13 Days, Family O' 7 $2642 Budget!

[TNKBELL]

I'm checking out your tr. When you say that summer bay's waterpark is free, do you mean after you listen to a timeshare. What do they charge for jetski, I wonder?

I didn't find shorty smalls on restaurants dot com. off to google

No, it's just part of the amenties at the resort, it's not a giant fancy one, it's basically a large climbing structure with all kinds of fountains and jets surrounding it. Dh and I love this because it's easy to keep an eye on the kids and there is a beverage cart and they bring drinks to our lazy bottoms just relaxing on a lounger...it's sooo great!! We love Summer Bay, honestly if we lived closer, I would actually consider a timeshare there, the accomodations are beautiful!! We actually did listen to their timeshare presentation in exchange for an Epcot adult ticket in 2005, they had a nice breakfast, childcare provided and a nice tour of the grounds and we got to see inside the gorgeous 3 bedroom pool homes, and it was minimal pressure(we didn't buy of course ) They also have several free activities including, miniature golf, face painting, family scavenger hunt(with prizes), money dives, and each of the kids received a bag of goodies at check-in.
You can see pics at http://www.summerbayresort.com/v-pools.html

Thanks for the tip about JT's Bar...that's a bummer...oh well. We have a few others.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I can't really play the budget game for our WDW, as I couldn't play fair. (DH is a WD Studios CM, so we get discounts).

That said, since everyone here is so great at this, how do we budget for meals?

We tend to overspend, but last year we discovered that we enjoy cold cereal in the morning in our room to save time...which just happened to save us money. So, I was going to ship a care-package box Fedex to our room with cereal, paper bowls, etc. What else can we pack to help out our budget?

Also, we plan on having a few really nice meals and hope to balance out the cost of these by eating later, larger lunches so that we eat just two meals a day on some days. (And snacking from the care-box in case this isn't enough.)

We can never do the free meals thing, so that is out.

 

[finz2left]

Tink,

You've inspired me! We are flying down (courtesy of a Delta bump) and only have 3 1/2 days. We were going to buy a 4 day hopper PLUS our MNSSHP tix for a family of 5. We were there last Oct. We've decided a 2 day with no hopper and more time enjoying the freebies.

Peace,

 

[tlbwriter]

Is anyone else shocked at all the replys to food on this thread? Why does anyone care what she spends on food for her family? OK so maybe we can't get that price where we live or whatever but come on people move on. Her post is about a budget trip with her family not her food bill.

I don't know why you're shocked. She asked for comments and suggestions, and many helpful people *have* found holes in her plan and given her good ideas, which is exactly what she wanted.

As for the amount she spends on food - it's unrealistically low, which is why people questioned it. And it turns out that the figure she gave is unintentionally misleading, since it only includes what she's spending above her normal food budget, and doesn't include the grocery money she would normally spend that week, along with food items she stocked up on using grocery money from different weeks. So, while it's a great inexpensive trip, it's not really a $2642 trip, since that amount doesn't include $150 from her regular grocery budget, the cost of her zoo membership, the $76 in Disney rewards, the $50 Mypoints credit, and her childrens' personal spending money. It's still a more affordable trip than I could ever plan, so I'm certainly not disparaging it! I'm just saying that people are astonished about the food costs because she says she has a $300 "food and spending" budget, but a closer reading shows that it's closer to $500 plus restaurant GCs and prepurchased food.

Anyway, Tnk, I'm sorry about your car problems - does that mean you're going to have to buy a car for DH? Also, I notice both of your condos are 2-BRs - how do you end up with enough beds for everyone? Do you bring air mattresses, or are rollaways available?

 

[stahshee]

I don't know why you're shocked. She asked for comments and suggestions, and many helpful people *have* found holes in her plan and given her good ideas, which is exactly what she wanted.

As for the amount she spends on food - it's unrealistically low, which is why people questioned it. And it turns out that the figure she gave is unintentionally misleading, since it only includes what she's spending above her normal food budget, and doesn't include the grocery money she would normally spend that week, along with food items she stocked up on using grocery money from different weeks. So, while it's a great inexpensive trip, it's not really a $2642 trip, since that amount doesn't include $150 from her regular grocery budget, the cost of her zoo membership, the $76 in Disney rewards, the $50 Mypoints credit, and her childrens' personal spending money. It's still a more affordable trip than I could ever plan, so I'm certainly not disparaging it! I'm just saying that people are astonished about the food costs because she says she has a $300 "food and spending" budget, but a closer reading shows that it's closer to $500 plus restaurant GCs and prepurchased food.

