DH keeps ruining my plans! Im back at square one!

[mudnuri]

Last night, DH and I were discussing our trip. He came up with this BRILLIANT idea.....his exact words are as follows...
"Why cant we go on vacation for 2 full weeks?"

UUGGHH What did you just say?? Yes, thats right, he now wants to be in Orlando for 12 days. Well, that budget and planning I had, yeah, thats gone out the window...so I start again...and here's what we have. Let me know what you think..remember I'm a "never been to WDW family"..

We leave Vermont Friday April 16th and arrive on Sunday the 18th.

Checking in Tropical Palms- 79.00 night, 2 bedroom cabin thing. For 12 nights
Monday- WDW
Tuesday- WDW
Wednesday- Pool/shopping day
Thursday WDW
Friday WDW
Saturday Gator Land, other stuff- mini golf etc.
Sunday Sea World
Monday Sea World
Tuesday Pool/Shopping Day
Wednesday Universal
Thursday Universal
Friday- Begin trip home

The budget that I've come up with is as follows...remind you now that he's decided 12 days- we've upped the budget quite a bit

Sunday-Friday food- lunch and dinner- $100.00 per day- 1200 total
Trip down/trip back- 4 hotels X 75.00 300.00
lunch/dinner x 5 days 300.00
Diesel $200.00
4 day park hoppers 680.00
Sea World 193.00
Universal- 2 days $350.00
Gator Land 31.18

Total Tickets 1254.18- from ticketmaster, no tax/shipping

Grocery/Laundry/Spending money $1200.00

Grand Spankin New Total- 5392.00

I dont have what parks on what days yet, and think that our food budget for those days will be more than enough. On our pool/shopping days, we will eat at our cabin, except for dinner. Gator Land I'm sure we'll eat for less than at WDW.

I will make reservations at hotels for our way down to Florida, already know where they are, and they offer breakfast. I will be joining AAA for roadside assistance since DH's truck has too many miles for the GM program, and might be able to get the hotels even cheaper than 75.00.

Anyone offer any tips? Certain parks certain days? Is universal really 2 days worth? We are doing Sea World X2 days because of the ticket, and I think DD's will REALLY enjoy Sea World.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Brandy

 

[mad4themouse]

Wow! I wish my DH would change his mind in that direction. He thinks that we have "done Disney to death" and has no desire to spend more than a week there this summer.

I'm no fan of Sea World so take that into consideration when I say that you can see all that you want in 1 to 1½ days. But with the next-day-free tickets, I can see why you would plan to spend another day there.

USF/IOA is well-worth at least 2 days. Ticketmania has "buy 2-days get the 3rd day free" passes for Universal that are the same price as what you have budgeted for 2 adults and 2 children. Consider spending 2½ - 3 days there.

Your other ticket prices are really great. I couldn't find them on Ticketmaster.com. How did you get them? It seems a little strange that they can sell them with no taxes added. Even the Disney Store in Delaware (a no-sales-tax state) charges sales tax on Disney Passes. And Ticketmaster usually charges a convenience fee and shipping charge for the tickets that they sell. I'm not doubting your numbers, I just want to get in on a good thing as well if I can.

Don't forget to budget for parking at all the parks, unless you plan to use a resort shuttle bus. 4 days at Disney will be $28, 2 days at USF/IOA will be another $16. I'm not sure what Sea World charges. Parking is free at Gatorland. As you can see, it can add up quickly.

I think that $100 per day for food for a family of 4 is pretty generous when you have younger children. You should be okay on your food budget, especially since you'll have the convenience of a kitchen in your cabin.

I like how you scheduled non-park days every few days. It really helps to recharge your batteries and also goes a little easier on the wallet if you don't plan on doing too much shopping.

Your hotel budget for down and back looks pretty good. You're right that you will probably be able to get rooms for less than $75, especially with a AAA discount.

In all, your budget looks great and you have plenty of wiggle room in it to cover any unexpected expenses. Lucky you, to be able to go for 2 weeks! Have a great time!

 

[frannn]

including the number of adults and children in your family, to determine how much you are saving by driving and not flying. Also, if this is your first time to WDW, do you think 4 days will be enough? Does your trip fall within your children's school vacation? If so, it may be very busy at WDW. Have you considered staying onsite at the All Star Resorts? A 2 br for 79. offsite is pretty good, but how far from WDW is it? Since you are going to different places in FL, it may make sense to stay offsite, though. What are the ages of your kids?

