Cheapest last-minute trip ever

[texaslady22]

We had a trip planned for May. We were going to allow the kids to miss a week of school. Well, my son ended up missing several weeks of school due to illness, so we ended up cancelling the Disney trip and going on a last-minute (and affordable) Spring Break cruise. It was AWESOME and the kids didn't have to miss any school. A win!

We also went to Legoland, California for a week in early June. It was awesome, and all the kids said they liked it more than Disneyworld. One of my children has autism, and he loved being able to swim at the hotel pool, go to the theme park just an hour or two, play at the hotel playground. He liked the repetition of going to the same park every day and being able to spend literally 4 hours on a playground if he wanted to. I realized that I really need to rethink what we typically do (all parks for 10 days straight from rope drop to the end of the day).

I really want to travel again.

We were just looking at our schedules, and my husband said we could go to Orlando in July if we could budget less than $1500 for it (not including meals). We will not be going to Disneyworld, as it seems the kids like to swim and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

So here's what I'm thinking for my family of 5:

$55 - Flights. We have Southwest points for all of us to travel (and both adults have companion pass), but we'll have to pay $11 security fee per person.

$170 - Rental Car

$86 - 2 nights at Dolphin. We have the points for our 2 nights free, but we will have to pay for parking & the resort fee

$165 - 1 night childcare for the 3 kids ($55/each) at Lilo's Playhouse...because we desperately need adult time

$298 - 4 night stay at Holiday Inn Waterpark (formerly Nick Hotel; we've stayed there before). We have 2 nights free with our IHG anniversary nights, but we will have to pay for the other 2 nights and parking

FREE things - We bought the Merlin adventure pass in California, so we could get in to Legoland and the Orlando Eye free. My kids went to Legoland CA for 9 days straight the last trip (and could have stayed a year) but I think we'd just do 1 or 2 days at LL this time. The other days, we could rent surrey bikes (when staying at Swan & Dolphin) or play at the Waterpark or go to Downtown Disney. We could see the outdoor movies. Maybe do the campfire sing along. I got reservations for T-rex one day. We could just have a more relaxed trip.

So, what am I missing as far as our budget is concerned? What other things would you suggest doing?

I've looked at Character Meals, but it's hard to justify the price for my children to eat 2 bites of bacon. I'm thinking about doing the Pirate Adventure Cruise for the kids, but I'm not sure. Suggestions?

 

[TwoMisfits]

We had a trip planned for May. We were going to allow the kids to miss a week of school. Well, my son ended up missing several weeks of school due to illness, so we ended up cancelling the Disney trip and going on a last-minute (and affordable) Spring Break cruise. It was AWESOME and the kids didn't have to miss any school. A win!

We also went to Legoland, California for a week in early June. It was awesome, and all the kids said they liked it more than Disneyworld. One of my children has autism, and he loved being able to swim at the hotel pool, go to the theme park just an hour or two, play at the hotel playground. He liked the repetition of going to the same park every day and being able to spend literally 4 hours on a playground if he wanted to. I realized that I really need to rethink what we typically do (all parks for 10 days straight from rope drop to the end of the day).

I really want to travel again.

We were just looking at our schedules, and my husband said we could go to Orlando in July if we could budget less than $1500 for it (not including meals). We will not be going to Disneyworld, as it seems the kids like to swim and enjoy a more relaxed pace.

So here's what I'm thinking for my family of 5:

$55 - Flights. We have Southwest points for all of us to travel (and both adults have companion pass), but we'll have to pay $11 security fee per person.

$170 - Rental Car

$86 - 2 nights at Dolphin. We have the points for our 2 nights free, but we will have to pay for parking & the resort fee

$165 - 1 night childcare for the 3 kids ($55/each) at Lilo's Playhouse...because we desperately need adult time

$298 - 4 night stay at Holiday Inn Waterpark (formerly Nick Hotel; we've stayed there before). We have 2 nights free with our IHG anniversary nights, but we will have to pay for the other 2 nights and parking

FREE things - We bought the Merlin adventure pass in California, so we could get in to Legoland and the Orlando Eye free. My kids went to Legoland CA for 9 days straight the last trip (and could have stayed a year) but I think we'd just do 1 or 2 days at LL this time. The other days, we could rent surrey bikes (when staying at Swan & Dolphin) or play at the Waterpark or go to Downtown Disney. We could see the outdoor movies. Maybe do the campfire sing along. I got reservations for T-rex one day. We could just have a more relaxed trip.

So, what am I missing as far as our budget is concerned? What other things would you suggest doing?

I've looked at Character Meals, but it's hard to justify the price for my children to eat 2 bites of bacon. I'm thinking about doing the Pirate Adventure Cruise for the kids, but I'm not sure. Suggestions?

Doesn't the Merlin adventure pass also get you free entrance to Sealife and Madame Tussaud's? I'd definitely do all of them if they are free - they would take up a whole day.

I'd also actually do 2 days in Legoland b/c you could actually do 1 full day for the water park (since it seems your kids like water rides) and 1 for the attraction side.

 

[texaslady22]

Doesn't the Merlin adventure pass also get you free entrance to Sealife and Madame Tussaud's? I'd definitely do all of them if they are free - they would take up a whole day.

