Stay with family or find cheap lodging?

[2BigKIdz]

Well, the Armed Forces Salute tickets are 4 day water park n' more passes for just $169 EACH!! Haven't found another discount yet that beats this deal! So thankful for it!!



Unfortunately, Spring Break is about the only time we can do it unless we want to go in Summer (um.. nope..) or wait until Fall Break of next year! They can be a little strict about unexcused absences here, plus it would mesh well with my work schedule and Hubs' school schedule.

I've mentioned that I'd rather have money for a vacation then gifts I don't need.. I even mentioned that the kids would LOVE a Disney Gift Card to spend on vacation.. Not sure if anyone will listen to that request or not! I've talked to DH about doing a vacation as a family and looked into going after Christmas and that being our Christmas gift.. having the money in that time plus with school and whatnot.. just won't work! Much easier when the kiddos were little and not in school to plan stuff!

I will look into the Bonnet Creek.. I've heard good things about it on here!

someone else suggested Skyauction, I have seen 2 bedroom condos or townhouses on there for less than $400/total for the week. It may be hard getting a week during spring break though, but definitely check it out. Look for the auctions that are buy it now and not bidding auctions.

 

[mrsabbott]

Have I ever mentioned how awesome you guys are? I haven't? Well, consider it mentioned!!

I will definitely be bringing food from home with us since we'll be driving! Hubs won't step on a plane! When he deployed, they had to heavily medicate him! He says he's not afraid of flying, he just prefers to travel the way God intended.. in a car! (Well, I didn't see a car smiley!)

I figure our normal "grocery budget" for the week will go towards our snacks, breakfast, drinks, etc.. that we will be taking with us! I'm a huge budget shopper anyway and I'm all about keeping our pantry stocked! Hubs and I both have camelbacks that we will take with us into the parks. We're big water drinkers in our family!

I'm thinking I'm not going to get my hopes up about the WWoHP. I want to go sooo badly, however I'm really the biggest HP nerd in the family. Hubs likes HP, but not like me. The kids know who HP is, but haven't seen the movies because I won't let them watch them until they can read the books first. Honestly, that will shave ALOT off our initial vacation budget.

I figure 4 days at the parks, maybe a day or two at a waterpark, and the rest would be relaxing and visiting with family! Breakfast and dinner at home, snacks brought with us, maybe a couple of counter service meals in the parks as a treat. There are a few things I'd like to do.. like pick a pearl.. but I could live without it if need be! I'll probably find a few Disney themed things at home for the kids to give them when we get there, as a treat. Planning to get some inexpensive notebooks or maybe print out and make our own autograph books for the kids! Also looked into getting a lot of trading pins on ebay for the kids to divide and share..

I got to thinking, we probably won't do a character meal this time, but we do have a Disney Visa and don't they have a special character meet and greet? Anyone done this?

I know we'll need gas money, toll money, and money to park. Food money will partially come from our normal grocery budget. Ticket money. Lodging. I have a zero balance credit card for EMERGENCIES ONLY.. so that is covered..

I'm feeling hopeful!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Sounds like a great plan!

I think I missed something here. Isn't the pick a pearl at Sea World?

Also, jmho, but I wouldn't add USO/IOA until your kids are older. We used to go often & bought AP when the economy tanked & it was B1G1F.
Yes, there's Dr. Seuss land but it would be a lot of 1 day. Then again the baby's free.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Have I ever mentioned how awesome you guys are? I haven't? Well, consider it mentioned!!

I will definitely be bringing food from home with us since we'll be driving! Hubs won't step on a plane! When he deployed, they had to heavily medicate him! He says he's not afraid of flying, he just prefers to travel the way God intended.. in a car! (Well, I didn't see a car smiley!)

I figure our normal "grocery budget" for the week will go towards our snacks, breakfast, drinks, etc.. that we will be taking with us! I'm a huge budget shopper anyway and I'm all about keeping our pantry stocked! Hubs and I both have camelbacks that we will take with us into the parks. We're big water drinkers in our family!

I'm thinking I'm not going to get my hopes up about the WWoHP. I want to go sooo badly, however I'm really the biggest HP nerd in the family. Hubs likes HP, but not like me. The kids know who HP is, but haven't seen the movies because I won't let them watch them until they can read the books first. Honestly, that will shave ALOT off our initial vacation budget.

I figure 4 days at the parks, maybe a day or two at a waterpark, and the rest would be relaxing and visiting with family! Breakfast and dinner at home, snacks brought with us, maybe a couple of counter service meals in the parks as a treat. There are a few things I'd like to do.. like pick a pearl.. but I could live without it if need be! I'll probably find a few Disney themed things at home for the kids to give them when we get there, as a treat. Planning to get some inexpensive notebooks or maybe print out and make our own autograph books for the kids! Also looked into getting a lot of trading pins on ebay for the kids to divide and share..

I got to thinking, we probably won't do a character meal this time, but we do have a Disney Visa and don't they have a special character meet and greet? Anyone done this?

I know we'll need gas money, toll money, and money to park. Food money will partially come from our normal grocery budget. Ticket money. Lodging. I have a zero balance credit card for EMERGENCIES ONLY.. so that is covered..

I'm feeling hopeful!!

Yes, it's a nice perk. It takes place in one of the Innoventions buildings, but I can never remember if it's East or West. I know it's right by the "where's the fire" exhibit. The line will start forming before 1:30 (when it opens) but wait awhile and it should clear out somewhat. You have to show your Disney Visa and they give you a card that is good for a free 5x7 photo at the Camera Center. Each family is ushered into the greeting area individually and you can get autographs, pictures, etc. There will be a Photopass photographer there. The characters vary, but we've always seen at least 2 and sometimes 3 of the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald). After you finish your meet-n-greet, sometime in the next couple of hours, on your way out of the park, stop at the Camera Center under Spaceship Earth with the card they gave you, and they'll pull up the Photopass pics that were taken and you can pick one of them for your free print.

It's definitely worth doing!

Sounds like a great plan!

I think I missed something here. Isn't the pick a pearl at Sea World?

Also, jmho, but I wouldn't add USO/IOA until your kids are older. We used to go often & bought AP when the economy tanked & it was B1G1F.
Yes, there's Dr. Seuss land but it would be a lot of 1 day. Then again the baby's free.

There are Pick-a-Pearl locations at Japan and I think near YC/BC.

 

[dminnie]

I got to thinking, we probably won't do a character meal this time, but we do have a Disney Visa and don't they have a special character meet and greet? Anyone done this?

The meet and greet is at Epcot. You can have your picture taken with them(usually Mickey and Goofy I think) and get a free 5x7. I'd suggest going early since the lines can be long for it if you wait too long. The picture is ready a couple hours later.

I think I would also stay maybe one night with family, or not at all and just go over to visit with them one day. We haven't stayed in a condo or timeshare, but that sounds like the best option. It sounds like you could find something reasonably priced and that would give you privacy. If you have a kitchen, that would make meals that much easier to make yourself. Honestly, I think camping would just be a lot of work and uncomfortable...and no privacy whatsoever.

Good luck with saving and planning! I hope you all have a great time!