$300 to spend. Family of 5. What "extra" would you do?

[LisaRay]

What about a water park day. July is definatly hot enough.

 

[sethschroeder]

We are renting DVC points and actually saving $400 versus staying at POR. While we LOVE POR, I’d rather spend less and stay at the Poly. . Plus we get to extra evening hours during our trip due to deluxe.

Dan

This is the way. Most moderates with a family of 4/5 you can get a larger room in a DVC for the same or less if you are renting.

My suggestions would be:

• Biergarten
• Hoop de Doo
• Animal Trek (or whatever the name is in AK) - this is a great tour but try to do it in the morning
• Trader Sams/Tiki Bar - get some fancy drinks
• Get a Pineapple filled drink - not sure if they are selling those right now
• Instead of busses to other parks get Minnie Vans - think they are running again by then
• Rent a Surrey Bikes (there are 6 person ones I believe)
• Eat around the world showcase - randomly draw names by country and they pick a thing in each country to get (could even be from the stores)

I am someone though who doesn't really have a specific budget for a vacation. Instead of just putting down an extra $400 I would like it save it for the next adventure.

I would take an extra roughly $50 and put it towards an extra pizza when at Via Napoli. Makes for good leftover snacks as well. Not positive on the fridge size at Poly though as we haven't stayed in a studio for a long time always been 1br/2br.

 

[MomOTwins]

$150 for 5 adults doesn't seem like enough for a sit down. Maybe just spread that $300 out over all your sit down meals to cover tips, speciality drinks and maybe a fun dessert. I know that's not exactly what you were thinking, but I just think you may need more than what you have budgeted for sit down meals.

That was my thought too. Take Skipper Canteen which is a mid-price place. Average entree price is $29. For 5 that is $145 before tax (6.5%) and tip (20%) and your are looking at $185 even if everyone drinks water and no apps or dessert.

We are a family of 5 and we usually spend $200-250 per TS restaurant. Disney food is expensive.

 

[MomOTwins]

That was my thought too. Take Skipper Canteen which is a mid-price place. Average entree price is $29. For 5 that is $145 before tax (6.5%) and tip (20%) and your are looking at $185 even if everyone drinks water and no apps or dessert.

We are a family of 5 and we usually spend $200-250 per TS restaurant. Disney food is expensive.

Okay I missed the post where OP said they forgo drinks, split meals and eat light lunches to lower meal cost. Why not just try a having some dinners where everyone eats what they want instead! No need to have one blowout dinner, just let people order more than cobb salad at HBD, have a soda, and maybe dessert? Maybe your kids are too polite to say but in my experience teenagers can eat A LOT and like to be ablw to choose what they eat. Seems silly to scrimp on 6 meals to have one super fancy one instead of enjoying meals every day.

 

[kathy884]

Okay I missed the post where OP said they forgo drinks, split meals and eat light lunches to lower meal cost. Why not just try a having some dinners where everyone eats what they want instead! No need to have one blowout dinner, just let people order more than cobb salad at HBD, have a soda, and maybe dessert? Maybe your kids are too polite to say but in my experience teenagers can eat A LOT and like to be ablw to choose what they eat. Seems silly to scrimp on 6 meals to have one super fancy one instead of enjoying meals every day.

This is just me and I do have a bit of a "bean counter" personality.

If it were me and my family, I'd keep on the eating out trend OP is doing and just have snacks, mini meals etc. in the condo for the kids to heat up and eat for those food cravings. Eating in is usually healthier too. A condo is great for slim teens and 20 somethings who eat constantly. A condo also means you have a place to bring leftovers and can easily heat them up later. Changing that frugal eating out trend could be way more than $300. If everyone is on board with that savings trend, I wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole (could be hard getting back on the band wagon).

We usually do condos on vacations and find after a busy day, it's just so nice and relaxing to stay in, and boy does that help the ole food budget too. On our trip to Colorado last week where we had a condo, I budgeted for two meals out per day, but lol we averaged one meal out per day. We bought more groceries, but OMG food in (and you can do some super simple things) saves a ton on money and is just really nice vs. going out for every meal (more relaxing / more chill). Table service lunches out in cute quaint little towns in western Colorado were more the price that I think a dinner out should be. All those dinners in kept us below budget for the vacation budget big time. And I think if we had done the two meals per day out that I would have been over budget for sure actually, looking a menu prices.

 

[DisneyFive]

Okay I missed the post where OP said they forgo drinks, split meals and eat light lunches to lower meal cost. Why not just try a having some dinners where everyone eats what they want instead! No need to have one blowout dinner, just let people order more than cobb salad at HBD, have a soda, and maybe dessert? Maybe your kids are too polite to say but in my experience teenagers can eat A LOT and like to be ablw to choose what they eat. Seems silly to scrimp on 6 meals to have one super fancy one instead of enjoying meals every day.

