Which would you pick on a budget

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I wish I knew how to make a poll for this.

I'm hoping to take DS (will be 11) and his best friend (also 11) to US/IOA this summer, as both are huge Harry Potter fans. Leaving aside transportation and spending money for food and misc. down there, I'm hoping to spend about $1,050 on lodging/tickets. We would also like to spend one day at MK using the GAD promotion, and an evening at DTD and DisneyQuest (which DS says is his favorite "park").

Here are a couple of options I've found, all for about the same amount of money. I'm curious what other people would choose and why.

1) Stay in a condo at Windsor Hills for 6 nights, ($600 seems to be the lower quotes I'm getting) US/IOA tickets for each of us ($300), one day's admission to DisneyQuest ($120), and the GAD tickets. 5 days -- 4 for US/IOA (no FOTL), 1 for MK/DTD -- Total $1020

2) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the first two nights and the last night ($120) , and 3 nights at RPR (I'm hoping for $180 a day -- just a guess -- so $540) in the middle, -- 4 days for US/IOA w/FOTL, ($300 tickets) and 1 for MK/DTD ($120) -- Total $1080

3) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the whole time (8 nights at $40 -- $320), Tickets for US/IOA with no FOTL, ($300), Seaworld/Aquatica ($300), one day at MK/DTD ($120), plus GAD. I picture this likely as 2 mornings each US/IOA, 1 morning MK, 1 morning Seaworld, 1 morning DTD, many but not all afternoons spent at Aquatica. -- Total $1040

4) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the whole time (8 nights at $40 -- $320), Tickets for US/IOA with no FOTL ($300), GAD plus an extra 1 day ticket with "water parks and more". ($393). Probably we'd do 4 days at US/IOA and then 1 day each at MK, Epcot, a waterpark, and DTD/DQ. Total: $1013

5) Something else I'm not considering.

If it makes a difference, DS and I have been to WDW 3 times, DF once but he was too young to remember. None of us have been to Seaworld, Aquatica, US or IOA.

Also, we will have a car.

 

[Purseval]

I wish I knew how to make a poll for this.

I'm hoping to take DS (will be 11) and his best friend (also 11) to US/IOA this summer, as both are huge Harry Potter fans. Leaving aside transportation and spending money for food and misc. down there, I'm hoping to spend about $1,050 on lodging/tickets. We would also like to spend one day at MK using the GAD promotion, and an evening at DTD and DisneyQuest (which DS says is his favorite "park").

Here are a couple of options I've found, all for about the same amount of money. I'm curious what other people would choose and why.

1) Stay in a condo at Windsor Hills for 6 nights, ($600 seems to be the lower quotes I'm getting) US/IOA tickets for each of us ($300), one day's admission to DisneyQuest ($120), and the GAD tickets. 5 days -- 4 for US/IOA (no FOTL), 1 for MK/DTD -- Total $1020

Probably your worst option because of the long commute to Universal and back each day. There are lots of good Timeshare properties in the Universal/Seaworld area that would be closer and just as affordable.

2) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the first two nights and the last night ($120) , and 3 nights at RPR (I'm hoping for $180 a day -- just a guess -- so $540) in the middle, -- 4 days for US/IOA w/FOTL, ($300 tickets) and 1 for MK/DTD ($120) -- Total $1080

You can stay 1 day at RPR and get 2 days of FOTL, I don't see that as one of your alternatives. If your goal is FOTL every day cut 1 day off of RPR and add the cheap hotel instead.

3) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the whole time (8 nights at $40 -- $320), Tickets for US/IOA with no FOTL, ($300), Seaworld/Aquatica ($300), one day at MK/DTD ($120), plus GAD. I picture this likely as 2 mornings each US/IOA, 1 morning MK, 1 morning Seaworld, 1 morning DTD, many but not all afternoons spent at Aquatica. -- Total $1040

4) Stay someplace cheap from priceline the whole time (8 nights at $40 -- $320), Tickets for US/IOA with no FOTL ($300), GAD plus an extra 1 day ticket with "water parks and more". ($393). Probably we'd do 4 days at US/IOA and then 1 day each at MK, Epcot, a waterpark, and DTD/DQ. Total: $1013

In either one of these scenarios if you get to the parks about 45 minutes before opening time and hit the major rides first you will not need FOTL. If it turns out that a specific ride is too crowded on day one by the time you get to it, make that ride your first choice on day 2.

