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View Full Version : Walt Disney Deals From Toronto???


nance
Feb 28th, 2005, 06:27 PM
We're planning another Disney trip in August and have always done a package out of Toronto that included onsite hotel, passes, flight and a rental car.

With the new $1500 US (without airfare) deals advertised I'm not sure what's better. We could fly from Toronto or Buffalo if it would save us a lot of $$$. Has anyone done their homework on Disney lately??? :confused:

Any help would be appreciated!!! :razz:

vacitah
Feb 28th, 2005, 07:54 PM
We're planning another Disney trip in August and have always done a package out of Toronto that included onsite hotel, passes, flight and a rental car.

With the new $1500 US (without airfare) deals advertised I'm not sure what's better. We could fly from Toronto or Buffalo if it would save us a lot of $$$. Has anyone done their homework on Disney lately??? :confused:

Any help would be appreciated!!! :razz:
does the $1500 include meals

ccubed
Feb 28th, 2005, 10:33 PM
$1500 does NOT include meals.

You may be able to get a better price if you want to stay off the property, but keep in mind that if your single purpose is WDW, then staying on the property means you can use their exclusive airport shuttle n/c (a new benefit of staying on the property). NOte that that means you don't have a rental car - you need to decide if you really need one or not.

Fly out of buffalo - drive there and park if you can - save a bundle on airfare.

Have fun!

level01
Mar 1st, 2005, 02:50 PM
Just booked a trip to Disney (for May) a couple of weeks ago.

Flying out of Buffalo, instead of Toronto. Was about $400 cheaper for 2 adults and 2 children. Could have got cheaper but didn't want to fly Southwest as I didn't hear good things about their cattle call boarding (no pre-assigned seats, first on plane gets choice of seats). Booked with US Airways (have to stay 7 nights instead of 6 as I wanted a direct flight and US Airways only has them on Saturdays) picked my seats when I booked the tickets.

Since I was not going during low season and wanted the Park Hopper and Magic Plus Package (first time there for all of us, didn't want to miss anything) it ended up costing just under $1,800 US.

I found the cheapest way was to book with Disney (Online) and then book the airline online on there site. Don't go through any of the online travel agents direct is cheaper.

I choose the Pop Century value resort as it is new and has been getting great reviews.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to answer them.

lexus
Mar 1st, 2005, 03:07 PM
$1500 for how many days? And how many adults/children?

We drove to WDW weeks ago. It is about 2500km drive (one way).
Stay at their All-Star resort (cheapest) for a week.
It was fun. Went out around 7:25am to catch the first shuttle and got back to resort around 10:30pm (most of the night).

The good think about driving there are:
>Save thousand $ (we had 2 adults and 2 kids)
>We fully loaded our van with Disney stuff on the way back.
>No need to pay and get a rental there
>My wife feel more comfortable drive our own car around town compare to rental.

Like others suggested, you don't really need a rental car if you stay onsite. But there are lot of other stuff you want to get to. Check car rental rate in advance.

We took a trip to St.Augustine (4 hours drive from WDW). It was a very good experience. I probably will visited this place again.


;) :D :o :lol:

rdarkman68
Mar 1st, 2005, 05:12 PM
I just came back from Disney for 7 days staying at Disney Resorts. The lowest rate without airfare is about $1300 for two, and I upgraded the hotel and total about $1500. I used aeroplan for tickets, so can't help you there.

But the best part of staying in Disney Resort is the new rule they started this year. They are opening the parks (1 night per week for each of the parks) 3 extra hours for resort residences. So beside the extra 1 hour in the morning before open, this adds a whole new dimension to it.

We never have to wait in line for rides, we go to our room to take a break during the day and come back to take the rides. We do stay in the day time for some of the live shows, but never lining up.

Disney buses are free and about 10 mins wait is the max to every direction. Resort staying allowed us to go in and out of all parks anytime.

Some other stuffs were great for me, like DisneyQuest for free, and the Night Club pass. But I don't know if those varies between different offers.

