Budget advice? - First Disney Trip!

opal6779

Earning My Ears
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Messages
44
I'd appreciate any thoughts. This is our first trip to Disney and we are staying 6 days and are on the dining plan, we have reservations mostly for buffet meals, dont know if this should affect tipping? We'll need to rent a stroller because our two children are 1 and 4 and we're planning to go to Universal one day to to see Harry Potter world. We're giving each kid a budget of $150 for their toys/souvenirs. What else can you think of and what do you think is a good overall amount to bring for the 6 days?

Any other things specifically we should set money aside for, for while we're on vacation that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks in advance for all thoughts. :-)

Jenn

First Disney Trip in OCTOBER '10!!
 
Do you have to rent a stroller? Would it be possible to just bring two umbrella strollers with you? I have to bring ours with us because I want mine in it at the airport and in the parking lots in and out of the parks, etc. I'm not sure how much the strollers are but since we usually go for 10 days it adds up.

Do you have park hoppers? If so personally I'd cancel that and save that $.

You may be able to trim your $150 souvenior budget down tremendously by just prebuying some/all souveniors beforehand and "surprising" them later.

Not sure if that was your question but you should still tip on the ddp at buffets.
 
Any other things specifically we should set money aside for, for while we're on vacation that I haven't mentioned?


Are you going to buy photopass? Tipping ie Mouskeeping, drivers for Magical Express, etc.
 
Buffet tips are optional but normally = 10 -15%
ME Bus driver tips if they handle your luggage = $1 per bag +$1
Mousekeeping tips are optional but normally = $1 per person per day +$1
Bar tips if you drink
Photopass
Beverages and snacks - you will need a lot of drinks in the heat :rotfl:
The souvenir money for kids sounds perfect. I'm not an advocate of buying them in advance because then they aren't "souvenirs" they're just gifts, and the kids still want souvenirs. :lmao:
Autograph books and pens
Lanyards
I would bring strollers instead of renting
Since it's your first trip I would budget $1,000.00 spending money.
 

Bring refillable water bottles, fill them at the water fountains, and bring lemonade/koolaid packets to flavor the water. This will save a ton on drinks. Remember that you can get free ice water at counter service places.

We budgeted $150 for each of our kids (for 10 days) for souveneirs and they each spent only about half of that.

I would definitely bring your own strollers. Even if you have to go out and buy new umbrella strollers, it will be cheaper than renting. Check garage sales if you want to get a used one. You can check strollers with your luggage on the airplane for free, or you can check them at the gate also for free.
 
Take some powdered detergent with you and dryer sheets. I packed enough for everyone, but it seemed like the kids changed twice a day. Extra sunscreen too. Never seemed to be enough.

We had the photopass cards, but ended up giving the guy our camera to take a picture also. We didn't have to worry about buying the disc or pictures then.

What about one of those stroller swaps? I know I have seen the fridges, I thought there were strollers also.

We filled our water bottles at the water fountains. It seemed like the coldest ones were inside places. I want to say we found them where a ride exited into a gift shop. I remember the Star Wars ride and I think Aerosmith ride had them.
 
Cutting down the souvenirs budget is a good way to say money.

I have managed to purchase items from Ebay, AMazon and Disney online and have them sent to the resort before leaving. I have never lost a package and Cast Members either deliver them to your room or they leave a message on vmail for you to pick up at the front desk

Also Disney Pins. My children where so taken by this that I ended spending a small fortune on pins in the parks. Better way is to by cheap from Ebay and then trade with cast members in the park which is much more fun

You can get pins from Ebay for as little as $1 or $2 rather than the $10 - $13 in the parks
 
I'd appreciate any thoughts. This is our first trip to Disney and we are staying 6 days and are on the dining plan, we have reservations mostly for buffet meals, dont know if this should affect tipping? We'll need to rent a stroller because our two children are 1 and 4 and we're planning to go to Universal one day to to see Harry Potter world. We're giving each kid a budget of $150 for their toys/souvenirs. What else can you think of and what do you think is a good overall amount to bring for the 6 days?

