Just for Fun: A $1600 Challenge!

[aka-mad4themouse]

Inspired by the "What You Get for the Money: Walt Disney World" special on Fine Living Network earlier this week, I'm offering up this challenge.

The Rules:

• Choose one of 4 families and plan a vacation for $1600 or less.
  1. Family A consists of 2 adults and 2 children, both under the age of 10
  2. Family B consists of 2 adults and 2 tweens (over age 10 but under 18)
  3. Family C consists of 2 adults who are empty-nesters
  4. Family D (for those who love a challenge) consists of 2 adults with 2 juniors and a child over the age of 3
• Include the cost of room, tickets and food in your plans but not airfare or trip insurance. If you add extras like Sea Raycer rental or spa treatments, include the cost.
• To keep things consistent, add an 18% tip to any TS meals.
• The length of stay, season and resort choice is up to you. You can do 2 nights at a deluxe or a week at an offsite condo.
• No cheating by "owning DVC" or "having APs - already paid for" or using GCs that were earned from a rewards card!
• Don't forget to include ground transportation like DME, taxis, rental cars or limo service. And of course, parking costs if necessary.
• For those with a taste for Universal and Sea World, they can be included as well! Who says it always has to be about WDW?

So, pick a family and send them on their way! I'd love to see what everyone comes up with!

 

[MEM]

Inspired by the "What You Get for the Money: Walt Disney World" special on Fine Living Network earlier this week, I'm offering up this challenge.

The Rules:

• Choose one of 4 families and plan a vacation for $1600 or less.
  1. Family A consists of 2 adults and 2 children, both under the age of 10
  2. Family B consists of 2 adults and 2 tweens (over age 10 but under 18)
  3. Family C consists of 2 adults who are empty-nesters
  4. Family D (for those who love a challenge) consists of 2 adults with 2 juniors and a child over the age of 3
• Include the cost of room, tickets and food in your plans but not airfare or trip insurance. If you add extras like Sea Raycer rental or spa treatments, include the cost.
• To keep things consistent, add an 18% tip to any TS meals.
• The length of stay, season and resort choice is up to you. You can do 2 nights at a deluxe or a week at an offsite condo.
• No cheating by "owning DVC" or "having APs - already paid for" or using GCs that were earned from a rewards card!
• Don't forget to include ground transportation like DME, taxis, rental cars or limo service. And of course, parking costs if necessary.
• For those with a taste for Universal and Sea World, they can be included as well! Who says it always has to be about WDW?

So, pick a family and send them on their way! I'd love to see what everyone comes up with!

Can we include the new "give a day get a day" promotion in our calculations?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Can we include the new "give a day get a day" promotion in our calculations?

Yes, but you would have to make your travel dates fit the parameters of the offer. IOW, you wouldn't be able to have a vacation in Jan. 2010 and take advantage of the Give a Day promotion since there would not be enough time to give a day and have it verified by then.

 

[neatokimmo]

Hmmm I am going to have to think about this. We did 2 weeks on property for free dining, 2 adults and 1 2-yr old for $1910. Our tips came out to $120 because we did the Hoop de Do Review and Luau where the tips were included.

 

[Darcy03231]

Since we're a large family - I choose Family D

September 2010

3 bdrm/2 bath townhome (found on www.vacationrentals.com) with tax: $432

Rental car: $250 (approx. - couldn't get a rate that far out. This is what I paid in April 2009 during spring break).

Gas: $50

Parking: $105

(5) 7 day unlimited admission US/IOA tickets @ $100 (my local AAA sells them for that price, including all taxes and fees): $500

Groceries, snacks, water for condo/parks: $150

Souvenirs: $100

Total: $1,587.00

Obviously, this calls for eating breakfast and dinner in the condo and packing a lunch, drinks, snacks for in the park - but not bad for a weeks vacation for 5 people!

