Possible trip but want budget friendly

[DonaldnDaisy5]

So our last trip was a little stressful and I am feeling the pull.

My dh has said numerous times to take the kids and go, but I teach elementary school so since I missed spring break (where I am sure deals were far and few between) I am looking at the summer. Most likely July.

Any tips on ways to trim a trip down. It would be me, ds 11, dd 9, and dd 4. We'd most likely fly my first time with the kids....but they are all what to fly. I just usually plan a year out so I feel this is last minute and worry I missed an airline discounts....

 

[mjkacmom]

Are there airline discounts for July? It's a peak travel time - it's not going to be cheap. You can stay offsite to save money.

 

[TheGreatGafsby]

I don't think you're too close in terms of missing flight deals anyway.
54 days beforehand is statistically the best time to buy - a google search will pull up relevant articles (54 day stat comes from a Huffington post article).

I fly a fair bit for work, so have booked right before a trip (hours), to as long as a month or so out, and have also booked personal flights close to a year out. Generally, I think what is stated in the HP article is more or less accurate. A month or two out seems to be the sweet spot from what I've seen. Obviously it's hard to predict flight prices, and demand will play a role. Like the previous poster said, July might be a tough nut to crack on that front. You never know I guess. Best of luck though!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Can you do August instead? Maybe you'll catch free dining then. Plus July has tons of tour groups in the parks since it's peak travel time.

And you'll have plenty of time to watch for flight prices. I'd start comparing them now so you'll know a good deal when you see one.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I hadn't thought about tour groups, but ds starts football in August.

I'll have to keep an eye out. I did price out flights for a Monday to Friday and it was under 900 for the four of us.

I also am not looking at a long trip as we have one planned for next summer with friends, but if prefer onsite because of being alone...I'll feel better in the bubble.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Honestly, the 2 biggies are "drive, don't fly", and "stay offsite instead of on". Not saying you can't find savings in other ways, but you've already nixed the most potential. Since August is out, what about June? Might be a little better both crowd and weather wise.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

June could work. Just not sure on calendar for school since both my district and kids district have make up days.

Dh isn't overly concerned with the budget plan just me and the guilt of him missing out on the time with us all....

 

[Gumbo4x4]

DW clerks at our school and her "end of year" has been pushed well into June as well. We do know last day though (although snow is predicted for tomorrow - and it was 83 yesterday ).

 

[MacDalt]

The first week of August has the summer discount. Sunday thru Friday 8/3-8/8 is $478 @ Pop Century.

 

[maxiesmom]

Send a box down filled with food. Pack things like granola bars, bagels, or pastries that can be a quick grab and go breakfast. If you want to be really frugal also send down things like peanut butter and jelly, chips, and water bottles that you can pack and take into the park for your lunches. Get some of those flavored water packets so that you are not drinking plain water all of the time. Maybe even send down a small cooler you can take into the parks with you. That would give you more food options.

I see there is still a Summer discount still available. It would save you 15% off of all of the values, except AoA. And if you stay 6 or more nights you save an additional 5%.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I've started pricing some out.... I am thinking about driving then packing food isn't an issue at all although sending a box is an option.

Our drive is about 18 hours which makes the dh a little nervous.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've started pricing some out.... I am thinking about driving then packing food isn't an issue at all although sending a box is an option.

Our drive is about 18 hours which makes the dh a little nervous.

I wouldn't drive that long without having another person that can drive on the trip. You will be having to stop quite a bit to rest, and I'm guessing even stop for the night. Not to mention still being the referee when the kids get cranky. Plus on the way back when you are all tired from the trip you have to do it again. That is a lot for one driver.

 

[sunb75]

I've started pricing some out.... I am thinking about driving then packing food isn't an issue at all although sending a box is an option.

Our drive is about 18 hours which makes the dh a little nervous.

I'm visiting with 2 of my kids and no husband, he REALLY did not want me driving. Crunching the numbers, it was about the same to fly. Our drive is about the same as yours and I would have to pay for gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, stop for a hotel, plus the eating along the way would cost. We got 3 plane tickets for a comparable price to driving.

