Help! This is way too expensive!

[Johnnie Fedora]

Don't know how far in advance you plan you vacations, but have you considered just buying Disney Annual passes and returning next year for another trip before the passes expire? It seems to me you have way to much $$$ in park passes for a single trip. Buying APs spreads the park pass costs over two separate vacations.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi!
I missed in the postings if this is the first or only trip for your family?
When it comes to theme parks go basic!
"The needs of the one out weights the needs of the many!"
Who of your family NEEDS what the theme parks!
You are making a rather large investment in satisfing who?
If it is a multiple answer then all involved should vote for their desire and all concerns will be satified.
YEAH! ALL YOU DISBOARD MEMBERS!
YOUR DOING A GREAT JOB WITH THIS FELLOW MEMBER!
LOVE THIS SITE!

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!!"

 

[Sandy Feet]

WOW! what a lot of replies. I'm still printing out and sifting thru them all.

We've pretty much decided to go Aug 20th to Sept 3rd. And we've decided to stay a Windsor Palms in a 3-bed condo because we will all get pretty ratty with each other if in 1 or 2 hotel rooms. DH is thrilled at the thought of not having to share a bedroom with the kids I'm hoping eating breakfast and most dinners at "home" will justify the cost of staying here. With 3 kids having my own laundry facilities cannot be under estimated

We thought about many other cheaper places, but liked here because it's a condo very close to the pool, which might be noisier but will be more fun for the kids, especially on days when we take a break from the park. I did contact a travel agent recommended by mousesavers about the WDW 7nights for 5 package but it worked out more expensive even without a car for that week.

Have ordered the Unoffical Guide book and the whole family will study it for preferences and to come up with a general game plan.

I doubt we'll be going back to Orlando as soon as next year so the annual passes wouldn't work for us.

Still trying to figure out ins and outs of all the passes available.

Airfare-wise, am going to contact a travel agent for a quote. I tried going on aa.com but they wouldn't show me flights into the "other" Orlando airports. Sorry forgot the names!

Am VERY excited about this trip!

 

[Sandy Feet]

Originally posted by tarmand
Personally, I think you are trying to fit in too much in a 10 day trip. You will miss some really great stuff if you try to rush through that many activities. Also, a day at the condo pool midway through the trip might be a great idea. I would only go to WDW and Universal. You can get the Mastercard Deal for the Universal Tickets. It is buy four 5 day passes - get one free. That's $379.80 for 5 - 5 day passes. Then go to WDW for 4 days and if you have a plus - you could even go to a waterpark.

Here is the link.

Mastercard Universal Tickets

I'll bet the condo can be found cheaper also.

I just bought the Universal tickets! Yippee! The total incl. tax and UPS international shipping was $421.49.
OMG - Now I feel like we're really going! LOL

Just re-read everyone's posts and realised I should've used the e-ticket option to save on the UPS costs. AAARGH!

Now trying to decide on what type of passes to get for WDW etc and SeaWorld. Since we're now going for 2 weeks perhaps the FITS pass is the best option? (I have started another thread about the SW tx.)

 

[Sandy Feet]

 

[LIFERBABE]

You will really like WP! We stayed there last year in a Villa and loved it! It's not a huge community either and the condos are in the front close to the Main Pool and Amenity Center. It's a real Amenity Center with everything as described. The free movie theater room is a nice touch also!

Be sure to use Sherberth Rd. to get to WDW, it will take you right past AK. WP is very close to WDW and there is shopping and dining within .5 mile.

That's great that you were able to extend the trip. The price difference between the FITS and the PHP is very small for your family. You are staying close enough where breaks are possible mid-day so with the FITS you could do a WP in the morning, break, Theme Park in the evening and late night @ DQ. This may not be your daily touring but a good example of the flexibility you will have with the FITS.

Keep us posted!

 

[Sandy Feet]

Hi Liferbabe

Thanks for the encouragement!

At this point I'm really leaning towards FITS because as I understand it we have 30 days to come and go as we please from the included parks.