Marionnette
Children see magic because they look for it
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 19,509
I just returned last night from a 3-night/4-day trip to Disney. We had awesome weather and the crowds were not too bad. MK was the worst just about each day. We got to see our nephew's band march in the afternoon parade and enjoyed the Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT. Since it was a spur of the moment trip, I wanted to keep costs down. Here's a run down of what I spent. I prorated the OOP cost for my DVC stay and the PAP I have.
Airport Parking - I purchased a deal on Living Social for $23. It covered up to 3 days of parking in a remote lot and they washed my car before my return. Since it was actually 4 days of parking, they tacked on an additional $6.80 for the extra day. I also tipped the shuttle drivers $3 each way. Total cost = $35.80.
Flight - I had gotten an AirTran credit card last year. They offered 2 free RT flights in exchange for signing up. It actually turned out to be 4 one-way flights. I transferred them to Southwest later in the year and canceled the card before its anniversary in order to avoid the annual fee. I used 2 of those one-way flights last fall and used the other 2 for this trip. You still have to pay the 9/11 fees with cash, even when you book using points. I also tipped the baggage check-in for both directions. SWA lost my bag anyway. Total cost = $11
Ground Transportation in Orlando - I decided to forgo a rental car and we stuck with DME and the bus system. I regretted that decision more than once. We waited to get on DME and waited even longer before pushing back from the parking spot. The resort bus system wasn't much better. Total Cost = A lot of lost time but $0.
Accommodations - I took advantage of the Expedia.uk deal and booked a one-night stay at ASSp. I got a standard room but I requested the Touchdown section, which I was lucky enough to get. I have now stayed at all 3 AllStar resorts and while none of them are on my "must do again" list, I liked ASSp better than the other two. Cost = $89.91
In the morning, we took our luggage to the baggage services and had them transferred to OKW. Cost of tip = $5.
We then stayed for 2 nights at OKW in a studio, using my DVC points. Based on what I paid for my contracts, the life of the contracts, the annual dues/point for this year and the number of nights that we stayed, I figured that the cost was $160 for the two nights. Bell services delivered our bags to our room after we checked in. Cost of tip = $5.
Total cost of accommodations = $259.91
Tickets - I had a PAP voucher that I purchased using the DVC discount in Dec. 2012, which I had redeemed in Sept. 2013. It won't expire until Sept. of this year and I have another trip of 5 days planned for early summer. Based on what I paid and the total number of days that I will have used it, I will have ended up paying $23.61/day for my pass. Cost for this trip = $70.83 for 3 days of park admission.
Food - My brother and I didn't keep track of who paid for what. We kind of just go with the flow. I paid for a couple of TS meals (because I have TiW) and he paid for a lot of the snacks and breakfast at Olivia's. We used Disney GCs that I had purchased with my Target REDCard and Pharma5 discount to pay for the food and souvenirs unless otherwise noted.
At Yak & Yeti, I used my Landry's Select card and was surprised to learn that even though my account didn't show it online, there were 2 $25 birthday credits in my account! I used a $25 GC from Mypoints to cover the rest and we left a $15 tip. Total OOP cost = $15 in cash.
Breakfast was in the room at ASSp, but I did run over to the new food court to grab a couple of coffees since there is no coffee maker in the value resort rooms. Cost = $5.12
We had an early Be Our Guest lunch Fastpass. My brother got the braised pork with a Coke and I got the quiche with bottled water. Total cost = $29.63.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped at Aloha Isle and grabbed a couple of Pineapple Floats. We also asked for a water and the CM gave us a cup of ice water instead of a bottle of Dasani. Total Cost = $10.63
We hopped over to HS for the evening and had a late dinner at 50's Prime Time. We split the Fried Herb Cheese appetizer. My brother got the Meatloaf and a seasonal ale. I got the Fried Chicken and a Patron Margarita. The fried chicken serving is very generous and I gave half of it to my brother. No dessert. Total after TiW discount and 18% gratuity was $62.16.
After checking into OKW, we popped in the General Store and grabbed a couple of Dasanis and a Coke. Total cost with DVC discount = $9.47.
Once again, breakfast was in the room but at least this time I had the use of a microwave and coffee maker. I had brought Special K Nourish cups and coffee samples from Gevalia and Seattle's Best. Total Cost = $1.50.
We decided to do EPCOT on our second day and my brother (who works for Siemens) showed me the Base 21 lounge that his company has inside Spaceship Earth. Free beverages and that was a blessing because I was chilly since I'd forgotten to grab a jacket before heading out the door. Thank goodness for that espresso! Cost for a second cup of coffee = $0.
