17 Days, Family O' 6, $3160.00 Budget**TRIP REPORT on pg 26**@Now with Pics!@

[stahshee]

tink i am to a Christian and i do also tith 10%. i belive that you and i do make a go of what we have becasue of Gods blessings! and he gave us great wisdom on budgeting

 

[granmanh603]

Hi just saw this thread and must admit I only read the last few pages. What a super job of budgeting. Hope you have a great time. Just wanted to add that I saw T shirts in the Disney Store last week for$5 also hats. I think they have reduced the Entertainment book but if you know of any coupons you might use I have a book and would be glad to mail them to you. You might be able to go online and check out the coupons that are availabel as a brouser, the ZIP is 32830. It's funny I was on that morning when the cheap room was on line at HI and I had a room ALMOST booked but I just couldn't do it. I thought it was wrong , I knew it was a mistake and just couldn't push that book button but I felt different after I saw the Hotels reaction to it, they just seemed to think it was fine. So I lost out but am glad that you got a room. Have a great time and let me know if you want any coupons.

 

[chewysmom]

foxfire-ITA!! TNKBELL-just wanted to let you know that I'm rooting for you!! I can't wait to read your trip report.

 

[MrsPete]

Hotels to and from in Nashville----00.00 Currently CHoice Privaledges is offering 2 nights free after first purchase with thier cc.

Cool deal. Credit cards must be making money hand-over-fist to offer such high rewards. I have NO PROBLEM signing up for their card, taking the reward, then cancelling the card.

1 night in Tampa (Priceline) ---50.00

I'd still consider dropping the Tampa overnight. There's so much to do in Orlando, and it sounds very inconvenient to leave for one night in the middle of a vacation.

Garden Grill Ice Cream Social--40.00

Plus tip for the waiter.

I also found 5 gift certificates for $10.00 each that can be used for food or lodging at any ICHOTEL leftover from last year's trip thru Atlanta which was a disaster . I figured I could use that for food for Dh & I during our 4 night stay at HI and the DKS eat free.

I'd call and ask if you can use themin this way. It's possible that they'd only allow one coupon to be used at any one meal, and it's possible that they'd say that deals can't be combined (thus no using coupon for adults + free meals for kids). They might say it's fine, but I'd call and ask ahead of time.

So my total spending food budget for 17 days including these jumps to $51.29 per day.

Now that sounds do-able. Even as cheap as I am, I was iffy on the $26/day figure. With $51/day you won't be eating steak and lobster, but you can definitely stick to this budget.

 

[TNKBELL]

Foxfire.. I think the same could be said for you and many of the posters!


Stashee... Tithing definately has it's rewards!!

granmanh603... You have gone above and beyond!!

Mrs. Pete.....The ocean calls!!! Thanks I'll check out the HI gcs! Keep me on my toes!!

 

[sweet maxine]

TNKBELL, I think it's great that you've put together such a wonderful trip on a budget. I use the same travel program, and in fact just returned from a WDW trip staying in one of the condo properties that are available. Our condo was very nice---beautiful furniture, 2 tvs, DVD player, lovely pool, large kitchen, and oh yes, a huge jacuzzi tub! We especially enjoyed having all the extra space. It wasn't Disney "magic" of course, but just being there is magic enough in itself. I applaud your use of budgeting to allow your family the opportunity to experience such a wonderful vacation in Florida.

On a side note, I think you might find that Publix has much higher prices than some other stores. I'm not sure if you're still thinking of shopping there or not. We bought our groceries at the new Super Walmart in Clermont which would be very convenient to you since you will be at Summer Bay. After eating park food for a week (stayed on property during that time), we were glad to have a kitchen for meals and snacks. A 6-pack of ramen noodles and a rotisserie chicken go a long way! We had grilled cheese sandwiches too. I barely spent any money on food at all during that week. I think the total for groceries for 5 people was about $34. Of course I didn't buy lots of meat---just a package of sliced turkey and the chicken. It all depends on using it wisely and not wasting. Costco can also help with larger quantities of food.

I say go for it! Let us know how it all goes, and above all have fun!

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for the tip on the hotel deal for the credit card!! We have two road trips w/overnight stays needed both ways so this will come in so handy!

