Pre-Trip JUST WANT ADVICE...

OK how many, by a show of hands think its TOO EARLY to begin planning a 2017 trip?

I will tell you why I have begun my trip planning...I am on disability and it doesn't allow me to save money on a short term basis, therefore, I have to plan YEARS ahead to accomplish this task that is priceless in the end!

I have the trip planned for now, so here's what my plan is...

Drive from PA- ORLANDO Sunday December 3, 2017
Check in to Clarion Lake Buena Vista PM Monday December 4, 2017
Four Days of parks Tuesday-Friday
Shopping, Free days Saturday, Sunday
Drive from ORALNDO-PA Sunday December 10, 2017
Arrive in PA PM Monday

So what are your thoughts advice or comments! I appreciate all advice!:) I ONLY have 1,356 days!;)

-Will
 
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rob0519

rob0519

Well-Known Member
I admire your desire to accomplish such a long term goal. I don't think it is too early to start saving and setting the dates for the trip. In my opinion, unless you have a specific reason for already selecting the Clarion, I would wait a bit and see what other options there may be closer to the trip dates. Best of luck in getting to your goal. Be well.
 
yensid67

yensid67

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks Rob0519...Plan on staying at the Clarion because its a really good deal for a room AND 4 Day Ticket!
 
alissafalco

alissafalco

Well-Known Member
No harm in planning so early, but why do you have to wait so long? As the OP said there will be many different options for packages at different hotels as it gets closer. You might find a better deal. Don't set anything in stone.
 
DizPlutoFan

DizPlutoFan

Member
fractal

fractal

Well-Known Member
Never too early to plan. Now I'm feeling behind because I haven't started to plan our trip for summer 2015. o_O

My only comment, since I also live in PA; that's a lot of driving to do for just 4 days in the parks.
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
It's never too early to plan!

If I were you, though, I wouldn't be driving that distance, especially if I had a physical or other impairment significant enough to put me on disability. Long-distance driving is physically and mentally exhausting even for those in the best of health. You have three years to plan and save -- why not get a credit card that offers you airline miles simply for using it (preferably one that gives you a huge miles bonus just for signing up)? Charge all of your regular expenses to the credit card over the next 3 years, pay if off in full every month so there's never any interest charges, and earn enough points that you can fly to Orlando virtually for free! (The card will probably have an annual fee, but it will certainly add up to far less than you'd otherwise pay for gas to drive to Orlando from PA).

To illustrate: I have a JetBlue American Express card. I got 10,000 bonus points for signing up (which is a pretty low amount -- 6 months after I got the card, they were offering 20,000 points at sign-up)! I charged about $1,500 per month in regular expenses to the card for the next two years and paid it off in full every month, earning an additional 36,000 points. It was about enough to fly three people (out of my family of four) to Orlando, direct, roundtrip, from Syracuse, NY. So in exchange for $80 (2 years' worth of $40 annual fees), I earned $900 in airfare -- a net gain of $820. Flipping the equation around, we ended up paying $380 ($300 for airfare for the fourth family member and $80 for the credit card annual fees) for the four of us to fly to/from Orlando -- much less than we'd have paid for gas to drive there.

Perhaps you hate flying or don't like to use credit cards, but it's a thought! Plus, flying will give you an extra day-and-a-half at each end of your vacation.
 
yensid67

yensid67

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks for you advice and suggestions, I appreciate every one!

Alissafalco: Nothing is set in stone, but I will constantly FIND the best deal for us as the time gets closer!

Akayw0718: This is our second trip, but I have been there 4 times , in addition to working at MK and EP in 98-99

DizPlutofan: I looked into the Castle once, but it was too much for what we really needed.
We really only need a place to sleep and take a shower. Saving as much money is important, but not over budgeting ourselves on a hotel room that is really not needed or too fancy for our BASIC needs! But Thanks anyways, I may pick you brain later!

fractal: I have driven the route a few times and have my plan to driving 4 hours and then stopping, gassing up, walking/stretching, eating, then hit the road after a 30-60 minute rest. That's why I am leaving earlier than usual to make up for a hour or so nap(s) here and there(just in case)

Weather Lady: That's a great idea, Thanks! But I do not want to apply for a credit card, I have a car payment now that hurts the wallet every month. I am on disability, so getting a credit card like that would not be approved. And applying for a credit card that only gives me $500 doesn't scratch the surface of paying for things before we go. That's why we are taking it section by section and paying each segment off, kind of the same concept just without credit cards! This will be a cash planned trip! NO CREDIT!
 
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AngieTink27

AngieTink27

Active Member
yensid67 said:
OK how many, by a show of hands think its TOO EARLY to begin planning a 2017 trip?

I will tell you why I have begun my trip planning...I am on disability and it doesn't allow me to save money on a short term basis, therefore, I have to plan YEARS ahead to accomplish this task that is priceless in the end!

I have the trip planned for now, so here's what my plan is...

Drive from PA- ORLANDO Sunday December 3, 2017
Check in to Clarion Lake Buena Vista PM Monday December 4, 2017
Four Days of parks Tuesday-Friday
Shopping, Free days Saturday, Sunday
Drive from ORALNDO-PA Sunday December 10, 2017
Arrive in PA PM Monday

So what are your thoughts advice or comments! I appreciate all advice!:) I ONLY have 1,356 days!;)

-Will
Click to expand...
It may be too early for the specifics, but like weather lady said it is never too early to start planning!
 
yensid67

yensid67

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
ANGIETINK27...thanks for your advice! It NEVER too early to plan a Disney trip! Planning is 75% of the fun! I have the trip essentially planned right now, but its not written in stone, I know something will change between now and December 2017! But as you can see from my countdown...I have a few days to replan if I need to! lol!
 
D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
I think it's awesome that you're planning for 2017 already! It gives ample time to save up $$$$ to do Disney the way you want and to enjoy yourself!! By the time that magical arrival day gets here, you will know exactly what you want to do, eat and experience.
On 5 or 6 of prior trips (where we drove from NJ) and would arrive a couple of days early, we always stayed at The Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista (right by DTD) and we loved it! We always requested a lanai room (view of the pool and outside other than inside the hotel itself) The breakfast is free and PLENTIFUL! and.. cooked to order too! Free shuttles to the park, and a manager's reception at night free. VERY resonable prices too!
 

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