*** Homeschool List ***

[earthfaries]

We used to live in Charlotte and went to McAdenville almost every year. I love the white lights and the little mill houses, driving with the windows open to hear the music. It does get pretty crazy on the weekends, we tried to hit it on a weeknight. We usually did the lights and then stopped in Gastonia for something to eat on the way home. Of course, it was only 1/2 hour each way for us.... We're going to try to see the lights at Callaway Gardens this year, even though it isn't free like McAdenville is!

So do you think it would be worth the 2 hour each way trip? Thanks so much!!!

 

[lori1043]

Wow, you did great. That is a great price for the vacation. Are you driving? If so do you stop anywhere on the way there and back?
I got our trip price before spending money at $2376.00 That is for 5 people for 10 days. We have a night on the way down and a night on the way back up, and 8 days in a townhouse rental. 5 day WDW tickets, 2 days at SeaWorld, double strollers at WDW each day and an ECV for 7 days and gas, a Magic Dinner Show at Wonderworks and Ripley's Believe it or Not in St. Augustine on the way back home. The kids are going to have their own spending money, my dad is giving them $100.00 each for christmas before they leave. We are going to be eating breakfast in our townhouse and dinner there too so food won't be too much. We don't like eating out much so we bring our own food to the parks so we won't spend too much on food. The only thing we will spend a lot of money on is the WDW outlets and Birkenstock outlet

To me, anything under $4,000 is a great deal, to get under 3,000 is super! It is so expensive to go to WDW. Everything adds up so much and there is just so much shopping also

We bring our lunches too and I am bringing a couple dinners that are micrwavable or hot pot cookable. Anyway-here is our breakdown:

POP-9 nights=$586.17 total (5 nights at $49, others at $65-avg. out to $65 per night after taxes(paid)
1AP and 5 day PH passes for 2 adult/1 child plus DDE=$1122.67(paid)
Dinners already paid for:
Spirit of Aloha=$144.55 w/ DDE(paid)
CRT=$130ish w/ DDE(paid)
Pirate and Princess Party=$123.34 w/ AP(on CC, not paid)
After this is about $700 left for other meals we eat out (only planned is Rainforest Cafe, Sci-Fi, and possibly Whispering Canyon) which is more than we usually do.(mostly saved already, need a few more hundred)

We are in the homestretch baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Lori

 

[earthfaries]

We bring our lunches too and I am bringing a couple dinners that are micrwavable or hot pot cookable. Anyway-here is our breakdown:

POP-9 nights=$586.17 total (5 nights at $49, others at $65-avg. out to $65 per night after taxes(paid)
1AP and 5 day PH passes for 2 adult/1 child plus DDE=$1122.67(paid)
Dinners already paid for:
Spirit of Aloha=$144.55 w/ DDE(paid)
CRT=$130ish w/ DDE(paid)
Pirate and Princess Party=$123.34 w/ AP(on CC, not paid)
After this is about $700 left for other meals we eat out (only planned is Rainforest Cafe, Sci-Fi, and possibly Whispering Canyon) which is more than we usually do.(mostly saved already, need a few more hundred)

We are in the homestretch baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Lori

Yeah! Not too much longer left! I love WDW

Here is our breakdown:

$572.00 ~ 2/3 of the total townhome rent for 8 nights(My mom got it through RCI and Armed forces vacation club. You should see the deals during off-season. Last year a week in a 2 bdrm condo at Summer Bay was only $299.00 for military!!!)

$680.00 ~ (5) 5 day passes and 4 Y.E.S. program tickets

$150.00 ~ ECV rental for the week

$250.00 ~ SeaWorld tickets for the 5 of us for two days

$250.00 ~ gas to WDW and back

$225.00 ~ a hotel on the way down and the way back

$100.00 ~ double stroller rental for 5 days

$50.00 ~ Ripley's in St. Augustine on the way back

$100.00 ~ magic dinner show at Wonderworks

Gas, stroller, ECV and Ripley's tickets not paid for yet. The rest is on the CC until taxes come since this was a last minute trip! We were going to go next August/September as we always use our tax money to fund our vacations.

 

[Ellester]

So do you think it would be worth the 2 hour each way trip? Thanks so much!!!

Well, personally, I probably wouldn't do it unless I was combining it with something else in Charlotte. Shopping at Concord Mills or Southpark or taking the kids to Discovery Place or something. It is pretty, but with gas so high it would be a pretty costly trip just for the lights.

