What's the most expensive item in your budget?

[SandraC]

Hi, just curious about the most expensive, and I guess least expensive thing in your budget, example of my budget:

Family of 4, 2 adult and 2 kids, dd (8) and ds(2) he doesn't get charged Disney tickets or buffets.
(prices USF all taxes, tips included)

Air $1100
CSR, 10 nights $1075
Food $800
Disney Tickets $650
Spending $600
Mini van rental $375
Total $4600 for 10 nights/11 days

[hockey mom]

Mine would be air-$1675. We really need to start driving again.

[scanmom]

We have 6 in our family, and 5 of us are considered adults by Disney, so we definatly spend more $$ on hopper tix than anything else! But we drive, so no plane tix to buy!

[SandraC]

We are already talking about driving next trip. We got a good deal on air for this April, but the prices are nuts now. I figure the cost of increasing airfare and the expense of the rental van in 2004 will be about $1600 USF, I think we'll Drive next trip!

[jimmiej]

Here's mine-you can see I'm really into details!

Air x 4 $712.30(got a great deal from priceline)
Hotel $1,653.52 (Swan-teacher rate+upgrade to water view-8 nights)
Tix $1,174.56
Food $860.00
Souvenirs $400.00
Groc./Film $70.00
Airport park $60.00
Clothes $400.00
********.net $100.00
Tour(K to K) $232.00
Hoop-De-Doo $191.12
Ill. Cruise $152.00 (I hope!)
Min. Golf $40.00
Tip $ for h-keeping & bags $32.00
quarters for washing $8.00

Total needed $6,085.50

[disney4us2002]

Wellll, SoG rates at Contemporary so definitely NOT hotel!! Tickets for 5 of us is $1288 (discounted LOS) is going to be the most unless we really eat well for a week, lol or my souvenir shopping takes over all common sense.

Carla

[Tiger Fan]

Tickets will be our biggest expense for our November trip. We'll be renewing our APs. The next couple of trips however will then be cheap again.

Lisa

[Cindy B]

Our will be tickets.

Hampton Inn rate 14 days $39/ night
Orlando Flex Tickets $704
Disney 4 park hoppers $900 something.

[SandraC]

Tickets seem to be at the top of the list. This is interesting! Thx all! S

[juicefruit00]

Well, lets see.

Air $366 ( for the 4 of us) Yes very cheap air.
Park hoppers.$ 752.98
Lodging $894 ( We are staying in POR for 2 nights and Vistana for 7nights)
Car rental$228
So i would say either food or lodgings!!!!!!!


We are also going Easter week!!!! 14 more days!!!!! YAY!!!!!

[jennymouse]

This is a little early yet, as our trip isn't until October, but this is my budget so far. There will be three of us going. 3 generations, my 28yr old DD and my 7yr old DGD and I.

Air: Already purchased. $715.50

1 Night Hampton Inn by MCO: $49.00 (Already purchased)

8 Nights CSR: $1325.00 Note: This is DC rate; still on the lookout for better.

Passes: 3 five day hoppers. $611.00 (Already purchased, DC rate)

Discovery Cove/Sea World: $400 (Already purchased, sending DD & DGD.)

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. (Would be $80?, but will buy with Webcertificates earned by rewards programs so it's free!)

********: $175 (transfers airport and girls to SW/DC.

Food/Souvies: Taking around $2000 with us, BUT, not all of it will be in cash. $150 in free Rainforest Cafe Gift Certificates earned doing rewards programs. $400 in free Disney Dollars earned w/rewards programs. $260.00 in free Connections vouchers purchased with Webcertificates doing rewards programs.

Will be purchasing film with $60 free Walmart gift cert's. Purchasing miscellaneous trip supplies with $30 free Target gift certs.

That's about it!

[disney4us2002]

Jennymouse, how long have you been doing rewards programs?? I started in July '01 and I have nothing anywhere near yours!!

