Budgeting and general advice please

[milomummy]

Sorry again if this is all repeated stuff, I was just trying to work out a rough budget for our trip (not going til September, just like to plan!).
We don't want to spend money for the sake of spending it, but we don't want to be watching every single thing we spend either.

We are staying in Santa Fe, driving there ourselves. We will take loads of snacky type foods so lunchtimes will hopefully be sorted out with what we take and our breakfasts are of course included.

So, food wise we'll hopefully only need an evening meal each day. One of these days we intend to take in the Buffalo Bill's show, so food will be included with that. We would also like to take an early evening meal at Cafe Mickey (should we pre book this for September?), as we think this is possibly the best way for our ds (almost 4) to meet the characters without the pushing and shoving of the queues that I have read about on here. I am slightly worried about meal choices as I do not eat meat but sure everywhere will cater somehow for my needs! I was considering Pizzeria Bella for one evening meal as we all love pasta.

Here is our 'rough' plan so far...any opinions more than welcome!

Monday 10th..plan to arrive around lunchtime (driving from Northern Germany so long old trek!). Will drop our stuff off at the hotel left luggage place then head into the park. I believe it is EMH this day, so we will probably just wander around and get our bearings, grabbing something to eat as we do.

Tuesday...GMF breakfast (if available) and evening Buffalo Bills.

Wednesday....GMF breakfast (if available) and then evening meal at Cafe Mickey....as EMH again this evening I thought maybe do an early evening meal (hopefully quieter) here then go back to the park for the EMH.

Thursday..Not sure on this one....I am hoping that there will be an English speaking film on at the cinema...DS would love to see Shrek 3, how magical would that be! But unsure of cinema times/programmes so unsure of what to do for meals this day.

Friday...GMF breakfast again if poss, and we'll probably have a late lunch/early evening meal as we leave the parks for our trip home....Just not sure of where to go. I think DS would love to go to Buzz's Pizza Planet in the hope of seeing Buzz and Woody, that would round off the trip totally.

I have done a rough budget of €100 per day (will pay for the extras like Buffalo Bill's and Cafe Mickey thru travel agent). Do you think this will give us plenty of scope for having a good time still?
My friend is taking her 2 DD's next week and has a budget of €1000 and I'm worried I haven't allowed enough now!

Do you think my choices for the days are ok? I know most people will say that I will prob change my mind once we arrive but I'd like to keep meal times easy as DS is a complete mare when he is hungry, so I figured if we plan around these it will make our lives a bit easier!

Thanks for any input.

 

[DLPdaft]

Hi,

How many of you are going?

I went with my daughter for 3 days, and spent 300 Euros in that time. But included in that was the 29 euros each way for the VEA shuttle from the airport to the hotel.

We didn't scrimp, we had one evening meal at the Santa Fe buffet dinner, one at Annettes Diner, and one at the airport on the way home. We also had one lunch and one afternoon tea party with the characters at the Plaza Gardens, and 2 lunches at the En Coulisse in the studios. Plus coffees, ice creams, etc. Included in the money we spent were a few souvenirs for my DD (cuddly Minnie, Minnie ears etc), a couple of pressies to take home, plus the obligatory autograph book.

I did take diluting juice, mini cookies, crisps etc in my suitcase too, so we had snacks during the day.

Although by far and away most of your money will be spent on meals, I didn't feel like we were ripped off, and most of the meals we had were good value for money. I wouldn't have dinner at the Santa Fe again, but only because for a similar price you could get waiter service and more choice at several of the restaurants in the Village.

Elaine

 

[milomummy]

Sorry! Me (29), DH, (33) and our DS (almost 4)

I would like to see the Tarzan or Lion King Show too....I am worried that I want to see too much....
We are hoping to do all stuff for DS in the mornings and and then we're assuming he'll be tired come the afternoon so we can do 'our' things whilst he has a little snooze in his pushchair, which means he will be able to stay up a little bit later in the evenings.

It's going to sound a bit silly, but we're not mega bothered by the rides....we have season tickets to a large theme park here and DS gets ample opportunities to ride things. So, if the waits are horrendous we can pass them up although hopefully being September (kids back in school) it will be a bit quieter and we can still enjoy them!

 

[DLPdaft]

I'm sure, at that time of year, and with a whole 5 days in the parks, you'll have plenty time to do whatever you want to do - twice over if you like! Thats why I'm going right at the start of October this time - no major school holidays so it'll be much quieter than when we went before, at Feb half term. My sister and her family went last September, only had 2 days in the parks, and all 4 of them managed to do all their "must do's" at least once.

 

[BRobson]

Friday...GMF breakfast again if poss, and we'll probably have a late lunch/early evening meal as we leave the parks for our trip home....Just not sure of where to go. I think DS would love to go to Buzz's Pizza Planet in the hope of seeing Buzz and Woody, that would round off the trip totally.

Thanks for any input.

My kids love Pizza Planet in the colder months as it has a great play area and they get to run around but this place only seems to open at busier times. It may be closed when you go. We have never seen Buzz or Woody there at all as it is just a fast food restaurant. Buzz does appear outside the Buzz ride and if you ask at City Hall they may be able to help you locate characters.

To check out the menus try www.dlpfoodguide.com. This give you an idea of haw much to budget for food

Hope this helps

 

[scald]

I would say see the Tarzan show without a doubt. It's fantastic and it would be a shame to go away without seeing it.

As regards to restaurants, I would say Cafe Mickey is a god choice if you book around 6pm. Good character interaction.

Pizzaria Belle note, although a lovely setting, serves no more than reheated fast food pizzas and pre pack pasta. I wouldn't rely on t for a substantial meal. I would be inclined to say look at the other table service restaurants. Some are not so expensive and those that do buffet can work out at better value for money. Walts do a really good child menu and as it's a la carte, you don't have to order all three courses.

We went in 2005 with only 1000 Euros for a family of four for a full week. We managed without a problem as like you, we tried to keep it to one good evening meal.