I have started pricing out a vacation to Disney World from Houston, Tx for 1 adult (me) and 2 kids (10 & 8 yrs). I spoke to their Dad and he is hesitant about the 3 of us driving down there alone and offered for us to use his air miles (which I hate using since they usually give you weird flying hours and w/kids, that isn't fun).
In my heart of hearts, I want to do the road trip for many reasons...1) the memories/experience for us as I've never taken a trip like this either 2) Love the idea of staying in Fort Wilderness for 7-9 days in our own PUP 3) Economical aspects 4) Having a car to do other excursions in the area (if we ever leave FW)
I've priced out paying for flights and staying at a cabin @ $299/night with a 6 day pass and 1 meal/1 snack a day plan for us at about $5200.
I was then thinking of flying down and doing FW by renting an RV in Orlando that will be about $300 a day plus $70 a day at FW. Renting a PUP will cost about $400 a week plus $60 a day.
Campsite with 6 days Park Hopper passes and 1 meal/1 snack Meal package will be about $2620.
Driving will be about 1800 miles and I'm estimating gas to be around $450-$500 one way. I fill up with $60 and get about 280 miles.
I do have AAA & Good Sams memberships, so I'll have road-side assistance and I should be able to get detailed directions and have a GPS (that doesn't work well in cloudy conditions )
I would plan to stay at a hotel overnight and wonder how to handle the PUP in the parking lot?
I can drive 65 mph easily and my TV handles the PUP very well.
So bringing the Pup will be approx. $3600 vs $5200 flying and staying at cabin for a savings of $1600. Of course, I would have to budget in other meals & expenses.
Does this sound like feasible thing to do? Or am I just dreaming? lol
* This post was
edited 07/01/08 11:10pm by funfoodie *
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I have been to WDW several times, and only camped once.It was a good experience, but it can be unbearable in the summer heat, and rains. (I went in Nov. and had great weather)
The best way to go is to stay onsite at a Disney hotel. You can fly in, and get a shuttle to and from WDW, and use Disney transportation. It cuts several days off your vacation length, saving you $100's. It also lets you devote as much time as possible to enjoying your time with the kids.
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I have been to WDW several times, and only camped once.It was a good experience, but it can be unbearable in the summer heat, and rains. (I went in Nov. and had great weather)
The best way to go is to stay onsite at a Disney hotel. You can fly in, and get a shuttle to and from WDW, and use Disney transportation. It cuts several days off your vacation length, saving you $100's. It also lets you devote as much time as possible to enjoying your time with the kids.
I fully agree, and I've done it many times. Spending a total of $370 per day to rent an RV once you get to FL is totally foolish. You can stay at the nicest resorts on Disney property for less than that, and at the All Star resorts for WAY less than that. Hope your trip pans out for you and you enjoy every minute of it!!
We thought about taking our TT last year in June when we went and we are so glad we didn't. When you call into disney ask if there is any discounts attached to your name. I have the Chase Disney Visa and I got a 40% discount on the Mod rooms. It allowed us to add the meal plan and stay at the Mod resort for less than the Lower resorts.
Get the meal plan, it is well worth it!
And Have fun.
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happyeaglesfan wrote: ...........Get the meal plan, it is well worth it!
And Have fun.
Agree, the meal plan is a must if you want to keep your cost down, but be aware it does not include all restaurants. For instance, the Rainforest Cafe is not on the list. We decided to go there one evening, thus we had meals (non-redeemable) left at the end of the trip. We were able to use the unused meals for other family member's meals that did not have the meal plan and were at Disney at the same time. It all worked out but just a "heads-up" on the meal restriction.
My wife and I are thinking of doing the same thing. Driving from NH to Florida for 2 weeks and stay at FW then stopping by hershey in PA on the way back. My wife wants to fly and stay in a hotel i want to stay in the pup. we will have ac by then and it would be in november or december when we go i would go during the summer. well good luck and above all have fun.
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I was there in March (peak spring break) stayed at the All Star resort in a family suite (2 adults, 10 yo and a 7 yo), 6 day PH passes all for about $4,000, including the dining plan. You should be able to knock of the DP and save 800 or so, and the Suite has a mini-kitchen - fridge and microwave.
Frankly I didn't think the DP was worth the expense. Initially I thought it would be worth it (and I wouldn't have to cook). It was recommended by a friend who was there last year. Since then the plan has changed and it doesn't include appetizers or tip (which they kindly add 18% for you).
There are other issues associated with it I hadn't considered. Specifically making reservations at many of the restaurants (which they begin taking 180 days out). So many times our first choices were booked. Then you have to carefully plan your itinerary according to your dining schedule, so you can't just fly by the seat of your pants. And if going during peak times, you can't just expect to walk into any dining plan restaurant and get a table. They only take so many walk-ins per day, and those go quick, and many times you have a 60-90 minute wait, on premises.
Also, 10 yo's order from the adult menu, no exceptions. Even if you paid for the adult dining plan, they won't let you order from the kids menu (which obviously they would make more profit from). My 10 yo didn't like 90% of the choices on the adult menus, and we stuck to restaurants that were "American food". 80% of the restaurants we chose were very nice, but I wouldn't pick the dining plan again.
And, if you do end up and camp, you can do some meals in your pup, saving even more money. By far, the favorite place the kids liked to eat, was the Trails End Cafe, at FW, followed by Whispering Canyon at Wilderness Lodge, and surprise surprise the Food court at All star. They aren't super picky, just regular kids, who like their pizza and mac and cheese and burgers. They like pasta, but please don't put fresh spinache and pine nuts in it and call it "American"....
Good luck with whatever you decide and safe travels.
Also for great tips, see www.allears.net and "The Mom's Panel" forum on the Disney website.
We are doing it. DD are so excited. It is an 18-20 hour drive for us. Looking forward to our wonderful family trip. We are staying at Fort Wilderness. Goodluck. BTW we too have CAA/AAA with RV Plus.
Take the oportunity and drive there i had disney vac for 12 years .Fort Wilderness is great and IMOHO Dont get the meal plan its a big ripoff,You can take any of the buses from the park and eat in diff places throughout the resort. The meal plan doesnt cover alot places or meals,Budget yourself when you get there . I Occassinaly venture outside FW had breakfast in town and was cheaper. Youll do ok you seem to have thought out well your needs. You only get a chance to bind with the kids now so enjoy it while you can.I have great memeories of traveling with kids and beleive me FW is one of the best, I would suggest trying to get some tickets to the Jamboree before you go .Its tough to get into it if you wait till you arrive. We always treserved tickets to places we wanted to go to eat as alot good ones require it. I hope you enjoy yourselves its a grewat time
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