Need some advice

[Twelovedisney]

I'm sorry this is so long. I do have some questions at the end. But I need to give some background info.

We will be at Disney the last week of August. Our package with free dining starts Aug 26 thru Sept. 3. When we go to Disney I always try to stay as many days as we can afford. In this case, I kept debating if we should stay until Sept 3, Labor Day when the kids start school the next day. I kept going back and forth on driving or flying. We'd be driving from Michigan to Disney and it's about 18-20 hour drive. So I thought if we flew, we'd have more time at Disney and with the price of gas, I thought it was worth trying to get good airfare prices.

So I started checking airline prices and the best prices were with Spirit or Southwest. But everytime Spirit had a special offer with a great rate, I would miss it. I was attempting to book Spirit and got all the way to the last screen and it kicked me back to the home page and then the rates were gone. This was probably the best deal I found at 4 round trip tickets for approx 600. Then Southwest had 4 round trip tickets for approx 715. So I decided to wait and see if the rates would drop. If they didn't, then we could always drive. Then Southwest tickets went up to approx 815.00 and I was starting to get worried because I didn't really want to drive. Well Spirit had a sale $ 24 dollars off tickets and I was able to get 4 round trip tickets for $535.00. It sounded like such a good deal and I was afraid if I thought about it too much I'd miss the good deal so I went ahead and booked with Spirit.

But to get this price I had to change our dates a little. I originally wanted to arrive on Aug 25 (Sat) so we could settle in before our package started on Aug 26 (Sun) . We're staying at POR and this extra night would cost 117.00 (taxes and all). This was the plan. Also, I wanted to fly home on Sep 2 (day before Labor Day) to give everyone a chance to relax before going back to school and work. So I planned on cutting 1 day off of the trip. Well to get this airfare at 535.00 we are leaving Detroit Aug 24 (Fri) at 5:45 pm arriving in Orlando at 8:30. And our return flight is Sep 3 (Labor Day) at 8:00 am in the morning. So I called and got the extra night at POR for another 117.00 dollars.

So I have quite a few questions for anyone that has the time to reply

1) Was I crazy to fly in on Friday night when the package doesn't even
start until Sunday. I just figured that 535 (airfare) + 234 (2 night
POR) = 769 is still cheaper than the next best rate at Southwest for
835.00.

2) We're leaving so early on Sept 3 that we'll be exhausted by the time we
get home. But we'll get that extra day on Sept 2.

3) Should I stay offsite those 2 nights and save money? But I didn't
think 117 was unreasonable. I could of also stayed at POP those 2
nights and saved 80.00. But then I would have to change resorts on
the 1st day of my package. Would you do this to save 80.00?

4) If I can get a good deal on a car rental, then I will rent a car for the
week. I was thinking of using priceline. Has anyone gotten any good
rates with priceline? Any other advice for getting a good rate on a
car?

5) Does anyone have any suggestions on what we should do on that
Saturday. We'll have the entire day without and park passes. If we
have a car, I was thinking of going to the space center. What do you
think? Any better ideas?

6) Did I pick the worst airtimes? And do you like Spirit?

Thank you for listening and I'd appreciate your feedback.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi,
We are stay at POR that week too! We will be there the 25th to Sept. 1st so we are arriving a day before the free dining and decided to spend the night at POR to get settled in, spend some time at the pool and be good to go bright and early on our 1st day of passes.
I would definitely stay at POR on the night of the 25th. The 1st night is a toss-up. I don't like to move around, but maybe others have done this. As far as what to do if you go early - how old are your kids?

 

[Twelovedisney]

Hi. My daughter is 11 and my son is 13. Do you think I'm pushing it coming home on Labor Day? It's a little late to be second guessing myself. I'm trying to convince myself that it will be fine and we can use that extra day on Aug 25 to do something fun. I'm really excited about the trip.

Were you able to get all the ADR's you wanted? I've been calling at least a few times a week to try to get Le Celliers.

Talk to you soon

 

[SmallWorld71]

If you are pushing it then so am I. I'm coming back on Saturday but have to be ready to teach 1st grade on Tuesday.
The space center sounds like fun. You could also try a movie and shopping at Downtown Disney, the Trail Rides at Fort Wilderness, or renting bikes or those water mouse boats or whatever they are called these days. Or you could check out the deluxe resorts and ride the monorail for the heck of it. Mid-day is a great time to ask to ride in the front.
I did get my ADR's, but I did not try for Le Cellier. We are doing a lot of character dining because my 2 younger ones are really into the autographs and I don't want to have to wait in lines for all of them. We have Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Gala Feast (and also Biergarten, Sci-Fi, and O'Hana). Definitely dining for atmosphere and not the food! I feel like such a bad DISer but I figured free dining was the perfect time to take the kids to the places they really want to try without having to feel like I wasted any money.
I can't help you with the rental car. We're taking our chances with Disney Transportation. I've had good luck with them at the All-Stars and hope my luck carries over to a moderate.

