Anyone care to post their budget?

[MagicalMom]

I am just trying to figure out if I have all of my bases covered & am budgeting enough. I'd love to see others.

Thanks!

 

[HaleyB]

There is a nice detailed look at a budget on www.mousesavers.com they did a $1000 trip.

Items I budget for
Airline tickets if we fly
Hotel or package (or both)
Gas
Car rental or Airport transportation
Grocery stop
Park passes
Food
-Sitdown meals/special event meals
-snacks and drinks
-Counter meals
-off site meals
-Airport food
Tips
-Mouse Keeping/maid service
-Baggage handelers
-Bell boy
-Food servers
-other (spa services)
Film developing
Pins
$100 per person mad money
Disney Quest tickets (if not included in park passes)
Any other tickets I need
Clothing pre trip (someone always needs something! I can't seem to get my kids to quit growing)
Misc. pre-trip (sun block, mole skin, what ever)
Misc in parks (for that one thing I forgot)
Stroller rentals
Parking
Airport parking or transportation from home.

I think that is everything, I am being lazy and not looking it up (today was field day at school and I am beat)

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks so much! I think I have all of that covered. I just continue to worry, worry, worry.

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. This trip my budget was a little more flexible. for hotel costs I booked a value then kept upgrading as we saved more money.

2 adults 2 children for 5 nights

food average is $150 day (we are staying concierge)
pre trip purchases (like new shorts, sandals, sun screen, car trip items, bug spray, etc) $400
Fun & souveniers - $600 (for boat rental, tour, etc)

Keep in mind that this trip has become a very special event. We've saved for two years so we our budget is a bit larger than it would be on a regular trip.

Half the fun is in the planning. I'm sure your budget is fine. One of the things we did to save extra, was to absolutely NOT go into a store or even buy gasoline for an entire week every month. It took a little pre planning so you didn't run out of milk, but we saved a bundle! My DH tells me the more I save in our vacation account, the more I can spend on WDW. So I threw caution to the wind this trip.

 

[jimmiej]

WDW June 12-19, 2004

8 days/7 nights
Air*** $1,075.00
Contemporary** $340.07 deposited $1,280.00
Tix (4 adult, 1 child 5 day PH)*** $1,107.62
Food/mini golf $860.00
Souvenirs $500.00
Cirque*** $353.58
Tiffany $120.00
FW Cruise** $86.00
Tips $41.00
E-night $61.48
Total $5,484.68

 

[StephMK]

Originally posted by fam4jc
Half the fun is in the planning. I'm sure your budget is fine. One of the things we did to save extra, was to absolutely NOT go into a store or even buy gasoline for an entire week every month. It took a little pre planning so you didn't run out of milk, but we saved a bundle! My DH tells me the more I save in our vacation account, the more I can spend on WDW. So I threw caution to the wind this trip.

thanks for a great idea! Especially w/gas prices going up, my goal is to make less trips out w/the car. We'll have to work on your plan this summer!

 

[canwegosoon]

Haley B's budget looks great. If you have pets, you might want to add in the cost of pet sitting, or boarding. I know with my dog on our last trip it was $350. including his annual physical, so I consider it a cost of our trip.

 

[mykidsmom2000]

we are going for 14 nites
hilton grand vacation club -skyauction- 726.00
driving from MA 500.00
annual pass for 4 (2/2) 1402.00
meals/spending 2000.00

total for 14 nites of joy 4628.00

 

[CarolynNC]

2 adults - 2 teen boys - 7 nights

air = $380 (paid)
hotel = $1030 (2 rooms - grosvenor) ($140 paid)
rental car = $120
5 day park hoppers (4)= $880 (paid)
PI tickets (4) = $60 (paid)
DQ tickets (4) = $84 (paid)
food (out & in room) = $1000
tips = ~$75 (not including restaurant tips)
Souvenirs = $200 (from StarWars wkend)
enight = $50
home airport parking = $32

total = $3911

I also plan to take an extra $200 for my budget busters. I'm hoping to make it completely through this vacation without charging anything. When I had to charge the air and room deposit I made an on line payment to my credit card so when the charge hit it would zero out.

