Going in November...on a $1500 budget...

[Joe Cool]

Hey,

My best friend Patti and I are going for 3-nights in November, and we set a preliminary $1500 budget for the trip. Only thing is, our plans for the trip include 3 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Savannah View), a day at Discovery Cove, and uh...I'm planning to rent a Jaguar X-Type or S-Type from the Hertz Prestige Collection (kind of a relief for not driving ANYthing from August - November). Whaddayathink?

We're probably going to get the best prices on the room through AP discounts, and I can swing a 10% markdown on the car (about $90 a day) through American Express.

Please feel free to give us as much feedback and advice you can...I think we're gonna need it.

Later,

JC

 

[iwannago!!]

You might be able to swing it...

figure hotel at AKL 3 nights savannah view $500ish
car 4 days $400
Tickets.. park hoppers $400
gas for car $50 - because you KNOW you are going to burn through a tank just cruisin around!
McD's for 3 days

you can do it.. but I would book the AKL standard and ask for a free upgrade (nicely with eyes batting)
I would rent an SUV instead of the Jag and save 1/2 the car budget (if not more)
and I would enjoy more of Disney instead of cruising..

but that is me...

how are you getting to WDW? Do you have to get airfare into the $1500 budget?

 

[emmalgin]

I guess everyone has their own definition of budget (LOL). I never knew the words Jaguar and Budget were used in the same sentence.

So you don't plan on eating, souveniers.....

 

[chris1gill]

With hotel prices as they are now, the Savannah View room will cost about 220/nt, for a total of 660.00. As for the car, you're going to be paying 360.00, but taxes in Orlando are killers... you'll be paying at least 25% more with taxes, for a total of 450.00... so 660.00 for hotel & 450.00 for the car, you're already up to 1110.00, I assume you already have the AP's & transportation to Orlando? You also mentioned Discovery Cove, that's 400.00 right there, you've already exceeded your 1500.00 budget... but if you really want all that & you have the money, I say go for it!

 

[Gillian]

I think if you drive to the super walmart, buy a case of water & some cheese crackers (or granola bars, your choice) and eat nothing else, you'll be OK!

 

[Humpbacks1962]

Heck if I am going to drive a Jaguar I want to flash more than cheese crackers and water out of that parking lot...


Wanda

 

[iwannago!!]

Joe Cool.. I think the consensus is to either lower your budget or your taste.. sorry man, hate to be the one to have to tell ya!

You can get AKL for $139 if you get a code at the right time...
You can get a car for 4 days for about $100 if you work priceline or discount codes
If you go standard on AKL and get a 'car' you should be good to go on Discovery Cove AND.. this is the best part.. you get to eat! AND.. there is more.. you might get to buy something!

See.. it ain't so bad after all!

 

[Cindy B]

Jaguar and budget.. kind of an oxymoron isn't it?


Anyway, lets see.

If you lower slightly the expectations you MAY be able to do it.
We did $1100 for 5 days with a Mustang convertible rental car, Discovery Cove, Seaworld and Universal. We did do a room code for a room.. we really weren't in the room much so we didnt need a fancy room.. but we did stay onsite. (That includes meals, room, plane fare, car rental)

Discovery Cove is wonderful, you will love it.

We did do some fancy meals, but with that budget, you may have to go down slightly, either a moderate room, or a less "extensive" car.


Book Discovery Cove as soon as you can, because they sell out fast. You can save money there buy NOT buying photos, not doing the dolphin swim. Remember you do get a seven days free pass to Sea World as well with Discovery Cove.

 

[Biyanna]

I agree w/ the others about you maxing out the budget with the jag, the room and Discovery Cove. But to each his own. This is YOUR vacation and you should spend it the way you want. My only suggestion is to pay for your food before you go, by purchasing food vouchers though Connections. If you buy 9 Quick & Casual vouchers you and Patti can split breakfast, lunch and dinner for the total nine days and it will only cost you a total of 99.00. If you don't want to share meals the it will cost a total of 198.00 for the two of you. And the best thing about that is you can have it all paid for prior to November. If you just purchase 3 vouchers a month (33.00) for the next 6 months your meals will be all paid for. Go to www.mousesavers.com to read more about them. Good luck!

 

[Humpbacks1962]

You could do exactly the same without prepaying vouchers by buying only one meal and sharing, still...
And you even get to choose what you want out of the menu rather than only the most expensive items regardless of your feeding preferences.

Just in case you did not want to go that pre-purchasing route...


Wanda

 

[RobinLyn]

Hey Everyone, he wants to rent the Jaguar and I say go for it Joe. Who knows if you'll ever get to drive a Jaguar again! Not after you are married and have kids, lol. Unless you hook up with Erica Greene in Atlanta Georiga in the near future Joe. Hope you are able to make it all happen!!

RobinLyn

 

[iwannago!!]

I agree, I say Rent the Jag - just find some more moolah!

 

[tink2dw]

Don't expect to save on meals at the McD's!! $30.00 at WDW, for same food at home $12.00.

Even off site food was much more than home.