HELP !! What should I pay for first???

[C.Ann]

Okay - you all know that I've been ebaying my brains out to pay for a two-week trip to Disney in December for myself, grown DD, and then-to-be 5 yr. old granddaughter..

Well - I'm getting a little uncomfortable having all this cash lying around (not to mention the possibility of an "emergency" coming up and feeling as though I could/should "dip" into it) so I figured I should actually start PAYING for some of the expenses..

Fixed expenses will be:

Disney passes (considering the 10-day Paramount)
MVMCP
US/IOA passes
Sea World passes
One Pal Mickey - possibly two

Variables that could change if needed:

Hotel (already reserved HIFS at $73 E rate)
Rental car (could go smaller if finances dictated)
Character meals (could eliminate a few)
Food budget (could knock it down if necessary)
Spending money (Could live with only post cards if need be)

Airfare is totally up in the air (no pun intended) until Southwest opens up their December schedule..
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What do you think? Any suggestions??

Thanks all!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I would figure out how much expense is actual WDW expense (character meals, Pal Mickeys at least), and put that money BACK into the PayPal account, then go to your local Disney Store and buy Disney dollars with your PayPal debit card (used like a CC). That way you have Disney $$$ that you can't spend on household expenses, you get 1.5% cash back on the purchase, and in a pinch if you save your receipts, you could actually return the Disney$$$ for a refund if you had a true emergency.

Just MHO!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
I would figure out how much expense is actual WDW expense (character meals, Pal Mickeys at least), and put that money BACK into the PayPal account, then go to your local Disney Store and buy Disney dollars with your PayPal debit card (used like a CC). That way you have Disney $$$ that you can't spend on household expenses, you get 1.5% cash back on the purchase, and in a pinch if you save your receipts, you could actually return the Disney$$$ for a refund if you had a true emergency.

Just MHO!

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You can RETURN Disney Dollars???? I didn't know that! Hmmm.. You may be on to something there...

 

[Straitlover]

When is your trip? If you have a little time, I would check into a short-term CD. If you look around, you can still find some places that offer 30-day and 3-month ones. You won't earn much interest, but maybe enough to buy a Mickey Bar or two! And you won't have to worry about trying to get any refunds should your plans change nor will you have access to the $$ until the CD matures.

 

[Lewisc]

1) book airfare (depending on your dates you may need to book one way now)
2) Tickets (not familar with the 10 day pass but you might want to get at least one AP since you're staying offsite and parking is included).
3) Meal vouchers? Not sure you save as much $$ as some people think but it's a good way to prepay for a few meals.

 

[karebear1]

When are you going? If it is the first 2 weeks of December, have you looked into the Fairytale package? I believe it goes until the November 29th- so if you can adjust your calander to leave a few days early, you could take advantage of that package. Then you could stay onsite and tickets are included in the price. (Christmas decorations will be up!) Then you could send monthly payments to CRO and pay it off before you even get there. Otherwise, I would start buying one set of things ata time, starting with the fixed expenses like tickets. I also think I would buy my tickets for MVMCP before they sell out! That would be the first purchase!

SOunds like you are going to have a blast! That's one lucky granddaughter you have!

 

[C.Ann]

Unfortunately I can't book (or pay for) airfare yet because Southwest hasn't opened their schedule that far in advance and we won't fly any other airline except Southwest.. (Have never found cheaper airfare with anyone else and we really, really love those non-stop flights that get us there even earlier than what they tell you!)

We'll be heading down on Dec. 3rd - but we are firmly in the "off-site" camp - like lots of room - and because we are staying for two weeks, we will be doing other parks and sightseeing as well -so the FTP wouldn't fit our needs..

Obviously the Disney passes are a MUST, so maybe I should start there.. Buy Disney Dollars I can use for the Pal Mickey(s).. TRY to decide on a date for MVMCP and get those tickets..

Any other suggestions?

 

[Cinders]

Disney passes (considering the 10-day Paramount)

What will your cost be for these? Annual passes for an adult are $393 and $521 for the Premium. And is it only good for 21 days? If so consider if there is an emergency at home while you are on vacation....annual passes you can use within a year whereas the 10 day pass I saw could only be used for 21 days.

MVMCP

If you know your date for this then buy them first so they wont have your date sold out.

US/IOA passes
Sea World passes

I'd buy these now too.

One Pal Mickey - possibly two
Character meals (could eliminate a few)
Food budget (could knock it down if necessary)
Spending money (Could live with only post cards if need be)

Buy some Disney Dollars and save your receipt.

As for the rest maybe see if your bank has a "Christmas" account. These accounts are a separate savings and usually in November they send you a check or transfer the money into your regular account.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by C.Ann
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You can RETURN Disney Dollars???? I didn't know that! Hmmm.. You may be on to something there...

ONLY with the original receipt--NOT a gift receipt. ANd if you buy them with a credit card, they will only put the return back on your credit card. Unless you pay cash and have your original receipt, you can't get cash back for them.

Anne

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Cinders
What will your cost be for these? Annual passes for an adult are $393 and $521 for the Premium. And is it only good for 21 days? If so consider if there is an emergency at home while you are on vacation....annual passes you can use within a year whereas the 10 day pass I saw could only be used for 21 days.
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The adult 10-day is $336 tax included - and the child's is $276 tax included - plus you get a free voucher for each ticket for any Character Breakfast except Cinderell'a Castle or Crystal Palace (neither of which we were considering anyhow)..

There would really be no point in buying an AP because the odds of me returning within a year are ZERO...

