Need Norfolk/Virginia Beach help! More help needed!

[Mama Steph]

*****Update*****
Need ideas for local things to do. See post 13 for more info.



My 15yo ds just qualified for nationals for track today. While I am very proud of him and was pretty sure he'd qualify (we've gone the last 2 years) I am freaking out about the cost and I have a sneaking suspicion that money is the reason dh is not speaking to me right now! We have our biggest (most expensive) Disney trip yet planned for August. We will be staying for 10 nights in a 2br villa with the dining plan. Yesterday he told me that the cost is more than what we agreed on. I have done a lot of changing but the cost has not changed beyond $100 or so. I have had it all on a spreadsheet so I know I am right about this. He is freaking out since it is closer and business has slowed down for him (he is a contractor so biz comes and goes). Anyway, that trip is for the most part, nonnegotiable. Airfare is paid for and we rented points so that is a done deal as well.

Also, I spent a week in California with dd for her national competition for gymnastics. That was not a trip we planned on and was not cheap!

So here we are. Ds is supposed to compete in VA the first week in August and I don't see a way to pay for it. My parents said they would meet us there but they want to see all the kids so they said they would pay for a separate room. If I didn't take all the kids, ds and I could share with them. I also have to figure in transportation, food, etc... Gas will be about $240 round trip, not including the driving while we are there. Breakfast would be free at the hotel. I am thinking about $90 per night for hotel so about $450.
Not including food or anything else, I am already at almost $800! Yikes!!

I did look at VRBO and Homeaway hoping to find a place we could share with my parents for cheaper but didn't come up with anything.

Please give me your ideas to make this trip work. Ds is really looking forward to it and I'd hate for him to miss it. Especially since he is not overly thrilled about going to Disney.

 

[Psychodisney]

Maybe you could reduce some of the costs of the Disney trip. Is the dining plan part of your Disney trip negotiable? Since you're renting points, I assume that you don't have to purchase the DP as part of a package. You could probably eat cheaper if you don't do the DP. Eat all of your breakfasts in your villa. Maybe skip any TS meals. Have you bought tickets already? If not, maybe skip the PH. You'll save quite a bit if you don't buy the park hopper.
Is there anyone you could travel with to VA to share the gas costs? Maybe shop around for a less expensive hotel. I would definitely conside leaving teh rest of the family at home. Less mouths to feed in restaurants.
Good luck.

 

[Mama Steph]

We could drop the dining plan. We only have the 1 TS we have to do and that is Chef Mickey for dd's birthday. I would be happy with more cs. As it is, I have been stressed out making ressies so I may pick 3 special ones and drop the DDP. I think that would save a ton.
We are only really close to 1 other family from the team and they have a carful so carpooling is out. However, you are right about taking the kids costing more. I had forgotten about that aspect! I am sure if I say that to my mom she will offer to pay for them since she just got an inheritance and is really missing her babies. If not, they won't be going!

 

[kirstenb1]

I know there are a lot of hotels at the Greenbrier Pkwy exit in Chesapeake. I'd guess they'd be cheaper than most in VB or Norfolk. We used to live in Chesapeake, and it's pretty central to most any location down there.

 

[laurafergie]

I'm a local - Where exactly is he competing? Makes a big difference with all our tunnels..ie..traffic issues.

My suggestion, without anymore info - is to get a suite type hotel room with a kitchenette. With some searching, it should be doable in your budget as long as you stay away from the oceanfront area of Virginia Beach. Eat dinner in and pack your lunches. I have a large family and this is the way we travel by necessity. No way could I feed everyone at a restaurant 3 times a day.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

We just played a baseball tournament over in Virginia Beach this past Memorial Weekend. From my research you can really cut corners on the hotel cost by booking something in Chesapeake on the Greenbrier Parkway exit off of the main interstate-64. You will probably have to drive an extra mile or two, but it is well worth it. And depending on your event location, Chesapeake may even be closer than one of the VA BCH hotels. On the same note, I would personally stay away from the Norfolk hotels...they may be slightly cheaper, but the area surrounding the hotel may not be as good...and you may have to fight more traffic to get to VA BCH. Just some thoughts...


Good Luck in the Meet!
Crystal

 

[Mama Steph]

Thanks for the input. He will be running at Norfolk State.

 

[Mom21]

I know there are a lot of hotels at the Greenbrier Pkwy exit in Chesapeake. I'd guess they'd be cheaper than most in VB or Norfolk. We used to live in Chesapeake, and it's pretty central to most any location down there.

