Paying for vacation

[Anal Annie]

We own DVC and being on the east coast usually go to WDW rather than DL and buy AP's rather than hoppers. What we spend trip to trip varies a little but I would say on average that we spend about $150 / day for meals & souvies (2 adults, 1 teen DS). Meals are a large portion of what we spend our money on - TS meals certainly add up to a lot more than CS meals and we'll typically do about 4-5 TS meals over the course of a week. We usually only use a DVC studio which has a kitchenette so we get a small grocery delivery (to include beer and water) and we eat our breakfasts "in" and then lunch & dinner out. We are going to DL next week for a few nights as a stop-over on our way to Aulani and I am planning on about $600 for 2 1/2 days (3 nights) even tho I think we're going to skip a grocery delivery. I figure since we don't usually go to DL we'll buy more souvies than usual so I planned on the high side. We'll keep our breakfasts on the light side and I've only planned 1 TS meal. 3-day park hoppers will cost us $795 (which is a horrid expense when I compare that to what we pay for AP's in FL). So essentially I think the 3 nights will cost us about $1,400 and that doesn't include our flights or accomodations.

 

[Tyggress]

3-day park hoppers will cost us $795 (which is a horrid expense when I compare that to what we pay for AP's in FL).

If you already have AP's, would it be cheaper to just upgrade them to Premier, rather than buying separate park-hoppers for DL?

 

[disneychrista]

Cost of Premier - $1029 - cost of regular WDW AP $675.21 = $353.79 to upgrade
Cost of Premier - $1029 - cost of premium WDW AP $803.01 = $225.99 to upgrade

Cost of 3 day Park Hopper - $265

 

[SweetAlex]

This is pretty accurate for us too! Ends up being about $4000 for the four of us (though we stay in a time share rental instead of a hotel.)

Have either of you considered flying out of Seattle rather than Vancouver? I know it can be a pain to drive but we did that when we lived in Langley and we saved so much on flights. There are a ton of hotels near the airport that provide that sleep n'fly special where they also park your car for the week for a super low price (I think we paid $100 for one nights sleep and parking for the week). We're doing that this time around, except now we're flying out of Spokane.

 

[sweethannah]

Have either of you considered flying out of Seattle rather than Vancouver? I know it can be a pain to drive but we did that when we lived in Langley and we saved so much on flights. There are a ton of hotels near the airport that provide that sleep n'fly special where they also park your car for the week for a super low price (I think we paid $100 for one nights sleep and parking for the week). We're doing that this time around, except now we're flying out of Spokane.

I can't handle the 3 hour drive back. It isn't so bad on the way down because you have the vacation to look forward to but the way back seems like it takes forever. I price it out periodically but it usually only amounts to about $3-400 savings. I say 'only' but that is a heavy chunk of change and it gets exponentially greater the more ppl you have traveling.

I got a decent deal on parking online, it was 75$ or so for what amounted to 8 nights and I found the service to be great. We self parked and hoped on the shuttle, driver was very friendly and on the way home they picked us up promptly and drove us to where our car was actually parked.

 

[Anal Annie]

If you already have AP's, would it be cheaper to just upgrade them to Premier, rather than buying separate park-hoppers for DL?

No - as Disneychrista explains, the Premier passports are a LOT of money and not worth it for only 3 days at DL. Plus our AP's expire Aug. 10th so they wouldn't let us upgrade them with only 5 days left. We'd have to buy NEW passes (I already spoke to DVC Member Services about it).

Cost of Premier - $1029 - cost of regular WDW AP $675.21 = $353.79 to upgrade
Cost of Premier - $1029 - cost of premium WDW AP $803.01 = $225.99 to upgrade

Cost of 3 day Park Hopper - $265

Thanks for the numbers!!

Sorry to de-rail the thread…...

 

[Tyggress]

Gotcha~!

I wasn't sure what level AP you had. I have a Premium for DL and always figure that when I plan a trip to WDW soon, I'll just upgrade to a Premier, which would probably be cheaper than buying hoppers for WDW.

 

[surfmontana]

I have often wondered how ppl can afford a Disney trip. I've priced them out and never thought I could swing it. I was hit with pixie dust and we are going in December. I won a trip from a local radio station ! The package includes 2 nights at DLH and 3 day park tickets for 4 ppl. It will be Me, DBFF, DS (15) and DD (14).

I have been saving every dollar I could since early this year and I am so very close to having my trip paid for. I feel very lucky to be in this situation.

Love it, woohoo for pixie dust

This is an interesting thread.

Free airfare for our first trip us was great. I had the miles but couldn't get the dates I wanted so I just busted out the 1400 for the plane tickets. VERY
painful, but I am sure it will be worth it.

 

[hjgaus]

No - as Disneychrista explains, the Premier passports are a LOT of money and not worth it for only 3 days at DL. Plus our AP's expire Aug. 10th so they wouldn't let us upgrade them with only 5 days left. We'd have to buy NEW passes (I already spoke to DVC Member Services about it).



Thanks for the numbers!!

Sorry to de-rail the thread…...

There WAS a special discount on Premier Passports just for DVC members from
late Feb til April so peehaps you missed it! Although as you say it would not have been worth it IF ONLY NEEDED FOR 3 DAYS OF DL.

 

[VicMom]

I'm scared to do the math...