5) Something else I'm not considering.

Are you figuring in the $14/day for parking? If you stay at RPR I think it's $15. It won't cost you anything to park for DTD/Disneyquest

If it makes a difference, DS and I have been to WDW 3 times, DF once but he was too young to remember. None of us have been to Seaworld, Aquatica, US or IOA.

Also, we will have a car.

You'll have a blast whichever option you choose.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Probably your worst option because of the long commute to Universal and back each day. There are lots of good Timeshare properties in the Universal/Seaworld area that would be closer and just as affordable.

Tell me where! If you know any that have 1 bedrooms that would be even better! I'd love a kitchen and a really nice pool.

You can stay 1 day at RPR and get 2 days of FOTL, I don't see that as one of your alternatives. If your goal is FOTL every day cut 1 day off of RPR and add the cheap hotel instead.

Although I could get 2 days for 1 night, I don't think I could get 4 days for 2 nights, without doing alternating nights which is just too much moving for me. But maybe the first day we could go and "scope out" the parks, and then do 2 nights and 3 days. That's a good idea.

In either one of these scenarios if you get to the parks about 45 minutes before opening time and hit the major rides first you will not need FOTL. If it turns out that a specific ride is too crowded on day one by the time you get to it, make that ride your first choice on day 2.

How much of a difference does FOTL make? I guess that's what I'm having trouble figuring out.

Are you figuring in the $14/day for parking? If you stay at RPR I think it's $15. It won't cost you anything to park for DTD/Disneyquest

I'm figuring that into the budget elsewhere -- I think it's pretty consistent, that I'll spend about $14 a day if I'm driving to a park, or leaving the car parked at RPR. Having said that, I hadn't really thought about figuring this expense into decision to drive vs. fly. Maybe I should recalculate that decision.

You'll have a blast whichever option you choose.

Thanks!

 

[Purseval]

Tell me where! If you know any that have 1 bedrooms that would be even better! I'd love a kitchen and a really nice pool.

Ask this question in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions section, tell them you are looking for some place between Lake Buena Vista and Universal studios. When you narrow down a list of choices we can help you look for rental prices, plus you will get lots of suggestions from the other DIS users.

Although I could get 2 days for 1 night, I don't think I could get 4 days for 2 nights, without doing alternating nights which is just too much moving for me. But maybe the first day we could go and "scope out" the parks, and then do 2 nights and 3 days. That's a good idea.

You couldn't get 4 days for 2 nights but you can get 3 days for 2 nights, that would still save you $140 going by your budget

How much of a difference does FOTL make? I guess that's what I'm having trouble figuring out.

Personally I would never pay for an express pass. I'm a believer in getting there early and knowing exactly what I want to do in advance so I'm riding while others are muddling their way around.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

One more option -- I need to really sit and do the math on this, but I think that when I figure back in all the other issues, like food, and parking etc . . . , it might be the same amount.

Day #1
Fly into Orland midday (big difference in price if we go midday vs. morning) on a MK evening EMH day.
Check into POP or an All stars,
Attend MK EMH, stay very late
Sleep at POP/AS

Day #2
Sleep really late, spend afternoon/evening at DTD/DQ
Sleep at POP/AS

Day #3
Wake up early, check out, taxi to RPR, check in
Spend day at US/IOA with FOTL
Sleep at RPR

Day #4
US/IOA with FOTL
Sleep at RPR

Day #5
US/IOA with FOTL
Fly home midday

Hotel -- 2 nights at $130 (estimate), 2 nights at ($180) Total:
Tickets -- DQ $120, US/IOA $300

Total: $1040.

Or, forget Disney and fly down and spend 4 nights straight at RPR, with 5 full days there.

That would be:

Hotel $180 x 4 = $720
Tickets: $300

Total -- $1020.

Note: I'm making up the RPR price because the Super Savers aren't out yet. If I'm off wildly, I hope someone will tell me.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Personally I would never pay for an express pass. I'm a believer in getting there early and knowing exactly what I want to do in advance so I'm riding while others are muddling their way around.

If we were at WDW I'd probably agree with this, but with kids who have never been somewhere, it's hard for them to know what they want to ride until they see it. At least that's been my experience with my child. On our last trip to WDW we ended up as one of a handful of people who stayed until the end of MNSSHP in the rain. With a whole park to choose from -- what did he choose to do? Ride Splash Mountain 10 times in a row, and then spend another 10 rides on the flying carpet thing perfecting his ability to put me right in front of the camel's spit. I never would have predicted that in a million years.