Now that I've added it all up I'm thinking of all the other things I could do with that much money. Oh well, this is probably going to be the last trip to WDW with my son so it's cheap at any price. It won't be long before he's on his own and he doesn't crave WDW every year like he used to. Next trip we'll probably be back at US/IOA.

Oh well, a little over two weeks to go!

Carolyn

 

[Miss Kelly]

air = $380 (paid)

May I ask how you got such a great rate for plane tickets? We are flying out of Greensboro but would gladly travel further for a better deal.

5 day park hoppers (4)= $880 (paid)

Where did you buy your tickets at or from? I can't get 4 day park hoppers for that price!

DQ tickets (4) = $84 (paid)

Same question as above. This sounds like a great deal!

Thank you!!!

 

[Hygiene99]

Well we have a trip coming up in June and here is how we did..
June 10th thru 13th Just to get our fix...
Just 2 adults...
Airfare 2 r/t nonstop tixs from Boston on Song $269.00 Total got in on a fare sale...

Annual pass renewal ... Expired in May but went in Jan and Feb.
and several other trips was well worth it..
Cost $350.00 x 3 = $700.00 +- a few dollars

Just purchased from Ebay 4 Meal vouchers Good for dinners
$75.00 other meals one will be at the Flying fish and they do not take the voucher... $130.00 is what we spend there abouts..

Lodging

Rented Dvc points from another member for a stay at the Boardwalk first night of 3 $130.00 and the other2 night are at Wilderness lodge A/p rate 2 nights= $310.00

Transportation Tiffany town car $90.0 plus tip $100.00
Dislike Mears little less but not worth it IMO...


total $ 1849.00 So I guess if I take out the cost of the annual pass and prorate the price per day it would be about $25.00 per day for admission for us.. if I use the times I know we will be going.. and some we dont.... would get us down to
the new total $1149.00

For along weekend but will have passes for future trip in October long weekend...
And in November when we Give our points to My Brothers family to stay at the Boardwalk with us, and 3 nephews for the trip for his family... 5 nights


Boston Pétér

Your milage may varie

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Up until January this year I was planning a trip for November19-November27 2004. Our trip is postponed until bills are paid, DH is back to earning his previous salary and I have the ability to start saving again.

Here is what I had budgeted:

1a. Transportation - gas & tolls, driving from PA to FL
1b. Transportation - airfare, an alternate plan if I could find cheap flights, plus the cost of parking at the airport
2a. Lodging - 1 overnight stay each direction during travel
2b. Lodging - 8 nights - 4 @ Disney Value Resort, 4 @ Resort closer to Universal and Sea World
2c. Tips for housekeeping, etc.
3a. Park Admissions - 4-day PH for WDW, 2-day/2-park for USO and single day for SW
3b. Park Admissions - parking at USO & SW (WDW on-site stay includes parking at theme parks)
4. Dining - review menu prices at www.allearsnet.com
5. Souvenirs
6. fees for other incidentals - i.e. buckets of fish to feed the dolphins at SW

 

[CarolynNC]

Originally posted by Miss Kelly
May I ask how you got such a great rate for plane tickets? We are flying out of Greensboro but would gladly travel further for a better deal.

Flying out of RDU on Southwest. I watch their sight for sales. Whenever one comes up I adjust my dates to fit. I think my cost was $39 each way plus fees. I had to add a day to our trip to take advantage of the fare (what a shame!). I like the feature on their sight which gives you a calendar if your travel dates are flexible. I'm actually located between RDU & the Greensboro airport but find better flight times & cost at RDU. I'll be interested in seeing what Independence Air will be offering out of Greensboro in the future.


Where did you buy your tickets at or from? I can't get 4 day park hoppers for that price!

AAA - 5 day hopper at $220 each. I don't remember what the 4 day hopper cost but less than $200. I purchased these recently and my local office still had tickets at the old rate prior to price increase. They sell these out first and then when they buy new tickets they increase their price.

Same question as above. This sounds like a great deal!

DQ & PI tickets - special deal thru Mousesavers newsletter. It may still be available. These really were great prices.


Thank you!!!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Thank you so much! I'm off to "look around" for more deals!

