My Son's Birthday...Think I could swing this for $1000?

[Tweevil]

Hi everyone!
I am officially over the edge - we just got back from MNSSHP and we are ready to go back already. I was thinking of surprising my son for a Mom/Son getaway for his birthday. It's Jan 28. Do you think I could do swing this trip with rental car (just a small one) for $1000? I would need a day down and a day back travel so it would be 3 days in the parks. I was thinking we could leave on Thursday and return on Monday so he would only miss a few days from school. It would be me, my son, and his friend.

I am not sure if this would work - anyone have any suggestions or hints that would help me make this a reality?

 

[dkbnyc]

sounds like it would be tough-are you including lodging, car rental, admission, food, souveniers? are you staying on property? how much did you just spend on your last trip?

 

[brymolmom]

Where are you traveling from? Since you need a rental car, I guess you're not driving. So let's say at least $150 each on airfare, plus let's say $150 on car rental and $40 on gas. For 3 of you - that puts you at about $500 and you don't even have a hotel, tickets, or food yet. I'm thinking $1000 is pushing it.

To make it a reality - I would skip bringing the friend and just have good mom/son time. Is it possible to drive down there? Would you be OK with an inexpensive offsite hotel? The Comfort Suites LBV is a GREAT location, includes breakfast and is very inexpensive (can be found with a deal in the $30 - $35 per night range).

IF you do this I would say it can be done. Just make a stop at a grocery store and bring some sandwiches, drinks and snacks to the park with you to save $$ there.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Do you have tickets already? Like APs or leftover non-expiry tickets? Do you have any frequent flyer miles you could cash in?

Do you have to have a rental car? Why not use Magical Express?

I'd probably shorten it by a day; fly down early Friday, go to a park Friday afternoon/evening, have Saturday and Sunday, fly home Monday. That's one less hotel night you'd need. You should be able to get a Value room at a discount. Eat mostly CS. I think you could do it.

 

[AmyBWV99]

It would depend on if you are paying for 100% of everything for the friend too.

You could probably get a cheap room that time of year at one of the Value resorts and use ME and skip the rental car, use We Go Shop or similar and have groceries delivered.

Do you have APs or will you be buying new passes?

It can be done for a weekend there are so many variables tho.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would cut the friend. Just you and him will be such a differnt trip than "them & you". Less cost too for food and tickets.

 

[Tweevil]

Thanks guys for all of your replies!
I was going to bring one of his friends because I can't do the rides and he is a giagantic fan of TOT and RRC.
Hmmm... you gave me some great food for thought. After I finish my baking today - huge cake for my neice - I am going to try to put this to paper again.

Oh. I was going to drive straight down from NJ, I have an upgrade available from enterprise.

I will report back my findings.

 

[happymommy]

If it's just for the ride companion, I'd skip the friend and let my son go on the rides alone. It's a lot to bring another 10 year old out of state - I wouldn't let my friends bring my DD on a trip. Not even my in-laws, but that is just me...

That is a LONG drive! We did it from Maryland (near DC) and it's about 12 hours straight. You can usually snag a decent flight on Southwest, so I'd look into that.

Tickets? That is probably the other big chunk of money. Maybe look into AP's if you're going to go more than twice a year.

I wouldn't do that drive for just a few days, and with only one driver. You'd be wiped out.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Thanks guys for all of your replies!
I was going to bring one of his friends because I can't do the rides and he is a giagantic fan of TOT and RRC.
Hmmm... you gave me some great food for thought. After I finish my baking today - huge cake for my neice - I am going to try to put this to paper again.

Oh. I was going to drive straight down from NJ, I have an upgrade available from enterprise.

I will report back my findings.

I would skip the friend (too expensive for another ticket unless friend's parent is paying for ticket), make it just a mother/son trip. Any rides you can't ride and he wants to, get fast passes for both of you. Then he can ride twice while you wait. If you take a friend, he would only get to ride once.

It would save money to not rent a car and drive the one you already own if it is reliable enough to make the trip.

Staying offsite (I know, it is nice to be onsite) would save some money too, as well as buying your tickets from undercovertourist through the mousesavers link.

 

[Minniemama350]

I wouldn't bring the friend if it is a Mom/Son thing. It will turn into their trip with a chaperone at this age. I agree about the cost factor also. Have you played around with the 5+2 and 4+3 factors? I haven't ran the scenario through the online resi, but occasionally you can find a loophole that saves you money. Just a thought.