What do you REFUSE to spend money on?

[SandraC]

Hi, I like the scrimp thread and thought I'd go the other way.

SO! What do you refuse to spend money on at WDW?

[Mickeyluver37]

Hmmm.....I really can't think of anything at Disney I wouldn't be willling to buy. Except maybe original Disney artwork or something I truly can't afford.

[Beanie]

I agree with Mickeyluver...unless I really couldn't afford it, I cannot think of anything I wouldn't buy! LOL

[Jinnyboom]

I now have to say that I refuse to spend money on PACKAGES..I have only gone to WDW with a package deal before...but since finding this board..I realize that I can have the vacation I want..without all the frills that I won't use.
While I love the idea of having meals prepaid..I now realize that this is definitely NOT the way to go...
I also refuse to pay for small souviners...

You didn't ask but....what I will however pay for..... special tees/sweatshirts that my dd's and myself for that matter can where for quite some time to come....and I will always buy the refillable mugs............

[Shannon D]

I refuse to buy bottled water...
I seek out counter service stands and get a cup of tap water instead!

[tink2dw]

AIRFARE!! I LIVE EXACTLY OPPISITE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AIRFARE IS THE BANE TO A BUDGE TRIP TO WDW!!

[Humpbacks1962]

I agree, I definitely refuse to spend money on packages too! And refuse to spend a penny ever again at the 50's Prime Time Café

Wanda

[chris1gill]

Souveniers!!! We go too often to buy them!! We do go over to the Belz Outlet to get our Disney clothing however... those aren't really Souveniers however, more like necessary wardrobe apparel....

Second thing, this sounds bad I know, but FOOD... We have a 1 bedroom villa at one of the DVC resorts & we eat all breakfasts in & most dinners... we do eat lunch out however.... I refuse to spend 150.00 a day on food, which is what we used to do, NO MORE I say!!!

[disneyfan551]

Wow--can I ask what happened at the 50's Prime Time Cafe? We're going there in April, and now you have got my curiousity going...

Tiffany
WDW College Program 1990

[eeyore0062]

Unfortunately, not much---lol;)

[Humpbacks1962]

Tiffany, it is just that a few years ago my experience was that it is an irritating, obnoxious and extremely noisy place! I was dying to get out of there way before I even ordered my meal. We went in with some friends who spoke the moon about the place, and I can't say enough times how much I disagree.

Too noisy and the food was too expensive. I believe I said before that the year we went, (98, I believe) the kiddie menu had Spaghettios for almost $7.00! My kids wanted to order it, so I inquired, feeling sure that they had to be some form of restaurant-made spaghettis but no, the waiter confirmed that it was a plain can of Spaghettios! I heard that they don't sell them anymore. Maybe Disney learned that the guests aren't such airheads after all.

I like fun places, don't get me wrong. But eating in that place felt like I was eating my lunch in front of all the residents at the dog pound! The 50's Prime Time is something I am not motivated to visit again.

Wanda

[eeyore0062]

Well, when you put it that way Wanda, then I won't spend another penny at Whispering Canyon Cafe for dinner!

[Wendy]

I also refuse to spend money on bottled water. I just can't justify paying the price they charge for water! We take our own water bottles in with us and refill them from the water fountains or get free ice water to refill them.

[Cindy B]

I refuse to buy anything at the grocery store (with milk as the exception) without it being on sale and with a coupon. (this includes toiletries, cleaning supplies, and meats, drinks, snacks)

(Usually not any coupons for milk)

My grocery bill dropped from $65 a week to $25/30 a week for four people
(And we still eat well!)

I refuse to pay full price for anything. I really am starting to hate restaurants as well, since the markup margin is just so high.. I could make it at home, with more healthier ingredients at about 1/4 of the cost.

I also refuse to pay full price for any item of clothing as well. Our budget dropped consdierably on this as well.

[Christi 2002]

Please tell me why you refuse on the Packages. Are they all a waste? Can you buy the "unlimited park hopper passes" once you get there for cheaper. I used a code and got what I thought was a good deal on them, $300 cheaper than they were listed for in the mousesavers.com site. I am very curious about this before I put my deposit down. Thanks for any info.

[sonogirl]

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches!!!!!!:p

[Boots]

We don't buy anything to carry into the park. Such as a mister, etc. We don't like to carry anymore than we have to.

