Budgetting Do's and Don't at the World

[sbozek123]

DO's: Rent a car. I know this is probably against most, but for $175 - $200 you can get a car for a week and it allows several things. 1 - it allows you to avoid 1hr plus trips on buses. 2 - it gives you a little bit of flexibility if needed. 3 - and this is the big one, and probably more than pays for the car itself, it allows you to get to a grocery store/super wal-mart. Our family is content to eat nutrigrain bars, pop-tarts, granola, banana's, apples etc for breakfast, and the kids are more than content (as are we) to have PB&J's for lunch a couple days. In addition, eating a quick breakfast in your room allows you to sleep just a bit longer. We still manage to hit Kona Cafe and Crystal Palace for breakfast, but again, the car is more than paid for by having access to to grocery store. The time savings is simply an added bonus. If you can afford it, stay at a resort that has some "locational" advantages. Places like the Contemporary, Polynesian, GrandFL, Wilderness Lodge, Swan, Doplhin, Beach Club, Boardwalk, etc all allow you to get to one (if not two parks) very quickly. In the case of some of the Epcot resorts, you can walk to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. To us, that is worth its weight in gold. DON't: Spend all day, every day at the parks. Come back for 2-3 hours to relax at pool, etc. Sign up for dining if you are like us (have access to car, eat breakfast in your room). We had a pin code for free dining (but required us to book at rack rate for the rooms). We still passed as financially, the math still came out better for buying as we go. Another negative with the food plan is we simply can't eat that big of meals every day....its nice to eat lite some days, and when at WDW, on the dining plan, you will indulge. Its not very fun to put down a huge meal at Epcot, then be on Test Track an hour later. Just my two cents

This is our plan, I can't see being dependent on a shuttle when we're going to do some cereal for breakfast most mornings, plus the dining plan is outrageous if doing more then 2 adults, we could never afford it!

Also 100% plan on "time off" from the parks- I know my little guys would never make a 12+ hour day!

 

[Aliceacc]

This is our plan, I can't see being dependent on a shuttle when we're going to do some cereal for breakfast most mornings, plus the dining plan is outrageous if doing more then 2 adults, we could never afford it!

!

It's funny, but for my family, the DDP is a must.

Last trip we skipped it. We got YES tickets, saving several hundred dollars. But since they were park tickets, we weren't elligible for a MYW package and couldn't get the DDP. I figured the savings would be worth it.

One real priority for us is a table service meal every day (or, OK, just about every day.) I want that unrushed time to just sit down as a family and talk about our day, with no one looking at a watch. For me, it's pretty much the core of a vacation, no matter where it is.

What happened last trip was that, after about a day or two, I felt as though we were hemorrhaging money. (Please note: I have a 15 year old son. Enough said.) We all know that table service at WDW isn't known for its low prices. It got to where we would enter a restaurant and I would look at the menu for prices instead of eating what I wanted.

With the DDP, I feel as though the money is spent, so I eat what I want. If we want dessert, we have it; if we want to skip it, we do. But I won't go without DDP again unless it's for a really good reason.

Oh, and when I did the math, it turned out that not having the DDP ate up a decent share of the money we had saved with the YES tickets. We probably saved a little, but I'm not sure how much of that was due to me ordering chicken instead of steak.

To each his own, but for my family, at least while the kids are still young enough to accompany us, the DDP is the way to go.

For us, it's not so much about spending less-- we save for a year or two for a WDW vacation. It's about getting the trip we want for the least possible amount. So I haunt here and mousesavers, and am on top of the discounts-- even though I'm confident that our travel agent is already on top of them. We stay Deluxe (we're a family of 5, with that 15 year old too big for a Murphy Bed at POR, so lots of the other lodging options simply won't work.) I LOVE the pools at the Deluxes; we're both teachers, so we only go over the summer, and all 3 of my kids are total water rats. I love their location-- there's something simply amazing about being able to walk to Epcot. I love the feeling that they exude-- hard to put into words, but still very tangible.

I love staying on site. It can be the little things, like Disney's Magical Express. I check my bags at JFK, and see them again that afternoon in my room. From the moment my plane lands at MCO, I'm in Disney's hands. I love the hidden Mickeys everywhere I look. I love the little touches that remind me that this is all part of the experience I've looked forward to and saved for.

 

[abmitch01]

my biggest don't is to not judge someone for using a scooter. Not all medical conditions are visible to the naked eye. My mom has a terminal illness. We took her to Disney in the early stages. She could barely walk. But she was in her fifties and sitting on a scooter, looked relatively healthy. The staff were wonderful to her. But passerby actually made comments or stared at her. So I will never judge someone on a scooter even if they're pregnant. I don't know their story and it's none of my business

 

[Aliceacc]

Probably my biggest budgeting advice:

Stop and determine what "getting your money's worth" means to you.

For us, it's returning home with lots and lots of happy memories. It's laughter and enjoyment of each other. It's the chance to all spend time in the same place, all doing something we enjoy.

