Is this a crazy idea or what???

[C.Ann]

Okay - I haven't even gotten our December trip out of the way yet and I'm already contemplating a trip NEXT year.. LOL

You see - this is what I'm thinking.. For the past two or three years now the Courtyard DTD has had that $20 a night rate at some period during the early fall.. Also, Southwest has run that $49 each way deal right about the same time..

Sooooo.. Basically that means I could go to Disney for a week for about $300 or so if I jumped right on those deals when they came out!! Is it CRAZY to even dream of doing such a thing?

And if it's NOT totally crazy, should I buy myself an ANNUAL pass when I go this December instead of the 5-day hopper?

Also - could someone tell me what the cost for an annual pass for an adult is and if there are only certain places where I can buy it??

I know - I'm nuts - but geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I think you're rather brilliant, actually!

Annual Pass Adult 392.99 Child 334.41

Premium Annual Adult 520.79 Child 443.04

The above include tax, don't include the DC discount, and are from the "Tickets" link on the main forum page of this site.

Unfortunately the only discount on APs and PAPs is Disney Club... We are planning to buy ours as soon as I have enough in PayPal from my ebaying... then get the 1.5% cash back.

Just think, with all the ebaying you can do in the next year, you may even get 2 extra trips for your APs!

IMHO - go for it!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

if there are only certain places where I can buy it??

Sorry - forgot that part - you can buy a voucher for it at TDS, which you activate at WDW, and the 1-year clock doesn't start ticking until it is activated. Also, you can buy them right at WDW.

We bought and activated ours at the International Gateway at Epcot, and it took a few minutes, but not too too long. We did not renew last year due to timing of future trips, but we have three coming within the 12 months from this upcoming one, so that is the way to go, IMO.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
I think you're rather brilliant, actually!

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Well YOU may think I'm "brilliant" - but I'm sure my family and friends would think I'm NUTS !!! LOL

As a matter of fact, I was talking about this around the campfire at the lake last weekend and my grown DD told me in no uncertain terms that - I am not "allowed" to go to Florida alone.."

Say what???? Guess I'll just have to take the phone off the hook for a week.. LOL
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Oh - by the way.. I probably wouldn't want to bother with a rental car so is it easy to get to the parks from the Courtyard - and maybe spend some time at DTD?

 

[Lewisc]

Not crazy (not sure I'd go as far as to say brilliant) BUT I'm not sure how tight you budget is. It is entirely possible the dates you can get the $20 hotel and the dates you can get the airfare may not excatly match. You may have to pay more for a night or 2. Between AP rates and PL you should still be able to get decent hotel rates.

 

[DMRick]

Sooooo.. Basically that means I could go to Disney for a week for about $300 or so

Ah, wish that it worked like that. You do still have to eat..and that can be pricey. LOL! Last year we went to Disney for the cheap SW fares, because it was their anniversary..and this year, it was just because..maybe so many people are waiting for AP rates, sales to FL were down LOL!! But you really can't count on it happening..or that you can get rooms at the Marriot..and remember those prcies are just for weekdays.
This is our first year, and prob last getting AP's (unless I have a weak moment, or start seeing the hotel rates as a benefit). Although we go 3-4 times a year, we only find ourselves going to the parks as often as we have been, because we feel we have to use the AP's. Instead of spending a whole day there..we spend a shorter amoutn of time..but we can say we used our AP's x many of days. There is a lot to do at Disney besides the parks, and we would do more of those things, and visit other Orlando places, if we didn't feel we had to use our AP to get our money's worth. You still have time to decide, of course...and think about if you would go in spite of how your family reacts (of course that wouldn't play into MY vacation plans..I'd go where I wanted to go).

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Not crazy (not sure I'd go as far as to say brilliant)

OK, OK, my opinion is shaded by all the inspiration C.Ann has given on the ebay thread. Hey, she'll always shine brilliantly in my book!

 

[HeatherC]

Wow- You think like I do! I love planning trips....especially one that is a great bargain.

One thing else you may want to consider is to buy a 7 day ph pass instead of annual pass. This way it comes with 4 plus options - which is actually 11 days of Disney play. And....since they don't expire, it you wind up not going next fall you have them to use for whenever since they don't expire.

Happy planning!!
HEather

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
OK, OK, my opinion is shaded by all the inspiration C.Ann has given on the ebay thread. Hey, she'll always shine brilliantly in my book!

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Why thank you!! I'm blushing - for sure..

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I know you'll all think I'm weird, but "eating" doesn't really fall into my budget because I can literally go for days on end with a bowl cereal in the evening, coffee all day, and "maybe" a snack in the afternoon.. When I say I "eat like a bird", I mean it.. (Okay - so birds don't drink coffee all day - LOL)..

Course the AP's would have to factor into the December trip - and if all the eBay buyers are REAL nice, I could probably pull that off - LOL..

