I'm not upset at all. I'm actually excited to attempt this and apply what I've learned to another trip in June. What I don't understand is the hostility towards anyone who suggests doing something differently. That really isn't necessary, since nobody is forced to read any of these threads. I'm glad you enjoy your trips, and I'm going to do my best to enjoy mine.
No one is being hostile toward you. And everyone appreciates a view into how one
could tour for less, even if we wouldn't tour that way. We can all pull bits out and use them for our own experiences. What I take issue to (still) is that...
* You call this More for Less. You've demonstrated how you get more done in a week, but you refuse to state how much less it costs, or if it costs less at all.
* You assert $35/nt for a 3-star condo, and are equating that to a Disney Moderate. I checked condos online, and could not replicate your rate. I can at a Motel 6.
* Dining, you assert you always got the
DDP on previous trips. Now, you're light eaters. Yet, you still want to do Dining w the Astronauts (which is more expensive than a Disney World Dinner Event), Lighthouse Lobster, and Texas De Brazil... Which are both $40 adult plates, like BOG or LTT. And then you're asserting you're going to do this all for under $100 / day. Then you seem to get irritated when someone points out that these 3 meals are each $100 meals in themselves, and would leave no budget for anything else. It would be one thing if you were advocating driving offsite to eat for less, like McDonalds or something... like Lisa and many others have asserted is reasonable. But you're driving offsite, then spending just as much to eat outside WDW. Your alternatives are a combination of very expensive restaurants -- and eating at Universal, which is about equal to WDW.
* And last, you assert getting a car rental for $80/week. Now I checked Budget and Thrifty, both of which tend to have great rates, and I found a Kia Rio at Thrifty for $200. I don't see how you're breaking into the sub-$100/week rate for cars. If you can do this, and provide a repeatable way for people to do this,
folks would love you for it. I see your screenshot of your hotwire page, but when I run it, I get similar to other sites, $200. So more useful than going on and on about how you're saving money by staying offsite, would be perhaps sharing how you actually get such good hotwire prices. Getting a car for $80/week would drastically alter many peoples' trips in a positive way!
So in summary. If you would like to, then address those points. I would appreciate it. I see them as unaddressed holes in your plan. Tell us about the total cost involved, and compare that to what you would spend.
No one is doubting that one can save money by buying less at Disney and more offsite.. You just do not seem to be demonstrating that your strategy will actually run you less than your traditional week-at-Disney.
I don't think that profile fits the average WDW guest.
with FP+. I'm glad your son will be able to fulfill his preference for Uni while you will still be able to get your WDW fix BECAUSE OF the existence of FP+. Given the desire to visit multiple Orlando venues I understand that it makes sense to stay in centrally located off-site accommodations, which will be different from on on-site Disney experience, but will also be cheaper. Being off-site will also allow you to consider cheaper food options, which is great if that's what you really want. Looks like you'll get to see some other cool things along the way. I respect all of that.
