DH wants me to cut budget by $1500??!!

[rigs32]

I presented him with the possible savings ideas and it's now in his hands whether he wants to sacrifice convenience/comfort/assurance in order to save $700.

And this is where it's all about priorities. I've taken myself on some pretty great week long vacations for a total of $700, so I'd totally make the changes.

 

[Kristi113]

You can get your Universal tickets here http://store.usssa.com/Category/66-theme-park-tickets.aspx

I bought and used 10 tickets for our trip in June from them and they worked great. Many of the people on the disboards have used them as well with no issues. They would be $338 total for 3- 1 day park to park.

Could this pose a problem?.................
Tickets are restricted for use by USSSA participants and their families

 

[jerseygirl82]

well, you didn't say, "Oh, and I am not open to changing ANY of my plans." That is the frustration.

It seems like OP never intended to change anything, but was hoping to use this thread as a "Told you so" with DH.

This thread is frustrating bc people took the time to genuinely try to help OP but it was met with nothing but resistance to every single suggestion. Don't waste peoples' time when there are others who would actually take the advice offered.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Personally I don't think some of the things recommended would be a sacrifice. Some an enhancement actually - especially changing US day from the Sat party day to a less crowded, no express pass needed day or more days. I would be a stress ball paying that much upfront for one day - what if it storms, someone is sick, etc?

 

[coastalhh]

It seems like OP never intended to change anything, but was hoping to use this thread as a "Told you so" with DH.

This thread is frustrating bc people took the time to genuinely try to help OP but it was met with nothing but resistance to every single suggestion. Don't waste peoples' time when there are others who would actually take the advice offered.

Agree Poorly planned trip. If you think everyone that goes for a week has to spend $5,500 you are doing it wrong.

 

[Marshmelo]

It seems like OP never intended to change anything, but was hoping to use this thread as a "Told you so" with DH.

This thread is frustrating bc people took the time to genuinely try to help OP but it was met with nothing but resistance to every single suggestion. Don't waste peoples' time when there are others who would actually take the advice offered.

I was not resisting suggestions for no reason. And I hardly think my $700+ savings I came up with by using suggestions given on here shows that I didn't consider the advice given. That said, no I am not going to eliminate US. Yes, it's expensive, but when you don't have the luxury of a longer vacation and/or the opportunity to return to Orlando anytime in the near future, it's what has to be done.

As for visiting US on a non party night, there is one every day of our stay. Not resistance. I DID try to change from going on Saturday to Wednesday, but they do not have the character breakfast on that day. I've already purchased that and it is not refundable. Not resistance.

USSSA tix? Do I want to take a chance "cheating" by using tix I am not supposed to? And risk losing all that money just to save $100? Not resistance, common sense and integrity.

I've said I may do the hotwire hotel, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me and DH nervous to have to depend on an unknown (at booking) hotel's promise of shuttle service to make an early flight home. Worth the stress and worry involved with that? Not to mention the hassle of loading/unloading all our luggage onto a shuttle twice? Isn't a vacation supposed to be to relax, not stress out about things like that? In an ideal world, we would be able to fly home the day we leave the beach, but flights were much more expensive that day and would require a late flight with a layover on top of that. I am still going to keep an eye on costs to see if we can change if prices drop though. Southwest does allow that for no fee.

No express passes? See above - we have to go on a Sat and we only have one day for both parks (time is not a luxury we have for this trip). Also, DS has ADHD, so we feel it would be a necessary investment. Arrest me for resisting.

Have a relative drive us to the airport? Not without asking them to take time off work two days, drive quite a distance, and early at that. Worth saving $81? Maybe for us, but not at their expense, my conscience wouldn't let me ask. Resistance? For good reason.

In case you forgot, I DID take away one MK day to save $252 plus food, which was suggested on here. No resistance there.

I am looking into Landry's (and even Ghirardelli and Hyatt) GCs on Raise. Also looking at Disney GCs from Target or Sam's. No resistance.