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I feel so sorry for you. Too bad you have to spend so much time on vacation.

Seriously two days at SeaWorld will be fun - specially that second free day, they do still do that don't they? You'll be able to do all the shows without stressing. Does your crowd love the coasters there?

As for Universal it depends. If your family likes the popular stuff you may have to wait in line long enough to warrant two days. I don't know what the lines will be like in mid April. Depends on if Spring break season is over.

As for which day to do which Disney park, I only know not to do Magic Kingdom on Saturday or Monday.

Have fun. Sorry for your torture. Two weeks of vacation, such a mean husband to suggest it!

 

[mudnuri]

Okay let me answer the questions..

I couldn't find them on Ticketmaster.com. How did you get them? It seems a little strange that they can sell them with no taxes added.

Tax and shipping is added. I was wrong- it's TICKET MANIA..(just got our disney on ice from Ticket master.LOL)...like to prices is here...Ticket Prices..

Don't forget to budget for parking at all the parks,

Completly forgot that one- THANK YOU!!!

including the number of adults and children in your family, to determine how much you are saving by driving and not flying.

4 people- $800.00 for flights and parking at airport..plus $200-300 for rental....would only get a fullsize...so thats about 1100.00 I'm NOT spending...500 for diesel and hotels...250 for food...total 750.00 Savings of almost $400.00 Plus we have a tv/dvd player, kids ride exceptionally well, and have done the VT-FL road trip 3 times already..

Does your trip fall within your children's school vacation? If so, it may be very busy at WDW

Yes, and I may change so that WDW is done at the end of the trip, however rates change on the 18th, so I'm assuming that crowds go down that day too.. Actual Orlando days are the 18th-30th of April. DD's will miss 6 days of school..

Have you considered staying onsite at the All Star Resorts? A 2 br for 79. offsite is pretty good, but how far from WDW is it? Since you are going to different places in FL, it may make sense to stay offsite, though. What are the ages of your kids?

Yes, and 1 room 2 bed does NOT work for our family. Kids need their own space to go to bed while DH and I are still awake. Tropical Palms is located "behind/ajacent" to Old Town. Pretty good area from what I've heard. DDs are 6 and 7

Seriously two days at SeaWorld will be fun - specially that second free day, they do still do that don't they? You'll be able to do all the shows without stressing. Does your crowd love the coasters there?

Yes- 2nd day within 7 days of the first is free. We're not coaster people...but I DDs are very into animals. We go to the Bostom Aquarium 2-3x per year...they love it. Thinking that getting 2 days helps with our slow pace!

DH's reasoning for the length is that we normally when going to Florida go to the beach, ST. Augustine our favorite, but we arrive on Sunday and head home on Friday. Our last big vacation was 3 weeks in Montana, when DD's were 10 months and 2. That was possible because we stayed with family. With me going back to school in the fall, we wont have anything other than short trips for awhile.

I know, the pain of a long trip!...I did remember though to budget laundry money. And we will be going to Costco just before the trip for snacks/cereal/water and drinks. etc.. Our cabin has a full kitchen, so that will help with food costs!

Thanks guys your comments were great!

Brandy

 

[Straitlover]

My personal opinion on the Universal thing ...

I have only been to USO, not IOA. USO does not require 2 days. Depending on how busy it is, it might not even require one. That being said, I personally would skip it and spend more time at WDW esp since you've never been. WDW is way better IMO. Universal was nice, but I much preferred WDW. NOw IOA looks lots more fun that USO, so if you were getting hopper tickets, that might change things a little. However that would deppend on your kids ages and thrill-seeking level. IOA is the big coasters. If they don't like the big coasters, then personally I wouldn't take them there, either.

I'm sure others will disagree w/ me on this. All I know is when I went in October, 4 days at WDW parks was nowhere near enough for what all I wanted to see (actually it was 3.5 days becasue I got sick the last day and ahd to go back to the condo). It was my second time down there, but my first trip had been back in 1982 before Epcot opened, so it was almost like my first time, too. In fact, I'm making a side trip in late April or early May from my Daytona beach trip to see some of what I missed (and repeat ToT, RnRC, TT and M:S - sister only for M:S! It made me sick! )

Anyway, no one flame me for not being a USO fanatic!!!

