How to plan a Last-Minute trip?

[belleincanada]

Hi there,

My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to WDW (We are 26 and 27). Unfortunately I lost my Dad to cancer last week - and so looking to go on a mini-escape, and WDW seems like the perfect place. We're both from Toronto and are not sure about what kind of discounts or packages would be available, if any.

However, we're actors and can only go on our slow season, so we're looking to go Feb 27-Mar 2, just the Monday to Friday. And also because we're actors, we're trying to do this on a budget (though I may still want to do the DDP. My boyfriend's never been to WDW and he really wants to experience all the food there. I'm just hoping we can get in places, on such short notice).

Any last minute planning advice for this trip?

 

[clickTHEMOUSE]

Sorry about your Dad. I lost my Dad young too.

I've been looking for cheap flights and there is NOTHING out there. Good Luck! Sandra

 

[mayjay]

Sorry about your Dad.

I've planned a last minute, short trip before.

I found a great deal on a flight, and went from there. Like PP said, there are NO deals in Canada right now, but if you are willing/able to drive to the US you might be able to get something out of there for a decent price.

Then I priced things out on the WDW site. And when I had an idea of what we wanted, I phoned them. I got a better deal on the phone that what I had priced out on the phone.

We didn't get our luggage tags on time, but I phoned and they told me what to do in that case (just went to the desk and checked in and they had us on file)

Good luck and hope it works out for you

 

[darwinsrule]

We did the same thing almost 3 years ago after my MIL died from cancer. One of the great things about staying onsite is that Disney makes it easy. And after dealing with everything you are going through easy is good. It was our first trip with kids and it wasn't the cheapest. But price wasn't our biggest concern.

Like PP said cheap from Toronto isn't really something that happens. If you can get to Buffalo then it is cheaper. Still last minute is going to be more expensive. Even still it is well worth it and will give the two of you a chance to reconnect and enjoy some time together. It really comes down to what your budget is. If it is really low then staying offsite is cheaper. You lose some of the advantages of onsite but the time away together is probably more important than anything.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Sorry for the lost of your dad. I can;t imagine how hard it must be.

I looked online for you and he best price you can get at Disney (since you are wanting the dining plan you have to stay onsite)for those dates would be with the room discount:
Value - All star music - standard room / base park tickets for 5 days and regular DDP $1351.14 ... without the DDP it's $938.32.
moderate - POR - standard room / base park tickets for 5 days and regular DDP
$1612.26 without the DDP $1199.94

Some say that paying out of pocket for 2 adults is cheaper then DDP but I can't help you there as we have kids and the plan is perfect for us. I think it's worth it only if you order the most expensive thing on the dinner menu and eat every credit but I'm not sure. Maybe check the menus and see if it would be worth for both of you. Would you eat a little over $412 worth of food if paying out of pocket for a 4 quick service meal each, 4 table service each and 4 snack each?

If you look at flights out of Buffalo and so on, you will probably get flights around $350-$400 return trip per person plus we find it's easier to travel from the states airport with the ME and Disney. On your retun tirp, all you have to do is bring your luggage to Disney and they will check you in and give you boarding passes and you simply go through customs on your drive back home from the US.
Right now, both of you can have a return flight with Jetblue $759.20 including taxes for direct flights from buffalo.

With west jet from Toronto $1740
Air Canada from Toronto $1383

As for your restaurant meals, start booking online on the Disney website even if you don't have a package yet. Check what is available, what you want and book because selection is getting low.

hope this helps you a bit. As you can see I am bored today and have lots of time on my hands LOL

 

[webworm]

Hi there,

My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to WDW (We are 26 and 27). Unfortunately I lost my Dad to cancer last week - and so looking to go on a mini-escape, and WDW seems like the perfect place. We're both from Toronto and are not sure about what kind of discounts or packages would be available, if any.

However, we're actors and can only go on our slow season, so we're looking to go Feb 27-Mar 2, just the Monday to Friday. And also because we're actors, we're trying to do this on a budget (though I may still want to do the DDP. My boyfriend's never been to WDW and he really wants to experience all the food there. I'm just hoping we can get in places, on such short notice).

