Convincing Dh That This Christmas Will Be A Good Time To Go??? Need Help On This One.

[denverdi]

OKAY HERE WE GO AGAIN. I NEED A VACATION SO BADLY THAT I ALMOST CANNOT STAND IT. WE WERE PLANNING ON GOING TO GO TO DL AT CHRISTMAS TIME. WELL IN GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET FOR DL AND ALL OF THE OTHER SOUTHERN CA THINGS TO DO, MAN OH MAN WE ARE SPENDING ALOT. I WAS THINKING IF I PUT AN EXTRA 800.00 TO THE DL VACATION WE COULD ACTUALLY GO TO DW. SO HELP ME CONVINCE DH THAT THIS WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO DO.

LOOKING AT SPENDING 3500.00 FOR 4 OF US. DH (40) ME (??)
DS( 14 ) DD(12) I THOUGHT THAT STAYING ON SITE WOULD BE NICE BUT NOT NEC, WOULD LIKE TO BE CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN DISNEY. AIRFARE IS ALOT MORE REASONABLE THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS KENNEDY. DATES OF TRAVEL ARE DEC 3 THROUGH DEC 11. GIVE ME ALL OF YOUR BEST STUFF FOR THIS TIME FRAME!!!! EVERYLITTLE BIT HELPS.

WE ARE NOT BIG BREAKFAST FOLKS, POP TART AND SOMETHING TO DRINK IS ALL WE NEED. LUNCHES AGAIN COUNTER SERVICE IS FINE WITH US. DINNER WHAT EVER. PIZZA OR ANYTHING REALLY IS FINE. SO DO YOU ALL THINK I CAN DO IT? THE AIR FARE WILL BE ABOUT 1000.00 FROM PHX. HOTELS I HAVE NO IDEA. THE ONLY THING IS WE NEED A ROLL AWAY FOR DS HE BEATS WHOM EVER HE SLEEPS WITH UP, BADLY BRUISES AND SUCH ARE NOT GOOD ON THE FIRST VACATION TO SEE DW.


I NEED ALOT OF REALLY GOOD SELLING POINTS FOR DH. HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE HYPE FOR THIS VACATION. HE HAS NEVER BEEN.

ALL OF YOUR HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!! TIA.

DENVER DI AND THE WILD BUNCH!!!

 

[Local_Girl]

Hey denverdi,

If I were you, I would try Skyauction. I just checked and there is availability for a 2 bdrm. unit at Cypress Point Grand Villas on the Ready Set Go auctions for your dates...you could snag a whole week (7 night stay) for roughly $260 TOTAL. Then you'd need an extra night or 2 depending on when you'd actually depart Orlando, and I'd recommend checking out Hotelkingdom.com because they have nightly rates for the CPGV that are pretty reasonable. CPGV is fairly close to Downtown Disney, though you would still need to drive there...Also, your plans would have to be set in stone...there are no refunds or changes once you've won the auction.

 

[bigbabyblues]

$3500 is about our entire budget for this trip. We are me, DH, DS3 and DS1. Of course, our 1-yo is free for hotel and park admission. We're going on the 5+2 package, with a one-night room only at the end. This also includes our airfare (flying from Ohio, about $800 total), towncar/van from airport to resort. We are staying at ASMo, not sure if you'd want to do a value resort or not. We're also doing a character meal each day.

I definitely think it's doable for you!

 

[robinb]

LOOKING AT SPENDING 3500.00 FOR 4 OF US. DH (40) ME (??) DS( 14 ) DD(12)

You don't know how old you are?!? Just kidding .

I would suggest that you work yourself backwards. Your kids will be considered "adults" for everything.

* $3500 - $1000 airfare = $2500 for the vacation of your 8 day vacation.

* One day at KSC costs $35 each or $140 leaving $2360.

* I think a 5 day hopper PLUS would work out well for you (5 hopper days in the parks plus 2 PLUS features like the water parks) and it costs 275.86 per person (in advance) or $1103, leaving $1257.

* Since you say you need 3 beds because of your DS, the onsite value resorts are out unless you buy and bring an air matress for him. Other people have done this with success. Disney resorts do not have roll-aways. Port Orleans Riverside has rooms with trundle beds, but the best rate is about $85 per night or about $760. That would only leave $500 for car rental, food and souveneers, which I don't think is enough. If you choose the air matress route, one of the value resorts at $55 would cost you about $500 leaving you with with $757.

* Cars can be pretty expensive and the rates vary a lot. Thrifty has a mid-size car available for your dates for $200 including taxes. You'll need a car to get to/from the airport and the KSC. That leaves you with $557 for food and gifts.

* My family of 3 (2 adults and 1 child) spend about $100 per day on food, but we eat at least a couple times at a sit-down restaurant. Counter service is about $9 per person for a burger and a drink which comes out to $72 per day. Your remaining budget is not enough to cover even that amount of food .

Here are the places that you could "cut back". I guess you could pack in sandwiches and not buy drinks. You can also nix KSC. That would save you $140 plus another $100 because you could take a limo for $100 and not rent a car of $200. You could stay at an off-site resort, but you would have to add the car back in. You could also stay at the Cypress Pointe (which is a very nice place, BTW!). Cypress Pointe does not have free transportation and I wouldn't trust any other off-site transportation.

In all, I think your budget is very tight. You might be able to *just* make it.

 

[simonmunro]

If it were me I'd bring the air mattress, get a value resort and the 5 day park hoppers. I'd go to Kennedy next time so I wouldn't need the rental car, just a shuttle to and from the airport. Splitting counter service meals should be an option. December is a GREAT time to go. Go to the search and type in Christmas, it'll bring up all the vacation encouragement you'll need with DH.

 

[denverdi]

well after re looking at our budget I can get another 1000.00 together. That should cover it don't you think?

 

[robinb]

I think if you can come up with another $1000, you'll be fat and happy at WDW . Heck, even another $500 will make you comfortable. You'll be able to add on something fun like the Candlelight Processional, Mickey's Very Special Christmas Party, Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian or the Hoop dee Doo Review at Fort Wilderness.

Check out Mary's wonderful site: www.mousesavers.com for discount codes on resorts, special events and menus from all the restaurants.

 

[simonmunro]

Oh Yeah, you're good now! Have fun, it'll be great.