Book though CAA.

gman
Mar 1st, 2005, 05:35 PM
I strongly suggest you to get a car even if you live on site. The first time I lived inside I did not rent a car. These were the problems I had without a car:

1. I have to eat in Disney. That is damn expensive.
2. I have to buy 'supplies' in Disney.
3. Waiting for bus is painful especially when it is late at night, the kids are tired and a long line up for the bus. It can easily waste you 1+ hour per day just for waiting and riding the bus. Yes, I waited longer than 10 minutes. If yo u have just missed the bus, it could be half an hour in odd hours.

My last visit to Disney. Also, live inside but with a rental car.

1. I can eat outside. Danny's, Pondonosa, etc.
2. I can go to local Walmart to stock a case of bottle water, fruit, instant noodles, etc.
3. I don't need to spend time to wait for the bus.
4. I can visit another attraction such as Universal Studio.

blizzah
Mar 1st, 2005, 06:32 PM
The last time I went to Disney was in 97.

299 CDN per person including ai and hotel and rental car!!! lol.

May go there again in the summer or next winter, looking for advice too.

Xax
Mar 2nd, 2005, 12:23 AM
Check out www.mousesavers.com. In general, if the best deal you can find is directly through Disney, you haven't done your homework. ;) Depends on what you're looking for as well (ie. honeymoon? kids?).

rcconline
Mar 15th, 2005, 05:52 PM
Hi.

Disney has this meal plan. Did you buy it or are you planning to pay as you eat?



Just booked a trip to Disney (for May) a couple of weeks ago.

Flying out of Buffalo, instead of Toronto. Was about $400 cheaper for 2 adults and 2 children. Could have got cheaper but didn't want to fly Southwest as I didn't hear good things about their cattle call boarding (no pre-assigned seats, first on plane gets choice of seats). Booked with US Airways (have to stay 7 nights instead of 6 as I wanted a direct flight and US Airways only has them on Saturdays) picked my seats when I booked the tickets.

Since I was not going during low season and wanted the Park Hopper and Magic Plus Package (first time there for all of us, didn't want to miss anything) it ended up costing just under $1,800 US.

I found the cheapest way was to book with Disney (Online) and then book the airline online on there site. Don't go through any of the online travel agents direct is cheaper.

I choose the Pop Century value resort as it is new and has been getting great reviews.

Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to answer them.

level01
Mar 16th, 2005, 09:08 AM
I am planning to buy as I eat. The meal plan seemed overpriced. From searching the internet and talking with people who have been there, I think there will be lots of ways to eat for much less then the meal plan. I'm sure there will be one or two nights that end with a pizza supper.

rogue
Mar 16th, 2005, 09:34 AM
We're planning another Disney trip in August and have always done a package out of Toronto that included onsite hotel, passes, flight and a rental car.

With the new $1500 US (without airfare) deals advertised I'm not sure what's better. We could fly from Toronto or Buffalo if it would save us a lot of $$$. Has anyone done their homework on Disney lately??? :confused:

Any help would be appreciated!!! :razz:

What time are you going in August....the rates drop just before school starts at Disney (also because of the approaching hurricane season).

Staying onsite...has it rewards again with early admission etc but you can also find deals at nearby hotels (eg Kid suites).

Tickets for the park can be purchased at CAA (4 day or 7 day park hoppers) so you save a bit there.

Book your special events before you go to ensure a good start time (character breakfast's) that can help getting into the park early as well.

As mentioned on here already check out the message boards for Disney info and deals (eg mousesavers).

ash101
Mar 16th, 2005, 02:52 PM
US $1500 for 6 nights. 2 Adults & 2 kids. Disney 3 stars Resort, like All-Stars, Pop Century. Includes 7 days basic tickets in Walt Disney. valid for any time. Try to book it through travel agent. They can cut their commission in order to give you discount.

bunnyfoo
Mar 20th, 2005, 12:17 PM
I am planning to buy as I eat. The meal plan seemed overpriced. From searching the internet and talking with people who have been there, I think there will be lots of ways to eat for much less then the meal plan. I'm sure there will be one or two nights that end with a pizza supper.

The portions at Disney are huge! I ended up sharing a lot of counter service meals with my boyfriend. We also got Quick and Casual meal vouchers which worked out really well for some locations like Beaches and Cream (best hamburgers at Disney :D ) and the Tangerine Cafe. I think one of the cheapest on-site buffets is Trail's End at Fort Wilderness, $9.99 for lunch? I haven't eaten there so I have no idea what kind of food they serve.

