Best way to splurge $1,000 at Disney

[Griffin11]

I'm a few weeks out from booking flights and a room only reservation for late January 2021. The plan is 8 nights at a moderate resort standard room (probably French Quarter) and 7 day non-hopper tickets. For the sake of budgeting, I'm using DDP prices, but I doubt we'd actually go for the dining plan. It will be my husband and I and our two kids; 3 1/2 and almost 6.

I know that without 2021 rack rates, discounts, exchange rate (we're Canadian) etc., I can't have a precise budget at this point, but leaving some wiggle room for all that it looks like I will have about $1,000 left in my budget for some splurges.

So my question is, where do you think I should allocate the extra $1,000 of my budget after all the basics are covered?

With a good discount it might cover an upgrade to a Deluxe resort (AKL or WL maybe), but not sure if that would be the best use of the money. Park hoppers? Go big on character meals? Use Minnie vans with abandon?

 

[adfoster84]

Rather than actual on site splurges, my husband and I purchase a bigger ticket item to take home. Piece of art work, exclusive cologne/perfume from Italy in Epcot, or something like that. It helps keep the magic alive once we are home.

 

[jagafen]

How do you feel about the kid's clubs? I'd put the kids in at the one at the Grand Floridian for the night, and have dinner with DH at Victoria and Albert's. A special date night, just the two of you!

On our last trip, DH and I saved all our rewards dollars to "splurge" in the Queen Victoria Room. We had a really nice bottle of wine, a fantastic dinner, and it technically didn't cost us anything.

I'd also look into some of the kid's cruises. We did a Pirates and Pals one when DS was younger, and he had a great time. There is (was) a Family magic tour at MK that was a lot of fun too.

With kiddos your age, I don't know if I'd do park hoppers though. We typically stuck to one park per day with a break in the middle when DS was younger. I think you could put the $$ to better use elsewhere (e.g. on experiences).

 

[Griffin11]

How do you feel about the kid's clubs? I'd put the kids in at the one at the Grand Floridian for the night, and have dinner with DH at Victoria and Albert's. A special date night, just the two of you!

On our last trip, DH and I saved all our rewards dollars to "splurge" in the Queen Victoria Room. We had a really nice bottle of wine, a fantastic dinner, and it technically didn't cost us anything.

I'd also look into some of the kid's cruises. We did a Pirates and Pals one when DS was younger, and he had a great time. There is (was) a Family magic tour at MK that was a lot of fun too.

With kiddos your age, I don't know if I'd do park hoppers though. We typically stuck to one park per day with a break in the middle when DS was younger. I think you could put the $$ to better use elsewhere (e.g. on experiences).

I definitely would be a fan of the kid's clubs. I've admittedly only done some quick research but not sure if my daughter would be old enough (3 1/2)? I think she would do fine, she's used to daycare and babysitters, but not sure how strict Disney is on their age range for the kid's clubs ?

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Personally I would go to a resort with one bus stop and get the memory maker if you don't already have it. It's so nice to get all the photopass photos. But I'm biased when it comes to the resorts because I hate making all those stops on the bus. I want to get on and get off at the next stop. If that doesn't bother you though French Quarter is lovely.

Not sure if you have princes or princesses but if you have princesses maybe treat them to BBB or breakfast at CRT those are also fun options!

 

[a742246]

I would rent a one bedroom from a dvc member. With kids that age you may have plenty of early nights. So I would imagine a 1 bedroom will give you some alone time to appreciate your life and family and all that you got.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

What is you currant included budget for food for the 8 nights? I wouldn’t normally recommend the dining plan but Disney just came out with a 2 table service plan that would cost your family $259 a night or $2,073 for the 8 nights. For this price, you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) 2 snack, and 1 refillable mug per person per day.

IMO, minnie vans are a total waste of money to use as a way to get around. Maybe budget 1 ride to get to a special meal just for the experience but I wouldn’t waste my budget on more than 1. Just my opinion, your family may find it worth it.

 

[Sdolores]

For the $1000 you could do the
Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour

Delight in Classic Attractions
During this tour, you’ll be enchanted by select attractions at Magic Kingdom park*, which may include:

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

There are no height restrictions for the attractions and entertainment featured on this tour, so it’s great for kids of all ages. (from the website)

This would free up a ton of time to relax

 

[Griffin11]

Personally I would go to a resort with one bus stop and get the memory maker if you don't already have it. It's so nice to get all the photopass photos. But I'm biased when it comes to the resorts because I hate making all those stops on the bus. I want to get on and get off at the next stop. If that doesn't bother you though French Quarter is lovely.