Any other things specifically we should set money aside for, for while we're on vacation that I haven't mentioned?

Thanks in advance for all thoughts. :-)

Jenn

First Disney Trip in OCTOBER '10!!

Hi! The first trip is so exciting!

I would totally bring your own stroller(s) - even buying just 2 cheapie umbrella style ones will be way less expensive than renting. And they are great for the airport and easy to check at the gate. You will need some cash for tipping, even at the buffet meals. As far as housekeeping and ME driver, that is a personal choice. Bring as many portable snacks as possible with you from home, and consider bringing refillable water bottles from home or have water shipped to your room beforehand. Even though you are on the dining plan, it is nice to have things like cereal, poptarts, granola bars, etc. on hand for snacking. Depending on which resort you are staying at, you might have fridge to keep milk, etc. As far as spending $$ for the kids, $150 seems a little much for a 1 year-old, maybe even the 4 year-old. (just my opinion!) My DD6 will have her "own" spending $$ for the first time this year on our trip. I always get treats ahead of time on sale from the Disney Store to leave in the room for her when she wakes up some mornings. They won't know the difference, and I found that having a little something for her made her less apt to ask for things at the parks.

Good luck with your planning and have fun!!:woohoo:
 
:scared1: $1000 for spending money when meals/snacks are already paid for! That's ALOT of souvenirs!!!!

She asked what would be a good amount to bring for the 6 day trip. That works out to $41.00 per day per person which includes ME and Baggage holding tips, dining tips, mousekeeping tips, extra drinks and snacks, and souvenirs, plus any other purchases.
 
Thanks for all the great thoughts, keep them coming!

We were kinda thinking about the $1000 mark (including the spending money set aside for the kids)???? It seems expensive to travel from Disney to Universal for even just one day, I think that'll eat up alot of our money??

My problem with bringing the strollers is that my grandparents are also going, didn't mention it cause it doesn't really affect our budget planning. It does affect us using strollers though because my grandmother will need a wheelchair in the parks and my grandfather won't be able to push her so that leaves me or DH to push her and the other to push the kids. So I will need a double stroller as my one year old certainly can't make it long on foot :) I imagine my four year old is going to eventually run out of steam and need the stroller too :) We don't have a double stroller though and so I figured renting one was sort of our only way around that. Otherwise we're going to have a tired grumpy four year old and someone is going to get stuck carrying him (or the one year old - she's lighter!!)


We are staying at POFQ, and my other question was is there anywhere in the hotel/park to get more than just a single small bottle of milk for like our room fridge? My daughter (1 year) still has milk to drink alot each day and will need some each morning and night while we're in the hotel but it's going to add up fast having to buy it individually each time? I imagine there's no way around it while we're out in the parks, but I was hoping to avoid it back at the hotels as well??

Thanks again!!
 
I would suggest checking Craigslist for a double stroller. My wife buys at garage sales to resell and picks up a number fo double strollers from garage sales and then sells them on craigslist or her own garage sale. You should be able to get one for $50.00 used. A lot cheaper than renting from Disney and you won't have to wait in line to at the rental counter.
 
:scared1: $1000 for spending money when meals/snacks are already paid for! That's ALOT of souveneirs!!!!

We are family of 4 and we usually bring around $1000. This is for everything, tips, mousekeeping, luggage fees, airport parking, souvies, and of course most important "cocktails" :rotfl:

We always bring money home with us but I would rather be safe than sorry. As far as the stroller, I would shop around for a double, it will be cheaper, and you will be glad you have it when you are walking back to your room after the bus when your day is over.

I am not sure if you just need milk but www.gardengrocer.com will deliver groceries right to your room for a $12 delivery fee and a $40 minimum order.
 
I would suggest checking Craigslist for a double stroller. My wife buys at garage sales to resell and picks up a number fo double strollers from garage sales and then sells them on craigslist or her own garage sale. You should be able to get one for $50.00 used. A lot cheaper than renting from Disney and you won't have to wait in line to at the rental counter.

I agree with this. The prices that Disney charges for double strollers are outrageous!

