Budget Saving Tips for DL Anyone?

[mystic_path]

Before I travel I tend to buy pre packets of ice tea or some other drink and then just ask for ice water in the parks. This saves you money on drinks in the park and you can have something a bit tastier then water, but also healthier then a pop. It also saves room in your carry to the park bag so your not carrying around bulky water.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We bring a soft sided cooler with sodas, lunchables or sandwiches, snacks, waters, etc into the park (or in locker). Many hotels have comp. cont. breakfast.

 

[pixiewings71]

...Another vote for Mimi's! If you register on their website, you'll get a coupon for a free breakfast (minus drinks). I registered an email address for each family member, and it worked great! Be sure to register right before your trip so the coupon doesn't expire.

If you have breakfast here, you can go before entering the park. That way you don't miss any play time! Keep in mind many of their breakfasts come with muffins, so you can stash the muffin away for snacks later.

Gotta love a free meal!!

I was just coming back to post this! lol Yes, a couple of days before you leave go to Mimis.com and register, get your free breakfast coupons and your good to go! We've had reports of people being able to use them all on the same ticket too.

And remember time away from the parks can be good. Especially if you're just going to Mimi's, Denny's, Millie's or RFC. RFC you can ride the tram from inside the park to DTD, you get off and on right next to RFC. We do that but mostly from RFC back into DL, the line in Tomorrowland can be quite long. Just so you know, the walk to all of these is usually about 5-8 min. The Mimi's delay can happen when you have to wait for a table but they are usually pretty quick with seating.

 

[carj]

I know that it is probably a little late for you to try to pick up a part-time job, but if you could sell something and make an extra couple of hundred dollars, then you might have a little more cushion for the trip. We had a garage sale of mostly small items, clothes and toys and made $200 in one day. Not a fortune, but we put it into the vacation jar! That would be enough to add an extra couple of nights.

I took a box of DVDs and VCR tapes to Half-Price Books and got $40! That would be enough to double your souvenier budget.

I know that a lot of people on the budget board have sold their broken gold jewelry. That might be a thought.

We are staying 8 nights at Hojo in late June, early July. I know that the cost of the trip really adds up.

If I were you, I think that I would eat as cheaply as possible at the beginning of the trip and see how much you can splurge at the end.

Can you go on a spending "freeze" until the trip? Take all the money that you might spend on non-esssential items such as gas, milk, etc... and put it into the trip fund.

You may have already done all those things, so that might not be much help but I thought that I would throw that out there!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I just couldn't go to DLR and not have any meals there. Food is one of my favorite things there!
But we don't get soda and we split meals. The chicken sandwhich and nachos at Whitewater Snacks is large and DH and I get plenty when we split.
We also sometimes just have a snack like ice cream for a meal. We also don't order dessert at restaurants.
Actually, if we are saving money we don't even go to table service places. We bring a snack mix from home to eat in line between meals.
For the drive down (8 hours) we pack our own lunch from home and eat at a rest stop. Saves time and money.
Set a limit before hand on merchandise.

 

[nunzia]

Thanks so much to Eee-va and MaiynaMouse for the great suggestions. I will definately check in to the packages- I didn't even look at those as I thought it would be to pricey.

Great food suggestions. We dont drink much soda, and take a water bottle everywhere, always

Yeah, we do very light breakfasts as well, but I like to make sure we have at least one fruit to help keep things balanced - well pack some so we dont have to search out groceries on precious mouse-time.

I think you are right- we can probably cut the food buget down a smidge. Can't miss the strawberry funnel cake though- we MUST share one of those beauties - way enough there for three

GRACIAS!

Where do you get these?? sound very good.
My best tip is to always eat breakfast on the cheap (at hotel or with stuff you brought..we would buy shelf stable milk and keep it ice packed in hotel if no fridge.), we never would buy soda at the parks...ice water free from the CS places is great, or refill brought along water bottles at fountains. Also, we always make our own trail mix with cereal, goldfish, nuts, etc, to cut down on snacks in the parks and since we snack quite a bit we only really have one meal in the parks and I can get by with a kids meal at CS. Also, eating small things along the way (popcorn, skewers, pretzels) isn't expensive, but is filling.
We feel DLR is acutally pretty cheap. Once you get your tickets you do whatever you want and see all the shows all day and all night for the one price. If you break that ticket price down it is really not bad at all..and if you eat cheap and don't buy souveniers, then the whole experience is budget friendly. The best souvenier on site is the Silouhette (spelling?) shop on main street..two copies of one sitting for 7-8 dollars. Great memory item.

