Does my budget sound about right?

[lisaross]

what about the free dining they usually offer in October??

 

[StayCool]

what about the free dining they usually offer in October??

If they offer free dining, I will consider it but it really changes things in my budget. If I choose free dining and they do keep the military discount I will have to decide between paying full price for the room and tickets to get free food, or keeping the room discount and cheaper tickets and paying oop for food. I think I would still be better off keeping the military discount, but I will cross that bridge if/when it is offered.

 

[dtr_angel]

I'm not sure what memory makers is, is that photo pass? I agree with others that 400-500 seems high for souvenirs. We have been to Disney 5 times and aren't big on souvenirs but if you are getting photo pass, the pictures from the trip make a great souvenir! We pre-order the photo pass CD each trip (it used to be $99, now I think it's $125) and it's well worth it in my opinion!

 

[StayCool]

Fly, fly, fly. Keep watching the airlines websites. Usually Southwest & Jetblue have lowest fares. Plus you get to stay at Disney longer we do the military tx & hotel discount every year so far, can't beat it! HOpefully they will extend your tx dates through October. Yes the waterpark and Downtown Disney will fill up a day, plus we always just do a resort day. Enjoy!

That's what I'm counting on! 4 days in the parks means I can go to all of them once, then I still have 4 days to do Disney Quest or the waterparks. I do want to enjoy the resort and have some down time without worrying about how much we have to do each day!

I just pulled the trigger and we are staying October 4-12! It was $1000 but with the potential discount I can get it for $700. Now I will be stalking SouthWest and JetBlue to see what their airfare is like. I figure if I find flights I can live with we will fly. Worst case scenario, I don't find flights cheap enough and we drive. Either way we go!!!

 

[littleelf]

Since you are in Binghamton I would get the ding app from Southwest and keep an eye on it. We usually get direct flights from Albany for about $99 one way. Sometimes I will book at a higher rate and then if it goes down I re-book and use the funds another time. Right now we have a roundtrip for four of us in February that was $729.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Following along because we are also thinking of making the drive this year if we can't find good prices on flights. We are in Central NY, right off the thruway so about an hour east of Syracuse and an hour west of Albany. We almost always fly Southwest out of Albany because they usually offer the best price. I would love to try Jet Blue out of Syracuse but they are always very high whenever we want to fly.

Our dates aren't open yet for either so we are still waiting to see what airfare is going to be. I am really hoping to get some good prices this year but I hate playing the waiting game. And then when I finally do pull the trigger, always worry could I have saved more by waiting?

So now we are also seriously thinking of just driving instead. I have only done it once and I was 3 yrs old. LOL But now it would be the 4 of us in a Ford Focus and I might go crazy by the end of it. But then again it would be a new adventure (at least on the way down...the way back seems like it would just be a long, depressing ride). I kind of want to do it just because it is something different than our usual trip but only if it is saving us a bunch of money.

 

[tmfranlk]

Just one added suggestion that I don't think was mentioned. For your table service meals take a look at the menus for the places were you can order off the menu. Of your kids would do kid meals or share then these would be better price options than all buffet/family service where you'll all pay the flat adult rate. Of course I'd still grab at least one character meal for the experience of it!

Also it sounds like you've done so, but I'd rebook the longer trip now. You can always shave a day or two off of either end if you need to once you know your transportation. We're going in March and I jut shaved the first and last day off as the first step to accepting that we just won't be flying. Fares right now are at least 420 and mostly closer to 500 our week. Times 5 = were definitely driving from St. Louis.

Sounds like great plans all around! You're going to have the best time.

 

[hsmamato2]

That's great! I like your revised budget a lot it makes sense, and those 5 day tickets = 10 days of fun (right? 5 days in big parks+ 5 days in water parks) you can mix it up with a big park day,then relaxing by the pool/shopping/disneyquest and waterparks...... Southwest Ding is kind of weird now, but sign up for it anyway...if you have a smartphone, watch the twitter feeds for southwest and jetblue,plus emails from every discount airfare site out there
If they offer FD, weigh your options....it may save you money,it may not. SOme people don't feel like it's vacation without a table service meal daily.... others take advantage of all the wonderful cs options at WDW (Me LOL) I like to bring a couple of boxes of cereal in the suitcase,plus disposable bowls and spoons, then buy milk in the gift shop ...makes breakfast quick easy and cheap! (and we don't have to drag ourselves out for breakfast,which I don't like to do)
AllEars is the best for menus....they rock!

 

[StayCool]

Since you are in Binghamton I would get the ding app from Southwest and keep an eye on it. We usually get direct flights from Albany for about $99 one way. Sometimes I will book at a higher rate and then if it goes down I re-book and use the funds another time. Right now we have a roundtrip for four of us in February that was $729.