No, I am not going to take pb&j to the parks. Maybe if we went all the time. For me, the food/dining is part of the experience when I haven't been in 11 years and don't know if/when I will go again. Yes, we will probably share some meals, especially at BOG breakfast since my main objective is getting into the park early (as long as hours don't change in which case I will cancel). Yes, we are doing dinner at BOG too. It will be our only TS meal at MK which I think will be a great experience, plus DS wants to meet Beast. Slap the cuffs on already. I am debating getting rid of MM Fantasmic package at HS, but need to weigh the pros and cons. I really want DS to see Fantasmic without having to stand and sit around for an hour (again, ADHD).

No, everyone did not waste their time, I have enough ideas to save a good $800 without drastically changing my plans. It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons and deciding if the savings outweighs the loss of convenience/assurance/comfort.

 

[Marshmelo]

Agree Poorly planned trip. If you think everyone that goes for a week has to spend $5,500 you are doing it wrong.

Yeah, maybe if you get the luxury of going frequently you don't have to, but if you go with the notion that this may be your only family vacation there (which it possibly could be), I think you do.

I would challenge you to think hard and honestly and pretend that you have not been in 11 years, have never been with your spouse and child and this is your child's first and maybe only time there (oh, and child has never seen the ocean), and possibly your family's only chance to go. Your child is a boy about to turn 8, has ADHD and loves adventure. You have to fly from Indiana because it is a good 16 hour drive and you only have a week, plus DS would be miserable thus making everyone miserable, in a car that long. You have to go during a school break too.

What would your budget be for this possibly once in a lifetime vacation to Orlando. And please be honest with me AND yourself!

 

[sk!mom]

And that's what he said at first, but he's never planned/paid for a vacation to Disney so when he found out the totals, I think he was in disbelief. Hopefully it won't sting too much and he will have a good enough time to want to go again and then will say that when it comes time to plan again!

Honestly if that was my goal and he has sticker shock, I'd be planning a much more leisurely and less expensive trip. My DH never visited Disney until he met me and doesn't enjoy amusement parks in general. Our first trip together in 1990 was not a success. Without the internet, I planned a trip over July 4th week- it was hot and over crowded. We drove from Texas and stayed off sight. We didn't return until 2001. The only reason we went again at all was that DD had come along and I wanted her to have the experience. This time I had the internet so I planned much better. We flew, stayed on site, and used Disney transportation since I knew that DH likes trips where he doesn't have to drive and navigate. It was much more relaxed and we have been back 6 times since that trip.

 

[coastalhh]

Yeah, maybe if you get the luxury of going frequently you don't have to, but if you go with the notion that this may be your only family vacation there (which it possibly could be), I think you do.

I would challenge you to think hard and honestly and pretend that you have not been in 11 years, have never been with your spouse and child and this is your child's first and maybe only time there (oh, and child has never seen the ocean), and possibly your family's only chance to go. Your child is a boy about to turn 8, has ADHD and loves adventure. You have to fly from Indiana because it is a good 16 hour drive and you only have a week, plus DS would be miserable thus making everyone miserable, in a car that long. You have to go during a school break too.

What would your budget be for this possibly once in a lifetime vacation to Orlando. And please be honest with me AND yourself!

Why would you pay 210 in express passes when it's included in many universal hotel stays? Can you not get one night at a universal hotel for cheaper than another hotel cost + the 210 express passes? And so what if you prepaid a breakfast..they have cancelation policies this far in advance.

A room at Lowes Royal Pacific is $269 on 10-18. That would give your free express passes (210 value or looking at it from the other perspective a $59 hotel room) one hour early admission to Harry Potter (which you aren't getting now) and easier access to universal including not having to pay for parking. That alone saves a nice chunk of change and is easier.

 

[Marshmelo]

Why would you pay 210 in express passes when it's included in many universal hotel stays? Can you not get one night at a universal hotel for cheaper than another hotel cost + the 210 express passes? And so what if you prepaid a breakfast..they have cancelation policies this far in advance.

A room at Lowes Royal Pacific is $269 on 10-18. That would give your free express passes (210 value or looking at it from the other perspective a $59 hotel room) one hour early admission to Harry Potter (which you aren't getting now) and easier access to universal including not having to pay for parking. That alone saves a nice chunk of change and is easier.

I like the way you avoided my challenge. Does that mean maybe it's not so horribly expensive and poorly planned given the circumstances?

Last I checked, there was no availability for just a single night at a US hotel. I will look again.

eta: I called and was told there were no refunds for the US character breakfast.

