CheapMom said:
Read this Mousesavers article
http://www.mousesavers.com/howlow.html
This is for a family of 4
But it's also interesting to note that in her July, 2005 update of that article, Mary implies that it would be very difficult to duplicate the same results due to changes in a number of factors since the original "experiment" in Jan. 2004 (ie the ticket structure change, the lack of room-only codes and the unavailability of meal vouchers) .
To get it in under $1000, you would have to find very cheap transportation. The room and tickets will cost two adults somewhere in the neighborhood of $600, and that's a very CHEAP room ($39/night plus tax, for a total of $220), offsite and 4-day MYW Base Tickets (expiry) from a well-known ticketbroker (approx. $380 for 2 adults). Note that if you go any cheaper with the hotel, you may not get any of the other ammenities like free shuttle service or a complimentary breakfast buffet. You're going to need both to make the budget work.
A rental car would be cost-prohibative, as would the parking fee ($9/day, according to allearsnet.com). A hotel with a free shuttle to the parks is a must and it should be accessible via public transportation from the airport check out
GoLynx.com for bus fares, routes and schedules. Airfare should be either free (using FF miles) or very cheap ($39 one way or less, a total of $100 for 2 RT with taxes and fees).
Food might consist of the free breakfast buffet at the budget hotel and a number of items brought from home. The big meal of the day (eaten at the parks) would ideally be a shared, counterservice combo meal with an additional entrée added if appetites are not satisfied. Dinner might be Cup O'Soup and crackers (brought from home) or instant oatmeal, both of which can be prepared using an in-room coffeemaker or a hotpot brought along for just that purpose. Budgeting $20 per person per day for food is very low but it can be done if you really sacrifice and bring food with you. That would add another $200 to the budget.
This would bring your total to about $900, allowing each person $50 in souvenirs and misc. expenses. As you can see, it would make for a bare-bones trip but it can be done. The key would be to researching your airfare and hotel extensively. Good luck! Let us know if you're able to do it. I would love to read the trip report!
, I know, but you would save a bunch. You could get an inexpensive hotel somewhere along the way through Priceline and even with gas and tolls it shouldn't be much more than $300. Then you'll be able to pack kitchen staples and some food plus you'll have the car while you're there.