I'm also planning on shopping at Amazon and sending down lots of snacks. I usually buy them on Amazon, anyway. (free shipping!). I rented a car service and we will be stopping for groceries (pbj, cheese, yogurt, fruit/veges, cereal, milk, water, etc.)

My dd and I usually eat several "small meals" a day, so having good protein/healthy carb snacks will keep us happy. I have set several ADR, but they are table meals and I'm sure my ds will eat, but we will be happy with sharing, an appetizer, or eating a kid's meal.

To save money, too, the kids are "saving" their money/allowance, working for grandma, etc, and will be responsible for their own souvenirs. DD and I want to do a little pin trading and I bought several pins from eBay (all reputable sellers as shared here). I have been looking for auctions starting low and fair shipping. Yesterday I ended up with about 19 pins for $38 (all same seller, lots of $.99, $1.99 auctions that ended low, one shipping price. Pretty excited about that!

I'm a teacher, too, and ds plays football, but his practice is ALL summer so he will just have to miss.

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[Josiemy]

We are going a wed-thurs in May. Driving isn't an option for us- we just don't have the time to waste with taking a school year trip and family to visit. We booked the flights at about the 60 day mark and got 5 tickets with carry-on luggage and selected seats for $900 with Allegiant.

 

[Marionnette]

So our last trip was a little stressful and I am feeling the pull.

My dh has said numerous times to take the kids and go, but I teach elementary school so since I missed spring break (where I am sure deals were far and few between) I am looking at the summer. Most likely July.

Any tips on ways to trim a trip down. It would be me, ds 11, dd 9, and dd 4. We'd most likely fly my first time with the kids....but they are all what to fly. I just usually plan a year out so I feel this is last minute and worry I missed an airline discounts....

You should still be able to find decent airfares for July as long as you stay away from 4th of July weekend. Flying on Tues, Wed, Thurs, generally means more affordable fares for vacation destinations than flying Fri.-Mon. Check Kayak.com for various airline rates flying out of your airport to MCO. There is a fare predictor on their website that shows whether they expect the rates to go up or down.

Keep in mind that although you may want to only stay Mon.-Fri., it could be cheaper to stay Tues.-Tues. if you are paying for airfare for 4 people. The key is to find a hotel that will cost you less for those 3 extra nights than you will save by flying 4 people on off-peak days. You do not have to go into the parks on those extra days and if you plan carefully, you could stretch the food budget out by bringing (or shipping) snack items and microwavable meals for the non-park days. There are a number of shelf-stable dinners (Hormel and Barilla make some) and they aren't going to hurt anyone to eat them a couple of times when on vacation. Add a salad from the food court and you have dinner.

Check the Disney website for room discounts. There is a special offer that is in effect for July. You might be able to find something for one of the Value Resorts. You might have to settle for one of the AllStars but when you're looking to stay onsite with a discount and trying to keep it "cheap", then you really can't be choosy. But book the airfare first and then the room. You might find that flying in late at night and staying at one of the airport-area hotels is cheaper than paying for a night in a Disney hotel when you can't go to the parks anyway.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Flying into Tampa is often times cheaper that Orlando. And it only takes an additional 40 mintues to get to Disney.

MCO to WDW is 35 minutes
TPA to WDW is 1 hour 20 minutes so the difference is only 40 extra minutes.

And its a very easy drive to WDW and TPA is much less congested than MCO. You can pretty much walk through security. The last time we were there from the time printed on the receipt where we turned in the rental car till the time we got through security was 20 mintues!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm a big fan of driving, but with just one driver, I'd plan on two full days in each direction (should you choose to do that).

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I would be open to driving if it saved a significant amount but we just decided to fly next time because by the time we pay for food, gas, hotels if necessary, snacks/drinks, new games (car amusements), and wear and tear, plus oil changes before and after...it is about even for five to fly so four must be cheaper