OMG! we leave Friday! sooo close!

[sarahlovesmickey]

So my oldest son and I leave Friday for Florida! We are so beyond excited! I need a getaway in the worst kind of way. Although I will miss my hubby on this lil vacation---miss him anyway.

But, anyway, we are driving. I figure to save money on snacks/drinks along the way, we will just pack our own. I am going to go through the pantry this week and dig up snacks that may have got forgotten or whatever.

When we arrive down there, we will hit the grocery store for things we can keep in our room or bring with us to the parks.

We are going to SeaWorld for a day and get in free with my military spouse ID. We are going to do Epcot for a day. Downtown Disney is on the agenda. Perhaps some pool days...trying to keep this trip somewhat low budget.

Any other ideas for free or very cheap things to do in Orlando? Or ways we can save money on the trip down and back? thank you everyone!!

 

[happily single]

Good luck. I can tell you that gas and tolls are a killer, although the only tolls are in NY/Deleware.

Maybe check out Restraunts. com for deals in Orlando. I have some certificates for House of Blues (not valid on the Gosspel brunch) and a few other resturants in Orlando.

Also all rest areas have Room Saver Books which have great discount rates on hotels.

Have a great trip

 

[lisajl]

Have a magical trip!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

thank you!! I booked our room for the week through Expedia, so that was only $137 for the entire week---such great deals to be had through Expedia sometimes! Not sure if we will stay somewhere on the way down or just sleep in a rest area type place. Personally neither of us are picky! Yeah, gas is going to be an expense, but we are taking our Nissan Sentra so it's really pretty good on gas. Restaurant.com is a good idea but is that something I would have needed in advance to have shipped to me?

 

[Judique]

So my oldest son and I leave Friday for Florida! We are so beyond excited! I need a getaway in the worst kind of way. Although I will miss my hubby on this lil vacation---miss him anyway.

But, anyway, we are driving. I figure to save money on snacks/drinks along the way, we will just pack our own. I am going to go through the pantry this week and dig up snacks that may have got forgotten or whatever.

When we arrive down there, we will hit the grocery store for things we can keep in our room or bring with us to the parks.

We are going to SeaWorld for a day and get in free with my military spouse ID. We are going to do Epcot for a day. Downtown Disney is on the agenda. Perhaps some pool days...trying to keep this trip somewhat low budget.

Any other ideas for free or very cheap things to do in Orlando? Or ways we can save money on the trip down and back? thank you everyone!!

Have a great trip!

Wave when you come through Maryland! Have you planned some overnight stops?

Once you get south of me, it is a very easy drive. I would try to be on the south side of the DC beltway by at least 2pm on Friday or be getting to it much later in the evening, unless you plan on using 301 through Maryland. Then again, perhaps you are going west of us. Drive carefully!

 

[lisajl]

We made sure to stop and have lunch or dinner. Get out, stretch your legs, etc. We packed snacks like you are talking about, too.

Restaurant.com--when we used it, we just printed it off. We did not have to wait for anything.

If you try to find a hotel, you may get a better rate by just walking up to it.
We did that a few years ago near a holiday and we got half off the rate because the hotel was not 1/2 full. I don't know the rule about it, but it saved us money.

Good luck!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

thanks again everyone!!! We aren't leaving NH until like 4 or 4:30---waiting until Bailey gets out of school. I'll have the car all packed and ready to go so when he gets home, we can head out. I will check out Restaurant.com. I remember that we love that CiCi's place down in Orlando and that is pretty reasonable--I believe it's only $5.99 for a buffet meal.

I am pregnant so we will be taking breaks along the way because I'll need to stretch and use the restroom. This trip is really intended to be quite leisurely and low budget---hopefully all will go according to plan. =D

 

[Dax]

If he is into looking at cars, you can always pop over to Old Town on Saturday night and watch the older cars on parade. Its free, and there are tons of cool shops to look at too..

