asking for help planning

[simonfam76]

Hi everyone!

I have asked questions before and you all are always helpful
My question is I am trying to plan a vacation for the end of May of 2009.
My daughter will be entering high school and son will be entering middle school so it would be like a graduating present to them. We went to US last year and absolutely loved it! We stayed off site which was fine but I want the whole experience. What hotel would you reccommend? What type of money am I looking at? Here is the basics:
Family of four (possible two more children, debating on them bringing a friend each)
US resort for 5 nights. May 30th through June 3.
Atleast two nice dinners onsite
Florida residents

Any help is appreciated! I am taking on a second job to make the money to save for this and I want to go all out for them. Hubby is a roofer and he works very hard and deserves a great vacation also. I work in sales but that is always a up and down occupation but I figure 10 months is long enough to save. I just would like ideas of what some have done and what I could do.

Thank you in advance for your help!!!!!

We have done Disney a few times but the kids have gotten to where they have outgrown it and I will be sneaking in a water park there to just get some disney time. but they loved US this past year.

Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth weekend too!

 

[goofy!]

Looking at the date & rate thread, Florida Resident Rates at the Royal Pacific were running about $190 + tax for the same period this year.

I would plan on about $250 a night (includes tax and parking if you are driving). This is probably a bit high, but for planning purposes it is always better to plan high.

So, 5 nights would be $1250.00

If you bring the two friends, you would exceed the 5 per room max, so you would need a second room, adding another $1,250.00

If you can swing buying the 7 day unlimited tickets now, I would do that. They are the best deal Universal has offered in a long time and there is no guarantee they will be there next year.

So, $391.32 for 4 tickets (includes tax)

We are a family of 5 and our meals usually run between $100 and $200 (includes tip) with the AP discount at the different City Walk restaurants (does not include Emerils or Tchop Chop). Total price depends on whether we have appetizers and how many margaritas.

Not much to go on, but hope it helps a bit.

 

[macraven]

looks like goofy covered the main bases for you.

due to the city fire code, only 5 people per room.

if you would "sneak" an additional person in, they would not be a registered guest and no hotel key. no hotel key then no fotl.......

if you have to go to 2 rooms, you might be better off getting a suite at a off site hotel. i know that isn't the answer you are looking for and many with 6 in their family are in the same situation.



if you stay off site, you could by the epp if the park gets crowded.

i say, take just your kids and splurge on them.
and, stay onsite.

 

[t-and-a]

I second what macraven said about just taking your own kids. You should splurge on them and go first class all the way.

 

[Subi WRX]

Nah, have their friends pay for their own room and tickets. Get connecting rooms and bunk your kids with their friends and have some adult time in your own room. If your kids' friends don't pony up any money, leave them home. None of the rooms onsite accommodate 6 people.

 

[Kimberle]

Buy your theme park tickets now. US is running a special, around $85 per ticket for 7 days consecuitive admission to both parks. They never expire.

Book your room seperately, don't do a package. I got the best rate with AAA. They may have a FL discount. I don't know as I've never looked for this. The 3 resorts are all deluxe and you are allowed to pool hop. Stay at one and play at all three! We stayed at RPR and we loved it. The pool is the largest pool in Orlando. They have a big area with water cannons, beach, zero entry, water volleyball net, etc. My IL's stayed at HRH and they loved that. RPR doesn't have a pool slide. So one day, we spend an afternoon at HRH to use their's.

All 3 resorts do charge for parking.

Enjoy!

 

[macraven]

Nah, have their friends pay for their own room and tickets. Get connecting rooms and bunk your kids with their friends and have some adult time in your own room. If your kids' friends don't pony up any money, leave them home. None of the rooms onsite accommodate 6 people.

now why didn't i think of that.........

 

[minniejack]

Based on a trip to Myrtle Beach last year with my 13 year old DD's pseudo best friend who was 12 but made Lolita look like a nun, I suggest that you splurge on your kids and leave the others at home.

My DH and I spent many sleepless nights worrying about them sneaking out. They are both considered "hot" and do not look as young as they are; we had too many strange men/boys creeping about day and night. And the 11 year old little brother did not help with chaperoning because he just wanted to impress the friend.

We definitely did not have any alone time of which to speak. Splurge on yourself.

Or talk the friends families into going down the same time as you do and meet them there.

We have done that 2x now and had a blast--fun during the day, then family time in the evenings.

 

[TMcG88]

My daughter will be entering high school and son will be entering middle school so it would be like a graduating present to them. We went to US last year and absolutely loved it! We stayed off site which was fine but I want the whole experience. What hotel would you reccommend?

Hard Rock all the way! My kids (11, 12, & 17) LOVE the rock theme! And you can't beat the location!

 

[simonfam76]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think it will just be us four. Because the whole point in me going all out is to stay onsite. We don't have any friends who treat family vacations as something to do. They say that its too expensive ect... if you budget and save it can be done. So getting another family group to go is impossible. We have gone on family vacations every year (except this one) for the past 5 years. I changed jobs this year and didnt have the vacation time to use so its killing me that we could not go. But we will have a blast next May. I love planning these trips, every part is so exciting! Thank u again for all of your help!!! I am buying those tickets now so we will have those.