Carla

[SandraC]

Same here. I started a couple of reward programs, but they took soooo much time. I didn't buy anything online, I think that helps build up points, I only did the daily quick point things that yeild little points but used a lot of time. I did manage a $10 gift certificate from BLINK that I am still waiting for. We'll use it during summer vacation. I really thought with all the time I spent, I would get a free car rental or Disney Dollars. But I don't have the time nor will I shop lots on line. I admire folks who can stay with the programs, I just don't have the time. S

[addicted_to_WDW]

Our next trip (7 nights) looks something like this:

For 3 (2 adults and an 8 year old)

Tickets - $1100 (new APs, the old ones expired in January. We'll get 2 more trips out of them)
Hotel - 833 (CBR)
Food - 800
Souvineers/Misc - $500
Tiffany TC - $100
Airfare - $443

Grand total: $3776

[jennymouse]

My DD and I have been doing rewards programs, at least some of them, for almost a year now. We really started doing them diligently since December when we started planning our trip. We do several of them...and yes it takes time, it takes both of us combined about 2 1/2 hours a day. I've never purchased anything to get points. Just sign ups and clicking. When I get discouraged, I stick in a WDW planning video or thumb through all the GC's & DD's I've already gotten. The hard part will come this spring as I haven't figured out how to do rewards programs while gardening!:rolleyes:

[DisOrBust]

Last year our air (for 4) and car rental came to 1600.00 This year we did the 21hr drive and felt is was worth it. We drove straight thru and it wasn't easy but we lived. I liked having my own car and being able to leave when we wanted. Not having the stress of getting to the airport etc was also a plus. I am never able to get great air out of Milwaukee. If we could get a good fare I would probably take it.

We saved money this year using AP's for 2 trips which also made this years trip possible.

[emmalgin]

What type of car did you drive? I can't imagine the 21 trip (with 4) in anything smaller then a large SUV or minivan......

[Mickeyluver37]

Definitely Food for us!

Hotels:
CBR- $559 for 6 nights
off-site at Universal- $191 for 3 nights
one hotel somewhere on the way home- $50-$90

Tickets:
Dh- Active Duty military- Free
1/2 off 6 day PHP's for DD and I- 146.82, and 117.67
2 DQ tickets- 15.37, and 12.19
Ds- 2.5, and free

Food-
Already have 19 Connections vouchers-$328
Hoop Dee Doo- $120.40 (not including DC discount)
Other for meals- about $600
4 mugs at CBR- $40

Driving-
gas- $200 at most from MD

Souveniers:
We already have $95 DD's, and over $150 in change we will be cashing in sometime this week for DD's
Other souveniers- $200 maybe?

Film- this was bigger than I thought!
Just spent $84 on 15 rolls of 25 exposures, one underwater camera with 27 exposures, and 6 120 min. video camera tapes. At about $10 per roll of film (Advantix), it will be another $160 to get all of this developed.

I am not even counting all the money we have spent on a new summer wardrobe (a lot!), because we will use the clothes this summer and not just on our trip. We're officially in the single digits! 9 more days to go!!!

[momoftwins]

O.K.

Here is mine so far:

Airfare: $668.00 for 4 tickets out of Providence
Themepark Tickets: $785.00 - 2 Adult/2 Kids (5 Day Park Hopper)
Hotel: $675.00 - AsMU for & nights
********: $100 - TownCar Service
Food/Souvenir: $300.00 I am bringing a lot from home and making a grocery stop. We have no PS reservations, but will use counter service for the meals. I have asked for Disney Dollars for the kids bday. I have explained what they get for their bday will be for their souvenirs.

This is not as cheap as going the beginning of February, as we had originally planned, but I am so glad we are fortunate enough to go at all.

This will also be for our 10th wedding anniversary. While it will not be a romantic dinner, or a exclusive hideaway, I will be celebrating with the people that I love the most. This is better than any gift I could ever get!

[TandyR]

This is for 4 people 2 adults and DD1 (5 years old) and DD2 (2 years old).

four day (we have days left on our last years passes)
park hopper passes $549.08 (with DC discount and taxes)
Airfare out of Boston $960.30 (used Priceline)
Transportation to Logan to fly out of Boston: $136.00 (that is with coupon)
Car rental 8 days full sized: $181.07 (with DC discount and coupon)
Princess Breakfast: $0 (vouchers from Amex)
groceries: $200
dining out 10 times counting McD's in airports: $400
souviners: $400
hotal cost: $0 (we are DVC members)

so total is about $2800

31 days and counting :bounce:

