2013 half way over...

[MOpGrad2013]

...and it seems like the majority of our dreams have been pushed off until a later date. Can't even say for sure that it will be next year. And, of course, this is all because life seems to cost so much more than it used to and now we receive less wages.

We are very fortunate. DH was medically reitred from the military so we have our medical covered. And he was just hired as a truck driver. And he's on his first trip already. Some folks he knows haven't found a job and they left the military months before him and even some who went to CDL school and orientation with him weren't hired on.

Both DS graduated high school and we had the great big party with all the friends and family from all across the states. Kept that at $500 for our side of the costs (100+) people and we still have food in the freezer.

My biggest thing is that we can't go to WDW this summer. I was able to justify and understand not moving to Orlando this year and we will stay here until DD15 graduates high school. But, pushing the trip from June until August and now until..??? I feel like these graduation mouse ears are staring at me.

So, my question is, can it be done for Christmas? Staying offsite, packing majority of food, parking and tickets. 4 adults, 1 teen and DS2...all for the magic number of $3800-4300 ?

The earliest we could arrive would be Sat. Dec 21. And of course, with hubby's new job, he more than likely won't be with us the entire time.

Please send your ideas.
Thank you so much!!

 

[danygirl]

We went at Christmas 2011. Arrived the 26 and stayed offsite and drove. Ate one cs meal per day in the parks, brought lunch everyday and ate breakfast in the room. I got the be in Dtd through booking.com for a week for around 900. Rode their buses which are very convenient so didn't pay parking. Used one day of old park hoppers and bought non hoppers for the rest with 2 days at universal . Not everyone's dream trip but it worked for us

 

[dryvithome]

Very doable with that price range. I didn't see a link for how long, but here is a quick sampling of what I came up with. Does not include food or cost to get there. This was quoted with www.mousesavers.com in mind for the deals they garner.

Tickets for 5 adults (2 yr old doesn't require tickets) for 7 days:

Pick one of the two below, one is just a single park per day, other allows hopping if need be:

$1498.75 7day myw
$1748.75 park hopper


And lodging in a 2 bedroom suite at Caribe Royal for Dec 21-27.
$1766.25 caribe royal

Cheapest version of that comes to $3265. I can probably do better than that, but only had a few minutes tonight before heading to sleep to come up with something.

Might even consider a house rental through various outlets, might even get better rates on a place to stay that way. Tickets will eat up quite a bit of the planning. Rest of it is finding somewhere you can be comfortable.

Hope you get to enjoy a good trip!

 

[a1970model]

We are retired military also (4 adults) and just returned from a "budget" trip due to the sequestration (DH is civil service now). Our last trip to WDW was in Dec. 2010 and both kids' requested another trip as their graduation present (DS's high school graduation last year and DD's college graduation this spring). We drove, used the Military Salute tickets, cashed in over $300 in Disney VISA Reward dollars, and stayed off-property in Windsor Hills. We did four days at Disney and a day at Universal Studios. (Just so you're aware, the active-duty or retired member is eligible for a free ticket to Universal due to a current promotion.) Most meals were at the condo; reward dollars were used for parking and lunches/snacks in the park and one breakfast at the Poly for Tonga Toast. I haven't finalized the numbers yet, but I believe the total cost is around $2400 (including gas and travel hotels).

When we went to Disney at Christmas in 2010, it was a similar trip as described above. We arrived the day after Christmas and weren't able to purchase the Military Salute tickets as it was during their blackout dates. I had missed that little bit of small print. However, if you're going as early as Dec. 21, you may be able to still get them for the days you will be there outside the blackout dates (that's if the promotion is renewed after September this year). Your DH will have to be with you at the beginning in order to activate the tickets, if you use the Military Salute.

Be sure to bring your patience, because Disney (and Universal) are super-super crowded during that time. Super-super-super crowded. I'm glad we went and it was a fun time, but it will be our only Christmas trip. Good luck to you. I know how hard it is to wait for another trip to Disney!

 

[Straitlover]

Check on www.afvclub.com for condo deals. Problem is 12/21 is the start of holiday pricing, and you have to choose the high demand prices. If you could go the week before, you could get the condo for $369 for the week.

 

[Shelli_5]

I'm sorry that you have to keep postponing your Disney vacation. The parks are super crowded during the weeks of Christmas & New Years. We went once & will never go back during that time. Disney also raises their prices for food, etc. around the holidays & peak times of the year. Parks are often closed to off-site guests for parts of the day. I guess I'm urging you to consider planning a trip for a time when things aren't so busy & crowded. I think you get more for your money when you're not waiting in huge lines all day. I know that wasn't your original question, but I wanted you to know how busy the parks will be.

