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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 5, 2024 10:19:53 GMT -5
Welcome Again - this starts the TR proper, complete with photos and memories. While Hurricane Helene prep took time just before departure and cost a few work days, we were deeply blessed/lucky. The storm bypassed our area entirely. My heart goes out to those in the update of SC and the NC mountains. It is a very unusual storm. I've been known to say that hurricanes are my favorite kind of natural disaster because of the advance warning. For coastal residents, there is a clear indication with storm tracking and predictions. Risks can be evaluated and mitigated. Not so much with Helene - the massive impact so far inland is unprecedented in my memory. So I am concerned for the communities who have lost everything, sad for the families who have lost loved ones and heartbroken over the scenes of destruction. Because of Standing Pines, I'm obviously following campgrounds more closely. Several look to be completely wiped out due to the storm. I hope they can rebuild. The storm passed Thursday. There was a bit of concern with picking up the rental car, as there were more reservations than available cars. Happily, someone dropped this one off while I was there in person waiting. The agent was excited to offer me an upgrade. His face was funny when I saw the car and asked if I could just get a regular sedan or even mini van instead of this fun traffic ticket waiting to happen:  While I was serious, this was the only rental car option. So I had a fun, bright blue mustang for this trip. I also drove much slower than I normally do, carefully staying within 5 MPH of posted limits. My other concerns were around difficulties getting in/out of sports car and comfort of the seats. The seats were fine, especially once I figured out how to turn the seat warmer on. Getting in and out was okay; no issues for me but not the easiest for one of my friends. I enjoyed this fun car. It's the first time I've ever wound up with a rental sports car. My husband took it for a test drive before I left. He came back with a huge grin, then took DD out for a joy ride. They both came back grinning. So as a bonus, we all had fun playing with the rental car for the trip. Once I reclaimed the keys, DH helped me load up and I was off for FL! It was obvious in several spots that road crews had removed debris (trees/limbs) from I-95 that morning. By the time I started my drive, the interstate was completely clear. There was low traffic and no construction in Jacksonville. It was really one of the best/easiest/nicest drives to Florida that I remember ever making. I stopped in Daytona at the Buckee's exit to refuel the car and myself. But I drove past Buckee (always busy there) because on my last trip back in April I'd discovered a Blaze Pizza on this exit as well as a Sam's club. The gas prices are just a bit better than Buckee's and there was much less traffic. So I refueled, then bopped over to Blaze for dinner. Yum!  |
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 5, 2024 11:13:18 GMT -5
This was a split stay trip. I pieced together several different options for a low cost vacation. The first two nights, after the hhonors $200 semi-annual credit, came to a total of $98. I stayed at Aqua Sol, a new Hilton Vacation Club property in our old neighborhood of Four Corners where we had a vacation townhome for a while at Regal Palms. I like maps for orientation, so here's a look at location. Aqua Sol is close to Disney property, but certainly not as close as the overlapping circles I drew would indicate. It took about 15 minutes to get to Disney Springs, but I think we were technically on Disney property in less than 10 minutes when we popped over for a meal.  But before I get to that, let's take a look at the one bedroom at Aqua Sol. Much like a DVC one bedroom, it came with a separate bedroom, washer/dryer, full kitchen, sofa (sofa bed) and balcony. It even had a bit of a balcony view of what was essentially the resort quiet pool.  I only took one interior picture, of the living room.  Hilton Grand Vacation Club Aqua Sol Resort Positives: location Negatives: dated resort, horrible mattress Neutral to Negative: customer service, dated amenities Neutral to Positive: range of resort activities - pools, water park, mini golf, sports, paddle boats and more I think this was a prior condo/apartment/resort that HGVC bought. I suspect it will be a very nice resort if hilton invests in some needed improvements. I stayed here two nights. One of my besties, Laurie, joined me Saturday morning and stayed Saturday with me. She reports the sofa bed is not quite as horrible as the mattress in the bedroom, but close. So while I am very happy I stayed two nights here, because I love the location and it gave me a great way to easily benchmark some resort amenities, I don't plan to stay again until Hilton has had enough time to redo the rooms. That bed was just bad. So Saturday morning, I touched base with Laurie. She had carpet cleaners in, so we agreed to meet up around 11 for haircuts. I used the time to get my nails done before Laurie joined me for hair cuts at a favorite place in Four Corners. Total cost for my mani/pedi/haircut, including 30% tips = $90. Much better pricing than the $240 nail package I'd cancelled at the Conrad spa! Plus, since these were in a super Walmart, I had the best people watching while nails dried!   We dropped by the local Aldi for some groceries for the week on the way back to Aqua Sol. I spent $65 to stock up on wine, cheese, fruit, veg, bread, dressing and desert for the week. Nice! Then we spent some time at the resort enjoyed the pools. We opted to drive over to Disney Springs for dinner at the Polite Pig, a favorite for both of us. We were so excited about dinner I almost forgot to take a photo of food!  I did not take any photos of the quiet pool. It was fine, but not anything that struck me as special. We floated and chilled for a long time, alternating between the pool and the hot tub. Basically, Saturday was a chill day with a touch of Disney, some self care and a lot of great time with one of my BFFs! Sunday morning, I made sourdough toast with strawberries cut up in the cream cheese and some fruit. Laurie offered to go pick up Kelly at the airport, as I was running a load of laundry and making breakfast. She had an early flight that got in early, so both were back by 8:30am. We indulged in a larger brunch, with some juice and wine, then took off to explore the activities/amenities of Aqua Sol before heading off to the Conrad.  |
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 5, 2024 11:43:28 GMT -5
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 5, 2024 11:45:14 GMT -5
I'll come back to add more later this weekend. I need to step away to do some Standing Pines work this afternoon.
