Good intentions

The road to hell is paved with them, right?  So, I have good intentions of cooking all those things I was going to cook.  I was going to clean up my office.  I was going to relax.  I was going to... well, anyway.  Life happens, right?

So, I obviously don't know how to follow through with good intentions, but I do know a bit about travel - I'm not a licensed (not even sure if they are licensed) travel agent - so don't hold me accountable for what you read here... but, I book a lot of travel, I travel a decent amount, and I am WAY into saving money.

So, after having a conversation with a friend who when to Disney World with his family a year ago - and only staying 3 days and hearing how much he spent, after I got over the heart attack... I decided, I'll pass on information.  His lodging was free b/c a family member owns a house or time share or something... so, his family of 6 spent $4500 on 3 days of Disney (parks, food & souveniers). 

I said NO WAY. 

We recently spend 8 days in Disney, stayed on property, had the Disney Dining Plan, and spent approximately $3000 on lodging, parks, food, souveneirs, etc.  How?  Because I'm fanatical about planning, and shopping for deals.

So, my first tip:  If you plan on doing Disney?  STAY ON PROPERTY.  You can't do the disney dining plan without it - and trust me, you WANT the DDP.  Seriously.  It is freaking EXPENSIVE to eat there!!!  If you do a table service, you CANNOT leave without your bill being well over $100 for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 kids). 

My next tip:  Out of the way Disney Dining opportunities you SHOULD check out.  Boatwright's at Old Key West.  Maya Grill at Coranado Springs.  These are at the resorts - so getting there and back can sometimes be tricky - but the food is incredible and OH SO worth the hassle.

Ok, enough for today.  I need to get back to making good intentions.