Paid Off July Vacation On A Budget - Can You Beat This?

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Hey guys I just paid the last of our vacation :music: . It is for 1 adult & DS7 dates 7/2 - 7/12. I think I did a pretty good job...what do you think? The last couple years for us 2 has been about $3500 so, I am under my budget! Add in the $2000 for spending money and I am still under $5K (all cash). I'm pretty proud of myself :banana: :banana:

EXPENSES:

HOTELS:

SHERATON STUDIO CITY 7/2 - 7/6 $334.19 including tax / resort fee
WALT DISNEY WORLD SWAN 7/6 - 7/12 $882.94 including tax / resort fee

PARK TICKETS:
10 DAY PARK HOPPER / NO EXPIRATION
ADULT $337.00 CHILD $302.00

5 DAY BONUS PASS / EXP 14 DAYS FROM FIRST USE (BUY ADULT - KIDS FREE)
UNIVERSAL / IOA: ADULT $129.27 CHILD $0.00

CIRQUE DE SOLEIL 7/9/2005 ADULT $72.00 CHILD $43.00

FLIGHTS:

OUTBOUND 7/2/05 - RAQUEL $119.21
OUTBOUND 7/2/05 - ALEX $101.40
RETURN 7/12/05 - RAQUEL $87.70
RETURN 7/12/05 - ALEX $87.70


TRANSPORTATION: BAY HILLS LIMO

AIRPORT - SHERATON STUDIO CITY $45.00
SHERATON - SWAN - ADULT $20.00
SWAN - AIRPORT $45.00

:cheer2:"2005" VACATION TOTAL $2,624.22 :cheer2:

What's your cheapest Disney vacation? Do you think I could have cut cost anywhere? :scratchin

I just love DISNEY :love: :lovestruc

[cruisnfamily]

You realize you'll still need more money for cash and souvies right? So you're not done yet :goodvibes

Do you think I could have cut cost anywhere? The only place I see you could have cut costs is staying at the swan...your rate is good there but if you really wanted to save you could have stayed somewhere cheaper. Not saying you should, just saying you could.

What's your cheapest Disney vacation?
Well, I don't know if it's our cheapest but here's this years plan. There are 5 of us, 4 of whom are adults according to Disney.
1 day Fl Res hoppers with 2 pluses=$548(That's for TL, DQ, 1 Day MK/Epcot)
Gas to drive there and back =$60
Dinner at Outta Control Magic Show & Dinner at Pirates Adventure =$230
4 nights at Cypress Pointe 3 br villa =$393
total= $1231 for 5 days for 5 people(Of course we realize we need to buy food and a few souveniers too)

[Local_Girl]

The OP mentions she's planning on $2000 spending money...surely enough for 2 of them. I think you did well (not sure about the airfare--we always drive) for what you've got...I agree that you could save $$ if you choose different hotels, but for those you selected, I think your rates are good based on what I've seen. Price for park hoppers is very good; the Universal/IOA ticket deal is awesome (sure wish we could take advantage of that!! :) ); and it looks like your Cirque tickets are a good price too. Hope you have a great trip!! :flower:

[abby&emmasmom]

I am not sure about cutting costs, I know there are always ways to do this, but overall it looks very good & like lots of fun. We are planning our trip for Dec. and it is always fun to look at others budgets and see how we are doing! Have a great trip!

[Leigha]

I admire the fact that your paid off in advance but I would seriously consider staying onsite at Universal. That front of the line access is REALLY worth it!! Even staying one night will get you two days access. JMHO!

[canwegosoon]

Great Job....1 suggestion Since you are at the swan...what about doing 2 half day car rentals instead of the limo/car items...just an idea to shave a couple of dollars.

[DisneyMomOK]

I agree with the post that suggests staying on site at Universal. That perk of front of the line is WONDERFUL. No way to explain just how great it is.
Everything else sounds great to me.

Sharon

[mrsgus06]

I think yours looks good. Let me try.....June 11 to July 31

2 adults
5 kids all have annualy passes that have been paid for since last year

51 nights Ft Wilderness Campground $3,250.16


Bringing personal golf cart and tickets will last through the stay. Will have to buy gas for trip down there and back, but will use their transportation while there and maybe a tank of gas for the whole summer $250.00. Still waiting for codes for July (have discount for 19 nights in June so far) so the site price may go down. We bought our camper to eat meals there plus if we did do a value, we would still need two rooms. Plus we will buy the refillable cups @ $80.00

7 WEEKS FOR 2 ADULTS, 5 KIDS $3580.16 plus spending money (The rule has always been you can shop on the last night out and the rule still stands :rotfl2: )

[pixiepower1971]

Can someone please tell me where I can find the buy one adult get free ticket deal? Is it still available? My family has annual passes but I need to purchase tickets for one adult and one child that will be visiting in May.
Thank you!