The reason I was considering the 10-day is according to the plans we have worked out right now we'll have 2 or 3 "free" days (not scheduled for any parks) and if we wanted to (got bored, whatever) we could just pop back into one of the parks on a free day for just a few hours if we felt like it.. (Would also come in handy having the extra days available if the weather gets ugly..)

 

[Jodi1980]

Disney passes (30-day Paramount) is cheaper than the 10-day! And it also comes with breakfast!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Jodi1980
Disney passes (30-day Paramount) is cheaper than the 10-day! And it also comes with breakfast!

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I didn't see that on their web site.. Can you point me in that direction?

Thanks!

 

[poober25]

C. Ann

I would do as others have suggested and consider buying at least one AP, so as to save on parking. You could even get something from Paramount to get your free breakfast voucher and then upgrade on of the passes when you get there. If you are sure you won't be going back, maybe your daughter could get back sometime in the next 12 mos. with your granddaughter? Especially if tickets are already pd. for, and it won't cost very much more at all.

Also, regarding Universal tickets, I don't know how many days you're planning for that, but I noticed in my AAA mag yesterday that you can tickets for yourself and 2 guests for $99 and "exclusively for AAA members, 2nd day is free" So, that's works out to about $16 per ticket at Universal (pretty sure they're good at either park). I don't how long the offer is good for or you can purchase the tickets in advance, but it's worth checking into.

I second the opinions on buying the Disney Dollars with some of the money, and the Christmas club account.

Oh, and one more thing, I know you've got HIFS booked, but I would seriously check into Skyauction at one of the 2 BRs. For the 2 weeks you would probably spend about $600, maybe less. Of course, you have to check Skyauction every day until your dates open up. (Probably do this after you book your airfare, if your dates are flexible at all.) The only real advantage I could to HIFS is breakfast, but you'll save much more than breakfast costs. You'll have full kitchen and W/D at a condo, which for my money is worth it's weight in gold, (the w/d, not the kitchen ). If you want more info on Skyauction, PM me and I'll help you with it.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by poober25
C. Ann

I would do as others have suggested and consider buying at least one AP, so as to save on parking. You could even get something from Paramount to get your free breakfast voucher and then upgrade on of the passes when you get there. If you are sure you won't be going back, maybe your daughter could get back sometime in the next 12 mos. with your granddaughter? Especially if tickets are already pd. for, and it won't cost very much more at all.

Also, regarding Universal tickets, I don't know how many days you're planning for that, but I noticed in my AAA mag yesterday that you can tickets for yourself and 2 guests for $99 and "exclusively for AAA members, 2nd day is free" So, that's works out to about $16 per ticket at Universal (pretty sure they're good at either park). I don't how long the offer is good for or you can purchase the tickets in advance, but it's worth checking into.

I second the opinions on buying the Disney Dollars with some of the money, and the Christmas club account.

Oh, and one more thing, I know you've got HIFS booked, but I would seriously check into Skyauction at one of the 2 BRs. For the 2 weeks you would probably spend about $600, maybe less. Of course, you have to check Skyauction every day until your dates open up. (Probably do this after you book your airfare, if your dates are flexible at all.) The only real advantage I could to HIFS is breakfast, but you'll save much more than breakfast costs. You'll have full kitchen and W/D at a condo, which for my money is worth it's weight in gold, (the w/d, not the kitchen ). If you want more info on Skyauction, PM me and I'll help you with it.

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Thanks for the offer of your help...

How much is the AP for an adult - with ability to park hop? Maybe the parking savings would be a good idea if there isn't a vast difference in price. I would get that for myself - NO chance my DD will get back there before my granddaughter is 8 (her DH thinks once every 5 years is plenty and we were there just before she turned three) - but who knows, maybe I'll hit the lottery sometime in the next 12 months and I could go back.. LOL

Hmmmpff.. Wouldn't you know I JUST let my AAA expire!! I'll check anyhow though to see if signing back up and the $99 ticket deal would pay off.. We will be doing one day in US and one in IOA...

As for HIFS, I had already found several really nice places for quite a bit less, but when I learned I could get the Kids Suite for $73 a night, I just couldn't resist.. It just looks like someplace my granddaughter would absolutely LOVE and because this trip is all about her - well - you know, "Grandma's got a soft spot.." LOL

It's really sweet of you to tell me about all these deals though and offer to help me with Sky Auction.. Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Jodi1980]

From other posts, I've read that you need to call paramount for the 30- day passes. I plan on doing so soon for our 8- day trip in March 2004.

 

[poober25]

You would have to be in the Disney parks for 8 days to for the breakeven on the parking. Don't know how many you're planning. There are a few other "perks" too. 10% off most Epcot restraunts and a few other things, I'll check my sleeve and post later if no one else has.

 

[Cinders]

Hotel (already reserved HIFS at $73 E rate)

Does that include taxes? I just clicked the HIFS banner at the top of this page and tried a few of our possible dates and came up with $69 tax not included. Tax is $8.28 A grand total for 2 weeks in December came out to be $1081.92 (that includes taxes of $115.92). Just wanted to make sure you added the lovely (insert sarcasm on the "lovely") taxes.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Cinders
Does that include taxes? I just clicked the HIFS banner at the top of this page and tried a few of our possible dates and came up with $69 tax not included. Tax is $8.28 A grand total for 2 weeks in December came out to be $1081.92 (that includes taxes of $115.92). Just wanted to make sure you added the lovely (insert sarcasm on the "lovely") taxes.

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Oh yes - I included those "blissfully wonderful taxes" (not!) - but like I said earlier, this Grandma is a real soft touch when it comes to my only granddaughter and knowing her Dad (he's NOT a Disney fan) she probably won't be going back again when she's 8 - she'll probably be going on her own at 18 !!!!