Any more places to cut corners?

[Schmeck]

The rental car was decided well before needing to go to Walmart - we decided that we did not want to wait for busses/etc in the planning phases, and since DH gets an employee discount for working for an affiliate of the car rental company, it was only $68 for the week, and worth the convienence. There were many times while we were there that we commented how glad we were that we had it! (especially for our trip to the store)

The limo was a complete luxury and part of the surprise for the kids (we surprised them with the trip the morning we left). We did not want to pay $30/day to remote park and take a shuttle to the terminal at the airport, so we had always planned to take a cab (we live in the Chicago suburbs, and this is common practice to Ohare airport). Because we had five people and needed a mini-van cab, the cost difference between the taxi and one-way limo service to the airport was about $40. DH thought it would be worth the money to see the look on the kids' faces when they saw a limo in front of the house. (and it was worth it. Amazingly priceless to see their reaction!!! LOL) We took a cab home from the airport after the trip for $65. Both fees/tips were part of the $500 for incidentals.

Limo from house to airport, gotcha! Thought you meant from onsite to airport.

 

[robinb]

The limo was a complete luxury and part of the surprise for the kids (we surprised them with the trip the morning we left). We did not want to pay $30/day to remote park and take a shuttle to the terminal at the airport, so we had always planned to take a cab (we live in the Chicago suburbs, and this is common practice to Ohare airport). Because we had five people and needed a mini-van cab, the cost difference between the taxi and one-way limo service to the airport was about $40. DH thought it would be worth the money to see the look on the kids' faces when they saw a limo in front of the house. (and it was worth it. Amazingly priceless to see their reaction!!! LOL) We took a cab home from the airport after the trip for $65. Both fees/tips were part of the $500 for incidentals.

FWIW, you could have booked a "park and ride" for less than $180 where you sleep at a hotel near ORD or MDW and leave your car at the hotel. Parking is usually free for 2 weeks and the hotel gives you a ride to/from the airport. I have done this a few times when we drive in from Wisconsin for cheaper flights. Of course, that doesn't have the same "wow" factor as a surprise limo .

 

[amym2]

Ditto the suggestion to take advantage of the free ice water in the parks. It is filtered so tastes just fine. We also sometimes bring along those little flavoring packets to add to the water.

We found that with meals, sometimes our kids were happier eating off our adult meals (esp with CS meals). We used some of their kid credits for breakfast platters at the resort, and we would all just eat a bit of that in addition to what we brought along for breakfast food. Sometimes we'd use our snack credits for OJ or milk and keep those in the fridge in the room for the mornings.

In terms of researching meals, all of the restaurant menus can be found on allears.com. I'm sure there is probably a thread somewhere about which meals are easier to share. I know the platters at Tangierine Cafe in EP were large enough for us to share. We used to share meals at Flame Tree BBQ in EP, but last time they seemed smaller.

I also agree that we don't buy our kids souvenirs, other than a pin of the resort where we stayed or something they really enjoyed (like a BTMR pin the first time they rode). They know that a return trip to WDW is much better than any souvenir they could buy! You might consider asking family members to give the kids Disney gift cards for holidays between now and then. Then they could use those for additional snacks or souvenirs.

 

[SEA333]

FWIW, you could have booked a "park and ride" for less than $180 where you sleep at a hotel near ORD or MDW and leave your car at the hotel. Parking is usually free for 2 weeks and the hotel gives you a ride to/from the airport. I have done this a few times when we drive in from Wisconsin for cheaper flights. Of course, that doesn't have the same "wow" factor as a surprise limo .

We would consider that for next time!! This past time, however, with the way we planned the surprise, there was no way we would have been ready for the hotel/airport the night before..We both worked the day before the trip and I was running around getting the boys haircuts and packing last minute items to get ready for the early AM reveal LOL

 

[zy144622]

FWIW, you could have booked a "park and ride" for less than $180 where you sleep at a hotel near ORD or MDW and leave your car at the hotel. Parking is usually free for 2 weeks and the hotel gives you a ride to/from the airport. I have done this a few times when we drive in from Wisconsin for cheaper flights. Of course, that doesn't have the same "wow" factor as a surprise limo .

We stayed at the hilton garden in with park and ride last year. Nice place with a little slash zone for the little ones. Pretty sure it was $130-140

 

[LovesTimone]

I am the person who never pays retail for anything, even though I could! Haha- I love bargaining and getting the biggest bang for my buck... That said, planning a trip to Disney for us is a completely un chartered territory. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing even though I keep trying

From my research this is the most current planned budget I have. Is there anywhere else I can look to save? Any place I need to plan for more? Any other expenses i need to plan for not previously thought of?? Thoughts??

Package for 6 (2 adults, 11, 8, 4 and 2)
$3769.00

Includes
2 rooms at Pop
Tickets to Park (base tickets, no park hopper)
Free DDP plus upgrade to Reg. and $200 for tips
Parking

Suggestion: I would checkout what it would be to stay $$ in a family suite at AOA or one of the other family suites. They are really for a larger family, you will still have the 2 bathroom, and enough room for everyone to sleep. I suggest this a there is a bit more moving around room. I think that the price would be pretty close.