Just got back last week from dd competing in Nationals for trampoline and Tumbling at the convention center by the beach. We stayed at marriott TownPlace Suites at 2000 Greenbriar. Close to everything. Got a 2 bedroom (yes just dd and I but she gets on my nerves at night if we have to sleep together---LOL) for $159 a night but it was 4th of July week. Not sure if cheaper now. Had a full kitchen so if you didn't want to eat out that would save a ton right there for how many would be going. I took a few items and there were several grocery stores we went to. We did eat out, but when she had a very late or early day for the week, I just had stuff in the room. It was a decent place for the price.
Nothing special, but we were ok with it for the price. People at the front desk were wonderful and friendly.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...esect=rd&vsretype=p&vsrebrand=TP&vsrelink=vhw

 

[laurafergie]

Thanks for the input. He will be running at Norfolk State.

In that case, there are several hotels around the area where I264 and I64 cross. The next area I would look would be around the airport - Norfolk International. Downtown Norfolk is perfectly safe and closer to NSU - but you will be fighting traffic and one way streets.

Greenbrier would probably net you a cheaper hotel, but you will have a longer drive - not a bad one maybe 20-30 minutes, IF traffic is cooperating. Sometimes it bottlenecks at I64 and I464 and at the highrise bridge on I64.

Stay away from the oceanfront of Virginia Beach this time of year, it is a zoo.

Good luck to your DS!

 

[kimmyann]

There are a few hotels (3 I think) that are on Bonney Road, which is right beside I-264 which is where you need to be to go to Norfolk State, it will take you all of 10 minutes to get there. Stay away from the Oceanfront (all overpriced and longer drive), stay away from area surrounding Norfolk State, not safe. Chesapeake is kinda out of the way, you would have to take I-64 to I-264 and with hotels in Virginia Beach it is just pointless in my opinion. There are also some hotels on Greenwich Road and even Newtown Road that are also right beside I-264 ramps.

Try tripadvisor.com to check some out.

 

[djbleach]

We live about 30 minutes from Norfolk State.
I'd suggest to go the Priceline route. Like previous poster said, the tunnels and traffic can be a headache going into out of Norfolk.
Priceline....Pembroke Mall area.....would keep you out of tunnel traffic. Even Va. Beach oceanfront would keep you out of tunnel traffic but It's a 30 minute ride....
I'm just a huge fan of Priceline, especially if I don't have to be specific. Just 3 star and you pretty safe.....bidding for travel is a great site to get peoples past bids....good luck....

 

[here757]

NSU is off of 264.. there are a few hotels on military highway right off 264 few exits before nsu. i think one was advertising 49.99 a night.

 

[Mama Steph]

Thanks so much. I ended up booking a great 3* in Chesapeake/Greenbriar and got an amazing deal through Hotwire.

Now I need more help! The coach has put me in charge of making a list of local things to do. So far I have VA Beach fireworks, mall, Botanical Gardens. So please share your favorite activities in the area. Each of the kids runs different events so many of us have downtime.

Thanks!

 

[Mama Steph]

And to add more to my update. My wonderful mother has paid for the hotel and told me that all I need to do is cover gas to get there. So thankful that I will be able to go watch him run. I couldn't have worked it out otherwise. Luckily she and my stepdad are OK sharing a room with us.

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

Mount Trashmore is a great park. Check to see if anyone is playing at the VA Beach Ampitheather or if the Navy is doing an air show. Busch Gardens is about an hour away. There's also the Battleship Wisconsin to see in downtown Norfolk.

The mall in VA Beach isn't just a great site to see. The McArthur Mall in downtown Norfolk has more possibilities with eating, shopping, and the movies.

VA Beach does have some great resturants right on the beach/boardwalk.

The Great Steak off of Military Highway is a great place to eat with an awesome salad buffet. This post makes me really miss VA.

 

[Mama Steph]

Great tips. Can you think of any buffet type restaurants near Chesapeake/?Greenbrier? They like to take the team there for cheap, lots of food. We always skip it since ds and I both get sick! LOL

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

Great tips. Can you think of any buffet type restaurants near Chesapeake/?Greenbrier? They like to take the team there for cheap, lots of food. We always skip it since ds and I both get sick! LOL

Just the norm chain resturants that I can think of. However, the Greenbrier mall does have a good food court selection.