An Epic Vacation, more days, parks and fun for less dough

[hpfan100]

Hello everyone,

This will be my second attempt at a pre trip report...so here's hoping it's smoother than last time.

Cast of characters: right now just me I'm a special education teacher from the ever hot state of Arizona. I'm looking forward to my third trip to Orlando In July . Yes I know what you are thinking..July how will you possibly survive?? Well I'm sure it can't be any worse than July here so I think I can manage.

Quick summary of previous trips:
Trip #1 June 2010-opening of WWOHP, 3 days at IOA/US, 2 days Disney, stayed off site at Hampton Inn and rented a car

Trip #2 September 2010- disney only trip, 5 days disney, stayed at POP, used ME and Disney buses to get around

On both trips I really only went to parks and then relaxed at my hotel room in the evenings. I did eat out but mostly fast food or chain restaurants nearby parks.

Goals for this trip include visiting US/IOA/MK/AK/EPCOT/DHS and maybe a water park. I also am going to try some new activities such as a Harry Potter conference, table dining at Disney, maybe some tours and La Nouba.

My hope is that I can do more/see more/ stay more days and spend less money than previous trips.

Coming up...budget breakdown or previous trips and planning madness for current trip begins.

 

[hpfan100]

June 2010 trip budget 5 nights-
includes airfare, hotel, car rental, universal and Disney park tickets, airport shuttle in PHX, food, gas and such

TOTAL: 2220.41

September 2010 trip budget 4 nights-
includes airfare, hotel, food and such, car parking in PHX

TOTAL: 468.10

TOTAL for both: 2688.51

July trip- total budget 1500-2000 hoping to get hotel, disney tickets, car rental, airfare, gas, food and such

we shall see....8 nights for 1500-2000 hmmm this will be tough

 

[hpfan100]

Tentative Plans...changed again
July 10-
travel day
flight to Orlando at 7:50 am, arrive at 4:45 pm
ME to all stars movies
check in and get settled
head to MK if not too tired if tired then DHS or Epcot
July 11-
full day at WDW
AM at AK, ressie at Yak and Yeti...wok fried green beans YUMMO!!!
pick up car at 5 pm
PM at DHS, ressie at Sci-fi...looking forward to eating in the car

July 12-
check out of All Stars
head to MK for EMH or EP
spend morning and afternoon at WDW
head to universal for meetup at 7 and to activate annual passes
maybe ride a few rides at US or IOA before heading to room and sleeping

July 13-
breakfast at hotel
head to IOA for rope drop (meeting up with Leakycon peeps...hope they turn out to be fun)
spend morning and early afternoon at park
head to RPR for opening event of Leakycon at 6:00-8:00
return to US/IOA if I want or go back to room to relax

July 14-
A very busy day at Leaky!
events from 8-5
then head back to room for rest if needed
Deathly Hallows 2 premiere at Midnight ---If I can get a ticket

July 15-
Busy day 2 at Leaky!
events from 11-3 and 4-6 and 8-??
might hit IOA or US before first event to ride some rides, if the trivia that starts at 8 ends early enough I can swing by parks on the way to room

July 16-
pretty empty day at Leaky only two things I really want to do, one at 9 and one at 4
so I may go to both and spend the rest of the day at US/IOA or I may skip them both and head to Disney

July 17-
good bye brunch at Leakycon 8-12
revisit favorites at US/IOA
pack up and get some rest for early trip home

July 18-
drive to airport
fly to Phoenix at 6:15 am YUCK!!!!

 

[hpfan100]

well my first big hurdle is occuring for this trip....all the hotels are expensive. I had planned to stay on site at universal for 4 nights and then move to AKL for 3 or 4 nights. I was waiting for the discounts to come out before booking and there are none.

Best price so far for US is 269 a night for the 13th and 14th, 289 for 15th and 16th. AKL is 195 a night for 17-20. That totals almost 2000 for a hotel. way over budget...so now I have to think of something else.

Option 1:
stay onsite at RPR and then AKL...pay 2000 for rooms only

Option 2: stay off site for all at Hampton and rely on shuttle

Option 3: stay off site somewhere and rent a car

Option 4: stay mostly off site and onsite one night at each and rely on shuttles

Option 5: stay mostly off site and onsite one night at each and rent car



too many options...too much stress

 

[hpfan100]

Changed mind about hotel plans again....geez this is getting crazy.
SO here is the new plan:

fly in on the 12th, get rental car at airport, drive to holiday inn and check in, head to parks if up to it
stay at holiday inn from 12-16, check out on 17th, return rental car to airport or closer location
AKL three nights 17,18, 19
fly home on 20th

let's hope this plan sticks

 

[hpfan100]

I'm staying offsite now for my universal leg of this trip at the Holiday inn express (free breakfast, parking and internet)

round trip air: RR points no cost
5 nights holiday inn universal: HI points no cost
3 nights holiday inn disney: 401 with tax
5 day WDW ticket: 298 with tax
US ticket: have AP no cost
car rental for 5 days: 204
gas, airport shuttle, parking etc.: 90
food, groceries, gifts to take home etc. : 250

total so far: 1243 for 9 days nice right in the middle of budget range...gives me room to wiggle

If I switch to POP I'll save 186 so 1258.49. Pretty darn good!

