, if your daughter is only six--my advice is not to do all four Disney parks(Epcot and some of the parks are too old for her). Disney World and maybe Animal Kingdom is the best bet and you may definately want to go to Universal Studios and Island Theme Adventures(these two parks are on the same lot--right next to each other)--these parks cater to small children because they have individual parks inside them that are themed-such as Barney, Woody Woodpecker, Dr. Seuss,Spiderman, Etc.and all have their own rides. Disney tix are about $65.00 per person--the only way to get discounted tix for Disney Parks at about $25-$30 per person is to sit through a time share presentation(usually last about 2hrs.), and after presentation they sell you tix for about $25-$30 for Disney Parks. Universal and Island Theme sell "Two Parks for One Price" all the time on their website. The "two parks" are only about $84 per person--and you don't have to go to both parks on the same day!! You can attend the "two parks" as much as you want with the same ticket over the length of your stay as long as it does not exceed seven days. Tix must be bought on their website in advance -- www.universalstudios.com -- Renting a car is very affordable in Florida for a couple of days--if that is not an option, don't panic -- 80% of the hotels have free shuttles to the various theme parks-- Southwest and United usually have air and hotel packages to Disney--or buy you airfare seperate(Southwest has a sale right now) and book your hotel seperate--Hotels are very affordable in Florida as well--but be sure to check their website for amenities and distance--Kissismmee is also a vey affordable option and the have great hotels and condos(about 5-10 minutes down the street from Disney- we usually go to walmart and buy food( to eat at condo)- water or juices to carry around the parks(food and water is very pricey at the parks) water is $4 for a small bottle so imagine how much is the food-- or get your hands stamped and right outside of parks is usually McDonald's, Burger King, Denny's etc., and then re-enter parks after lunch - Have a great time!! p.s --Liki Tiki Village is wonderful--It's in Kissismee-has it's own water park on the grounds -- one, two, and three condos with full kitchens and baths--check their website--usually about $175-$200 for a 4 night stay--" google" liki tiki village to read about it.

Hi J.,
I took my family of three to Disney World in the spring. It was my husband, myself, and my two year old son. I searched walt disney first to see what kind of packages I could find then I compared them with Expedia and Orbitz. I booked with Expedia and we stayed 5 days, 6 nights for 1500.00. That included the plane tickets (for three), hotel (we stayed at a disney value resort). We had a blast! Plus if you stay at a disney value resort you can ride the bus from the hotel to the parks for free as much or little as you like. These buses aren't like the ones in the city where they let you off close to your destination, these buses actually let you off right outside of the destination. I hope this helps.