 

[djm99]

August 8-16 Budget


This budget is for 2 adults and 1 child (4). My DH and I are not breakfast people at all, but my daughter loves Nature Valley Breakfast Bars so that’s her breakfast, along with Milk that will be kept in personal frig.

1. Groceries/food/snacks before we leave $40.00 08/05
2. Drive from STL (St. Louis) to ATL (Atlanta) $50.00
3. Maybe Burger King/McDonald meal $20
4. Overnight ATL stay $42 - already booked - includes tax
5. Drive from ATL to ORL (Gas) $50 08/06
6. Maybe Burger King/McDonald Meal $20
7. 2 nights in Days Inn near DTD ($36 a night x2 +14%) = $84
8. Cheap Meal somewhere $30 08/06
9. Disney Quest Tickets $63 (paid for on Ebay) 08/07
10. 08/07 We have 4 pm PS in Rainforest Café in Animal Kingdom at 4 (have Vouchers for this meal)
11. 08/08 cheap meal somewhere as we prepare to move into rented house $25
12. 08/08 Buy Groceries for house $60 (there will be 4 families in this house. - we plan to only buy breakfast & snack food
13. 08/09, 08/10, 08/11, 08/12 – 3 day Disney Park hoppers plus (Paid $479 via Alamo)
14. I have 11 meal vouchers to be used in the parks
15. I have $200 in Disney Dollars for incidental stuff, ice cream, snacks, water, etc.
16. 08/13, 08/14 I have 2 day Universal Studios tickets (Paid $180) Star tickets
17. 08/14 – Don Pablo’s today $60 meal voucher (purchased online)
18. 08/15 – leave Orlando head to Atl – stay overnight $42
19. Drive from Orl to ATL $50 – cheap meal $20
20. Drive from ATL to home $50 - cheap meal $20

Few other things – the rental house is already paid for ($1630 a week). I have a $100 Wal-Mart voucher, for incidental stuff needed – extra including groceries

I don’t know if I’ll use it, but I do have a $50 meal voucher at Applebees.

I also have $1100 in traveler’s checks.

At this point I plan to charge my gas and hotel stay only.

 

[valdan2]

2 adults, 2 girls ages 10 & 13


Poly concierge visa package(includes passes) $3125.
car rental $ 250.
food $1200.
gifts $200.
surfing lesson for daughter 13th birthday
present $135.
cab to & from airport in NY $120.
airfare $900.
3 nights at HRH $488.
Universal passes $390.

I know I missed other things
saved about $1000.00 in spending money so far.
Also have $ 380.00 in disney visa dollars

 

[zippehsmom]

We are a Family of 5 (DH, Me, DS15, DD4, DD18 months) July 10-20, 2004

Here's our Budget:

Airfare $315 ( We had a couple of vouchers to use)
Hotel $1620 BWV 7/11-7/20
$93-PC 7/10

PHP's $1001
(2-6day PHP adult, 1-4 day PHP, 1-7 day PHP child)
We had some left over days from old PHP's
Tips,etc $135
Rental Car $296
Illuminations & Wishes Cruise $225
Film developing $100
Snacks $200
Spending Money $500
Miscellaneous $250
Food $235
Q & C Vouchers $276 (24 vouchers)
Breakfast Vouchers 9 adult/ 3 child $190.50
VKL's 2 adult $62
Wonderland Tea Party $29
Water Mice $30
Horse & Carriage Ride $40

*Kids have their own Disney Dollars from Birthdays, christmas, etc.. they have $400 each


Now the scary thing is I have not done a grand total yet. I have just been doing one thing at a time for a year. I'll make sure I don't show this to DH. He may just have sticker shock

Total $5,097.50

I guess that's not a bad total. When I go I don't want to worry about anything or how much it costs. Next year we plan on going, but it definitely won't be this much. It will be a budget trip since we want to visit a couple other places also.

zippehsmom

 

[mad4themouse]

This is by no means an economy trip. My motivation was to get the best possible prices for each part of the trip and then enjoy it to the fullest. My goal was to come in under $8,000. We'll be going for 11days/10nights in July.

