If you just want to get to the nitty gritty of how to do The Ultimate Field Trip, just skip the wordy part at the beginning and start at the bold titles below. 

    When we started this fun, we only had a few families going.  Then we hit 300, 400, 700 and more!  I'm not sure if you've heard, but the economy has hit everyone really hard.  Last year we dropped down to between 400 and 500 traveling in September during Disney's Free Dining Promotion.  Around 100 of those partiicipated in our events onsite.  I was actually astounded that so many families were still able to make the trip.  3D Travel Company actually grew last year in our sales, all from word of mouth.  I'm thinking that, if people are going to go, they defnitely want the TLC we give them.  But, with homeschool families most often being homeschool families and very often having more kids to tote around with them, I know that financial considerations are always going to have to be the frontrunning thoughts for The Ultimate Field Trip to Walt Disney World.

    Now we're looking ahead to 2010 and looking at what will be part of this year's trip.  For the first time ever, I'm giving over some of the control to another person on our team - Charlene Hanyzewski.  Why would I do this?  Well, while my family has been blessed to continue to have our income unchanged over the last two years (and believe you me, we're grateful!) we've also been hit rather hard with celiac disease in our family.  Between medical bills and ongoing food costs that have skyrocketed for us, we're counting our pennies in a whole new way!  I am so grateful that Charlene and her family have taken on the responsibility of being onsite for the entire Ultimate Field Trip this year.  Will I still make an appearance?  Absolutely!  Will my whole family be able to come for the entire time?  I'm just not sure!  All this thinking about money got me to thinking about all of you and what you are concerned about.  Namely, not only How, When and Where to book the Ultimate Field Trip this year, but also how to get the best deal!  So, here goes, straight from the horses mouth.

HOW do I book The Utimate Field Trip? 
Visit our website and submit a quote.  NO MATTER what you put on your quote form, we're going to give you the lowest possible price for your family to go.  We get a lot of people who tell us they'd like a platinum or premim package, but we rarely book it.  We understand that you don't spend hours researching these things or you'd know that's hugely expensie and, hey!  That's why you have us!  What is most important to include on your quote form?  The names and ages of your family and the dates you plan to spend at Walt Disney World.  We can go from there!

WHEN should I book our trip?
You should always book your trip as soon as possible.  When you book your trip, it's the same as having hired an advocate for your vacation.  There are other groups who put together Disney group trips for homeschool families, but what makes us different is our relationship with Disney.  We work with them every day.  Once you have your $200 per room deposit (fully refundable until 45 days before you travel) then we consider ourselves on the job.  We're looking our for your best interests, including doing everything to lower your bottom line.

WHERE should I stay onsite to get the best price?
Disney Value Resorts!  They hold four to a room plus one 0-2 year old.  Are you a family of 5, age 3 & above?  You can get the best deal at Disney's Port Orleans resort.  Of course, we're going to tell you that again when you submit a quote. 

What about staying offsite?  Isn't that a better deal?
It isn't a better deal to stay offsite.  Staying onsite for the past 5 UFT's has been incredibly amazing, as we all received the Disney Dining Plan for free.  We can't guarantee that for 2010, but it would be downright shocking if we don't get a great discount.  I had lunch with Randy Garfield, president of Walt Disney Travel Company, this January and I feel very hopeful that we'll get something grand offered to us after hearing his projections for this year.

Beyond the discounts we're hoping for are the financial benefit you receive with any package where you stay onsite.