If you're planning on doing any of the character meals, especially the Princess breakfasts... make sure you call ahead! Some of the meals start booking 90-days ahead of time and they go quickly! My favourites are Chef Mickey and the Crystal Palace.

I also recommend making a grocery stop to buy bottled water. Water inside the parks is about $2 and if you're going during the summer, you'll be going through a lot of it. Speaking from experience... you can refill at the water fountains or get more at the counter service locations but there is a certain "taste" to the water. I've had friends who bring down Brita water bottles and they say that will take the taste away but I haven't tried it myself.

If you're staying on site with a car and you plan to drive, the one park I would say you should take the Disney buses to is Magic Kingdom. At MK, the buses drop you off right at the park entrance. If you drive, you'll get dropped off at the TTC (Ticket and Transportation Center) and have to take either the ferry or monorail to the park. It's only a 10 minute ride/wait but I'd rather not have to wait :)

I've been to WDW 4 times in the last 2 years so if you have any questions feel free to PM me :)

rcconline
Mar 20th, 2005, 02:53 PM
I've been to WDW 4 times in the last 2 years so if you have any questions feel free to PM me :)

Where did you stay? On site or off site?
When did you go (low, medium, of high season)? IF at different times, how did you find the crowd? weather? etc...

bunnyfoo
Mar 20th, 2005, 03:37 PM
Where did you stay? On site or off site?
When did you go (low, medium, of high season)? IF at different times, how did you find the crowd? weather? etc...

The first time (May) I stayed semi-off site at the Wyndham Palace. The room was nice and big but the staff was pretty bad and the bus service wasn't as nice as Disney's. The second time (May) I stayed at the Caribbean Beach and the Animal Kingdom Lodge ... Third time (December) I stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the fourth time (Sept/Oct) I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian.

May and October are considered regular season and September and December (first few weeks) are considered low season. December had the least amount of people ... all of the rides were walk-ons or 5 minute waits. May and October were busier with 15-25 minutes on average... 30-45 minutes for the more popular rides. I've never gone during busy/holiday season... the rates are much more expensive and it can get pretty crowded. If you stay on property, you can take advantage of Extra Magic Hour where each park opens 1 hr earlier to Disney resort guests than to the general public. Those are awesome especially for Magic Kingdom!

May is really nice ... its hot and not too humid and if you like Star Wars they have Star Wars Weekends :) I'm not too sure about what September and October are suppose to be like weather wise because we showed up a day after the hurricanes passed. It was extremely humid (like August) and there were a ton of bugs.. but the good thing about October is Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party where you can go trick-or-treating! December I've heard can vary ... when we went in 2003, the weather was cool 16C during the day but very breezy and about 10-12C at night. December is also nice because of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the parks/resorts are all decorated for Christmas.

steveob
Mar 20th, 2005, 07:15 PM
Anyone heard of the Tropical Palms Cottages? (www.tropicalpalms.com) My travel agent recommended them as a good alternative to a hotel. I looked at their site and it seems very suitable (we have a 2.5 yr old daughter) with what they offer, and the rates seem really good. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with them or other similar places.

2000fordfocus
Mar 20th, 2005, 10:55 PM
BTW, they are having a new Disneyland in Hong Kong this september!
http://www.disney.com.hk/en/index_flash.html

cap
Mar 25th, 2005, 08:48 PM
Have you looked at flights from Buffalo to Orlando on JetBlue? You have to connect through NYC JFK but they have a flight every hour so it's not so bad. The rates are cheaper on Tuesday for the days I looked.

You can compare the prices for flights out of Buffalo using sidestep.com

cap
Mar 25th, 2005, 08:50 PM
I recommend you look for tickets on ticketmania.com or discountorlandovacation.com. If you subscribe to the mousesavers.com newsletter you can save even more. I paid $207US for my adult 10 day no hop no options ticket 2 weeks ago. I paid $164US for children. Free shipping to Canada for a limited time. They have all kinds of tickets. I chose to buy more days instead of more options.

Mom4
Jun 14th, 2005, 09:45 AM
Not sure when in August you're planning, but this was announced a couple weeks ago. VERY nice Freebie! Wish I could change our dates.

Check wdwinfo.com or as I'm always recommending on here: www.disboards.com, mousesavers, allearsnet.com