13 Days, Family O' 7 $2642 Budget!

[bnsilly]

The drink packets are a great idea for using with the free water at Disney..Gonna have to make a list and go shop for snacks and start packing! Thanks guys for all your help..We leave bright and early in the am...will post when I return and sincerely thank all of you for your great ideas!!

 

[disneymom3]

While I am very impressed with the budget I just wonder what happens if you get to McD and someone is very hungry and wants something else? Like a grilled chicken salad.Do they have to stick to the plan or can they have something else? I know that when I am hungry that a small burger and a couple of fries just does not sound good. We are not big eaters and are not over weight but when I am hungry I want to able to get what sounds good with in limits that is. But like I said I am impressed and am sure the OPP and her family will have a great time.

This is one thing I always keep in mind when we go out, especially ordering counter service at WDW and having the kids or DH and I split meals there. I figure you can always go up and order more if you are still hungry but once you order you are stuck with that food whether you (or they) eat it or not. We have never gone back to get more food but we have had room for a Mickey bar!

 

[formernyer]

Yay!

Is the Comfort Suites in Murfreesboro, TN? Murfreesboro is a great town to have a stop over. It's just as good as Cookeville. M'boro has tons reasonable places to eat.

Whether you're staying there or not, you'll be passing through so just to pass out a bit of trivia about M'boro: it used to be the capital of Tennessee, it is the exact geographical center of the state, and it is also the site of a famous civil war battle (the Stones River National Battlefield is located there).

Anyhow, I'm all for getting you to Disney faster so I'm glad to have been of assistance in saving you time and gas money.

Hey neighbor

 

[madge]

This is one thing I always keep in mind when we go out, especially ordering counter service at WDW and having the kids or DH and I split meals there. I figure you can always go up and order more if you are still hungry but once you order you are stuck with that food whether you (or they) eat it or not. We have never gone back to get more food but we have had room for a Mickey bar!

that's how we look at it, too!

 

[DisneyBeagle]

I am so impressed with the OP. I remember reading her other thread a while back and I was skeptical that she could pull it off, but she did.

 

[wwithers]

HMMM... I'll look into it, although I admit our family feels that half the adventure is in the journey. We learn so much about each other and it feels so exciting and rewarding to reach our destination. But the kids have never been on an airplane, so that would be an adventure too... HMMMM

Hi, tnk. I've been reading your report on and off for a while and just noticed that you are in Kansas. Me too! Where in Kansas are you? (I'm in Overland Park). Anyway, do you have Southwest's DING! if not, you can download it from their site. It offers fantastic fares for up to 3 months out. When we went to WDW last December, I ended up paying $39 each way!

Also, have you considered "pricelining" your van? We did that one year and while I don't remember the exact price, it was well below any rate we found elsewhere; and the good thing is, you put in a bid and if it's not accepted, no loss to you.

Obviously, you can't count on these things until closer in, but maybe as it gets closer you can save on the budget you already have.

Also, we stayed at Wespgate Town Center, Which was the #1 best value in The UG and had 4 stars. It is a beautiful property. We paid $99/night for a studio which has 1 queen bed and a sleeper sofa. They have up to 3 bedrooms and several pools. If you drive the back way (past the "racetrack") it takes literally 10 minutes to get to TTC. I looked it up for a friend of mine a while ago and the rates were $79/night during the off season.

Anyway, I'm enjoying your report, it sounds like you will have a fab time!

 

[formernyer]

Another thought here...

Minivan rental - I know you said that the rental will have a bigger trunk, but I'm sure you could pack creatively to get around that...I get the impression that your real issue was the safety of the vehicle.

Why not take the $600 rental amount and use it to make repairs on your minivan now to make it safe. Seems like you're going to need to put money into the van soon anyway, but by doing it now, it can also save you the rental fees.

 

[TNKBELL]

Another thought here...

Minivan rental - I know you said that the rental will have a bigger trunk, but I'm sure you could pack creatively to get around that...I get the impression that your real issue was the safety of the vehicle.

Why not take the $600 rental amount and use it to make repairs on your minivan now to make it safe. Seems like you're going to need to put money into the van soon anyway, but by doing it now, it can also save you the rental fees.

I have thought about that, Dh really wants to rent, and since he does most of the driving he is making that call. I'll talk to him about it though and see what he says.

 

[TNKBELL]

Hi, tnk. I've been reading your report on and off for a while and just noticed that you are in Kansas. Me too! Where in Kansas are you? (I'm in Overland Park). Anyway, do you have Southwest's DING! if not, you can download it from their site. It offers fantastic fares for up to 3 months out. When we went to WDW last December, I ended up paying $39 each way!