Next up: more Aqua Sole amenity/activity photo benchmarking and moving to the Conrad for the next segment of the split stay vacation!
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 5, 2024 16:02:38 GMT -5
I wound up working with AI to create a blog post for this trip that might add value for Standing Pines. Below is the current working draft. I can already hear my social media consultant insisting I create a video with this for my Year of Disney youTube channel - she would say it is the kind of thing that has the potential to get popular on social media. She is usually right, so I may make time to do create a short video for this.
Luxury on a Budget: How I Enjoyed a World-Class Orlando Vacation for Under $1,000 (And How You Can Too!)
As the founder of Standing Pines Campground, I'm always exploring ways to create exceptional experiences without breaking the bank. Recently, I embarked on a week-long trip to Orlando that combined luxury and smart budgeting. While my approach might not work for everyone, I hope sharing my experience will inspire you to find your own balance of luxury and savings on your next trip.
The Breakdown
1. Smart Accommodation Choices
- Booked two nights at HGVC for $298, with $200 refunded through my Hilton Honors Amex, bringing the cost down to $98.
- Used my annual free Hilton night at the Conrad Orlando.
- A friend used points for a second night at Conrad, and we shared the room.
- Utilized Disney Vacation Club points for two nights in a one-bedroom cabin at Disney's Fort Wilderness.
2. Savvy Dining Strategies
- Spent $65 on groceries at Aldi for simple, high-quality snacks and light meals.
- Enjoyed a shared character breakfast at Disney's Riviera Resort rooftop restaurant, splitting the $130 cost with a friend (my share: $65).
- Leveraged my Hilton Honors Diamond status for a complimentary rooftop dining experience at the Conrad (a $50 per night food and beverage credit).
- Balanced these experiences with budget-friendly options like shared meals at The Polite Pig and food court dining at Evermore in the Conrad.
3. Transportation Savings
- Split the cost of a fuel-efficient car rental ($350 for the week) with a friend, reducing my share to $175.
- My portion of the gas cost was $60 for the entire trip.
4. The Power of One Indulgence
- Splurged on an 80-minute massage at the Conrad Spa ($400 including tax and tip).
- This single luxury experience elevated the entire trip.
Key Takeaways and How to Apply Them
1. Loyalty Programs: I heavily utilized credit card rewards and hotel loyalty programs. While it takes time to build these up, even casual travelers can benefit from signing up for free programs and using a rewards credit card for everyday purchases.
2. Mix Accommodation Types: By combining timeshare, luxury hotel, and cabin stays, I enjoyed variety and managed costs. Consider mixing hotels with vacation rentals or camping to stretch your budget.
3. Strategic Dining: I balanced grocery shopping with special dining experiences. This principle works regardless of your budget – allocate funds for a few special meals and save on others.
4. Cost Sharing: Traveling with a friend allowed us to split costs on car rental and some meals. Group travel can significantly reduce per-person expenses.
5. One Big Splurge: My spa treatment made the whole trip feel luxurious. Identify what's most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly.
6. Leverage Status: Hotel status perks added value without cost. Even if you don't have elite status, look for hotels offering free perks like breakfast or resort credits.