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

If he is into looking at cars, you can always pop over to Old Town on Saturday night and watch the older cars on parade. Its free, and there are tons of cool shops to look at too..

Do they do this any other night of the week?? I only ask because we are arriving on a Sunday (the 23rd) and leaving the following Friday, so we won't actually be in Orlando on a Saturday. This sounds like a cool idea for us.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Have a great time! My girls and I drove down by ourselves this summer and had a great time.

There's a couple of threads on the transportation board that might help you. One is for 2,000 miles plus drivers and the other has a list of hotels on 95 with reviews and prices (I can't remember the name of the thread)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2507731&highlight=2+000+miles+drivers


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465424

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Have a great time! My girls and I drove down by ourselves this summer and had a great time.

There's a couple of threads on the transportation board that might help you. One is for 2,000 miles plus drivers and the other has a list of hotels on 95 with reviews and prices (I can't remember the name of the thread)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2507731&highlight=2+000+miles+drivers


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465424

Thanks GoofyGirl, I will check them out for sure!!!

 

[rvchat]

hotel are you staying at?

I'M SO JEALOUS

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

This sounds like a great trip that you have planned. We have done trips like this and my kids remember these "budget" trips the most. LOL! Have a safe and happy vacation!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

hotel are you staying at?

I'M SO JEALOUS

This time around, we are going low budget. We usually stay in a condo, but we are doing the Red Roof Inn Kissimee this time. It was only like $130 for the week through Expedia and the reviews weren't too awful. We can deal with it for as little time as we'll actually be in the room.

 

[Dax]

Do they do this any other night of the week?? I only ask because we are arriving on a Sunday (the 23rd) and leaving the following Friday, so we won't actually be in Orlando on a Saturday. This sounds like a cool idea for us.

I think they do something on Friday nights as well..Even if you dont go for the cars, they are open daily, and they do have some rides...not sure of the prices though...Its Fun Spot at Old Town.

As for other things to do...Mini golf is prevelant all over the area..usually you can find some coupons to lower the price some.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I think they do something on Friday nights as well..Even if you dont go for the cars, they are open daily, and they do have some rides...not sure of the prices though...Its Fun Spot at Old Town.

As for other things to do...Mini golf is prevelant all over the area..usually you can find some coupons to lower the price some.

We LOOOVE mini golf and don't do it often, so that is a great idea!! thanks!

 

[mindyd]

We leave Friday also I hope you have a great trip

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

We leave Friday also I hope you have a great trip

Have a very safe and fun trip Mindy!!

 

[cajunbaby1]

Oh how i wish i could leave on friday!! On your way down to wdw; stop at the various state welcome centers. Some often offer free cokes, coffee (the kids always liked that). You might find brocherues for discounted meals,etc for whatever state u r in at that moment. Once into florida i imagine that welcome center will have a ton of things u can pick up. Probably quite a few discount coupons also. Have u gone to the dollar type store where your at for cheap things like glow sticks for the kids? That'll save u from having to pay those way over priced things at the park.
Have a safe trip and a great time at disney.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Oh how i wish i could leave on friday!! On your way down to wdw; stop at the various state welcome centers. Some often offer free cokes, coffee (the kids always liked that). You might find brocherues for discounted meals,etc for whatever state u r in at that moment. Once into florida i imagine that welcome center will have a ton of things u can pick up. Probably quite a few discount coupons also. Have u gone to the dollar type store where your at for cheap things like glow sticks for the kids? That'll save u from having to pay those way over priced things at the park.
Have a safe trip and a great time at disney.

Hi!! Good idea stopping at the welcome centers--never thought of that. We will for sure be stopping at South of the Border, because NO TRIP is complete without a stop at the cheesiest venue in the United States! For parks we are only doing SeaWorld and Epcot and I'm only bringing my oldest son---we needed some quality one on one time and honestly, I can't imagine bringing 4 kids on my own, especially being VERY pregnant!