Cheapest Family Vacation

[dandelion]

Thanks Mrs. Zurg

Well, we're booked the auto train for Friday! We also found the AAA discount was not significant, but a code we found on the Amtrack website saved us $48. Adding the return trip was very expensive, maybe because the snowbirds are still heading north?

I'm very excited to try this and dh is convinced he will be less tired than driving the full way.

 

[jlp651]

where do you get these lunch vouchers?

 

[disneywith6kids]

The auto train is RT. We got in on an excellent deal which is now over. However here's a tip check Amtrak's sight everyday and watch for AAA specials.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We are going for 5 night sin June. This trip looks to be very reasonable because of a couple factors:
1. Southwest had a great air/room package
2. We will have agreat time eating counter service the whole time

Who: me, DW, DD-6; DS-3
When: June 9-14
Estimated cost:
air/room package thru Southwest (four rt tix from NC to MCO + 5 nites at ASMusic = $778.)
two adult PH + 2 child PH = $720
towncar = $70
food = $250 (we'll pack some snacks)
souvenirs/ Misc. = $150.

Total cost = $1968

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by jlp651
where do you get these lunch vouchers?

Just do a search on connections vouchers...you'll see many threads on this topic...good and bad. I'll only say you need to compare menus and prices for restaurants you'd where you'd want to eat. For us, these vouchers aren't worth it.

Regarding the auto-train....one day we may take it. Amtrak really screwed up by putting the northern terminal _south_ of Washington DC. If there was ever a reason to take the Auto train, its to avoid all of the DC traffic..which those of us above the Mason-Dixon obviously can't do when the terminal is in Lorton VA.

Its also cheaper to just get a room for the night than to pay for the train, let alone paying for a private room. We don't count 'mileage' as this is something that we'd put on the vehicle anyway sooner or later.

Of course, its just wifey-poo and I. This philosophy might change if we have kids of the 2 legged variety and as we get older.

In terms of the original topic of this thread, we took 11 of my in-laws to WDW, stayed at OKW in one 2BR villa and two studios, bought groceries for most meals in the room, bought 5day PHP's off connections, and drove ourselves down there. Not counting the inlaws travelling expenses and pocket money, this trip cost us about $6000.00 for a week. We broke down the room cost by figuring out our per-point cost for the DVC membership. Our total costs at full rack-rate would have been about $11,000.

Hope this helps,
Joe

 

[NotUrsula]

... I don't mean that we fast; it's just that we tend to be having so much fun that we forget to eat. Also, in the heat with all the exercise of walking, it feels better to avoid big meals. (We do carry Brita bottles for constant water.)

We do a grocery run when we first arrive, for breakfast foods, drinks, fruit and snacks. Normally that is about $35 for the entire trip. We nosh on fruit, crackers, etc., that I have in my bag, w/ an ice cream now and then, but we tend to stop only once a day to actually eat a meal. We even splurge on a nice meal once or twice, because we just are not spending much money on food.

Also, we don't buy souvenirs, except the occasional park-music CD. Our photos (digital, of course) are our souvenirs; anything else is just more stuff that has to be packed.