I'm not planning anything concrete here - just thinking ahead to be prepared IF the hotel and airfare were to fall together at the same time.. I'll just put a little "stash" aside in case I have to jump on something..

As for the family - specifically my DD - she can either cough up the cash to come with me - or say "bye-bye" at the airport.. LOL.. I know - I'm a MEAN "mommy" - but with her being in her 30's and me being in my 50's, I think I'm big enough to travel alone!! Besides, my brother will be living in Vero Beach by then - and I also have a friend living in West Palm Beach - so it's not like I couldn't call someone if something went wrong..

Kids! Who gave them permission to turn into our "parents"?? Grrrr...

 

[obnurse2003]

Nope, not crazy!!! I have not gone yet this year BUT am planning my next vacation for the spring!!! My DH thinks ("knows") that I am nuts! He has no clue why I want to plan my next trip when we haven't even gone this year. He just doesn't understand.

SO, I may be going alone next spring, maybe with the DD or DS; but if everyone moans and groans about it, I'll go it alone! I just LOVE this board. We are all in the same state of mind!!!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Originally posted by C.Ann
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I know you'll all think I'm weird, but "eating" doesn't really fall into my budget because I can literally go for days on end with a bowl cereal in the evening, coffee all day, and "maybe" a snack in the afternoon.. When I say I "eat like a bird", I mean it.. (Okay - so birds don't drink coffee all day - LOL)..

LOL! I don't eat like a bird, but I'm looking forward to my Dec trip being a "Cheapie" for food. DD won't be coming (she's 13 and has informed me she is past the Disney age She is the one that wants to eat only restaurant food when we are traveling. DS is only 3 and is perfectly happy with carry-in snacks, and I am too. We will probably just use one Q L&D voucher per day to share and live on snacks beyond that.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by plutosmyfav
LOL! I don't eat like a bird, but I'm looking forward to my Dec trip being a "Cheapie" for food. DD won't be coming (she's 13 and has informed me she is past the Disney age She is the one that wants to eat only restaurant food when we are traveling. DS is only 3 and is perfectly happy with carry-in snacks, and I am too. We will probably just use one Q L&D voucher per day to share and live on snacks beyond that.

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Well at least YOUR DD is "letting" you go... LOL

Have you looked at the actual menus - with prices - over on Deb's site? I'll bet you and your little guy could just split a kid's meal (from counter service) and eat on $10 a day or so..

 

[plutosmyfav]

Originally posted by obnurse2003

SO, I may be going alone next spring, maybe with the DD or DS; but if everyone moans and groans about it, I'll go it alone! I just LOVE this board. We are all in the same state of mind!!!

I haven't met anyone in the "physical" world who understands this magic obsession

I'm glad we found each other in cyberspace

 

[vhoffman]

We're going to WDW this Dec. and will take advantage of the $20.03 rate, low airfares, etc. However, I am also in the process of planning our first trip to Hawaii next Summer! I was going to use our FF miles to fly to Disney, but since airfares are so cheap during that time we'll buy our tickets and save the FF miles for Hawaii (plus we can use the FF miles we get from the Disney trip for Hawaii). Also, something just fell in my lap tonight. We're in the Marriott Rewards program. We're not at a premium level, just plain old members. Well, Marriott sent randomly selected Rewards members a deal that's a steal--5 nights at a 5-star hotel on your choice of islands (can only chose one), 6 days of rent car, and $100 in Marriott gift certificates per day, all for the total price (including taxes and fees) of $748. That's total, not per person. I added up the cost of such a package if we bought it on our own and it would come to around $2800-3000!!! I feel like I won a contest or something. I guess it really pays to sign up for every hotel and airline loyalty program. You never know what type of deals you might get. Of course, after reading this budget board, I want a bargain when I travel, not just a few $$ off here and there. Well, looks like I'm getting them.

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi , I was thinking the same exact thing !! I have a wedding in Aug next year in Tenn and was thinking that we could squeeze in a quick trip to Disney before we needed to be in Tenn then take our "REG" trip in Oct ??!! I am sure my friends and family think I am Crazy !!! oh well I think not counting the tickets I can do it for Under $1000 for 1 adult and 2 kids ( 5 night airfare/shuttles or car/hotel/food )

I don't think you are crazy ! Michelle

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Not crazy (not sure I'd go as far as to say brilliant) BUT I'm not sure how tight you budget is. It is entirely possible the dates you can get the $20 hotel and the dates you can get the airfare may not excatly match. You may have to pay more for a night or 2. Between AP rates and PL you should still be able to get decent hotel rates.

When you call to the CBM sometimes you don't get hte $20 rate for all your rooms. (I know I tried) Its only a Mon Thursday rate, and the Thurday -Sun rate is either $69 or $89 a night

And you may only be able to get one or two or your nights at a $20 rate as well (that happened to me as well)

Averagign that out, its better to stay at the All Stars!