 

[Marshmelo]

One more thing - the ideas given are not a waste of everyone's time, even if you believe I am not open to them. This thread is not only for me, but for anyone reading who is looking for ways to save.

 

[coastalhh]

I like the way you avoided my challenge. Does that mean maybe it's not so horribly expensive and poorly planned given the circumstances?

Last I checked, there was no availability for just a single night at a US hotel. I will look again.

eta: I called and was told there were no refunds for the US character breakfast.

1) I did checked the room on the 18th before I mentioned it.
2) reschedule the breakfast for the 18th. Did you ask to reschedule. And I have canceled before btw.
3) what did you expect someone to say to your "challenge" was I supposed to cry and agree with you? People were outraged over a recent article on "The Federalist" about how a family of 4 has to pay 4,000 for a week at disney. Everyone went on to point out how that was overpriced and you don't have to get close to that. Consider for a second you are at 5,500 for a family of three. This could have been planned much much better.

P.s. Three universal power season passes cost the same as your 655 for one day universal tickets. Another alternative would be to get three power passes. And then go back to universal additional days and day trip to the beach.


On the flip side
If you want all that stuff because thats just the way you want it (that's fine)but still want to save money maybe cut out some every day expenses. Tell your DH you are still saving 1500 it just doesn't have to be all on the trip.

 

[momto4obkids]

I was not resisting suggestions for no reason. And I hardly think my $700+ savings I came up with by using suggestions given on here shows that I didn't consider the advice given. That said, no I am not going to eliminate US. Yes, it's expensive, but when you don't have the luxury of a longer vacation and/or the opportunity to return to Orlando anytime in the near future, it's what has to be done.

As for visiting US on a non party night, there is one every day of our stay. Not resistance. I DID try to change from going on Saturday to Wednesday, but they do not have the character breakfast on that day. I've already purchased that and it is not refundable. Not resistance.

USSSA tix? Do I want to take a chance "cheating" by using tix I am not supposed to? And risk losing all that money just to save $100? Not resistance, common sense and integrity.

I've said I may do the hotwire hotel, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me and DH nervous to have to depend on an unknown (at booking) hotel's promise of shuttle service to make an early flight home. Worth the stress and worry involved with that? Not to mention the hassle of loading/unloading all our luggage onto a shuttle twice? Isn't a vacation supposed to be to relax, not stress out about things like that? In an ideal world, we would be able to fly home the day we leave the beach, but flights were much more expensive that day and would require a late flight with a layover on top of that. I am still going to keep an eye on costs to see if we can change if prices drop though. Southwest does allow that for no fee.

No express passes? See above - we have to go on a Sat and we only have one day for both parks (time is not a luxury we have for this trip). Also, DS has ADHD, so we feel it would be a necessary investment. Arrest me for resisting.

Have a relative drive us to the airport? Not without asking them to take time off work two days, drive quite a distance, and early at that. Worth saving $81? Maybe for us, but not at their expense, my conscience wouldn't let me ask. Resistance? For good reason.

In case you forgot, I DID take away one MK day to save $252 plus food, which was suggested on here. No resistance there.

I am looking into Landry's (and even Ghirardelli and Hyatt) GCs on Raise. Also looking at Disney GCs from Target or Sam's. No resistance.

No, I am not going to take pb&j to the parks. Maybe if we went all the time. For me, the food/dining is part of the experience when I haven't been in 11 years and don't know if/when I will go again. Yes, we will probably share some meals, especially at BOG breakfast since my main objective is getting into the park early (as long as hours don't change in which case I will cancel). Yes, we are doing dinner at BOG too. It will be our only TS meal at MK which I think will be a great experience, plus DS wants to meet Beast. Slap the cuffs on already. I am debating getting rid of MM Fantasmic package at HS, but need to weigh the pros and cons. I really want DS to see Fantasmic without having to stand and sit around for an hour (again, ADHD).

No, everyone did not waste their time, I have enough ideas to save a good $800 without drastically changing my plans. It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons and deciding if the savings outweighs the loss of convenience/assurance/comfort.

Wow, thank you for questioning my integrity and common sense. I was just trying to give you a cheaper option for the same tickets.

