Last Minute Budget Trip With Tax Refund! Woohoo!

[summerrluvv]

I'm getting a hefty return next week from my taxes so I am trying to plan a last minute trip for February. At first I thought it wasn't manageable because the airfare for President's Week is OUTRAGEOUS!!!

My son has off school that week (preschool) and when he doesn't go to school, I take off from work. I adjusted the dates a little to fly out on Wednesday, 2/18 and come back Tuesday 2/24 (he will miss 2 days of school, but no biggie I guess)and on Song it's only $310 for BOTH of us!! I just about fell off my chair when I saw the price. What a difference a couple of days makes!

So here is what my budget will be for my four year old and I:

$310.40 Airline Tickets
$528.54 Pop Century 6 Nights
$499.84 6 Day Park Hopper through AAA (already a member)
$350 Food (50 a day for food/snacks)
$105 Transportation To/From airport
$100 Souveniors

I'm trying to stay under $2,000, so we will have to see about doing the extra's like the Cooking and Pirate Cruise and Kids Club.

I just feel hesitant for some reason (maybe it's because everyone is like "you are going to Disney AGAIN?!")

Can all the Disney nuts reassure me this is a good deal? hehe.

 

[marymrg]

Sometimes crazy is a good thing

Would buying an annual pass and using an AP discount for Pop Century be cheaper in the long run?

Of course, using the Mears shuttle would cut down on your airport travel expense but then you would give up your door to door service.
What about buying a few food vouchers from DIS auctions or ebay?

The only other suggestion is if you have limo/town car service that you should stop at the grocery store for snacks, beverages and breakfast foods. That should help with your food budget. If your 4 year old was like mine, he probably eats like a bird anyway so sharing meals with possibly buying an extra drink or side will certainly work!

Have Fun!

 

[kilarney]

I know you are trying to save money, but why not buy an annual pass? You would only have to go back for two days in the next year to make it pay for itself. And isn't the hope of returning itself worth it!

 

[ceecee]

I agree, check out the annual pass. You could cut back on the transportation to the resort by doing Meers.......if it's worth that little $ for what could turn into waiting! Don't worry about what anyone says.........just say YES! We're going again. We get that a lot, you're going to Disney again! Some people just don't understand!

 

[summerrluvv]

I was considering the annual pass. I think the rate for PC is $5 cheaper a night, so that would save $30, but that's provided they have any more rooms left at the AP rate. How much is the basice AP anyway? I really hadn't planned on doing any of the water parks while we are there, but the PH comes with 3 plus's (that we probably won't use). We would probably go back within the next year, so it would definately be cheaper in the long run, it's just that initial expense KWIM?

 

[kilarney]

The AP is $392.99 for adults and $334.41 for kids (incl. taxes)

 

[summerrluvv]

Originally posted by kilarney
The AP is $392.99 for adults and $334.41 for kids (incl. taxes)

Thanks, It's something I will definately have to think about. It seems like anytime I buy an "annual" anything, I don't end up getting as much use out of it as I intended to (the zoo, the museum, etc.). I definately *want* to go back before next year, but I would kick myself if something happened and I couldn't!

The reason we are doing the car service rather than Mears is because I hate stopping at all the other hotels and I like to stay as long as we can on the last day. I plan to pack water bottles and juice boxes in my suitcase and a few snacks. We always end up overpacking snacks and stuff, so I'm going to take it easy this time.

We used vouchers last time and they were a great deal and DS and I usually split our meals since he eats like a bird. I will probably try to re-join hotwiresavings club (not sure if they allow that) and order some more.