 

[neatokimmo]

Ok, let's pretend I am married. And I have twin 9 yr olds

Days 1 & 2 Stay at Baymont for $39 a night, with tax& fees, $50ish. 100/1600.
Drive to Beach & stay the entire day- $30 gas 130/1600
Outlet window shop. Go to all the Ross stores in Orlando (we love Ross lol).
Swim at motel pool.

Day 3 Still at Baymont
head to Disney, use our volunteer day pass. Parking is $14 (right?) 144/1600

Day 4,5,6 Stay at Baymont $150 294/1600
Get the Universal special, $396 690/1600
use the free shuttle

Day 7 check into value resort for 1 night
One day tickets & room, $476 1166/1600
swim all day, enjoy being on property

Day 8
Go to Disney, parking should be free right?
That night, start heading towards home. find a cheapo place on the road to stay for the night. $50 1216/1600

That leaves $384 for food. We'll have to assume at this point that my family is nice and frugal. We ate breakfast for free at Baymont and we did bring some things from home to pack lunches for the parks.

 

[Whistle]

Is there anyway we can add another family as option E (MINE). I am a single mom with 2 boys (11 and 9) and am trying to plan another trip to Disney. I would love for us to go for around $1000.00- (plus I'd have to fly which will cost another $500- Richmond, VA). We could go for a long weekend . . . whatever . . . how would you plan it?

 

[parkers*momma]

Ohhh fun! Just like the old days!

Let's see...a couple of questions.

We are planning a return trip with the bounce back offer we booked this past September. Can I use this to build off of?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Ohhh fun! Just like the old days!

Let's see...a couple of questions.

We are planning a return trip with the bounce back offer we booked this past September. Can I use this to build off of?

You can use any legitimate deal that you know of.

 

[griergirl2]

I may be a hair off on my calculations but here is one (I used the empty nesters on this one):

Feb. 6-11, 5 nights, 6 Days
CSR King Room using 40% off Disney Visa Code=$610.80
Park Tickets- (2) 6 Day Park Hoppers=$602.80
QSD=$319.90 ($31.99/night now??)
-----------------------------------------------------
Grand Total of $1,533.50

They would use ME, so no extra cost there. And on the QS plan, all dining is included And only using Disney buses, which again is free.

That was an easy one though...now I'll try the harder ones...

 

[Green Tea]

I was so excited until I saw it had to be a Disney vacation. (sshhhh) Can we play with other ideas too, of course under the $1600.

 

[parkers*momma]

OK, I'm going to play.

I'm going with the empty nesters as this is as close as it gets to our annual trip (DD and myself)

Dates: December 13th-20th free dining offer at All Star Movies with DME from the airport ( I think the cut off was the 13th for the value with free quick service)

Day #1-Dec. 13th
Flight out of Detroit with non-stop flight to Orlando arriving at 9:15 am. Present documents at the Disney Magical Express booth on the ground floor. Depart MCO via DME.........................FREE (not counting airfare)

Go to online check-in line to recieve our room and Keys to the World room key which containers our free dining. Complete check-in by 11:00am. We have our first magical moment and get the Pongo building, ground floor, courtside...upgrade. Since the room isn't ready, we dine at AS Movies World Premiere Food Court (yummy taco salad, dt. coke, and brownie for me....chicken strips, fries, sprite, and chocolate waffle cones for DD) and then change into our swim outfits and swim until the room is ready at 4pm....................................$1237.18

Once we get in the room, we unpack, change into our clothes, put the case of water in the swap fridge, decorate our window then pack a small backpack with a blanket (which we brought from home) and head to the Poly for a relaxing evening. Visit Captain Cook's Snack Co for Aloha Pork Sandwich, Polynesian chips, dt. coke, and cake for me and cheese/pepperoni flatbread, diet coke, and brownie for DD. We ask for them to go (with lids) and head to the beach for a picnic. We score a couple of hammocks, lay out the blanket and have a picnic on the beach, take tons of pictures (DD with castle in background, playing in the sand, etc.) and wait for Wishes to start...........................................FREE

After Wishes, we return to AS Movies (monorail to MK, bus to AS Movies) and call it a night. Big day tomorrow.