 

[MISSYLEXI]

We will be at POR that week also. We arrive on the 26th and leave on Sept. 2,we don't start school until the 5th. I always stay at POR. I would not like to switch hotels after one night, so I think you are fine leaving it as is. As for the car rental, we usually use National. They sometimes have good last minute deals. You can Sign up for emails on their web site. They also have 2 locations on Disney if you don't want to rent for the whole time. We will not be renting this time and will be taking advantage of the Magical Express. LOL

 

[Kaler131]

I think it sounds great! The first couple of days of school are just adjustment days so they will do fine coming home the day before (IMO).
If you need someone to do on the extra day, I sugguest going to pla putt-putt at the Fantasia course (not sure of the exact name). MY husband took our 5 & 8 year old son & daughter there one day and they LOVED it!
Also, having done the LONG drive from Ohio quite a few times I can honestly say....flying is MUCH better!!!!! SOOO worth it!

 

[robinb]

1) Was I crazy to fly in on Friday night when the package doesn't even
start until Sunday. I just figured that 535 (airfare) + 234 (2 night
POR) = 769 is still cheaper than the next best rate at Southwest for
835.00.

2) We're leaving so early on Sept 3 that we'll be exhausted by the time we
get home. But we'll get that extra day on Sept 2.

What's done is done. There is no second guessing allowed! Are you crazy to fly instead of driving? Nope.

3) Should I stay offsite those 2 nights and save money? But I didn't
think 117 was unreasonable. I could of also stayed at POP those 2
nights and saved 80.00. But then I would have to change resorts on
the 1st day of my package. Would you do this to save 80.00?

Nope, not worth it IMO. Make sure that your reservations are "connected" and you won't have to move. The only way I *might* consider staying somewhere else for the first night was if my plane got in extra late. Then I might start out at either a Value resort or an airport resort using Priceline.

4) If I can get a good deal on a car rental, then I will rent a car for the
week. I was thinking of using priceline. Has anyone gotten any good
rates with priceline? Any other advice for getting a good rate on a
car?

Remember, a rental car adds to your bottom line and the monetary difference between driving and flying. I would check the codes over at MouseSavers first to see what the best price for a car would be:http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html You can learn to bid using Priceline here: www.biddingfortravel.com .

5) Does anyone have any suggestions on what we should do on that
Saturday. We'll have the entire day without and park passes. If we
have a car, I was thinking of going to the space center. What do you
think? Any better ideas?

The Space Center is very cool, but I might just hang out at the resort and go to DTD myself.

 

[Love the Mouse]

1) Was I crazy to fly in on Friday night when the package doesn't even start until Sunday. I just figured that 535 (airfare) + 234 (2 night
POR) = 769 is still cheaper than the next best rate at Southwest for
835.00.

2) We're leaving so early on Sept 3 that we'll be exhausted by the time we
get home. But we'll get that extra day on Sept 2.

3) Should I stay offsite those 2 nights and save money? But I didn't
think 117 was unreasonable. I could of also stayed at POP those 2
nights and saved 80.00. But then I would have to change resorts on
the 1st day of my package. Would you do this to save 80.00?

4) If I can get a good deal on a car rental, then I will rent a car for the
week. I was thinking of using priceline. Has anyone gotten any good
rates with priceline? Any other advice for getting a good rate on a
car?

5) Does anyone have any suggestions on what we should do on that
Saturday. We'll have the entire day without and park passes. If we
have a car, I was thinking of going to the space center. What do you
think? Any better ideas?

6) Did I pick the worst airtimes? And do you like Spirit?

1. Even though your package doesn't start till Sunday, you won't be spending that much extra on food for the extra 2 days.

2. Since you are staying the extra day at the end of your trip and your weren't planning on it at first...take that day as a relaxation day. Stay at the pool. Go and play mini golf at Fantasia Fairways, walk around Downtown Disney. If you relax on your last day and take it easy maybe you won't be so tired and exhausted when you get home.

3. I think that the $117 is pretty reasonable! I don't think that you will find much cheaper and if you do, then you will have to rent a car. When you stay onsite at Disney, a rental car is a WASTE! We rented one once and never saw our car again till we left. Plus, now that Disney has the Magical Express, you really don't need to worry about rental cars (unless youreally, really need it for something else).

4. Again, I think that if you really don't need that car, then it is just a waste of a few hundred dollars.

5. Suggestions on what to do...see #2 Also, over by the Boarwalk, you can rent a Surry bike and ride that. There really is so much to do at Disney.

6. As far as worse airtimes, I like to get to Disney early and leave late, but what are you going to do. You will be leaving early enough on your last day, that you will be home in plenty of time to relax that day as well.

As for Spirit, I LOVE flying Spirit! We have NEVER had a problem with them and where we fly out of (Atlantic City Airport), it is so small, maybe 6 or 7 gates, we never have to worry about long lines, etc. I am not too happy about their new policy with the baggage, having to pay extra for the bags..$5 for each bag for each person, each way. But, to fly Spirit for the prices that we happen to get, it's worth it for me.

I hope any of this helps!

 

[Twelovedisney]

I would like to save the money and not rent a car, but what do you do about the following:

1) do you still go back to the resort for an afternoon break?

2) I was hoping to eat most breakfasts in the room and I wanted to have bottles of water available to take to the park. What is everyone else doing for breakfast that is on the dining plan? And are there any grocery stores on Disney property that are reasonably priced?

