Budgetting Do's and Don't at the World

[MrsPete]

DO

- plan ahead and know what you want to do while you're at Disney.
- read up on the little extras available at the resorts; i.e., the water parade or the lady bug releases.
- take a break-day mid-week; plan nice meals at resorts or "extras" like watermouse rides on those days (because you won't need a park ticket).
- take a break mid-day, especially if you have small children.
- bring things like sunscreen and disposable cameras -- they cost a fortune at Disney.
- ask for free ice water frequently; you don't want to become dehydrated.
- split meals, especially if you're traveling in the summer and you won't eat much.
- join the Safari Club if you're going to eat at Rainforest Cafe; you'll get faster seating, and you'll get $5 coupons in the mail forever.
-take advantage of early morning hours / after hours that're available to you (available to you honestly, of course).
- buy a large park hopper ticket from a reputible dealer like ticketmania.com, and use it for years. It's expensive up front, but 2-3 years from now you'll be able to travel on today's prices.

DON'T

- use park tickets for your first and last day. Why should you pay for a full day at the parks when you'll be traveling / checking into the hotels? Instead, choose activities at the resorts; for example, on your first night go eat the Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream and take a fireworks cruise, or go to Downtown Disney . . . on your last morning, do a character breakfast at the Polynesian. You can afford these rather expensive things IF you skip buying those first/last day's tickets, which would've been rather useless anyway.
- bother with souveniers. Most of them end up in the next yard sale anyway, and why waste time shopping at Disney?
- try to save a few dollars by purchasing 1/2 used tickets on ebay; we've all heard too many stories about scams, and it's too risky.
- bother renting a car if you're planning to stay on property. The Disney transportation system is very good, and the few minutes you'll wait is well worth never getting lost, never losing your car, never getting into a hot car.
- choose to take a walking-intensive Disney trip if you're having a difficult pregnancy, or if you're in your last months. Instead choose a more relaxing vacation and go to Disney another year.
-bother with the refillable mug. Instead bring sale-priced sodas from home. You won't be drinking from an unwashed mug all week (YUCK), and you'll certainly spend less money. If you're flying, have drinks delivered to your room.

 

[ariel53098]

Where are Disney's rules about photopass sharing? When we did DLR in Sept 07 we did photopass share but I wanted to make sure it wasn't against the rules. I didn't find anything. I was thinking about doing a photopass share for our next trip but I won't if Disney doesn't want us to!

Also I agree about the reusing of the cups UNLESS you are visiting in the same season of the cup. If the cup still has the same logo/design then I don't think it's wrong. Disney just got TWO trips out of you in one small period of time. I don't think they are sweating over the cup.
JMO!
Rachel

 

[CarolA]

Where are Disney's rules about photopass sharing? When we did DLR in Sept 07 we did photopass share but I wanted to make sure it wasn't against the rules. I didn't find anything. I was thinking about doing a photopass share for our next trip but I won't if Disney doesn't want us to!

Also I agree about the reusing of the cups UNLESS you are visiting in the same season of the cup. If the cup still has the same logo/design then I don't think it's wrong. Disney just got TWO trips out of you in one small period of time. I don't think they are sweating over the cup.
JMO!
Rachel

Read the copyright release you got with your photo CD..... It pretty much says for the use of the PURCHASER only. Not the purchaser and 10 internet friends

 

[punkin]

You won't be drinking from an unwashed mug all week (YUCK)

Yes, I never understood the mug thing. How do you wash those things without dish washing soap?

 

[flying_babyb]

Yes, I never understood the mug thing. How do you wash those things without dish washing soap?

Hand soap of course, liquid works wonders.

 

[mom2faith]

Hi all,

OP here again. I feel I have to clarify, so you all do not think I am a crazy pregnant person - LOL!!

DD is 4 1/2 and we have been trying for #2 for quite some time. We have now bought our plane tickets for trip #2 that are non-refundable (always the best for the budget). I am assuming that I will now get pregnant for sure . So the reason I was asking is because, if I got pregnant right now I would be 7 months almost 8 when we go, which, I agree is not the best idea. I am not going to stop trying to get pregnant, but I am also not putting my life on hold "just in case" - KWIM??

