Spring Break. Please Help.

Laurenluv1990

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
5
I've never been to Disney World.
Me and my friend would like to go to Disney World for out Senior Spring Break next year of 2009.
I know it's a long ways away from now but our parents need to be informed of what our plans are as soon as possible.
also, we need to know roughly how much money it'll be
and ways to save money.
It would just be her and i
i'll be 18 while she'll be 17.
we were wondering how much money you think it would be
and what the best money saving hotels are..
thanks this helps out a lot!

Lauren :)
 
I think you'll be safer if you stay at a Disney resort and use Magical Express. Personally, I don't use ME, but if I were your mother that's what I'd want for you.

Your tickets will run about $250 or so, for a week. I recommend getting park hoppers.

If you want to save money on food, I'd stick with mostly counter service options. The values have a food court, and all the parks have quick service places. Do your research, and maybe tourguide mike. I wouldn't do the dining plan, as I think you could spend less doing it yourself.

Check for the timeframe for this year on the Disney website for prices for the various resorts. They should be comparable for next year. I'm guessing you'll be in your room very little, so you could go with a value resort even. I think they're about $100 per night, but I may be wrong. You'll get two double beds and one bathroom. Exterior corridors - please make sure you lock your door from the inside when you're in the room! And don't invite strangers into your room, no matter how cute they may seem! Yes, I'm a mom!
 
Will you be flying?

That seems young to me to go alone. Maybe it's just me. Is there a parent that can come along?

Just a thought.
 
not really.
me and my friend want to prove to our parents that we can do it by ourselves.
i mean we'll call them each and every minute of the day but its our chance to prove it to them.
 

Are you flying or driving? I don't recommend a rental car due to your age. If flying, then definitely take the ME from the airport and stay at a Disney resort. Plus you'll experience the magic 24/7.
 
You need to think about the logistics here. First, because you're both so young, you'd have to use Magical Express or a cab or something like that because you're too young to rent a car. Second, you'd have to either have a credit card or bring along enough cash to pay for your room, tickets, food, other expenses, so you'd need to talk to Disney about specific dates and exactly what you want so you'll know how much money you'll need. You also would be wise to bring a signed and notarized permission statement from the 17 year old's parents authorizing you to obtain any and all medical care that might be necessary or prudent for the 17 year old in the event that an emergency comes up. Personally, as a mother, I cannot imagine allowing my 17 year old to go on this sort of trip solely with an 18 year old friend and not bringing along a parent, but that's me. I wouldn't allow my 18 year old to go without a parent, either. LOL!

That said, you can price out stuff on Disney World to get an idea of what it'll cost you. But for airfare, it really depends on where you live and how expensive it is to fly out at spring break. I imagine that during that time, it's more expensive because it's spring break and many people want to fly then, like at holidays. But you can shop around and find a good fare if you're willing to be flexible with your times.

Once you turn 18, your parents can likely add you to their credit card(s) and get you your own card. Or perhaps you can get your own if you have a job. This is preferable to using a debit card because every hotel (not just Disney, but just about all hotels) put a "hold" on the debit card for the total amount and even above that and it can take some time for that hold to be released, so you could even overdraw your account without realizing it. So, either have a credit card or bring cash/traveler's checks. You will also need a government issued photo ID (like a driver's license) to fly and probably to check in.

Since this is your first time doing a vacation like this, I would like to suggest that you consider instead going somewhere closer to home -- a resort or theme park that's not too far from where you live. You'd get the experience of checking into a hotel and being responsible, etc., but if something happened, your family would be closer by to help out if needed. Just a thought!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)
 
we're going to fly down.
i think we're looking at pop century or one of the all star resorts

Choosing between those two resorts, I personally would pick POP Century. I've had better experiences there than at All Stars, and POP's food court is much nicer.
 
These kids sound very mature and organized by looking so far ahead for information and assistance. They will go to college or into the military at age18, so I think they can handle Disney World!

As long as you stay at a Disney resort on Disney property and use only Disney buses to get around you will be fine. Read as much literature as you can about the parks and look at the maps to have an idea of your way around. As far as prices go, you can learn alot from the Disney website about costs and you may actually be able to get better price by doing research on a website called MouseSavers.com. Don't spend too much time here though, for a first trip it will confuse you. Way too much info on discussion boards and too many different opinions (like the ones you've just gotten). Just look for simple facts.

Have fun!
 
When I was 18, I went to Disney World for 2 weeks during the summer after I graduated. It was myself and 4 friends of mine. We had a complete blast, I would recommend staying on-site as we did, and playing it by ear. You guys are young, and if you have a good head on your shoulders you'll have a blast. My parents were surprised I actually went and didn't call them the entire stay, the only call they got from me was when I arrived at Newark Airport for a ride haha! Have a great time, i'm so envious!
 