I love reading all of this discussion. Did you think it would get to this when you posted your budget? LOL I think you're going to have a great, well planned trip!

 

[Madi100]

I just wanted to add something about Cinderella. We have seen Cinderella all over the place without going to the castle. With staying off property I'm not sure how early you will be getting there, but if you get there when the park opens opens or shortly after just hang around Main Street. Take the train to the back of the park to Toontown. Toontown does not open at the same time as the rest of the park. I believe it is an hour later. Someone gave us this advice, and we were one of the first people to go into the "tent" As soon as they drop the rope on your side head right for the store that is there and that is where you line up to see the characters. You can get quite a few of them at once. You might have to go through the line again, but we managed to see Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Cinderella, Perla, and Suzie.

Just a tip someone here gave me, and it's proved to be priceless. DH doesn't like the whole character thing, but our girls still like it. This way there is no line. DH won't wait in line for characters.

And, are you planning on taking any pictures? Film and developing were a big expense for my last trip.

 

[TNKBELL]

Sweet Maxine... I will definately be checking out Super Walmart. Was it very busy? I have heard horror stories on these boards about some of the Walmarts near Disney. Thanks for the info, glad to hear you had a wonderful time!!

StephMK... I have been surprised by the overwhelming response as well!! I just think that there are so many people like us that want to go to WDW but think they can't afford it.

Madi100... Thank you for the character tips!! Dd has just got to see Cindy this time!! Not to sound too Disney Ditzy...but who are Perla and Suzie? Also as far as film we have a digital camera and will go to Walgreens or Walmart to make a disc that will also come out of the food budget.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

TNKBELL - great job on the budget. Our favorite spot to see Cindy was Epcot, VERY short lines (Belle is there too). We had the dinner with Cindy at the GF and it was magical - but costly, I;m thinking me, DH, DD4 and DD3 (free) it was $75 - buy so so worth it.

O/T - it makes me laugh that every time I type DD4, it comes out DD$ (I'm a slow shifter), its really appropo.

 

[Madi100]

Sweet Maxine... I will definately be checking out Super Walmart. Was it very busy? I have heard horror stories on these boards about some of the Walmarts near Disney. Thanks for the info, glad to hear you had a wonderful time!!

StephMK... I have been surprised by the overwhelming response as well!! I just think that there are so many people like us that want to go to WDW but think they can't afford it.

Madi100... Thank you for the character tips!! Dd has just got to see Cindy this time!! Not to sound too Disney Ditzy...but who are Perla and Suzie? Also as far as film we have a digital camera and will go to Walgreens or Walmart to make a disc that will also come out of the food budget.

They are the mice from Cinderella. Another good place to look for characters is in the Kodak building that is on Main Street. You go there to pick up your pictures. But, if you walk to the back there are always characters back there. One day we saw Sleeping Beauty and Donald Duck. Cute photo ops too.

 

[sweet maxine]

TNKBELL, the Super Wal Mart in Clermont is a new store. It's very clean and nice. I didn't find it to be overcrowded at all. I'm guessing people just haven't found out about it yet. There is also a small travel office in the front that sells tickets to some of the attractions at very good prices. We used to drive over to the Wal Mart on Hwy. 192, but we found this one to be much closer to us. To get there, just follow 192 going towards Clermont, then take the Hwy. 27 exit for Clermont to the right. Once you exit just drive a bit further down the road and it will be on the right. They sell lots of souvies too! It won't be far at all from Summer Bay---I'm thinking maybe 5 to 7 minutes from there. The traffic is not as bad going down 192 in that direction either.

 

[kdtwiss]

I just wanted to cheer you on! Yo can do it!!
Also - another tip for Cind. we were at ToonTown when park was closing for the evening and we saw so many characters!
aLMOST NO PEOPLE WERE THERE AND WE SAW:
Cinderella
Aurora
Minnie
Mickey
Pluto

There were plenty more I just don't remember who! (very tired mama!) But they were wonderful, taking pictures signing autographs, they even did a cute little Conga line all around the store!