 

[hsmamato2]

One more thing - the ideas given are not a waste of everyone's time, even if you believe I am not open to them. This thread is not only for me, but for anyone reading who is looking for ways to save.

Wow..... I feel for OP.... just b/c she asked,doesn't mean she needs to/wants to make every possible change.... I personally am extremely cheap,and would cut corners,knowing that the given changes wouldn't affect my fams enjoyment....but in fairness,OP hasn't been in 11 years,and it's really hard to see apples for apples when you're unfamiliar with it all.... I say Good job saving the $700 OP, be aware that many of us have given advice (like WAY too much BOG) that you may want to heed, but since this board is voluntary,in fact it's what I call my 'free time' I don't feel like I'm wasting time answering a thread if I feel like it,and it makes no difference to me IRL if anyone listens to me or not.... that said, if you can stay onsite at Uni,and cancel another hotel option,go for it. If not,wait until you ARRIVE at Universal to buy any extra FOTL passes....you could attempt a rope drop entry,and see how it goes- they let you add the pass whenever you want to.... and have fun!

 

[hsmamato2]

also OP.... as one who is pretty familiar with Florida and Disney...the times in the past that we left the Disney/Universal area to stay at the beach were.... disappointing. My family (boys) was always happier when we stuck to one type of place at a time... a day trip out to Cocoa beach was always more than enough...from our orlando hotel

 

[sk!mom]

Call me crazy but $250pp per day is not cheap for a vacation.Then again anytime you do an a la carte type vacation with a mix of amusement parks and a beach it will not be a deal.

Agree Poorly planned trip. If you think everyone that goes for a week has to spend $5,500 you are doing it wrong.

Good point! We went last summer on a graduation celebration trip. We did 5 nights at Disney with the dining plan and 5 day tickets and 1 night at Universal with 2 day park to park tickets. We had a blast and our total cost was $1,100 per person.

What would your budget be for this possibly once in a lifetime vacation to Orlando. And please be honest with me AND yourself!

One in our group last year had never been and it was a "special" celebration for the 4 seniors. We honestly didn't try to cut corners.

Why would you pay 210 in express passes when it's included in many universal hotel stays? Can you not get one night at a universal hotel for cheaper than another hotel cost + the 210 express passes? And so what if you prepaid a breakfast..they have cancelation policies this far in advance.

A room at Lowes Royal Pacific is $269 on 10-18. That would give your free express passes (210 value or looking at it from the other perspective a $59 hotel room) one hour early admission to Harry Potter (which you aren't getting now) and easier access to universal including not having to pay for parking. That alone saves a nice chunk of change and is easier.

Both times we have been to Universal to see HP this is what we did. Yes, the one night is expensive and I hate one night hotel stays on vacation but worth it to us to have the express pass since as you pointed out the room then costs about $60 for that one night. OP, since you are firmly set on going on a Saturday/party day and the Wizarding World is an important goal, I really think it's a mistake not to go for the onsite hotel. The early hour in Potter world was very important in seeing it. Gringotts and Forbidden Journey did not have Express pass last year (no idea if that has changed.) That one night stay gave us those perks for two days in the park.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Yeah, maybe if you get the luxury of going frequently you don't have to, but if you go with the notion that this may be your only family vacation there (which it possibly could be), I think you do.

I would challenge you to think hard and honestly and pretend that you have not been in 11 years, have never been with your spouse and child and this is your child's first and maybe only time there (oh, and child has never seen the ocean), and possibly your family's only chance to go. Your child is a boy about to turn 8, has ADHD and loves adventure. You have to fly from Indiana because it is a good 16 hour drive and you only have a week, plus DS would be miserable thus making everyone miserable, in a car that long. You have to go during a school break too.

What would your budget be for this possibly once in a lifetime vacation to Orlando. And please be honest with me AND yourself!

It is not so much what your spending but what you are getting for the amount. I will say it again $250 pp per day is very high. Take it as a learning curve and have fun but don't get upset with folks noting it is not a ideal plan.