 

[tvguy]

Just found at my parents house my budget from a trip with 2 buddies to Disneyland back in 1976 when we all were in college.
$100 per person for 3 days in the parks, including admission, lodging at the KOA campground (which was located where the parking garages are now), all food and 800 miles roundtrip of gas. I even stayed under budget despite blowing a tire on the way, and having to spend $17 with mount and balance for a new tire at the K-Mart automotive center.
Premium week could be a challenge on your budget, but I've never been to Disneyworld, just Disneyland, and there are a ton of inexpensive motel options in Anaheim.

 

[Danadbrown]

Just found at my parents house my budget from a trip with 2 buddies to Disneyland back in 1976 when we all were in college.
$100 per person for 3 days in the parks, including admission, lodging at the KOA campground (which was located where the parking garages are now), all food and 800 miles roundtrip of gas. I even stayed under budget despite blowing a tire on the way, and having to spend $17 with mount and balance for a new tire at the K-Mart automotive center.
Premium week could be a challenge on your budget, but I've never been to Disneyworld, just Disneyland, and there are a ton of inexpensive motel options in Anaheim.

Wow! If only we could rewind time for those prices again. Gas is $4.29 in Indiana. I don't foresee traveling to Cali in the near future unless I start saving now for about 4 years for now, but it can be done! If you only believe!

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Thank you so much for the ideas.

Booked the Hawthorne over on Palm Parkway...$1200 for 7 nights !! Not a villa, but it has all the kitchen we need.

And definitely planning on the military tickets, but I'm budgetting the price for non-discount. (Extra money for something else)

Biggest splurge is going to be Candlelight Processional Dining Package. DD15 sings first soprano in choir and after watching that performance on youtube, it became a MUST. She's even trying to figure out if she could take time off from school once she turns 18 to audition and perform in it.

We're driving down so I put the parking fees in. Figure the kids will take the hotel shuttle, but I want the flexibility of convenience.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

I'm sorry that you have to keep postponing your Disney vacation. The parks are super crowded during the weeks of Christmas & New Years. We went once & will never go back during that time. Disney also raises their prices for food, etc. around the holidays & peak times of the year. Parks are often closed to off-site guests for parts of the day. I guess I'm urging you to consider planning a trip for a time when things aren't so busy & crowded. I think you get more for your money when you're not waiting in huge lines all day. I know that wasn't your original question, but I wanted you to know how busy the parks will be.

Will definitely keep all of this in mind. Thank you very much for your concern for our time and sanity!

 

[MOpGrad2013]

Very doable with that price range. I didn't see a link for how long, but here is a quick sampling of what I came up with. Does not include food or cost to get there. This was quoted with www.mousesavers.com in mind for the deals they garner.

Tickets for 5 adults (2 yr old doesn't require tickets) for 7 days:

Pick one of the two below, one is just a single park per day, other allows hopping if need be:

$1498.75 7day myw
$1748.75 park hopper


And lodging in a 2 bedroom suite at Caribe Royal for Dec 21-27.
$1766.25 caribe royal

Cheapest version of that comes to $3265. I can probably do better than that, but only had a few minutes tonight before heading to sleep to come up with something.

Might even consider a house rental through various outlets, might even get better rates on a place to stay that way. Tickets will eat up quite a bit of the planning. Rest of it is finding somewhere you can be comfortable.

Hope you get to enjoy a good trip!

What would we do without angels like you, who stay up past bedtime to figure out all of this? Thank you!

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

I am not really any help on knowing about going around Christmas..... But wanted to say, I feel ya on having to keep postponing a trip. The last time we went was in 2010. We decided to take a cruise in 2011 to mix it up a little. I was miserable and wanted to be at Disney the whole time. We booked for 2012 and found out I was pregnant right after we made our dining reservations. Then we booked for this year and 2 weeks before we were supposed to leave I lost my job

Really really hoping for next year!

 

[Doodlebug939]

My husband is retired military so I see where you are coming from. I kept thinking that when he retired we would have a better chance of making plans and actually keeping them. I had thought that the moves and deployments put a damper on our trips. So when retirement came around and the money changes happened I started looking at a trip. Now we live in Fort Worth so it is farther to drive and more planning or air travel which of course increases costs. We were able to go a year after he retired for just four days but it helped with the Disney itch which was in 2011. This year we are focusing on paying down debt and only doing little trips here in Texas. My goal is to have a trip next fall when the bills are down and stay for a week. If I have a plan to go I dont mind bumping it if life happens but having a plan in my head makes all the difference.

Retirement is wonderful and challenging in its own right so keep in mind you are still adjusting to the change and that is hard too. Make plans and dream about your trip it will happen.