[SNOWBOARDER]

I think it's probably food/souvenirs, with airfare coming in a close second. Here's a breakdown of our costs for 3 people, for 8 days:
Airfare $591.00 (N/S flights out BWI on Airtran)
Rent a Car $205 (Avis full-size)
Resort $0.00 (Orange Lake Country Club) Thanks Mom!!!
Admissions $0.00 (Thanks CMFrannie!!)
Food & Souvenirs $800.00
Total = $1,600.00
I realize that the cost of food & souvenirs does seem low, however, our resort has a full kitchen, so all of our breakfasts will be in the room, as will some of our lunches & dinners. We will be doing a couple of character meals, (Chef Mickeys and Donald's Breakfastaraus), and for those meals we'll take advantage of my wifes CM discount. We'll probably do some of our main meals, during the day at the parks, but lunch prices, coupled with CMFrannies discount, make them pretty affordable. We're also doing a Luau one evening, at our resort, which is supposed to be wonderful, and it's only $10.95 pp. We always take more money, than we think we need, but we usually come back with some. Oh yeah, CMFrannie buys Disney Dollars throughout the year, which makes it even easier...those things really do add up!!!

[trntogld959]

My DS and I are going in Nov for 9 nights at
WLV(rented DVC points)$2800,
5Day HP Passes $524(DC Discount)
Disney Quest $60(DC Discount)
Universal Ticket for two Free from Marriottrewards
Planned activities:Poly Luau,Hoopdee doo, Character Meals,All PS, plus b-day cake delivered $400
Food (our room has a kitchen but we plan to get some treats in the parks) $ 300
Souviners $300

I don't think this is too bad, we eat out half as much and save the $$ for character meals and I started using coupons and valupage.com (The first month I saved$127 on items I normally purchase)Which pays for Luau! We may even do a fireworks cruise!

[Goofyposter]

When we go, we like to enjoy ourselves.

14 nights, 2 "adults"-next trip 12/02


BWI conceirge $2800 (6nights)
Contemporary Concerige $ 3425 (8 nights)
AP renewal est. $ 700
MVMCP $480 (6 event nites)
Food (est. $160 p/day) $2250
Walking around cash (est. $200p/day) $ 2800
Ground Transport (Mears w/tips) $260
Air (already purchased) $ 420
Random Act of Kindness Reserve...$ 300 (est. $20 p/day-not limited to this, but a guide)
Misc. (boat rental, golf, shipping stuff home, Victoria & Alberts)...$ 2000
Mousekeeping Envelops....$70
Bell Services Tips....$ 30

Total $15,500 ($46.13 per visit hour)....

http://www.mousescripts.com/clipart/images725/Movies/Goofy_Movie/Goofy/goofhead06a.gif

....But worth every last hard earned cent!!

[schatterjee]

Wow! Your doing great at your on-line clicking!

I wondered what program offers Disney Dollars? I have only tried My Points (half-heartedly) and when I checked their site I didn't see DDs. In any case I have a year until our trip and you've inspired me! I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks!

[SCgoofy64]

Here is mine, 1 Adult, 5 kids, 14, 12, 10, 7, 5 - 10 Nights

Room - $392, 7 @ Silver Lake thru Skyauction and 3 at Renissance World Gate thru Priceline
Food - $650
Driving Down - $100 Gas
Spending Money - $250
Tickets - Annual Passes

Total $1392 - $5.80 per visit hour.

[DisOrBust]

Your right Em! We have a conversion van. I would not have considered driving straight thru otherwise.


For you Canadians...I would think the length of the drive would cost me to much in Nerves to make it worth it. I look at you with awe,LOL. Must be something in that "nord" air.

[SandraC]

LOL~*nord* air! We have BRAIN FREEZE up here! LOL! We have flown to WDW last 4 trips and will fly again next month. I think we'll drive in a couple of year during the summer months. S

[SandraC]

I like that hourly rate thing ~ The family is $17.69 per hour, or $4.42 p.p. per hour.

[Xevious]

I'd have to say souvenirs. Because of my finances I can only go to WDW so often. I have to make the most of it while I'm there.

