Could someone peer at this?

[disneyfor3boys]

Looking for someone to critique our budget for our upcoming trip. Total number of travelling days: 11-12 days. We're travelling by van, DH, myself, DS 10, DS 8, and DS4 from Maine. We have 4 day hopper plus passes (allowing for one day for each park and one day at Typhoon Lagoon) and are staying at HIFS (buy one night get one free). I have not taken into account our ticket prices as we have already bought and paid for these. YIPPEE!

Hotel (HIFS) $ 615.00 (6 nights)

Other Hotels $ 350.00 (down and back) Hoping to only stay over one night on the way down and possibly 2 on the way back)

Meals/snacks $1200.00 ($100/day) should be less on the way down and back, but could exceed at Disney?

PS Meals $ 170.00 (Dinner at Chef Mickey's/ BK at Crystal Palace)

Souveniers: $ 500.00

Gas: $ 500.00

Road Tolls: $ 75.00 ( have absolutely no idea on this one)

Parking/Stroller
Rental $ 110.00 (but DS4 probably won't need a stroller everyday, and may even bring one from home)

Miscellaneous: $ 300.00

Total: Aprox: $3800.00

Breakfasts are included at HIFS, and we plan on bringing lots of water/snacks for the road/parks.

I truly appreciate your time to let me know what you think! Better to know ahead of time, rather than be in for a surprise once we get there! Thanks again,

Laurie

 

[NotTooGoofy]

Looks like a good budget. My experience with the DW and two DDs for food was $100/day. Disney food can be expensive. We drove down (15 hours) and spent nearly that much at the roadside restaurants and gas stations.

 

[roadtripper]

Hi--
Just back from driving from MA, so our tolls will be about the same. First suggestion is to apply for an EZ pass transmitter through the New York State Thruway-- I think the ME Turnpike is implementing that system as well, and it also works on the Mass Pike, but NY doesn't charge for the transponder, and the lines can really back up at tolls depending on when you're going. I think your budget for gas and tolls is good, but you don't say whether you're from Limestone or York, or somewhere in between! Get gas in Georgia-- very cheap-- avoid gas on the NJ Turnpike if you can due to cost and lines. You should be able to get really cheap hotels on the way down-- nowhere near the 100/night you have budgeted-- check with AAA. I'm curious about 4 day hopper when you're there for 11-12 days-- are you doing Sea World? Universal? Beach/swimming days? If it's your first trip, be forewarned that the parks are addictive, and there's so much to do-- four days may not seem like enough time.
HIFS breakfasts were substantial, and the buy one get one is a great deal.
Read all the tip moneysaving tips on this board-- I saved at least 50 dollars in water alone by packing a case and bringing bottles to the parks, packing snacks, etc.
Have a great time!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

If you have room I would take my own stroller. We just got back from 9 days. My DD (4) never rides in a stroller however we took her comfortable one from home and she was in it all the time. Which was great. The crowd can be overwhelming, not to mention we didn't have to wait in any lines to get one in the morning or to take it back when every one is tired and wants to leave. Depending on meal plans $100.00 maybe cutting it close. You can go to allears.com and look at menus to have a better idea of what you might spend. Also, We did not count on things like pictures coming off the rides or ones in front of the castle. Some of these were great so we wanted to by them but they add up fast. Our DD had about $100. from B-day,X-mas Allowance( she's a good saver.) We told her when the $ is gone there is no more buying. There was so much to buy if we hadn't set her limit or prepared her we would have had a very sad child. Sorry this got so long winded. That said, every family has limits just prepare your kids. Have fun

 

[kilee]

Look on roomsaver.com you can find coupons to print for hotels along your driving route. They are usually only good for walk-in's and some do have restrictions.