Thank you for all your help!!

 

[luvtogo12]

For all those staying at the POR the last week of August..........we will be there as well!

Maybe we can have a little "meet" at the pool or something?

 

[mericletwins]

I would like to save the money and not rent a car, but what do you do about the following:

1) do you still go back to the resort for an afternoon break?

2) I was hoping to eat most breakfasts in the room and I wanted to have bottles of water available to take to the park. What is everyone else doing for breakfast that is on the dining plan? And are there any grocery stores on Disney property that are reasonably priced?

Thank you for all your help!!

A rental car would be a waste. Unless you are really, really bent on seeing the Space Center, I would skip it. There is so much to do in Disney that is not in the parks. Mini-golf, relaxing at your resort at the pool, go over to another resort for lunch or dinner and explore the resort, DTD, carriage ride at POR, the boat ride from POR to DTD, renting the little boats, etc.

You'll be surprised how fast that non-park day goes. As far as coming home the day before school starts, I think you will be fine. In fact, I think having to get up and travel so early may work in your favor. You will have most of the day at home to get ready for school the next day and your kids should be tired enough to get to bed at an earlier hour than summer hours. As a middle school teacher I find that most kids are so tired the first few days because they can't get to bed early that first night. Your kids might be ahead of the game.

 

[Mkrop]

I would like to save the money and not rent a car, but what do you do about the following:

1) do you still go back to the resort for an afternoon break?

2) I was hoping to eat most breakfasts in the room and I wanted to have bottles of water available to take to the park. What is everyone else doing for breakfast that is on the dining plan? And are there any grocery stores on Disney property that are reasonably priced?

Thank you for all your help!!

Why not order water from Staples.com, Cotsco, or use Garden Grocer esp if you want other things? The shipping is chepaer than a rental car. More people have info on the budget boards about ordering water, like only certain brands can be delivered from Staples and such.

 

[robinb]

I would like to save the money and not rent a car, but what do you do about the following:

1) do you still go back to the resort for an afternoon break?

2) I was hoping to eat most breakfasts in the room and I wanted to have bottles of water available to take to the park. What is everyone else doing for breakfast that is on the dining plan? And are there any grocery stores on Disney property that are reasonably priced?

Thank you for all your help!!

We go back to the room to rest and swim all the time. The buses usually run every 20-30 minutes.

As for breakfast, snacks and drinks. You can do one of three things.

(1) You can pack your snacks and things in a suitcase. We have packed bread, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, fruit snacks, cereal and even wine (in a box ) in our suitcases. We don't bother with bottled water but instead bring wide-mouthed water bottles with us. They are best in the hot weather because you can get cups of ice for free and then fill em up with tap water. The taste of the tap water doesn't bother me anymore.

(2) You can arrange for your groceries to be delivered from someplace like GardenGrocer. There is another delivery service, but it slips my mind.

(3) Since you first day is a non-park day, you can rent the smallest cheapest car you can (National and Alamo are onsite) for one day and then have one adult go for a grocery run to the Publix.

 

[SmallWorld71]

For all those staying at the POR the last week of August..........we will be there as well!

Maybe we can have a little "meet" at the pool or something?

Sounds like a good idea! I bet there are a lot more of us out there.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I think you have a great trip planned. We always cut it close to when school starts also. The kids have always been fine. If they are tired, they stay home from school.

As far as the car, I wouldn't get one. When I drive down my car just sits there, it doesn't move the entire time we are in Disney.

Some people ship boxes of things down to their resort ahead of time.

With the dining plan, we never bought any extra snacks. They give you so much great food and snacks. The only thing I bought was some water. I bought coffee in the morning also.

There is alot to do on non park days, DTD for one. The non park days go by fast. We ride on the monorail and stop at all the hotels, its fun, there is alot to see.

We never went back for naps. When the kids were small, they just slept in their strollers.

 

[Twelovedisney]

I need to make my final payment and I need to decide if I take the insurance or not. And if I do take the insurance, it won't cover my 2 days for aug 24 & aug 25 for the room only.

I was just wondering how many people actually buy the insurance.

Thank you again.

 

[taurus8012]

I need to make my final payment and I need to decide if I take the insurance or not. And if I do take the insurance, it won't cover my 2 days for aug 24 & aug 25 for the room only.

I was just wondering how many people actually buy the insurance.

Thank you again.

Knock on wood (Will also be at POR aug 26 to sept 3rd) never needed the insurance .Wasted that money the 1st 5 trips now my motto is if plane fare is paid and my last payment is made then I am going . I have to arrive a day early because of SWA have to arrive on 25th will stay at ALL-Star movies and leave on 4th from POP century both hotels were $69 for that night. Our arrival day we will just explore the resort looks like a good spot to take good pics my 4-yr old love buzz and woddy. departure day give us a chance that night to feast off the remaining food credits we never seem to finish.

 

[Twelovedisney]

I was going to book my 2 nights prior to package (aug 24,25) at POP and save a little money (about 80.00). But I wasn't sure how much hassle it would be to move resorts. Have you done this before?