 

[disney4metoo]

Thanks so much to Eee-va and MaiynaMouse for the great suggestions. I will definitely check in to the packages- I didn't even look at those as I thought it would be to pricey.

Great food suggestions. We don't drink much soda, and take a water bottle everywhere, always

Yeah, we do very light breakfasts as well, but I like to make sure we have at least one fruit to help keep things balanced - well pack some so we don't have to search out groceries on precious mouse-time.

I think you are right- we can probably cut the food budget down a smudge. Can't miss the strawberry funnel cake though- we MUST share one of those beauties - way enough there for three

GRACIAS!

Do you have AAA? I think parking is free at DL with AAA ( at least it use to be), and you could save on the Shuttle expense.

I see many families taking sandwiches into DL. When our kids were small that is what we did. We brought juice boxes, snacks, water and sandwiches into the park. When the kids were a little older we usually stayed at nicer accommodations which included full breakfast, but still came back to the hotel for lunch and had a cooler with lunch meats and all the fixings.

I remember on those tighter budget trips, I even packed fried chicken, mash potatoes, gravy or a casserole, salad, something I could reheated in the microwave. We used to bring paper plates, tablecloth, utensils, water, everything! I made it look nice and appealing! If we were lucky, we would only eat one CS not each day, but the entire trip, no water, no treats except one Mickey Ice Cream each) in the park!

Back then for the car trip down, I would pack a beautiful tablecloth and bring sandwiches, drinks, salads (I made), for a quick picnic at one of the rest stops! We would always remark how we had the best picnic and everyone was not eating as well as we were with fresh homemade food!

Our kids are in their late teens, but old habits are hard to break, they will only have one treat the entire stay (their own choice.)

One word of caution since you are on a tight budget, write a list and plan out everything you need to bring and what you are eating, so you do not forget anything!

When the kids were very small, we won 4 two day tickets to DL and they were about to expire, so we had to go. We did not have much money, we were counting the pennies ( if you know what I mean.) I found a cheap, clean motel and we made all our food to take with us! I did not make a list, and in the early morning ( 4:00AM) when we were packing the ice chest, I forgot some of the food! We have two refrigerators and I forgot to look in the other one.

When we got to DL and it was time to have dinner, we had no dinner! I cried and cried! We had to split the first dinner into two dinners...not good! We really had no extra money to buy food, since we were stretching the budget already! It was the worst Disney vacation for me ever! It was no big deal for the kids, they do not remember, but one of the worst memories for me! Make a list and check it twice! Good luck and have fun!

 

[disneydreamer74]

I have a great deal for you ! My sister has decided to go on this July trip with us, she has 4 children so it can be really expensive. She and I spent hours looking for a good deal , look what we found. Check out this website
http://www.comfortinnmaingate.com/cheap-hotels-anaheim.shtml

This is the webpage for Comfort inn Maingate. They have a manager's special that you can find on their site only . For 4 days/4 nights you get:
-4nts/4days hotel accomodations
-1 pay for 3 days get 5 days DLR park hopper ticket
-free breakfast
-free parking
-shuttle to parks
-free early morning entry (MM)
*according to the site they use AAA park hoppers which means free parking at MIckey and Friends parking lot. (I would ask the hotel about that)
all this for $374.00 plus tax!!!!
You must call the hotel to book the deal, there is a special code to mention. The hotel looks nice, recently renovated. I checked TRipadvisor.com and it got mostly good reviews. My sister booked this deal ( with an additional $30.00 a night to upgrade to 2 bathroom kids suite. I thought this was an awesome deal and you would get to stay additional nights. You would still have to purchase 2 more park hoppers, though. Good luck!

 

[DianneMcLean]

A couple of people have mentioned Mimis now- may try it if we stay the longer duration. If not, I hate to leave the park and lose ride time. I'd live on space mountain if I could :

Mimi's is not worth it - they are higher priced than other Mimi's (don't know if it's because of the higher tax in Anaheim, or they are just taking advantage of their location) but not less than eating in the parks.

I mentioned this on another thread, but what we do is eat a light breakfast, snack thru the day on fruit and stuff, and then eat an early dinner about 4pm. If we feel like a hamburger mid day, we'll share one. We'll share a piece of fruit, or a churro. Drink LOTS of water! Then splurge a little more on dinner. Saves a ton of money.

 

[pixiewings71]

Mimi's is not worth it - they are higher priced than other Mimi's (don't know if it's because of the higher tax in Anaheim, or they are just taking advantage of their location) but not less than eating in the parks.

