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

[DisneyFive]

What would you spend $300 on?

I'm looking to do something "extra" this trip with a max around $300 total for our family of 5

Context:

• July 19-27, 2022
• Kids are 15-20 yrs old
• Staying at Polynesian
• We already have one Disney sit down meal each day, but would be open to a truly "special" meal to replace one of our ADR's, which already include: Steakhouse '71, Jungle Skipper Canteen, Via Napoli, Beaches and Cream, Nine Dragons, Kona Cafe, Hollywood Brown Derby
• We're open to anything, but probably wouldn't want something super early in the morning. After 9am is fine.

I've thought of these so far:

• Rent pontoon boat
• Some sort of tour
• Extra special meal (in this case, I've already budgeted about $150 for each of our ADR's so if we replaced an existing ADR we would have that $150 PLUS another $300, so $450 for one meal)

Thanks in advance!

Dan

 

[Mr. Drauer]

that sounds like enough for 5 Mickey bars and 5 waters at today's prices

 

[3gr8boys]

We enjoyed both Caring for Giants and Up Close with Rhinos.

 

[chris benton]

Is Hoop De Doo an option? Might need to stretch that 300.00 a touch, but it's definitely a treat - dinner and a show.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

What would you spend $300 on?

I'm looking to do something "extra" this trip with a max around $300 total for our family of 5

Context:

• July 19-27, 2022
• Kids are 15-20 yrs old
• Staying at Polynesian
• We already have one Disney sit down meal each day, but would be open to a truly "special" meal to replace one of our ADR's, which already include: Steakhouse '71, Jungle Skipper Canteen, Via Napoli, Beaches and Cream, Nine Dragons, Kona Cafe, Hollywood Brown Derby
• We're open to anything, but probably wouldn't want something super early in the morning. After 9am is fine.

I've thought of these so far:

• Rent pontoon boat
• Some sort of tour
• Extra special meal (in this case, I've already budgeted about $150 for each of our ADR's so if we replaced an existing ADR we would have that $150 PLUS another $300, so $450 for one meal)

Thanks in advance!

Dan

If it's in your budget, I'd do Keys to the Kingdom, Wild Africa Trek, or Savor the Savanna. I think those are all outside your budget. However, Hoop Dee Doo IS in your budget and I have heard really great things about the show. It reopens today and category 1 tickets (main floor) are $74 adult. Another option is the new Cirque de Soleil show (drawn to Life). We are doing this in August. Tickets start at $80. We love theatre so we decided to splurge.

 

[DisneyFive]

We enjoyed both Caring for Giants and Up Close with Rhinos.

Is Hoop De Doo an option? Might need to stretch that 300.00 a touch, but it's definitely a treat - dinner and a show.

If it's in your budget, I'd do Keys to the Kingdom, Wild Africa Trek, or Savor the Savanna. I think those are all outside your budget. However, Hoop Dee Doo IS in your budget and I have heard really great things about the show. It reopens today and category 1 tickets (main floor) are $74 adult. Another option is the new Cirque de Soleil show (drawn to Life). We are doing this in August. Tickets start at $80. We love theatre so we decided to splurge.

Great options.

We LOVE Hoop Dee Doo so that is a definite possibility. I'm having trouble finding any available times during our stay though.

Dan

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Why don't you move to POR and have some real spending money left over. Seriously, staying at Poly costs as much a new car.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Cabana rental for a day? (I don’t know the going rate but used to be around $300 based on my fuzzy memory.)

 

[MICKIMINI]

Character breakfast at Toppolino's!

 

[js]

I would use it as "extra spending money" so when the kids say..."can I have this....can I eat that...." you just say sure.

 

[M&E]

$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.

 

[mmackeymouse]

How bout a trail ride at Fort Wilderness, followed by lunch at Trails End?

I like the renting a boat idea as well.

I will admit that my gut reaction was Topolino's Breakfast/Brunch, but not sure with the age range. You know your kids.

Man, it's easy to spend other people's money, haha.

