Help!! My dh wants to add on to our vacation $$$$?

[tikilyn]

Here's the deal. We are driving to Disney from South Texas on 05/28 and have booked Allstars Sport (military discount) along with 4day base ticket (also military discount tickets). We'll be at disney from 5/29 -06/05. We'll dh just mention that he would like to drive up to D.C. after our week in orlando.

Here's were the budget comes in. I don't know anything about d.c. Where to stay on a dime. Dh says his friend stayed in Virginia and took the metro into d.c. We'll probably stay 4nights maybe? Food will be sandwiches and what not. Anyone want to help me plan a trip on a budget?


Thanks

 

[Rosiekins]

We did this after Williamsburg for a weekend it was pretty cheap. We stayed in Maryland, We just bought tickets to use for there Subway I can't remember what it is called and used that to get in to and around the City. The only things we payed for were the Holocaust Museum and Tickets to the I Max (Star Wars) at the Air and Space. All the Smithsonian Stuff is Free and there is sooooo much of it to see. We also walked around and looked at a bunch of stuff for Free like The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument etc... We didn't do the White House just went by and waved. I think if you plan to pack a lot of your own food, use Public transport (parking costs an arm and a leg) and stick to the free stuff you won't need to spend much money!

 

[bluesaturn]

I just want to warn you, it will take about 12 hours to drive from Orlando to DC. Most people use the subway (called the Metro) to get around once they get into DC. So generally people try to find a hotel near a metro stop.

 

[VirataMama4]

Metro (DC's subway) is very easy to use and will take to just about everything! I see you're using all the deals for Military in WDW, so have you looked into say on one of the many bases in the area? We live on Andrews AFB and checked into it for family and it was something like $40 a night. Its only a hop, skip and a jump away from the metro and D.C.

It does take us 12 hours to get to WDW from MD.

 

[lovemygoofy]

There are lots of military discounts in D.C.

Have you tried any of the military lodging to see if they have openings? Ft Belvoir is is on out the outskirt of D.C. and you can drive to metro and park. If nothing else stop at the ITR for some discount ticket options if you think you are going to do Mt Vernon or even a trolley tour. I recommend the night tour. If ya'll think you walk alot in disney, you haven't had to walk all over for the monuments!

Check out the USOmetro website. They have alot of good tips for military families that want to visit.

If you want to stay further in, look in Old Town near King Street. Book your hotel on the weekends. Be prepared to pay some money for parking though at some hotels and parking at the metro is $4.50 a day.

Some places keep tickets on reserve for military families. I know that you can call and reserve spots for tours of the Capital and you can go to the Holocaust musuem and get tickets with your ID instead of standing in line to stand in line for a ticket.

 

[Ms. Belle]

Hi, you might have checked this already, but Shades of Green is for military personnel only and is sometimes cheaper than the WDW hotels; have you checked this? It might help your bottom line and having extra money when traveling to DC.

 

[ybcart7]

We stayed at this Embassy suites...they have free parking -- they shuttle you in to the nearest metro station. They have a free wonderful breakfast and an awesome managers reception every night w/ free drinks & snacks -- our snack every night was chili cheese nachos -- honestly it was enough for our meal...it was wonderful.....

 

[HeatherC]

How far is the Embassy Suites from DC? How long a metro ride and how far is the hotel from the metro?

Thanks!

 

[tikilyn]

Thanks everyone for all the help!! I'm really going to need it. I know nothing about washington dc. We just want to go and see the museums and the whitehouse and stuff. I guess my biggest problem is finding the right place to stay close to the metro. Dh insist not driving into DC and I agree. How much does the metro cost. Anyways off to tripadvisor I go.

 

[jessandtwo]

I would think one of the closest metro stop in Virginia to DC would probably be the Crystal City or Pentagon City metro stops. These are in Arlington, VA right by the Pentagon and National/Regan airport. I don't believe that Pentagon City has any hotels around it, but Crystal City should have some hotels close to the stop. I would guess these hotels are not very cheap though.

You could try going further out into Virginia and stay around Springfield. They do have a metro stop out there (Springfield Station), it would add probably around 20 minutes to your time from say Arlington, but you would still be on the blue line which does go straight to the Smithsonian stop on the metro. There is a decent parking garage in Springfield, but it does cost to park at their parking garages.

The cost of the metro depends on where you get on the line, where you are going and what time you are riding. There are reduced times to ride, which is after 9:30 in the morning and before 3 in the afternoon, or after 7 at night. So, it helps if you travel on the metro during those times (basically not at rush hour). Every person in the party needs a fare card except kids 4 and under (there is a limit to how many free kids you can have though). There are also all day passes that you can buy.

 

[VirataMama4]

Here is the website for DC metro is http://www.wmata.com/ It will give you alot of information. There is also a fee to park at metro parking lots.

 

[ybcart7]

I would say the hotel was about 5-10 minutes away from the metro stop -- too far to walk but definately utilize the shuttle - otherwise you pay to park. The metro website allows you to map out your trip. This hotel was the Dunn Loring stop on the orange line (next to the last stop). The amenities in the hotel were wonderful especially the managers reception and the free breakfast - and there were a lot of nice restaurants around the hotel. You are very close to the Tysons mall. If you have AAA you can get a discount - but go to the Embassy website and see what they have to offer. Let me tell you to eat a great breakfast because it is super duper expensive to eat in the Smithsonians.

 

[moongirl]

Some thoughts:
1) I don't have time to look for you right now but I am pretty sure that you can buy a visitor's metro pass for unlimited use for a short time period. I am pretty sure this option is on the metro website.
2) I recommend staying out further and using the metro. It is clean and pleasant, easy to use and convenient. The hotel cost will be much less expensive. You do not want to try and drive and/or park in the D.C. area! Parking fees for hotels close to the museums cost $20-$30 per day.
3) You will be doing a LOT of walking. It is a mile or two from one end of the mall to the other. More walking than at Disney. My kids were way more wiped out by the walking and heat of Washington D.C. than that of Disney and Orlando. You may be lucky with the weather at the beginning of June.
4) If you want tickets for anything, especially to go into the Washington monument, look into getting them now! Monument tickets can be reserved far in advance and will not be available while you are there. We went to see the museum where they print money and had to line up early in the morning to get the tickets. The tickets are free but you have to have a ticket to enter. The same is true for other popular tours like the tour of the Capitol. Get tickets online now or know where and at what time you have to be at the ticketing location to get your tickets.

 

[Promomx2]

I second the Embassy suites at Tyson. The breakfast is the best and the free alcohol at the managers reception ain't bad either. Don't forget to get in touch with your congressionman or senator to see if they can get you any extras.

 

[PA Princess]

We generally like to stay in Arlington area when we do DC trips. Last trip we stayed at a Residence Inn right across the street from the Pentagon (that was our view) and within a few blocks of the Pentagon City Mall and metro stops.

Nice thing about the Residence Inn by Marriott is that it is suites. If you have more than 2 kids, you still fit without extra rooms costs. Plus, you have a kitchen so you can cook if you desire to curb costs. Hotel also features a nice breakfast and snacks/apetizers during the week.

Keep in mind that our experience in DC is that weekend hotel costs are far cheaper then during the week (meaning more busincess travelers than tourists). Assuming your other dates are flexible, since WDW is more expensive on the weekends, it would seem possible to align these best to reduce over all costs. I realize your dates may not be flexible.

 

[tessieg]

We stayed at Embassy Suites Old Town Alexandria in VA. It was literally across the street from a metro stop--made it very easy to get into the city. Had the great breakfast buffet which helped offset costs.

 

[v.t.]

I agree that there is more walking at DC than DW. Kids will get tired and hot fast! While most of the attractions are free, the food in DC is expensive. There are a few food courts which aren't as bad as well as the cafeteria in the Capital building. You must call your Senator's office to get tickets. You will learn a lot from the tour guides, usually college kids. Get suggestions from them on where to eat, what to do, etc.
One of the best tips I have is to look for the CVS stores throughout DC. They have cold drinks, snacks, groceries, etc. the same price as the stores back home!

 

[tikilyn]

Wow Thanks for all the great info. I have a ton of planning to do. My husband said a friend stayed in Stafford VA and caught the metro from there. So we'll see. Thanks for the metro link too.