March 15, 2012 I purchased a reservation for a week in Yellowstone over the New Year Holiday.
$626.27 Cabin, food, OTS Transportation in/out, Canyon of Yellowstone River Tour, NYE Toast
$165 Rental Car (was $181 back in February when I made the resevation. Found a better deal)
$262 Gas. The average list price at gasbuddy.com is $3.63 per gallon with lowest in Iowa at $3.18.
Total: $1053.27 At time of Reservation, I paid $313.14. Amount due at check out $313.13.
I'm hoping to save more money on the rental car in the coming months. That 1st $16.00 in savings equates to about 175 miles in gas, or just over 5% of the total gas bill. I'm hoping the gas prices fall a bit for winter as they have been known to do.
I recently desided to take the long way home from the Park. Since I'll be entering through Flagg Ranch and the Grand Tetons, I can drive SW through Idaho, Utah and down to Vegas for the weekend. The cost will be $130.00. I will get free room, food, drinks and even have some cash coming if I so choose to spend my Reward Credits.
Football season ends NYE weekend so my only options are Hockey and Basketball. I should get there early in the morning on Friday. This will give me an early $500 straight bet on the best team/match up. If win, then I can double up on a late game/match up. I may leave on Saturday to get the rental car home by Monday, but thinking I can stay and leave either Sunday or Monday. On my way out, I will make another straight bet on the best team/match up, and a few $100 parylays.
I'm really looking forward to this. I've been to Yellowstone in the winter and I suggest you do the same. It's remarkable and well worth the effort. To get the days you want, you'll need to contact the vendor. Bookings are generally made 1 year in advance and a reservation with cancelation insurance can be made for as little as $150.00. Look for a package deal. I saved $125.00 on the room, and was given free food.
Anyone planning a vacation at anytimeshould find the rental car 1st. Not only can you find the lowest price "now", if you don't, a weekly check of the car company(s), you will eventually find the lower price and feel good about saving a few bucks.
Thanks for reading....
William