Budget me baby!!!

[itsdisneytime]

Okay, the gloves are off ... I need help folks, and since you all are the professionals of budgeting so I hear, I am going to beg for your wisdom.

Problem: Me and my daughter and best friend and her daughter want to to Disney October 2011 (this means 2 aduts and 2 kids).... ... .. I want to fly -- best friend WILL NOT.

This will be our 2nd trip together, the first time we took Amtrack ... what a nightmare, and one I choose not to relive. .. ...

what I need from you is a clear and concise plan of attack that I can throw her way to proove that driving can be just as cheap if not cheaper than the Amtrack .....

to fly from Norfolk VA which is where we are -- fluctuates .. I just went in May and paid $69 per person each way but I rented a car in florida --- I will not be without my own transportation ( i like to sight see too much ).

Amtrack was about $120 per person ROUND TRIP ... meaning it was $120 to get to florida and back per person but it was a horrible 17 hour ride with stops and strange people all around us (and we still had to rent a car in florida)

I want to drive this time (ive never done it but i know I can). .. .. so, what do you think it'll cost to drive from Norfolk va to Orlando factoring in gas and the cost of renting a mini van?

Can you help me find a cheap deal o wise ones.?

 

[mistysue]

Are you completely set on renting a car rather than driving one of your own cars?

By the time you rent a van to drive down and back, if you can find a better deal it will be close. If you can drive your own vehicle you definitely can spend way less.

Better yet, why don't you fly and she can take amtrack and you can meet there.

 

[accountingbabe08]

you can go to mapquest.com to get driving directions and at the bottom you can put your vehicles mpg and it will calculate how much fuel one way. Good Luck.


I'd rather fly myself but airfare has gotten ridiculous and it is so much cheaper to drive.

 

[minnie1928]

We just returned yesterday from driving down to WDW. The drive is really not bad, especially once you are south of Richmond. We drove straight thru on the way down and split the drive back into 2 days. Next time we'll drive straight thru both days. For us it's 18 hours.

I'd drive my own car if I were you...less cost and you are familiar with it. There won't be any "where is ...." questions in your own car. Not to mention, it's A LOT cheaper than renting a car.

 

[JB2K]

Okay, the gloves are off ... I need help folks, and since you all are the professionals of budgeting so I hear, I am going to beg for your wisdom.

Sounds to me like you took "mainline" Amtrak on your last trip -- ever considered Amtrak's AutoTrain?

It's a direct route from Lorton, VA (near DC) to Sanford, FL (in the Orlando area) -- much nicer ride/clientele...

It's that's not your thing, you can "go budget" on your gas by purchasing a Walmart gift card in advance and buying your gas at Murphy USA stations on Walmart property between VA and FL (Murphy gives discounts for Walmart cards).

 

[accountingbabe08]

when I'm driving to WDW I do the walmart gift card route so I don't get caught by the skimmers

 

[ccgirl]

Sounds to me like you took "mainline" Amtrak on your last trip -- ever considered Amtrak's AutoTrain?

It's a direct route from Lorton, VA (near DC) to Sanford, FL (in the Orlando area) -- much nicer ride/clientele...

It's that's not your thing, you can "go budget" on your gas by purchasing a Walmart gift card in advance and buying your gas at Murphy USA stations on Walmart property between VA and FL (Murphy gives discounts for Walmart cards).

I second this. You can pack everything you need in your car and your car is on the train with you. You can rent a bedroom if you don't just want seats. I really wanted to do that this time but my DH wanted to fly.

 

[laurafergie]

Hi neighbor!

I have driven to Orlando (and beyond) many times. It is about 12 hours, give or take. We have done it in 11 - and it has taken up to 14. Depends on traffic. We usually leave around 10-11 pm and the kids sleep overnight, DH and I take turns driving. Works for us, but we are night owls.

I would try to priceline to rent a car. Do you really need a minivan? Once you decide on the vehicle. Here is AAA's gas calculator:

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/TripGasprice.aspx