[dismom9761]

Can someone please tell me where I can find the buy one adult get free ticket deal? Is it still available? My family has annual passes but I need to purchase tickets for one adult and one child that will be visiting in May.
Thank you!
I would like to know too.Anybody know? :confused3

[canwegosoon]

I think yours looks good. Let me try.....June 11 to July 31

2 adults
5 kids all have annualy passes that have been paid for since last year

51 nights Ft Wilderness Campground $3,250.16


Bringing personal golf cart and tickets will last through the stay. Will have to buy gas for trip down there and back, but will use their transportation while there and maybe a tank of gas for the whole summer $250.00. Still waiting for codes for July (have discount for 19 nights in June so far) so the site price may go down. We bought our camper to eat meals there plus if we did do a value, we would still need two rooms. Plus we will buy the refillable cups @ $80.00

7 WEEKS FOR 2 ADULTS, 5 KIDS $3580.16 plus spending money (The rule has always been you can shop on the last night out and the rule still stands :rotfl2: )

That is awsome...do you camp in the trailer or do Tent camping? PM me some of your tips and stragety...am considering it for next summer...my boys are really into camping! :sunny:
Tanks Terri

[Sally]

7 WEEKS FOR 2 ADULTS, 5 KIDS $3580.16 plus spending money (The rule has always been you can shop on the last night out and the rule still stands :rotfl2: )


Just WOW!! if I could just get the husband camping hehe
Great budget

[mrsgus06]

At this moment we own a travel trailer (bunkhouse) but have ordered a fifth wheel and hopefully it will be in before June 11. Kids are not interested in sleeping in the bunks. Their ages are 3, 6, 8, 8 and 10. They would rather lay out all over the floor so I am trading the bunks in for a washer/dryer in the fifth wheel which saves money on the laundry! I don't think I could tent camp that whole time as I am a creature of comfort. We hang out at the campground during the day and usually hit the parks at night. We bring our bikes and plunder around the campground. Hubby will actually drive the dually down with the camper and I will be pulling golf cart on trailer hitched to the back of my conversion van. He will set the camper up, stay a week and then drive the daully back home. I will have my van so I can go grocery shopping. My best friend and her hubby will bring their camper for the first two weeks, my parents bring their motorhome down 5 days after best friend leaves and will stay 3 weeks and hubby will come back when my parents leave. He will stay another week and then pull the camper back home. We did this because he is doing some remodeling at home and it will be easier for us to be gone. My kids love to camp and will not even consider another vacation. You would be amazed at the money you can save by camping. With the discount in June, I dropped from $71.36 to $54.64 a night, which, if you break it down, comes out to about $7.00 per day, per person. I would try it if your boys like to camp.

[golfgal]

What airline gave you the discount on the child's ticket?

[zippehsmom]

I would also suggest staying onsite Universal it you could swing it. That would add about $500 to your budget. The cheapest onsite room right now (at least in the beginning of August when we are going) is $210.60 w AAA discount at Royal Pacific.

Your budget looks good and congrats on getting it paid off early.

zippehsmom :flower:

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

I admire the fact that your paid off in advance but I would seriously consider staying onsite at Universal. That front of the line access is REALLY worth it!! Even staying one night will get you two days access. JMHO!

Thanks...It would have broke my heart to pay $289- a night to stay at the RPR (which is the cheapest of the onsites)

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Great Job....1 suggestion Since you are at the swan...what about doing 2 half day car rentals instead of the limo/car items...just an idea to shave a couple of dollars.

I actually considered that but, by time I pay the parking fee at the S/D and the rental fee...it came out cheaper to have the town car. Also, I didn't want to drive if I didn't have too...hey it's vacation I don't want to have to worry about getting lost :confused3

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

I think yours looks good. Let me try.....June 11 to July 31

2 adults
5 kids all have annualy passes that have been paid for since last year

51 nights Ft Wilderness Campground $3,250.16


Bringing personal golf cart and tickets will last through the stay. Will have to buy gas for trip down there and back, but will use their transportation while there and maybe a tank of gas for the whole summer $250.00. Still waiting for codes for July (have discount for 19 nights in June so far) so the site price may go down. We bought our camper to eat meals there plus if we did do a value, we would still need two rooms. Plus we will buy the refillable cups @ $80.00

7 WEEKS FOR 2 ADULTS, 5 KIDS $3580.16 plus spending money (The rule has always been you can shop on the last night out and the rule still stands :rotfl2: )

How cool is that! How do you get to stay the entire summer???

[mrsgus06]

How cool is that! How do you get to stay the entire summer???

My husband owns his own company and we only owe on the mortgage! We pay cash for everything else. If we don't have the cash, we don't get the product. Plus, with 6 kids, 5 of them ages 10 and under, hubby is more than happy to deposit us at Ft. W and come back. It has been a long time since he has enjoyed a nice quiet house. Not to mention my career is an unemployed bum. :rotfl2: I think this is the best thing we have done as a family, but I may have another opinion after all that time in a fifth wheel!

[luvtoall]

I am not sure I plan so well! :flower:
Can some one tell me what the 1/2 day car rental is? That sounds good.

[psupple]

DH and I - May 20th to May 27th

Celebrity Resorts - Lake Buena Vista (3 Bedroom Villa with full kitchen) $129 (timeshare trade)
Airfare on Southwest, PVD to MCO $120 R/T for one, $0 for the other (free R/T tix from Rapid Rewards credits)
Car Rental from National Emerald Aisle $99.18
Park Tickets - $0... we have annual passes from August 2004
Universal Tickets - One Day/Two Parks - $0... left over from 2003 trip
DDE Card - $50 (which will save a ton between food and alcohol)

Total $400 before food and spending money.

We'll grocery shop and eat some meals at the resort, but will also enjoy lunches and/or dinners at Le Cellier, Artist Point, ESPN, 50's Primetime, Wolfgang Puck Cafe.

[tinkwishes]

where did you buy the 5 day pass for adult to get the child's free? I need that info BADLY!!!!!

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

where did you buy the 5 day pass for adult to get the child's free? I need that info BADLY!!!!!

It was published in the Feb issue of Mousesavers. Sorry, to say the special is over... :sad:

[tinkwishes]

:sad: :sad: :sad: