Help! This is way too expensive!

[LIFERBABE]

You don't need to purchase waterpark passes if you have PHPs. The "plus" feature on a Park Hopper Plus includes one admission to a waterpark or Pleasure Island for each 4-day PHP. 5-day PHPs usually have 2 "pluses", 6-day PHPs have 3 and 7-day PHPs have 4.

I based my math on your previous post, so the $90 or $64 dollar difference still stands and what if they wanted to visit the WP's more than 1 day?
I did not say FITS would be cheaper, but provided the info so that Sandy Feet (Oh I get it!) could see the difference in cost and determine if the $90 was worth giving up the flexibility the FITS offers. $90 is not going to make or break a $6,000 to $7,000 trip.

I myself like options and the ability to calculate value to the dollar, so just giving the OP another way to look at it. If I was paying that kind of airfare I would want the most options available to my family and not feel restricted or limited to save a small amount.

If she stays 10 or 14 days with the airfare already costing what most of us spend on our entire budget, I can understand if she does not wish to scale back dramatically their plans. They may have the energy and motivation to do all that is planned.

No she may not be able to do it all or want to do it all, but at least she has all the information to make that decision, pro and con.

It's great that Sandy will benefit from this discussion no matter what she chooses.

 

[tarmand]

Originally posted by LIFERBABE
I based my math on your previous post, so the $90 or $64 dollar difference still stands and what if they wanted to visit the WP's more than 1 day?
I did not say FITS would be cheaper, but provided the info so that Sandy Feet (Oh I get it!) could see the difference in cost and determine if the $90 was worth giving up the flexibility the FITS offers. $90 is not going to make or break a $6,000 to $7,000 trip.

I myself like options and the ability to calculate value to the dollar, so just giving the OP another way to look at it. If I was paying that kind of airfare I would want the most options available to my family and not feel restricted or limited to save a small amount.

If she stays 10 or 14 days with the airfare already costing what most of us spend on our entire budget, I can understand if she does not wish to scale back dramatically their plans. They may have the energy and motivation to do all that is planned.

No she may not be able to do it all or want to do it all, but at least she has all the information to make that decision, pro and con.

It's great that Sandy will benefit from this discussion no matter what she chooses.

You bring up a very good point. We are all telling her the "cheapest" route, but the FITS may be a better "value" overall. I haven't done any math, but if it will only be $90 more, I would get the FITS. That way you could go to Disney everyday even if it's just for an hour or two.


Sandy Feet, where exactly are you flying from? Maybe someone here can help shave some money off of that airfare. Also, have you thought about Priceline.com for airfare. Your dates would have to be definite since Priceline is nonrefundable, but it could possibly save you a good bit in airfare.

 

[HaleyB]

I think the OP was asking what Disney Quest is...

It is a virtual reality theme park...this is from the Disney website...

Create your own adventures in this one-of-a-kind indoor interactive Theme Park bursting with games that give "state-of-the-art" new meaning. Discover five floors exploding with cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and 3-D experiences — all fueled by Disney innovation and imagination. The entry portal, Ventureport, leads to four different zones: the Explore Zone, a virtual Adventureland; the Score Zone, for superhero quests; the Create Zone, for artistic endeavors; and the Replay Zone for nostalgic fun. Anyway you cut it, you're in the Zone at DisneyQuest!

CyberSpace Mountain – Design your own roller coaster on a computer, with special assistance from Bill Nye the Science Guy. Make it as scary as you want. When you're done, jump in a simulator and ride your creation in full 360° motion… if you dare!

Pirates of the Caribbean - Battle for Buccaneer Gold – Put on your headpiece to inhabit a world booming with swashbuckling action. Steer your ship, fire cannons at marauding buccaneers and race for the gold!

Virtual Jungle Cruise – Hop on a raft with other team members, plunge down a prehistoric river in the Dinosaur Age and hang on for dear life as you try desperately to avoid "deadly" obstacles in the running rapids. You may even get splashed!

Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride –Enter the immersive, magical world of Agrabah as you put on a virtual-reality helmet and go on a whole new adventure. Take a magic carpet ride with beloved Characters from Disney's "Aladdin." It's a trip you'll never forget!

Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – Launch into the cosmos aboard your own virtual-reality spaceship. Rescue humans kidnapped by aliens to become the hero in this breathtaking outer space adventure.

Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters – Pilot your own futuristic bumper car in a battle where you're always under attack. Fight back by scooping up "cannonballs," loading them into your blaster, and firing away at the other cars. It's an asteroid-blasting game unlike any other!

Animation Academy – Be a Disney animator! An instructor takes you through the process of drawing a Disney Character. You won't believe what you are capable of creating!

Ride the Comix – Don your virtual-reality helmet and become a superhero, engaging in a cyber battle with comic book villains. Swing your laser sword in a fight to the finish!

Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam:Become a life-size pinball as you bounce off bumpers and flippers to score points and compete to become the Mightiest Duck of all!

 

[Forever42]

Jumping in on the thread here. I might be in the minority, but I don't think KSC is really worth it, partly because of the long drive.

I spent a lot of time out there over the past nine months or so, working on a senior design project, and it really seems that it's in need of dire updating. A lot of the things to see are pretty out of date.

I would skip it and use the extra day at the parks. And I agree with trying to do at least one day where the girls do what they want, and the boys do what they want. Might be good to ease any family tensions that might arise, too.

 

[desiab]

I recently booked a condo for a friend at Orange Lake Country Club for $79 a night using the Orlando Magicard.

The link for a listing of the hotels, condos, & other attractions the card offers discounts at are here: Orlando Magicard Offers .

This card can also be used at the Swan &Dolphin in WDW.

Another site I check periodically is Condo RentalBank .

I hope one of these sites helps in some way.

 

[bajanswife]

They don't sell airline tickets that originate from the Caribbean - I tried! And the bulk of the airfare is getting from the Caribbean island to the mainland U.S. (usually Miami, but sometimes NY, Philly or DC are cheaper), so it doesn't save to buy the domestic leg to Orlando via Priceline. I will have the same problem when my family comes to Disney - airfare will cost us $4000 unless we are using airmiles, which we plan to do.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi desiab!
When we were at HIFS they had a promo for discount TIXS for WDW through Orange Lake CC on Rte 192 near AK/WDW.
Is yours the the same CC?
Have you stayed there before ?
I am wondering if the HIFS original mgt is moving over to CC after the NICK conversion is done at HIFS?

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[desiab]

MK Familystone,

I have never stayed at Orange Lake CC, but my parents are owners there. They love it! I believe you are correct about the location.

 

[Mattmax]

Great thread...this is why I love these boards!
I have to agree with most of the others, schedule some down time. We left a day or two open in our last trips to give the kids a choice, ours chose to repeat Hurricane Harbor. Of course, living where you do, yours may be used to awesome swimming. At the time of year you are going, you will want to spend as much time as possible wet, or I would lol. We had swimming time everyday but ours are younger too. You know your family best just listen carefully to what people are saying cause it is still supposed to be a vacation, and grumpy teens can take out lots of the fun

Oh by the way, you are going to have a blast!!!!

 

[Sandy Feet]

Wow - still getting good replies, thank you! Am printing them out and considering them all.

Bajanswife, you're right, we can't use priceline or hotwire down here in the West Indies. What a bummer eh?
It just kills me all the low airfares within the US and from the US to down here.

We're definetly planning some down-time. What do you all think? Should we plan every 3rd day as a waterpark day, or something less active?

 

[disneymom3]

Do you know yet where you plan to stay? Some resorts have enough to do as far as pools, minigolf, etc that you could stay at your resort for a downtime day and it would be more relaxing (IMO) than going out somewhere else. (And less expensive.)

 

[mtblujeans]

Really good rental car special rates are hard to come by......seems like that is always the last thing I reserve when we go to Orlando. We are going in September so that will be off-season. As the time gets closer, the rates or discount codes get better. Watch Mousesavers.com and this (transportation) board for special rates. If you have credit cards that send you special offers or you have memberships (ie Costco, Disney Visa, AAA, etc.), watch for specials from them, too. Hope that is helpful!

 

[jcemom]

This won't help budget-wise, but may help to plan your days--which parks, etc. I first take a calendar along with a list of which parks I want to visit. Then I use the best days advice... here to pencil in the Disney parks according to their least crowded days. Then just fill in the others making sure to include down-time somewhere in between, even if you aren't sure yet what that will be--KSC, water park, pool, whatever. You can decide later. For me, it helps to visualize everything in calendar form.

You can get more specific from there if you want, especially if you plan to park-hop at Disney--break the days down into morning, afternoon, evening, adding in meals and the day's planned entertainment if you want to.

I think that is the best way to figure out if you can indeed do all that you want, or if it would be better to skip something.

 

[kelscross]

If you want to do educational EPCOT is very educational in my opinion. Let them explore each attraction and country not just jump in to ride the rides that are there.

Also, I would not budget 10.00 per child per day for souveniers. I would let them get one at Universal and one at Disney if it were that tight. My mother went souvenier crazy for my girls last year and I can honestly say they don't play with the baby dolls and stuffed animals she let them buy, so in my opinion it was a waste of money.

This year they have been saving change in their piggy banks (they have 50 bucks a piece already!) and I told them they can take some of that money and pick their own souvenier.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Ozymoe]

Sandy Feet,

Where are you with the plans now?

Say again your vacation dates...

It would be most helpful if you would summarize again your present costs...I have some ideas, but maybe you are already incorporating them.

Especially...how much is airfare per person and what airport are you using? What airport could you use that would still be convenient?

I hope you are really considering the 14 day trip, since if you are spending all that money to get here, extra days are a real value if you can do them. My dh always says, think "big picture".

 

[adriannabannana]

I was looking at your condo costs, and oh my---you could stay on site with one of the budget resorts and get a much better deal. This way, you wouldn't need a rental car, or you could nix the parking costs by leaving it at your hotel and using the complementary transit system.

We used taxi service and got all our groceries at once, and there's a bus that goes from WDW to Universal. It's less convenient, but far more economical.

I'll run a search for you and see if there are any deals out there, just for comparison.

 

[dgaston]

Stay in a condo with teens. Hotel rooms do not make for a pleasant vacation.

 

[adriannabannana]

This site has a good number of links to discounted park hopper passes, ect. It's worth a look:

http://www.*********************.com/

I ran a search on ebay and found some deals there. You have to be really careful when bidding though, check their feedback carefully, and the terms of the offer.

This is just and example, I'm not suggesting that you book this, it's just to give you an idea of what's out there:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29579&item=2243413576&rd=1

 

[DisneyMomOK]

111111111111

 

[LMC]

I noticed in an earlier post you said something about leaving the parks for a break and then returning again later the same day. IMHO, it takes too long to get out of the parks and travel to an off-site location and then return. I have stayed off-site a couple of times and had intentions of doing this but when we saw how far the car was to the trams, to the monorail, to the main entrance to the park, not to mention the drive from our rental house to the park, we decided to not leave for a break. Then you also have traffic to deal with. You might try Vistana Villages for a good rate. We stayed there once and it was nice. You might hop over to the (I've lost my train of thought, my 3yo interupted me) resorts board (I think?) maybe you'll get some decent info there on accomodations.