The Flower & Garden Festival has a number of food kiosks located around the World Showcase. We decided that eating our way around it would be a good idea instead of doing a CS meal or TS for lunch. So we started in Marrakesh with a Baghrir for $3, followed by Hanami with Frushi and Hanami Sushi for $4.50 & $5.50 respectively.
Next up was the Smokehouse BBQ and Brews where we grabbed a pulled pork slider ($5.75) and the beef brisket ($6.75), washing it down with a Magic Hat and Fat Tire brew ($3.75 each).
After that, we hit Primavera Kitchen where we shared a Torta di Ricotta for $5.
At Florida Fresh, we split the Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits for $5.75. Definitely a must-get if you like seafood! The shrimp was a little spicey, but the grits were the perfect complement to it.
Our will to even complete half the World Showcase was beginning to waiver and we still had a few more places to stop. At Lotus House, we got the Candied Strawberries ($4.25) and then gave up after purchasing a Franbuesa Margarita at Jardins de Fiestas ($8.50).
Total Cost for our afternoon of grazing = $56.50, but we had a lot of fun!
We scooted over to the MK to catch the parade and see our nephew march with his high school band. Afterward, we met up with him and took him to dinner. Unfortunately, all of the TS locations were booked, so we ended up at Columbia Harbour House where he ordered the Chicken Tenders and fries with a lemonade, I had the Lighthouse with a Diet Coke and my brother ordered the Anchors Aweigh with a Coke. Total bill = $37.43
We ended the evening with a couple of Dole Whip Floats. Once again, we asked for water as well and once again we were given a cup of ice water instead of a bottle of Dasani. Total Cost = $10.63.
Breakfast on checkout day was at Olivia's where we both had coffee and juice. I ordered the Eggs Florentine and my brother chose the Eggs w/Biscuits and Gravy. I used my TIW but he picked up the check. I know that he threw down 2 $20's and left the change. Total cost of breakfast for 2 = $40.
Total Spending on Food & Beverages = $212.10 using GCs (so OOP = $191.42) and $55 in cash for a total OOP cost for 2 people = $246.53; my share = $123.26 for 3 days.
Souvenirs - I only bought one thing - a t-shirt for my husband. Total cost was $31.90, which was paid for using a Disney GC. Actual OOP cost = $28.79.
Adding it all up, the total for 1 person for 4 days/3 nights at Disney ended up costing me $529.59.
Airport Parking - I purchased a deal on Living Social for $23. It covered up to 3 days of parking in a remote lot and they washed my car before my return. Since it was actually 4 days of parking, they tacked on an additional $6.80 for the extra day. I also tipped the shuttle drivers $3 each way. Total cost = $35.80.
Flight - I had gotten an AirTran credit card last year. They offered 2 free RT flights in exchange for signing up. It actually turned out to be 4 one-way flights. I transferred them to Southwest later in the year and canceled the card before its anniversary in order to avoid the annual fee. I used 2 of those one-way flights last fall and used the other 2 for this trip. You still have to pay the 9/11 fees with cash, even when you book using points. I also tipped the baggage check-in for both directions. SWA lost my bag anyway. Total cost = $11
Ground Transportation in Orlando - I decided to forgo a rental car and we stuck with DME and the bus system. I regretted that decision more than once. We waited to get on DME and waited even longer before pushing back from the parking spot. The resort bus system wasn't much better. Total Cost = A lot of lost time but $0.
Accommodations - I took advantage of the Expedia.uk deal and booked a one-night stay at ASSp. I got a standard room but I requested the Touchdown section, which I was lucky enough to get. I have now stayed at all 3 AllStar resorts and while none of them are on my "must do again" list, I liked ASSp better than the other two. Cost = $89.91
In the morning, we took our luggage to the baggage services and had them transferred to OKW. Cost of tip = $5.
We then stayed for 2 nights at OKW in a studio, using my DVC points. Based on what I paid for my contracts, the life of the contracts, the annual dues/point for this year and the number of nights that we stayed, I figured that the cost was $160 for the two nights. Bell services delivered our bags to our room after we checked in. Cost of tip = $5.
Total cost of accommodations = $259.91
Tickets - I had a PAP voucher that I purchased using the DVC discount in Dec. 2012, which I had redeemed in Sept. 2013. It won't expire until Sept. of this year and I have another trip of 5 days planned for early summer. Based on what I paid and the total number of days that I will have used it, I will have ended up paying $23.61/day for my pass. Cost for this trip = $70.83 for 3 days of park admission.