When we drive we don't like to make reservations for our travel hotels. We like to just drive until we can't no more. So I have used these coupons often and they save money.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

I second the E-Z pass from New York http://www.ezpassny.com/static/roads/index.html. when we drove to last yr it was wonderful to just drive thru all the tolls.
You buy $25 of tolls on the pass and then they add more when you need it. We didn't use the whole $25 on our trip. We where about to use it all the way where there was tolls.
I would also bring a stroller and save that money. I would also stop at the Disney outlet and pre-buy souveniers. Check out ibidusa.com and pick up some food GC's. I got one for CiCi pizza for all you can eat for a family of 6 for only $10.50, it is located on 192. They also have some great hotel offers, for 3 nights. You could also pick up some mini golf or other fun stuff to fill in the extra days.

 

[Gomez Gang]

$100/day for food is a good estimate but a lot depends on if you will be at a sit-down restaurant (where your bill for dinner alone will be about $75) or if you will do fast-food/counter service. If you alternate I think you are right on track.
Remember to apply for the Bank One Disney card! Take all the cash that you have saved (keep a few hundred with you for emergencies) and stick it in the bank before you go. Put EVERYTHING on that Disney Visa and watch those disney dollars pile up! Then when you get home, pay off that bill!!(the interest rate is high!) You might as well earn some perks since you will be dropping (and enjoying) lots of money!

 

[jlcbshaw]

Finally someone who thinks a budget through.

NOT TO SAY that others on the boards don't, but I was talking with a few co-workers and made mention of my budget and they laughed. Of course after explaining to them they understood why a budget was a good idea and also some of them have never taken a MAJOR trip like this.

As far as your budget, I think it looks great, very close to ours and we are a family of 5.

Only 19 more days and we'll be "home."

CBS

 

[disneysteve]

Overall, a good budget. Just a couple of comments (some already made).

I think your food budget is just fine. On our last trip (11/03) we spent under $17/person/day including snacks and character meals. You are planning $20/person/day plus another $170 for character meals. Also, with 5 of you, sharing meals will be very easy. For example, an order of fries in the parks will feed 2-3 people, so don't get 5 sandwiches with 5 orders of fries. You'll save money and still have plenty of food. At some restaurants, you won't even need 5 meals. For example, at Wolfgang Puck's Express, we ordered 3 meals for 4 people and still didn't finish everything. You could certainly do 3 or 4 meals and a side dish or 2 and feed the 5 of you. Food at Disney doesn't need to be as expensive as a lot of folks make it sound.

I agree that $100/nite for hotels on the road is more than you'll actually spend. We've driven down from NJ numerous times and we've never spent more than about $60/nite and usually less than that.

I also agree about bringing your own stroller if you have the space. Its crazy to spend $100 or more to rent something that costs less than that to buy. Also, especially since you are staying offsite, you'll want a stroller at other times when you aren't in a park.

Have a great trip!

Steve

 

[meier56013]

By all means, try to bring your own stroller. If it doesn't fit in your car, buy one down there at Target or Wal-Mart. Last summer, we debated taking a stroller for DS 4. We ended up bringing our double stroller, and it worked great. There was enough room to lie down and take a nap, and plenty of space to carry mister fans, game boys, snacks, and water. We carried nothing, and when the little legs got tired, there was a ride for him. I think he spent more time in the stroller than out walking.

 

[disneyfor3boys]

Thanks guys! You've helped a bunch. I'm definately going with your suggestions on taking our stroller along. Thanks so much for the tip. I wasn't able to use the link for the road tolls, so I guess we'll have to go the slow route on that one. Roomsaver turned out to be a very helpful link as well. I've printed several coupons so we're not limited in our selection.

Any more tips? I'm more than listening!

Less than 48 hours till we hit the road! I've never been so excited!

Laurie & boys

 

[jgates]

Laurie - definitely dump that stroller rental idea. If you have one and can fit it - bring it!!! You would still have parking unless you use the shuttle from HIFS.

Another item you may not have thought of (unless it is in your misc.) is PHOTOS!!! I don't know if you are doing film or digital but make sure you have enough film & memory cards & batteries. You don't want to be buying these in the parks. Buy extra before you go & return the rest when you get home. I shot about 15 to 18 rolls of film last trip - Film of course was only about $40 but DEVELOPING!!! ACK!! I think there is a Walgreens fairly close to HIFS too - we picked up some stuff there.