My other thought would be to check out the EFEO page....you can find former cast members who now do catering. There are charcuterie boards, cakes, cake pops, and even full brunch meals, or a replication of the Twilight Feast.

How about a family photo shoot? We are also staying at the Poly. And we have arranged for a photoshoot with one of the photographers on that page. It's $150, but they have various people with different price points.

 

[Marthasor]

Spend a day at Ft. Wilderness - boat/kayak/bike rentals, a visit to the stables, plus a QS meal will be under $300. Or for about $300, you could do the archery experience there.

 

[SealedSeven]

Genie + and Individual Lightning Lane purchases....


but really, Drawn to Life is a good buy.

 

[kwdw]

I think the $150 for a family of 5 adults for a table service meal is an underestimate at some of those places. If you are okay with that and still think you have an extra 300 - lots of good ideas have already been stated.

I think part of my answer depends on if the kids have a spending budget for their own whims or not. For the number of days there - the idea of just giving each of them a $100 gift card to spend as they want could save you being nickeled and dimed by them all week long.... They are old enough to understand having their own random souvenir or snack/drink budget.

 

[DisneyFive]

Why don't you move to POR and have some real spending money left over. Seriously, staying at Poly costs as much a new car.

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

 

[Tattylou]

$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.

I was thinking the same exact thing. I was there with two adults and an 11 and 13 year old in Feb and we definitely spent more than 150 at table service meals.

 

[DisneyFive]

$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.

I like the idea of a bunch of little splurges too. See below regarding TS costs...

Genie + and Individual Lightning Lane purchases....


but really, Drawn to Life is a good buy.

We have G+ already purchased for our entire stay, but LOVE the $ILL idea!

I think the $150 for a family of 5 adults for a table service meal is an underestimate at some of those places. If you are okay with that and still think you have an extra 300 - lots of good ideas have already been stated.

I think part of my answer depends on if the kids have a spending budget for their own whims or not. For the number of days there - the idea of just giving each of them a $100 gift card to spend as they want could save you being nickeled and dimed by them all week long.... They are old enough to understand having their own random souvenir or snack/drink budget.

I totally get where you are coming from regarding the sit down cost, but we've eaten at these places many times and can get away under $150, or $30pp. Typically these are lunch ADR's not dinners. Having said that, sometimes it means one pair will share an entrée and appetizer or something like that. Only 2 or 3 will get sodas, etc... A full sit down meal for each person is typically too much for us. We don't like the overly full stomach zombie feel. For instance, we all get the cobb salad at HBD to keep that cost down, otherwise we wouldn't even set foot in there. LOL

So just to make sure I wasn't going insane I went back and checked our credit card charges from last years visit and here are the actual amounts for our family of five, including an 18 - 20% tip. So yes, it can be done, and we all walked away happy and plenty full. It does take some discretion though.

07/26 WDW BROWN DERBY LAKE BUENA VI FL $152.40
07/27 WDW WHISPER CANYON LAKE BUENA VI FL $149.67
07/28 VIA NAPOLI LAKE BUENA VI FL $87.37 (One huge Mezzo pizza and some breadsticks)
07/29 WESTIN SWAN DINING LK BUENA VIS FL $117.45 (Kimonos sushi)
07/30 PRIME TIME CAFE LAKE BUENA VI FL $163.25
07/31 PLAZA RESTAURAN LAKE BUENA VI FL $113.72
07/31 JUNGLE SKIPPER LAKE BUENA VI FL $134.67
08/01 BEACHES & CREAM LAKE BUENA VI FL $118.05
08/03 WDW JUNGLE SKIPPER LAKE BUENA VI FL $166.52
08/04 WDW KONA CAFE LAKE BUENA VI FL $148.39

Dan

 

[kathy884]

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.

 

[MyView]

I would recommend the Wild Africa Trek, check it out on the Disney web site.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/wild-africa-trek
We really enjoyed it, one the best things we have done at WDW. Walking across wooden plank bridge over crocodiles, strapped in to be close to hippos, private safari vehicle which will stop for up close photo opps, and a fun delicious lunch on the Savanah. I think you would all really enjoy this. Good luck,