A budget trip!

[ducklite]

I was thinking this morning about the five-day trip DH and have planned for the Marathon in January 2004...check this out:

Airfare: FREE! Took a bump and got vouchers. Have to fly into Tampa, but no biggie.

Car rental: $105 for a compact. With just two of us, who cares! Sorry, no details on the rate--DH took care of it.

Hotel: FREE!! DVC Members

Park passes: FREE!! AP holders.

Meals: FREE!! I'll have over $400 in Disney Reward Certificates. We'll put everything on the room charge and pay it at the end with the reward certificates. We'll also have breakfast in our room most mornings. I'm not even sure we'll use all the certificates!

Tips: $50 total should more than cover it, not including meals.

Airport Parking: FREE!! They place we use has a "frequent parker" program. Free stay after ten. We've got our ten

Pet Sitter: $175.

Pocket money, gas, tolls, etc.: $100 should cover it.

Total for five days at WDW: $430--maybe even less!

Anne

 

[epcotfan]

Awesome Budget! I love having annual passes
My pet sitter also costs about the same. I don't know what I'd do without her. That is an expense I always forget to add into my vacation budget. You would think I'd remember after all these years. LOL.

 

[michygoomy]

Wow! I am truly impressed. I'd go twice for that budget.

 

[bobcat]

Thats great but how much money have you actually spent to get this "free" vacation.

 

[Debbie]

Anne, a trip for 2, which will be special in itself (or at least our one and only was!) Are you running the marathon? Enjoy!

bobcat, that's just one of the drawbacks of the AP--they burn a hole in your pocket until you go back ....once.....twice..... Such a problem to have!!!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by bobcat
Thats great but how much money have you actually spent to get this "free" vacation.

I consider the airfare completely free, it cost nothing to take the bump. Yes, the DVC did cost to join, and there are annual dues, but comparing it to the price of a deluxe room with a minifrdge rental, the BWV points have already paid for themselves, and even with the monthly dues we're still ahead. The AP's are free and clear, this is a *bonus* trip. I consider the Visa reward certificates to be free...I pay no annual fee or monthly interest as I pay the card off in full every month. Many of the airport parking certificates were issued on busines trips where the parking was paid for by our emplyers.

So even with the annual dues on the DVC points we're using, it's still an inexpensive vacation!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Debbie
Anne, a trip for 2, which will be special in itself (or at least our one and only was!) Are you running the marathon? Enjoy!

bobcat, that's just one of the drawbacks of the AP--they burn a hole in your pocket until you go back ....once.....twice..... Such a problem to have!!!

No Debbie LOL! It's my husband that thinks he's Forrest Gump.

Anne

 

[loopy]

Our trip is going to cost alot less than it would have. Hubby has TONS of FF miles, 3 people, first class to Orlando FREE...... Aunt has the DVC, so OKW, FREE. We have to buy tickets, and get a car and food..... but just the airfare and hotel alone would have been WAY up there.. $4200.00 First Class, $1200.00 hotel.....makes me think maybe I can get more 'stuff' while im there..... heeeee heeeeeee heeee

 

[MandaMom]

Wow, great job Anne.

There's nothing better then a Disney vacation, except that is a nearly free Disney vacation.

Enjoy yourself. My husband is training for 2005. Wish us luck.

MandaMom