Make sure you have those 'surprise' items in your overnight bag that can really bite you if you have to get these things from Disney or at a hotel - sunscreen, bandaids, first aid creme, painkillers (adult & child), immodium, sewing kit, etc. We go to a lot of car shows during the summer so we have a standard suitcase filled with this stuff.

For that long of a time, I also wonder if you might need a longer ticket - you could probably upgrade when you got there? But that would be a big addition. I see 6 nites at HIFS - 1 to 2 each way. I'm not sure about your last 2 days or if they are 'impulse'.

I'm really confused on $500 for gas. Unless you are like me and buy $10 worth of lottery tickets each time you stop......... Portland Maine (guess) to Orlando is 1405 miles X 2 / 25 mpg * $2 gallon is about $225. Depending on your vehicles mileage it could be a bit higher or lower. Even adding the tolls I think you have a pretty good cushion there and may have extra at the end. (Course I had to put a new alternator in during our '98 trip so that shot my car budget!!)

Try to do a hotel on the road that has a continental breakfast also if you can get a good price. Fairfield Inn, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn (usually more). We have also had some really nice Days Inn & Super 8's but some that have really stunk also. Check with them to verify amenities and what the breakfast actually includes. You might be able to get a steal of a rate at a Red Roof & then a cheap breakfast at McD's & still be better off.

I would also suggest using a large size cooler to pack your snacks etc in & filling with ice in the room. (Unless you have a fridge in the room - I don't remember if HIFS listed that or not). That way you will have cold soda & water to grab.

Discuss things like pressed pennies & pins in advance (or at least on that 400 hour trip in the car.... . We had everthing planned well but about 2 days before we left Disney DD decided she wanted pressed pennies!!! We ended up with just a few and plan on more this trip, but if I had known I would have had a quarter & penny stash and had that in my budget!!! I know pins can kill you if you start those!!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

I'm sorry I saw this sooo late...I'm in Shediac...Where are you from???


We drove last time and had found great motel on the way for $69 a night US...Not bad places either...

Tolls won't cost you that much...Yes bring your own stroller.

Buy Superstore (Save Easy) Photolab Processing included film ...It will be worth it and the film is REALLY GOOD FUJI film...(I used to manage a photolab in Ottawa)

Bring water from home and it you have a fridge, freeze the bottles and take them to the park with you...The water there is terrible.

Bring a lot of snacks and limit the snacks at WDW to one Disney treat a day per person...Saves money but also better for you. We brought energy bars, granola bars, and cheese and crackers...We did fine.

Pop tastes strange there too...but we survived on water and orange/pineapple juice...Yum.

Drive safe...

 

[iluvtink]

Hi,

Just a logistics question for you ... you have "4-day PH+ passes ... one day for each park and 1 for Typhoon Lagoon." There are 4 main parks besides Typhoon Lagoon ... are you splitting one day between two parks or between 1 park and Typhoon Lagoon? You may want to make that decision before you leave, so that your kids know what to expect. Of course, you can always change your mind after you get there and upgrade to 5-6-7 days. You could stay for the whole 12 days and not see everything!

Have a great time ... and have a big "MAGIC" jar set up for when you get back home, so you can start saving IMMEDIATELY for your next trip!!!

Kim

 

[tazdeb]

I would suggest that your souvenier budget $500 is too low for 12 days. If you have ever been there you know that the average toy is $15. That x3 kids is $45 x 12=$540. Thats not including you or your significant other. Plus the real neat stuff is more expensive. Now I know that no kid needs a souvinier a day, but with peer preasure and disney magic!!!!! What I do is give my kids $20 a day to let them buy what they want (candy, pop, souviniers) when its gone their done. Some save todays money and the next day for that great toy, some blow it all on those suckers on main street. But when they've spent that cash they get no more.....They have controll and it teaches them the value of money.....Another good trick is to bring some souviniers bought at the dollar store (glow in the dark wands etc...or a the Disney store and present them in the World. This gives them something to hold so they aren't the ONLY ONES WITHOUT SOMETHING......have fun. TAZ