For me the distance to Rochester and Albany is 3 hours and those are the closest for SouthWest. So I keep checking both. I did sign up for the Ding fares, but nothing yet. I'm watching Jet Blue in Syracuse which is about 1 1/2 hrs away. I hope I can get a deal as good as yours. I didn't realize that Columbus day is the day after we plan to leave though, so that might make a difference .

Following along because we are also thinking of making the drive this year if we can't find good prices on flights. We are in Central NY, right off the thruway so about an hour east of Syracuse and an hour west of Albany. We almost always fly Southwest out of Albany because they usually offer the best price. I would love to try Jet Blue out of Syracuse but they are always very high whenever we want to fly.

Our dates aren't open yet for either so we are still waiting to see what airfare is going to be. I am really hoping to get some good prices this year but I hate playing the waiting game. And then when I finally do pull the trigger, always worry could I have saved more by waiting?

So now we are also seriously thinking of just driving instead. I have only done it once and I was 3 yrs old. LOL But now it would be the 4 of us in a Ford Focus and I might go crazy by the end of it. But then again it would be a new adventure (at least on the way down...the way back seems like it would just be a long, depressing ride). I kind of want to do it just because it is something different than our usual trip but only if it is saving us a bunch of money.

I don't know if I would be brave enough to go in a Focus! I have a big SUV so there is plenty of room for everyone to have their own space. Plus I was thinking that we could watch Disney movies the whole way down if we drive. I agree though that the drive home would definitely be depressing.

Just one added suggestion that I don't think was mentioned. For your table service meals take a look at the menus for the places were you can order off the menu. Of your kids would do kid meals or share then these would be better price options than all buffet/family service where you'll all pay the flat adult rate. Of course I'd still grab at least one character meal for the experience of it!

Also it sounds like you've done so, but I'd rebook the longer trip now. You can always shave a day or two off of either end if you need to once you know your transportation. We're going in March and I jut shaved the first and last day off as the first step to accepting that we just won't be flying. Fares right now are at least 420 and mostly closer to 500 our week. Times 5 = were definitely driving from St. Louis.

Sounds like great plans all around! You're going to have the best time.

I'm hoping that no one wants to go to Orlando in October!! lol So I can get really cheap flights. I figure I can always change the dates, but at least I have my foot in the door.

That's great! I like your revised budget a lot it makes sense, and those 5 day tickets = 10 days of fun (right? 5 days in big parks+ 5 days in water parks) you can mix it up with a big park day,then relaxing by the pool/shopping/disneyquest and waterparks...... Southwest Ding is kind of weird now, but sign up for it anyway...if you have a smartphone, watch the twitter feeds for southwest and jetblue,plus emails from every discount airfare site out there
If they offer FD, weigh your options....it may save you money,it may not. SOme people don't feel like it's vacation without a table service meal daily.... others take advantage of all the wonderful cs options at WDW (Me LOL) I like to bring a couple of boxes of cereal in the suitcase,plus disposable bowls and spoons, then buy milk in the gift shop ...makes breakfast quick easy and cheap! (and we don't have to drag ourselves out for breakfast,which I don't like to do)
AllEars is the best for menus....they rock!

I'm going to scope out all the dining. I'd like to do a TS in each park and one other as well. Maybe not in Epcot if the Food and Wine festival is going on though. I'd rather enjoy the snacks! I do plan to bring breakfast for the mornings and already warned my husband!

I don't have twitter, but is it worth signing up for to get the tweets from the airlines? I do have them on my FB feed so idk. Any ideas?

 

[polineedyan]

When I consider waiting for a flight to come up at a nearby airport vs driving, it worries me that I would actually get a good fare. If I did, I have the long term parking to consider. I also considered the fact that if I flew, I wouldnt have the use of a vehicle when I got to Florida. What bothered me, was that I didnt see my plane landing at MCO if I took Allegiant. My plane would land at Sanford. I dont know if they have ME there..so now, Im looking at cabfare, too. I dont know if thats all enough to blow the budget, but if my Allegiant fare plus tax and bags is say $850, then $20ish to long term parking, then a $20 cabfare from and to..gas to get to the airport and back..I dont know. I dont know if it would be worthwhile for us.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Please forgive my ignorance because I am British. But is it very expensive to rent an RV in America? I was just wondering if it'd worth considering renting an RV to drive down then stay at Fort Wilderness. Maybe as a British person ( our Island is small compared you yours! ) it's just a romanic ideal! But I think Fort Wilderness is lovely and driving in an RV with kitchen, fridge ect saving hotel costs on way.

Am I being niave? go away English person... Lol..

But enjoy your trip please do I am excited for you! We always spend far too much on souvenirs!

 

[delmar411]

When I consider waiting for a flight to come up at a nearby airport vs driving, it worries me that I would actually get a good fare. If I did, I have the long term parking to consider. I also considered the fact that if I flew, I wouldnt have the use of a vehicle when I got to Florida. What bothered me, was that I didnt see my plane landing at MCO if I took Allegiant. My plane would land at Sanford. I dont know if they have ME there..so now, Im looking at cabfare, too. I dont know if thats all enough to blow the budget, but if my Allegiant fare plus tax and bags is say $850, then $20ish to long term parking, then a $20 cabfare from and to..gas to get to the airport and back..I dont know. I dont know if it would be worthwhile for us.

