I can see that this would be a problem if you didn't have flexible travel dates. However, we are able to plan our trip around when we can get the best airfare. I think there are probably others who can do this as well.
Definitely. That's us. I think I've seen enough on this board and done enough investigation to warrant driving Halifax -> Bangor next time.
Or perhaps the time after the next, since I've found better ways to get the most of my aeroplan miles. Honestly, the more I research the further I can stretch my budget.
Summary of my favourites:
- fly out of the USA (e.g. drive to Bangor for us)
- take the autotrain
- collect frequent flier miles and learn how to really work the most out of your program (or get tickets, car rentals, etc.)
- volunteer for a timeshare presentation (careful with that one ;-)
- buy annual passes if you go each year and plan your visits within 11 months (not for us, we want to go 2 weeks every 2 years rather than 1 week/year, save on airfare and have a better time)
- reduce the restaurant bill! Big for our family of 5; we save money and cooking time by compromise: lots of re-heating frozen food. Tell me McD's chicken bi-products are much better than the ones from Wal-mart or publix?
- some people enjoy shopping the outlet malls anyway (entertainment for them, to each their own). As long as you watch the exchange rate and get genuine bargins, your vacation could save you money on back to school, gifts for upcoming birthdays, weddings, xmas, whatever. This works for my wife and oldest daughter, while the rest of us tackle the waterslides.
-my kids (ds5, dd7, dd10) really loved some of the freebies (club cool, kidcot) better than the rides. I think because they were more interactive (than getting strapped into a ride) and because you can take you stuff home. Plus, they love talking to the CMs (run-on talking runs in the family I guess ;-)
My thinking on the above is usually incompatible with staying on-site and using the
disney dining plan, but there are some ideas out there on making the most of that, if that is what you want.
Any other favourites from fellow Atlantic Canadians?