 

[sha_lyn]

I really wish we could do jan '08 homeschool days but there just isn't anyway we can swing it.
However let's keep our fiiingers crossed that they repeat in in '09. I mentioned it to a good friend last night, and she's trying to get her DH onboard too. We're already working on our gameplan for drinking around worlshowcase and the deluxe resorts in the evenings LOL

 

[earthfaries]

Well, personally, I probably wouldn't do it unless I was combining it with something else in Charlotte. Shopping at Concord Mills or Southpark or taking the kids to Discovery Place or something. It is pretty, but with gas so high it would be a pretty costly trip just for the lights.

That's what I was thinking. We don't need to go anywhere in that area and my mom just told us she is taking us to Columbia, SC the first weekend in December for a Christmas present so the kids can do the zoo one day and EdVenture the next. That will be enough fun for us before Disney

I really wish we could do jan '08 homeschool days but there just isn't anyway we can swing it.
However let's keep our fiiingers crossed that they repeat in in '09. I mentioned it to a good friend last night, and she's trying to get her DH onboard too. We're already working on our gameplan for drinking around worlshowcase and the deluxe resorts in the evenings LOL

They may actually do Homeschool Days the end of next year also. They did it this past Sept. and depending on the response there is a possibility they may do it twice a year. I'll cross my fingers for you!!!

 

[TNKBELL]

I have been trying to find a condo through getravelop but the largest unit is for 6 people and we have 7! Skyauction has even less options. I will keep hoping to find an affordable place. If I can't, then we might not be able to go. I have until Jan. 7th to purchase tix for the homeschool days, so I will be keeping an eye on those sights and praying and hoping that something opens up. Does anyone know of anyplace large enough for a family of 7 that would cost less than $350 per week? I usually have months and months to plan and our resort is the first thing I book!!

 

[lori1043]

Yeah! Not too much longer left! I love WDW

Here is our breakdown:

$572.00 ~ 2/3 of the total townhome rent for 8 nights(My mom got it through RCI and Armed forces vacation club. You should see the deals during off-season. Last year a week in a 2 bdrm condo at Summer Bay was only $299.00 for military!!!)

$680.00 ~ (5) 5 day passes and 4 Y.E.S. program tickets

$150.00 ~ ECV rental for the week

$250.00 ~ SeaWorld tickets for the 5 of us for two days

$250.00 ~ gas to WDW and back

$225.00 ~ a hotel on the way down and the way back

$100.00 ~ double stroller rental for 5 days

$50.00 ~ Ripley's in St. Augustine on the way back

$100.00 ~ magic dinner show at Wonderworks

Gas, stroller, ECV and Ripley's tickets not paid for yet. The rest is on the C il taxes come since this was a last minute trip! We were going to go next August/September as we always use our tax money to fund our vacations.

VERY good!!! We also bring breakfast, MAY eat it out on the way home. I still haven't booked any hotels for the drive here and back. Heck, DH wants to fly if we can get a DING! flight from SWA. He has 1 free flight from miles(he travels a goof bit) on SWA and 1 free flight through UA, but they don't fly direct to Orlando, you have to go through DC!!

I always forget that our food bill isn't as bad as I expect usually b/c I set aside about $150 per week anyway, when we are at home. I just have planned to save enough for this trip not to worry about what we did. I'd even shorten the trip just not to worry about it if I had too. I do work outside the home and money I make pays for vacations and groceries, and extra-curricular activities.

See ya!!

Lori

 

[disneymom3]

TNK--are you sure you have to count the baby? Honestly whenever I do regular hotel reservations online I always just put in for 4 people and my kids aren't even babies or toddlers anymore. We always just stay in a regular room and we bring a blow up mattress. We do the same thing for a condo--though we always have 2 bedrooms so they do sleep at least 6. My kids don't sleep well together though so that way they can all still have their own bed. I think most of the time condo limits on how many they sleep are indicative of beds.

I am thinking more and more about this trip. The only thing that is getting me is that it comes so close after Christmas and as far as savings/budget that is a bit tight. DH may be getting a bonus on Dec 7. Think I can wait until then to make a decision????

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Silvergoldberry- We are going to be there the same days as you!! We also homeschool- son 11(turning 12 in Dec.) son 8 and daughter 4. We are at the Beach Club- let's hope for perfect weather and no crowds! Until then I just keep working away at home -counting our days!!

 

[earthfaries]

TNK--are you sure you have to count the baby? Honestly whenever I do regular hotel reservations online I always just put in for 4 people and my kids aren't even babies or toddlers anymore. We always just stay in a regular room and we bring a blow up mattress. We do the same thing for a condo--though we always have 2 bedrooms so they do sleep at least 6. My kids don't sleep well together though so that way they can all still have their own bed. I think most of the time condo limits on how many they sleep are indicative of beds.

