Just back - budget tips that worked well for us

[Tiger926]

We just returned from our regularly scheduled 2 week July DVC trip to WDW - we had a great time! It was me, DH, DD6 and DD2. We did the DP for the whole 13 nights/14 days, with split stays at 4 resorts.

We have been doing well with our budget this year (DH is an emotional spender/depressive personality), so we implemented some awesome tips on our trip this year.

Here is what worked for us:

1. Frozen bottles of water - We can't drink the Orlando water, so we usually spend a lot of money on water in the parks as we go in July - it's hot!!! This year, we used our small Mickey lunch bag, and put in about 5-6 bottles. This worked out so well - we only had to buy 1 bottle of water, as DH forgot the bag one night as we were going to watch Spectro. As an aside, more places are filtering their water, so that's good.

2. Midday break - We are lucky as DVC members that we many of our resorts are at the parks, so we took a daily midday break, which was great for replenishing water, getting snacks in room and resting. This actually saves money as kids don't ask to snack on expensive stuff in parks, or go shopping for even more expensive stuff!

3. Breakfast in room - We ate breakfast in our room almost each day (except for a few character meals). We ate bacon sandwiches, cereal with milk, juice, fruit, granola bars, toast and Bear Paws.

4. Snacks - Taking snacks into parks was hard, as many things would melt due to heat, but we took our water (as mentioned), fruit and Cheerios, and this was great! We don't eat junk food, nor drink pop, but we need to eat snacks regularly as 3 of us struggle with low blood sugar. We then utilized our DP snack credits for actual snacks that filled us up: pastries, fruit, ice cream, pretzels and popsicles.

5. Souveniers - Hardly bought much at all, as most Disney merchandise is junk. No balloons, no spinners, only 1 Misty Fan as our other cheaper one broke (baby broke it) and we brought our Mickey stroller fan from home. We did buy a few things that we discussed with kids (hats and shirts that were on sale), regarding the budget, as well as gifts for nieces' birthdays and first trip to Disney. We also sent a package of merchandise to our 1st resort from Disney Shopping with jammies, toys, books and autograph books/pens for kids. Tinkerbelle brought it the first night, and it was a huge hit! Saved a ton as we normally order stuff from Disney Florist, plus kids didn't really ask for many souveniers either!

6. Meals - We have eaten pretty much everywhere, so we know our menus. We didn't waste any money on appetizers or special drink cups (we don't drink alcohol, pop or coffe/tea either). We don't eat junk food, nor fast food, so kids only had 1 hot dog and 2 chicken strips that they shared. We really watched what we ordered so that there would be adequate food to feed our very hungry just turned 2 year old boy - he eats more than me! This worked out so well, that we only had to buy extra 1 meal for him the entire time. We shared and switched food, and it worked out very well - places like Akershus actually give free meals to kids under 3, so that's great too! We also took desserts to go, and ate them for breakfast the next morning. We ate 2 meals not covered by DP: ESPN Club and Rainforest, both of which we had discounts/coupons for. Again, more money savings here! Also, didn't buy a resort mug as we don't drink pop or coffee, so savings there as well.

7. Venturing off site - We kept our car parked for like 7 days last week - no gas wasted. We used to venture off-site to Target, Walmart or Orlando Premium Outlet Mall and buy stuff that we didn't need. Not this trip - we went to Winn Dixie with a small grocery list, and stuck to it. Everything was on sale as well, so that was even better. Didn't go to Target or Walmart at all, as we had everything that we needed as we brought from home.

8. Discounts/Promos - We used the AP Pass along promo, so we saved 10%, plus we will get 2 trips with at least 24 park days, so that's great. Used our VISA rewards points to pay $400.00 towards these passes, as well as used a few AP discounts on restaurants and shopping.

9. Strollers - We bring our own strollers, so no rentals for us. Can't believe how costly they are, and feel badly for people who have no choice but to rent from Disney.

10. Free stuff - There is lots of free stuff to do and receive in the parks, so we always take advantage of things like free stickers, safety cards, KidCot stops @ Epcot, extra paper cups to pour water in (kids like the characters on them), and free play/water splash areas.

All in all, we had a great trip with good budget tips. DH used to think that we had to do everything in the most expensive way, or we wouldn't enjoy our trips - we spent a ton of money on DxDP last year for 12 nights - what a waste of money! We hardly bought that much out of pocket food or drinks, no Photopass CD, and hardly any souveniers, all of which have been huge budget busters for us in the past. Yeah!

