You're in the ballpark though your ticket prices are a bit on the expensive side so you're likely going to save a little there (unless ticket prices skyrocket for both WM and Raw due to the XXX anniversary).
Here's what I spent (within $20 for each thing) for my past 3 'Manias. I'm a tad OCD when it comes to budgeting for a big trip, which is why I remember these amounts lol. Miscellaneous are things like parking and other stuff that doesn't fall into those categories.
WrestleMania 21 - Los Angeles
WM Ticket - $750 (10th row behind announcers facing entrance)
Souvenirs/miscellaneous - $50
Total Cost - $800
WrestleMania XXVI - Phoenix (Friday through Monday)
WM Ticket - $200 (
section 221 of Phoenix Stadium)
WM Axxess (1 session)/souvenirs - $100
Hotel - $180 (3 nights, split w/friend)
Car rental/gas - $180 (4 day rental, split w/friend, drove from LA)
Food - $120 (2 diners, rest are fast food)
Miscellaneous - $20
Total Cost - $800
WrestleMania XXVIII - Miami (Thursday through Tuesday)
WM Ticket - $250 (
far end risers facing stage)
WM Axxess/WWE HOF Ceremony - $100
Hotel - $250 (5 nights, split w/friend)
Airfare - $350 roundtrip
Car rental/gas - $220 (6 day rental, split w/friend)
Food - $180 (we went on a food network/travel channel trip during our stay)
Tourist stuff/Misc. - $100
Total Cost - $1450
I've been wanting to go to a Mania since 25 and I know they're gonna try and go all out for 30. Austin/Punk might be a possibility as well as Taker's last match, I definitely wanna be there for those moments.
Even if the show isn't all that great I still wanna be able to say I went to one. I'm for sure going to Post-Raw as I know that's gonna be great.
Probably will be going by myself, unless in between now and when the tickets going on sale I can get some friends together and go.
My plan at the moment is I wanna go to the HOF, Mania and Post-Raw. Axxess just sounds like a headache I don't need and something kids would enjoy more than I would. Plus I'm likely just to run into a wrestler or two on the streets.
I'll be flying from Cali and I already know I wanna stay at either the Holiday Inn or Hyatt Regency as they're within walking distance so cab rides won't be necessary. As for food I can just stick with fast food or snacks, I'm not a heavy eater to begin with.
So my plan is looking like this:
HOF
Mania
Post-Raw
Plane
Hotel
(Money for merchandise or souvenirs)
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For those who have been to Mania I would love some advice on what to do (where to sit, package or no package, plane tickets, when to leave...things like that)
Since I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, I'm likely going to drop in on Thursday or even Wednesday so it gives me at least a day or two to do some sight-seeing and just enjoy what the city has to offer. Maybe catch a ROH or Dragon Gate show on Friday, do Axxess and HOF on Saturday, Mania on Sunday, Raw on Monday, then head back home on Tuesday.
No complaints from me on my last two Manias re:seating. I'm personally against packages since I could almost always find savings doing everything separately. Unless you want to get gold seats (like ringside), I'd just buy the tickets separately. Put websites like priceline, kayak, hotels.com,etc to good use. I was able to save $60/night through Priceline's "name your own price" deal when we went to Phoenix ($120 for Sheraton rather than $180). Was also able to save about $90 off my airfare last year simply by flying out of Ontario rather than LAX and arriving in Ft. Lauderdale rather than Miami.
I would also pass up the packages offered up by Priceline,etc because I've found that by mixing and matching different hotels, airlines, and rental car companies (if you choose) you could actually save more money than if you take their bundles. I know some people don't like the hassle of trying out various combinations but it's worth it for me especially if I could save upwards of a couple hundred dollars simply by doing your homework.
Be a bit liberal on your budget limits. I'd recommend budgeting a bit
more than what you want to spend and then go under it. That way you'll come back home with extra money in your pocket. The worst thing is when you don't budget enough for a big trip and then find yourself in the red midway through the trip. It's happened to my friend when we made a trip up to San Francisco and I had to cover for him the last 2 days.
Here are the views from my seats.
WM XXVI (section 221) - my camera was completely zoomed out. The view is better than the picture would suggest.
WM XXVIII (far end risers)