[threeboysmom]

Gee, I guess we're in the minority here it looks like. Our most expensive item in the budget is ALWAYS the tickets!! Our timeshare is paid for, or we use discount codes for hotel, we look for discounted airfare (or we drive), discount for rental car, budget for dinners out (we usually have breakfast in room and snack during day), souvenirs are kept to a minimum - kids have own $$, I usually pick out 1-2 nice things for myself, DH isn't thrilled with Disney so he usually doesn't care to buy anything :) The only thing we cannot find big discounts on are hopper passes so we are stuck buying 4 adults and 1 child each time for around $1600. Without those passes, our vacation would be VERY CHEAP!!

[Xevious]

I love your countdown banner! That's so neat!

[emmalgin]

Two Things....

GoofyPoster..... Are you yanking our chain????? $15,000 US!!!!! And lurking on a budget board?

Want to adopt???? (LOL)

Also I have seen on this thread many going to Hoop-de-doo. Have you been before???? Biggest disappointment of my trip in 1999....

[BedKnobbery2]

Jenifer,

What rewards programs do you use? I've never done them, and am very interested!

BK

[worm761]

bedknobbery~you should go over to the rewards board. we are a very helpfull bunch and will answer any questions you have. check it out!

[ducklite]

Typical trip: 7 nights in BWV 1 BR

2 adults, 1 teen with AP's, getting second trip out of them (or third/forth!)
DVC members staying on points

Airfare $525
Rental car $180
Airport parking $90
Pet sitter $280
Food $1200
Misc. $200

So in my case the meals (generally lunch and dinner out, 1 CB, other brekkies in room) are the highest, followed by airfare and pet sitting.

Anne

[kwnancy]

we are fl residents so we couldn't pass up the PLAY for $ deal - 4 parks 4 days for $99 and tax.

It's just myself and dd (13) this trip, DH is finishing up his scuba instructor class and can't miss class or lab. DD has two days off school the end of April, thursday and friday. So we thought a drive up on wednesday eve and thursday morn (about a 8 hour drive) and drive home on sunday.

Looking at the school calendar and her course load, she could take off Wednesday without a problem....and upon another look, Monday as well. So we could drive up on Tuesday eve and Wednesday morning and come home on Monday.

If we drive, we take our only car, DH needs transportation to work and school...so to rent a car, even rent a 'wreck' we are looking at $200 - rentals are not cheap in Key West and it's still high season. So if I could find 'cheap' airfare, we could fly.

So where we are today, air tix for $360, leaving early tuesday evening and coming back home late monday night - basically five full days at WDW!!

I am still looking at hotel rates - on site is outragous right now - only rack rates even with the codes, fl resident, disney club, AAA. Looking at hotwire or priceline for 3* or better for under $40 per night.

Food budget - we are figuring $50 max per day, neither of us are breakfast eaters (well maybe a KRISPY CREME) :) ,salad for lunch and counter service or off property for dinner.

Of course, if we stay off property, we are back to the car rental thing....but car rentals in Orlando are much more competitively priced.

So until it's all over we are probably looking at about $1200

We are starting to count the days...

[Pig Pen]

DH and me

We are "splurging" on our hotel this time, and skimping on the rest. Since DH considers Days Inn as a luxury hotel, the Dolphin will be a big step up for him!

We are not yet certain if we will drive or fly. We will fly ONLY if I can get tickets under $300 total for both of us, which is possible, but not likely. Otherwise, we will spend $300 driving (includes gas, food, possible roach motel along I-95 - but DH usually likes to drive straight thru...yuk)

6 nights @ Dolphin - $800

TIX - 2 AP with DC discount - $710 ish
(DH is going in July and we are
both going again in March 2003)

Food - $300
($50 per day...
we don't eat much)

We are not much for souveniers. We will take some pictures - probably 2 rolls. So the total for this trip is around $2200, however we will use tickets again.

[bennytobunny]

Gosh you guys are sooooo lucky, from the U.K and this time there will only be three of us 2 adults and 1 child are expencences are in dollars $2200 in airfare, car hire $1300, tickets for all attractions $1000, food $1000, odd's and sods $500 and spending money $3000, accom $5000, which is about $14,000 this is for three weeks but still is alot of money, but well worth it!!!!

Should save afew $$$$$$ now as we have purchased DVC points, has got to be worth it.