Budget for Surprise Christmas Trip

[zippehsmom]

I've decided to take my DD's to WDW this Christmas 12/17-12/24. We are going in August and DD5 and myself will have AP's, DD2 (turning 3 on trip) will not need admission. DH will only be able to fly down with us Saturday, and he has to leave on Monday. I was hoping that we could catch the last day of MVMCP, and I was going to purchase a one day ticket for DH.

Pop $476 (pd $68 deposit)/ 7 nights
Airfare $600 (estimate, 4 tickets)
MVMCP $100 (not sure of cost)
1 day park ticket $60
Food/misc. $700
Rental car $148

My question is do you think that $700 will be enough for me and 2 girls (5 & 2) for food and any incidentals for the week. This is a budget trip and I'm trying to keep the cost below $2,000. Right now I'm a little over.

Thanks, any tips would be appreciated.

zippehsmom

 

[fam4jc]

I think your budget looks very good. $100 a day should be plenty if you bring your own snacks and box drinks / juice / sodas. The only thing that stood out was your rental car amount. You may want to budget just a little more for gas, etc. Why would you want it? The free transportation will be in effect by then to/from MCO. Just mho you could save a little more there.

 

[zippehsmom]

Thanks fam4jc.

OK, I'm torn about the rental car. I keep playing things over in my mind, me with the double stroller and a 2 & 6 year old getting off the bus. Then I thought what if I got off the bus, kids somehow got off behind me and the bus takes off before they can get off. Yea, I know it's unlikely to happen, but these are the things I'm thinking about because I've never traveled by myself with the kids.

Well, then I thought I'd just bring umbrella stroller, but I know my 6 year old will get tired. I'd end up renting a double at the park anyways. I know that I have a while to worry about all of these things, but it's in my nature I can't help it. So, if anybody has any helpful tips traveling with 2 youngs kids alone please let me know.

 

[fam4jc]

I am traveling this April with my two 5 & 8 by myself also! I have the same worries. But, our last trip we used Disney transportation only and it wasn't a problem AT ALL. The bus drivers and the other guests are very helpful if they see a mommy in need of a door being held open, etc. I rented a double stroller (rent multi days for the discount) then had it for all the parks when they got tired or just to put all the junk in. I found renting a stroller much easier than bringing one (did it both ways before). Since you are staying on-site, I would allow time for bus waits ect. and just forgoe the rental car. I think you will be happier in the long run with less to worry about. I'm going in April before the free transport starts, so I'll be getting a town car service rather than renting a car. I just don't want the hassle. But, you will be there during a busy time towards the end of your trip. I would use the non park day at the end of your trip when the parks will be fuller. (I looked up your dates in the Unofficial guide). by the way, how did you get that rate for the hotel? Are you counting on AP codes or is that rack?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Keep in mind that since you have an AP, you may qualify for a room discount. You won't know for sure until much later this year but it could help to bring that total in under $2K.

The airfare seems a little on the low side to me. Will the 2yo be sitting in your lap or have her own seat? If not, $150/ticket is a very good airfare and might be hard to get during the holidays. With your plans to return home on Dec. 24, you may not be able to get such a low price. That is a very well-travelled date.

The Advance Purchase Price for MVMCP was $36.95/$26.95 plus tax (adult/child) for December 2004. The last day was Dec. 17. If prices remain the same, you're looking at just a little over $100 for the 4 of you.

I agree with fam4jc about the rental car. With 2 small children, it would be easier for you to let someone else do the driving on the way back to the airport. In fact, you'll save yourself over $150 by the time you factor in tolls and gasoline if you skip the rental and do the Magic Express.

What kind of pass will your DH be getting this summer? Let's say you're planning to buy him a 5-day MYW Hopper (expiry) for this summer. The cost at Ticketmania would be $228. If you were to purchase a 6-day MYW Hopper (no expiry) at Ticketmania, it would be $276. The difference would only be $48 and he would be able to park hop with that remaining day! That's a few $$ less than a $60 1-day MYW ticket!

With regards to the spending money, I think that $100/day is more than adequate for one adult and 2 small children. As a matter of fact, I think that $70/day would be more than enough on the days that your DH is not with you. The 2yo will be free at most restaurants and your DD5 will eat off the children's menus. Since you'll have AP's, consider purchasing membership in the DDE for $50. You'll be able to use it on both trips. It will save you 20% in a large number of restaurants, including the food court at POP.

Since you will have just been to WDW in August, limit the souvenirs. Remember that anything that you buy, you will have to bring back with you. That would be in addition to handling the 2 girls and the rest of the luggage alone on the return trip. And don't forget that you get a 10% discount at the World of Disney store with your AP!

 

[Straitlover]

Her room rate is the value season AAA rate w/ tax. I know because that's what I have booked right now ($61 + tax) for Pop 10/10-14, my solo trip. I'm hoping for a code like last year, though ($49/night!).

I would think $100/day for food should be plenty for you and 2 small children, as long as you're not eating character breakfasts and table dinners every day. You can always bring w/ you or ship a box to your resort ahead of time w/ some snack stuff to help that budget out.

 

[zippehsmom]

Thanks for the tips for traveling with 2 little ones. I think that I will forgo renting the car and save that expense.

Mad4themouse I had not thought about purchasing the DDE. If I do it will save me a bundle in August (I'm taking Mom, sister, neice and nephew). This will be the first time getting AP's, so I did not know about all the discounts associated with it. Thanks for those pointers.

DH will only need admission for one day because he's staying home in August. Disney once every couple of years is enough for him.

As for the airfare, I hoping and wishing and praying that Spirit will have a sale like they did last year and offer prices like that again. If not, since I'm not going to rent a car, I can add that $138 to airfare budget. I have been lucky in getting great airfare from Detroit, by either flying out of Flint or by switching to a budget carrier like Spirit. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Will I have to pay for a MVMCP for DD2?

 

[zippehsmom]

straitlover is correct my rate is AAA rate, I hope to get an AP rate as time gets closer. Thanks for the tip about shipping snacks down to my resort ahead time. I've read about people doing that, but I've never thought about doing it myself. Hey, I might even be able to ship a little Xmas tree down there to keep us in the spirit

zippehsmom

 

[Sing4MeMickey]

Just a thought. If you are an AP, you should be able to get PC for $49. AP discounts will come out later in the year. Your discount will apply even if the room is booked, I think. Check it out. Make sure you bring all of your old souv. and mickey clothes so you all won't be tempted to splurge on those things and check out the new meal plans, especially at mousesavers.com. We took our family of 4 for 10days and kept our cost at $3000 but that also included our AP's. We purchased meal vouchers for daytime meals, ate breakfast in the room (pop tarts) anad carefully planned our Character meals around our budget. We were there Dec16-26.

 

[zippehsmom]

Sing4memickey thanks for the tips. How was your trip? Did you following any touring plans? How were the crowds?

Thanks
zippehsmom

 

[sweet maxine]

My family was there the same time as Sing4MeMickey. We went to the last MVMCP and had a blast! The crowds weren't bad at all, especially before 7 pm (they let us in at 4:30 with our MVMCP tickets). We used fastpass and stayed late on nights the park was open till midnight. I thought the decorations were really nice, and we even toured a few of the resorts. The Osborne Lights were simply beautiful---just really something everyone needs to see to believe! We even made it to the Candlelight Processional and had nice seats not too far from the front.

I have to say, even though we were away from home, it was a Christmas my kids won't ever forget.

I have to give a plug here for Universal---my kids loved Whoville and the Grinchmas show! The lines weren't bad at US/IOA until after 11 am, and we rode several rides at US close to park closing with little or no wait.