How would you spend $2500

[ncbyrne]

We (DH and I, 50+ no kids) are planning our next trip for Sept 2004. This will be my 7th trip to WDW. DH has vacation time Sept 12-26. Our longest WDW trip was for 16 days for our 25th wedding anniversary in 2000. On that trip we split it up between 3 hotels: 8 days off-offsite, Grosvenor 4 days and the last 4 days at Dixie Landings. We REALLY enjoyed splitting the time like that. Last year we spent 8 days at Windsor Palms condos, but never again. I'm not interested in housework of any kind on vacation. For our next trip we will have $2500 to spend. We have enough frequent flyer miles for free airfare. How would you spend the $.

 

[C.Ann]

You could send it to me!! LOL

Seriously though, if you really enjoyed spending part of the time on-site and part of the time off-site, I would do the same thing again.. Keep an eye out for codes and maybe try one of the resorts that you've never been to.. Perhaps you could REALLY splurge on one of the high-end resorts for 2 nights and then find something reasonable for the rest of your stay..

Whatever you decide, have a blast!!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by C.Ann
You could send it to me!!

Ditto.....


You're going during an amazing tiime during which not only do you have a reasonable budget, but the crowds are low and the prices are out of this world.....

If it were me, I'd do a version of C.Ann's plan. I'd do two days "right" at the Poly or YC, and get length of stay passes and just hammer the parks for three days. Then I'd Priceline a 3-4*. Then I'd find a mid-range somewhere for the middle. Personally I'd pamper myself the first two days (and hit the parks while you're fresh), do the mid-range in the middle, and the Priceline on the back end. You'd get a good hotel at a good price on Priceline (jeeze, I sound like Bill Shatner) so your last couple days should be comfortable. And you should have plenty of the $2500 left for addtional park days and food.

Or, make the check out to Pat Elliott......

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott

Or, make the check out to Pat Elliott......

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Hey - I called dibbs on it first!!!!!

LOL

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by C.Ann
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Hey - I called dibbs on it first!!!!!

LOL

Fair enough. They'll just have to make out two checks! By the way, I'll settle for half that in cash...

 

[Michelemouse]

I would do a modified version of Pat's plan. I would do 5 nights at a moderate and get the length-of-stay passes. Then I would priceline a 3-4* for the middle 5 nights and do Downtown Disney, visit Disney resorts and do any other area attractions you are interested in. I would finish up with 4 nights at a WDW deluxe resort where I would kick back and take in all the resort has to offer. You could also get park passes for your last few days if you wanted more park time.

Also, if you thought you might be back in Orlando in the next year it would make sense to get Annual Passes. Then you could come and go as you please on this trip and still have them for your next trip as well.

Have fun planning!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott
Fair enough. They'll just have to make out two checks! By the way, I'll settle for half that in cash...

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50/50 sounds good to me!

 

[EthansMom]

I'd stay at the less expensive hotel first and work my way up to the most expensive hotel last. Otherwise, DH would spend the entire vacation comparing the current hotel to the most expensive one and I'd have to listen to him!

EthansMom

 

[figment95]

If you do stay at a deluxe, I would plan to spend a lot of time exploring your resort. IMO the deluxes have so much going on and they have such great themes they're a great place to relax.

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm with the "work-your-way-to-the-top" crowd. I'd rather end on a high note than be spoiled at the beginning and then have to deal with a "lesser" hotel where you won't get all the perks and atmosphere. Whichever you decide to do, have a great Disney vacation!

P.S. Since C. Ann and Pat_Elliott are fighting over the money, you may send it to me if you want. I promise not to fight with anybody!

 

[ncbyrne]

I love the idea of doing 5 nights at a Moderate (POR?), 4 nights at a Deluxe (BC?) and the remained of the days at a 4* priceline hotel. However, do you really think I could accomplish that and eat too, on $2500? We really have to stick to a strict budget.

 

[Muffy]

The Swan and Dolphin are running a special (limited rooms) late aug-early sept 99.00 per nt. with the code LABOR. Checkout www.mousesavers.com for more info.