[disneyjunkie]

I agree with you all on the bottled water. We carried our water bottles with us and refilled them when we needed to.

One other thing I'll never pay for at Disney is to have my hair braided. I can't believe the prices they are charging. I read that someone paid $50 dollars for braids only in the front of their child's head. I pay between $50 -70 for a full head of crown rows and that includes the hair.

[chris1gill]

Cindy B, we are also big coupon shoppers, only I take it one step further, I have to have a coupon & it should be on sale... We spend very little on groceries these days!

Christi, We would need more information on your package... most of the time (okay, all of the time) you can get the radically discounted hotel rates & then get an AP if you are going back in 11 months (stretching your AP over 2 trips)... or you can get park hoppers that never expire that come with plus options... But every once in a while a package is offered that is at least worth the money they are asking....

[Babblin'Boo]

Christi, the thing about the packages is how infuriated you'll become when you return from your trip and learn to figure out how much you overspent!! And what is worse, you were charged hundreds of dollars extra that neither the travel agent nor Disney will itemize for you. Depending on the size of the party, that can add up to more than $1,000!

So, you are just as capable to call CRO, book on your own, learn about the best park ticket deals (AP, HP, HP+, LOS), book Mears transportation, a limo or a car, your plane tickets directly with the airline and whatever else is offered under "flex features" for hundreds of dollars less than you'd be charged otherwise. Oh, and that "collectible pin" they give you, goes for under $4.00 in the auction sites.

No personal attacks to travel agents, but they have to make a buck in a technological world where the Internet provides you everything at a much lower cost. If you feel too insecure about booking on your own, then try an agent. But those commissions may make your wallet cry later...

[Christi 2002]

We are taking a family of 5, myself, husband, and sons 10, 8, 4.
Spent $1312 for 6 nite/7day ultimate park hopper passes. 6 nights at Cont. for $1025. This is our first trip. Does this sound like a good deal? AP passes are out of the question because we won't be back within a year.
Thanks
Christi

[damiel]

Christi 2001 -
WHEN ARE YOU GOING?
SEEMS LIKE A VERY GOOD RATE FOR CONT.
WOULD YOU PLEASE E-MAIL ME WITH THE CODE YOU USED FOR YOUR PASSES AND YOUR HOTEL THEY DO SEEM BETTER THAN WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT THE POLY BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A GOOD RATE FOR EARLY/MID APRIL. DAMIEL@WORLDNET.ATT.NET THANKS!
:earseek:

[Humpbacks1962]

Well, add up what you'd pay booking on your own. Look up the airline's website and find what the Internet rates are, add up the park tickets (there's not much you could do to save there, besides a 5% DC discount), look up discount codes for the resort during those dates, transportation and add it all up. Skip the flex features or find out what the price is of those you're interested in, and add them up. I bet you anything, you may come up with a difference in the hundreds of dollars!

Wanda

[chris1gill]

Christi,

This is actually a VERY good deal... You did indeed get discounted park passes... you are paying about the same as if you got 7 day hoppers... 160.00/nt for the Contemporary is also very good, when are you going? Usually packages don't work out, but in this case it seems that it did!! Congrats....

[Christi 2002]

Thanks for the reply's guys. I thought it was a good deal. We are going 6/9 - 6/15.

[Christi 2002]

Damiel,
I got the C** code on mousesavers.com.
I noticed that no one puts the actual code on this site, is there a reason for that? I thought I better follow along.
Christi

[juicefruit00]

Christi 2002


With a price like that i am thinking about getting an AP and going back then. I can't believe how cheap you are paying. I would love to stay there, my husband stayed there when he was a kid and talks about it all the time. I am going for Easter and i am probably nuts. I keep hearing how crowded the parks are. But we got a timeshare real cheap and that is the only time we can use it. The timeshare is my cousins and i jumped at the deal. We were surpose to be on a cruise but changed all our plans and jumped at the thought of going to Disney again. We went once before and can't wait to go back. We have 43 more days to go. Have fun on your trip and keep safe. That goes for all of you.

[BethR]

We use to not allow Disney codes being posted on this board. But that has changed. As a matter of fact, we have our own DIScount Codes Page right here - Click Here (http://www.wdwinfo.com/bank/code1.htm) . If you hear of any new codes, you can e-mail them to WebmasterBob@wdwinfo.com and he will see that they get posted.