Anyway, some great ideas here!! Thanks for keeping it OT!! You guys rock!!

Amy

 

[Nie0214]

If you feel you need an ECV, get one. It's not a limited resource, and it's not like you're getting a GAC card. If you want to pay for one, feel free to get one!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

This is a great idea thread... but there's been a couple things said that I also thought are great "life's little pleasures" thoughts... eg, the poster who mentioned about the enjoyment you get from taking time out and just enjoying a little one pattering about in a water fountain!

MY DO's
--Do bring liquid dishsoap and use just one recyclable bottle during your visit (Be Green), and do fill it and drink as often as possible.
--Do have breakfast fixings in your room so you don't have to spend precious morning time in a food court (just as valuable for 1 as for a family).
--Do have ziplocs & a mini plastic raincoat at all times (always cheaper at the $ store, and they fit anywhere).
--Do plan a day or some half days to explore your resort, don't make it about rushing from the bed to the bus to the park and back again--especially if you stay onsite Disney
--Quietly do "random acts of kindness"- you'll never know who's watching and learning a life lesson from it- maybe even your kids. (this I've learned from my parents). Wave at people on buses, boats, trains, and parades!


MY DON'Ts
--Don't be the park commando ALL the time -- there's a lot more to WDW than the rides and shows, there's a lot to notice along the way.
--Don't overstock your room with food-- the aim should be to have very little left at the end, and none to throw away (although, puffed rice makes a great packing material for that snowglobe you bought!)
--Don't expect to break new footwear in during the trip .. that will hurt.
--Don't forget to get YOUR picture taken once in a while as well & offer to take pictures for people you see.
--Don't forget to bring the SUNSCREEN & adhesive tape (or bandaids, or if you're a guy, Duct Tape) to the parks with you.
--Don't forget to use the SUNSCREEN.
--Don't forget to scream like a girl on the rides! woo hoo!

 

[Aliceacc]

DO

DON'T

- use park tickets for your first and last day. Why should you pay for a full day at the parks when you'll be traveling / checking into the hotels?

-bother with the refillable mug. Instead bring sale-priced sodas from home. You won't be drinking from an unwashed mug all week (YUCK), and you'll certainly spend less money. If you're flying, have drinks delivered to your room.

I agree with just about everything you said, with the exception of those two. Here's my reasoning:

Once you get past 4 days or so, extra admissions cost next to nothing. We got 8 days admissions for our 7 night trip. We'll be at the resort by noon the first day, and have an 8 pm flight home the last day. The price difference for my family of 5, from 6 days to 8, is a total of about $30. Total, not per person. For $30, I'm willing to bet that we'll want to spend part of both those days in the parks.

As for the mugs: I agree, sending bottled water ahead is the way to go. But we used those mugs for morning coffee/tea, and for the occasional cup in the evening too. Tea from an in-room coffee machine always tastes like coffee to me. We skipped the mugs for the kids, but loved having them for us.
I'll bring a $1 bottle of dish soap from the dollar store and throw it into one of the suitcases.

Just wanted to present a different point of view

 

[disneybridetobe]

--Quietly do "random acts of kindness"- you'll never know who's watching and learning a life lesson from it- maybe even your kids. (this I've learned from my parents). Wave at people on buses, boats, trains, and parades!

...

MY DON'Ts
--Don't forget to bring the SUNSCREEN & adhesive tape (or bandaids, or if you're a guy, Duct Tape) to the parks with you.

Adhesive tape?! What am I missing here?

I love the "random acts of kindness" thing!

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Adhesive tape?! What am I missing here?

If your shoe rubs the least bit, put adhesive tape over the bare flesh, and you won't get a blister. And if a strap or battery cover breaks, you can do a quick fix w/ adhesive tape (think of it as the working woman's Duct Tape!...As multipurpose as Dental Floss!)