Anyway, Tnk, I'm sorry about your car problems - does that mean you're going to have to buy a car for DH? Also, I notice both of your condos are 2-BRs - how do you end up with enough beds for everyone? Do you bring air mattresses, or are rollaways available?

good point...however it is still a great deal for 7 people

 

[tlbwriter]

good point...however it is still a great deal for 7 people

Definitely. It's important to think of it as a $3000 Florida trip with a little Disney thrown in, not a $2642 WDW trip. But it's still a great accomplishment to entertain 7 people for 13 days on that amount, and it sounds like a really fun trip!

 

[TNKBELL]

Definitely. It's important to think of it as a $3000 Florida trip with a little Disney thrown in, not a $2642 WDW trip. But it's still a great accomplishment to entertain 7 people for 13 days on that amount, and it sounds like a really fun trip!

I totally see your point. The reason I don't include my normal weekly food budget is that I didn't have to save that up for the trip...sometimes people get discouraged thinking about taking a family trip, my hope is that if others think it's hopeless to take a vacation(not just Disney) they might not be so overwhelmed. When you use what you already have, that decreases the amount of additional income required to save up to take a vacation. I have been very upfront about where the funding originates. I sincerly appreciate everyone's input, positive and negative, it really helps me to put things into perspective. Since having car troubles we have had to scale back this trip much more than we thought, but through the Grace of God we are still going. Every family needs a time of renewal, my Dh and I(and the DKS) need this time away, because it helps us appreciate our home and all the responsibilities that lye there. Now we just have to get through the rest of this week!!

 

[pigget74]

I totally see your point. The reason I don't include my normal weekly food budget is that I didn't have to save that up for the trip...sometimes people get discouraged thinking about taking a family trip, my hope is that if others think it's hopeless to take a vacation(not just Disney) they might not be so overwhelmed. When you use what you already have, that decreases the amount of additional income required to save up to take a vacation. I have been very upfront about where the funding originates. I sincerly appreciate everyone's input, positive and negative, it really helps me to put things into perspective. Since having car troubles we have had to scale back this trip much more than we thought, but through the Grace of God we are still going. Every family needs a time of renewal, my Dh and I(and the DKS) need this time away, because it helps us appreciate our home and all the responsibilities that lye there. Now we just have to get through the rest of this week!!

This is how I look at it. I take what the trip will cost then minus what is already accounted for. This goves me an idea of how much I need to save. For example we are DVC and annual pass holders. We only count the cost of the pass on the firt trip. Every other trip it is not even considered in the budget. My DVC money is looked at several ways---I really do not consider in the trip since it is taken away every month regardless---It is not s deciding factor on whether we can take the trip or not--so we do not take it into the budget. Good luck with your trip--I know you guys will have fun regardless.

 

[tlbwriter]

This is how I look at it. I take what the trip will cost then minus what is already accounted for. This goves me an idea of how much I need to save. For example we are DVC and annual pass holders. We only count the cost of the pass on the firt trip. Every other trip it is not even considered in the budget. My DVC money is looked at several ways---I really do not consider in the trip since it is taken away every month regardless---It is not s deciding factor on whether we can take the trip or not--so we do not take it into the budget. Good luck with your trip--I know you guys will have fun regardless.

That's a good way to handle it for your own budgeting purposes. But when you're telling others how much you're paying for your trip, and possibly inspiring them to plan a similar trip, it's more helpful to include the entire cost of the trip, which includes pre-paid accomodations and all money that will be spent on the trip. Otherwise I could brag about my first trip to WDW, which included airfare and a stay at the GF, and only cost me $800 for a family of 3. (But don't ask how much it cost my parents!)

 

[leahjade]

question for you - how did you get 6 gift certificates for only $12.50? I didn't see any that cheap when I looked on the site.

 

[TNKBELL]

question for you - how did you get 6 gift certificates for only $12.50? I didn't see any that cheap when I looked on the site.

They were 50 or 70 % off(I can't remember which one?) and they also had a get one free promotion with each order, the $10 GC are $3 regularly so even 50% off is only $1.50 each. It's a great site, especially if you have locations in the city you live.

 

[Plantlady]

question for you - how did you get 6 gift certificates for only $12.50? I didn't see any that cheap when I looked on the site.

Those gift certificates go on sale towards the end of the month.. just keep your eye out for a sale.


I too, don't consider food into our budget, when planning a vacation. We eat "cooler food" a lot, not eating out. So, I figure I already had to feed the family, it's not an added expense.

 

[hsmamato2]

You know- I 2nd the small cooler backpack thingy in the parks,we have,in years past,packed a lunch to go in,and it saves us about $20 for the 4 of us-then we eat dinner at a nice cs....there ar a lot of those in Disney-
The Mc'D's in DTD is more expensive than normal,but still cheap eats if you're on prperty with no car....but for about the same money we prefer earl of sandwich or Wolfgangs express....mmm..soup!