So if rain means we lose the chance to use our ADR for the dessert party, we can still get our money's worth. If we're too tired to see Fantasmic, we can still get our money's worth. If it feels 200 degrees and we skip a park day in favor of Stormalong bay, can still get our money's worth.

For us, it's not necessarily about getting onto more rides than last trip. It's about having a good time together as a family. That means adapting our plans and expectations depending on a number of factors out of our control, and doing it cheerfully.

 

[uccats97]

Probably my biggest budgeting advice: Stop and determine what "getting your money's worth" means to you. For us, it's returning home with lots and lots of happy memories. It's laughter and enjoyment of each other. It's the chance to all spend time in the same place, all doing something we enjoy. So if rain means we lose the chance to use our ADR for the dessert party, we can still get our money's worth. If we're too tired to see Fantasmic, we can still get our money's worth. If it feels 200 degrees and we skip a park day in favor of Stormalong bay, can still get our money's worth. For us, it's not necessarily about getting onto more rides than last trip. It's about having a good time together as a family. That means adapting our plans and expectations depending on a number of factors out of our control, and doing it cheerfully.

That's what makes Disney magical!! I love your positive attitude. It's all what you make of it!

 

[Aliceacc]

That's what makes Disney magical!! I love your positive attitude. It's all what you make of it!

I won't pretend that we don't do our share Of bickering or whining..it's hard to keep 5 people all happy, especially in the summer heat in Florida

But the big picture is that it's money well spent if we all make the accommodations to go with the flow.

 

[davedmaine]

It's funny, but for my family, the DDP is a must. Last trip we skipped it. We got YES tickets, saving several hundred dollars. But since they were park tickets, we weren't elligible for a MYW package and couldn't get the DDP. I figured the savings would be worth it. One real priority for us is a table service meal every day (or, OK, just about every day.) I want that unrushed time to just sit down as a family and talk about our day, with no one looking at a watch. For me, it's pretty much the core of a vacation, no matter where it is. What happened last trip was that, after about a day or two, I felt as though we were hemorrhaging money. (Please note: I have a 15 year old son. Enough said.) We all know that table service at WDW isn't known for its low prices. It got to where we would enter a restaurant and I would look at the menu for prices instead of eating what I wanted. With the DDP, I feel as though the money is spent, so I eat what I want. If we want dessert, we have it; if we want to skip it, we do. But I won't go without DDP again unless it's for a really good reason. Oh, and when I did the math, it turned out that not having the DDP ate up a decent share of the money we had saved with the YES tickets. We probably saved a little, but I'm not sure how much of that was due to me ordering chicken instead of steak. To each his own, but for my family, at least while the kids are still young enough to accompany us, the DDP is the way to go. For us, it's not so much about spending less-- we save for a year or two for a WDW vacation. It's about getting the trip we want for the least possible amount. So I haunt here and mousesavers, and am on top of the discounts-- even though I'm confident that our travel agent is already on top of them. We stay Deluxe (we're a family of 5, with that 15 year old too big for a Murphy Bed at POR, so lots of the other lodging options simply won't work.) I LOVE the pools at the Deluxes; we're both teachers, so we only go over the summer, and all 3 of my kids are total water rats. I love their location-- there's something simply amazing about being able to walk to Epcot. I love the feeling that they exude-- hard to put into words, but still very tangible. I love staying on site. It can be the little things, like Disney's Magical Express. I check my bags at JFK, and see them again that afternoon in my room. From the moment my plane lands at MCO, I'm in Disney's hands. I love the hidden Mickeys everywhere I look. I love the little touches that remind me that this is all part of the experience I've looked forward to and saved for.

If budget is the issue, the DDP is not a good idea.

 

[Aliceacc]

To each his own. For us it's worth every cent.

 

[stitchlovestink]

To each his own. For us it's worth every cent.

Sometimes we do the DDP and sometimes we don't. It just depends on what we want out of that particular trip. So I totally understand your point. We just know ahead of time what our goals are!

 

[Cassabella]

Sorry if I missed more detail, but seeing somebody else's comment - bringing multiple pairs of shoes is important to me. A few months ago was my fiancé's first trip (he runs a lot and does half marathons!) and judged me as being high maintenance for packing two pairs of sneakers and a pair of flip flops.

Who had blisters after two days into an 8 day trip? Not me!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Sorry if I missed more detail, but seeing somebody else's comment - bringing multiple pairs of shoes is important to me. A few months ago was my fiancé's first trip (he runs a lot and does half marathons!) and judged me as being high maintenance for packing two pairs of sneakers and a pair of flip flops.

Who had blisters after two days into an 8 day trip? Not me!