Food - My brother and I didn't keep track of who paid for what. We kind of just go with the flow. I paid for a couple of TS meals (because I have TiW) and he paid for a lot of the snacks and breakfast at Olivia's. We used Disney GCs that I had purchased with my Target REDCard and Pharma5 discount to pay for the food and souvenirs unless otherwise noted.
At Yak & Yeti, I used my Landry's Select card and was surprised to learn that even though my account didn't show it online, there were 2 $25 birthday credits in my account! I used a $25 GC from Mypoints to cover the rest and we left a $15 tip. Total OOP cost = $15 in cash.
Breakfast was in the room at ASSp, but I did run over to the new food court to grab a couple of coffees since there is no coffee maker in the value resort rooms. Cost = $5.12
We had an early Be Our Guest lunch Fastpass. My brother got the braised pork with a Coke and I got the quiche with bottled water. Total cost = $29.63.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped at Aloha Isle and grabbed a couple of Pineapple Floats. We also asked for a water and the CM gave us a cup of ice water instead of a bottle of Dasani. Total Cost = $10.63
We hopped over to HS for the evening and had a late dinner at 50's Prime Time. We split the Fried Herb Cheese appetizer. My brother got the Meatloaf and a seasonal ale. I got the Fried Chicken and a Patron Margarita. The fried chicken serving is very generous and I gave half of it to my brother. No dessert. Total after TiW discount and 18% gratuity was $62.16.
After checking into OKW, we popped in the General Store and grabbed a couple of Dasanis and a Coke. Total cost with DVC discount = $9.47.
Once again, breakfast was in the room but at least this time I had the use of a microwave and coffee maker. I had brought Special K Nourish cups and coffee samples from Gevalia and Seattle's Best. Total Cost = $1.50.
We decided to do EPCOT on our second day and my brother (who works for Siemens) showed me the Base 21 lounge that his company has inside Spaceship Earth. Free beverages and that was a blessing because I was chilly since I'd forgotten to grab a jacket before heading out the door. Thank goodness for that espresso! Cost for a second cup of coffee = $0.
The Flower & Garden Festival has a number of food kiosks located around the World Showcase. We decided that eating our way around it would be a good idea instead of doing a CS meal or TS for lunch. So we started in Marrakesh with a Baghrir for $3, followed by Hanami with Frushi and Hanami Sushi for $4.50 & $5.50 respectively.
Next up was the Smokehouse BBQ and Brews where we grabbed a pulled pork slider ($5.75) and the beef brisket ($6.75), washing it down with a Magic Hat and Fat Tire brew ($3.75 each).
After that, we hit Primavera Kitchen where we shared a Torta di Ricotta for $5.
At Florida Fresh, we split the Shrimp and Stone-ground Grits for $5.75. Definitely a must-get if you like seafood! The shrimp was a little spicey, but the grits were the perfect complement to it.
Our will to even complete half the World Showcase was beginning to waiver and we still had a few more places to stop. At Lotus House, we got the Candied Strawberries ($4.25) and then gave up after purchasing a Franbuesa Margarita at Jardins de Fiestas ($8.50).
Total Cost for our afternoon of grazing = $56.50, but we had a lot of fun!
We scooted over to the MK to catch the parade and see our nephew march with his high school band. Afterward, we met up with him and took him to dinner. Unfortunately, all of the TS locations were booked, so we ended up at Columbia Harbour House where he ordered the Chicken Tenders and fries with a lemonade, I had the Lighthouse with a Diet Coke and my brother ordered the Anchors Aweigh with a Coke. Total bill = $37.43
We ended the evening with a couple of Dole Whip Floats. Once again, we asked for water as well and once again we were given a cup of ice water instead of a bottle of Dasani. Total Cost = $10.63.
Breakfast on checkout day was at Olivia's where we both had coffee and juice. I ordered the Eggs Florentine and my brother chose the Eggs w/Biscuits and Gravy. I used my TIW but he picked up the check. I know that he threw down 2 $20's and left the change. Total cost of breakfast for 2 = $40.
Total Spending on Food & Beverages = $212.10 using GCs (so OOP = $191.42) and $55 in cash for a total OOP cost for 2 people = $246.53; my share = $123.26 for 3 days.
Souvenirs - I only bought one thing - a t-shirt for my husband. Total cost was $31.90, which was paid for using a Disney GC. Actual OOP cost = $28.79.
Adding it all up, the total for 1 person for 4 days/3 nights at Disney ended up costing me $529.59.