I would most definitely up grade to the DDP dinning, character meals are a must with these ages, plus its a nice air condition break, and character pic's inside is great. If you are staying at a Disney resort there is no charge for parking at your resort. I would increase the tip budget to around 600.00 dollars. With a party of 6 they are going to add in the tip I believe it is 18% automatically. I know that 600.00 is a lot but 1 character meal for 6 is easily 300.00 - 350.00 dollars, so that is a 60.00 tip roughly. Also don't forget about mouse keeping tips. At least a dollar a day for each person.

Gas- $500 - Not sure with where you are driving from I would add a bit just to be safe.

Travel Hotels- $200 - Do you have theses already booked? - Did you add in parking fees, and hotel fees, wifi and such.. this all is extra $$

Travel Expenses- $100 - I would pack a cooler with snack, and drinks this will help save some $$. Also where you are staying on the drive do they offer free breakfast. I assume that you will be doing a fast food run. My friends hate fast food, so they will checkout some restaurant's that might offer some type of family meal, Sonny's BBQ is there go to for this, also they check out for coupons around where the stop for gas. Last year they got some meal deals with amazon local, which they spent about the same as a drive thru run. Also Denny's has some cheap meal offers on their menu that you could check out.

Souvenirs- $600 - That equals out to 100.00 per person. - That seem like a good number but I would budget a bit more as I love my Disney stuff.

Total: $5719.00

Here are a few more suggestion.

Breakfast in the room is a huge money saver, that way everyone gets something to eat while everyone is taking turns getting ready.

Take snacks, and bottled water into the parks and refill as you go. This will really save some money.

Sharing meals is another way make your meal credits go farther. This will mean less out of pocket. Head over to allears.net they have the most current menu items, and you can see what can be easily split.

When I am out shopping, I always look for inexpensive items for while you are in line waiting. These are just little things to keep them busy. When my DD's were little I would take a couple out each morning before heading into the parks. This work really well as it was something new. Dollar stores, clearance area's etc...

 

[FreeThinker]

We are a large family, 2 adults and kids ages (this next trip) 11, 9, 6, 6 and turning 3. We just stay off-site. If you are driving, you can probably save quite a bit of $$! Last year we stayed 6 nights in a 3 bedroom condo for $1000, and we had a full kitchen to cook in! We only eat out once per day b/c tax and gratuity for a large family adds up! If you just do a quick-service at the parks you will not have to pay a tip (which can easily be $20+). For our family to eat at a sit-down it's well over $100. QS Is about $60. We take drinks and snacks into the parks with us, and only budget a few other snacks into the budget as special treats (like a Mickey ice-cream). If we eat most of our bigger meals at the condo, it saves us a LOT of $$, and it's healthier! I make a menu before we go, and we just go to the local Wal-Mart when we get there and get groceries for the week. Not sure how far away you live, I am 17 hours, and we pack a cooler and stop at road-side stops for our meals. I've got it down to an exact science

I also think you should add $$ for a Disney memory book. THey are $$, but I think they are worth it! You can use the photopass pics and Disney graphics to design a memory book an I"ve done it that last 2 trips. Mine has been about $150 and the kids love to look at them!

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

Just a suggestion, don't know if it would work for you.
Did you think about renting DVC points for a multibedroom villa? They come equipped with a full kitchen and laundry. We usually do two meals at the hotel (breakfast and take a break by going back for dinner) and since you can pre-order your groceries to be delivered to your room you wouldn't need to leave the property. (there is also a Publix close by)
For a family your size cutting down 2/3 the meals and snacks would be a pretty big chunk

 

[Rose23]

Since you are a budget minded lady, I think the souvenir budget s pretty high. We would set an amt per kid, and us and that's it. Say $50. One or two nice souvenirs and that's enough... My two will search, save, add budget to find the best item.

Agree.
Also, you may want to plan on visiting the Disney Character Warehouse outlet and purchasing your trinkets, souvenirs, etc. You'll get much better deals for Disney items that are half price or less at the Character Warehouse than in the parks and resorts. You will actually see some of the same items.

 

[Girlfriday17]

You had me at not paying retail...

Snack credits for treats that can be taken home, instead of souvenirs i.e. Chip and Dale pretzels, candy apples. We have "Water Bobbles" which I have seen at Target, although we bought ours at Old Navy. It's a water bottle (PBA?) free with a filter on it. We drink a lot of water and although have bought bottles, you can fill from the fountain and have it colder than carrying around several with you. And i concur about sharing meals. My DH and I share a large breakfast (CS) and then (CS) lunch. Then we have our meal for dinner each. Most of the time we don't use all our snack credits and take home lots of treats for my niece and nephews.

 

[theduhaimes]

We are a family of 6 also -- me, DH, and 4 kids (17,10, 7 and 5). One way we save money on our Disney trips is to purchase Disney gift cards at Target. I have a Target debit card which saves me 5% and every time I fill 5 prescriptions, I get a coupon for an extra 5%. When combined, that equals 9.75% savings on our Disney gift cards. I use the gifts cards not only for expenses while at WDW but I also use them to pay for the cost of our trip. It is a little extra work paying off a Disney trip with $50 gift cards but well worth the time.