We are proud of how we stuck to our budget this trip! Lots of great tips on this board, that's for sure!

Good luck to all on their travel budgets - DH is now a budget convert! Yeah! He realizes that making the memories together as a family is what is important, and not all of the stuff that is purchased while making the memories.

Tiger

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Originally Posted by Tiger926

Good luck to all on their travel budgets - DH is now a budget convert! Yeah! He realizes that making the memories together as a family is what is important, and not all of the stuff that is purchased while making the memories.
Tiger

Sounds like a fabulous trip! Good to hear that it can be done.

So, convincing MY DH about the budget is easy, but it's the kids that'll be the challenge. Thankfully they don't know about a lot of the extras and they are collecting their souvenir money through bday money and extra chores.

[DWGal210]

Great tips - thank you!

I've stayed DVC the past few trips (aunt and uncle are owners) and I would have to say one of my favorite benefits is being able to eat some meals in the room. Especially breakfast - I know we've saved a ton over the past few years not eating every meal out.

Thanks for the info!

[JerseyMamaBear]

[Ava]

Originally Posted by Tiger926

Good luck to all on their travel budgets - DH is now a budget convert! Yeah! He realizes that making the memories together as a family is what is important, and not all of the stuff that is purchased while making the memories.

Regarding souvenirs, I think the things you do get are more special if there's less of them. I still remember on our trip to WDW when I was 8 being in a store with a HUGE display of stuffed animals and being allowed to choose whichever one I wanted. I chose a Baby Mickey - he was so darn cute! He was my one special souvenir from that trip, I loved him and kept him for years. I think if I'd been allowed to have a bunch of stuff from every store we went into by the end of the trip I wouldn't have cared about any of it. I'm still that way - I'd rather have a few things that I really like than a bunch of things that are forgotten not long after purchase.

[dyna]

Most all of our disney visits more than 30 has been budget trips. We never had the need for sit down dinners unless it was a very very special occasion only 3 times unless we had free dining.

We have never stayed DVC an always ate breakfast in room not only to save money but time as well. DH showered while I ate then he ate while I showered etc worked when DD was with us too. As DD got older she sat with her back to the bathroom so DH could come out of bathroom in his undies an get dressed without embaressing either of them.

Some trips have been so budget that we ate peanut butter sandwiches in the room at least 1 meal a day with a cheap balonga sandwich the other. We was just glad they wasn't wish sandwiches 2 pieces of bread an ya wish ya had something between the bread.

Some trips we havent came home with any souvieneers other than our pics that we took an they the best souvieneers anyway.

[big_red_s]

Both my wife and I love to travel, now that we have kids it's one or two big trips a year and one or two small trips monthly (sometimes just day trips).

The kids know that the only souvenirs we get are fridge magnets. We make a big deal about them picking them out and another big shindig when we get home to put them on the fridge.

Of course...we haven't been to Disney with them yet...but the rule worked in other major theme parks like Great Adventures and Busch Gardens, both have loads of crap and eye candy to entice the kids to spend daddy's hard earned money.

[madge]

Originally Posted by Tiger926

6. Meals - We have eaten pretty much everywhere, so we know our menus. We didn't waste any money on appetizers or special drink cups (we don't drink alcohol, pop or coffe/tea either). We don't eat junk food, nor fast food, so kids only had 1 hot dog and 2 chicken strips that they shared. We really watched what we ordered so that there would be adequate food to feed our very hungry just turned 2 year old boy - he eats more than me! This worked out so well, that we only had to buy extra 1 meal for him the entire time. We shared and switched food, and it worked out very well - places like Akershus actually give free meals to kids under 3, so that's great too! We also took desserts to go, and ate them for breakfast the next morning. We ate 2 meals not covered by DP: ESPN Club and Rainforest, both of which we had discounts/coupons for. Again, more money savings here! Also, didn't buy a resort mug as we don't drink pop or coffee, so savings there as well.

Per Mousesavers and All Ears Net, the ESPN club is covered by the DDP.

[Tiger926]

Originally Posted by madge

Per Mousesavers and All Ears Net, the ESPN club is covered by the DDP.

Hmmm...did this change? Our server said not covered, so we paid cash. No big deal as it was under $40.00 for dinner for all 4 of us.