 

[crazylady]

We took a trip earlier this summer with our adventure loving 8 year old boy. We've been to Disney and Uni before but this is the first year he really did all the big rides he could. I will say that he loved Uni rides way more than Disney rides and he loved the characters at Uni too. I think you're going to have a great time. Since your schedule is a bit more open without the extra MK day, I would actually get a two day park to park pass at Uni instead of the 1 day with the express pass. It saves a little $, but gives your more time there. There were so many things my 8yo wanted to do again and again at Uni that I'm afraid you little guy will get down there and want to go again another day. While we stayed on site and LOVED the front of the line access, even in June, the regular lines really weren't that bad. I think they'd be even shorter in October. This would give your some flexibility to move your 1st uni day with the character breakfast on Thurs and maybe you could put a second day in at the end on the day you get back from the beach.

 

[Marshmelo]

Wow..... I feel for OP.... just b/c she asked,doesn't mean she needs to/wants to make every possible change.... I personally am extremely cheap,and would cut corners,knowing that the given changes wouldn't affect my fams enjoyment....but in fairness,OP hasn't been in 11 years,and it's really hard to see apples for apples when you're unfamiliar with it all.... I say Good job saving the $700 OP, be aware that many of us have given advice (like WAY too much BOG) that you may want to heed, but since this board is voluntary,in fact it's what I call my 'free time' I don't feel like I'm wasting time answering a thread if I feel like it,and it makes no difference to me IRL if anyone listens to me or not.... that said, if you can stay onsite at Uni,and cancel another hotel option,go for it. If not,wait until you ARRIVE at Universal to buy any extra FOTL passes....you could attempt a rope drop entry,and see how it goes- they let you add the pass whenever you want to.... and have fun!

Thank you hsmamato2!! I appreciate your compassion. btw, we are only going to BOG two times, one breakfast and one dinner. Only doing the breakfast to get into the park early.

 

[kollerbear]

OP-- Sorry that the thread turned in the direction that it has for you. I think that the trip that you planned--while it feels 100% right to you for you and your family--is really unlike the trips that a lot of us would take-- and not just because of the $ or the fact that we've been more frequently. I think part of it is, because we've been more recently or have done some of this trial and error, people are kind of warning you of some of the pitfalls. I think that the beach, for example--even if your son hasn't seen the ocean, I remember being dragged away from the theme parks to see the beach when I was about your son's age, too, and the 3 days we spent there were... blah. My family hasn't done that since. I haven't been to Universal but I assume the advice people are offering are based on their experiences going to Universal. I've been to WDW a lot recently and I couldn't imagine spending one park day (given that you'll be there for such a short time) at DHS with a son your age-- it's turned into such a shell of what it used to be and what I'm sure it will be in future years. I know you love Fantasmic, and I personally love Mama Melrose, but I think a lot of us who have been recently are raising flags about that because, well, it seems like an odd choice given the park experiences we've had recently. Considering the mixed reviews about Be Our Guest's breakfast access, I understand why you picked it, but again, I don't think many of us would suggest going to Be Our Guest twice. Having been there, it's fun and nice, but the atmosphere is... well, fun and nice but not something I'd need to see twice in one trip when there are so many other awesome things to see and do at MK. Rope drop would probably work just as well for you.

It's totally fine and understandable that you don't want to change your trip. I don't think ANYTHING of the cost that you choose to spend on a trip that has such meaning to you. But I think that a lot of the feedback isn't so much based on financial advice, but also peoples' experiences in the parks. With a Disney skeptic DH myself, I completely understand making sure that the trip is as enjoyable as possible for your DH so that he'll want to come back. Even though my DH really is excited to see WWOHP, that hasn't happened yet because I know he'll enjoy that more as a separate trip without too much rushing (or the added $/value issues) to jump between parks in a single trip. (A lot of times he'll say he wants to do something, but when I talk through the alternatives with him, he realizes it would be more relaxing/a better experience to keep it simpler. He's not really a trip planner so he doesn't think about some of the complications/stressors that come with his requests. Once we talk them out sometimes we eliminate what I want to do, sometimes we eliminate what he wants to do.) So I completely get your priorities, but I think that, even having explained them, a lot of us, knowing the parks experiences we've had recently, would have still planned it differently. So you're getting a lot of that in your responses, not just financial stuff.

At the end of the day, you did talk to DH and factor your son's thoughts into account. You've planned the best trip for you and I really hope it turns out to be amazing, and I hope that you get to take another one really soon!!