Ideal Vacation is Too Much $$$, what can we do?

[JJsmama]

Ideal Vacation is Too Much $$$, what can we do?
Story of my life..... You're getting some good advice here.....

That's what I was thinking. With no disrespect to the OP, I think all of our 'ideal' vacations are too expensive.

However, it sounds to me like OP is barely doing any WDW parks at all. WHy not just skip those tix altogether and do the water parks, resort hop and dinners at resorts, and the 'other' parks?

 

[tlwfun89]

ok I think Disney is a vacation in itself. Especially price/budget wise. The offsite places are a whole other vacation. Legoland well lets just say its costly for what you get and not real close to Disney.

 

[AuroraRora]

OMG, just shared my fabulous non-Disney Orlando touring plan with DH but he isn't on board AT ALL!!! He does not believe in going to Orlando without going to Disney, and his plan for saving tons of $$$ is simply not buying park hoppers...this is what his ideal vacation looks like:

Day 1 arrive, check out hotel (he really wants to stay Deluxe)
Day 2, Disney water park, dinner outside of parks
Day 3, MK all day with dinner
Day 4, Epcot all day with dinner
Day 5, If affordable rent a car and go to Legoland, if not stay at resort, have dinner in room
Day 6, Disney water park, dinner outside of parks
Day 7, depart

I guess I can live with that (Will I ever get to swim with a dolphin?????)...off to crunch the numbers...thanks again...

That doesn't sound like too much of a bad itinerary to me! You're definitely getting more use out of your Disney tickets too. Just a thought (this is probably going to sound a bit selfish and mean, but I bring it up as it worked for a friend's family) what if you went to Discovery Cove alone while he took the rest of your family to Legoland, or even while he stayed and swam/did savannah things at AKL? It sounds like you're the only one who's really excited about Discovery Cove, could you get away with going to do that while they do something else? He's excited about the resort, you're excited about the dolphin swim...maybe split and do both, then meet for dinner?

 

[Sunnywho]

Just a thought (this is probably going to sound a bit selfish and mean, but I bring it up as it worked for a friend's family) what if you went to Discovery Cove alone while he took the rest of your family to Legoland,

that's a great suggestion because legoland is more age appropriate for the younger ones and a dolphin swim more appropriate for the older one

 

[patty57]

OP...are you going with the WDW plan, or trying to come up with something else?

 

[Mama Who]

that's a great suggestion because legoland is more age appropriate for the younger ones and a dolphin swim more appropriate for the older one

Excellent suggestion. If both parents aren't set on both of those parks, you save quite a bit. I have only done LL in California, but 10 is about the top of the target demographic, I think.

 

[cleophus12]

Have you checked rates at the Swan or Dolphin? They often offer some good discounts and they sit right outside of Epcot, so you get very much of that Disney feel. They are very nice resorts with a mostly moderate price tag. Also there are a number of good resort restaurants close by. And if you do decide to partake of those Epcot dinners, you are conveniently located.

 

[cheesemouse]

I would suggest giving serious thought to Art of Animation family suites or the All Star Music family suites. We also have a family of 5 and the deluxes are very pricey. Your kids are young enough that they would still love the over the top theming of those 2 resorts. I took my oldest two (they were 4 and 6) and we stayed at Pop Century that trip since it was just the 3 of us. Last month all 5 of us went and we stayed at the Contemporary. My kids kept asking when we could go to the hotel with the "big things". Young kids like that sort of stuff. And those 2 are a lot cheaper. Check it out. You'd still be on site for the Disney magic!

 

[grandall]

OP...are you going with the WDW plan, or trying to come up with something else?

I'm not sure, I'm so confused...I was looking forward to seeing some new things but DH does not believe in going to Orlando w/o going to Disney. We had an absolute blast last time so maybe he is right. I think the way to go like many people have suggested is to stay on-site at a moderate (and I am very intrigued by AoA) to save some money, and then do a day trip or two to Legoland and/or DC. I love the idea of splitting up in some way too, so I am exploring that. Thanks to everyone for all of your ideas, they have all been great, my mind is swimming (in a good way)...when I do book something and it is all final I will post back here...

 

[CupcakeKelly]

After reading this I realize how thankful I am that vacation planning with DH is I plan everything and he shows up and enjoys the benefits of my planning