Not sure if you have princes or princesses but if you have princesses maybe treat them to BBB or breakfast at CRT those are also fun options!

Oh, forgot about memory maker, definitely adding that in!

One prince and one princess - I don't think my daughter would sit still long enough for BBB, but CRT is probably a good option.

 

[Griffin11]

I would rent a one bedroom from a dvc member. With kids that age you may have plenty of early nights. So I would imagine a 1 bedroom will give you some alone time to appreciate your life and family and all that you got.

I will look into this a bit more. Right now I am a bit overwhelmed by the dvc side of things.

 

[Griffin11]

What is you currant included budget for food for the 8 nights? I wouldn’t normally recommend the dining plan but Disney just came out with a 2 table service plan that would cost your family $259 a night or $2,073 for the 8 nights. For this price, you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) 2 snack, and 1 refillable mug per person per day.

IMO, minnie vans are a total waste of money to use as a way to get around. Maybe budget 1 ride to get to a special meal just for the experience but I wouldn’t waste my budget on more than 1. Just my opinion, your family may find it worth it.

For my budget I've just used the DDP numbers; there are so many dining variables that seemed like a reasonable amount to budget. I think a dining plan in general would be too restrictive for us, but this new DDP+ seems like the best fit if we go with a dining plan.

 

[JMommyof3]

With that wiggle room, I would look into getting a resort on the monorail loop or even a Boardwalk area resort. That way if the kids get tired, it's easier to head back to the room for a quick nap. it would also limit your travel time to the parks making RD easier. At that age, an extra 20-30 minutes makes a huge difference while getting ready in the morning. And I'm hugely biased but I love waking up at Contemporary and seeing MK first thing.

 

[Searc]

What is you currant included budget for food for the 8 nights? I wouldn’t normally recommend the dining plan but Disney just came out with a 2 table service plan that would cost your family $259 a night or $2,073 for the 8 nights. For this price, you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) 2 snack, and 1 refillable mug per person per day.

IMO, minnie vans are a total waste of money to use as a way to get around. Maybe budget 1 ride to get to a special meal just for the experience but I wouldn’t waste my budget on more than 1. Just my opinion, your family may find it worth it.

It's a flex plan, so you can use them at 2 table service restaurants, or 1 qs and 1 ts.

 

[Searc]

I'd upgrade the resort and either stay deluxe or DVC.

 

[kaytieeldr]

you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) 2 snack, and 1 refillable mug per person per day.

you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) and 2 snack per day, and 1 refillable mug per person .

Fixed for clarity

 

[Traveling on cc points]

It's a flex plan, so you can use them at 2 table service restaurants, or 1 qs and 1 ts.

Technically you are right but who in their right mind would spend that kind of money on the plan if they were going to use any of the credits on quick service.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

you get 2 table service meals (including character buffets) and 2 snack per day, and 1 refillable mug per person .

Fixed for clarity

Thanks!

 

[Griffin11]

With that wiggle room, I would look into getting a resort on the monorail loop or even a Boardwalk area resort. That way if the kids get tired, it's easier to head back to the room for a quick nap. it would also limit your travel time to the parks making RD easier. At that age, an extra 20-30 minutes makes a huge difference while getting ready in the morning. And I'm hugely biased but I love waking up at Contemporary and seeing MK first thing.

I'd upgrade the resort and either stay deluxe or DVC.

I like the idea of upgrading the resort, but I'm not sure that's actually feasible with $1,000 for eight nights?

I'm currently budgeting about $250 a night (FQ standard room), so with the extra $1,000 that would give me $375/night. Maybe I'm overlooking some options, but I think I'd have to be pretty lucky to get a deluxe for that rate? I have seen AKL standard rooms for below that price when I check random days, but I don't think I've seen any other options. I will probably just have to be on the ball when discounts come up and see what my options are.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I will look into this a bit more. Right now I am a bit overwhelmed by the dvc side of things.

It reads more intimidating than it actually is. Definitely give it a look.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

With 2 kids under the age of 10, I'd look at the DDP. With that being said, I know it can be restrictive but with kids that young, you may need/want to break the days up a bit. When my kids were that age, we did do the DDP (not anymore as they are 10+) and we would also get park hoppers. We would rope drop at one park, stay until early afternoon, head back to the room to nap/relax/swim and then get ready for a TS meal at a resort/park (depending on where we were eating) and then hop to another park, usually near or attached to where we ate dinner. Since you are going for a longer trip and don't need to rush, this method works pretty well. Our last trip, we upgraded from Hoppers to the More option and did both water parks for 1/2 day each during our trip.