Thanks!

[n2mm]

Bottled water in the Parks. I stop at Publix and buy them for .50 a bottle. Cheaper than the $2.50 Disney charges. I keep them cold in a collapsable cooler in the room.

ALSO, no cheap light up toys for the kids to have at night during Fantasmic or night parades--or balloons. I would buy them a pin first!!

[SandraC]

I have vacationed using packages and booking on my own for several years. Everytime I book a package and return from vacation I say, "NEVER AGAIN!" Then the next year I book my own vacation and have a great time with lots of saving. Then I get sucked into thinking TA's know more than me and book a packages, return, say, "NEVER AGAIN!" We went to WDW last April, total vacation was 8 nights, 1 night Daytona Beach, 7 nights CBR. I booked thru a TA. This year I booked myself 10 nights at CSR. We are getting a better vacation this year, longer this year and I am saving $1300 this year! When it comes to package deals, I say "NEVER AGAIN!"


WHAT I WON'T BUY (excepts occasionally)
1) Hoop De Doo Review, my kids are too young and it's too expensive.
2) LaNouba (spelling?) too expensive for something I can see in Toronto.
3) A Happy Meal ~ we don't love eating in places we can eat at near home ~ however, I am not glued to this one.
4) Bottled Water, I with all you on this one!
5) $10.60 per day on a fridge. Got one last year since ds was 15 month and needed to chilll milk, a bucket of ice would have done the same thing!
6) Things I can get at home ~ I just bought 3 t's and 3 sweat shirts at the Disney Store for $23.00 TOTAL! (however, last year I just had to have a $20.00 t'shirt with the ying yang Mickey head).
7) A $100 meal for the family without characters
8) Disney Cruise, boats and me don't fo well together

[Poohbear123]

No Character meals for me!:eek: NO Bottled water OR soda, I bring my own from home! Also, NO Expensive Souvies-just my PINS!:D I spend about 50-60 dollars in Pins each trip! But, I ONLY buy the ones for 6.50-8.50!:o

[SandraC]

Yeah, I agree with the PB&J sandwiches, same with the bologna sandwiches, what's the deal with that. I can make that myself. I like the big yummy deli sandwiches, but no thanks for the $3.00 PB&J!

[RussH]

Sit Down Restaurants at WDW.
I read the restaurant board and just shake my head. Maybe it is me but can't understand why people spend so much time and money at mediocre restaurants. Just another one of my mental defects but when I am at WDW you will find me at the parks not constantly adjusting my schedule (don't have one) to arrive at my next PS on time. Here in Cincinnati I can eat better and usually cheaper than anywhere on WDW property. Last 3 years never had a PS eat when and where I want including Xmas/ney Year week. With that said there are 3 exceptions, Akershus my favorite and there is nothing like this at home. MATSUNOMA LOUNGE is a great place to just sit relax have some Sushi and Sake. California Grill is my third I just like it.
RussH

[SandraC]

I don't think I'll eat at Tony's again soon. It was okay, glad I tried it, but not too impressed, $100 meal!

[Robinrs]

I think souvenirs are a big ripoff, too. My son and I go so much the only thing we bring back now are the things we bought from the Dollar store!

I rarely eat lunch at the parks, too. We eat breakfast, go to the park all day and eat dinner when we get back to the hotel. It saves alot and my son doesn't even think about food while he's at the parks.

I am also in agreement with the packages. I bought one on my very first trip to Orlando and I am still feeling like a fool! I've learned the way around everything now and can package it myself like a pro! Thanks to these boards, of course!

I like having a car and go to the supermarket for snacks and food instead of buying at the parks. It's such a major waste of money. I always make sure I have a refrigerator or a cooler to keep things in my room.

[DisOrBust]

No more of that light up toy crap for this family1 This year I convinced the girls to start pin trading. They love it!! I hope it is something they will keep for a lifetime of memories!