Your other option is to rent a double stroller from a private company in Orlando will be much cheaper than renting from Disney. Also, these companies deliver the stroller right to your WDW resort!

This thread will give you more information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2514482&highlight=stroller+rental
 
My husband likes the idea of craigslist for a double stroller. If I can get one at $50 or so I might as well have it to keep instead of just rent it! Thanks for that idea!! I hope it's no problem checking them at the airport just like a single small stroller. (This is all I've ever done). Thanks for the craigslist tip!

There's alot of tipping involved, more than I thought about. Glad I posted :)
 
My husband likes the idea of craigslist for a double stroller. If I can get one at $50 or so I might as well have it to keep instead of just rent it! Thanks for that idea!! I hope it's no problem checking them at the airport just like a single small stroller. (This is all I've ever done). Thanks for the craigslist tip!

There's alot of tipping involved, more than I thought about. Glad I posted :)

I've brought our huge Graco double stroller for all 4 trips, and the airline always gate checked it. It wasn't a problem at all. I actually loved having it to put all of our items on while walking through the airport.

You won't regret bringing the double stroller.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!
 
Definitely bring your own stroller. You can buy one brand new for less than a rental, and the kids will be more comfortable.

I'm assuming you are staying on site. Do not rent a car. Use Magical Express (ME) and WDW transportation. It's free and very convenient. If you are on the regular dining plan (1TS/1CS/1snack) pack or order some breakfast foods for the room. We order from www.gardengrocer.com Schedule lots of buffets for dinner that way your 1 year old will eat for free. I second the refillable water bottles. I also second skipping the hoppers if you are only doing 5 days at the parks. Also skip the "water parks and more" option. I don't know the price of wheelchair rental, but you may also be able to pick one up on Craigs List cheaper.
 
not sure if your grandparents are staying on site also but a recent tip on allears says each WDW hotel has a small number of wheelchairs you can borrow until your check out date free of charge. These chairs can even be taken to the parks.
 
Here's my incidentals list so far for a 5 nt/6 day trip with FD:
AirTran bags ($40/each way) - $80
Upgrade 2 AD tix 2 days - $30
CP OOP - $70
T-Rex OOP - $70
Tips for DDP (4 ppl x 3 meals) - $45
Tips for DDP (6 ppl x 2 meals) - $36
Refillable Mugs x 2 - $29
Souvenirs - $200
DDs first haircut at Harmony Barber Shop - $20

TOTAL - $580 in cash

Our souvie number is small considering that we already have our ears. My only required souvies are silhouettes of the kids and an antenna ball. The rest is for DH to spend. I'll most likely beef that up to $650 in case we need to take a cab on departure day and I'm not 100% sure that we'll need two suitcases, but better safe than sorry.

We are taking our own stroller and gate checking it with the airline - I refuse to pay for the park rentals. You may want to look at an outside rental place, but honestly, your 1 yr old will do better in their OWN stroller. Check your local Goodwill/Salvation Army/garage sales for strollers. I found an old-style double jogger for $25 at Goodwill. Unscrewed the whole canvas part, washed it, and it looks brand new. It's already made 1 trip to the World. I found a bicycle gift wrap (it looks like an exceptionally large shower cap) that I use to keep it covered when it's not in use.

Are you planning to stay up for fireworks? I would get some glowsticks to bring with you (found at dollar stores everywhere). Disposable sippy cups, bibs, utensils - WDW only stocks big people utensils. I'm having 2 cases of water delivered and I picked up some flavor pouches when they were on sale a couple months ago. I'm going to hit up the dollar store for ponchos too. Whether we need them or not, again, I'd rather have them on hand!

I may get flamed for this, but I don't believe in tipping Mousekeeping. We really only have them in every 2-3 days to replenish towels and empty garbage. Shoot, on our last trip (4 days) we didn't have them in at all, I can't see leaving a tip for no services rendered. Now since we will be gone longer this time and we have planned time for the pool, then yes, most likely I'll leave a tip for our Mousekeeper. That'll fall into that extra bit I'm planning on.
 












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