November 2014 - $2500?

[sandynd]

So we set our budget for the year today, and have a vacation fund that we've been contributing to for a while. We last went to WDW in January of 2011, shortly before my DH was forced to retire way early due to health problems. My DD and I would like to go to Disney again - she has been contributing part of her allowance to the fund too (she's 10.) My DH said he would come with us this time. So looking at what we currently have saved (about $1300) and budgeting in savings of about another 1200, we would like to plan to go in approximately November of 2014. DD will be 12 by then. Here are the details - can some of you help me plan so we have a great trip? Of course, any trip to Disney is great but there some things I really don't want to give up because it's vacation!

• Like to stay onsite - values are totally fine with us - we are definitely not fancy people!
• DH is a big eater - last time he came with us we bought the DxDP and it was just enough!! Yikes! Dunno if I can afford that again, so may have to cut back on some food, but don't want to have to eat cold items in the room for breakfast or take sandwiches / picnics to the parks if we don't have to
• We driving from Mid-Western Ontario - about a 24 hour drive in a truck / jeep due to my DH's health problems - anything smaller isn't comfortable for him, and he will need a vehicle to get offsite to get treatments while we are down there. Dunno how much to budget for gas / room / food on the way down and back.
• We would like to do a YES class or Homeschool days while we are there if possible and the dates match up - saving for the trip has really helped DD with her math skills (she is a bit delayed) and she has dreams to be an animator, so I've been talking to her about the animation classes. We are pretty flexible on dates to be able to go to the classes if we need to be, as long as it doesn't kill us for seasonal pricing.
• We need a scooter rental for DH, and an accessible room (would love a king / double room)
• character meals are not that important anymore - we've done a few and DD says she's happy to see them in the parks
• DH LLLOOOOOOOVVVVES a big hot breakfast, and appreciates a sit-down dinner a few days a week. He really really liked Shutters at CBR last time he came
• We MUST park hop - with my daughter's ADHD it makes it so much easier to be able to go wherever we want whenever she fixates on something.
• Waterparks are not important - as long as the hotel has a pool, she's happy!

So, can a trip like this be done on $2500? We're willing to pay OOP for food, or if the dining plan would work better and fit in the budget, I'd go for that too. Also, we're a little flexible on budget, as I have a little more money set aside for other things that could be diverted (nothing essential!) If somebody would like the challenge of recommending a trip for us I would love it! Thanks!

 

[Marionnette]

So we set our budget for the year today, and have a vacation fund that we've been contributing to for a while. We last went to WDW in January of 2011, shortly before my DH was forced to retire way early due to health problems. My DD and I would like to go to Disney again - she has been contributing part of her allowance to the fund too (she's 10.) My DH said he would come with us this time. So looking at what we currently have saved (about $1300) and budgeting in savings of about another 1200, we would like to plan to go in approximately November of 2014. DD will be 12 by then. Here are the details - can some of you help me plan so we have a great trip? Of course, any trip to Disney is great but there some things I really don't want to give up because it's vacation!

• Like to stay onsite - values are totally fine with us - we are definitely not fancy people!
• DH is a big eater - last time he came with us we bought the DxDP and it was just enough!! Yikes! Dunno if I can afford that again, so may have to cut back on some food, but don't want to have to eat cold items in the room for breakfast or take sandwiches / picnics to the parks if we don't have to
• We driving from Mid-Western Ontario - about a 24 hour drive in a truck / jeep due to my DH's health problems - anything smaller isn't comfortable for him, and he will need a vehicle to get offsite to get treatments while we are down there. Dunno how much to budget for gas / room / food on the way down and back.
• We would like to do a YES class or Homeschool days while we are there if possible and the dates match up - saving for the trip has really helped DD with her math skills (she is a bit delayed) and she has dreams to be an animator, so I've been talking to her about the animation classes. We are pretty flexible on dates to be able to go to the classes if we need to be, as long as it doesn't kill us for seasonal pricing.
• We need a scooter rental for DH, and an accessible room (would love a king / double room)
• character meals are not that important anymore - we've done a few and DD says she's happy to see them in the parks
• DH LLLOOOOOOOVVVVES a big hot breakfast, and appreciates a sit-down dinner a few days a week. He really really liked Shutters at CBR last time he came
• We MUST park hop - with my daughter's ADHD it makes it so much easier to be able to go wherever we want whenever she fixates on something.
• Waterparks are not important - as long as the hotel has a pool, she's happy!