[Reflection]

What I won't buy:

Souvenirs and stuff that I can get at home
Those mediocre light-up toys

[TZMOM]

I won't pay more than $150/night for a hotel room - we're not in it that often, don't care about "themeing", etc. I'm w/the pack re: the water bottles - bring your own Brita. Won't pay for the stuff that will either break before you leave or sit in the bottom of your closet for years to come. Thank goodness my 12 yo son has learned the concept and realizes that you don't need everything that you see or that anybody else has. BUT I will pay for fun stuff to do - like surfing lessons, dolphin swimming, etc. - That kind of stuff is way cool. :)

[f-LORI-da]

Just a personal pet peeve of mine, but I refuse to pay (tip) for a bellhop, lol! I am able-bodied, and can carry my own bags. Now, if I had so much luggage that I couldn't carry it all myself, or if I just physically wasn't able to, then I'm sure I would appreciate the service.

[babygarrettsmom]

f-LORI-da,

Will you tell that to my DH, please????? We are both quite able-bodied, only live a couple of hours away so we take weekend trips all the time - so we only have 1 or 2 bags at most. He STILL refuses to park his own car or carry his own bags - even if we just resort-hop for dinner!!!!!! And, he hates the counter service restaurants!!! Aaaaaaahhhh!

So, I guess there's not much I wouldn't buy at WDW. Too bad - could save a lot of money.

Michele

[f-LORI-da]

Schlepp your own bags!:o (Did that help, Michelle?) :D I usually don't use the valet parking, either. A couple times, when visiting another resort... but not since Disney started charging for it:rolleyes: No counter service?:eek: Just think... all the $$$ you could save in all those tips.... why you could take another weekend at WDW;)

[rlyrehc]

I'm beginning to get a little lightheaded!! I would agree with everything that everybody is saying while I'm sitting in my own home and shopping in my local store. Then.... something happens to me when you mention the word Disney!! I suddenly go from having no greater joy than to get a good deal on something to being willing to pay $2.50 several times a day for a bottled water. I try all of the themed restaurants, sometimes more than once. I drag my family to the character meals and freak when I see MICKEY!!!!!! I spend hundreds of dollars in World of Disney for souvies--something I'd NEVER do anyplace else. Of course maybe I should have seen it coming-I couldn't stand the internet and yet when I found these boards I found that several hours would pass and I would still be reading (and now posting:p .) So I guess I have to agree with the people at the top, there is probably nothing that I wouldn't spend money on when it comes to Disney. It probably has something to do with that sickness that's going around--Disneyitis!:earsboy:

[DeeP]

I have been reading this thread for the past couple of days and I keep trying to think of something at Disney that I have refused to spend money on and the only thing I can think of is those little bags that you fill up with colored stones, they sell them at FW and also Adventureland. It is something like $6.00 for a small bag of stones. That is the only thing I have ever refused to spend money on while at WDW and that was years ago! I guess I have Disneyitis also! :D Those light up toys I love, especailly the ones with the arms (for lack of a better word) that stick out and light up and twirl around, I think they are really neat especailly at nighttime during Fantasmic. My problem is my kids are too old to want them so I have no one to buy one for while in WDW but we have brought them back as presents for little kids we know and the kids love them!

[rlyrehc]

DeeP, I'm so glad you replied because I was feeling bad that I liked those light up toys too. Now I can come out of the closet. We Jersey girls will stand alone and spin our lights :p . -C

[PattiPB]

Hello, my name is Patti, and my children get the light-up toys, too. There, I've stood up and said it! I found the strength to make this admission because I was born and raised in New Jersey, too, in Montclair (Essex County)!!! LOL!!!!!

I refuse to spend money on bottled water, too. Usually I don't buy soda either, but throw a can or two in the backpack. This trip, however, we are going without kids, and won't have a stroller to store crap, so I will probably buy soda more frequently.

Generally, the only souvenirs I buy are ones we can wear on our backs. We avoid most of the stuffed toys and knick-knack stuff.

Patti

[MELSMICE]

My sister is a travel agent & she said it is less expensive to plan your trip "ala carte" than to do it via a package. We always do it that way. May only save a couple hundred dollars, but that might be the difference between 1 or 2 more nights at the World. If you don't want the hassle go through an agent, otherwise, do it yourself.

[Diz]

I refuse to spend big money on tiny hotel rooms. Renting a house for a week for less money than a tiny hotel room is what I call a vacation !