How did this discussion turn into questioning the cost of my family’s meals? Are you seriously suggesting that our children are too scared to ask for more food at meals? I posted the exact amounts for each of our meals. These are typically lunch where we are not trying to gorge ourselves. Each family unit is different, but our older two are girls and the youngest is a boy. He’s not eating like a garbage disposal, yet. I love how words are twisted. I never said we forgo drinks. I said we typically have two to three sodas a meal for those that want them. Keep in mind prices have increased since last summer . We are not ravenous eaters. I can guarantee you that none of us has walked away from any of our table service meals feeling like we did not eat enough, or not fully satisfied. I don’t typically bring anything like this up but my middle daughter is a top 10 high school sprinter in the state of Michigan. We are not starving our kids lol

Dan

 

[DVCjj]

I vote for a fireworks cruise.
We did a few years ago with daughter and son in law and it was wonderful.
We still talk about it all the time.

Very memorable.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

When I was a kid my Dad would sometimes give us a little envelope of “fun money” when we went away. He didn’t always do it so it was an exciting surprise the times he did. Maybe get each of your kids a Disney gift card so they can get a special souvenir.

 

[unrequited23]

I wouldn't plan anything extra for the $300. I would keep it in the back of my mind to make a spur of the moment decision that is the right choice for your family on that day. It might be an Uber back to the Poly, ILL for a ride they fall in love with or a round of mickey bars if people get hot & cranky.

 

[keishashadow]

I'd rent the little speed boats there at the Polynesian. My kid's always want to do that when they see them. If yours are intrigued by those, you can say yes.

Are they running again? didn’t see them last trip (april)

OP - found vacation funds is a great thing indeed !

I’m all about a good meal, however, find that we don’t eat as much in the heat/humidity of FL either. Lucky if we eat 2 full meals, try for healthy snacks to offset the dole whips & mickey bars lol. Do run thru liquids tho.

we are so fond of HDD, was thrilled to be able to snag one for upcoming trip. Have you tried setting up an alert with any of the free ADR finders?

have you considered the cirque show? It’s over the budgeted amount, might work if you eliminate a TS and go with CS.

Poly has such nice pools & overall vibe. The feature pool can get really crowded tho in the late afternoon. any interest in doing a WP After an early rope drop day?

have fun planning your trip!

 

[coachk34]

We ended up in a similar situation with our family of five and $300 extra. We decided on a Friday night dinner at the Boat House and a ride on the Amphi Cars. Ill most likely hang out on the shore while the others ride the car.

 

[StephanieP]

On one of our Poly stays, we did an early morning fishing trip. I was skeptical that I would enjoy it, since I'm not an outdoorsy person, but all of us loved it. We left around 7 am and went all around Seven Seas Lagoon. I was so pretty to watch the sun rise into the sky and watch all of the resorts and MK slowly come to life. We caught (and released) lots of fish and then went to Captain Cook's for breakfast. I would absolutely do this again!

 

[DisneyFive]

I vote for a fireworks cruise.
We did a few years ago with daughter and son in law and it was wonderful.
We still talk about it all the time.

Very memorable.

I’ll look into this for sure. Is this something you need to call about or something you can book online?

Are they running again? didn’t see them last trip (april)

OP - found vacation funds is a great thing indeed !

I’m all about a good meal, however, find that we don’t eat as much in the heat/humidity of FL either. Lucky if we eat 2 full meals, try for healthy snacks to offset the dole whips & mickey bars lol. Do run thru liquids tho.

we are so fond of HDD, was thrilled to be able to snag one for upcoming trip. Have you tried setting up an alert with any of the free ADR finders?

have you considered the cirque show? It’s over the budgeted amount, might work if you eliminate a TS and go with CS.

Poly has such nice pools & overall vibe. The feature pool can get really crowded tho in the late afternoon. any interest in doing a WP After an early rope drop day?

have fun planning your trip!

Thank you!

I have a couple of searches going with touringplans but not successful so far. I may change the requested date to maybe make it more successful. For some reason a few of the days of our vacation don’t work in the Disney reservation availability page, specifically for HDDR. Seems to be an IT glitch.

Dan

 

[DVCjj]

I'd rent the little speed boats there at the Polynesian. My kid's always want to do that when they see them. If yours are intrigued by those, you can say yes.

The Racers have been discontinued at all the resorts that had them. Believe me, we've asked. Have done 4 times, 2 at GF and 2 at Poly and we LOVED them. It truly doesn't like like they're coming back, unfortunately.