 

[hpfan100]

So the best price I can find for tickets is like 279 pre tax.....that is crazy I've considered skipping WDW and going to just universal but it's so far to Orlando that I would prefer to see it all.

I had a trip for DLR resort planned for marathon weekend but the 5K is full so that trip is cancelled. I have a trip to DLR planned for October to see the holiday decorations and ride overlays. I'd still like to get the annual pass there since I live so close. So if I don't get that out of state teaching job then I'll buy that. SO maybe I'll get that premier pass thingy too.

so I need..
July 2011- WDW tickets 276 pre tax
October 2011- DLR annual pass 329 pre tax
TOTAL- 605

Premier pass i2 700 pre tax...so for 95 more plus tax I get a whole year of bicoastal Disney goodness SWEET! Then I can sign up for all the rundisney events and only have to worry about room and plane tickets. Here I come marathon, princess marathon, everest event and DLR marathon!!!!!!

 

[hpfan100]

looking forward to King Suite at RPR....it's seems cool


ETA...changed to water view since AP discount became available
ETA: changed to no nights at RPR...going to save pennies and stay at Holiday inn

 

[hpfan100]

Ok so I'm going to get my wdw tickets through my university alumni discount which will save me about 25 dollars. Then I am going to upgrade to annual pass or add no expire option to them when I get there.

IF I manage to make it to DLR before this trip then I'll take that with me to upgrade to Premier pass.

sweet a whole year of disney goodness ahead of me

 

[hpfan100]

alright next big hurdle is food planning....better get my park schedule finalized first

 

[hpfan100]

so here we are 10 posts in and I'm still talking to myself... better report that to someone

anyway I've spent too many hours researching to make this trip happen It seems every time I look I see something else I want to add/change or delete. Better get my head on straight and get thsi figured out...it's only 45 days to the airport

still need to book car rental/shuttle, get disney tickets, plan park days, meals, pack, etc. etc. etc.


goal for tomorrow....iron out the transportation issues

then it's on to the fun stuff...meals and parks

 

[hpfan100]

ok i found it....the deal to end all deals on rental cars. Budget has a rate of 204 after taxes for a compact car plus a coupon of 25 off I believe that will get when I return the car...so 179 for a 5 day rental I'm happy with that.

I pick up at airport and drop at DOubletree in downtown disney. It looks like they offer drop off service for free too. If not I can walk to DTD and hop on a bus to AKL.

 

[hpfan100]

ok more hotel drama in progress. Although I like the idea of staying at AKL...I am adding a night which I can't get a discount there. So I'm thinking POP or all stars it is. I can get 4 nights at POP for 558. Which saves me 50 from my three night AKL booking. It seems like too short of a trip to switch between resorts.

Oh dear decisions decisions.

 

[tzeitel]

Hi! I would definately stay at the Pop for 4 nights over switching hotels more than you have to - especially if it is so much cheaper!
Sounds like you found a good deal for the car rental - I was going to suggest Hotwire or Priceline.

How much do you plan for food? We are going to DLR in Oct and I planned $50 pp/pd but I know we will not spend that much - I rather overbudget and then have some extra $$ for souveniers!

Have you checked out into discounts for teachers?

 

[hpfan100]

Hi! I would definately stay at the Pop for 4 nights over switching hotels more than you have to - especially if it is so much cheaper!
Sounds like you found a good deal for the car rental - I was going to suggest Hotwire or Priceline.

How much do you plan for food? We are going to DLR in Oct and I planned $50 pp/pd but I know we will not spend that much - I rather overbudget and then have some extra $$ for souveniers!

Have you checked out into discounts for teachers?

WOW I have reader how exciting.

I think I probably will switch to POP but honestly I didn't really like too much last time so we'll see. Maybe they can put me in the 80s building? i think I would like that theming and it might be quieter.

Yes I'm excited about the cheap car rental!! Budget sounds good. I just have to remember to bring a credit card as their debit policy is lame.
I haven't made a food budget yet but I'm thinking 150 or so should be plenty. I'll have a car at first so I plan to hit Target and get water and diet cokes.

