backpack baby online
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~*Absolute
I'm looking to take my family of four to Disney. It' a bit rushed because we just found out we're having another baby and want to do something fun for the kids before the baby's born. So anyway, we don't have much time to prepare so we're on a limited budget. I'm a little overwhelmed trying to find deals online. Everything is either outrageous or seems like a scam (like the hotels for 4 days 4 people for $250 if you listen to a 120 minute timeshare presentation). I wouldn't mind sitting through something like that if it was for real but I'm weary to trust stuff like that.
What about park passes? Is there any way to get them discounted?
Has anyone been there recently that has tips or tried any of these that actually were't a scam?
Answer
Tickets cost what they cost. Get them from disney.com or at the gate.
I am sure that you are aware of the cost of driving vs flying.
The only places you can really save money are food and accomodations. I have done Disney about as cheap as it can be done, but it is all still a tradeoff. For instance, when we are there for 6 or 7 days we like park hopper tickets. That adds $57 to the price of each ticket. But, we would offset that somewhat by putting a cooler in the car and having lunch in the car when we hopped around noon. My youngest would also get a 30 minute nap in his own car seat while we did that. It was pretty cute to drive to the new park and then wake him up with "Joe, do you want to go to Disney World?" But, for a 4 day trip I would not really do this. You will just want to do one park each day.
That 120 minute timeshare presentation is rougher than you think. They are not scams. But, you pretty much want to plan on killing half a day doing that, and it will suck. Now, maybe that is still worth it to you. It will start out very pleasant. However, 3 hours later as they are bringing out the "manager" to close the deal, it will seem like you will never get out of there. Also, be aware that if you get one day passes for your family, you will still want to buy 3 day passes. The difference in price between a 3 day and 4 day pass is currently $14 dollars. That half a day of timeshare hell will be the worst $56 deal of your vacation.
You can take snacks and sandwiches into the parks. Even if you still buy a meal and other stuff at the parks, having peanut putter sandwiches in your backpack, and some snack stuff, can save you more than $50 per day. (no glass, rolling coolers, things that need to be prepared, knives, booze, etc.) Keep it simple. A small backpack with some sandwiches, drink boxes, and snacks. Keep it light and know that you will still buy some stuff. Honestly, if you are planning to eat fast food anyway, you are not missing out on anything by skipping a hotdog or burger and fries for lunch. The fast food at Disney is nothing special.
Something to consider on hotel prices is the price to park your car at Disney. If you stay at a Disney hotel, you do not have to pay to park each day at the theme parks. If you drive in each day it is $14 to park. So, add that cost to the cost of any hotel room outside of Disney. Note that the non-disney "free shuttle" service offered by some offsite hotels is widely know to SUCK.
If you are flying down, staying at a Disney hotel means that you will not need to rent a car. Disney will take you from the airport to your Disney hotel for free, and get you back to the airport again. (Disney Magic Express, see the link below)
The best bargain food we have found at Disney World is at the Animal Kingdom. The Yak and Yeti counter service place has a side of chicken fried rice for $3.99. It is kind of a medium/large size chinese takeout box size thing. If that sounds like a refreshing kind of thing instead of burgers or turkey legs, you can get 4 of them and get change from a twenty. It won't stuff you like burgers and fries, but that can be a good thing, ya know? (see link below)
I am sorry that I don't have any secrets on how to do this for half the money, but I am being honest. If someone is telling you something else, they are not.
Now, figure out your hotel situation and get the reservations made. Dwelling on it will not change it. Find the price level/hotel level that suites you and move on. Then you can let the fun begin and start planning your days. Have fun, and I wish I was going.
What are some good tips for getting through an airport faster?
Bri S
I will be taking my first flight in October and I have only the slightest idea of what the hell I am doing, and if you have ever been through the Huntsville International Airport in Alabama it would be great if you could tell me how to get through it. THANKS!! :)
Answer
Sounds like your are going to Space Camp.