Day #2 Dec. 14th
A day at Animal Kingdom starting at Rope drop with our backpack of snacks and frozen water. Dine at Flame Tree Barbecue (ribs for me, turkey sandwich for DD), Photopass like crazy with all the characters, tree of life, baby Simba, etc..), ride all the rides and our favorites a couple of times, seach for DeVine (a ritual for us) and at closing head to DTD..................................FREE

At DTD, dine at Wolfgang Puck Express (Rosemary Rotisserie Chicken for me and Spaghetti & Meatballs for DD), browse the shops, and take a hot air balloon ride on Characters in Flight........................................$26.00

Day #3 Dec. 15th
Day at Disney Studios for the entire day. We dine at Toy story pizza planet, try 10 times for the Jedi training, ride like crazy and do photopass..........FREE

We return to the resort, DD uses her free gaming voucher and I give her another $20.00 for ticket games and we dine at the resort and swim.....................................$20.00

Day #4 Dec. 16th
Rent a car at the Dolphin (national rental car) using special code ($22.00), gas ($15.00), going to Universal with tickets from Superbowl Sunday(FREE), dine at Kooks(restaurant.com with code $2.50), tip ($8.00) and lunch at Universal ($20.00)........................$67.50


Day #5 Dec. 17th
A Day at Tyhoon Lagoon (purchase tickets at Tickets At Work) and dining at Leaning Palms on burgers and fries and using photopass as much as we can for the day.....................................$79.00

Back the resort for a quick change and head to MK for MVMCP (purchase tickets at Tickets At Work) while dining at DD favorite QS place Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe..................................$96.00

Day#7 Dec. 18th
A day at Epcot, can't forget our Visa for the special meet and greet! We dine at my favorite place Sunshine Seasons. Again, utilize photopass to the max, have our passport stamped at all the countries, make masks, and snag a great spot for Illuminiations.....................................FREE

Day #7 Dec. 19th
Day at MK with all of it's glory! Dine at Pecos Bill’s Café and Tomorrowland Noodle Station. Photopass, parades, and fireworks..........FREE

Day #8 Dec. 20th
Resort hopping taking in the sights, catch Photopass photgraphers at Deluxe hotels, DD buying souvies at DTD, and going home........................$50.00

Once I'm home, doing photopass share (with a few friends on facebook)...$20.00.

Grand total for all the fun...........$1595.68

 

[SandrA9810]

My Favorite Trip
2 Adults

On-site Disney
Ft Wilderness Campgrounds (full)....7 nights....60$ a night.... $471
- Doggie fee.......................7 nights....5$...............$35

Breakfast foods.....................6 meals
- 2 boxes of cereal............................5$
- bagels/creamcheese...........................3$
- gallon of milk...............................3$
- 1/2 gallon of juice..........................2$...............$13

Dinner 4 meals
- 3 crock pot frozen meals....................15$
- cheese burgers/steaks........................7$...............$22

Food in the parks
- Counter Service.............................65$
- Table Service..............................210$..............$275

Tickets
Play 3........................................268$
Sea World.....................................150$..............$418

Tank of gas for general driving..................................$45


----------------------Grand Total------------------------------$1266








day 1
arrive
dinner at site

day 2
MK - Play 3 pass (268)
breakfast on site
lunch in park (Peco's - 15)
dinner in park (Pinnochio's - 15)


day 3
epcot
breakfast on site
lunch in park (Garden Grill - 70)
dinner on site


day 4
Sea World (150)
breakfast on site
lunch at SW (Seafire Inn - 20)
dinner on site


day 5
Sea World
breakfast on site
lunch at SW (Sharks - 50)
evening at DTD (wolf gang puck express - 15)


day 6
animal kingdom
breakfast on site
lunch in park (Tusker House - 50)
dinner on site


day 7
resort fun/DTD
breakfast on site
lunch in resort (Trail's End - 40)
dinner on site

 

[Belle5]

Well, I won't take the challenge-it's too depressing! Here's the way it would go for us: 8 airline tickets DFW to MCO @ $200 each+ $1600. Money gone...time to go home!

