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

[Jsme]

I have to agree how realistic is your food budget? Not to knock you at all. But there is no way we could do $26 a day on food and I am trying to budget our food while we are there.

If you can do it this is great.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have to agree how realistic is your food budget? Not to knock you at all. But there is no way we could do $26 a day on food and I am trying to budget our food while we are there.

If you can do it this is great.

She has since updated her #---the real costs per day is around $50 b/c she has some coupons on hand and some benefits from a charge card that she can use.

she posted this in the last page or 2 or 3.

 

[TNKBELL]

Thank you Shayla!!!!!!

 

[TNKBELL]

Many Thanks, Carol!!!!!!

 

[Disneymomofsix]

TNKBELL - I have not read this whole thread because I just got back from WDW last Thursday and started back to school on Monday. I have read the last few pages and saw your comment about the shirts that you are doing the iron on. I thought that was a cool idea before we went but did not have the courage to try it. On another thread I read where someone had bought tie dye shirts online and were going to do iron-ons. I ordered the shirts for my family but did not do the iron ons. They really stood out, and people definitely noticed our party of twelve on the day that we wore those. SO I think that the matching shirts is a great idea. And if you ever want to do the tie dye shirts, they were only like $4 or $5 each if you ordered 24. Since between my family and my parents' family, there are 12 of us, we easily bought 24 and got the wholesale prices. Then other people saw what we were getting and had us buy some for them.

 

[dizneekim]

Tnkbell- I am a hs mom of 3 in NC. I have been browsing your thread and cheering you on! For our 1st family trip in '95, we went through a TA and paid full price for an all-inclusive package. (Could afford it at the time and didn't know any better.) Each time we have gone since then, we have stayed longer and spent less, always having a wonderful time. Have never felt deprived; after all, we were in "the World," and the budgeting has almost become a game! Learning more with each trip and now with these boards. I wish you every blessing!

 

[carierraine]

Have you looked into restaurant. com? You can print a gift certificate for $25 to orlando area restaurants. The price for a $25 gift certificate is normally $10, but mousesavers has a code for 50% off that. So you get $25 worth for $5.

Carie
P.S. we are Homeschoolers too. I love it that I can go to Disney in early Sept.

 

[TNKBELL]

Have you looked into restaurant. com? You can print a gift certificate for $25 to orlando area restaurants. The price for a $25 gift certificate is normally $10, but mousesavers has a code for 50% off that. So you get $25 worth for $5.

Carie
P.S. we are Homeschoolers too. I love it that I can go to Disney in early Sept.

Hi, It's great seeing a WDW loving Homeschool Family!! Yes Carie, Restaurant.com is great!! www.slickdeals.net sometimes has these for 75% off! My only problem has been purchasing before checking to see if the restaurant is still open first! I bought some for my B & SIL in Montana and they went to use them and the place had closed! I should have checked that out! I guess I learned something!! Thanks again!!

 

[TNKBELL]

Disneymomofsix....I'm so excited, It took several attempts before I finally got the iron-ons right! I'm sorry to say...there were some casualties! It's great to hear that you had such a good experience! Come on September!!! Thanks for the info!!

 

[TNKBELL]

Tnkbell- I am a hs mom of 3 in NC. I have been browsing your thread and cheering you on! For our 1st family trip in '95, we went through a TA and paid full price for an all-inclusive package. (Could afford it at the time and didn't know any better.) Each time we have gone since then, we have stayed longer and spent less, always having a wonderful time. Have never felt deprived; after all, we were in "the World," and the budgeting has almost become a game! Learning more with each trip and now with these boards. I wish you every blessing!

I totally agree budgeting is a game!! With hs you can also travel off season and avoid some of the crowds! I hope I can learn with each visit how to save more, then maybe Dh wouldn't be so Disney Phobic! I think most of what I've learned is from the Dis! I appreciate your blessing! (I'm sure I'll need it.)

 

[geetey]

Hi Tnkbell!
We are back from our WDW vacation and I finally got a chance to get caught up with your thread.
We used to live in Nashville - don't forget to check out the Entertainment Card deals that might be available with the card. I know Amerisuites offers 50% off which can be a GREAT deal since they have 2 beds plus a fold out sofa sleeper in each room, as well as a nice free breakfast.
Also, I read on the Budget board that the Disney Store has a big clearance sale upcoming! You might be able to find some bargains there. They also have $5 tshirts for the Fourth of July already available. REALLY cute ones! My ds wore his Donald shirt, while dd was thrilled to finally have a shirt with Pluto. Minnie and Mickey are also available. Both children and adult sizes.
I am a TGMer as well. Be sure and check out his ToonTown tips. I know you will be able to get a chance to see Cindy.

