UPDATE in post 20. I am snowbound and need to plan a Disney trip - Cheap!

[punkin]

We had no power in the house for over 24 hours. We froze our tushies off and I need a vacation. Now I have no money budgeted for this (of course) because I was planning a big trip in the summer (not to Disney), but right now I just can't wait that long. So, if I skim some money from the summer trip, I thought I could fit another trip in.

I was thinking of going during spring break (the most expensive time). I will not be able to stay onsite. I have 5 days left over on my park hoppers so I have no ticket costs. I will drive down in one day so no hotel costs on the way down (I might need a hotel on the way back because we usually get more tired coming back after vacation). We never buy souvies anymore so no expense there.

Do you think it can be done with food, gas, parking and lodging (for 5) for under $1000? Could you plan it so last minute and at an expensive time of year for that amount of money?

 

[HeatherC]

Go for it!!

I was going to suggest checking out the rates at the Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista. There is a bunch of threads on their cheap rates on the Orlando board. They were offering rates of like $29, 39 and $49 a night and the hotel has just all been renovated. So that could be an option.

Keep checking travelzoo.com also for really low hotel rates.

I think you can do it since you have passes and are driving.

Also...sign up for a bunch of different restaurant email letters. I did for Sweet Tomatoes and every week they send me coupons. I have a bunch of bogo free coupons for there as well as Longhorn, Lonestar, etc..

Also...do you have any reward points you can redeem for restaurant or other gift cards? I just did this (we are going tomorrow) and have over $400 in gift cards alone. That should take care of a lot of our food.

Since you have to eat anyway, just use that weeks food budget and bring a bunch of stuff to save more. (Granola bars, cereal, peanut butter, etc..)

If you can pay $120 a night, you may be able to get a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek through vacationupgrades if they have availability. That includes all the taxes. It is next door to the CBR.

Hope this helps and that you will soon be in Florida!!!

 

[Planogirl]

Check Expedia too. You never know what you might find.

I think it's doable just watch that food budget!

 

[disneemama]

I say go for it! Since you are driving and can bring so many things with you, should be great. I am so close to booking, need a break from this weather. The only thing stopping me is the airfares so high right now.

 

[rdevine10]

what are your dates? Im willing to bet it can bed done! Travelzoo is great! Check out the orlando hotels and attactions board.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

First, hugs over the no-power thing. We had a horrible ice storm Dec 2008 and lost power for 5 days, house went down to 40 degrees so I feel your pain. My parents were lucky and got their power back on after two days... one hour after powering-up a brand new generator. Schools were closed for 2 weeks then it was Christmas break. Hope you get it back soon!

I second checking Travelzoo everyday. I needed 2 rooms for 2 nights before our timeshare, was able to get Comfort Inn LBV for $29 a night (directly though hotel, not BookIt.com). I also saw on the Comfort Inn website they have some new family suites.

 

[punkin]

Yeah, the kids are home for 2 days and they are expecting more snow on Tuesday night. I am actually glad I haven't booked our summer trip yet because it looks like the kids will be in school extra days because they ran out of snow days this year.

My dates are somewhat flexible but the kids' spring break is 3/27 to 4/7. I would like to do maybe April 1-6. I don't need a whole week, just some warmth (and some Disney).

 

[rdevine10]

Hi,


I looked really quick and found:

Doubletree Castle Hotel via travelzoo for april 1 to 6 in a 2queen room for a total of $275.63

Comfort Inn Lake Beauna Vista

2 DB room is $230.84 for the same dates total

You can also check out vrbo.com and rent direct from an owner. good luck!

 

[irisesareblue]

How about getting a room with microwave and fridge and if you can, bring a hot pot along? That'll save tons in food costs - we did this in January (without the microwave) and saved tons of money on eating out.

You don't say how old your kids are, but I'm assuming small? If so and you only need one room, you can get a room at the Super 8 in Kissimmee (I think it's Eastgate at 5875 W Irlo Bronnson) for about $50.00 per night. They are rated pretty high in the Trip Advisor ratings as well and are supposed to be very clean (although the pool is out in the middle of the parking lot!). Not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination but they apparently offer a continental breakfast which might save a bit of money.

Another thing you can do is bring a lunch into the parks now - Disney doesn't mind if you do this.

Have a great time!

 

[punkin]

No the kids are not so small. We are talking 17, 11 and 11. I will need two rooms or a condo of some sort. Last time we went on Amex points to a Hilton timeshare place. That was great. Unfortunately, I don't have that many points accumulated at this point or I would do that again.

I checked VRBO and there is (surprisingly) a lot of availability for that week. I will get DH to call and try to negotiate.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

bookit.com has Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista for $39.00 a night

 

[runwad]

Heck ya it can be done...we are a family of 5 drive down from OH and our spring break is the first week of April. We never spend more then 1k. We have our tickets already too plus I bring along a cooler of food. I wish I could plan a trip but all our extra money went into our kid's mouths (ortho) and we just got a new furnace on Friday as our other died :-(

 

[punkin]

OK, DH is now on board and said he would call this week for pricing. I will let you know.

 

[mrsklamc]

If you go to windsorhillsrent.com you can make an inquiry to the various homeowners and just go with the cheapest offer!

 

[punkin]

If you go to windsorhillsrent.com you can make an inquiry to the various homeowners and just go with the cheapest offer!

I just took a look at the website, but none of the 2BR condos listed has any availability during spring break.

 

[runwad]

punkin i used alpharooms dot com and put in your dates and 3 children and came up with a lot to choose from. We used alpharooms for our trip this past summer. They're a company from England...I got it from the Orlando Boards plus went on the UK boards and got some more reasurance from those people. We stayed at Cypress Pointe Resort. We've stayed there previously so knew what we were getting. I guess I'd equate this site to a hotelkingdom but with lower prices. Just thought i'd throw that out there for you

 

[punkin]

Thanks, runwad. I will check that out too.

 

[gillenkl]

. Now I have no money budgeted for this

I say plan the trip if you can pay for it before you go by skimming off your other trip - otherwise I can't see going into debt for a trip. With the great advice from others on here, hopefully you'll be able to do this.

 

[punkin]

I say plan the trip if you can pay for it before you go by skimming off your other trip - otherwise I can't see going into debt for a trip. With the great advice from others on here, hopefully you'll be able to do this.

It is not a question of taking on debt, believe me.

 

[punkin]

Just wanted to update...I found the money. We always get our taxes pretty close to what we owe so we never get a refund. This year we had our windows redone (budgeted for) and will be getting a $1500 credit. I am still going to try to come in near $1000 for Hotels and gas, but boy does this free us up a bit. We are now definitely going to do this trip.