My #$*& the budget wish trip wth my mum - we're almost on our way!

[Ember]

As soon as we get consent from the doctor I'm going to book the trip. I'm planning on going from Wednesday, August 05 to Tuesday, August 18.

Aug 5 - 11: Disneyland! Staying at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel.
Aug 11 -13: Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive. Staying at the Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel
Aug 13 - 18: The Beach! Staying at Shutters on the Beach

Here's the budget (in case someone can help or tweek it):

Flights for 3 to LAX: $976
Sheraton Anaheim Hotel x 6 nights: $1,237
Beverly Hills Wilshire x 2 nights: $1,326
Shutters on the Beach x 5 nights: $2,375
Disney tickets x 3: $550
Food: $800 (I think I'm budgeting high here)
Transportation: $500 (Again, high, I think.
Spending/activities/misc.: $1,500

total: $9,264 USD ~ $10,265 CDN

Yes, it's a lot. Really a lot. But this will be my last trip with my mummy and she has always wanted to stay in really nice hotels, always wanted to see Hollywood and walk Rodeo Drive and she adores the beach. And I don't care. I'm going to make every dream come true that I can while she's still here.

If anyone has any other ideas or knows of special things we could do to make this trip of a lifetime magical, I would appreciate it.

 

[pixiewings71]

Why did you pick the Sheraton? I would suggest checking the DLR hotels to see what they have pricewise. You absolutely cannot get a better place to stay than the Grand Californian! It's the BEST hotel in Anaheim!!!

Let me think on this a bit for you, I know you'll get some other ideas and I'll come up with some too I'm sure. I know you and your Mom will have the BEST time and you're right *(@% the budget!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Very first, I wanted to say that I'm so sorry about your mom. I've seen (and posted on at least one) of the related threads, and while I'm so happy you get to take this trip, I'm so sorry it's necessary.

I'm not totally sure where the Sheraton is. Do you have a plan on how you're getting to/from the parks each day?

Will your mom need a wheelchair or ECV to conserve her strength? If so, people here have good off-site rental suggestions, especially for ECVs (better idea anyway, so no one has to push her).

 

[teatime]

As these guys said you may want to get a ECV for mom if walking is to hard, also 800.00 is not over doing it for that many days, we have 800.00 budgeted just for 7 days at Disneyland an d we will be eating out side the parks a lot to save money.
If you are using shuttles for the transportation you can get them to pick you up with the electric scooter to.

 

[Tasscrapper]

I just plugged in your dates on Travelocity and this is what it came up with. I'm not sure what kind of room you already have booked.


http://travel.travelocity.com/hotel...&hotelQKey=-1021241979679138642&tsHotelQKey=0


And on Orbitz . . .

https://www.orbitz.com/Secure/ViewH...z=eee3&r=ee&z=eee5&r=eg&lastPage=interstitial

I agree with others that if possible I would do a Disney hotel if you can afford it.

 

[DL4my2kids]

I remember the last Disney trip I made with my mom. Memories I will never forget.

If you have the funds available, try and stay at a Disney hotel instead of the Sheriton. I have stayed at the GC and Disneyland hotel and although I like them both, I love the grounds at the Disneyland hotel.

 

[Ember]

The DLR hotels are really worth it?? I've read mixed reviews on them... If they're going to make a better trip, though, I'm all for it!

*Edit* I've been hunting, but there's limited availability at the Disney hotels... I'm coming up with a suite for over $5, but I don't think I can afford that price jump... A few hundred maybe, but not several thousand...

 

[Canyon girl]

OP, I am sorry you are going through this, but you won't regret this trip! I am with others, GCH would be your best bet. Call them and explain your situation and see if they can help. Your mother might need the proximity for breaks. I know you said in another thread that she did not want an ECV, but 5 days is hard on most of us. An ECV would help her get more out of the trip. My father never wanted one either, but towards the end of his life (cancer), he realized that he enjoyed outings more with one and did not get tired out as easily.

 

[Sherry E]

The DLR hotels are really worth it?? I've read mixed reviews on them... If they're going to make a better trip, though, I'm all for it!

*Edit* I've been hunting, but there's limited availability at the Disney hotels... I'm coming up with a suite for over $5, but I don't think I can afford that price jump... A few hundred maybe, but not several thousand...

Oh good! The trip is happening soon! (I was on your other thread about this subject a while back and I wondered how your plans for your mom were coming along!) First of all, your mom will love Shutters on the Beach - lovely, gorgeous location! You may even spot a celebrity or two (sometimes they stay there or go there to eat.) The Bev. Hills Wilshire is really nice too - so you picked two great hotels there.

You know, I am a big fan of staying onsite at any of the 3 DLR hotels - for me, it adds to the overall Disney experience 100% - and I will stay at whichever one I can afford at that moment. I think, if you can afford it, as Pixiewings71 suggested, the Grand Californian would be a real treat for your mom. Not only is the location to the parks fabulous, but it is elegant and cozy (the lounge/lobby area is relaxing and mellow), and I think it would be a fantastic way to not only enhance the DLR visit but also your overall trip. You could bring her to the Disneyland Hotel, which is the original, but it is a little further away from the gates of the 2 parks. The DLH has nice waterfalls and a koi fish pond and spacious grounds. The GCH has its own entrance into DCA, which is very convenient. Usually, the GCH has more availability than the other 2 hotels at DLR because it is the most expensive, but for this special trip, I think it may be worthwhile and worth the money for and your mom to stay there. Even if the hotels are booked now, there will be an opening at some point - people always cancel.

