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

[JessetheCowgirl]

$26 a day on food would not be FUN, but it could be done. I am surprised at the people who don't think so????

I would not want to try it at Disney because I can't pass up mickey bars, popcorn, turkey legs, etc.

But. . . if breakfast food is CHEAP. Eggs, pancakes, cheap cereal, milk, bananas could be had for $12 or so for the week.

Lunches---grilled cheese with canned soup; hot dogs with mac and cheese; bologna sandwiches---throw in apples/carrot sticks to make it a little healthier.

Dinners---cheap frozen pizza with salad; spaghetti with salad; whole roasted chicken with baked potatoes; breakfast for dinner

We have had months when we fed the family on $100 per WEEK---and we are a family of five. But, at home it is easier to do!!!

We are now in a position that $$$ is not so tight, but it could be done!!! And I'd rather be eating canned soup at Disney than at home

Good luck to you!!! And have a WONDERFUL trip!!!!

 

[TNKBELL]

Thanks for all your suggestions and comments. First of all YES! I do have a credit card for emergencies or unexpected expenses. The original budget was $3000.00 but then we added on Tampa and that made the trip $3160.00 for the Tampa hotel. I could do a bid on priceline, but most rooms on priceline only have room for 4 people and I don't want to risk having to buy an extra room once we arrive. We went at the same time last year and had no problem sticking to a low food budget. We plan on bringing some food and doing a big shop once we arrive at Publix. I have not included our home food budget in the plans, so I guess the money I spend at Publix will come from that. Thanks OP for reminding me! We only plan on eating out 1 per day and eating breakfast and dinner at the condo. Or Breakfast and lunch. I may consider the Park Hopper add on though! Hmmm...My kids understand about not getting what they see and they appreciate even cheap souvies, last year I found .99 cent Disney shirts at the Disney Corner store and several other cheap souvies at some Mom&Pop souvies places. I also prepurchase souvies when I see them cheap here and save them for gifts for friends and family when we return. Suprisingly the neighborhood kids really just love getting seashells! They even fight over them! I guess living landlocked will give you seashell envy! I really don't have my food budgeted out day to day, I can do that after I get all my coupons and entertainment book together and check out locations that will be close to our condos. But for instance I printed off a coupon for a Buy one get one free pizza from Mcd's and the regular price is 9.99 for a family size, that should be enough for 2 meals, so that would be 5.00 per meal. There will be days that we will spend more on eating out than others. We are going to Tampa because when in Florida I find it absolutely necessary to visit the ocean or gulf. I also have a local zoo pass and science center pass that offer reciprocal privaledges at MOSI and the Lowry Park Zoo as well as The Orlando Science Center so we will be taking advantage of that. Sorry so long Thanks again for all your advice keep it coming!!

 

[elan]

Don't forget parking at WDW. $8.00 a day.

Since you have such a great rate at HI why not turn Tampa into a day trip?

Great budgeting.

 

[jennifer293]

You are the BOMB for posting the info about the GETO...I just called and my DH is eligible....My 2006 Summer vacation is becoming more of a reality...

I just love this board!!!

FYI...My DH is a City Firefighter and the travel agent said he was positively eligible....WOOHOO!!!!!!!

HAHAHA in typing this I realized I am on this board too much ...I cannot be certain but I think when I made the phone call I cannot be certain but I really think I referred to my hubby as my "DH"...I bet that woman was thinking what in the heck is a "DH"?

OH WELL>>>I am getting a DISCOUNT!!!!

 

[smfritz03]

[
HAHAHA in typing this I realized I am on this board too much ...I cannot be certain but I think when I made the phone call I cannot be certain but I really think I referred to my hubby as my "DH"...I bet that woman was thinking what in the heck is a "DH"?

Ive noticed I refer to him as my Dh also and people are always asking "who".........oh well--ive saved a ton of money being on this site and I will prob. always refer to him as my dh now!

 

[Forevryoung]

It STINKS that I cant get those great rates because I am a VOLUNTEER firefighter... I dont "work" for the city (or town in my case). They dont pay me, I do it for free.

It really bothers me sometimes that people who do my job for money get even more perks.

It's ok, I am going to Disney anyway!

 

[TNKBELL]

It STINKS that I cant get those great rates because I am a VOLUNTEER firefighter... I dont "work" for the city (or town in my case). They dont pay me, I do it for free.

It really bothers me sometimes that people who do my job for money get even more perks.

It's ok, I am going to Disney anyway!

If you know anyone who is a government employee they can reserve it for you and purchase a gift certificate which is an additional $50.00 bringing your total to 314.00 or 44.85 per night. Just a thought!

 

[TNKBELL]

Don't forget parking at WDW. $8.00 a day.

Since you have such a great rate at HI why not turn Tampa into a day trip?

Great budgeting.

Thank you... yet another incidental!! I have thought about a day trip or maybe just one night...Hmmmm... We shall see!! Thanks! Keep 'em comin'!

 

[crabmeal]

I'm all for budget trips but I have to question the food budget too. Also don;t forget about those incidentals- like sovenirs. I budgeted our last trip but the kids wanted those light ups and a couple of other souvies. I underbudgeted for those. Then I HAD to buy a 20 mister fan in MGM because it was soo hot. I hope you can stick to your budget.

 

[Forevryoung]

If you know anyone who is a government employee they can reserve it for you and purchase a gift certificate which is an additional $50.00 bringing your total to 314.00 or 44.85 per night. Just a thought!

Thanks but I find it to be the principle of the idea. I think it's a great program.