These kids sound very mature and organized by looking so far ahead for information and assistance. They will go to college or into the military at age 18, so I think they can handle Disney World!

As a woman who did join the military when I was 18, I hear ya -- and actually my first time at Disney World was at the end of boot camp, which at the time was in Orlando. :) But in this case, the OP will be 18 and the other young lady will be 17, and that's my concern. 18 is young to be responsible for someone else's child (legally speaking, a 17 year old is a "child" under the law), so the OP would need to talk to the parents of the other girl and get them to sign something giving her permission to obtain medical care if needed. The OP also would have to be the one financially responsible for the room, etc., since the 17 year old cannot legally entry a contract, which is what one is doing when one rents a hotel room or buys park tickets. When I joined the Navy, it was just me I was responsible for -- and if one travels with other 18 year olds (or older), each person is a legal adult. But my concern here is having someone 18 take on not only responsibility for herserlf, but for another person who is legally a minor. I agree that the OP sounds very responsible and I applaud that. I simply want her to be aware of what all is encompassed in this plan so that if she elects to do this, it will go as smoothly as possible.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)
 
you could get disney dollers or gift card and each b-day holiday etc have friends and family add to it .as for air fare we did easter week last year my wife had south west ding each time a sale took place from nj paid about 90doller per person round trip.also realy like pop centry good food court .
 
You don't have to be 18 to be added to you parent's credit card. I had a friend that had one in her name in grade school; her parents added her so she'd have it just in case. So you could do that then pay them back, unless you have your own. I'm sure I had mine when I started working at 16.

Taking along a credit card is SO MUCH safer than cash. I'd do that, and have a small amount of cash, then charge everything. A checking card is the second safest thing, but not as safe as a credit card.

"since the 17 year old cannot legally entry a contract, which is what one is doing when one rents a hotel room or buys park tickets" is really incorrect: You don't have to be an adult to buy a park ticket.

The value resort sounds like what you may be looking for. And taking ME means you don't have to worry about transportation. That will save roughly $50 each way to and from the airport.
 
As a woman who did join the military when I was 18, I hear ya -- and actually my first time at Disney World was at the end of boot camp, which at the time was in Orlando. :) But in this case, the OP will be 18 and the other young lady will be 17, and that's my concern. 18 is young to be responsible for someone else's child (legally speaking, a 17 year old is a "child" under the law), so the OP would need to talk to the parents of the other girl and get them to sign something giving her permission to obtain medical care if needed. The OP also would have to be the one financially responsible for the room, etc., since the 17 year old cannot legally entry a contract, which is what one is doing when one rents a hotel room or buys park tickets. When I joined the Navy, it was just me I was responsible for -- and if one travels with other 18 year olds (or older), each person is a legal adult. But my concern here is having someone 18 take on not only responsibility for herserlf, but for another person who is legally a minor. I agree that the OP sounds very responsible and I applaud that. I simply want her to be aware of what all is encompassed in this plan so that if she elects to do this, it will go as smoothly as possible.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

They didn't say they were escaping from an orphanage, they already have PARENTS who will help make their decisions. All they would like is an idea of price for a budget to present to these parents. And ideas of where to look for these prices. As a Mom I understand where you're coming from but I really admire them for planning ahead and bet they will cover all bases.
 
Hi Lauren,

Congrats on your trip!
I think its great you guys are trying this. You will have a wonderful time.

Think about invited 2 more girlfriends on this trip- you will save a bundle on the hotel share as long as you don't mind sharing a bed.

Its very difficult to say how much you might need not knowing how long you'll be staying.

Go through AAA if your family are members. You will save $
Get a AAA 2008 or 2009 if its out yet but probably not brochure from them they have prices and information. They can help you figure out a budget.

Stay on-site it is worth it for transportation and for fun. The Value Resorts are great. Go for Music or POP which will (in all odds) be less little kids than Movies.

Depending upon how long you're staying include the Park Hopper and Water Parks-the less time then skip the Water Parks

Use the Magical Express Bus or ME bus (which is included at the resort price)at the Orlando airport to get to your resort. Remember the Magical Express Bus doesn't leave from Sanford or Tampa airport only Orlando-doublecheck your airport. Sometimes people think they're using Orlando and don'f figure out till too late its Sanford.

While staying on-site you'll use the Disney transportation all included in the resort prices.

As for food, I'm thinking it would be cheaper not to get the Disney Dining Plan or DPP. If not in your budget then Just stick to Counter Service meals and maybe splurge on one table service (don't 4-get to make your ADR or Advance Dining Reservation)

Stay on-site and you won't go wrong-Stay off-site and it will be one big pain in the neck.
 
I just came home and met three girls around your age who were having a blast. They were very responsible and did great. They did mention that they couldn't stay onsite because you have to be 21. I'm not sure if that's true or not. They stayed on I-Drive and used shuttles.
 












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