Teresa's DW Vacation Quest

[rotlex]

11 days for $1,800? That is really good, but for how many people?

Remember Teresa has five people, that makes a big difference, if she had to go with a Moderate, she would have to get 2 rooms. And the free dining you got also makes a huge difference. Right now, Teresa has to include food, she has no way of knowing if free dining will be offered yet. I don't remember when free dining usually gets announced or if Teresa is on any kind of deadline to book her trip?

I have to admit though, I did wonder why she was having such a hard time when she was pricing things out and she thought she wouldn't need tickets.
$2,500 just for room and food to me would be way easy. With tickets though, I think the challenge is hard enough.

Mmm, yeah, we had 3 adults, 1 child at the time. However, even at that, we were talking 10 nights, not 5, that she is working with. I still think she can do it, pretty easily!

Heck, one of the things she needs to do, and I would assume is, is be spending time putting packages together on the Disney web site, while logged in. In thinking about planning a spring trip this year, in addition to our fall trip, I've done that maybe 4 times. I know I may be getting REALLY lucky, but each and every time, 3-4 days later, I have gotten one of the 20-40% off pin codes in my e-mail. Yeah, I REALLY want to use one of those, but already have free dining in for our August trip. (From a bounce back last year).

Anyway, be interesting to see what she comes up with, and fun to read along here.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Steve- I'm curious, when did you do your Pop and CSR trips? Value Season? Regular? Did you take kids out of school? If Teresa is determined to book the trip when the kids are out of school that is going to make it harder too. Like Kevin said "Cha-ching!" I'm always amazed when I price a school's in trip versus a school's out trip.

 

[denise]

Theresa,

What about renting Kevin and John's timeshare? They even throw in a pass to Costco I think? It would have a kitchen....just an idea....

 

[rotlex]

Steve- I'm curious, when did you do your Pop and CSR trips? Value Season? Regular? Did you take kids out of school? If Teresa is determined to book the trip when the kids are out of school that is going to make it harder too. Like Kevin said "Cha-ching!" I'm always amazed when I price a school's in trip versus a school's out trip.

We did CSR in early June, right after our kids were out of school. Granted, for CSR, the mod, we DID take advantage of the first 4/3 deals that were offered, and stretched it out to 10 days. Still, it was a heck of a deal for that length of time. (I actually forgot about the 4/3 on that trip until posting this).

FOr POP, we went late August, during free dining. We live in PA, so our kids don't go back to school until Labor Day, so again, I think being able to go those last few weeks of August are a bit of a help too. Room rates are down a bit, and the free dining always helps!

I figure if someone such as myself can do this fairly cheaply, someone like Teresa, with so much inside info , oughta be able to do it for sure!

 

[WaltD4Me]

We did CSR in early June, right after our kids were out of school. Granted, for CSR, the mod, we DID take advantage of the first 4/3 deals that were offered, and stretched it out to 10 days. Still, it was a heck of a deal for that length of time. (I actually forgot about the 4/3 on that trip until posting this).

FOr POP, we went late August, during free dining. We live in PA, so our kids don't go back to school until Labor Day, so again, I think being able to go those last few weeks of August are a bit of a help too. Room rates are down a bit, and the free dining always helps!

I figure if someone such as myself can do this fairly cheaply, someone like Teresa, with so much inside info , oughta be able to do it for sure!

Thanks for the info, I was really curious.

IMHO, for Teresa to do this with $2,500 when Grace and Stella are out of school, she is going to need to book the trip sometime when the the whole country is not also out of school. I don't know how Florida schools go, but if they get out of school earlier than most schools or go back later than most schools, like your kids do in PA, those would be the best times to book. Either early summer or late. I have found these times are usually when you see the best deals for people who don't want to take their kids out of school. Of course there are alot more deals coming out recently that last longer, but traditionally I have found those are good times for deals/better prices.

 

[mrzrich]

August, right before school starts will come out cheaper than June. If free dining is offered she'll be fine. The real challange is saving even more so that there's money for her to keep.


If Stella's willing to sleep on the small trundle at POR, and she could figure out how to not make it weird Max and Grace. (Kelvin could sleep with Max perhaps?, Teresa with Grace?)

If she wants more room for them she'll have to spend more. ASMu family suite, FW Cabin or 2 value rooms. I have in the past priced them out, it really depends on your dates and what the current promotional code is out. Sometimes they'll be a really great code on the values, other times the cabins come out cheaper.

 

[jeanigor]

Theresa,

What about renting Kevin and John's timeshare? They even throw in a pass to Costco I think? It would have a kitchen....just an idea....