Transportation.....total = $442

• 
  parking at Phila. airport/valet (11 days).......................$85
  airfare (using FF miles)..................................................free
  rental car (National - minivan 11 days).........................$331
  parking 1day @ WDW.......................................................$8
  parking 3 days @ Portofino Bay Hotel ............................$18

Lodging.....total = $2966

• 
  Peabody Hotel (2 nights Club Level@175/night)........$394
  Beach Club Concierge(5 nights @$379.20/night).....$1896
  Portofino Bay (3 nights, Bay View, @202/night).........$676

Passes .....total = $1624

• 
  3 adult 5-day PHPs (Convention tickets @$238 ea.)......$714
  3 adult ½-day passes (Convention Tickets @$42 ea).....$126
  shipping..............................................................................$3
  1 adult WDW AP (to get room discount, paid for itself)...$403
  3 USF/IOA bonus passes
  (@$79 ea.; Mastercard buy 4 get 5 deal)........................$237
  1 adult USF/IOA PAP
  (from buy 1 get 1 for ½price deal in Jan,2003).................$120
  1 DQ pass(for AP holder,Ticketmania/Mousesavers)...........$21

Food ($150/day)........Total = $1649

• 
  Breakfast......total = $203

• 
  PHL airport .......................................................................$30
  WDW character breakfast (4 breakfast vouchers) ...........$73
  3 breakfasts @ Universal Studios ...................................$100
  Lunches & Dinners....total = $1226
  Bahama Breeze on I-Drive
  (GCs from rewards programs)............................................free
  2nd Dinner on I-Drive ......................................................$100
  Lunch @Convention Center (2X)........................................$50
  12 VKLs.............................................................................$372
  20 Q&Cs............................................................................$230
  6 $50 for $25 CityWalk GCs (plus shipping charges).........$171
  2 Wantilan Luau GCs ($100 for $50 plus shipping)...........$103
  additional charges (tips, extra food).................................$200
  Snacks ($20/day)......total = $220

Misc..... total = $965

• 
  Souvenirs.............$500
  Cabana @HRH .....$150
  Tips:
  .....
• skycaps ($1 per bag, RT)...............................................$20
  .....
• bellhops ($1 per bag, checkin/checkout 3 hotels)........$120
  .....
• mousekeeping/housekeeping ($5/day)..........................$50
  Picture Developing
  (Snapfish 400 digitals/$79 plus shipping)...............................$89
  gasoline to refill rental car tank...............................................$30
  SmartCart Rentals @ airports ...................................................$6

Grand Total = $7646
shhhhhhh! Don't tell my DH! Most of it has already been paid for. We have just the rental car, misc costs & a couple of meals to pay for.

 

[MHopkins2]

Solo trip, November 6-13, 7/5 Deal at Pop Century

Package cost - standard room and UPH: $745
Food - $100/day, 8 days: $800
Towncar from airport: $100
Taxis to/from resort dinners: $100
Souveniers: $250
Tips (other than meals and transportation): $50
Airfare (worst case scenario): $200
Parking at airport (just in case my ride falls through): $75

TOTAL (*gulp*): $2,320


[Yes, I stay cheap and eat very expensive. ]

 

[sweet maxine]

Well, I sat up late last night crunching numbers. I guess that's what comes from being a member of the "Disney Planning Chronic Insomniacs"!

So, my total is hovering around $6000. I have not included food or meals, yet. We will be cooking in our cabin, so that will be a money saver I hope! We have 8 people traveling, with not everyone there at the same time. Some of my group could only come for a few days at a time, but there will be four of us who will be there for the duration.

Here goes....

$1456 ------------------7dPHP from Hotwire (4 adults, one child)
400--------------------AP (for myself, for room discount-great!)
528--------------------(2) 5dPHP with 4 plusses
111--------------------(2) US/IOA AAA deal
165--------------------2 nights at POFQ
2404--------------------14 nights at FW cabins
13--------------------$50 cert. for Nascar Cafe
44--------------------4 Q & C Vouchers
446-------------------Airfare of DH and DD, and other DD
590-------------------Golf cart for 14 days (sorry, we have to do it)
_________

$6157-------------------costs before leaving home, not including souvenirs, groceries, gasoline

A 16 night vacation for my WHOLE family---------PRICELESS!!!!!!!

Sorry, forgot to add in 4 tickets for Sea World with Rapid Rewards discount, about $190?