When we took Daughter #2 to WDW for her HS graduation in 2010, I suppose we set a precedent. Before the 2013/2014 school year began, Daughter #3 informed us that for her HS graduation, she should be taken to WDW as well! Being many months away, I agreed.
This past August, when I suggested to my wife that only she and I should go to WDW for our 25th anniversary, Daughter #3 was terrified that I would have had too much Mouse to go again so soon. I assured her that our anniversary trip would not prevent her graduation pilgrimage to "The World".
Turns out, the only slice of time that fits everyone means leaving the day after her HS graduation. We should be departing 17 May 2014, returning 24 May.
So begins the "Quest of Resorts".
Being a Dept of Defense employee, I have the option of staying at the Shades of Green Resort on Disney property. Here, you have Value resort prices, but Moderate resort quality rooms. They're big, comfortable, double queen rooms, not far from the GF resort. The only drawback is their bus schedule: the buses don't run quite as often as WDW buses, and they take you to the TTC for the MK or Epcot, or they take you directly to AK or DHS, but drop you kinda far away. Still, you're being chauffeured around.
Pop Century fits our budget better, but their double beds don't fit our bodies better! After sleeping on a king mattress at home, my wife and I had to resort to sleeping in separate beds during our anniversary trip! We do, however, prefer the WDW transportation to Shades of Green.
My family and I spent the better part of a week debating the pros and cons of each resort. They were getting pretty tired of my constant inquiries, want their input and suggestions. Eventually, whenever I'd bring it up, I would get that frustrated laugh from someone, and the debate would start again.
After running the numbers on rooms and tickets, and with Shades running a special rate during the time of our stay, there was no question. We would save a significant amount of money staying at Shades, and we could live with the bus schedule.
Then my wife started the research, and stumbled upon Disney's Spring Vacation Special. 20% off value resort rooms, and one free ticket day with the purchase of at least 4 ticket days. This narrowed the cost gap between Shades and Pop to a tolerable point, and we decided on Pop Century. 7 nights, 6-day park hopper passes. Not sure about the dining plan, it's a remote possibility.
The general consensus is since we've been fairly often over the past several years, and with 6 days of PH passes, we will take a much more leisurely time on this trip.
Then came the concept of the trip from AL to FL. For us, that is a 600 mile trip, one-way. One LONG day. We've made the road trip many times, visiting either Mickey or my wife's grandmother (a Disney retiree!). Daughter #2 and son-in-law #2 will fly.
As it happens, VISA is offering a Southwest Airlines card, with 50,000 bounus points after spending $2000. This should be more than enough for 3 round-trip tickets, and I may go this route. I would actually save money, as it normally costs me $200 in gas for the round trip.
Wow, this post has gone on too long! Sorry for being long-winded!
Any tips/suggestions will be appreciated.
JPR
We just found out that we'll have most of our tickets covered by our credit card reward points, too! Awesome feeling!
to your daughter on her academic achievement!
I love Disney plans, even if they are not mine.
I'm also very jealous if DD#2's hair is how you describe...
