Dole Whip is a Dish Best Served Cold. A Sept PTR- 10/2 - TR POSTED!

[teekathepony]

This made my day!

Not going to lie, I was pretty excited for an opportunity to use that.

 

[teekathepony]

We have some trip news... I'm just not sure I like it. And it doesn't bring me any real solid conclusions.

We sat down to do the Disney math yesterday and this morning. Or, if you will, the Florida/off-site math.

I won't bore you with too many details, but here's about what we figured for costs:

Off-site trip, done the way we would want

Hotel -- $0
Disney (4 day park hopper) ticket -- $754.02
Universal (1 day park to park) ticket -- $272.00
Rental Car (Only the cost per day to add a driver) -- $70.00
Meals, eating out -- $422.00
Groceries, eating in -- $50
Flights -- $350 + AirMiles (THIS IS PAID)
Souvenirs -- $200
Parking -- $68
Capones Dinner Theatre -- $60
Luggage Fees -- $50

For a grand total of -- $2,296.02

My initial reaction was that this price was too high for a trip we aren't too crazy about.

Subtract the $350 we have already paid for the flights, and we have $1,946.02 left to save up. We have some saved, but not that much, and we did just get back from Germany.

Let's assume we could come up with the money. What's the difference to stay on site?

(This is a very dangerous line of thinking. )

A week long stay at Pop Century with a 5 day park hopper and the free meal plan comes to:

$1,678.10

Now, add to that the few extras that are already included in the other trip, such as the luggage, Universal ticket, souvenirs, and Capones dinner theatre and we have:

$2,260.10

A difference of just $314.08.

I can tell you right now that for an extra $315 I would absolutely rather go to Pop Century. But just because I want to, still doesn't mean we can come up with the money. And in just 53 days, our plane takes off.

Yeah. Only 53 days.

But my Mother in law (remember her?)

... wants us to come so much that she offered to pay for our Universal ticket.

So we decided to look at a different option. We call it "The Cheap Way"

If we cut our Disney ticket down to a two day base ticket, less meals out, (but more groceries,) lower our souvenir allowance to just $50, less parking due to less park days, subtract Universal tickets, our new total is:

$1,001.44

My opinion?

It's probably a doable amount, but I'm just not sure we want to do it. Go all that way for only two Disney days? I don't think it's worth it.

Ok, one more price list.

This one is called The Compromise List.

If we stay at the condo, get a 3 day park hopper for Disney, she pays for the Universal ticket, we come to:

$1,281.00 left to save up.

That might be doable, and it's a compromise I think I could live with.

I really want to make this decision today. I'll keep you updated.

I'm sorry this is dragging on so long, I really want it concluded!

 

[eeyore04]

I find it amusing how you and I think so alike. I love your lists.

Hopefully you guys will come up with your decision soon

 

[MidnightParade]

Urf, hard decisions! And its just made harder when trying to make family happy. I wish you all the luck in deciding! No matter what you choose though I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!

 

[momabbate]

I love that you do math list. I sometimes feel like I am the only one. Chris hates seeing me make a new one. It is always tough to spend money on something you only kind of want to do. I know for us one trip a year is all I could handle. I really like being home. Good luck on deciding.

 

[jedijill]

I'm in the same boat. My BFF has invited me to stay with them in November since they have a 2BR villa. But I started adding up flight, ticket, food, etc and its just doesn't feel worth it even though I would love to go. Being an adult is so hard sometimes!

Jill in CO

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

OK, I have one other addition to your Disney math you failed to add on...

Being in Disney while I'm there... PRICELESS.

Seriously though... I do hope it works out that you go, but if not, I totally get that too. But I would be sad.

 

[ZehnJahren]

What about offsite with no souvenirs and no park hoppers? I find I buy very, very little in the way of souvenirs anymore - a t-shirt and a refillable mug are usually my limit (though my October trip will be a little bit crazier due to the new Dooneys that are out - and we're doing the Ultimate Day of Thrills tour too). Or what about a "split stay"? A couple of days in the condo, a couple of days at Pop? I always loved a good split stay!

 

[KatMark]

What if you skip the souvenirs (save those for another trip) and don't do the dinner theater?

We will be watching for your decision..........

 

[NaughtyQueen]

That is some good math!

 

[teekathepony]

I find it amusing how you and I think so alike. I love your lists.

Hopefully you guys will come up with your decision soon

Lists are the only way I manage in life.
If Johnny has his way, there will be no decision until the week before we go.

Urf, hard decisions! And its just made harder when trying to make family happy. I wish you all the luck in deciding! No matter what you choose though I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!

Very hard decisions. I just wish something would decide for me at this point!

I love that you do math list. I sometimes feel like I am the only one. Chris hates seeing me make a new one. It is always tough to spend money on something you only kind of want to do. I know for us one trip a year is all I could handle. I really like being home. Good luck on deciding.

You are not alone! Haha I need the lists to organize my thoughts. It is tough to put money into something that's not quite right, but the more I think about this, the more I do want to do it. I hope we will see very soon.