So, can a trip like this be done on $2500? We're willing to pay OOP for food, or if the dining plan would work better and fit in the budget, I'd go for that too. Also, we're a little flexible on budget, as I have a little more money set aside for other things that could be diverted (nothing essential!) If somebody would like the challenge of recommending a trip for us I would love it! Thanks!

I think that your budget is unrealistic for what you want. A week at POP in a HA king/double with 7-day base tickets during the second week of Nov. 2013 is over $2K. It doesn't even take food, ECV rental, transportation costs or hotels for the trip down & back into consideration. But it doesn't included any discounts either.

There's always the possibility of room or package discounts but you cannot count on them when you set your budget. You also cannot count on YES tickets being the tremendous bargain that they have been in the past. I would start to look at offsite arrangements for the budget that you are working with. And you should probably accept the fact that you will be the one cooking that big breakfast that your husband likes. If a good package discount comes out for your dates, you can always alter your plans to move on site.

 

[sandynd]

Hmm. OK, thanks for your response. Maybe we will change plans and/or start looking for bargains ASAP. Or up our budget a bit - I looked at alternate dates on the website, and it looks like the first week of December is cheaper than in November. There was a package with King Room and PH tickets for $1800 at all-star music. If we budgeted $700 OOP for food, we could go QS for breakfasts - DD and I could share a platter and DH could have his own. Lunches could be the same, and we could do a few TS dinners through the week. Would that be realistic?

In terms of getting down there and back, I think this is where I can really cheap out - gas being the biggest cost. And if we take our Jeep, we might be able to rent a scooter up here for fairly cheap and bring it with us, although I do like the convenience of having service available down in FL if we have a problem with their rental. Food for thought!!

 

[Tinetine]

We are planning to drive down from Montreal to WDW in August this year. I am planning to do the drive in 3 steps , so 1 really long day, 1 medium and 1 morning, so we can save on lunch before we check in. I have found several Marriotts on the way who offer free breakfast with the room as well as an indoor pool. I chose Marriott because I've always felt safe in them, so maybe I could find motels for less per night, but I don't want to risk it. So 6 nights will be 600$ .
I have found a trip cost calculator online, in which you can calculate the cost of gas for a trip. For our Civic, it tells me 275$, which I round up to 300$.
I then need to figure approximetely how much food would be for 5 meals and snacks.
Obviously, you may not travel like we do, and driving longer days might save you on hotel costs , but I think this can give you an idea on the costs of driving down.

 

[gracie1]

You should go on the Disney website and just look up everything as you were going to go this year. Of course by the time you go in 2014 there will be a price increase.

I looked up a week in November, checking in on the 10th for 7 nights at Pop Century with a handicap accessible room (1 king/1double) with park hopper tickets and the price was $2005. If you were to add the deluxe dining plan then it would be $4100. If your husband is the only one with a huge appetite, then you could probably do without the dining plan completely. Although you did say the last time you had it, it was just enough food. But was it too much food for you and your daughter?

Anyways, I would go on there and play around with the different options. Then look at the fact that you will be driving, renting hotels on the way to and from and factor in that cost. But it seems like $2500 is too little to make it.

Or...if you do not have to stay onsite, then I would price out condo's in the area, where you can eat a hot breakfast in the condo, and have dinner there as well. Then you would only have to eat in the parks for lunch. That would definitely cut down the cost for you.

 

[ICF]

I'd look into an offsite condo/townhouse...more room and cheaper price. You would have the ability to make your own meals (which could be good or bad depending on your feeling towards cooking on vacation).....which would be cheaper than eating everything onite.

You'll have a car anyway and many condo's are 10 mins or less from the parks.

Some townhouses (such as Windsor Hills) have their own private pool out back. We are staying in one the 1st week of June for about $550. Not sure of the rates in Nov.

