TwoMisfits
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2002
So, next year, we are looking at dropping our vacation fund to $6K ($1K for family trips home and $5K for our vacation). Next year, I also have to use my timeshare points. And this year, our trip to the Game Convention in Columbus was a wild success, so I'm thinking it might be time for a Smoky Mountain/Game Convention combo.
Right now, it's looking like 6 days in TN followed by 6 days in OH (for 12 nights - 6 paid by timeshare and 6 at an Embassy Suites for $938 all in - I already made this res, but it is cancellable if I find a better rate)...here's what I see for the budget...
Hotels/Condo - $938 + one year timeshare points ($600 maintenance fee) = $1538
Gas - $100 (more than this year's 1K mile trek to Niagara Falls and Columbus b/c I expect gas to be higher - in good news, there's no tolls for this trip)
Parking - $140 (Dollywood and game convention parking)
Groceries - $200 (Yes, I'm gonna plan a few more meals than I did in my room - both resorts have breakfast, so this will be mostly snacks, drinks, and easy and quick light lunch/dinner stuff)
Restaurants - $100/day for $1200 - we spent way less this year on our 9 night trip (getting by on $50/day), but part of that was necessity and I am planning on eating pretty well in TN (Columbus will probably not change much b/c we focus on gaming)
Convention Game Badges - $250 (have to pay for 1 more this year)
Convention Game Tickets - $250 (I want to have the funds for True Dungeon and the Escape Room, even if we don't do it)
Dollywood 1 day tickets - $500 (this will be cheaper, but I'm putting in a fudge - I'm expecting to find it $300 or below)
White Water Rafting tickets, easy rapids - $120 (must do for me in TN - on my bucket list, and where better to try it)
Titanic Museum - $54 (homeschool discount) (another must do)
Smoky Mountain Hikes - Free
Indoor Waterpark - Included in timeshare
Show Tickets TN - $500 (we will buy the most advantageous deals to things we might like to see - I'm thinking the expensive Dolly one and 1-2 more, especially the ones where 12 and under are free with adults or teens get a really cheap price
Other Tourist Attractions (maybe the caverns, maybe a Groupon or two) - $200
Total $5Kish - the $600 timeshare fees are included in this number, so that, the Dolly tickets, and the restaurant number are my buffer for unexpected stuff/souvenirs/etc - this trip, our 2nd to the area, we want to do everything we missed last time and not repeat, so we are gonna pick and choose from popular attractions...12 nights for $5K or less seems like a steal...
Right now, it's looking like 6 days in TN followed by 6 days in OH (for 12 nights - 6 paid by timeshare and 6 at an Embassy Suites for $938 all in - I already made this res, but it is cancellable if I find a better rate)...here's what I see for the budget...
Hotels/Condo - $938 + one year timeshare points ($600 maintenance fee) = $1538
Gas - $100 (more than this year's 1K mile trek to Niagara Falls and Columbus b/c I expect gas to be higher - in good news, there's no tolls for this trip)
Parking - $140 (Dollywood and game convention parking)
Groceries - $200 (Yes, I'm gonna plan a few more meals than I did in my room - both resorts have breakfast, so this will be mostly snacks, drinks, and easy and quick light lunch/dinner stuff)
Restaurants - $100/day for $1200 - we spent way less this year on our 9 night trip (getting by on $50/day), but part of that was necessity and I am planning on eating pretty well in TN (Columbus will probably not change much b/c we focus on gaming)
Convention Game Badges - $250 (have to pay for 1 more this year)
Convention Game Tickets - $250 (I want to have the funds for True Dungeon and the Escape Room, even if we don't do it)
Dollywood 1 day tickets - $500 (this will be cheaper, but I'm putting in a fudge - I'm expecting to find it $300 or below)
White Water Rafting tickets, easy rapids - $120 (must do for me in TN - on my bucket list, and where better to try it)
Titanic Museum - $54 (homeschool discount) (another must do)
Smoky Mountain Hikes - Free
Indoor Waterpark - Included in timeshare
Show Tickets TN - $500 (we will buy the most advantageous deals to things we might like to see - I'm thinking the expensive Dolly one and 1-2 more, especially the ones where 12 and under are free with adults or teens get a really cheap price
Other Tourist Attractions (maybe the caverns, maybe a Groupon or two) - $200
Total $5Kish - the $600 timeshare fees are included in this number, so that, the Dolly tickets, and the restaurant number are my buffer for unexpected stuff/souvenirs/etc - this trip, our 2nd to the area, we want to do everything we missed last time and not repeat, so we are gonna pick and choose from popular attractions...12 nights for $5K or less seems like a steal...