In Canadian funds (6 days/5 nights)(2 adults and a 3.5yr old):


$1500 (air from Victoria, BC to John Wayne)
$1250 (Disneyland Hotel-score!)
$70 (return transportation from airport-but I'm seriously thinking about cancelling this and taking a cab as the shuttle times don't line well with our flights and the price isn't much more)
$1007 park tickets and character meal

*Still have to order the photo pass, and firm up our food and shopping budget.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Ours will probably end up being around $4000 or so. But I don't know for sure. I just guess on how much we may spend on food and souvenirs. I'm usually way off though so we'll see.

 

[sweethannah]

I'm scared to do the math...

In Canadian funds (6 days/5 nights)(2 adults and a 3.5yr old):


$1500 (air from Victoria, BC to John Wayne)
$1250 (Disneyland Hotel-score!)
$70 (return transportation from airport-but I'm seriously thinking about cancelling this and taking a cab as the shuttle times don't line well with our flights and the price isn't much more)
$1007 park tickets and character meal

*Still have to order the photo pass, and firm up our food and shopping budget.

I would recommend a cab if you are OK with your child not being in a car seat. It's so simple and you would be at your hotel within 20 minutes.

How did you get your DLH rate though?! That seems like an amazing price. Have a wonderful trip

 

[Stitch35]

Cheapest trip was a mommy and me trip:

Airline tickets SEA-SNA $152x2= $304

Taxi to and from hotel $100 including tip

Best western Park Place Inn with "no car" discount $90/nt including tax x 4 nights= $360

We both had APs broken down cost per day of use: $13.03 x 5 days x 2 people= $130.30

We ate at the hotel and I brought in our snacks, water, and PB&J sandwiches. We ate dinner at the park $16/day with AP discount x 5 days= $64

Grand total: $958.30!!

Most expensive trip:

2 adults and 2 children in a military retirement celebration vacation.

After driving from Olympia, Wa and spending 3 days in the redwoods, 2 days in Monterey Bay, a day at Legoland, and a pirates dinner, we topped it off with 12 days at Disneyland. I'll do the gas and Disneyland only cost.

Gas for 2300 miles $300

11 nights at BWPPI military rate $1680

APs prorated: $13.03/day x 2 people, $17.14 x 2 people =$724.08

Food: ate breakfast at the hotel except for 1 character meal at $65

Snacks were $10 each/day = $480

Lunch was PB&J = $0

Dinner at the park average of $40x 12= $480

Souvenirs: $40 total

Total for Disney portion: $3,769.08

 

[KLK622]

I would recommend a cab if you are OK with your child not being in a car seat. It's so simple and you would be at your hotel within 20 minutes.

How did you get your DLH rate though?! That seems like an amazing price. Have a wonderful trip

Another poster told me cabs in California. cannot take car seat age kids without car seat-just something to keep in mind if this is your plan.

 

[Malcon10t]

Cabs are required to obey the car seat laws in CA. Many states exempt cabs, but CA doesn't.

 

[JandD75]

3 adults, 5 days, $2500.

Breakdown is:

Air Fare $400 (Only I am flying. DH and DD live close enough to drive, so they pick me up at the airport.)
Hotel $400 - $500 (off season rates at Motel 6)
Hoppers $900
Gasoline $200
Food $500 (We have ONE nice meal, such as Blue Bayou, then CS or QS for the rest of the trip. We love some of the CS and QS places, Rancho del Zocalo, French Market, Bengal Barbecue, Flo's, Harbor Galley and Coca-Cola Corner. We'd just as soon eat here as the fancier spots. I heartily recommend these to anyone looking for a great place to eat.)
Souvenirs--we spend very little, and only if we see something we absolutely fall in love with, MUST HAVE, and can't get anywhere else.

Cheap, BUT, we get to go every year..

 

[spellhex]

My super budget trip I'm taking next week. 2 adults, 3 nights, 3 days. $525 total.

Premium AP: free (gift)
3 Day hopper: $265
Gas: $80
Crashing at a friend's house: $30 (for beer and cookies in exchange)
Food: $250
Souvenirs: $100+ (I have a feeling this is where the money I saved on tickets goes)

I'm personally going to spend ~$225, though that may drastically change depending on souvenirs.

 

[Aladora]

I would recommend a cab if you are OK with your child not being in a car seat. It's so simple and you would be at your hotel within 20 minutes.

Just bring a car seat, problem solved and no issues with breaking the CA car seat laws!

We still bring our 9 year old's booster seat.

 

[Anal Annie]

There WAS a special discount on Premier Passports just for DVC members from
late Feb til April so peehaps you missed it! Although as you say it would not have been worth it IF ONLY NEEDED FOR 3 DAYS OF DL.

Nope, didn't miss it - the Premier passports are just toooo expensive for only 3 days at DL. We'd have needed to plan closer to a week at DL + a couple of weeks in FL for the duration of the pass for it to pay off. Hoping for another DVC deal on regular & Premium AP's for next year tho.

 

[sweethannah]

Another poster told me cabs in California. cannot take car seat age kids without car seat-just something to keep in mind if this is your plan.

This is true, I checked the website:

Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

Children under the age of 8 who are 4' 9" or taller may be secured by a safety belt in the back seat.

Maybe a booster would be OK and less cumbersome but I wouldn't feel overly comfortable if my child was usually in a car seat at home.