As far as you lodging, I've heard nothing but great things about TP. It's only about 3 miles from the main gate on World Drive. When you leave out of TP, take Holiday Trail back up to 192 and take a left. You can't miss World Drive! If you want to eat out, there is everything imaginable right there. A lot of it you can even walk right to. There will be a Jeff Foxworthy BBQ place right at you, too (unless it has closed down).

Have fun!

 

[mudnuri]

Lisa-

Thanks for the news on the exact location of TP!!..I appreciate it, and am VERY glad to hear another positive comment...

I have not researched Universal yet, and will get to that soon, we may end up not doing 2 days, depends on how much I see that my DD's would enjoy doing. If the weather is really nice/hot we may just skip a day and stay at the pool.

thanks again
Brandy

 

[WIcruizer]

My opinion....from someone who has been to central FL a few thousand times..

One day at Sea World is plenty- even with free tickets for the 2nd day. At the very least, you may want to cut that 2nd day in half. Personally I would sell those tixs for the 2nd day.

Universal...if you skip the Islands of Adventure, one day is plenty.

Grocery/Laundry/Spending money $1200.00

This seems really high, and actually the $100/day for lunch and dinner is a bit high since you're staying offsite. We dine at pretty nice places and it's about $75 for the day for meals. But we eat outside the parks as much as possible. But I would think groceries and launrdy is maybe $200 tops...so $1000 on souvenirs??? It's up to you...just seems really high.

Finally, I would suggest a 5 or 6 day park-hopper plus pass instead of extra day at US and/or Sea World. If it's your first time, 4 days will not be enough. With the Park hopper plus you also can use the water parks which they probably would love.

 

[mudnuri]

The 1200.00 is for anything other than food. That includes mini golf, film developing, laundry, which will be done 2X, and spending money if we stop at South of the Boarder...DD's love that tacky place!...

I think Sea World will stay at 2 days. I know that we could EASILY have done 1 1/2 days at Marine World in St. Augustine, which is about 1/3 of what Sea World is..

DD's dont do water parks. They do pools, thats it. I wont get into why, however that's really a non-issue with us.

Again, once park hours are up, and I have more times of stuff etc.. we may add on to WDW days. I wont be getting our park hoppers until late March. I also just found out that flower/Garden show is happening in Epcot..that place could be really crowded!

Thanks again

Brandy

 

[WDWisTheBest]

If you haven't been there, Tropical Palms is a great place to stay. It is close to WDW, the Maingate on World Drive is 5 minutes to the west of TP.

If you don't want to bring cereal/snacks/water etc. there is a great Publix just across the street from TP. Also, there is a Sam's Club and Super Wal Mart about 10 minutes to the east of TP on route 192.

The pools at TP are very good and heated.

 

[WIcruizer]

We've been there during the Flower and Garden show 3 times, going April 17-24th this year. The crowds aren't any greater at Epcot for that, so don't worry.

5 day Park Hopper (no PLUS) would probably be the best for your family if you're not "doing" the water parks. Two full days at MK is a must. One day at Epcot, one day at MGM, and one day at AK. Some would say you don't need a full day at AK, but if your kids love animals you can easily spend a day along with the attractions they have there. Keep in mind with Park Hopper you can visit multiple parks the same day.

I mention this because the electric light parade (or whatever they call it now) at MK won't be every night in April. So you may.for example, want to go to AK during the day (closes at 5 or 6 anyhow) eat dinner off site then go to MK for the parade at night. Just one example, but there are other situations like that.

Finally, I didn't see you mention Downtown Disney, maybe that's included in shopping day? You'll all love DTD, it's worth checking out for at least a couple hours. We've already spent most of a day there. One place your kids will love is Shell World. Cheezy, but kids love the hundreds of different shells they can see and touch. Also real nice cheap souvenirs.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by mudnuri
[B16th and arrive on Sunday the 18th.