 

[Justsyd2]

Family C - January 4-6, 2010

ME - Free
Beach Club - Standard Room - $670
3 Day MYW with Park Hopper - $577.24
DDP - $159.96
Disney Transportation - Free
Breakfasts, Tips, and Souvenirs - $192.80

Total - $1600

 

[SandrA9810]

hey belle,

I've been flying out to DFW a couple times this year. With that promo from air tran, I got flights as cheap as 59$ one way. But it also helps not paying luggage fees.

And you could handle 8 people in one car for 2 days straight of driving... piece of cake.

 

[Planogirl]

hey belle,

I've been flying out to DFW a couple times this year. With that promo from air tran, I got flights as cheap as 59$ one way. But it also helps not paying luggage fees.

And you could handle 8 people in one car for 2 days straight of driving... piece of cake.

I keep missing out on those good deals, try as I might. I've driven each time but it's rough.

We traveled cheap last time. Car rental for 2 weeks, gas, passes to WDW and Universal and of course food were the primary costs. We used points for free nights at a hotel for our stays everywhere.

 

[SandrA9810]

that's pretty cool.

Last year when my aunt drove to Orlando for the week, she had me drive her back home. Now tomorrow we're leaving for Indiana, and then next week we leave from there to Orlando. But my aunt gets to drive back to Texas by herself. I've been away from home for too long, and thankfully Kari's parents are coming the same time my aunt is here... so I won't be missing out on our Fort stay to drive her back home... no way.

I've learned that the best prices on air fare are about 3 weeks out, with air tran.

 

[Local_Girl]

k...I'll try a tougher one. Our own...if I can pull it off before 12/23/09.

Family B (me, DH, DS15, and DD13)

Tickets: $457 (purchase at Shades of Green or MWR on base, no tax)

1- 5-day MYW w/PH and WPM=Free (DH is retired AF, Military deal)
3- 5-day MYW w/PH and WPM=$457 ($99 each, plus $50 for both PH and WPM per ticket)

We would do 5 full days at the regular parks, and at least 1 or 2 days at the water parks (probably only 1 day if we go when one of them is down for refurb).

Lodging: $372

Armed Forces Vacation Club, $329 per week in offsite condo, plus estimated 13% tax. **I might be able to whittle this cost down further by using Sky Auction as AFVC and Sky Auction have similar availability. It may be possible to get this cost down to as low as $216 for the week.

Parking at WDW parks: $70 (5 days at $14 per day, ouch. Is there a charge for parking at the water parks, or is that still free?)

Food: $600

Estimating a couple of big dinners at $150 each x 2= $300; $75 for snacks in the parks for 5 days ($15 per day, Mickey Bars, etc. from carts--how much are these now??); $165 for 5 CS lunches (about $33 each) in the parks. FYI, we don't drink alcohol, and very rarely get soda. We will carry our own water (Brita to-go bottles). We sometimes share CS meals. We would eat several meals in the condo and take picnic lunches on water park days. I won't factor in that cost because we would bring most of that food from home. So...$300 + $75 + $165=$540. The extra $60 could go for our must-do treats at the Patisserie on our Epcot day, and perhaps an occasional soft pretzel.

This leaves roughly $101 for souvenirs (we are not big on souvies, btw) and a tank of gas for local driving (we drive down, but if you're not counting airfare, I'm not counting the gas and lodging costs for our road trip. )

TOTAL: $1600

Yay...did it! Now, if only coming up with a spare $1600 soon were as easy as figuring this out! I've been so hoping to be able to take advantage of the amazing military ticket deal before it expires. Not giving up hope yet...

 

[punkin]

I can't do it. Undercover tourist for 4 adults (2 adults and 2 juniors) come out to $904. That's the cheapest. Even assuming a cheap offsite condo for a week (about $350 with tax and everything-I got an email offer just this morning) and WDW parking for 5 days ($14 per or $70). That's $1324. We still have to eat for a week and actually get to Orlando somehow for $376. No way!!!