 

[Local_Girl]

ncbyrne--

You mentioned your airfare is covered, but I'm not sure what else your $2500 needs to cover. You don't mention what type of tickets you guys plan to use...AP's, PH's etc. If you plan to be there for 2 full weeks, how often would you go to the parks? And what else (if anything--Universal, Sea World?) do you want to do? Do you need/plan to rent a car? How do you do your meals--mostly counter service or sit-downs?

Personally, I don't think it's possible to do the 5 nights moderate, 4 nights deluxe, 4 nights 4*priceline, even with incredible codes/deals UNLESS you really budget your other expenses down to "bare bones". Right now, I'm trying to put together a 14-day trip in Dec. for our family (me, DH, and 2 kids) for about $3000 and it's a huge challenge...but I love it!!

If you can provide more info, we can give you more ideas!

 

[ncbyrne]

Our WDW entire budget will be $2500. That will have to cover all expenses, except air fare. DH has 14 days vacation, and we would like to spent 10-12 days on this trip. A rental car is a must. Would like to do all 4 parks once, Epcot maybe twice, and TL one full day, and PI one evening. We have two passes from out last trip, with one plus left on each. We'll try to find an offsite hotel with breakfast included for our offsite days, or have coffee+ in the room. We'd like to do one sit down meal for the days we are in the parks, and have learned to do a late lunch to save $. Otherwise counter service is ok. Sea World or Universal would fit time wise and be great if we can manage it, but not sure it fits the budget. Another must for us is changing hotels....it's part of the fun for us.

 

[Local_Girl]

If you get a really good offsite deal, you may be able to stay a few nights onsite. I would check out the Courtyard by Marriott (DTD area) that they seem to run every year for $20 plus, Sunday thru Thursday nights. You'd need to watch for it next year and jump on it as soon as it becomes available. You could also check hotelkingdom.com because they seem to have good rates. Or watch these boards for info on other special rates. Another option is to go with SkyAuction and get a villa for a week (we have 2 weeks at OLCC in Dec. for $672 total--averages to $48 per night). Your dates would have to be set in stone for the Courtyard or SkyAuction as there are no refunds. Seven nights offsite and 5 nights on--maybe 3 at a moderate and 2 at a deluxe, if you can get some good rates/codes. Sorry, I have no idea about car rental rates as we always drive to WDW.

As for your tickets, sounds like the 5 Day PH would be enough for you, if you use the plusses you already have for TL and buy tickets separately for PI as they are cheaper. Or buy the PHPs (if it's more cost effective) and have a plus left over for another trip.

 

[yecats]

My advice is for you to decide exactly how many days your going to spend at Disney and US (then purchase tics accordingly - US offers 5 day consective tics on their website for the same price as a 2 day ticket there - just keep checking and it will pop up a few times of the year) and see what is left over. Then either bid on priceline (DTD hotels and Swan/Dolphin frequently purchase) for a number of your days (make sure that you study that biddingfortravel site) or bid on Hotwire (use the betterbidding site there). That should save you money. Whatever you have left maybe you could afford a moderate for 4 days with a good code if released.

We spent 10 days last Dec. at WDW and US. Our entire trip cost about $2300 (gas, 2 7day PHP, 2 5day consective US passes, $500 on offsite hotel one mile away from AKL (bid on priceline). The rest was used on souvenirs and eating at the better restaurants on property (fast food gets old).

 

[Robinrs]

Wow, cheapie me hasn't spent that much this year on my 6 trips! But it's just me and Mike and we live in the next state!

I would like to add that if you haven't tried the onsite hotels at Universal, DO! Two days gets you three days of FOTL! You can add the 2 day get one day free tickets and there you go. The best rates for the onsites are with Entertainment rates, sometimes Hotwire and www.hotelkingdom.com

I have to agree about the housework line, it CAN get old after awhile. Luckily for me I have a strangely neat child, I can't imagine how people with several kids handle it.

 

[KathleenFL]

Just a heads-up about the Courtyard by Marriott $20.03 deal:

Look for posts around end of March, beginning of April...Also, you can sign up on CbM's site, for email notifications of special offers, etc:

Courtyard email signup

Everyone who's posted about their stay so far, has been pleased
with the hotel.....Big rooms, clean, good staff, and best of all, you can't beat that rate!! You could book deluxe resort(s) for the rest of your trip, with the $ you save here.......