Check

 

[Snoozan]

With a king room, that's enough room for only 2 people - where is your daughter going to sleep? If I am correct, there is no such room as a king/double. It's a king by itself or 2 doubles at Pop Century. If you do an off-site condo, then you could do the big, hot breakfast for alot less than at a hotel or in the parks.

 

[gracie1]

With a king room, that's enough room for only 2 people - where is your daughter going to sleep? If I am correct, there is no such room as a king/double. It's a king by itself or 2 doubles at Pop Century. If you do an off-site condo, then you could do the big, hot breakfast for alot less than at a hotel or in the parks.

I didn't think Pop offered this option either, but they do. When you go on the disney website and click on accessible rooms, it does give you the option for 1 king and 1 double bed.

 

[lkrupa]

I think you can stay at a value like Pop Century and do the 7 day pass with park hopper option for around 2000. There are some weeks in November in the past that were free dining, this would only be quick service but you can upgrade plan. Prices will go up in 2014 but they don't go up super high. To stay in a moderate would be well over your budget. Something to start researching now to have an idea. Hope you get there!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

According to Disney website November 10-17 in All Star Sports with 2 double beds and 7 day MYW pass is 1634.00

With Dining it is $2634.00

With Deluxe Dining it is $3433.00

 

[Disney Addicted]

Staying off-site may be cheaper for you. Check out Wyndham Bonnet Creek in the Orlando hotels & attractions side. It's a gorgeous time-share you can rent through owners for fantastic prices. With a full-size kitchen you can cook a lot of meals there. And it's right beside CBR, so it's actually inside Disney property. They have shuttles to the parks or you can drive since you'll have your vehicle. That's where we are looking to stay next time.

Also, have you thought about September or October? September is usually cheap and for 5 or 6 years has had free dining attached to it. Rumour has it that may not be offered this year, but we will see.

And do you collect Air Miles? You can use those towards Disney park tickets.

Here's something else you may not be aware of. There is a survey site (Canadians allowed) that offers payout in Disney Gift cards in American funds! I finally tried it last February and have earned $324 to-date. I'm hoping by Oct 2013 to have another $300. ($400 is my actual goal!) We will use these towards meals and other purchases. They can also be applied towards resort stay.

I don't believe I'm allowed to give links or names in the forums, but if you are interested, PM me.

 

[sandynd]

Yes, deluxe dining was too much for me and DD. it was just right for Dh. I think I could persuade him he didn't really need that every day - we don't really do that at home, and with his health, he doesn't really eat like that very much anymore. Just seems like a habit with him when we're away from home.

I saw a thread on here about Bonnet Creek being very reasonably priced. Is it close enough to go back to for a break? Is it themed at all? How close is it to celebration, where Dh needs to go for his treatment?

I went onto the gas buddy website to estimate gas costs, and it figures about $500 for gas for the round trip.

Tickets I definitely need to watch for homeschool or yes dates before I make any plans, and the scooter, who knows? We may own one by then! If not, I guess I'll weigh all my options.

Thanks for everybody's ideas so far!

 

[gracie1]

Yes, deluxe dining was too much for me and DD. it was just right for Dh. I think I could persuade him he didn't really need that every day - we don't really do that at home, and with his health, he doesn't really eat like that very much anymore. Just seems like a habit with him when we're away from home.

I saw a thread on here about Bonnet Creek being very reasonably priced. Is it close enough to go back to for a break? Is it themed at all? How close is it to celebration, where Dh needs to go for his treatment?

I went onto the gas buddy website to estimate gas costs, and it figures about $500 for gas for the round trip.

Tickets I definitely need to watch for homeschool or yes dates before I make any plans, and the scooter, who knows? We may own one by then! If not, I guess I'll weigh all my options.

Thanks for everybody's ideas so far!

Like the other posters said, they may offer free dining then! But if you and your daughter do not eat as much as your husband, I think you could get by without the dining plan and pay oop. When my mom and I went in 2010, we decided against the dining plan, and ate a character meal every morning, and ate at all the sit down restaurants with only a few quick service meals and we came out under what the regular dining plan would have charged. This was also including our mugs, and snacks throughout the whole trip!
Just remember if you add the dining plan, and plan on all table service meals that you will have to pay gratuity too. So you still have oop expense

 

[sandynd]

Do you mind estimating for me what you spent oop ? Thanks!