I stayed at a Dreams Villa earlier this month. It was fab. But I think part of the challenge was to stay on property. It does add some magic.

August, right before school starts will come out cheaper than June. If free dining is offered she'll be fine. The real challange is saving even more so that there's money for her to keep.


If Stella's willing to sleep on the small trundle at POR, and she could figure out how to not make it weird Max and Grace. (Kelvin could sleep with Max perhaps?, Teresa with Grace?)

If she wants more room for them she'll have to spend more. ASMu family suite, FW Cabin or 2 value rooms. I have in the past priced them out, it really depends on your dates and what the current promotional code is out. Sometimes they'll be a really great code on the values, other times the cabins come out cheaper.

Heck with that. Stick Max on the trundle. Grace and Stella can share.

 

[mrzrich]

Just priced the two standard rooms at POP with 6 day base tickets and no dining. Aug 15-20. Comes out to $2127.30, rack rate. If they offer free dining for this period, you'll be golden.

I think that since Teresa has AP's she her package tickets should be donated to GKTW

 

[ms*mountaineer]

I think the challenge with tickets is hard enough - but absolutely do-able. Especially if you can get a free dining period. And there can be other deals to get a room less than rack-rate - so it may just come down to how well do you want to eat while you're there. I agree that having to find a room for 5 people is probably the most limiting factor.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, Teresa!

 

[Kimberle]

Are Teresa & her family actually "going" on this vacation, or is she just planning? You can plan the "perfect" vacation, pick you meals from the menu's etc to figure out the cost. BUT, when you are actually there, you find the kids want more food, this works, this doesn't work, etc.....

 

[WaltD4Me]

Heck with that. Stick Max on the trundle. Grace and Stella can share.

Oh my gosh, no way Max could sleep on the trundle, that aren't that big and he seems pretty tall. Poor guy wouldn't get any sleep. Those trundle rooms at POR are really geared for 2 adults and 3 younger kids, Teresa and her gang would be pretty smushed.

 

[newmouse2008]

Are Teresa & her family actually "going" on this vacation, or is she just planning? You can plan the "perfect" vacation, pick you meals from the menu's etc to figure out the cost. BUT, when you are actually there, you find the kids want more food, this works, this doesn't work, etc.....

Yes we are actually going on the trip

 

[WaltD4Me]

Yes we are actually going on the trip

Oh! Cool! Didn't realize you were really going!

So does that $2,500 have to cover EVERYTHING, Tips? Souvenirs? Mickey bars? Do you have to just show up with whatever money you have left after room and tickets and use only that?

 

[jeanigor]

Oh my gosh, no way Max could sleep on the trundle, that aren't that big and he seems pretty tall. Poor guy wouldn't get any sleep. Those trundle rooms at POR are really geared for 2 adults and 3 younger kids, Teresa and her gang would be pretty smushed.

Princess Stella and Princess Grace shouldn't be stowed away on the trundle then.

Squire Max can do it.

 

[Kimberle]

Yes we are actually going on the trip

Very cool!

 

[Shasta]

I thought resorts didn't limit capacity at four and would allow for an addition adult for an extra $10. One room with Max (sorry max) sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag with air mattress is tight but better than having to pay for two rooms. I know it would be tight but the average family spends very little time in the rooms since they don't have access to the parks as often as you would.

 

[mrzrich]

I thought resorts didn't limit capacity at four and would allow for an addition adult for an extra $10. One room with Max (sorry max) sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag with air mattress is tight but better than having to pay for two rooms. I know it would be tight but the average family spends very little time in the rooms since they don't have access to the parks as often as you would.

Values and most Mod rooms are limited to a capicity of four, whether he's 4 or 40, and even if Max would sleep on the floor or in the bathtub. It has to do with more than just bedding, fire codes also come into play.

 

[mainegal]

Perfect idea - a spreadsheet - don't forget to use multi-colored markers

Don't forget the glitter! (oops! I replied before reading that Todd already threw in the glitter suggestion)


I really look forward to hearing the trip planning progress.

 

[Shasta]

Values and most Mod rooms are limited to a capicity of four, even if Max would sleep on the floor or in the bathtub. It has to do with more than just bedding, fire codes also come into play.

Understood. I had remembered reading that on another site. It still shows it as accurate information but I will certainly take your word for it. I know that the rules often change and they may not have updated. Thanks!

http://allears.net/acc/faq_asm.htm

 

[hockeymomNS]

Wow, on one of our trips the flights alone were $2400.