I'm in the same boat. My BFF has invited me to stay with them in November since they have a 2BR villa. But I started adding up flight, ticket, food, etc and its just doesn't feel worth it even though I would love to go. Being an adult is so hard sometimes!

Jill in CO

It's a tough boat, isn't it? It's amazing how little the free accommodations really does for you when you add up everything else. Hoping your decisions come easier than mine! And yes you're right.

 

[teekathepony]

OK, I have one other addition to your Disney math you failed to add on...

Being in Disney while I'm there... PRICELESS.

Seriously though... I do hope it works out that you go, but if not, I totally get that too. But I would be sad.

Aww Rob! I didn't write it down, but believe me when I say that Dismeets are one huge reason I DO want to go! We might have a way to make it work. Stay tuned.

What about offsite with no souvenirs and no park hoppers? I find I buy very, very little in the way of souvenirs anymore - a t-shirt and a refillable mug are usually my limit (though my October trip will be a little bit crazier due to the new Dooneys that are out - and we're doing the Ultimate Day of Thrills tour too). Or what about a "split stay"? A couple of days in the condo, a couple of days at Pop? I always loved a good split stay!

I think the offsite with no souvenirs and no park hoppers we could do. Not seeing Animal Kingdom (that's the park that takes the hit with no hoppers) will break my heart a little but the trips can't all be long and perfect and all-inclusive, right? Good point about the souvenirs, I never buy much anymore. I'd like a towel, but that's about it.

What if you skip the souvenirs (save those for another trip) and don't do the dinner theater?

We will be watching for your decision..........

Kathy, we may have opposite ride preferences, but we seem to think alike! I can definitely skip the souvenirs (and did another list where I eliminated them!) I'd also love to skip the dinner theatre... but Johnny really wants to do it. We'll see. With so many DIsers around at that time, maybe I'll skip the dinner theatre to do some Dismeets!

That is some good math!

If it works out in our favour, I'll agree with that!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Aww Rob! I didn't write it down, but believe me when I say that Dismeets are one huge reason I DO want to go! We might have a way to make it work. Stay tuned.

 

[MEK]

Nothing like Disney math to keep you on your toes.

Love that your MIL is throwing in the Universal ticket. That's pretty darn generous and that is quite the expensive ticket for one day. I was at an AAA agency today and they are charging $188 a piece for a 2 day park hopper. Crap - I can get an AP to ALL the BG parks for $204. What gives Universal????

Here's my prediction. I've been following your TR's for awhile now. I know where this is headed. You are not going to be happy unless you stay on site, so I think you are going to tweaketh the numbers some more and end up at POP.

Finally prediction. And I won't even say, "I Told You So".

 

[teekathepony]

OK here it is.

The announcement.

Which announcement?

THE announcement.

The big one.

The answer to the ultimate question.

Will they?

Won't they?

We have added and subtracted, multiplied and divided the Disney math over and over again. We have considered all options, perhaps made a few cuts, a few compromises, a few wishes on a few stars.

We came to the following conclusion:

WE CAN DO THIS.

As of right now, we're going. The only thing that can stop us would be if things change at work for either of us and we can't get the time off, or if some unexpected expense comes up. It's some thin ice we're standing on, but we're standing.

So what now?

CELEBRATE!

The plan at this point is staying at the condo, three day Disney ticket (park hopper is yet to be determined) and keeping the other costs as low as possible.

But still. It's a yes!

p.s. One other small bit of business before I move on. I'm working on my Intermediate photography classes for work and you all are my test subjects. What would you like to learn more about? Any words you've heard that you don't understand? Techniques you'd like to learn? Let me know.

Your wish is my command!

​

 

[MonsterWDWmom]

Awesome news!!

I'm glad that you guys are able to make it work, I just wish my vacation was a little later I will miss you, Kathy and Rob!!

I hope everything continues to work out so this trip can happen for you!

 

[teekathepony]

A decision has now been made.

Nothing like Disney math to keep you on your toes.

Love that your MIL is throwing in the Universal ticket. That's pretty darn generous and that is quite the expensive ticket for one day. I was at an AAA agency today and they are charging $188 a piece for a 2 day park hopper. Crap - I can get an AP to ALL the BG parks for $204. What gives Universal????

Here's my prediction. I've been following your TR's for awhile now. I know where this is headed. You are not going to be happy unless you stay on site, so I think you are going to tweaketh the numbers some more and end up at POP.

Finally prediction. And I won't even say, "I Told You So".

Haha you posted as I was posting!

Well, as of now Pop Century isn't happening, but that's not to say we won't find a way to wiggle it into the plans. We don't have long to make this work, but I guess you never know!

 

[teekathepony]

Awesome news!!

I'm glad that you guys are able to make it work, I just wish my vacation was a little later I will miss you, Kathy and Rob!!

I hope everything continues to work out so this trip can happen for you!

Another ninja post!

Yes we made it work. I can barely believe it, but we're going to make it work! Now I wish you could push yours off by just a little but too!

 

[KatMark]

Now I hope one of our days overlap and we can meet and say hello.

 

[MEK]

Congrats!

My crystal ball prediction has NOT changed!