Saving Money at Disney World

Escape to the Border: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Guest Disney Vacation Planning, Saving Money at Disney World, Saving Money on Accommodations , , , , , , 3 Comments
Photo courtesy of mousebuzz.com

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort offers stunning American Southwest and Mexican architecture. Named after Francisco de Coronado, the Spanish explorer that traveled Mexico and the American Southwest, Disney’s Coronado Springs resort is located very close to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

El Centro……

Upon arriving at Coronado Springs Resort the southwest theme is in full swing. From the music to the décor one truly gets the impression that they are a world away from home.  El Centro is the main building at Coronado Springs, not only will you check in here but you will also find that Panchito’s Gift Shop, Café Rix, The Pepper Market, Rix Lounge and The Maya Grill are all conveniently  located in this one building.

Read more

Thrifty Thursday: A Sentimental Disney Journey on a Beautiful Antique Horse

Brenda Thrifty Thursday, What to Do at Disney World , , , , , , , 3 Comments

People often ask me, “Are you a Disney freak?” Surprisingly, the answer is no. I tell them that I am a Walt Disney and Walt Disney World freak. I am a student of Walt Disney. Like my dad, Walt was a man who loved spending time with his family. It was during one of his traditional Saturday outings with his daughters, in fact, that he first got the idea for Disneyland. He explained it this way:

“Well, it came about when my daughters were very young and Saturday was always Daddy’s day with the two daughters. So we’d start out and try to go someplace, you know, different things. I’d take them to the merry-go-round and I took them different places and I’d sit while they rode the merry-go-round. Sit on a bench, you know, eating peanuts. I felt that there should be something built where the parents and the children could have fun together.”

The merry-go-round Walt referred to was actually a carousel similar to the one found in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom (pictured above). No matter how many times I visit WDW, I feel the same gentle tug at my heartstrings as I walk toward Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, formerly Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel. I can’t help but reflect on Walt’s words as I stare at this antique treasure in motion. As all the little princes and princesses go around, I revel in the thought that he would have loved to have seen all that’s been created for families to spend magical moments together.

Read more

Disney’s All Star Music: Take Time to Enjoy the Music

Debbie Affordable Disney Vacations, Saving Money at Disney World, Saving Money on Accommodations , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

I am so excited to announce the addition of some new writers for The Affordable Mouse! Going forward, our Friday post each week will be written by one of 3 very talented…and very Disney-loving ladies. This week, please welcome our final new writer, Debbie. 🙂 Debbie, welcome to The Affordable Mouse family!


To me, one of the hidden treasures to save money at Walt Disney World is All-Stars Music Resort. After staying at all three All-Stars Resort hotels several times, I find the All-Stars Music to be similar to staying at some of the moderate hotels but at a fraction of the cost.  Yes, I know, the rooms are smaller than the moderates, but how long are you really in your room anyway!  There is only 54 square feet difference between the All-Stars and the moderate hotels.

The All-Stars Resorts consist of 3 different themed hotels located in the Animal Kingdom Area.  All-Star Sports is the first you come to as you enter off West Buena Vista Drive.  With 1920 rooms this resort has plenty of room for cheerleaders, soccer players, and many other sport groups that flock to this sports-themed hotel.  All-Star Movies is the last hotel on West Buena Vista Drive and attracts more families with small children.   This hotel also has 1920 rooms and spreads out with Disney movie icons through-out the grounds, including a Dalmatian puppy watching a “blank” TV – the perfect photo spot.  Between Sports and Movies you find the smallest of the three, All-Stars Music with 1602 rooms. The All-Star Music is my favorite home away from home with its musical instrument icons and smaller resort size.  Music seems to attract more couples then families because of the theme.  The three All-Star Resorts now offer family suites that include a separate bedroom, two bathrooms, kitchenette and enough sleeping room for 6 guests.  While it is a little cramped for 6 adults, unless you are real friendly, for a family with younger children, this option fits the bill perfectly.

At one time the All-Star Resorts were the only value hotels on Walt Disney World property.  WDW saw the need for more value hotels several years back and has now built Pop Century with Disney’s Art of Animation scheduled to open in 2012.  I’m sure Pop Century is a wonderful place to stay, but All-Star Music offers a quaint atmosphere – similar to French Quarter, but is much less expensive.

All-Star Music Resort is divided into 10 different buildings, with Calypso building #1 and #10 being closer to the Intermission Food Court, bus stops and Calypso themed main pool.  The rooms in these buildings are considered an upgrade, which could be a better idea for those who have trouble walking or have smaller kids, but I prefer the privacy and seclusion of the Rock Inn or the Broadway buildings toward the back.  The Country Fair buildings are in the very back and actually sit right behind the Piano Pool, guest laundry and restrooms.  Music sits between Sports and Movies, so both the other All-Star hotels are within an easy walk, if you just need a change of scenery.