 

[DVCjj]

I’ll look into this for sure. Is this something you need to call about or something you can book online?

Thank you!

I have a couple of searches going with touringplans but not successful so far. I may change the requested date to maybe make it more successful. For some reason a few of the days of our vacation don’t work in the Disney reservation availability page, specifically for HDDR. Seems to be an IT glitch.

Dan

Re Fireworks cruise, I remember we definitely called. They may have changed things but I really think it has to be a call.

 

[snikki]

How did this discussion turn into questioning the cost of my family’s meals? Are you seriously suggesting that our children are too scared to ask for more food at meals? I posted the exact amounts for each of our meals. These are typically lunch where we are not trying to gorge ourselves. Each family unit is different, but our older two are girls and the youngest is a boy. He’s not eating like a garbage disposal, yet. I love how words are twisted. I never said we forgo drinks. I said we typically have two to three sodas a meal for those that want them. Keep in mind prices have increased since last summer . We are not ravenous eaters. I can guarantee you that none of us has walked away from any of our table service meals feeling like we did not eat enough, or not fully satisfied. I don’t typically bring anything like this up but my middle daughter is a top 10 high school sprinter in the state of Michigan. We are not starving our kids lol

Dan

I think we are so accustomed to over eating and large portions that some people can’t see sharing meals or just having a salad at a signature lunch. I’m one of those but in the last few months I’ve been getting into weighing my food and counting calories and holy cow was I seriously overeating. I now mention sharing a meal when we go out or just doing an app and/or salad. I’ve also pretty much stopped ordering soda and just get water. It’s saving my waist line and pocket. My kids can be big eaters (16-22) but it’s not all of the time. They have their moments. Especially at Disney when you’re hot, tired, maybe dehydrated or just full from eating such rich food.

Back to the original question….I like the idea of a fireworks cruise. I know there’s a thread somewhere on sharing a cruise and splitting the costs with other disers.

 

[Genie+]

We are renting DVC points and actually saving $400 versus staying at POR. While we LOVE POR, I’d rather spend less and stay at the Poly. . Plus we get to extra evening hours during our trip due to deluxe.

Dan

I love the idea of pontoon rental for your group. Something very memorable to share together. Also no guarantee it will be available in the future.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

How did this discussion turn into questioning the cost of my family’s meals? Are you seriously suggesting that our children are too scared to ask for more food at meals? I posted the exact amounts for each of our meals. These are typically lunch where we are not trying to gorge ourselves. Each family unit is different, but our older two are girls and the youngest is a boy. He’s not eating like a garbage disposal, yet. I love how words are twisted. I never said we forgo drinks. I said we typically have two to three sodas a meal for those that want them. Keep in mind prices have increased since last summer . We are not ravenous eaters. I can guarantee you that none of us has walked away from any of our table service meals feeling like we did not eat enough, or not fully satisfied. I don’t typically bring anything like this up but my middle daughter is a top 10 high school sprinter in the state of Michigan. We are not starving our kids lol

Dan

We eat the same way, other than we might sprinkle in an adult bev here or there, but for most TS meals, we usually share or just do apps for the shear fact that most restaurants serve really big portions and we don't have any space for leftovers in our room. It all just goes to waste.

But back to the original topic.....I love the idea of a boat/pontoon rental if you've got time. I've never done it but it looks like a lot of fun.I don't know if the little sprite/sea raycer boats are back at Poly/CR but I could see my kids, also teens, loving those since I think they can drive them, just have to be over 12.

If you decide you want to add another meal, a fun option is Teppan Edo but if you've been to a japanese steakhouse before then this won't be worth the extra cost.

 

[Shughart]

I would honestly just leave it as buffer, because as much as I plan and budget beforehand, once I'm there, we always go a little over. I'd use that to make up for any overages and not plan even more, but that's just me!

 

[Genie+]

We eat the same way, other than we might sprinkle in an adult bev here or there, but for most TS meals, we usually share or just do apps for the shear fact that most restaurants serve really big portions and we don't have any space for leftovers in our room. It all just goes to waste.

But back to the original topic.....I love the idea of a boat/pontoon rental if you've got time. I've never done it but it looks like a lot of fun.I don't know if the little sprite/sea raycer boats are back at Poly/CR but I could see my kids, also teens, loving those since I think they can drive them, just have to be over 12.

If you decide you want to add another meal, a fun option is Teppan Edo but if you've been to a japanese steakhouse before then this won't be worth the extra cost.

Unfortunately the Sea racers didn’t return after the shutdown. Those looked so cool and we never had the chance to try. At least there’s still the pontoon option. While not as exciting it sounds nice for a family to do together. And take turns driving!