Checking in Tropical Palms- 79.00 night, 2 bedroom cabin thing. For 12 nights
Monday- WDW
Tuesday- WDW
Wednesday- Pool/shopping day
Thursday WDW
Friday WDW
Saturday Gator Land, other stuff- mini golf etc.
Sunday Sea World
Monday Sea World
Tuesday Pool/Shopping Day
Wednesday Universal
Thursday Universal
Friday- Begin trip home

The budget that I've come up with is as follows...remind you now that he's decided 12 days- we've upped the budget quite a bit

Sunday-Friday food- lunch and dinner- $100.00 per day- 1200 total
Trip down/trip back- 4 hotels X 75.00 300.00
lunch/dinner x 5 days 300.00
Diesel $200.00
4 day park hoppers 680.00
Sea World 193.00
Universal- 2 days $350.00
Gator Land 31.18

Total Tickets 1254.18- from ticketmaster, no tax/shipping

Grocery/Laundry/Spending money $1200.00

Grand Spankin New Total- 5392.00

I dont have what parks on what days yet, and think that our food budget for those days will be more than enough. On our pool/shopping days, we will eat at our cabin, except for dinner. Gator Land I'm sure we'll eat for less than at WDW.

I
Brandy [/B]

Brandy: Did you ever think about the four park flex ticket for your non Disney days?

The flex ticket is a either a four or five park option. The four park includes Universal, Islands of Adventure, Seaworld, and Wet N Wild. The five park includes all those and Busch Gardens.

The flex ticket is good for 14 days, (14 consceutive days from first use). All you would have to do is to pay for parking, and if you Park hop, ( for example do SW in the am, and go to Universal that night) you would only pay for one parking fee.


When we went for 14 days last year, we did the five park option and it was wonderful.. by day 3 the cost was paid for (ie versus regular gate prices). We weren't planning to go to Wet n Wild at all and we went four times! That flex ticket would be pretty close to your prices quoted, and you would get four parks...

Also when you are talking Universal are you thinking about Islands of Adventure too? Those are two separate parks, and unless you buy the multi day tickets.. you can't hop with single tickets...

 

[MELSMICE]

For what it's worth, here'e my opinion --

--Seeing that you've never been to Disney I would also skip Universal & IOA. We went to Universal the first time about 3 years ago. DD's were 11, 8 & 8. They said it was okay, but nothing compared to Disney. They are also not coaster crazy so we didn't even think about doing IOA.

--I hear what you're saying about the water parks. While we always had fun at them, DD's were never obsessed by having to go to them. They had just as much fun at the pools, so I figured why spend the money. As they are getting older 14, 11 & 11 now, they enjoy water parks much more.

--If your kids like animals then the Sea World deal sounds like a good one for you. We've never been. (can't tear myself away from Disney! )

--Again, I would seriously think about more days at the WDW theme parks & skipping the Universal deal. You have no idea how much there is to see at WDW until you've been there. You will be amazed. It's nothing like going to a Six Flags.

--I know people have said $100/day for food is good, but I think it is too low. We are a family of 5 & a dinner at a chain restaurant (Olive Garden, Macaroni Grille, Chili's, etc) will run us about $80, although my DD's are older than yours. I guess you could probably have a meal for around $50 or so, depending on what you get or if you get anything to drink. We always budget more for food than necessary because I don't want to get cut short at the end of the trip. Anything we come home with goes towards the next trip.

--It's good you put in some "down days". You will need this.

--Don't forget that when you go it will be pretty hot. You may want to take mid-day breaks & go back to the pool & swim. You may not think this, but believe me, when the kids are cranky it's no fun dragging them around.

Have fun planning your trip. You'll have a great time. The amount of time your spending there will be just about perfect.

 

[luv2nascar]

Just from my experience. We took our 1st trip to WDW in 2003 for 2 weeks. We took Amtrak from Newark, NJ to Florida. We left on Saturday arrived on Sunday. Spent the next 5 days in disney world at CBR. We then stayed at Hawthorne Suites over by Universal. Also a very nice hotel for add'l 5 days. We did not get to go to Sea World. Spent two days - one at IOA and one at Universal. This was me, DH, & then 5 1/2 yr DD, and MIL & FIL.
We took a day to go to Cypress Gardens and orange grove stand for juice. We shopped the outlets and ate at some really great places.

My advise is we did disney first and were so disappointed to leave disney that I don't think we enjoyed the rest of our trip as much as we could have. I would do everything else first or mix disney in if you can and end your trip with disney. You probably will find you just can't get enough of disney.

We didn't even scratch the surface of the things we could have done at disney.