 

[TNKBELL]

I'm all for budget trips but I have to question the food budget too. Also don;t forget about those incidentals- like sovenirs. I budgeted our last trip but the kids wanted those light ups and a couple of other souvies. I underbudgeted for those. Then I HAD to buy a 20 mister fan in MGM because it was soo hot. I hope you can stick to your budget.

I have been preparing for some of the souvies, our local Dillons store had keychain flashlights clearanced for .25 cents and I purchased glow sticks at the local Dollar Tree for 1.00(of course). I probably have a few other goodies packed away that I have forgotten. Since I think about WDW too much I am always on the lookout for things to use on the trip and save oodles! I hope I can stick to it too!! The best thing for me to hear is disbelief because it just makes me try harder. My Dh told me this morning that this budget is "impossible". Well Mr. Doubter , We shall see!! (pause for maniacal laughter) Now I am even more determined! Keep those ideas hatching!

 

[TNKBELL]

Thanks but I find it to be the principle of the idea. I think it's a great program.

I agree my brother is a volunteer FF too! Have you tried calling the toll free number listed on the site and ask? You might be surprised, I was, my Dh is Mailman. Good Luck and God Bless you for your service!!

 

[dcgrumpy]

$26 a day on food would not be FUN, but it could be done. I am surprised at the people who don't think so????

I would not want to try it at Disney because I can't pass up mickey bars, popcorn, turkey legs, etc.

But. . . if breakfast food is CHEAP. Eggs, pancakes, cheap cereal, milk, bananas could be had for $12 or so for the week.

Lunches---grilled cheese with canned soup; hot dogs with mac and cheese; bologna sandwiches---throw in apples/carrot sticks to make it a little healthier.

Dinners---cheap frozen pizza with salad; spaghetti with salad; whole roasted chicken with baked potatoes; breakfast for dinner

We have had months when we fed the family on $100 per WEEK---and we are a family of five. But, at home it is easier to do!!!

We are now in a position that $$$ is not so tight, but it could be done!!! And I'd rather be eating canned soup at Disney than at home

Good luck to you!!! And have a WONDERFUL trip!!!!

Yes, but that would require going back to the condo for all 3 meals, that doesn't seem reasonable to me.

 

[Forevryoung]

I agree my brother is a volunteer FF too! Have you tried calling the toll free number listed on the site and ask? You might be surprised, I was, my Dh is Mailman. Good Luck and God Bless you for your service!!

I called... nope they are "sorry" but it doesn't apply. I think that is rediculus although there is nothing I can do. I hope those who can use it do use it.

 

[Caradana]

I might never again live a normal day in my life and not remember $26/day for 2 adults, 3 kids, toddler. I would be delighted to keep MYSELF under $26/day. That is a level of vigor and commitment that stuns me. May the force be with you .

 

[HaleyB]

I still think you can save with Priceline for rooms on the way down. If you book two rooms at $28 each a night, you save $30. Worth a try. We use priceline all the time and have never not been given two beds when we asked for them. I know it is frowned on by some, but when I was a kid my parents piled us all into one room- all 6 of us. We took turns on the floor and never minded for a minute.

For more info on bidding for rooms you can read www.biddingfortravel.com

They will warn you about 20 times that they are double occupancy rooms, but if you book two rooms you are pretty safe, IMO.

We love to eat, but we are also pretty budget minded. We often get by spending next to nothing on food. A Mickey bar and a free ice water is my idea of a good lunch

 

[palmtreegirl]

I honestly think you should try and double your food budget, at the least try and add a couple hundred dollars. Eating in Orlando, especially at the parks is expensive and if you only bring that amount you might be stessing the whole trip about it. If you try and put more $$ aside because stressing out can really put a black cloud on a trip. If you don't use the extra money then you'll have it to use for bills after the trip!



Good luck.

 

[TNKBELL]

I honestly think you should try and double your food budget, at the least try and add a couple hundred dollars. Eating in Orlando, especially at the parks is expensive and if you only bring that amount you might be stessing the whole trip about it. If you try and put more $$ aside because stressing out can really put a black cloud on a trip. If you don't use the extra money then you'll have it to use for bills after the trip!



Good luck.

Actually as crazy as it sounds budgeting is fun for me!! The harder the challenge the better the reward! Budgeting is how I de-stress! I love a good bargain hunt! Necessity is the mother of the budget, right??? One of the best onsite bargains we found last year were the family meals at Saratoga Springs, enough food for 2 or 3 meals and just $25.00! We had turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, the world's best fresh green beans, and corn bread. You seriously wouldn't believe the portions they give!! Or maybe you would, afterall this is the Dis'

 

[HappyLawyer]

did you get your tickets discount, as far as the food budget the good thing about staying at villas like summer bay is you can make lunches and they will offer you a presentation, not require but if you do you can select a 50.00 grocery card to get groceries.

the budget may seem tight but many times we make do and make the most with what we got, good job and have fun

 

[pixiepower1971]

I am still trying to figure out how 2 pizzas equal 2 meals for a family of 6. We are a family of 4 and some nights 2 pizzas don't leave many leftovers...only if I add salad to the meal for DH and me. My girls(7 and 9) eat! They usually eat more then me! Most of my friends kids do as well!

I have done budget trips as well- b'fast in the room, pack lunch and snacks and one hot meal a day- even sharing meals when the kids were younger ran close to $20 for 2 CS meals. Add in one snack and you are over your budget for daily food and you have 2 more to feed! I hope you can do it but I can't imagine it for that many days...will be hard! Good luck and I would suggest a bigger budget for food!