Also, have you considered "pricelining" your van? We did that one year and while I don't remember the exact price, it was well below any rate we found elsewhere; and the good thing is, you put in a bid and if it's not accepted, no loss to you.

Obviously, you can't count on these things until closer in, but maybe as it gets closer you can save on the budget you already have.

Also, we stayed at Wespgate Town Center, Which was the #1 best value in The UG and had 4 stars. It is a beautiful property. We paid $99/night for a studio which has 1 queen bed and a sleeper sofa. They have up to 3 bedrooms and several pools. If you drive the back way (past the "racetrack") it takes literally 10 minutes to get to TTC. I looked it up for a friend of mine a while ago and the rates were $79/night during the off season.

Anyway, I'm enjoying your report, it sounds like you will have a fab time!

I haven't thought about the priceline option, I didn't realize you could rent minivans off that site, how far out would you recommend trying?

We have awesome rates at Summer Bay and Cypress Palms....$464 total for both weeks.

Thanks for the advice!! We are in Wichita.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I haven't thought about the priceline option, I didn't realize you could rent minivans off that site, how far out would you recommend trying?

We have awesome rates at Summer Bay and Cypress Palms....$464 total for both weeks.

Thanks for the advice!! We are in Wichita.

TNK we rented a van last year for 13 days and it was 486 including tax. I used hot wire

 

[wwithers]

I haven't thought about the priceline option, I didn't realize you could rent minivans off that site, how far out would you recommend trying?

We did it about a week out, but it was a last minute thing (DH was going to Orlando on business, so we had the 1st 1/2 of the week hotel for free, +free air for him and some great fares came out on DING!- the stars aligned ). On trips to other places, we've done 2 days out and 1 month out. I think the closer you get, the more you are likely to save (since they start to get nervous about not renting). We didn't rent a mini but if memory serves, you have the choice of the same types of vehicles as you do from any agency; all of the agencies they offer are well known agencies...we've gotten Budget, Avis and Alamo. I think this is something where you budget what you have and the eventual savings.

 

[wwithers]

TNK we rented a van last year for 13 days and it was 486 including tax. I used hot wire

How far out did you rent?

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

TNKBELL-Thanks for understanding that those that are asking questions are not critizing you but just wondering how you do it!! By the way, we are in Wichita too. My hubby is stationed out at McConnell, but we live on the West side. Have a good trip! Jennifer O.

 

[mommiepoppins]

How far out did you rent?

4-5 months out . Our van was from Avis to. I had to check 2 different airports to get that rate also ( I live between 2). I am doing it again for 10 days and I am paying 386

 

[nannerbadnanner]

It sounds like you have planned a great trip! We always travel cheaply so this is right up my alley.

I told my husband that if he ever wants to take an expensive vacation that he will have to plan it because I can't not be cheap!

 

[TNKBELL]

I will be checking out Hotwire and Priceline about a month out before we go.
Haven't talked to Dh yet about taking the "mystery machine".

Hi Jennifer O. we are westsiders too!!

Oh and I downloaded ding...Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[disneymom3]

There will be a change in plans, 1rockinmamato2 pointed out that we would save 300 miles rt if we went through Nashville instead of Cookeville, I checked it out and she is soooo right!! Last time we used a triptics from AAA and I don't know what possesed us to go thru Cookeville, not only will we save gas but time!!! You totally ROCK!!! There is a Comfort Suites close to there that will be the same price as it would be Cookeville.

Our only "issue" is we have 2 GCs to The Cosmopolitan Grill in Cookeville!!

Would anyone like these or know someone who could use these?? Just PM me and I'll send them to you!!


I have to admit I'm smart enough to know how stupid I am!!

Sell those GCs on ebay!! More trip money.

I was going to suggest hotwire too. Also keep in mind that sometimes car rental places that are not at the airport will be cheaper because they dont' have to pay the airport fees.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Another good cheap eat is to locate the nearest Costco and get a pizza for $10. They are 18 inches and the 3 of us get 2 meals out of one. Your family could certainly use it as a meal with a slice or two leftover.

Good luck on your trip! I enjoy your clever planning!

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I just wanted to say I hope you have a great trip.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I am loving reading.
One thing we brought home from our last trip was the Mickey shaped tray/plates (like tv dinner trays) kid meals were served on. My boys used them tonight for supper for their supper of chili, corn muffins and pudding. They have made it since our Nov. 2005 trip and go through the dish washer everyday or so.