December trip - can I do any better than this??

[C.Ann]

Okay - just spent a couple of hours researching and shaved some expenses off the budget.. Would you all be so kind as to look it over and see if I can do any better..

These are the facts: Myself, my grown DD, and my then-5-yr.old granddaughter going to WDW in December.. We will arrive Dec. 2nd and leave Dec. 14th..

PLEASE keep in mind that I can NOT use PRICELINE for anything.. Due to my DD's supervisory position in an institution for troubled teens, our travel plans could have to change at a moments notice..

Okay - here's what I'm looking at as of today:

Round-trip airfare for the 3 of us from upstate NY - approx. $670

Rental car (intermediate) through National - using a Contract code(including all taxes, surcharges, etc.) for the entire period: $350.87

Gas while we're there (we like to drive around and sightsee a bit too) approx.: $75

All tickets bought in advance:

Disney 5-day park hopper passes: $736.01

MVMCP - which we will do TWICE: $213.70

Universal/IOA: $256.85

Sea World: $132.15

Hawthorn Suites (1/2 mile from Downtown Disney) - with free hot breakfast each morning, full kitchen, etc. - for 12 nights (including tax): $872.25

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The grand total for all of that is: $3306.83 for the three of us from December 2nd till December 14th..

So what do you all think? Can I do any better than that????

Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

Hmm... are you paying for one day fees to Seaworld or two?

Remember there is the second day free at Seaworld.

 

[C.Ann]

One day at Sea World - and those prices are the advance purchase (10% off) from their own web site..

The Universal/IOA tickets are a GREAT deal - they're considerably less than a two day/two park ticket - yet they're good for FIVE consecutive days!!

 

[mickeysaver]

I think you may be over planning on your ability to take in a park each day. Most 5 year olds, heck, most adults can't keep up that pace. We were going to do SeaWorld a couple of days too during our 12/13 through 12/21 vacation, but we decided that it was too much. We don't even have a kid to worry about either. I think you have found some great deals, but hopping all over the place might be a bit much. Just my thoughts. Mickey

This is our schedule for WDW so far.....

December 14th Sunday
Travel to Orlando leaving the dogs with their Aunt Launda & Uncle Tom
Check into Pop Century!!!
Check out the Grounds - Take Pictures!
Go to MK for Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern
PS # ******** for 5pm booked on 5/16/03
MVMCP 7:00 pm til Midnight!
See Later Parade and see Special Fireworks Show

December 15th Monday
Sleep Late
Epcot
See Future World and Do World Showcase
Get Daily Schedule at Epcot Entrance
See all the Santas and Storytellers
Candlelight Processional Late Show
Dinner @ Le Cellier (PS when package bought/120 day)

December 16th Tuesday
Sleep Late
Character Breakfast
Disney Quest
Dinner at WolfGang Pucks Cafe

December 17th Wednesday
Up Early
Animal Kingdom
See Shows and Dino Section
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
Dinner at Bongo's at DTD
After Close go to AMC Theater to See Lord of the Rings

December 18th Thursday
Magic Kingdom EE
Change to MGM after 5:00 pm
See the Osborne Lights

December 19th Friday
AK EE
Do Asia & Africa
Dinner Rainforest Cafe on way out of park
PI Comedy Warehouse & Adventurer's Club

December 20th Saturday
MGM EE
PI Comedy Warehouse & Adventurer's Club

 

[C.Ann]

LOL! I know it sounds like a lot, but we do have two "free" days in there (we're only going to US/IOA one day each - and Sea World for one day) plus we will have the first day we arrive (should fly in at 11 a.m.) and the late departure when we leave..

This kid is a little trooper.. We did this in 2001 - just before she turned 3 and she was great.. She's not a whiney type child and we'll probably tire out before SHE does! LOL!! Of course we ARE bringing a double stroller - partly for her, and partly for us - so we don't have to lug so much stuff around in the parks..

I can't wait!! I just wish I knew what the weather is going to be like.. Some said that a lot of the time it was VERY cold in Florida during December last year.. I don't want to have to pack two "seasons" worth of clothes.. Ugh!

 

[TimeforMe]

C.Ann--I think it sounds awesome! You did a great job budgeting. $3300 for 3 people for 12 days is fantastic. Go and have a great time!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by TimeforMe
C.Ann--I think it sounds awesome! You did a great job budgeting. $3300 for 3 people for 12 days is fantastic. Go and have a great time!

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Do you really think so?? I'm still sitting here wondering if I could do better.. I don't want to stay in a "dive" though - especially with having the little one with us - and I guess the really cheap airfares are a thing of the past..

I figure the suite would be good so we can cook or make sandwiches sometimes - have snacks, and the like.. (Plus I have to have my DIRECT IV line of coffee 24/7 - LOL)..

Also, the last time we went to WDW we never got to go to Downtown Disney and I guess the Hawthorn Suites are real close to it..

I'm getting SOOOOOO excited!! This is going to be my Christmas gift to my DD and my granddaughter.. Of course DD knows about it (has to arrange for time off from work, etc.) but my granddaughter doesn't have a CLUE!! Oh yes - also have to budget in Pal Mickey - she'll LOVE that!!!

 

[hercamore]

Yes, very good budget. I toured a Hawthorn Suites here in MN and it had a fireplace! Very nice. Doubt if they need them in Fl, tho, LOL.

Hawthorn is down on Palm Parkway. Too far to walk to Downtown Disney stores, but you will have a car.

You're in a good area of LBV with lots of variety and prices of restaurants.

Winn Dixie for groceries is a new store and will be close to you going north a few blocks.


herc.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by hercamore
Yes, very good budget. I toured a Hawthorn Suites here in MN and it had a fireplace! Very nice. Doubt if they need them in Fl, tho, LOL.

Hawthorn is down on Palm Parkway. Too far to walk to Downtown Disney stores, but you will have a car.

You're in a good area of LBV with lots of variety and prices of restaurants.

Winn Dixie for groceries is a new store and will be close to you going north a few blocks.


herc.

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Thanks! Glad to hear it sounds like a nice place.. We weren't planning on walking to DD anyhow - will probably go some evening - but we don't want to get lost driving in the dark!! LOL

 

[Janell Ebert]

Fun Card unlimited admission through 2003 for the price of a single day's admission. Call 1-866-FLFUNCARD or vist seaworld.com. Offer valid through 5/31/03. Fun Cards expire 12/31/03

 

[dgaston]

I don't know where you're planning on getting your park hoppers from, but you may want to get the 5 day plus 4 options currently available from ticketmania or Walmart, and probably florida orlando tickets. None of the brokers can advertise these, but it's nice getting two extra options for the regular price.

 

[jilljill]

Keep checking rental car companies for rates - they change all the time. You may even see if someone has an Entertainment Book coupon they are not using for a double class upgrade or monies off a weekly rental.
Being the rates change all the time you can have multiple ressies with multiple companies to get the best rate. Right now I have 4 ressies for a 2 day rental in CA for hte end of July. I just have to remember to cancel 3 of them before my trip.
Have a great trip - your prices are looking really good.

 

[RobinMarie]

We did MVMCP twice one year and thought we could have done one and been happy. We kept comparing one night to the other. We noticed a lot of locals attended on the weekend night so the next year we did one weeknight and found we did plenty. We found the party during the week was a lot less crowded than the weekend.

If it were us, we'd do MVMCP once to shave some money off the budget. Enjoy your planning!