Originally Posted By vbdad55 We always rent a mini-van ( have been getting one with a DVD player lately) - from Hertz -- with my company discount the cost is around $550 for 2 weeks unlimite mileage so the wear and tear is theirs. I could probably get $200 - $250 RT's from Chicago -- but for 4 ( and sometimes take my Mom ) - that's still $1000 - $1250 ( with Mom ) -- add in the limo to and from O'hare and home $90 each way with tip for 5 ) $180 then transportation to and from Orlando Intn'l $100 with tips that's $1530 ---- the $1000 more than allows for gas -- I night at a confortable hotel ( residence inn type ) - and leaves more than a few nice sit down meals in the coffer -- also it allows me to stop in Altanta and Charlotte to see friends -- one on the way down and one on the day back -- For me still cheaper based on my usage
Originally Posted By vbdad55 P.S. We also always tack on 4 - 6 days at Vero Beach -- again no transportation cost except gas since I have the van there --
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I guess I should clarify...I didn't visit all those places on one trip. They were dispersed over many. I had 10 days vacation in those days and I had to take it during the kids mid-winter break (about a week and a half). All I am saying is that there are many positive things to a "road trip" not the least of which is the family time. We played games like Trivial Pursuit and read outloud from books, mostly Dave Barry! Looked at the scenery (live oaks with spanish moss, don't find to much of that in Vermont), spoke with different people from different states. It wasn't just the means to an end, it was part of the total experience. There is more to the US than just WDW. Honest!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<There is more to the US than just WDW>> I second third and fourth that. As much as I LOVE Disney, there's a whole lot more out there than some theme parks.
Originally Posted By Labuda Actually, my Mama only ever gave me $50 a month spending money while I was in college. And she was 100% aware I had a full ride since she was with me when I met with the dean of the university when they were recruiting me. My scholarship covered my room, cash for books, and 21 meals a week - which meant that, since I've never eaten anywhere near 21 meals in a single week, that come thanksgiving each year, I was able to donate about 20 turkeys to a local shelter. That ws WAY cool that the dorm cafeteria let us use unused meals to buy turkeys.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Goofyernmost I have been wanting to ask you were you live in Vermont. I am related to half of Randolph,VT. I have relatives all over Vermont including; Randolph, Randolph Center, Richmond, Burlington, East Charleston, West Charleston, Derbyline and Jericho. I use to spend most of my summers growing up in Vermont and have hiked a lot of the Long Trail.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden <<We always rent a mini-van ( have been getting one with a DVD player lately) - from Hertz -- with my company discount the cost is around $550 for 2 weeks unlimite mileage so the wear and tear is theirs.>> That's what we're doing this time, though I didn't know you could get them with a DVD player. Nice to know. My wife booked the van online, got it through Hertz for $400 for about 10 days, counting picking it up and dropping it off. It's not costing us anything since we're using our cash back through our Discover card. Fortunately, we're able to pay the $20,000 annual day care bill with Discover so the cash back adds up quick. Now if I can just figure out a way to pay our mortgage and upcoming new car on it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <That's what we're doing this time, though I didn't know you could get them with a DVD player< you can call the 800 # and request one - it doesn;t guarantee you one but it could get it done. We have a 'neighborhood Hertz ' here in my burb and we rent so often I have gotten to know the manager pretty well -- so he looks out for me -- I have had the DVD a few trips in a row -- it keeps the 21 and 11 year old from killing each other - especially on the leg to Altanta for 11 - 12 hours. <>>Fortunately, we're able to pay the $20,000 annual day care bill < I am so glad my kids are older now -- I know people are stunned by this cost - but not me. I used to love when the older relatives bugged us when we were going to have kids ( married into 1st generation Irish- Catholic family) - -- always telling us 'kids don't cost a thing' ---
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Thinking about the large expense of airfare for some folks, I would think an airline affinity credit card would be a good way to reduce that cost. My mom uses hers to pay for EVERYTHING... it's pretty easy to rack up points towards free travel.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<>>Fortunately, we're able to pay the $20,000 annual day care bill Gasp!>> I guess I now understand how some of you can afford multiple trips per year, stay at the GF, etc. [hint: your're loaded ] 20K per year for day care. That's about 40% of the average American household income. (and more than an CM makes per year) We have 3 kids, and I'm still floored.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Depends where you live -- no different than housing. A nice 2000 sq ft house in San Francisco on average is probably $850K on the low end and $1.5M on the high end -- same for L.A -- N.Y, Chicago a little less ( range $300K - $900K+ depending on area ) -- yet my daughter has a boyfriend that lives in Oklahoma City. The median price of a home there is under $100K -- in my suburb the median prices is $580K, (and try and find a house for sale anywhere near that) . He thinks we're crazy here.......and he may be right. That's why salaries are different, cost of living different etc.... Have to take all of that into consideration when looking at relative wealth.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Depends where you live -- no different than housing.<< I understand. But it also seems that the extra pay one gets in high cost of living places doesn't come close to covering the sky high costs. I suppose that's why we fled California 10 years ago. But my point was: if you could afford 20K in child care, now that the kids are older a 6K WDW trip is a bargain by comparison.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I suppose that's why we fled California 10 years ago. But my point was: if you could afford 20K in child care, now that the kids are older a 6K WDW trip is a bargain by comparison. My best friend built a house in Irvine 6 years ago -- for $550K -- today seeling for $1.2M -- I wish I would have been in the california real estate market then -- but not now I agree with your point to an extent - 20,000 for child care is a necessity, a trip to WDW - although much cheaper than that, is still a luxury.
Originally Posted By Ash Is Crazy 4 WDW Thats ridiculous...but I'll still be going anyway! LOL! The SeaWorld thing is kind of stupid though because there isnt much there which is why they are losing visitors.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>My best friend built a house in Irvine 6 years ago -- for $550K -- today seeling for $1.2M<< But unless he is willing to sell and relocate to someplace that is cheaper its kind of academic.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 He is 2 years from retirement and planning to leave So Cal. --- but you're right -- otherwise it becomes inheritance
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire DDE just decided to raise its prices too to $85 a year, $60 for passholders, and someone else in your household can get an additional pass for $25.
Originally Posted By itsme Got my tickets for my Feb trip in the mail, i bought them online Dec 31 the day before the price increase. As a quick comparison i checked the site again as if i was buying them yesterday, here is the diff- 8 day w/ PH option on dec 31 i paid 684.60 total for all tixs. Now they are 723.14 with tax but not shipping{which was 3 bucks}. So for an 8 day, 2 adult and 1 child they went up about $40.