Being toward the back of the grounds gives us a chance to chill out at the Piano Pool without the crowds the main Calypso Pool attracts. It is relaxing sitting on the “keys” in the “piano” and dipping those burning tootsies in cool water after a long day in the parks.  There are plenty of tables, chairs and lounge chairs to go around.  I find it a lot less hectic to sit by the less crowded pool having a beverage and doing laundry at my speed.  Not that I do laundry on every trip, but it is nice to have everything clean when you get home.

I stayed in Broadway #8 one year and was located on the 2nd floor.   Looking out the window to see Beauty and the Beast Billboard gave the feeling of being in New York City overlooking Broadway!  What a way to wake up.

I can hear people saying – those rooms are way too small, or the All-Stars have way too many people around, but weighing the pros against the few cons, especially taking into account cost makes Music our resort of choice.

Staying on the parking lot side of the Rock Inn #4 was very peaceful – the room did face out to the cars, but the palm trees and greenery around defuses the view to transport you to a tropical paradise.  This helps to block out any unwanted noise from the traffic.  Having the parking lots so close lets you drive to the Transportation Center instead of walking to the front bus stops, if you prefer.  The shaded walkways meander through lush greenery taking you on a leisurely walk to the parking lot.  We find the front bus stops easy to use, but it is nice to have an option.

There is so much to see and listen to on the way back to your room it is easy to get lost in the atmosphere – Take time to enjoy the Music!

Debbie and her husband live in Collegedale, TN where her youngest son is going to college.  She is a huge Disney fan who dreams of someday retiring and working as a tour guide at Walt Disney World. She has enjoyed many trips to WDW with children, grandchildren and sometimes adults only.  It is her ultimate goal to make sure everyone who visits WDW has the same magical time that she enjoys every time she visits.

Smart Souven’Ears’ Saving

DeAnna Saving Money at Disney World, Saving Money on Souvenirs , , , , 2 Comments

When budgeting for a trip to Disney, one thing that must be factored in is souven”ears” (or silverneers as my husband calls them for some reason – he’s a Yankee, so who knows? 😉  Everyone wants to bring home their own little piece of magic, a reminder of time spent in MagicMouseLand.

First of all, Clark, our 13 year old, is as much about Disney as is his Mama.  He wants mucho momentos to sort through once he’s home.  Not only does he share Mama’s Disney obsession, he also shares Mama’s caviar taste on a cracker budget; and of course, since he has no job, he has very little concept of the value of money.  So leave it to my think-ahead husband to solve these problems.

Throughout the year, my husband empties his pockets and puts his loose change into a jar.  Then a week or so before we leave for MouseLand, he sits down with Clark & they roll all the change in the jar, and that is Clark’s souvenir money, no matter the amount.  Once it was $200+, once it was over $300!  This solves a myriad of problems.  Mom & Dad aren’t weakened to fork out the dough at every whine & whim, losing track of how much is being spent, and since Clark has a limited amount of spending money, he’s more choosy about what he takes home. He knows that once the money is gone, it’s gone.  Mom & Dad won’t be opening their wallets for anything else.  This cuts down tremendously on the stress, except for Clark, who has an awfully hard time making the choice of what to place on the counter!

I can’t believe in all their years of doing this, I’ve never taken a picture of My Boyz (as I affectionately call hubby & son) rolling the change for the trip.  As I conclude this article, I vow to digitally freeze this moment in time on our next go round, and have priceless souven-ears of my very own!

In the midst of a tough economy at home and abroad, I trust this has given you an idea to make your next visit less stressful and more affordable!

DeAnna, along with her husband and teen-age son, lives in Wiggins, Mississippi, and has a passion for all things Disney. She is always eager to share the knowledge she has gained from her many trips to Walt Disney World, and has helped numerous people in their vacation planning to realize it’s not an unattainable dream.  Her must-dos on every trip are Pirates of the Caribbean, Rockin’ Roller Coaster & a stolen moment of quiet with her “Boyz” (as she affectionately calls them) having a pastry from Boulangerie in Epcot World Showcase’s France. Disney is so much a part of her life, that she & her husband were married in front of Cinderella’s Castle, and she says it doesn’t get any more magical than that………

Thrifty Thursday: Doing Our Part to Spread the Magic

Brenda Thrifty Thursday , , , , , 7 Comments

On this Thrifty Thursday, I wanted to talk about something that is absolutely free and will enhance your trip to Walt Disney World exponentially. In a tribute to one of the most wonderful human beings in the world, in my opinion, I wanted to spend today just talking about a few nice ways we can help spread the magic while at Walt Disney World.

In my studies of Walt, I have read that he envisioned people coming to Disneyland (and I am sure Walt Disney World), finding happiness there, then going out and widening the circle of happiness around the world. I like to do my part with helping him in this very worthwhile endeavor, so I thought I would talk about some ways we have tried to help.