 

[SnowWhite]

I have been an active reader and poster on the "10K budget thread" and have just started to read this one. I have read so many positive and negative comments on both threads that it makes me wonder why people who don't know these families personal circumstances feel like they do and criticize them for either being TOO extravagent or TOO cheap? A budget is a budget and no matter what it is, it is what that particular family can afford. If TNKBELL can feed her family for 26 or 36 $ a day then more power to her. If the people on the other thread can afford to splurge then more power to them as well. My DH and myself attended two time share presentations the last time we went to Disney in order to get cheaper tickets and we never ate onsite. This time we are staying onsite and getting 10 day hoppers (partly for next trip) and are doing lots of extras. Although our budget is well below 10K we are not cutting any corners either. We are really not going with a budget, we just want to do it all!! We don't go that often so we like to make the most of our trips. I think TNKBELL is doing a fantastic job of planning her families "adventure" with a well planned budget as is the "other" family with their budget.

Just my opinion....

 

[BethR]

I have been an active reader and poster on the "10K budget thread" and have just started to read this one. I have read so many positive and negative comments on both threads that it makes me wonder why people who don't know these families personal circumstances feel like they do and criticize them for either being TOO extravagent or TOO cheap?

I have been wondering the same thing too, Snow White. It just seems as if when people post comments to a faceless name, they feel free to say things that they would NEVER say to a person if they knew them in person.

 

[TNKBELL]

Everyone thank you for all the tips about where to find Cindy!! I'm sure Dd will get to deliver that hug now!!

Sweet Maxine.. That Walmart sounds like the perfect one for us and so close to Summer Bay!! I might be asking more questions in the future about driving directions from there! Thanks for the info!

Madi100... Do they have Gus and Jaq characters as well? Also, you have a gorgeous little redhead!! I've got one too, a boy! (everyone thinks he's a girl!)

kdtwiss... I'm sure I'll be a very tired Momma too!!

 

[kelma]

TNKBLL, I've been reading off and on through this thread and I tell you, it almost makes me want to move to Kansas, cause I think we could be great friends. That didn't sound too stalkerish did it ?

We also have done very inexpensive (well for Disney anyway ) vacations at Disney. The last trip was first one where we ate most of our meals at WDW and that was only to give me a break from cooking, not because I felt like it was a necessary part of enjoying the World. We got very few souveniers, not just for the cost but because I felt like for the most part it was clutter and the memories we made were our souveniers. Like some of the other posters, I went to the Disney Store and Dollar Tree beforehand and picked up a few things they actually needed, pajamas, t-shirts, pencils, and had them sitting out when they got back to the room each night. They loved it and it was very reasonable.

The only souvies that my dh and I paid for in the parks (the kids had a little bit of their own money from Grandma) were the mouseears hats. They were about $6 and we were able to have their names stitched on the back for free - I think they only do this at the Hat Shop on Main St. My kids- now 4 and 6- still put them on to play.

Anyway have an absolutely amazing time! You've shown such grace and patience with all of the posts (even the slightly um, unhelpful ones ) that I'm sure you'll have great fun taking on any surprises that come along. I can't wait to read your report!

 

[TNKBELL]

Kelma... Come on over Kansas is great!! But a little too far from WDW!! In 2002 my DKS and Dh and I, got our mouse ears and we wear them everytime we go!! Great souvie!! And since last year was Ds1's firtst time we got his haircut and he received with the price of the haircut his 1st mouse ears that say "My first haircut" on the back! My Mom went with us too and of course we had to get her mouse ears too and had stitched "Manga" on the back ( that is what my Dks call her because when Ds8 was a baby that was how he said grandma and it just stuck!) I have the best picture of Ds1 and Manga with thier mouse ears on with Mk in the background!! I think that is a great idea to leave little treats for the kids everyday!! I might do that a few times but probably not all 17 days!! I would love to meet other Disers while we are at WDW!!! Here in Kansas I hardly know anyone as nutso about Disney as I am!!

 

[threeboysmom]

TNKBELL - what are your exact dates? We will be there from 9/15-9/19 (just a quickie trip). I'd LOVE to meet a fellow Dis'er at WDW!

 

[TNKBELL]

threeboysmom..... We will be there from Sept.26 thru Oct 12th. Yes I agree it would be fun!!