Do you think I can plan a "cheap" surprise trip?

[patsal]

I've just been sitting around thinking, summer vacation and I'm sure I have too much time on my hands! Although we just got back, and I have an Easter trip planned, I thought I might be able to get one more trip out of the PAP's. We activated on June 30th, so if I leave the minute summer break begins (June 25th) we could get a quick end of June trip out of them. For a family of four, with plenty of counter service, plane fare and the all-stars or a good moderate code rate, do you think I'd be able to do things for around $1500.
Any suggestions for achieving this goal and for keeping this kind of trip a secret would be helpful! Thanks in advance for your help.


Sally

 

[tink2dw]

Now you can start deciding what are the things that are "must do's" and "must
see's." and decide the length of your trip.

Then decide on the tickets you will need here.
http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html

To keep an EYE on All the discounts for on-site and off-site resorts check here
often and sign up for the MouseSavers.com newsletter to get all the best news.
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

For Air fares sign up at all the Airline Web sites that fly out of your airport
that fly to Orlando or MCO in airline speak. Then Check Expedia,Travelocity for
airline deals. Also check out the Transporation Board air,car deals.
http://www.disboards.com/

Start a WDW change jar to save for your trip.[there are many tips here on this
board!!]

Also you can decide where you will want to eat and start making plans to make
your food budget and check the Priority Seatings Calculator to know when you can
make PS's some are as far out as 730 Days.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html

Also to help decide where to eat you can find menu's at Deb's wdw site,this
works 2 ways to see where to eat what,and how much it costs, to finalize the
food budget.
http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

To keep all this info in one place,here is a computer Disney Vacation Planner.
It will print each day on a seperate sheet. Also check the pull down menu'sat
the top for loads of info!!
http://www.intercot.com/planner/default.asp

Well,this should get you start on a thousand more Questions!! So,don't be shy!
Ask away!! The kind members here will share what they know! So,check back
often!!

Planning is 1/2 the FUN!!
tink2dw

 

[carone0318]

I think that it is do-able. I think that your only major expense would be the plane tickets. I am not sure where Hamburg is, but if you are near NYC, I think that Jet Blue has some pretty reasonable fares. With your AP, you can get some pretty good deals on the All-Star Resorts. I am throwing together a little get away for Dec for just dh and me, no kids and I think that I will be able to do it for about $600. We are going for 3 nights and are staying at POR for $87 a night - total $263. I am hoping that I can get airfare for about $150 r/t pp. Then all I really need to worry about is food and spending money. Of course spending money will be a lot because we will have to do some Christmas shopping for the kids because of the guilt.

Anyway, enough of me, I think that $1500 can be do-able as long as you can find good airfare! Good luck!

 

[BELLA1]

BUT you are in good hands.....

NO EXCUSES NEEDED>...GO FOR ITDIZZY FOR DISNEY

 

[zakatak]

We're from Akron, NY (just east of Clarence). My only problem with your plan is the airfare. We have five in our family and a DH who WILL NOT drive, so we always have to pay airfare. I expect to pay at least $1000 in airfare when we go next July. I paid $1300 for this October, but JetBlue's prices kept going down and up. We did snatch it up at $69 one-way. $114 on the way back though... A few days later the price went back up to $114 on the way down!!!

APs help, but there is still food, hotel and airfare. Airfare is what is going to hurt you.

Good luck though... We should have a Western New York Dis meet!!

Karen

 

[eeyore0062]

Hey Patsel, get on the phone right now, and call Courtyard Marriott Lake Buena Vista and ask what they still have available for their $20.02 promotion. I was able to get 4 nights August 11th - 15th! You really can't beat that! The promotion runs Sundays thru Thursdays through August, while supplies last!

 

[patsal]

Thanks so much everyone!
I wish I could use the Courtyard discount, but the days are not available for vacation at this time (DH gets 14 flex days per yr.--total rip-off if he gets sick). I know what you mean about the airfare around here (by the way Hamburg is near Buffalo). Why do I always hear about great airfares and then never find them? I guess I'll just keep looking until I can get a good rate and lock in the price when I feel comfy with it. I have no problems with all stars and maybe a good AP rate will come up. I am already doing the change jar thing and I yield about $50 per month. I am going to have a garage sale soon as well. I could use Connections Q&C's wisely as well as maybe a feature lunch at RFC. Thanks for the hints and tips. When I get this all together I'll let you know how much it actually cost me!

I'd love to get a WNY dis meet together. Not many people we know are as Disney Happy as we are!