kz
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Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
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Been thinking.
I've a sizeable sum saved up for a house deposit, but we're a little way a way yet from actually using it. One thing I've always wanted to do is a trip over to America. I'm thinking if I don't do this soon (before mortgage and kids become part of my life) I may never get the chance, at least not for a very, very long time. I'm 30 years old and haven't been out of Europe yet! 
I was thinking something along the lines of going for 3 weeks... 1 week on the west coast, 1 week on the east coast and 1 week in the middle somewhere lol. Sound like a decent plan?
Now I'd be paying for the missus too as she doesn't really have any money saved up. Rough ideas on cost? I don't really mind how much it costs, just would like to prepare myself a bit lol.
Ideally I'd like to get this done within the next 12 months, but it doesn't matter when. Looking for recommendations on the best time of year to head over there and where to visit and what to do really! Thanks.
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RichR
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Registered: 17th Oct 01
Location: Waterhouses, Staffordshire
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Along with the missus, we spent around £5k in 6 days in New York for my 30th but we extremed everything and could definitely do it cheaper if we went again. It's certainly easy to spend more than you intended to - that said my kid sister did summer seasons at Camp America and traveled through Hawaii and most of the western seaboard for 6 weeks for much less than we spent on a few days in New York so you can very much do it on a budget as well and still go to great places.
[Edited on 05-07-2015 by RichR]
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Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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We normally spunk over 5k into the States but it can be done much cheaper.
I wouldn't feel pressurised into traveling about a lot either, maybe do two places and go North and South rather than East/West IMO for a better diversity.
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kz
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Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
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I was expecting around the £5k mark and it seems that'd be roughly what I'm looking at then. It's kind of annoying that the two places that always stuck in my head as magical places is New York & California, seeing as though they're complete opposites ends! I love the idea of driving from one to the other lol, but in reality I don't think it's feasible for the kind of trip I'm after.
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Generation
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Registered: 7th Jul 09
Location: Essex
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Done about 3k each in total going to New York.
Done 3 different sports events, all the main attractions and was out all day everyday.
Similar situation to you, I went this January and loved it
1k of that was hiring a car and driving to Philadelphia that day cost about 1k of that.
I wouldn't go on a budget though, do t properly or save more until you can.
Good discounts in January, which would give the Mrs time to save and pay for herself
[Edited on 05-07-2015 by Generation]
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Kyle T
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Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by kz
I was expecting around the £5k mark and it seems that'd be roughly what I'm looking at then. It's kind of annoying that the two places that always stuck in my head as magical places is New York & California, seeing as though they're complete opposites ends! I love the idea of driving from one to the other lol, but in reality I don't think it's feasible for the kind of trip I'm after.
Both epic places, but the 3000 odd miles of driving will just eat too much of your time. I know the Route 66 thing is a popular holiday idea and people really enjoy it, but it's a LOT of driving and you'll only be seeing places for hours rather than days.
A week in NY and a week in Cali with a flight between would be much more sensible.
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Marc
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: York
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No ones mentioned this yet - How big is your deposit and if you spend however how much to go on holiday how long will it take you to get back to where you were?
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Aaron
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Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Cottingham, East Riding
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Off to Vegas, San Fran and NY in November for 2 weeks in all. Hotels and flights have come to about £3.9k. Spending money will be about £4k
Portfolio.
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P1CK4D
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Registered: 19th Jun 06
Location: Around Essex Somewhere
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Where do all you lot book your holidays?! You seem to spend an absolute fortune.
I've recently just come back from Florida and it cost me £2250 for 20 nights, villa, hire car, all the Park tickets and spending money.
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Ian W
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Registered: 8th Nov 03
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
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quote:
Originally posted by P1CK4D
Where do all you lot book your holidays?! You seem to spend an absolute fortune.
I've recently just come back from Florida and it cost me £2250 for 20 nights, villa, hire car, all the Park tickets and spending money.
This is what I am planning on booking in September for next year - who did you book through? 
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by P1CK4D
Where do all you lot book your holidays?! You seem to spend an absolute fortune.
I've recently just come back from Florida and it cost me £2250 for 20 nights, villa, hire car, all the Park tickets and spending money.