Sanford is quite a distance from Disney and $20is the cab fare I paid for a taxi from the Contemporary to Saratoga Springs. You'd be looking at well over $100 to cab from Sanford one way.

 

[hsmamato2]

I don't have twitter, but is it worth signing up for to get the tweets from the airlines? I do have them on my FB feed so idk. Any ideas?

I think so,I don't like twitter, but I have it just to keep an eye on certain sales,and SWA is one of them, sometimes different sales are posted in different places,or faster than another, so I do as much as possible..FB,twitter,email,manually checking.... disboards

 

[hsmamato2]

Sanford is quite a distance from Disney and $20is the cab fare I paid for a taxi from the Contemporary to Saratoga Springs. You'd be looking at well over $100 to cab from Sanford one way.

Sanford is maybe an hour max away..... you'd need to rent a care from there.... I've done this before, but if it won't save you money overall to do all this, then you need to decide the time vs. money thing....I feel that driving time = wasted vacation time,so if it's equal,I'll fly. If it's more, I'l fly,unless it's cost prohibitive, then the driving becomes an option

 

[StayCool]

Please forgive my ignorance because I am British. But is it very expensive to rent an RV in America? I was just wondering if it'd worth considering renting an RV to drive down then stay at Fort Wilderness. Maybe as a British person ( our Island is small compared you yours! ) it's just a romanic ideal! But I think Fort Wilderness is lovely and driving in an RV with kitchen, fridge ect saving hotel costs on way.

Am I being niave? go away English person... Lol..

But enjoy your trip please do I am excited for you! We always spend far too much on souvenirs!

RV rentals can be quite expensive. It would depend a lot of what kind of rv you want and where you rent it from. Some companies will set it up for you before you get there, but I don't know how that works at Disney.

The other thing is, how far do you want to drive from? You didn't say if you have been to the US before or where you want to fly into, but I don't think driving a RV down the highway is that much fun. lol Although when I retire, I definitely want one! lol

I think so,I don't like twitter, but I have it just to keep an eye on certain sales,and SWA is one of them, sometimes different sales are posted in different places,or faster than another, so I do as much as possible..FB,twitter,email,manually checking.... disboards

Ok, you twisted my arm. I will sign up for twitter just for the discounts!

 

[loveshak22]

For me the distance to Rochester and Albany is 3 hours and those are the closest for SouthWest. So I keep checking both. I did sign up for the Ding fares, but nothing yet. I'm watching Jet Blue in Syracuse which is about 1 1/2 hrs away. I hope I can get a deal as good as yours. I didn't realize that Columbus day is the day after we plan to leave though, so that might make a difference .

I'm sure you know this but also keep checking the big airlines! It looks like United and American fly out of Syracuse and with my airfare alerts I can often find great deals on the big airlines just as easy as Southwest and JetBlue. Honestly, I usually do find the fares much cheaper on United and US Airways and even sometimes Delta over Soutwest and JetBlue. I do usually have some flexibility on my travel dates so that probably helps me with deals but I have that same flexibility with Southwest and JetBlue as well and still always find better deals on other airlines.

What you have going for you is time and a backup plan if you don't get a deal you like!

Your budget doesn't show a rental car but if you start thinking you want a car on property then there's always the option of Tampa. Right now there are flights from Syracuse to Tampa for $256 on Delta. It's an 85 mile drive and if you get a good military discount on car rentals it could be one more option.

I personally don't prefer having a car on property and love ME and the onsite travel options but I just wanted to throw that out there if you started thinking you did want a car to explore outside of Disney.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Ok I think maybe RV rental is expensive!

For you would you not qualify for Shades of Green? Or would you prefer to stay at All Stars anyway? I don't know how the costs compare.

 

[StayCool]

Ok I think maybe RV rental is expensive!

For you would you not qualify for Shades of Green? Or would you prefer to stay at All Stars anyway? I don't know how the costs compare.

We would qualify for Shades of Green, but I would rather stay on Disney property. The cost difference is not really much in our case.

 

[tzeitel]

We would qualify for Shades of Green, but I would rather stay on Disney property. The cost difference is not really much in our case.

Shades of Green is on Disney property, it actually used to be a Disney resort and is very close to the Poly. Here is a site that has tips for military families -
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Polynesian-walk.html

 

[Fantastic4]

I agree with staying in a Disney Resort rather than SofG. For many military families, like mine, when we go on vacation we want to get away from "work". That's not always possible in the military. The last thing many service members want to do is stay in a hotel surrounded by other service members. Might sound strange but I'm sure many of you wouldn't want to go on vacation with your co-workers. it is a nice hotel, I've only been in to buy our tickets though.