 

[Aliceacc]

Totally off topic: Walkinginthefog,I notice you're from St. John's. My grandmother grew up there, and we visited once when I was about 12 years old. What a beautiful spot!! I remember visiting Aunt Mercedes, watching the teams practice for the Regatta. And going to the beach and wanting to bring home tons of beautiful blue rocks. (We flew part of the way. Dad was NOT going to pay extra to bring rocks back to NY!!) Climbing up Signal Hill and seeing Cabot Tower (do I have all that right??? The trip was probably around 1970, so the details are fuzzy.)

Just reading where you're from brought back such wonderful memories.. thank you!!!

 

[disneybridetobe]

If your shoe rubs the least bit, put adhesive tape over the bare flesh, and you won't get a blister. And if a strap or battery cover breaks, you can do a quick fix w/ adhesive tape (think of it as the working woman's Duct Tape!...As multipurpose as Dental Floss!)

Haha, that's awesome. I like how you think! Haha, I'm woman enough to handle Duct Tape.. made for a man, strong enough for a woman!

And that reminds me, I once quick-fixed a friend's toilet with Dental Floss!

 

[PatriciaH]

Yes, I never understood the mug thing. How do you wash those things without dish washing soap?

Rinse them out in the boiling hot water from the coffee area.

 

[uscfan]

great tips, coming to WDW 4/11

 

[MG61218]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for taking the time to post there Ideas. I'm going to Disney for the first time Aug 6th-Aug 14th and need all the ideas I can get. THANKS

 

[Dizisfun]

DO

Have your packages mailed home if possible. Some of the shops offer this service for a fee.

Have the shops send your packages back to your resort or hold them at Guest Services until the end of the day.

Take snacks and drinks into the parks.

 

[D&DDisney]

As far as cleaning mugs go...

Buy a bag of cheap sponges at the dollar store.
Cut into halves or quarters
Pour 1 tsp dish soap on each
Let dry completely
Put dried sponges into a ziplock bag

As you need to wash dishes in your hotel room, bring out a soap dried sponge. Clean up dishes and throw away. You will always have a clean sponge and don't have to use the wash cloths.

 

[fairykin]

Do rent the ECV or ECV if you are even worried about your pregnancy, it sounds like you all are trying hard to build your family and want to take every precaution considering the situation. *hugs*.. don't worry what anyone thinks..you are on vacation for a few days.. your childs health is a lifetime priority.. rent the EVC or ECV!

Also.. don't think you have to be in the park every minute of everyday.
It's better to go slow and happy than rushed and stressed. I think people are with the mindset, i paid for this i'm getting my money's worth at the park. Well, i'd much rather have relaxed non stressed memories of the park than memories of running here and there to do everything.

Make a list of what is important to you and yours and anything extra you do or see is icing on the cake.

Do take a favorite bedtime book if you read the same one each night.

We take several small cans of playdough for the kids to play with in the room after bathtime to wind down.

Do plan quiet time.. kids can have too much {sugary goodness, fireworks and rides}.

Do get a pair of mickey ears.. they make a really wonderful souvenier! Be sure and get your daughters name put on it.

Do pack a little lunchbox with individual slices of cheese. along with some crackers.. sometimes that just hits the spot.

Don't feel bad if you are in your room asleep and get woken up by the fireworks.. you are right where you need to be in that moment. There is always the next night or the next trip.

Do get a princess costume for your daughter! It makes for great interaction with Characters and CM's at the park. Target sales them as well as walmart and the Disney Store.

Do open a savings account labled Disney.. because you will come home wanting to go back!

 

[mommycrawford]

DO: Visit Mickey, the princesses, and other characters in the Judge's Tent in TOONTOWN (free, air conditioned, and at your leisure) instead of troubling over which character meal.

DON'T: Judge people in Wheelchairs, or not, thinking you can always SEE disabilities! (Be happy with your lack of difficulties getting around.) Traumatic events can be disabling...one year Katrina survivors (children) were at the world, getting special perks, and bless them, we hope they enjoyed themselves! Delays as a result of WCs are inconvenient, but on vacation it's great to show our children how to have empathy, and to be grateful that you have your health.