I'd also actually do 2 days in Legoland b/c you could actually do 1 full day for the water park (since it seems your kids like water rides) and 1 for the attraction side.

We do get in SeaLife and Madame Tussauds free. Would it be interesting for kids? (I know SeaLife would be & we did the one in Cali, but I wasn't sure what Madame Tussauds was).

That's a good idea about 2 days in Legoland...the kids love Legoland, and we could always go at rope drop and leave in the afternoon if they're ready to chill at the pool.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I haven't been to any of the Orlando 3 yet (going late this summer), but I've been to other Madame Tussaud's museums and they are fun hour-to-90 minute excursions - I'd never pay full price, but free is always worth it at Madame Tussaud's...

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

Just be careful about the resort. My friends stayed there 2 years ago and it was so gross that they left. Check recent reviews, they are not positive even after the change over and renovations.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

First of all, congrats on your already super budget friendly trip!

The boards pointed me in the direction of an amazing Alamo discount code, if you do a search for Vegas Brazil. Could get your rate down a bit.

Landry club card for discounts at TRex, plus Raise for discounted gcs. We are going to do build a dinosaur this trip. Raise has gcs for build a bear at about 25% off, so I'll buy those just before we checkout.

 

[TeamH5]

First of all, congrats on your already super budget friendly trip!

The boards pointed me in the direction of an amazing Alamo discount code, if you do a search for Vegas Brazil. Could get your rate down a bit.

Landry club card for discounts at TRex, plus Raise for discounted gcs. We are going to do build a dinosaur this trip. Raise has gcs for build a bear at about 25% off, so I'll buy those just before we checkout.

Have you had luck using Raise yet? I've heard mixed reviews as to whether the GCs work or not. Build a dinosaur? Is that st TRex? We're going there in December and have a ressie for TRex. How does Landry's club work?

To OP, we did Pirates n pals cruise a few years ago. The kids enjoyed it, I didn't think it was that great. We've only been to WDW the one time though, so it could be different for someone that's been frequently. I thought our time could've been spent better somewhere else.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

Have you had luck using Raise yet? I've heard mixed reviews as to whether the GCs work or not. Build a dinosaur? Is that st TRex? We're going there in December and have a ressie for TRex. How does Landry's club work?

To OP, we did Pirates n pals cruise a few years ago. The kids enjoyed it, I didn't think it was that great. We've only been to WDW the one time though, so it could be different for someone that's been frequently. I thought our time could've been spent better somewhere else.

I've used Raise quite a bit, and have never had a card not work. However, I too have read about cards being drained after you purchase them. While Raise does protect you, up to $1,000, I believe, I'm sure it is still a hassle. My strategy is to buy the ecard just before I check out, because then I know how much to buy, and I use it right away. I've been using Raise for a lot of my daily spending, and it has really helped with saving money. I really like their app.

Build a Dino is in the T-Rex gift shop, and I understand is just like Build a Bear. We don't normally spend on souvenirs/extras, but this trip is just a resort only trip, so we are doing more shopping/extra type things than we normally would.
Landry's club is a membership card, which costs $25 to enroll, but they give you an immediate $25 credit. They also give you a $25 birthday credit. What is really nice, is you get priority seating, and if you've ever seen the lines at Rainforest or T-Rex, they are LONG. You could use your Landry's club birthday credit (do a search on this, people will make their birth month whichever month they plan on using it), in combination with a discounted Landry gift card, for some real savings! If you're uncomfortable with Raise, I recall Costco sells discounted McCormick & Schmick gcs, which can be used at any Landry restaurant.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[texaslady22]

Update! We decided to do a private vacation home instead of Holiday Inn Waterpark. That's around $550 for the 4 nights, but we'll have a washer/dryer and won't have to pay for parking. Then we'll still have our 2 anniversary nights to use at the beach this winter. So our cost for the nights just went up $250, but now we will have a private home & pool.

 

[TwoMisfits]

http://orlandoonthecheap.com/free-kids-activities-in-orlando/ - depending when you're going, there are some nice museum and nature free days listed here...

 

[Stephanator]

Totally late to the party on this since it's July and you're going this month... but in case you're still looking for ideas....

* Budget wise, don't forget gas for the rental car! Usually not more than $50, but it's nice to have that factored in.

* Activities, I sign up for Groupon and Living Social alerts for the Orlando area to see what's going on around town with a discount. There might be some fun stuff to check out you haven't heard/thought of. Sometimes dinner shows pop up too! I second Madade Tussauds as a couple hours of entertainment. It's pretty fun to pose with all the wax figures and often they have props (glasses, feather boas, golf clubs) to make the pictures more interactive to whatever celebrity figure you're at.

* Meals - You can check out Groupon, Living Social and Restaurant.com for some discount offers when eating out.

 

[jackilvsmath]

We are literally on the road home from Orlando right now. Not sure when you are going but the Orlando Eye is NOT up and running at the moment. It was hit by something in the storm on July 1st. The sea life thing and the wax museum are still open.

 

[texaslady22]

The Orlando Eye is not working?! Aw, man! I've been so looking forward to that!!

We don't leave until the end of July, so I'm hoping it's back up and running by then.

 

[sk8jdgca]

Instead of a Disney Waterpark, check out Aquatica. It is so much cheaper, less crowded and my kids liked it way more. The rapids lazy river is just amazing.