 

[keishashadow]

im accustomed to doing split stays in FLA, especially WDW/U, so my suggestions are in that vein.

*cannot beat onsite FOTL perc, Royal Pacific usually the cheapest & they tend to offer promos (AAA, buy X number of nights/get X number free, supersavers, etc.); why not do last 2 or 3 nights there to allow for 3 or 4 days FOTL.

*Combine above with either value resort (again, look for promos - maybe free DP) or offsite, the bestwestern near AK gets consistently good reviews in area of $60 a night last i checked. Many peeps also try to rent less expensive weekday accommodations from DVC member (OKW or AK standard studio)

*Sheraton Vistana (newer cascade section) TS, is lovely & very close to WDW & not too far of drive to U (approx 20 min?)

*many have mentioned scoring the Sheraton near Universal @ good price (can't remember what it's called, it's circular bldg), you'd need to use hotwire vs priceline (as they only guarantee bedding for 2 guests)

I'd probably pick using ME, value for 2 night to use ur free tix, could work in DTD wjem @ wDW; then catch a cab to RPR for 3 nights, getting 4 full days in the parks

 

[Worfiedoodles]

If we were at WDW I'd probably agree with this, but with kids who have never been somewhere, it's hard for them to know what they want to ride until they see it. At least that's been my experience with my child. On our last trip to WDW we ended up as one of a handful of people who stayed until the end of MNSSHP in the rain. With a whole park to choose from -- what did he choose to do? Ride Splash Mountain 10 times in a row, and then spend another 10 rides on the flying carpet thing perfecting his ability to put me right in front of the camel's spit. I never would have predicted that in a million years.

As someone who took her ds11 to Universal over Thanksgiving and rode The Simpsons 8 times in one day I understand your view.

I would pick option #2, we did Aquatica this summer, and ds was bored. He thought Wet 'n Wild had much better rides. Sea World is a nice break, but we skipped it this time. FOTL is a great perk, and essential if you are going to do the same ride over and over, trust me.

The boys will enjoy RPR, and since pool hopping is encouraged, you could always to to HRH or PBH for those slides. RPR is a very quick boat ride or walk to the parks and Citywalk, it's good for antsy tweens.

Let me know if you have any questions...

Maria

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Another question -- I'm basically making up these prices. I read that someone got $200 a night for RPR and someone else told them it would come down with "Super Saver" so I picked $180 as my RPR price. I got the $130 price for POP century from Expedia.

Any thoughts on whether I can get better prices than these? How?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

If you stay 4 or more nights, you will probably be able to get the "Super Saver" rate. You can also usually save 10% or more by asking for the AAA rate. You can also save some with the APH (Annual Pass Holder) rate. $130 sounds high for POP to me. I think under $100 is more realistic -- of course that doesn't count the taxes which will be added on to rates at all hotels...

You can check the Date and Rate 2010 thread for what people are currently getting with various discounts...You can check the 2009 thread to get a sense of what they have been in the past, since the best rates for summer are not out yet.

Maria

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my kids last April vacation and we stayed the week at the Hard Rock and spent one day at WDW (and that was for me, they could have cared less about going to WDW).

If you've never been to US/IOA I would plan to just stay at the RPR for the entire time and do those parks. There's really a lot to see/do. I would spend some time each day in the parks and then have time to hang out and relax at the pool. I would spend at least part of one day at the pool at the Hard Rock. My kids loved it!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

DS spoke to DF and I spoke to DF's mother and it's pretty clear that he's really focused on WDW. Also neither boy seems to care about Seaworld/Aquatica. It also turns out that DF has one day left on a non expiring ticket from a vacation when he was 3.

So, this tips me back towards the POP/RPR plan.

DS thinks we should do the following:

Day 1: fly down afternoon, evening, EMH at MK. Dinner at Crystal Palace
Day 2: sleep in, afternoon at a waterpark
Day 3: Morning at Epcot, breakfast at Cape May, afternoon/evening at DTD/DQ
Day 4: US/IOA
Day 5: US/IOA

Depending on budget, either fly home the evening of day 5, or spend one more day/night at US and then fly home the evening of day 6.

How does that sound?