Any last minute planning advice for this trip?

So sorry to hear about your Dad. I took a look at AllegiantAir from Niagara Falls and found a good fare on short notice for your dates. The trick with Allegiant is to take carryon luggage for your trip and get seats when you arrive at the airport so you don't get dinged with extra fees. Allegiant flies into the Orlando/Sanford airport.

Departing Flights for Mon, Feb 27

$79.99 Depart:12:20 pm Arrive: 3:00PM
NIAGARA FALLS/BUFF, NY (IAG)
ORLANDO-SANFORD, FL (SFB) Flight 655
Nonstop

Returning Flights for Fri, Mar 2

$105.29 Depart:9:00 am Arrive: 11:40AM
ORLANDO-SANFORD, FL (SFB)
NIAGARA FALLS/BUFF, NY (IAG) Flight 654
Nonstop

Trip Price = $148.68
Taxes & Fees = $36.60
Total Cost $185.28
http://www.allegiantair.com/

On expedia.ca you can get a prepaid rate of $130CAN for a compact car from Sanford airport with Dollar or Thrifty. An airport shuttle to Disney will cost both of you more than a car rental. Another option is to bid for a car rental on priceline. Checkout deals on travelzoo for a hotel or you could bid on priceline as well by checking out betterbidding first so you don't overbid.
http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/orlando/

 

[Susan2771]

If you look at flights out of Buffalo and so on, you will probably get flights around $350-$400 return trip per person plus we find it's easier to travel from the states airport with the ME and Disney. On your retun tirp, all you have to do is bring your luggage to Disney and they will check you in and give you boarding passes and you simply go through customs on your drive back home from the US.
Right now, both of you can have a return flight with Jetblue $759.20 including taxes for direct flights from buffalo.

With west jet from Toronto $1740
Air Canada from Toronto $1383

Well with Sunwing they have flights for those dates for $404.77 CAD per person with the taxes. That's $809.54 CAD for 2 people from Toronto to MCO and back.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Well with Sunwing they have flights for those dates for $404.77 CAD per person with the taxes. That's $809.54 CAD for 2 people from Toronto to MCO and back.

that's a really good rate. I never thought of sunwing as we normally travel during the late spring and sumemr and it's not available. Nice to have nother option out there

 

[maryliz]

Sorry to hear about your Dad ... I was only 24 when I lost my Dad to cancer.

Sometimes the best trips are the last minute ones! We decided a couple of summers ago on a Thurs night to drive to WDW when we got home from work on the Friday. Got a really great rate for the Country Inn and Suites just outside of DTD on Expedia.ca ... it was $44/night Canadian! Our kids still talk about the last minute decision to just do it!

While I love to stay on site, you might do better at an offsite hotel like the one above, and rent a car ... you will not enjoy an offsite hotel if you are totally dependant on their so-called shuttle services ... NOT user friendly! LOL If you do stay on site, I would recommend NOT paying for the dining plan ... just try to get into the restaurants you want, and pay out of pocket. Our family of 4 (kids are both teens) were there for a week in Jan and our total food cost for the week was just over $800 ... and that included 4 meals that were $190, $135, $115 and $110 in that total price ... so you will do much better by NOT paying for the plan because you'll only order what you really want.

Check out mousesavers.com to see if there are some room only discounts available right now as well ... and if you have CAA, you can usually at least get a 10% discount off of a room at WDW.

Cheap flights seem to be non-existant these days ... how do you feel about driving down, staying for 5 days then driving home again? It's tiring, but sometimes those long drives are great for just clearing your head.

Good luck in your search ... hope it all works out for you.

 

[webworm]

I forgot to mention in addition to the return fare of $185.28 with Allegiant for your dates Feb 27 - Mar 2nd parking is only $5.00/day at Niagara Falls airport.
http://www.niagarafallsairport.com/Ground.aspx