Missus is a teacher so we get bummed by holiday prices
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sc0ott
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Registered: 16th Feb 09
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Going to Florida on the 21st sept for 2 weeks.
Staying on international drive in a 3* hotel.
Booked through Barrhead travel but we found it on Expedia. Cost between 1300-1400. Flying with United airlines. Direct flight from Edinburgh to Newark then on to another flight to Florida.
Orlando flex ticket and discovery cove pass paid for separately.
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IvIarkgraham
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Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
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what hotel scott?
how much were your park tickets?
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Aaron
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Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Cottingham, East Riding
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quote:
Originally posted by P1CK4D
Where do all you lot book your holidays?!
Expedia.
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IvIarkgraham
Premium Member
Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by P1CK4D
Where do all you lot book your holidays?! You seem to spend an absolute fortune.
I've recently just come back from Florida and it cost me £2250 for 20 nights, villa, hire car, all the Park tickets and spending money.
costing me around 1700 for florida next year.
hotel upgraded seats and park tickets
then 1300ish for spends
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sc0ott
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Registered: 16th Feb 09
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Hotel enclave and suites iirc.
We only booked about a month ago so not sure what the prices would be like next year compared to the date we go.
Orlando flex plus ticket was 219 each and the discovery cove I'm not sure, probably about 260 or whatever they go for.
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Kyle T
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 04
Location: Selby, North Yorkshire
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quote:
Originally posted by sc0ott
Hotel enclave and suites iirc.
We only booked about a month ago so not sure what the prices would be like next year compared to the date we go.
Orlando flex plus ticket was 219 each and the discovery cove I'm not sure, probably about 260 or whatever they go for.
Did Enclave Suites a few years ago. Nothing to write home about but decent for the cash and probably one of the best locations in Orlando 
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oJNAo
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Registered: 30th Sep 14
Location: Gloucestershire
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I went skiing in California in April 2 years ago at Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley resorts for 5 days then spent 2 days in San Francisco, around £1500 for myself I think for the total trip.
San Francisco is really good to visit, Golden Gate Bridge, shopping all day then had a meal at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant on Pier 39.
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IvIarkgraham
Premium Member
Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by sc0ott
Hotel enclave and suites iirc.
We only booked about a month ago so not sure what the prices would be like next year compared to the date we go.
Orlando flex plus ticket was 219 each and the discovery cove I'm not sure, probably about 260 or whatever they go for.
if you can cancel it I would
weve got every park plus disco swim ticket for £330
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IvIarkgraham
Premium Member
Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
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also enclaves is ok. the coooked breakfast upgrade is worth doing. needs updating inside the hotel.
we nearly ended up there next year but paid a little extra for the sonesta suites
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IvIarkgraham
Premium Member
Registered: 27th Mar 04
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
User status: Offline
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discovery cove ultimate package
universal 3 park ticket
that gets you Universal, Islands of adventure, wet n wild, discovery cove swim, sea world, aquatica, busch gardens
ours is £330 for when we are going
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Joe
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Registered: 20th Jun 04
Location: Hesketh Bank, Lancashire
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California has it all, do New York on a separate trip.
Coast, cities, national parks, theme parks etc. really is an amazing place.
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kz
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Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
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One thing I have to see is Alcatraz, got obsessed about that for a while actually! The missus wants to go San Francisco anyway so kind of makes sense. I wouldn't mind not getting everything done, and going back years down the line. Just as long as I get a sizeable taster
Regarding costs... one way I'm looking at it is I got of some of my money from an inheritance. It was meant to be around £10k, but in the end I got £16k so I kind of feel like I have £6k 'extra' and I'm sure he would have wanted me to spend it on something I really wanted to do.
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Russ
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Registered: 14th Mar 04
Location: Armchair
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lol at 5k you bunch of pussies.
i'll wait for whitter45 to turn up and show you what you to spend on a holiday - pro tip - prepare your cheque book and your anus
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Russ
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Registered: 14th Mar 04
Location: Armchair
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sc0tt - discovery cove is pointless unless you go all in balls out dolphin experience
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