I mentioned this on another thread, but what we do is eat a light breakfast, snack thru the day on fruit and stuff, and then eat an early dinner about 4pm. If we feel like a hamburger mid day, we'll share one. We'll share a piece of fruit, or a churro. Drink LOTS of water! Then splurge a little more on dinner. Saves a ton of money.

Mimi's in Anaheim is the same as the Mimi's 10 min. from my house. Tax in Anaheim is pretty (almost 9% in LA/Orange counties) but the menu prices are the same. It is definitely worth it, especially if you can share with someone you're eating with.

 

[jewelergirl]

​

You are all amazing! I had no idea the wealth of info I could find here. Our sincere thanks to all of you who took the time to post such great ideas and share your experiences with us. I have literellay PAGES of notes that I have copied and highlighted to plan with.

Disney4metoo - I will be SURE to check my lists twice and avoind any left behinds- I appreciate the advice!

We will certainly be briging in a small cooler with lunches and making our own fun blend of trail mix- thanks to nunzia for that great suggestion. We bought two insulated clip on water bottles form Walmart today for $3 ea and will keep them refilled with water. I'll get some of those crystal light packets for the DH and DD. I prefer water over soda any day in any sitation- especially if its hot out.

Looks like we will be going with a $12 manual wheelchair for DH- the ecv at $45 per day is just too darn expensive. Even through Deckerts it is $40 per day. I dont think the lines will be too long so we will try to use the regular lines, though on Fiday if lines get long we may have to use the special line and brave looks and comments from people that will see him get up out of the chair and walk (he's great for 10-15 minutes, then it gets painful- nerve damage). I hate to see him embarrassed by rude people, but I wont see him hurting just to avoid them either. On the whole, people are great and it will probably be no real issue.

I have checked all around, checked into links that people have posted here for hotel deals and really think that we can get the best deal by far on priceline using betterbidding.com. Being a midweek stay just before summer season really starts, it looks good

nunzia- the funnel cakes are at the Stage Door Cafe in Adventureland near New Orleans Square (it's a walk up where you order and take it outdoors to eat- no insude seating). If you are standing on the bridge above Pirates and looking out onto the water it is to the right. They are amazing and enough for at least two (about $6) so be prepared to share

The best part- drumroll please- we have found a way, with all of your help, to budget well and extend our trip! YAY!

Blessings and happy mouse ears to you all!



Leaving Tues after Memorial Day-

THE 10 DAY COUNTDOWN BEGINS!​

 

[2wildchildzmom]

Yeah Have a great time!!

 

[Tasscrapper]

The funnel cakes are available in DCA as well. I think it's called Farmers Market and it is right by PT Fleas.

 

[Gisele]

I belive in dragons, unicorns, good men and other mythical creatures.

Now that is a good and so very true statement. (In many cases anyway)

 

[Tasscrapper]

Thanks Gisele! I saw it on a bumper sticker years ago and loved it.

disneydreamer74 can you let us know how your sister likes the Comfort Inn when you get back? I am looking at booking it instead and canceling my Super 8 ressies. I think I'll try to go check it out in June while we are there since Saturday is a dead day for us. I can get an extra night at the Comfort Inn and still be about $30 cheaper than the Super 8 which was the cheapest I could find.

 

[Gisele]

Your welcome,

So Super 8 is a bit more in comparison to the Comfort Inn. That is interesting, and is something that I will look into.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gisele]

Darn! This Special Offer is only Valid through 8/31/2009.
I need a good deal like that one for Sept.

 

[50sjayne]

So far we are planning on using priceline for hotel (with the help of betterbidding.com). Looks like we should be able to get a hotal for $40 a night plus 13-15% room tax, hotel parking, DL shuttle, etc. Brings 3 night priceline total anywhere from $174 to 226. Anyone has any ideas on cheaper accommodations, suggestions are welcome!!!

If you are watching better bidding-- that's a good one but for Priceline-- you must go to biddingfortravel--it's all priceline wins. I don't know why the link isn't working- but if you google biddingfortravel then scroll down to California/anaheim you will find the wins.

Only bid for a 3 star and I'm not sure about your dates but the Hyatt just picked up for $42.

 

[Buttercup26]

My DD and I were just there last week, we always save money by bringing our own water bottles. Our favorite places to fill up with water/ice is at Redd Rockets Pizza in Tomorrowland, Rancho Del Zocola in Frontierland, and White Water Snacks in GCH.

There are lot's of drinking fountains too to fill up at too of course.

We also really like the food at Redd Rockets, it's big portions and easy to share.