Oh Lord! If that is high maintenance, I cannot imagine what he would call me!! ROFLOL
One pair of tenners is good for me as my sandals are Super Comfy!! But I will be bringing two oor three pairs of them (different colors of course!) And a pair of cross for a trip to the hot tub or beach (I'm not a public pool person) And if we are doing a dress up dinner, well....
Like when we cruised last fall, I thought I was doing great keeping myself limited to five pairs of shoes. hahaha

 

[eliza61]

Oh Lord! If that is high maintenance, I cannot imagine what he would call me!! ROFLOL
One pair of tenners is good for me as my sandals are Super Comfy!! But I will be bringing two oor three pairs of them (different colors of course!) And a pair of cross for a trip to the hot tub or beach (I'm not a public pool person) And if we are doing a dress up dinner, well....
Like when we cruised last fall, I thought I was doing great keeping myself limited to five pairs of shoes. hahaha

LOL. don't even get me started. Traveling with me is like riding on Cleopatra's barge. two years ago we did Europe and I'm watching this travel show about only bringing two pair of shoes to Paris.!! which would end up blowing my budget because the only thing that would happen is I would get to Paris and BUY more shoes.

Anyhoo, my tip is this. KNOW how you travel and stay true to it.

for example, one popular tip here is to "split" meals. Well as much as we try it, we have never had a meal at Disney where we could split it and both parties be full and satisfied.
So what happens to us is that, say me and dh split a meal. while it might be too much for me, we usually have to order "sides" so dh can get a good meal or if we don't do that, 1 hour later we're buying snacks so there goes any savings.
So now I know that splitting meals is not a budget tip I can use.

 

[figment3258]

I always ship down a box to the hotel with some supplies tablets for bottle water diapers for a baby snack it's cheaper to buy all that stuff here then ship and pay disney prices.

Buying the meal plan for us works out better than paying oop

 

[LovesTimone]

Great Thread..

DO'S

1) We love DDXDP we enjoy the options and love its paid for upfront. We are a foodie family so we enjoy 2 TS meals. We have had left over snack credits that we burn up at Goofy's candy shop on departure day. We bring them back for our DD and her DH for baby sitting the dog. Also we have used them for CS to take along for the ride home. You can also take along to eat at the airport or on magical express.

2) Do make the time to plan your meals, and check-out menu's so that when it is time to dine, you pick somewhere that everyone can choose something they like. Nothing worse than going into a restaurant and find out they don't really appeal to your style or taste.

3) Water and snacks are okay in the park, when our kids were little we did take a small soft sided cooler in with, juice boxes, cheerios, breakfast bar, and bottled water and we never had a problem. Still today we take water, and a granola or breakfast bar into the parks.

4) There are some instants that pool hopping is okay, at POR and POFQ you can use both resorts pool and food courts. We have stayed here and never had a issue.

5) Take a break if possible, for us we love to head back to our resort, swim or nap or both, then head back out in the early evening for more fun. We started this when DD's were little and it just become part of our vacation plan. It also saved them and us from having a full on melt down from being over tired, over stimulated, over heated....

6) Do plan - yes it does take some time.... but is well worth it when you have a plan and a back up plan. It makes your day more productive when you know where your going and what dining options you have, when are parades and shows times. Saves a lot of aggravation in the long run.

7) Do use COMMON COURSTEY - Excuse me, Pardon me, Please and Thank you.

DON'TS

1) Do not make your kids ride a ride that they are unsure of or frighten of... Just do not do it.... NO matter what..... use the parent swap.

2) Don't argue with a cast member on ride height restriction they are doing their job, it's about safety for your child and others.

3) Do not let your children run wild, it is not the cast members job it watch them. There are other people... yes... they also paid for there vacation too.

4) Don't just stop in the main walkway to read the map, talk to the phone, get your group together.......... there are plenty of areas to get off the main walk way to regroup.

5) Don't ignore a screaming or crying child. They are your responsibly and you need to take care of them right then. - Before I get flamed, I am talking about children that are crying and crying and screaming almost hysterical, and the parents are ignoring them for a long period of time.... That's were you should think of taking a break getting a swim and nap works wonders.

 

[crisi]

Anyhoo, my tip is this. KNOW how you travel and stay true to it.

Similarly, don't fall for the "you must" that is frequent here. You have a daughter - you MUST take her to BBB and have breakfast at the castle. You must eat at whatever restaurant the restaurant board is raving about. You must stay at a certain resort, you must stay onsite, you must have hoppers, you must rent a car......

Don't let strangers on the internet control how you spend your time and money. Take what people say you must do and make sure to do the translation - crisi MUST have hoppers, and makes a compelling case for the way they do Disney, but its a lot of money and I think we'll be fine with one park a day......(and yes, I must have hoppers - you, I have no idea if you need them to make a trip successful or wouldn't ever use them or if they go on your nice to have list - although sometimes I phrase that to make it sound like everyone needs them - everyone DOESN'T).

 

[Lisa71]

I know this isn't the most popular winner.

But for us this year, the biggest don't will be DON'T do laundry!!!

Last year those 2 loads of laundry meant we got to DHS late. Everyone was miserable and the lines were incredible. It was the only day we didn't get an early start.

This year, I'll pack enough shorts and T shirts for an entire week. (Seriously: it will be August in FL. How much room will some shorts and Ts take??) If I have to rinse out one or two things, so be it. But I am NOT spending time in the laundry room, away from my vacation, making my family wait or missing time with them.

We have to do laundry..DH stays up late and actually enjoys it!!