 

[stahshee]

TNK we all want to know how it went and how much you spent?

 

[MandM-Mom]

Any news of the trip yet? Would love to hear how it went.

 

[finz2left]

Tink,

I love your information!! If for no other reason, it reminds me that DW doesn't have to be done in grand fashion to be enjoyed by all. Here, it is so easy to get rapped up in Boma, Le Cellier, and Ohana Ressies, Deluxe Hotels, and boutique clothes for the trip, it's easy to forget that the memories and family time are what MAKE DW magical! HUGE high fives and hugs all around for your awesome outlook!!!

 

[Tiger926]

I have read this entire thread, and read Tink's last trip report as well, but in trying to summarize for DH last night (we were Dising together ), I want to make sure this is accurate:

- Food budget is not a total "how much will it cost per day?" number as she is not including: grocery budget, GCs, etc.? Will be anxious to read her report for a final cost per day for food when she returns.

- Family does not each much at all. In reading, it seems that even her and her hubby don't eat much. I read her comments on obesity in America, and that isn't even the issue here. We have low blood sugar & so eating 2 fries and bite of hamburger would send us to the clinic with the shakes and a headache. This is not to insult her family at all, but I was trying to explain to DH that it really seems as if they have very small appetites, and so her food budget is small as well.

- As mentioned, Disney is part of this trip, but it's not a WDW trip (although it sounds very fun!), as this would surely push the budget higher.

I find this thread to be so intriguing - there are areas in her budget that I find too high, and some that I find way too low, so it's cool to see how different families work their budgets to suit their own needs!

Hope they are having a fun time, Tiger

 

[livie1205]

my dh gets me to find good deals for our vacation BUT vacation is one thing he will not budget to death...i budget all year at home and dh works very hard for his time off and his paycheck so when it is vacation time we do wdw and pick a wdw resort to stay in ,get the dining plan and fl.res. tickets..vacation is the one thing he will not make himself budget...he works hard to enjoy himself to the fullest,not to say i dont spend months befor looking for deals...lol but if we are on vacation and he wants steak we get steak...

 

[RachaelRol]

Subscribing. Since we normally spend 3000 for 2 adults and one child, I'm listening.

Will go back and read TNKs 2005 report!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think your $300 food/entertainment budget is vastly underestimated.

Chef Mickey's is going to run you close to $175 after tax and tip.

I don't know how familiar you are with FL, but the Melbourne Zoo is not anywhere near WDW. I have a lot of family that lives in Melbourne, so we always combine our Disney trips with visiting family. It takes an hour or more (depending on how fast you drive) to get to Melbourne. I think it's about 70 miles each way, give or take. There are also tolls involved. Figure on adding about $30 to your trip for the gas to Melbourne. Now for the cost of the Melbourne Zoo. I love zoos and animals, so I thoroughly enjoy that zoo; however, I think it's the biggest rippoff I've ever been to as far as zoos go. It's small...if you spend 3 hours there it's a lot. The last time I was there (March 2007), I think it cost us about $35 for four people to get in. Since you'll be paying for 6 people at half price, figure on another $25. That brings the cost of your zoo trip to around $50 (gas and admission)...this assumes you bring all of your food with you!

You're down to only $75 left on your food/entertainment budget after just these two expenses.

Pressed Pennies...you included this as an activity, so I assume you aren't planning on just letting each kid make one penny each. At $.51 each, pressed pennies for 4 kids is going to add up pretty quickly.

Even if you're only planning on spending a grand total of one hour at the arcade, it's going to be AT LEAST $10 to entertain 4 kids for that hour. That's assuming you only let each kid have 10 tokens (and very few games these days take only one token each!)

Another thing I'm wondering is if you are going to run out of things to do. It doesn't seem like you have enough things planned to fill two weeks, unless you're planning on just relaxing at the pool on most days. This is just my preference, but I'd probably swap out the MNSSHP and Epcot tickets for some Universal Studios Tickets. It would cost you LESS to get the US tickets, and they would be good for unlimited use for the entire week. The Epcot and MNSSHP tickets would only give you one day plus one evening of entertainment.

If you review her 2005 budget and plans..you will know she knows where the Melbourne zoo is--she headed out this way to visit the beach and the zoo on that vacation (though I think they may have skipped the zoo!). My family and I met them at a park at the beach on that vacation!

I didn't know this thread was here and can't wait to review it!

Sorry we missed you on this trip TnkBell--we were on a few trips of our own this Sept!