 

[WIcruizer]

--It's good you put in some "down days". You will need this.

--Don't forget that when you go it will be pretty hot. You may want to take mid-day breaks & go back to the pool & swim. You may not think this, but believe me, when the kids are cranky it's no fun dragging them around.

ABSOLUTELYT RIGHT! Great advice to any 1st time WDW guests. I can't tell you how many hundreds of families I've seen that were crying, bickering, fighting by the end of the day. The walking, sun, excitement...all takes alot out of kids- especially ones your kids' age.

All the more reason to get at least a 5 day pass to WDW. They WILL need downtime and it will be miserable if you try to fight it. With 5 days, you can always split it up and come back again.

 

[mudnuri]

Looking over more of Universal's website, with DD's...they dont seem to interested in it. DD7 said "well if we dont go to universal can we go back to WDW for another day"...Theres the answer. Universal shall be dropped, and a longer PHP will be purchased.

Downtown disney is set for our arrival Sunday, and also our non-park days. Gator land day as well we will probably head over there. I want to spend some time at Old Town too, probably on a weekend night, where I hear things get busy!

We do have the idea to leave the parks if DD's need to. By no means are we going commando!... What may end up happening is DH and DD6 go back and take naps, and DD7 and I go to the pool etc...

Thank you all for your WONDERFUL suggestions, I really love this board, for that reason!

Brandy

 

[Jennifer Stork]

Just a quick note if you join AAA for the roadside assistance. You can get parking passes from them and your parking at the World will not cost anything. Then you hae some souvenir money already budgeted.

 

[mudnuri]

actually, the AAA diamond parking pass is only good for a better location to park in. You still have to pay $7.00 per day....just dont walk as far..
also its only good if you book a package through them.

Brandy

 

[Tigger1]

I asked AAA for a parking pass once and they said I had to get my ressies and tickets threw them. Being a member was not enough. In fact, buying tickets was not enough. I did get a good deal on universal tickets one year. I think I got a3 days that never expired for a little more than the two day tickets.

One day of Universal/island of adventure was enough for me. I do not know when we will use the other days left on the tickets.

I purchase 7 day hopper passes from Disney because I know I will be going back some day. They never expire. Last year I purchased Tickets from Paramount Inernational. The tickets came with breakfast vouchers at several sit down charactor meals at disney. We used ours at The Grand Floridian. Charactors come to your table as you eat and spend lots of time with you to get pictures. Much better than waiting in line in the parks for pictures with the charactors. The prices are comeparable with other ticket vendors. Service was great. The tickets were mailed to us within a couple of days from ordering them. I also picked up extra universal tickets during the trip at the office. They did not copme with vouchers.

Animal Kingdom sells meal plans in the park. You get a full meal including drink at a choice of counter restaurants. Also you are given a coupon for an additional ice cream or popcorn and another coupon for another drink. These coupons can be used at Animal Kingdom anytime the same day. We used the adult coupons for BBQ rib platter (MMMMM) that came with corn and beans and my daughter used hers for personal pizza. They cost something like $12.25 adult and $6.50 child. Plenty of food (thats all we could eat for the day). We would get gatorades for are 2nd drink on our way out of the park (they are served in the 22 ounce plastic bottles). We will likely hit Animal Kingdom both days we are in the park just for those ribs. Last year my son went to Animal Kingdom just for the ribs and then to Epcot

You might want to try the Entertainment book for better rates at Tropical Palms. They advertise 1/2 price rack rates if you buy the book and there is availability. I am not sure if TP is listed in there book but you can check online before you buy. If you buy the Orlando Book, it also has coupons for ofsite restaurants. Many are buy one meal, 2nd is free. Jungle Jims usually is in the book and they are close to TP I think. I have been to the crossroads Jungle Jims, it was good.

The web site is
Entertainment.com make sure you spell it correctly or you may get a site not for familys.

Thats all for now
Tigger

Thats all for now.

 

[Julia M]

I'll be a vote of "dissent" here for Sea World. We loved it in San Diego and were there 3 partial days (2 full days). My understanding is that the parks are quite similar. We'll be going again this summer, using the same kind of passes (2nd day free)

I would tend to agree with your plan to spend more time at WDW, rather than Universal. It takes a while to "get your bearing" at a park, and you'll enjoy things more, I think.

Julia