mrsabbott
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2010
- Messages
- 943
It has been 2 1/2 years since our last Disney vacation. We went after my DH returned home from deployment and, while it was a fast paced whirlwind, we had a WONDERFUL time! We had hoped to go back but life gets in the way and while I had planned and researched several Disney vacations we just couldn't afford it or did not have the time.
Well, DH is med boarding out of the Army and his estimated ETS date is July 2012. A couple of weeks ago he says the magic words that had me jumping up and down with excitement (which was quite a site since I was 9 months pregnant and about to pop)!!
"When we get our taxes back, we should plan a trip to Disney. This will be our last chance to afford to do it before I get out of the Army."
And so, I am planning our Disney vacation which is tentatively set for sometime in February. It will be 3 years since we were last there. We both agreed that February was the ideal time for us to go. The weather is great and the crowds are reasonable. The only down side is that we will have to take our 2 oldest girls out of school for a week, but we think it will be worth it. Our children will be 7, 5, 3 (almost 4), and 5 months. Our budget is approximately $2000.
Transportation: We will be driving straight through. We have a small minivan with a minimal amount of trunk space. Usually, we would just take a seat out to make room for our luggage and things, but with the new baby that is not an option. We will be purchasing one of those luggage carriers for the top of the van. It is hard to budget for gas since there is no telling what the gas prices will be when we go. But by driving straight through we will save money on hotel costs on the road. Still debating on whether we should drive during the day or through the night.
Lodging: The last time, we stayed 4 days with our BIL and his family. We greatly appreciated and we were so busy during our short stay that we were hardly there. But they have moved and no longer have an extra bedroom and we have added another member to our family. They offered to let us stay with them, but I think it will be easier all around if we stay in a hotel.
As much as I would LOVE to stay on site, this is a budget trip. I'm not sure where we will stay just yet. Unfortunately, it is hard to make reservations too far in advance since we don't have any leave dates approved. We will likely have to make reservations at the last minute, which will seriously limit our option. I am hoping to pay around $40 a night. We need someplace clean, preferrably with a fridge and microwave. I know many places offer a decent military discount and I have always had good luck using hotwire.com.
We are also staying a full 7 days this time instead of 4. I insisted that we would NOT be rushing around trying to cram a weeks worth of activities in just a few days. By the end, the kids were exhausted and we couldn't fully enjoy our vacation.
Food: Ideally, I'd love a hotel with the free breakfast. Either way, we will eat breakfast at the hotel and will bring snacks/food with us to the parks. We will eat out one meal a day, usually counter service in the parks. We do hope to splurge at least once on something nice. We did a Princess lunch at Epcot that was wonderful. Hope to be able to afford something like that again. I'd also like to try the Zebra Domes I hear so much about, so a trip to AKR might be on the agenda!
Activities: The military discounted tickets for Disney can't be beat! 4 days for only $139 each! We plan to spend 2 days at MK instead of just 1. It was the favorite park of the girls and we'd like to experience it fully. Last year, we didn't get to do everything we wanted to do and were just trying to hit the highlights. I also want to spend a full day at Epcot. Last time, we just got 1/2 a day in because we had plans with family in the area. We are skipping AK as we didn't really enjoy it much and will instead spend a day at HS. We also plan to take advantage of the free Sea World tickets and spend a day there. The rest of our time will be spent visiting family, and maybe a drive to the beach or just resting.
Souveniers: We aren't big on that, although our girls all get allowances and they will be allowed to spend their money on anything they want. I will get them autograph books this time too, as I think they would enjoy it now that they are older. We have a camera and that is enough for us as far as keepsakes and whatnot.
That is as far as I have come with trip planning. Any of you budget minded vacationers out there.. I would appreciate any money saving tips or tricks.
Well, DH is med boarding out of the Army and his estimated ETS date is July 2012. A couple of weeks ago he says the magic words that had me jumping up and down with excitement (which was quite a site since I was 9 months pregnant and about to pop)!!
"When we get our taxes back, we should plan a trip to Disney. This will be our last chance to afford to do it before I get out of the Army."
And so, I am planning our Disney vacation which is tentatively set for sometime in February. It will be 3 years since we were last there. We both agreed that February was the ideal time for us to go. The weather is great and the crowds are reasonable. The only down side is that we will have to take our 2 oldest girls out of school for a week, but we think it will be worth it. Our children will be 7, 5, 3 (almost 4), and 5 months. Our budget is approximately $2000.
Transportation: We will be driving straight through. We have a small minivan with a minimal amount of trunk space. Usually, we would just take a seat out to make room for our luggage and things, but with the new baby that is not an option. We will be purchasing one of those luggage carriers for the top of the van. It is hard to budget for gas since there is no telling what the gas prices will be when we go. But by driving straight through we will save money on hotel costs on the road. Still debating on whether we should drive during the day or through the night.
Lodging: The last time, we stayed 4 days with our BIL and his family. We greatly appreciated and we were so busy during our short stay that we were hardly there. But they have moved and no longer have an extra bedroom and we have added another member to our family. They offered to let us stay with them, but I think it will be easier all around if we stay in a hotel.
As much as I would LOVE to stay on site, this is a budget trip. I'm not sure where we will stay just yet. Unfortunately, it is hard to make reservations too far in advance since we don't have any leave dates approved. We will likely have to make reservations at the last minute, which will seriously limit our option. I am hoping to pay around $40 a night. We need someplace clean, preferrably with a fridge and microwave. I know many places offer a decent military discount and I have always had good luck using hotwire.com.
We are also staying a full 7 days this time instead of 4. I insisted that we would NOT be rushing around trying to cram a weeks worth of activities in just a few days. By the end, the kids were exhausted and we couldn't fully enjoy our vacation.
Food: Ideally, I'd love a hotel with the free breakfast. Either way, we will eat breakfast at the hotel and will bring snacks/food with us to the parks. We will eat out one meal a day, usually counter service in the parks. We do hope to splurge at least once on something nice. We did a Princess lunch at Epcot that was wonderful. Hope to be able to afford something like that again. I'd also like to try the Zebra Domes I hear so much about, so a trip to AKR might be on the agenda!
Activities: The military discounted tickets for Disney can't be beat! 4 days for only $139 each! We plan to spend 2 days at MK instead of just 1. It was the favorite park of the girls and we'd like to experience it fully. Last year, we didn't get to do everything we wanted to do and were just trying to hit the highlights. I also want to spend a full day at Epcot. Last time, we just got 1/2 a day in because we had plans with family in the area. We are skipping AK as we didn't really enjoy it much and will instead spend a day at HS. We also plan to take advantage of the free Sea World tickets and spend a day there. The rest of our time will be spent visiting family, and maybe a drive to the beach or just resting.
Souveniers: We aren't big on that, although our girls all get allowances and they will be allowed to spend their money on anything they want. I will get them autograph books this time too, as I think they would enjoy it now that they are older. We have a camera and that is enough for us as far as keepsakes and whatnot.
That is as far as I have come with trip planning. Any of you budget minded vacationers out there.. I would appreciate any money saving tips or tricks.
