I think that the original question in my post was not communicated properly or just not understood in the way that I meant it.
I know that the $2000 pricing I have is good, I was more curious about the $700 a night AK or other rooms and how people afford that ontop of tickets and dining (oop or ddp).
I'm successful in my job and make just shy of 6 figures but I still couldn't afford $700 a night. It just seems unreal.
There are a couple of ways to significantly reduce the cost of rooms, food, and tickets.
Rooms
I would never pay “rack rate” for a Deluxe resort. Thanks to this thread, I have been able to book deluxe rooms at up to 65% off. You mentioned AKLodge for $700/night. How does $165/night for AKLodge sound?!!! Value resorts can also be found for as little as $45/night. Availability varies depending on travel dates. And it’s not for the faint of heart due to the fact that the lowest priced Express Deals are non refundable and the hotel is revealed only after you’ve paid for it.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/priceline-express-deals.3598657/
If Priceline isn’t your cup of tea, there are some travel agencies that offer fairly good room and/or package discounts. I find this depends heavily on travel dates as well. You didn’t mention your travel dates. Labor Day deals, for example, can be found if you look for them.
Food
I find that the dining plans offer a savings only in the rarest of circumstances. For children 10 and older, the plans are far too expensive IMO. Instead, we “collect” Disney GCs at a discounted rate and use those to pay for food out of pocket. GCs can also be used to buy park tickets.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-gift-card-deals.2941964/
Also, buying an Annual Pass for at least one member of your family can sometimes translate into savings as well. Of course, the up-front cost of the AP is considerably more than a 4-day ticket, but the future savings an AP offers can add up to a net discount in the end.
•If you plan to have a car, the free theme park parking will save you $25/day.
•If you plan to buy Memory Maker anyway, it’s free with an AP. That’s a savings of $169.
•10% discount on merchandise and most Table Service restaurants for AP holders. The dining discount applies to the total bill for everyone’s meal at the table. Not just the AP holder.
•If booking an opaque Express Deal on Priceline seems too risky for you, AP holders also get discounts on rooms at Disney resorts. The savings aren’t always the best deal Disney is offering and they can vary depending on your travel dates.