Total cost of a WDW vacation gift?

[rabidstoat]

My mom and stepdad (in their late 50s, early 60s) enjoy WDW, and live in Orlando. They've gotten resident seasonal passes before. However, they have both been out of work for well over a year, and though they are doing okay with some savings and inheritance, money is tight.

When I was fishing around for bigger gift ideas than my mom had posted on her wish list at amazon, she mentioned the passes and how they used to enjoy them. What I really want to do, though, is give them not just the passes, but a short getaway vacation.

I am trying to estimate what a 4-day, 3-night vacation during 'value season' would cost. Here is what I come up with. Can you tell me if I am missing something major?

• Annual Passes -- $551.68 (Florida seasonal seems to be $275.84/person, though I don't know if that's with tax -- I'm assuming so given the odd cents)
• Hotel -- $615.38 (two weekday nights, one weekend, moderate resort, king bed -- PO was $179 and $189 a night, I added 12.5% tax, though hopefully I will get a discount -- I know about AP and GP and Florida resident)
• Dining Plan -- $251.94 ($41.99/night, and 3 nights each so 6 total, and it looks like tax is included here)
• Wine Add-on -- $119.97 ($39.99 x 3 nights)
• Spending Money -- $400 ($100 x 4 days)

The spending money is for tips, extra snacks, pet care while they're gone, souvenirs, and anything else I might have forgotten.

Does it look reasonable? Am I not forgetting anything big? I want it to be all-inclusive so that it is truly a free vacation for a few days, to get them away and in the Disney spirit, and then the passes will be there for the rest of the available weeks in the upcoming year.

 

[Verstehen]

Just make sure that the dates you reserve it for aren't blacked out by a seasonal pass. I know the seasonal pass blacks out a lot of weekends, but as long as you're sure, it should be good

 

[cbg1027]

Looks like the right figures to me.

But consider their eating habits - do they prefer TS meals?
It make more sense to buy them a TIW card ($75 for passholders) - that will give them a 20% discount on TS meals (and a few CS) AND alcohol for a year - so even when they go back to Disney your gift will keep on giving!

The rule to figuring out whether it is worth it buy a TIW card is if you're going to spend more than $375 on food and alcohol at participating restaurants for the year you have the card. What you're spending on the DDP and Wine Plan is a few dollars short of $375. So I would buy them the TIW and give them $300 towards food. But that's me, I'm not a DDP fan, doesn't save me any money with my eating habits.

As the PP mentioned, if you go with seasonal passes, check when the black out dates are (mid-June - mid-August, Easter week, and the 2 weeks around Xmas and New Year). See when they like to go because you could save a lot of money with the seasonal passes. That's what I have because I don't like going when it's super hot and crowded (June-August dates) or when it's super crowded (Easter and Xmas). So the seasonal pass works perfect for me.

 

[Jenna319]

Wow what a GREAT present!!!!

 

[Jaklackus]

The other issue with seasonal passes is the cost of parking...while staying on-site it's not an issue...but it could become an issue if they plan to visit outside of the vacation you are planning for them. My mom and her husband constantly complain about the cost of parking($14 currently) and they have put off visits because of it....once inside they will spend $100 on Disney themed planters, stepping stones, wind chimes, etc(are you reading this Disney???)...but that $14 is a real mental hurdle for them to get over...to them it is money wasted..thrown away...they usually will share a counter service meal because they can't get past the pricing of Disney food either.

 

[JulieGianni]

Yeah, looks like you got everything )

A person can always go crazy but i think you have enough covered for a really nice time---

What a GREAT gift )

 

[miceli20]

have them go early and park at downtown disney and catch a bus to a resort then from there to a park, it is a bit of travel but no parking fees