[punky'smom]

Of course bottled water! I bought those bottle covers with the straps and they hook on to my fannie pack. We buy a case of bottled water at Walmart,freeze what we need overnight,and slip the covers over in the mornning and off we go. A case usually last us all week. Another thing I refuse to do is go to a sit down restuarant for breakfast. Sizzler's has a great breakfast buffet for 2.99 pp. That's cheaper than cooking your own. As for the lights we have bought them at Disney on Ice and the circus so I just pack them in the kids backpacks and make sure we bring extra batteries. But I will buy is an anniversary souvenir and I can't wait to get my 100 years T-shirt. :D

[cinlee3]

My family never once bought a single Mickey Bar or Dole Whip. We never bought bottled water - brought some in the backpack and they give ice water in a cup to you for free at the counter service places.

I won't buy something I can get at my local Disney Store. Bought t-shirts and sweatshirts there before our trip. Although I did look at CBR for a shirt I couldn't live without and never found it.

I would never spend money for a turkey leg - DH and DSs will though.

Didn't buy DD the Ariel and Erik wedding dolls at MGM - She still brings that up and she's only 3.

[C.Ann]

Bottled water..

Most sit-down meals within the parks.

Over-priced souveniers in the parks.

Package vacation deals..

And here comes the one that's going to get me flamed......................

Staying on Disney property.. No way I can justify that cost when I can stay off-site (within 5 minutes of the parks) for 12 days in an entire 2 bedroom cottage for less than it would cost me for a cramped hotel room on-site for 5 days.. And the on-site transportation is no incentive for me at all because I prefer to have a rental car so I can do other things while I'm in Florida as well..

[teddikayg]

Another vote for bottled water! We learned about 5 trips ago to buy the Britta filter bottles at Target before we left. We fill them with ice and tap water from the hotel each morning. We did each get a water bottle cover which does help to keep the H2O colder, but as far as taste, they work GREAT. The filters are good for a long time, altho generally we replace the filters for each trip at a cost of about $4 each.

teddi
:earsgirl:

[deena]

because I can totally relate about staying off-site C.Ann; when going to Disney years now we have found no reason to squeeze virtually an entire family in a cramped onsite room for over a week's time when there are so many other accomodations right next door with double or three times the space with loads of amenities for literally hundreds of dollars less.

We enjoy being off property too while exploring all the other exciting and interesting attractions as well as restaurants/shopping around this vicinity. I figure if we are going to spend a lot of money just to travel there with plane tickets alone and renting a car on the side especially we might as well get our money's worth by seeing as much as possible on vacation; also we transoprt ourselves to WDW without any problems at all.

Also, the downtime we receive after leaving the hustle and bustle of parks behind after touring in the midst of large crowds all day long while returning to a tranquil spacious setting is priceless. Additionally, being close to a grocer/drug store/super-walmart in order for picking up food, drinks, and snacks at such an ease is truly a convenience on all our trips. I can't imagine myself going to WDW any other way. So, you aren't alone in not being able to justify being onsite in a smaller sized resort room when so much other excellent places exist practically within arms reach.

JMHO

[deena]

because I can totally relate about staying off-site C.Ann; when going to Disney years now we have found no reason to squeeze virtually an entire family in a cramped onsite room for over a week's time when there are so many other accomodations right next door with double or three times the space with loads of amenities for literally hundreds of dollars less.

We enjoy being off property too while exploring all the other exciting and interesting attractions as well as restaurants/shopping around this vicinity. I figure if we are going to spend a lot of money just to travel there with plane tickets alone and renting a car on the side especially we might as well get our money's worth by seeing as much as possible on vacation; also we transoprt ourselves to WDW without any problems at all.

Also, the downtime we receive after leaving the hustle and bustle of parks behind after touring in the midst of large crowds all day long while returning to a tranquil spacious setting is priceless. Additionally, being close to a grocer/drug store/super-walmart in order for picking up food, drinks, and snacks at such an ease is truly a convenience on all our trips. I can't imagine myself going to WDW any other way. So, you aren't alone in not being able to justify being onsite in a smaller sized resort room when so much other excellent places exist practically within arms reach.

JMHO

[C.Ann]

Phew! Thought sure I was going to get barbecued for my thoughts on staying off-site.. :)

I don't get down there very often so when I do I want to stay as LONG as possible and that's just not feasible when you stay on Disney property - unless of course you have tons of extra money..

Also, when we were there with our 3-year-old granddaughter last September we found that she really needed - and wanted - the "down time" away from the constant Disney hype..

Maybe someday if I hit the lottery I'll try one of the resorts for a short stint but until then it's off-site all the way for this cheapskate - ha! :)