Budget ideas - January Trip

[we3are1]

Ok so a conference that has just been approved in my budget is scheduled for January 2013 and I have been approved to take a little vacation time before and after the conference to enjoy DW
So I need to save as much money as possible.
Here are the details:
Conference is 1/15 - 1/19
We are planning on arriving 1/12 and staying through 1/20
I was planning PC but looks like AofA might be a little cheaper UNLESS free quick dining pops up. We are driving from VA so transportation to the conference is not an issue. I would really like to get the quick dining package so we can pay ahead and less cash to take, plus my work budget will cover many of my meals.
Also probably going to need an ECV for husband.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!

 

[natashag76]

Mid-January is a great time to go! Lucky you
I would suggest maybe asking about the free dining on another board- perhaps the restaurant thread? I think they have a free dining discussion on there. I don't remember ever seeing free dining offered in the winter. You may want to look renting DVC points too for that time of year. It may end up the same or less than staying in a value or moderate, depending on the size of the room you want and how much the DVC owner is charging per point.
Good Luck!

 

[Marionnette]

Ok so a conference that has just been approved in my budget is scheduled for January 2013 and I have been approved to take a little vacation time before and after the conference to enjoy DW
So I need to save as much money as possible.
Here are the details:
Conference is 1/15 - 1/19
We are planning on arriving 1/12 and staying through 1/20
I was planning PC but looks like AofA might be a little cheaper UNLESS free quick dining pops up. We are driving from VA so transportation to the conference is not an issue. I would really like to get the quick dining package so we can pay ahead and less cash to take, plus my work budget will cover many of my meals.
Also probably going to need an ECV for husband.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!

Will the conference be offering discount hotel rates? Whether it is held in Disney or at a location offsite, they usually have host resorts that offer a block of rooms at a deeply discounted rate. Check into those.

Conferences and meeting also offer special tickets like "after 2pm" and "after 4 pm" 1-day tickets. They also offer special 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-day tickets with hopping and "& more" features. You might want to look into those as well.

If work is covering your meals, it might be hard to show your expenses for the dining plan. For accounting reasons, I would try to stick with OOP spending on meals. The dining plan is not all it's cracked up to be anyway. And if you end up offsite, you won't be able to get it anyway.

For the ECV, ask on the Disabilities board. They can probably recommend a good rental place that will deliver the ECV to your hotel and pick it up afterwards. But if he has one at home, then it might be better to just pack it in your car and bring it along.

 

[we3are1]

There probably will be conference room (last year is was CRS) but price was $135 a night - I can quote that price but then book value and get more nights while the job pays for them - already approved for that. Getting the dining plan for husband and son, only the quick one. I'll get it for myself as well and they can use the meals that I have in the conference. I do think there will be a night a disney through the conference so we'll get once less day than we are there. If we get the night great if not we'll go to downtown disney or visit other resorts. Especially would like to see AoA - wish they had regular rooms other than LM.