ABD - Ireland 2013 - Parts 1 - 10

[PixiePowered]

Hi BetaCygni!

Great summary

We're considering this trip (1st ABD) as a graduation gift for our son who REALLY wants to see Ireland (we're of mostly Irish descent ).

Did you book your trip as one reservation or two (2 person) reservations? I read, recently on the boards, that parties of 4 might consider 2-2person reservations to guarantee 2 rooms (though it's NOT guaranteed they'll be adjoined rooms). Also, did you add-on the early arrival as part of your package? I'm inclined to add a day before (to adjust) and a day after (to soak it all in one last day) since we're traveling so far!

Did you book the air separately, or as part of the package? We've found that we have more leeway, or options for changes, when we book ourselves...but sometimes the better pricing comes with the package (and boy are these flights pricey )

Also, if you don't mind, how much would you suggest be budgeted for the meals and optional activities that are NOT included?

Sorry for all of the questions. This is a costly trip, and with it likely being our last family trip, I really want to make the most of it....which (for me) takes planning and budgeting

 

[BetaCygni]

Hi BetaCygni!

Great summary

We're considering this trip (1st ABD) as a graduation gift for our son who REALLY wants to see Ireland (we're of mostly Irish descent ).

Did you book your trip as one reservation or two (2 person) reservations? I read, recently on the boards, that parties of 4 might consider 2-2person reservations to guarantee 2 rooms (though it's NOT guaranteed they'll be adjoined rooms). Also, did you add-on the early arrival as part of your package? I'm inclined to add a day before (to adjust) and a day after (to soak it all in one last day) since we're traveling so far!

Did you book the air separately, or as part of the package? We've found that we have more leeway, or options for changes, when we book ourselves...but sometimes the better pricing comes with the package (and boy are these flights pricey )

Also, if you don't mind, how much would you suggest be budgeted for the meals and optional activities that are NOT included?

Sorry for all of the questions. This is a costly trip, and with it likely being our last family trip, I really want to make the most of it....which (for me) takes planning and budgeting

We booked as a family of 4 (2 adults & 2 children). We always had rooms close to each other and with a connecting door when that was possible. It is better that Disney knows you are a family, they will take care of the details.

We booked through AAA travel and said we wanted to arrive a day early. They were able to get us into the same hotel as the Disney Trip so we didn't have to move. Even though we were a day early, we got the Disney Trip transfer from the airport to the hotel by private car. AAA arranged the flights. Like I said in the report, we should have paid more attention to the long layover in Newark on the way back.

By the end of the trip, it was nice to go home, so if adding any days, I would add at the beginning.

It has been a while, so it is hard to remember how much things cost. I would guess about $100 euros a day for food for 4 (on average, the Disney meals are included of course - our kids were 16 and ate like adults) would be a generous amount and whatever you want to spend on souvenirs. The days were very full, so we didn't feel we needed to do anything else while on the trip except exercise which was free. There was a cost for the optional activities at the Castle (like the Hawk Walk), you could contact the Castle or Disney to find out how much those are so you can budget for that.

Have a great trip!

 

[Bobo912]

Hi BetaCygni!

Great summary

We're considering this trip (1st ABD) as a graduation gift for our son who REALLY wants to see Ireland (we're of mostly Irish descent ).

Did you book your trip as one reservation or two (2 person) reservations? I read, recently on the boards, that parties of 4 might consider 2-2person reservations to guarantee 2 rooms (though it's NOT guaranteed they'll be adjoined rooms). Also, did you add-on the early arrival as part of your package? I'm inclined to add a day before (to adjust) and a day after (to soak it all in one last day) since we're traveling so far!

Did you book the air separately, or as part of the package? We've found that we have more leeway, or options for changes, when we book ourselves...but sometimes the better pricing comes with the package (and boy are these flights pricey )

Also, if you don't mind, how much would you suggest be budgeted for the meals and optional activities that are NOT included?

Sorry for all of the questions. This is a costly trip, and with it likely being our last family trip, I really want to make the most of it....which (for me) takes planning and budgeting

We took this trip last July. There are quite a few meals on you own. We did casual dining/pub fare and even those meals were fairly expensive. Looking over my old credit card statement, we spent from $35-$50 per meal (for 2 people). That price doesn't include any alcohol. During the free day at Dromoland we booked two activities (hawk walk and skeet shooting) and rented a golf cart, total was $333. There are also afternoons on your own in Dublin and Killarney where there is extra expense for any activities, snacks, etc.

 

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Thank you BetaCygni and Bobo912!