Several tips, I hope they help. I do apologize for the length. I'll assume you've never been in airport. Remember traveling is adventure-it both an art as well as science.
1) a) Look on your airlines website and see when they suggest you arrive at your departing airport. Remember the people are put on the plane 20-30 minutes before departure time. Departure time, is just that, the time the jetty is rolled back from the sealed aircraft and the engines are started. That means if you get to the gate at departure time-you be staring at the wrong side of a closed cockpit door.
b) Google the aiport you are departing from. The airport's website as well as sites such as IFLY.com will also have a recommendation for how early to get to airport. While your are there glance at how the airport is laid out and where you airline's check-in counter and gates typically are.
c) Take the longest estimate of the above and add thirty minutes. Add addtional time if the Department of homeland security has set airports to either a threat level of "High" or "Severe".
d) Do not use your additional time to park and walk to terminal. I mean for you to be standing at check-in counter at that time--not just pulling into the airport.
2) Plan ahead and print out your boarding passes as soon as your airline and your daily schedule permit you to. This is typically 24-hours prior to departure time. Print out at least two copies so if you forget one somewhere you have a handy spare.
3) If possible pay for you checked bags ahead of time. Print out the reciept (again at least two copies) and have them handy. The wieght limit on bags on most airlines is fifty pounds. Shoot for 45.
4) Use the "One bag there...two bags back" method. Try to go there with only one bag and your carry on. I always carry a folded up "sea bag" (I was in the navy. Sea bags are large heavy green canvas duffels with backpack straps that can fold up to about 1/2inch by 13inches by 15 inches) in my luggage. I put my dirty clothes in there while I am at my destination. My clean clothes stay clean and now I have an empty suitcase for all the stuff I pick up while I on vacation.
5) Make and list and organize your stuff carefully. Even something as silly and turning your blue jeans inside out and folding them saves room in a suitcase. Check out this site and experiment if your don't believe me. http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/uniform_fold.htm
6) Make your carry on meets the size standards for your airline. Also make sure it light enough and manuveerable enough to sprint across the airport. Always have "tomorrow's change of clothes" in your carry on. Keep your identity documents, prescriptions, and tolietries in your carry on. The TSA has rules on how ounces of liquids (shampoo etc) you can have in your carry one. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm Make sure you do not have any prohibited items in your carry on bag. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
7) You are not allowed to carry soda through security. It is a liquid and they won't allow it (there are exceptions for contact lens solution and baby formula etc). There is NO rule against carrying a empty water bottle. My wife and I bought one liter plastic kegs at Wal-mart. They security no questions asked. We fill them at the water fountain on the other side of security and either make tea or lemonade.
8) Laptops and CPAP machines must be physically inspected. So able to break those out for the TSA guys at the check point. Don't bury it deep in your carry on.
9) Wear comfy shoes that can be taken off quickly at the check point. Also ditto for any belts you like to wear.
10) After you check your bags, dump all keys, cell phones, coins, and any other metal items into you carry on bag. This prevents you from having to do it at the security check point.
11) Ensure all luggage, purses, laptops, have a luggage tag on them. The airlines have them at the counter when you check or if you want a fancy one you can get them at Wal-mart.
12) If you have to connect to another flight, look at that airports website or map. Know the general lay out of it. For example if you are flying from Providence, RI to Huntsville, AL on NWA-you'll change planes in Detriot, MI. You can go the NWA website or the airport's website and get a glimspe of what is where.
So here's the process in brief. The week before you leave, make list of things you need and use that list to pack your one checked bag (goes under plane) and your one carry on (stays with you). Your carry on should have a snack, an empty plastic water bottle, a change of clothes and everything you need for 24-48 hours after you arrive. (If you bags get left behind, you can wait for the airline to reroute them to you.) If you are carrying a purse and/or laptop purge them of TSA prohibited items. The day before your flight pay your fee fo
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