I LOVE DLR!!!! So jealous you are going. I'll be there in Ocrober I spent only like 20 a day there for food. I ate BF at hotel and brought some snacks with me. I didn't eat anywhere fancy but that's not my style.

No teacher discounts at WDW. The Swan/Dolphin have them but they aren't much better than disney prices and no ME. I found some ticket discounts through my teacher association but not sure if I want park hoppers this trip or not.

 

[ksl5f123]

Hi! I am trying to do a budget trip for the same week as you at it has been tough. There are very few discounts in the summer. I debated forever about hotels and in the end have decided to go off property for the first time in 7 years.

I think your ticket plan sounds awesome. I dream about someday having a premier pass.

I am looking forward to the rest of your plans!

 

[tzeitel]

I know what you mean about Budget's policy re debit cards - learned that the hard way!

Have you checked out the DTD area hotels? I've never stayed there but have read very good things about them and some even have free breakfast.

For DLR I am doing it super thrifty (or at least trying)! Staying at HoJo for $59 a night. Got some gift cards for gas and nearby restaurants by doing reward programs, also got a couple of certificates from restaurant.com.

The Premier pasport sounds like a good deal if you are planning more Disney trips. Plus the discounts are pretty good too!

 

[hpfan100]

Hi! I am trying to do a budget trip for the same week as you at it has been tough. There are very few discounts in the summer. I debated forever about hotels and in the end have decided to go off property for the first time in 7 years.

I think your ticket plan sounds awesome. I dream about someday having a premier pass.

I am looking forward to the rest of your plans!

WOOHOO another reader!!!!! Welcome I know the discounts have been pathetic this year. Off property is ok I did it last summer and had a great time. Well the premier pass would only be for this year as I can't justify getting it every year. Plus I have an annual pass to Universal and plan to go back again before it ends so then I can hit WDW again. Maybe over spring break or labor day?
Also I think if I upgrade to the annual pass or premier pass while I'm there I can get a room discount. better check on that.

I know what you mean about Budget's policy re debit cards - learned that the hard way!

Have you checked out the DTD area hotels? I've never stayed there but have read very good things about them and some even have free breakfast.

For DLR I am doing it super thrifty (or at least trying)! Staying at HoJo for $59 a night. Got some gift cards for gas and nearby restaurants by doing reward programs, also got a couple of certificates from restaurant.com.

The Premier pasport sounds like a good deal if you are planning more Disney trips. Plus the discounts are pretty good too!

I considered the Hilton since they offer EMH hours too and it's a few bucks cheaper than POP but then I have to keep my car longer or pay for a shuttle to airport. That eats up the discount. The other options aren't much better. I looked at the Holiday in and it's about 10 bucks cheaper a night than POP but no EMH and no ME. I'm considering all my options. Boy vacation planning is tough

 

[hpfan100]

Ok I'm not staying the extra night after all. SO it's just the 12th through the 20th which is still pretty long

POP is 419 for three nights and AKL is 605 so 186 dollars difference...HMMM leaning towards POP again but can't decide. I'm calling WDW tomorrow to see if there is a PIN or discount out there I don't know about.

Leakycon is the conference I'm going to and it is just a big disappointment right now. No schedule yet, everything that is announced requires extra money. I mean really charge me for registration, then Starkid play, movie premiere, park event, lit day and other "keynote" events but don't tell me anything I get for my registration.

OK rant complete....back to planning. Silver lining to this annoying situation is that on the 14th I won;t be going to the movie event and the con ends early that day so maybe i can sneak off to Disney instead or spend the day at US/IOA.

 

[hpfan100]

So I called Disney and have no PIN and there are no discounts for any resorts in July. About three hours ago I thought for sure I was just going to stay at AKL and enjoy my splurge but I think not now. I cancelled my booking through hotels.com and am booked at the holiday inn in downtown disney. They are running a promo for 10000 bonus points for a three nights stay which is equal to one free night at an express hotel. SWEET. I am a platinum member with them so I get free room upgrades too. I'm hoping they give me a room with a view. We'll see. The airport shuttle will cost about 20 bucks so no biggie.

So for the about same cost as POP I get a better hotel, free shuttle to parks, airport shuttle, close location, free internet, 10000 bonus points and possible room upgrade with view. I'm happy with that. I plan to have a late dinner at Jiko or Boma one night so I figure I can go explore AKL and see what it's all about then.

SO this means no extra magic hours which is ok. As I recall the morning ones were nice but the evening ones were not. So on to planning parks and meals....