Through the years, there have been many things we have tried to do to help people feel the magic of Disney. I am not only talking about visitors with a “First Timer” button on their shirt, but all kinds of people – children, adults, cast members, everyone really. I hadn’t really sat down and thought of things we have done before, but when I sat down to write this blog and started remembering things we did, I was reminded of some of the best times we have ever had on our trips.

Playing Photographer

My husband is always offering to take pictures of families or groups whenever he notices someone being left out of the photo because they are behind the camera. He has been our primary photographer so he knows exactly what it is like to have many pictures of the rest of the family but only a few that include him. He has never met a stranger, so he will walk right up to someone and ask if they would like him to take their picture.

Thanking the Cast Members

We hand out cast member thank you cards (like this one). You can download them free here and give them to cast members who have made your trip special in some way.

This year we gave one of them to a very sweet young man named Scott who was working at the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. He was so surprised and appreciative, he looked like I had handed him a million dollars. To tell you the truth, if I had been carrying a million I would have given it to him.

Pay the toll

Whether at home or on vacation, it’s a nice gesture to pay for someone’s toll. When passing through the Florida Turnpike we just tell the person in the booth that we also want to pay for the car behind us. We say, get the magic started before they have even hit the park.

Giving up your spot

We usually take the Disney transportation to the parks but we have driven before when we knew we were going to be leaving during a very crowded time that would cause a long line at the bus stop. When we drive and park, now that our kids are older, we usually will give up a closer parking spot if we see a family with small children trying to park near the entrance. We remember what it was like having tired children to lug to the car when leaving the park and this is our small way of encouraging their plight, even though they never know why we did it.

The first shall be last

This title isn’t exactly what I mean. We don’t offer to get on the bus last if we are there first, but it is nice to let the family behind us get on first. It really doesn’t affect where we will sit, usually, but it gives them a little extra magic when someone does something nice for them.

Stand up

I was born and raised in Texas, so southern ways are all I have ever known and that goes for my husband and my two strong boys and my healthy girl as well. Most times, we are happy to stand up and give our seats to someone who clearly needs one on the bus – especially a child, pregnant woman, grandmother, or grandfather. There are some nights we have started very early and stayed very late and we are wiped – those nights we might not give up the seat. But, we are happy to when we can bear it.

Special Greetings

We wore these “Happy Thanksgiving” shirts this year in order to wish others a Happy Thanksgiving, but we received so many kind wishes that we were clearly the ones that received the blessing. Sometimes trying to do something nice pays you back two-, three, and four-fold.

Just a gesture

Both years we have had the free dining plan, we have ended up with snack credits at the end of our trip. A very nice older woman working in the gift shop really helped me to find a nice gift for my loved one back home, so I used one snack credit to buy a sweet treat for her and took it back to the gift shop. I told her it was a sweet for a sweet.

Smile

It is so funny how everyone faces everyone else on the busses. You end up with people looking right at you, where else can they look when they are sitting right in front of you. Even when you are in line, you make eye contact with people all day long. We share our smiles generously. We are so happy to be at Walt Disney World we can’t contain it anyway, so why not share it and brighten someone else’s day.

Thank the bus driver

I do not like driving at all. My husband jokes that I keep him around for chauffer duties and lawn maintenance. Truth is I keep him around for the entertainment value  – just kiddingJ I must say that I cannot imagine driving a bus at Walt Disney World with crowds of people standing behind me, kids screaming, babies crying, I could never do it; I would be a nervous wreck. That is not to mention all the traffic on Disney property and people not obeying the street lights. I am so thankful for the kind, calm individual getting me safely to my destination; I always thank the bus drivers at WDW and tell them to have a great day. They are not allowed to take gifts, but I do give them cast member thank you cards (like above).

Don’t waste a fast pass

If we have fast passes left when we decide to leave the park, we always find someone to give them to, especially since we have 5 or more people in our party every year. We have been blessed a few times to actually hear a parent say they just don’t have an hour to wait on the ride while their child is begging to be able to go on it. We love to be able to offer up our fast passes for this. If we had time, we would offer them even if we had planned on using them and just wait out the line ourselves.

We feel very blessed to be able to enjoy our annual trips to Walt Disney World. Someday, we might not have this chance but while we can we will use it the best we can. It is our pleasure entirely to try to make someone’s day a little more special – whether it is a guest or an employee. These are just some of the things I could think of; I would just love to hear about your experiences with kindness – given or received – while at Disney. I think Walt would be happy to know we got the message.

Brenda is a native Texan born and raised on the Gulf Coast. She visited Disney World twice as a teenager and always dreamed of growing her family Disney. She took her first-timer husband and their three children to Disney World in 2000 and they now spend every Thanksgiving there. Brenda writes with a comedic twist on various Disney topics. She will be sharing tips she has learned during her travels and also hopes to enlighten people on little-known freebies that Disney has to offer. She wishes she could have met Walt Disney and considers herself to be a student of Walt. In parallel to his dream it is her wish that everyone would take at least one trip to Disney World in order to share in its magic with their families.