What will it be for trip #3? (August 5-14, 2012) - Page 9 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Have to ask.............what is the YES program???
Also..........this year will be DH and I 15th Anniversary as well on aug 2nd!!!
Congrats!!!
YES= Youth Education Series. They have fieldtrips for school outings and such and also individual enrollment. If you can find a class suitable for your child, you can get a great price on park tickets. We will have 8-day park hoppers/+water parks for $215 each. Saved about $800 over regular ticket price and worth giving up the dining plan for us.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I still have not bought ours either (we go the week before you), still hoping they come down a little bit.
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Have you checked Southwest? We had our flights booked for October - and then just the other day checked again........and we NOW are leaving a day earlier!!! And have a nice credit of over $100!!!! The price dropped very nicely!!!
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I have read the many posts from people asking if they should book airfare "now" or wait. I know the typical advice.
Here is my wrinkle: When airfares were so high for so long we decided to drive (From Minneapolis). We said we would continue to check flights and book if the cost difference was within $500, as that was the price DH and I agreed that time and convenience would be worth the added expense.
After a week at WDW, we plan to drive down to Fort Lauderdale area to visit family. DH is really looking forward to the roadtrip (he drives for a living so driving is no concern to him). I resounded myself and the kids to driving and we each have things that we are looking forward to about it (me...having our own large van where ASD DD gets her necessary "own row;" and the kids are excited to be able to bring more of their favorite things). As exciting as the drive to WDW seems to all of us...the drive home from Fort Lauderdale seems dreadful!
Last Wednesday...I saw fares the lowest I have seen them since searching, but still double what we paid 2 years ago. They went up the next day but they are back down again today.
Today's price comparison's are close to our "magical" $500. Please see my price breakdonw below and give me your opinion. Please note that the car rental prices are what I found through costco today. By the way, we have 40,000 in Delta Sky Miles that can be used for a $100 discount off each of 4 fares. We also have the Delta AMEX which will give us free checked bags. I just checked Southwest and their fares are not less expensive, are not nonstop and I cannot get miles discounts...
Airfare Roundtrip from MCO (use miles for $100 off 4 fares but no miles accrue)
(352.60*4 +352.60) = 1363.00
+Rental car $250
+ gas to return to MCO $75.00
$1688.00
Airfare To MCO and home from FLL(use miles for $100 off 4 fares but no miles accrue)
(362.60*4 +362.60) = 1383.00
+Rental car $350
1733.00
Driving from MN with one hotel night
(Drive straight to WDW, one stop on the way home)
~$1000
Driving from MN with two hotel nights
(One stop each way)
~$1200
Driving from MN with three hotel nights
(One stop down, two stops home)
~$1400
If we fly we will rent a car smaller than the one we normally drive. I think they best we can hope for would be an intermediate SUV (Full size SUVs and vans seem to double the rental price... and I am not sure if a full size car will have enough luggage room?). However, Hannah will not get her own row and we will have issues with her touching her siblings.....
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I have freinds who are in Disney right now, and they drove with 3 kids from NJ. On the way down they blew a tire and sat on the side of the road for awhile until someone could come out to fix it. Put a huge dent into their plans. Then about 2 hrs outside of Orlando, it happened again. This was the start of their trip, putting them not in the best of moods only to keep thinking that this was how they would be getting home too. I know you have already thought of these situations I'm sure. We have done the fly to Ft. Lauderdale, drive to Orlando then fly home from there twice now and it worked well for us. The drive isn't terrible, just long enough for a good nap for the kids. I kept checking airfares for this past trip I took last week ( even though I already had my tickets, just was curious to see the price change pattern) it did drop to less than what I paid which was about $210 round trip per person. About 3 weeks before is when I noticed the drop too. I would fly I think if I were you, the good thing is if the fares don't drop, you know you CAN drive.
Good luck with this decision. I know it's tough.
Do you have an entertainment book? There are car rental coupons and hotel discounts.Most rental companies are in there, alot of times you can get a double upgrade. I found air for $110 each way for my july trip
I have freinds who are in Disney right now, and they drove with 3 kids from NJ. On the way down they blew a tire and sat on the side of the road for awhile until someone could come out to fix it. Put a huge dent into their plans. Then about 2 hrs outside of Orlando, it happened again. This was the start of their trip, putting them not in the best of moods only to keep thinking that this was how they would be getting home too. I know you have already thought of these situations I'm sure. We have done the fly to Ft. Lauderdale, drive to Orlando then fly home from there twice now and it worked well for us. The drive isn't terrible, just long enough for a good nap for the kids. I kept checking airfares for this past trip I took last week ( even though I already had my tickets, just was curious to see the price change pattern) it did drop to less than what I paid which was about $210 round trip per person. About 3 weeks before is when I noticed the drop too. I would fly I think if I were you, the good thing is if the fares don't drop, you know you CAN drive.
Good luck with this decision. I know it's tough.
That would be my nightmare...We have a new van so I did not think of car trouble...but tires can blow on any kind of car! Grrr...
So...Do you think I should book now? Or wait longer....It was easy to hold out when the difference was closer to $1,000...but not I am getting impatient...
Quote:
Originally Posted by mom9905
Do you have an entertainment book? There are car rental coupons and hotel discounts.Most rental companies are in there, alot of times you can get a double upgrade. I found air for $110 each way for my july trip
I do...and I checked there first for car rentals...but it was cheaper through costco...I want to use Delta because we get free checked bags and can use our miles. The Entertainment book savings is not as good of a deal as $100 off each ticket....
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ixies: for lower tickets costs. That is what is scaring me. I am going to be stalking Southwest come May 21...like everyday! 
And have a nice credit of over $100!!!! The price dropped very nicely!!!
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