Hope that helps!

 

[TNKBELL]

Hi geetey!! Hope you had a great time!!! Yes the entertainment card is really a money saver!! I have applied for Choice Privaledges Visa card and after your first use you receive points enough for 2 hotel nights, so I am hoping to use that on the road. Also Dh and I decided to just do a day trip to Tampa to save$$(thanks for all of you who have encouraged me to do that!!) Now we are hoping to share a illumination or wishes cruise or something special for the family! Thanks for tip on the sale, I always buy our stuff on clearance so I'll be checking that out! I will have to find Toon Tips at TGM, I haven't spotted it yet!

 

[TNKBELL]

Thank you CdnMom!!!!!!! I can't wait now!!!! I would have never thought about it that way, thanks for opening my eyes!!!

 

[Littlemotherhaywood]

I just wanted to add that last year when I was shopping for dd I got her a ton of Mickey Mouse shirts at Sears for under $3 a piece and they all have glitter and have held up really well to many washings I think the iron-ons sound cool as well. My dd is starting to outgrow her shirts so she won't have them for out trip, but I wanted to do something. I don't think my dh will go for matching shirts, lol.

 

[mom2dea]

So how are you doing ? Any more updates ? We are going on the dinning plan . For 612.00 for 3 nights 4 days includes everything Oh and I have 100 extra with me for extra things the family wants . I know its not long but i can not wait . Just thought maybe there was an update

 

[TNKBELL]

We are doing the dining plan as well. For 3 nights. That will still leave the budget intact!! We are so excited, we are going to be able to do some fun things with the dining plan, such as Cinderella's Gala Feast. I tried to book CRT but couldn't get in, actually I think the Feast will work better for us and our eating preferences. So many of you have given me great ideas and budget tips Also there are Dis angels out there who have shared coupons and kindness!! Thank you so much!!! I am still in the planning process as far as day to day goes, when the WDW parks October schedule of events comes out, I'll be able to plan more details. It just seems like time is dragging slowly by though!! Why is it that vacations take forever to arrive and they are over in an instant?? We have about 60.00 of Disney Visa reward dollars for the kids to use for spending money and have instituted a change jar(mostly pennies), also for spending money. With all the coupons now, it looks like I won't have to do too much cooking!!
If there are any questions or comments let me know. Otherwise, I'll post one last time before we leave. I'll give some day to day details and how our budget will be spent(hopefully!!) I'm still expecting to stay on budget, escpecially since reading Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" What a simple and sensible concept, I wish I would have read it 10 years ago!!

 

[Raquelvp]

We will be going Sept. 18- Oct 2, and I have found reading this thread very helpful. I will be checking out the websites and other tips offered.

We will be staying off site for the 2 weeks and are looking to save and budget as much as possible. I have purchased many itmes for on line at the Disney store, and have found many Disney items at my local dollar store - memo pads, light-up pens, pencil cases, stickers, glitter bobble mouse ears- they seem to change the stock alomost every 2 weeks. This will help me greatly and allow me to have a grab bag itme for the kids while we are there ( 1 7 yo and 1 4 yo)

 

[LAWalz23]

Just wanted to say that I am looking forward to your trip report and seeing how closely you were able to follow your budget as I am terrible at that and am looking for ways to save more. Where else are you eating besides Park Faire? The food there is very good, one of the best buffets on WDW property. Also has anyone mention Trails End Buffet at Fort Wilderness, great food and best bargain. They also have a campfire and movies at night there. Have a great trip!

 

[dandee00]

Hope you have a great trip.
You must be excited! Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

 

[TNKBELL]

It was a close call...we almost cancelled!! But now I have been packing and am in the process of finishing up this week. We are excited!!
There have been some changes due to the gas prices. I have purchased a 3 night package with free dining with 1 day tickets. I also purchased MNSSHP, sooo excited about this!! I have scheduled Cinderella's Gala Feast and Chef Mickeys. We will use our 1 day at Epcot since the DKs haven't been there yet. The trip has been reduced to 15 days instead of 17. There are so many great things to do in Orlando and the coasts. We have annual zoo and science center passes that we can reciprocate with several places in the area, we also will go to an orange orchard, the world of orchids, Clearwater Beach, Melbourne Beach, Brevard Zoo, Orlando Science Center, MOSI, Central Florida Zoo, Celebration, DTD, and lots of pool time! I have been collecting coupons to use for our food and groceries. The total cost will be under $3000.00. Of course there will be resort hopping(my personal favorite) and to Dh & I reducing the passes also reduces the stress in trying to use them up and we feel like we will have a much more relaxed vacation. Thanks again for all the advice, encouragement and support!!! See you on the flip side!!