Spiceycat:
We are just down the road in Montgomery. Forgive me for being off-topic but how do you normally travel to see the mouse? I just can't see us making the 9 hour drive each way 4 times a year and flying seems like a hassle and an expense. Do you drive at night? Do you go through Montgomery or Atlanta if driving? What is your secret Spiceycat?
DH and I considered converting our January park passes to AP and taking advantage of $59 POP rates in September but didn't. We figured between the ticket upgrade, the POP room, food, and gas it was still going to be $700 to $1000, which seems like a lot when you were just there and have another trip planned.
I know
DVC makes it easier, but ...is there something else?
well I belong to RCI and II - they have some excellent sales on timeshares you can rent. they are the BIG exchange clubs. DVC does not allow you to join either. (but I have some other much,much cheaper timeshares)
this place I am going to - last year in Jan, RCI had a sale it cost me $214 (I think) for a 1-bedroom with a full kitchen in VV at Parkway - very nice place.
for the entire week.
Yes, I go through Montgomery - drive at night. also have you been taken the 429 off the florida turnpike? this will save you around an hour - before I was taking US27. Now it does cost a little more - us 27 was $1.25, florida turnpike is $2.50 plus 429 is $1.00. but it definitely saves time.
my food allergies also save me money. because I really, really have to want eat out to do it. so cook or prepare lots of our meals in the studio or villa instead of eating out. most of time when we eat out will be in the restuarant for 2 to 3 hours - one of my worst allergies is Pepper and chef have a big problem with that one.
plus my biggest cost saver - I have a Honda! It gets between 25 and 35 miles on a gallon of gas on the I-10, and I-75. If I go 90mph (I know bad, bad) it gets 25; if I go 65 to 70 mph it gets 35 -32.
also watch for the SW rates - I have flown to Orlando for $132. So not a great deal more than gas. they have those deals in Sept. of course with two of you - it will cost more.
If I stay in a WDW resort these days - it is a value. My trip in Sept is with free dinning (did it last month) - so it will save me money not time at all - but definitely money.
also try to do 2 things in one trip. my trip in Sept was my niece fall break - so she and her parents, plus her bf went. they stayed in an offsite timeshare that allows dogs....
this trip is to celebrate mother's 85 birthday! plus it is the food & wine festavial.
in March I go because I can!!!! the annual statement has been received by all the states and I can have fun again. can't in jan or feb.
May is flower/garden festavial. like the bands better than in the food/wine.
you can do it. Just cut back on unnecessary expensives - just because you have a car doesn't mean you have to drive to the parks. Yes the buses can be slower - but it isn't on your dime.
when you stay offsite you have to drive. Also do your cooking before hand and freeze the stuff. then Pop it in the mircowave.
you might be surprised at how much you spend on food. not to mention gas just driving back and forth to the parks, resorts.