 

[LadyBeBop]

You aren't going to get into a November YES class. The last YES classes of the year are in October.

I think homeschool days are either in January or February. An early 2015 trip might be more economically feasible. The only problem (especially in your part of the world) would be snow. However, it seems like you're flexible in travel dates (your spouse is retired and your daughter is homeschooled). There's nothing wrong in leaving a day or two early to avoid snowstorms. Once you get away from any snowstorm, stop at one of the many educational sites along your route. Dunno which way you'd be driving, but there are several national parks within two or three hours of your route.

Regarding lodging...seriously, I'd think about offsite. You can get a good two bedroom condo for about half the price of a Values hotel room. And almost all condos have kitchens. I'm not talking about cold cuts. I'm talking about bringing your slow cooker from home and whip up an 8 hour overnight breakfast casserole in our slow cooker. You can eat heartily at night, but at a good buffet, not at an overpriced Disney restaurant.

If you keep your expectations relatively low, I think $2,500 is doable. We're going with a budget of about $3,500, and there are six of us. We'll spend less on gas, since we live closer, and we won't have as many stop. But I think you can do it.

 

[gillenkl]

You may be underestimating your gas as we just drove from Philadelphia area and roundtrip was $500.

 

[sandynd]

You may be underestimating your gas as we just drove from Philadelphia area and roundtrip was $500.

Good to know. I will get a few different estimates on it - the earlier website mentioned by the poster in Montreal, and CAA / AAA.

 

[sandynd]

You aren't going to get into a November YES class. The last YES classes of the year are in October.

I think homeschool days are either in January or February. An early 2015 trip might be more economically feasible. The only problem (especially in your part of the world) would be snow. However, it seems like you're flexible in travel dates (your spouse is retired and your daughter is homeschooled). There's nothing wrong in leaving a day or two early to avoid snowstorms. Once you get away from any snowstorm, stop at one of the many educational sites along your route. Dunno which way you'd be driving, but there are several national parks within two or three hours of your route.

Regarding lodging...seriously, I'd think about offsite. You can get a good two bedroom condo for about half the price of a Values hotel room. And almost all condos have kitchens. I'm not talking about cold cuts. I'm talking about bringing your slow cooker from home and whip up an 8 hour overnight breakfast casserole in our slow cooker. You can eat heartily at night, but at a good buffet, not at an overpriced Disney restaurant.

If you keep your expectations relatively low, I think $2,500 is doable. We're going with a budget of about $3,500, and there are six of us. We'll spend less on gas, since we live closer, and we won't have as many stop. But I think you can do it.

Shoot - I was really hoping for the classes at a time when we could see the Christmas decorations! But we are definitely flexible. A January trip would be good except last time it was too cold to swim much, and Splash is always closed in January!

Also, boo to cooking and no housekeeping on vacation I do it all at home and it sucks to have to think about doing that to save money. Maybe I'll just tell him to suck it up at breakfast Seriously, though, I appreciate the tips and info.

 

[gracie1]

Do you mind estimating for me what you spent oop ? Thanks!

It was just around $1500 for 10 days at Disney for my mom and myself. This included:

We ate at: Pizzafari, Rainforest Cafe, Plaza Restaurant (multiple times), a couple times at the Pop food court, Tusker House (breakfast), 50's Prime Time, Sci-Fi, Electric Umbrella, Tutto Italia, Planet Hollywood, Cinderella's Royal Table, Cosmic Rays, Crystal Palace, Pinnochio Village House, Main Street Bakery (multiple times for snacks), Tony's Town Square, O'hana (breakfast).
This is all I can remember off hand!! But I think you are better off doing oop (unless free dining is available). We did do appetizers and meals, but never a dessert at the restaurant. That's what the main street bakery was for! Also, we split an appetizer, because if not it was just too much food for us!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Do you mind estimating for me what you spent oop ? Thanks!

We skipped the dining plan last visit and we spent 900.00 including souvinears for 2 adults and 3 children. My mom spent 600.00 for food and souvinears.

We has several character meals.

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