 

[pixiewings71]

The GCH is definitely worth it!!! Call them directly and explain your situation, if they can help they absolutely will!!
The ECV rental is a great idea, they do have them available in the parks but you might want to check into an outside company just in case she might need/want it outside the parks too.
Also a suggestion of mine would be to make sure you guys get down time, both of you will be tired and it's a good thing to take that afternoon break. The pool area of the GCH is beautiful, and while there will be families there you can get in some down time of your own.

 

[Ember]

Okay, I will call the GCH tomorrow morning and see what might be available. If I can get anything for even $2500, I'm willing to go for it. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[sonnyjane]

I can't comment on the hotels or other aspects of the trip, but I will say that I would expect to spend the $800 on food for 3 people for two weeks, if not much more. That would be roughly $57 a day for the three of you, which is about $6.00 per person per meal if you really get down to the nitty gritty. I know I spend MUCH more than that on vacations with dinners out, etc., especially in SO CAL.

 

[Ember]

I can't comment on the hotels or other aspects of the trip, but I will say that I would expect to spend the $800 on food for 3 people for two weeks, if not much more. That would be roughly $57 a day for the three of you, which is about $6.00 per person per meal if you really get down to the nitty gritty. I know I spend MUCH more than that on vacations with dinners out, etc., especially in SO CAL.

If it costs more, then that's okay. For the Disney and Beverly Hills days we have breakfast included. When we did Disney World for our honeymoon two years ago, DH and I almost always split a meal... Between us sharing and my mum only eating very small amounts I think we'll be okay. And if it costs more, then it costs more. At this point I'm not going to worry about a few hundred dollars.

But I really appreciate your input! I'll adjust upwards just to be safe, then if we eat less, so much the better!

 

[sonnyjane]

If it costs more, then that's okay. For the Disney and Beverly Hills days we have breakfast included. When we did Disney World for our honeymoon two years ago, DH and I almost always split a meal... Between us sharing and my mum only eating very small amounts I think we'll be okay. And if it costs more, then it costs more. At this point I'm not going to worry about a few hundred dollars.

But I really appreciate your input! I'll adjust upwards just to be safe, then if we eat less, so much the better!

Ha no problem, I understand you're taking the trip of a lifetime and don't care much about the food costs, just wanted to toss in my two cents, because I eat A LOT and food is always what busts my budget, whether it be on vacation, or just at home with groceries

I hope that you and your family get absolutely everything that you could ever want out of this trip!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would even suggest decreasing the nights at DLR to afford GCH, also if your Mom is light eater the offerings in the concierge lounge might be enough for breakfast and dinner.I would shave a night off every leg of your trip and look into GCH concierge!It would be so cool, and a great place for her to hang out if you want longer time in the parks than she does.

 

[ballarinamom]

I'm just so glad that this trip is going to happen. I will keep your family in my prayers and wish you all the most magical time ever!

 

[nunzia]

I've read your thread on the Budget board and am so glad the trip is coming together. I also suggest staying on site, at the Grand if possible. When you are in Hollywood, try and check out Disney's Soda Shoppe and the restored El Capitan next to it. Beautiful!
I would certainly let the Disney people know what this trip is about..you never know. Also, I'd suggest the Fantamic! dessert package for a truly special experience and for the relaxation factor. Take lots of pictures and get a special scrapbook album to make for her and have a forever keepsake for yourself.
Bless you both.

 

[NStramler]

Would it save money to upgrade one of the tickets to an annual pass? Might be something to look at for the hotels on site plus you would save a little while you are in the parks.

 

[liesel]

I have found your trip inspiring. We often put off things due to finances, figuring we'll have time later. I think it is also important to have these memorable experiences with our loved ones. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[pixiewings71]

GCH concierge availability
5
NA
6
$653
7
$743
8
$743
9
$653
10
NA

view room availability

NA
6
$450
7
$495
8
$495
9
$450
10
NA

standard room availability

5
$383
6
NA
7
$432
8
$432
9
$383
10
NA

Looks like the GCH is pretty full and the rates aren't stellar, I would still suggest calling them tho, you never know what they might be able to do for you, especially when you explain the reason for the trip. You might also try expedia for the GCH, sometimes there is no availability direct because they have rooms blocked for expedia or other travel sites. Just for fun I'll post the rates for the PPH and DLH too.

DLH Standard room
279
6
NA
7
$345
8
$311
9
$279
10
NA

View room

5
$355
6
$347
7
$374
8
$374
9
$320
10
$347

concierge

5
NA
6
NA
7
NA
8
$545
9
NA
10
NA

PPH concierge
$351
6
$351
7
$383
8
$383
9
$351
10
NA

view room (I've stayed in one of these, they are super nice rooms and the view is GREAT!)

5
NA
6
$320
7
$360
8
$360
9
$320
10
$320

standard room
NA
6
$280
7
$275
8
$275
9
$252
10
NA

I didn't post the 11th because I wasn't sure if you were staying that night or checking out that day.