Thanks for this info - I'll need to follow up on this, Tiger

[Sand]

Thanks for the tips! I too believe that everyone can have a great time on a budget. For us, we love capturing time, and some magic, thru photos and videos of our kids. We LOVE photopass and always preorder the cd then stop and take pics with every photographer we see along with all the character pics. Yes, my 2 year old also eats more than I do. DDP for DH and I (1 snack, 1 QS and 1 TS) is more then enough for 2 adults and 2 toddlers. We would buy, out of pocket, a pb&j that comes with carrots and I think apples. Our girls would rarely finish the sandwich plus a plate from our QS meal. The carrots and apples would be snacks for later. I think Disney has made available some nice healthier options rather than just chicken fingers and hot dogs. Since we don't drive to WDW we order from garden grocer and have snacks and a case of water delivered to our room. I ordered from Disney Florist last year the welcome gift full of snacks ("Mickey's Kool Snack) which comes in a soft sided cooler that now holds our water bottles. We signed up this year to be DVC members. LOVE the discounts (along with great accomidations) and this year we will be purchasing AP for the first time. Two trips to Disney pays for an AP!

Do you know if the 10% discount be used WITH the DVC discount?

Thanks!!

[Tiger926]

Originally Posted by Sand

Thanks for the tips! I too believe that everyone can have a great time on a budget. For us, we love capturing time, and some magic, thru photos and videos of our kids. We LOVE photopass and always preorder the cd then stop and take pics with every photographer we see along with all the character pics. Yes, my 2 year old also eats more than I do. DDP for DH and I (1 snack, 1 QS and 1 TS) is more then enough for 2 adults and 2 toddlers. We would buy, out of pocket, a pb&j that comes with carrots and I think apples. Our girls would rarely finish the sandwich plus a plate from our QS meal. The carrots and apples would be snacks for later. I think Disney has made available some nice healthier options rather than just chicken fingers and hot dogs. Since we don't drive to WDW we order from garden grocer and have snacks and a case of water delivered to our room. I ordered from Disney Florist last year the welcome gift full of snacks ("Mickey's Kool Snack) which comes in a soft sided cooler that now holds our water bottles. We signed up this year to be DVC members. LOVE the discounts (along with great accomidations) and this year we will be purchasing AP for the first time. Two trips to Disney pays for an AP!

Do you know if the 10% discount be used WITH the DVC discount?

Thanks!!

Your situation sounds similar to ours, except we have a 6 year old and a 2 year old! We love our DVC too, and our Mickey Kool Snack bag holds our water as well.

You can absolutely use the DVC discount, plus the AP Pass Along Savings Promo - it worked out very well for us!

Happy saving, Tiger

[goofyboyzmom]

Originally Posted by Tiger926

Hmmm...did this change? Our server said not covered, so we paid cash. No big deal as it was under $40.00 for dinner for all 4 of us.

Thanks for this info - I'll need to follow up on this, Tiger

We have eaten every single year (never miss ESPN with 3 teen-age boys and a husband!), and ever since DDP was available, we have used it at ESPN. I hope this has not changed and I am sorry if you were given wrong info when you were there!

[Tiger926]

Originally Posted by goofyboyzmom

We have eaten every single year (never miss ESPN with 3 teen-age boys and a husband!), and ever since DDP was available, we have used it at ESPN. I hope this has not changed and I am sorry if you were given wrong info when you were there!

Thanks, no big deal at all. Now we know for next time, as this was our 1st time eating there - we enjoyed it very much, but had to leave abruptly as the baby had too much milkshake and had a spit (he has a very sensitive gag reflex). We left so as not to bother anyone else - we attempted to clean up his mess too, and the servers were shocked. They were great and boxed up our food for us as well!

We will definitely go back, Tiger

[madge]

Originally Posted by Tiger926

Hmmm...did this change? Our server said not covered, so we paid cash. No big deal as it was under $40.00 for dinner for all 4 of us.

Thanks for this info - I'll need to follow up on this, Tiger

I checked Mousesavers and All Ears, they have the scan of the Disney info, and it said ESPN Club is covered.

Here's is Disney's info, from disneyworld.com
http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/me...ey%20World.pdf

[tripplanner2]

10. Free stuff - There is lots of free stuff to do and receive in the parks, so we always take advantage of things like free stickers, safety cards, KidCot stops @ Epcot, extra paper cups to pour water in (kids like the characters on them), and free play/water splash areas.

What are the safety cards? Is this something done in Epcot? I would love to hear more. Thanks.