I am thinking more and more about this trip. The only thing that is getting me is that it comes so close after Christmas and as far as savings/budget that is a bit tight. DH may be getting a bonus on Dec 7. Think I can wait until then to make a decision????

That is what I was thinking. Just get a place for 6. As long as you all fit, we also would just bring an airbed. They say the numbers are for fire code, but I have called a comfort suites and they only take 4 and they have 2 beds and a couch and then called a quality suites down the road and they hold 6. It gets on my nerves. It's all just to make money
Good luck finding a place. I know prices are higher in January.

 

[TNKBELL]

I had thought about a place for 6, but what scares me is that is says "Occupancy strictly enforced." I'll talk to DH and see, I know that Disney will take a child under 3 in a room that only sleeps 4. There are several options that sleep 6. Hmmm...

 

[DawnM]

Ok, honestly, if the occupancy says "4" and we have 5, we have sometimes just had one of us check in and then driven around to the condo. There is never a time we all pass the lobby together (or even need to go near the lobby.)

The last place we had was a 2 bedroom with an occ. of 4. We only had 4 in the family then, but we were very close to adopting our then 2.5 year old son. I asked specifically if we had another child if it would be ok and they said yes, as long as he is under the age of 12. So, at Vacation Village they didn't really care, but we still would have not brought all of us into the lobby to check in.

Keep checking SkyAuction.

Dawn

I had thought about a place for 6, but what scares me is that is says "Occupancy strictly enforced." I'll talk to DH and see, I know that Disney will take a child under 3 in a room that only sleeps 4. There are several options that sleep 6. Hmmm...

 

[disneymom3]

I had thought about a place for 6, but what scares me is that is says "Occupancy strictly enforced." I'll talk to DH and see, I know that Disney will take a child under 3 in a room that only sleeps 4. There are several options that sleep 6. Hmmm...

I think they do that though because they don't want 42 college students all staying in their two bedroom suites! I don't think a baby is going to matter. Can you get the names of the places and then call them as an independent consumer to find out.

And, yeah, we do the same thing as Dawn--we just avoid the lobby!

 

[sweet maxine]

Does anyone remember the dates from the Sept. Homeschool Days for this year?

 

[TNKBELL]

I have been looking at what is available that sleeps 6. There are 3 that interest me, Celebrity Resorts Orlando, Grand Lake, and Silver Lake.
Do any of you know about any of these resorts?? My concern with Silver Lake is that although it sleeps 6 there is only 1 bedroom. It's nice to have seperate rooms. I have read the reviews on tripadvisor and we are leaning toward Celebrity, but I'm not quite sure?? I admit I am very picky, and for me it's important to stay at a nice quality clean resort. Thank you for your suggestions about the baby. I always want to do what is right and I'm going to watch the listings over the next few days and maybe something will pop up that sleeps 8, if not I will call and ask about thier occupancy policy.

 

[DawnM]

http://www.skyauction.com/anyoffer/71746?adref=EM111507VACA2

I bought one of these. I think Jan. will be a good bet to find a 3 bedroom.

Click on getawayweek.com half way down the page. Then put in dates and destination Florida to see availability.

Dawn

 

[earthfaries]

http://www.skyauction.com/anyoffer/71746?adref=EM111507VACA2

I bought one of these. I think Jan. will be a good bet to find a 3 bedroom.

Click on getawayweek.com half way down the page. Then put in dates and destination Florida to see availability.

Dawn

Is it really just $180.00 for a week? Have you done this before? Is it legit? That's amazing!

 

[earthfaries]

Does anyone remember the dates from the Sept. Homeschool Days for this year?

Sept. 17-19. I looked it up under the search tool

 

[DawnM]

Yes, we have done it several times. We never pay more than that for 7 nights. You do have to take stock on hand. Stock/Availability is always changing, so you can keep checking. Sometimes a 3 bedroom will pop up last minute.

I have heard that Orbit One is a nice place (that is one of their RCI condos available.) We used to stay at Vacation Village with them (have done it 3 times. Had a 1 bedroom twice and a 2 bedroom once).

It is timeshare condos that are leftover rooms that they want to rent out for cheap. YOU DO NOT have to sit through anything!!! This is just surplus supply.

I bought 3 of these for this year. I will use one or two weeks for this vacation and then we may do Atlantic Beach for a week later in the year.

Dawn

Is it really just $180.00 for a week? Have you done this before? Is it legit? That's amazing!