If you don't loose any actual full days at the parks, then your plan sounds good to me and it means that you will save a night's hotel rate!
Have you ever been for Christmas? Tom and I did a once in a lifetime trip at Christmas at the beginning of December and it was wonderful - low crowds, still warm with cool evenings and LOTS of Christmas decorations. I am not sure I would like to brave the crowds at Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Maybe you could "invest" the money you might save on resort cost in a
MVMCP? They are so fun - we went to three in one week!
Yes, we are THAT mad!
Not only would we save a nights hotel rate, but we would be cutting out the two most expensive nights.... so it would be a LOT cheaper. Course then we wouldn't be there over Christmas and on my birthday... but... I am getting used to that idea. Once I am completely comfortable with that...and I am done with a couple things on the personal front... I am sure I will change the dates.
We have not been at Christmas. Well, once we went in November to Orlando...but we skipped WDW
The decorations that we up at our hotel were kinda neat...but I am sure it will be nothing compared to what WL has up.
We were already planing not to go to the parks on Christmas or Christmas eve since we figured the crowds would be too much... As for the MVMCP... I hope to go once. I doubt I could get my husband and son to go more than once. Definitely not three times.
I'm a little late to the party but I'm signing on!
Heading back to read the rest of your thread now.
I don't think you are late at all.... I mean... after all, if I were a sane person I would probably not even have started this PTR yet. 9 months... that is plenty of time to join in the fun.
I can't believe the price of airfare.
This year has been horrible.
Have you decided if you're going to change dates yet?
Airfare is horrid... I keep hoping that fuel cost will go back down a tad and we will see that translate into lower airfare costs. Probably not though...
As for the dates... as I mentioned to Karin... I just have to settle into the idea and then I am sure that I will change. I think for roughly the same amount of time it will save me about 1k. I am still also kinda waiting to hear if my inlaws are for sure, for sure not going to make it to FL. Unless I see something that makes me change my mind sooner... I probably won't change until dd's wedding is over.
HELP!!!! I have to know what airline you are looking at that has this good of fares...or might have this good of fares for our holiday trips! I think you are flying out of the Seattle area?! I am hoping for around $400 rt and I am at half that distance (although not at a major airport). Would love to know your insight into airfares...my really only option is SW and I cant even look at flights until probably close to May!
My insight? First, know that when I say "$250pp rt" that is an average between the 4 fares I need to get and not necessarily the actual rt fare.
Next... I work the system totally. Our checking account is tied to a mileage account. Every dollar that we spend using our debit card earns us a mile. We can use our debit card as though it were a credit card and pay some bills with it...which earns us quite a bit each month. Right now, we sit with enough for one free rt fare and a one way. By the end of December we would have enough for the return trip. (but...obviously that is too late) I am going to have to really watch... maybe using the debit card for the rest of the wedding purchases will bump us up the rest of the way. This, btw, is on Continental who have fares for December with no discount of approx $300 round trip. The next trick we have is companion fares. For having an Alaska air credit card, we earn miles as well. (although no where near as fast as Continental since we don't really use the card) It use to be that the companion was only $50 +tx rt. Recently they raised it though to $99
Still, not bad to say one fare will cost $100. For our current dates though... the fare is about $800...so $900 for two isn't great. If I change our dates it would be more like $400 for the two. We try to all fly together when we go. This time though, I am thinking it might be that two of us fly Alaska and the other two Continental. We will see. Another trick... I don't use...but I have a friend who used to a lot... Is to let the airline know that you will be willing to be bumped if they overbook. When she was doing that each year, she earned free flights. (the compensation for be bumped off her original flight) Last trick is to fly in or out of different airports. (not my favorite) I have done it...but really prefer not to.
So, the main point to this lesson... flexibility. If you are willing to go a different day, to a different airport or even fly on a different flight than you have booked... you will come out ahead. Using credit cards to your advantage is the next piece of wisdom.
In my personal opinion... it is best to only use credit cards (and by use I mean carry) that offer something for you. I have a Disney visa that I have never paid a penny of interest on. It also does not have a annual fee. Last trip having that cc earned me a $200 gc for Disney. This trip, I probably will have close to that. Now, the Alaska cc... that one I am seriously considering doing away with. As I mentioned, they raised the companion fare. They also raised the annual fee. I didn't mind paying the fee before because between the fee and the companion fare it always still saved me quite a bit of money on one rt fare. Now that savings is less... well, unless I consider taking an $800 flight.
Then it would save me quite a bit. Using this companion fare trick is only a good idea if you plan to fly somewhere each year. Otherwise you are still out the annual fee.
I know that was really rambly... but I hope that helped. I too will be watching SW once they become available... if their fares are low enough I may not even use my free or companion flights... For me I will be willing to book once I see my average come to the $250pp (hopefully I will get it even lower
)
So, I just take a regular blanket to the games!
I think being close to a main hub is crucial to getting good airfare. Having to drive 6 or 8 hours (IMNHO) makes any savings not worth it.
Sending good thoughts and prayers your way for your sweet dd.