Total Cost Breakdown
- Accommodations: $98 (after credit card refund)
- Car Rental and Gas: $235 (my half of the shared costs)
- Groceries: $65
- Special Dining Experience: $65 (my half of the Disney character breakfast)
- Other Dining: Approx. $70 (estimated, after using Hilton credit)
- Luxury Spa Treatment: $400
- Total: Approximately $933
It's important to note that this approach required careful planning and the use of rewards accumulated over time. However, the underlying principles can be applied to any budget:
- Prioritize what's most important to you
- Look for opportunities to save on less crucial aspects
- Be flexible with your choices
- Take advantage of free loyalty programs
- Consider traveling with others to share costs
At Standing Pines, we believe in creating memorable outdoor experiences that don't break the bank. Whether you're planning a Disney adventure or a camping trip, these strategies can help you maximize value and enjoyment.
What's your favorite travel hack for balancing luxury and budget? Have you tried any of these strategies on your own trips? Share in the comments below!
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to travel budgeting. The goal is to find what works for you and your family while creating those unforgettable memories. Stay tuned for more tips on how to make the most of your outdoor adventures!
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 7, 2024 15:38:01 GMT -5
SIDEBAR
I had so much fun this trip that now I have a bad case of add-on fever. So much so that I just put in an offer for a small SSR resale package. It's a lowish offer, so it would not surprise me if the sellers reject it.
Fingers crossed.
SIDEBAR FOLLOW UP
Seller declined my offer. That's just as well, really. I was $7 per point under their asking price and went with seller paying closing costs. I suspected that would tip it to "no."
Interestingly, this low point package has already sat on the market for close to two months. That does surprise me. It also strongly suggests to me that resale is currently much more of a buyer's market than the last time I really checked a year or so ago.
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Post by helenabear on Oct 7, 2024 18:26:48 GMT -5
SIDEBAR I had so much fun this trip that now I have a bad case of add-on fever. So much so that I just put in an offer for a small SSR resale package. It's a lowish offer, so it would not surprise me if the sellers reject it. Fingers crossed. Just wanted to say fingers crossed! |
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 7, 2024 20:24:18 GMT -5
helenabear - thank you! This one did not work out. That's okay. It was an impulsive offer. It would have been a good deal if the seller's accepted, but totally fine that they didn't go for it. I suspect there will be better deals in 2025.
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Post by helenabear on Oct 7, 2024 20:31:47 GMT -5
helenabear - thank you! This one did not work out. That's okay. It was an impulsive offer. It would have been a good deal if the seller's accepted, but totally fine that they didn't go for it. I suspect there will be better deals in 2025. I'm sure there will be. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy reading about the progress on the campsite! |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Oct 8, 2024 0:09:54 GMT -5
Are we predicting that 2025 will be a year of down prices on resale?
(he says, knowing he hopes to buy more OKW next year)
(maybe)
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Post by tomandrobin on Oct 8, 2024 7:24:24 GMT -5
Are we predicting that 2025 will be a year of down prices on resale? (he says, knowing he hopes to buy more OKW next year) (maybe) Well....2024 has been a down year for resale prices at most DVC resorts.
Here is a link to average resale prices from August '23 to August '24.
But I think 2025 will continue the slide in resale prices.
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 9, 2024 10:21:57 GMT -5
Tom - hope you are right. I'd like to do a small resale contract in 2025. No hurray, so there's time to make a few below market offers and just see if I find the right deal.
Adelard - crossing fingers for you as well! I hope you find and get a great OKW resale add on in 2025!
LOL, even before I get back to trip reporting, I guess the fact that I am now looking for more points indicates just how much I enjoyed this trip!
After a decade of Disney trips being focused on the parks, now I am at the point where I actually enjoy the resorts more. The campground for obvious reasons, but the other resorts as well. Going to enjoy the Disney bubble without the hustle of the parks = relaxing vacation for me, especially when supplemented by other Orlando activities.
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Post by MinnieMom on Oct 15, 2024 8:54:25 GMT -5
Dropping in to say I will come back & finish this TR - I have tons of pics and stories to share!
Today is soft opening for Standing Pines. Really soft, as two hurricanes = we are three weeks behind due to electrical resources being pulled for relief efforts.
So crazy busy, but I will come back and update this TR. Likely when I get to the point I must stop for a stress break!
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Post by helenabear on Oct 15, 2024 10:12:06 GMT -5
Dropping in to say I will come back & finish this TR - I have tons of pics and stories to share! Today is soft opening for Standing Pines. Really soft, as two hurricanes = we are three weeks behind due to electrical resources being pulled for relief efforts. So crazy busy, but I will come back and update this TR. Likely when I get to the point I must stop for a stress break! Wishing you well with the soft opening! |
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Post by Eli's Nana on Oct 16, 2024 12:14:12 GMT -5
Wishing you the best on your soft opening today!
Thx also for sharing your trip with us. I look forward to seeing the rest!
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