Thanks maxie!
Wow!

I am VERY impressed also! I too want to know how you managed only 1 night down and back from Manitoba! We are closer to Detroit border and it takes US 1 night down and back!
Also, the priceline rate per night was a steal! Disney couldn't match that!
And only $200 for meals? That's what I'd like to do, just CS, but my DH LOVES to eat at the TS for nicer meals and a glass of wine or two, which can REALLY add up!!!
We drive on a shift basis and we usually leave at 3 or 4 am in the morning on the first full day of driving. That time, we left after work on a Thursday night to beat a storm and had to stop alongside of the road at a rest stop to get off the icey roads at about 1 or 2 am somewhere in Minnesota so we used the restrooms and took a short nap - we then drove to Clarksville TN and spent the night and drove the remainder of the way the next day. On the way home, we took the Kansas City route (more southerly) and left Disney on a Friday afternoon. We drove until Saturday evening and stopped in Fargo ND.
We drive a lot for our business and we are both good at sleeping in the passenger seat and can spell each other off, so we're not typical drivers.
I think driving is a great way to go - we then have our own car instead of rentals and we can take our own GPS for navigation purposes.
The hotels through Priceline are great! I've learned that we should only bid 3 star hotels in the Orlando area though!
This January, my budget is as follows (for me and adult step-daughter) going from January 2nd to 9th:
Hotel: Priceline at REgal Sun Resort - $45/night + $15. resort fee X 7 nites=
$420.00
$78.00 for flights from Hamilton to Orlando (had a credit with West Jet)
$200.00 for step-daughter's flight back to Hamilton on Jan 9th
$155.00 for flight from Orlando to Winnipeg for me
$500.00 for tickets to Disney (pay for 3 days, get 3 free)
$400.00 for meals and souvenirs ($200.00 each)
$0.00 ticket to Universal for one day (Air Miles)
$0.00 ticket to Blue Man Group (Air Miles)
$100.00 extra night in Orlando for myself
$150.00 rental car through Alamo
$2003.00 is the total
I am going to try to stay at the Hyatt Airport because step-daughter leaves on Jan 9th and I leave on Jan 10 in the morning. I have to try this through a bidding strategy on priceline.

I love priceline!
My feeling is that this January I will upgrade my tickets to an Annual Pass and I'll get to go again in May to take my daughters (we'll be driving from Manitoba that time as weather will be better and they are seasoned travellers and my step-daughter isn't

).
Now, I'll get on my soapbox - I firmly believe that the Disney experience can be had by those of us on a true budget. It just takes research and the willingness to eat a few meals in the room. The magic of one character meal can make the week! The experience at Disney is the same - they treat each and every guest within the parks the same and you get to go on every attraction offered and see the parades and fireworks (unless it's a separate hard-ticket party). I firmly believe that that is the magic that Walt Disney wanted to create.
Even by researching and going at "off-season" staying on-site can be cheap - the boards here are so helpful and fridge swaps can be accessed.
For me, a Disney fanatic - the trip of a lifetime has become the opportunity to go to Disney 2 or 3 times a year!
