ME question for odd situation

[taximomfor4]

DD earned the chance to compete in the North American Irish Dance Championships. If we are going to make this happen, it has to be completely without touching our budget. So I am going to sell of the rest of my gymboree stuff (used to Ebay it), have a yard sale while dd sells cold water bottles and lemonade, and dd will probably do a candy sale. She's only 7 so not much I can have her do.

We are staying in someone else's hotel room for the night before and night after her competition, and will drive down to save money ($168 for gas money at today's prices) 17 hrs each way.

We are bringing most of our food, and have bought NO tickets to the park (even though we're staying right at Epcot's back door)

Rambled to this point, to set the budgetary restraint stage, lol. The people we're staying with have others staying with them for the beginning of the trip so we aren't listed on the reservation, the OTHER 2 are. We are arriving 4 days after them, the day after they leave. IF we raise enough $ to fly (somewhat scared to drive that far alone with a kid), can we take ME somehow?

 

[LSchrow]

simply, you would need to be listed on the resort reservation to take the free DME service.
you could either have them add you for the nights you will be there (assuming the room is within occupancy limits), or pay for a ride with mears (wiich may be on a DME bus) or a taxi/limo.

 

[ancestry]

You would need to be on the room reservation in order to take DME. You have to be a registered Disney hotel guest in order to take advantage of DME.

 

[taximomfor4]

simply, you would need to be listed on the resort reservation to take the free DME service.
you could either have them add you for the nights you will be there (assuming the room is within occupancy limits), or pay for a ride with mears (wiich may be on a DME bus) or a taxi/limo.

Would that require making them check in and out with the other peoples' names,then check in adding our names? Or can they let WDW know over the pheone that they are with "A, B, and C" for 4 nights, then with "D and E" for the other 2 nights, in advance? They are kind in opening their room to us, I don't want to inconvenience them at all if I can help it.

 

[Missytara]

Would that require making them check in and out with the other peoples' names,then check in adding our names? Or can they let WDW know over the pheone that they are with "A, B, and C" for 4 nights, then with "D and E" for the other 2 nights, in advance? They are kind in opening their room to us, I don't want to inconvenience them at all if I can help it.

If they are on a package, then anyone listed on the reservation ahead of time has to be on the same package. You cannot split up the reservation.

This year, I am taking two friends before a cruise, who are staying the first night of my stay. When we arrive, they are going to go over to the Mears Counter, and purchase two transfer tickets. They may or may not be able to go on ME with me (sames as Mears) depending on how crowded it is.

When we get to the resort, I am going to pay the $30.00 ($15.00 per person per night) at POR for them to stay one night. They have priviledges at the resort, can use the pool, the transporation, etc.,but will not purchase park tickets, dining plan, etc.

That is how it works.

The next morning, they are going to take the bus transportation over to the CCC to rent a car to drive to FLL to get over to their cruise in Port Everglades, FL.

 

[taximomfor4]

If they are on a package, then anyone listed on the reservation ahead of time has to be on the same package. You cannot split up the reservation.

thanks...they are not on a package, since they got a special convention rate at the hotel. I think the only perk they were allowed to take advantage of is the DME.

I doubt I will find economical airfare anyway, just thought IF I do, need to consider all budget concerns (having to pay for ground transportation, parking at the home airport, etc). Driving alone with a 7yo for 17 straight hours is kind of daunting. What if she has to use the restroom at midnight? Not sure how safe I'd feel alone in a rest area with her in the middle of the night, kwim?

 

[Missytara]

thanks...they are not on a package, since they got a special convention rate at the hotel. I think the only perk they were allowed to take advantage of is the DME.

I doubt I will find economical airfare anyway, just thought IF I do, need to consider all budget concerns (having to pay for ground transportation, parking at the home airport, etc). Driving alone with a 7yo for 17 straight hours is kind of daunting. What if she has to use the restroom at midnight? Not sure how safe I'd feel alone in a rest area with her in the middle of the night, kwim?

What resort are they staying at? There are only a few resorts on-site that have convention type events - CSR and Swan/Dolphin. Swan/Dolphin are not included in the ME, but CSR is.......

I would definately not consider driving all night with a 7 yo alone - what if you get ill, have car trouble, etc. I would re-consider trying to save so much money on a trip, when it seems you might not even be able to afford it, if you are trying to cut so many corners.

 

[taximomfor4]

What resort are they staying at? There are only a few resorts on-site that have convention type events - CSR and Swan/Dolphin. Swan/Dolphin are not included in the ME, but CSR is.......

I would definately not consider driving all night with a 7 yo alone - what if you get ill, have car trouble, etc. I would re-consider trying to save so much money on a trip, when it seems you might not even be able to afford it, if you are trying to cut so many corners.

They are staying at BC/YC. It was officially at Swan/Dolphin but had to go to overflow...to BC/YC, then BWI, then CSR.

As for the rest, Thanks for your concern. My mom is checking to see if she has hotel points she can gift to us, or possibly airline ones. If she has hotel points, I can break the drive up and not be driving alone at night with dd. Not so worrisome that way.

If she has airline points, I will get plane tickets but that is a pain, trying to get all the dance stuff there. Definitely preferable, though.

The decision to let dd jump at this opportunity was tossed around and very carefully considered by me, dh, and extended family. For many reasons, we decided this is her chance to dance at a major competition. She may never get to again (likely). The world won't end if she doesn't get this chance, but if we can find a way to do it, we will.

As for affording it, we have money set aside for other things that we want to try to leave put. Things that involve ALL the kids, not just one dd. We are trying to NOT take from them all just for her.

Thanks for the concern, and for the advice. I appreciate it.