cutting costs.

[JadeDarkstar]

ok im trying to think of way to cut cost besieds taking out one the charcter meals.

i had originally had 100 per person set for stuff and 100 for the out let store.
something came up that in a few weeks may just hurt me about a 100 less then i had planed. so do you think 2adults and 1child could do ok with 75 each? and 75 at the out let store instead of 100)

at the outlet store were looking at some shirts. maybe find the one from last year there, also sons pic auto book.
I Have gave up on the pin book not gona add it to my want list and if i find it and have the extra then I can get it.

My DH would kinda like a disney jacket or something (i got one last trip lol)
I knowMy son will want one of the potato head boxs. and a light up toy to keep him ocupied at night and probley some type of plush (melifcent dragon if could find it)

I hate to think about just cancleing the princess brakfast even tho its gona end up being more then storytellers and if my DH had the choice he says lets try storytellers its one we havent been too. (and it hasnt had as bad reviews on food lol)
I just am not sure what to do

we have 200 planed for food in the park for 5 days and 50 for vons or alertsons. we will eat at least one meal in the room. and have many snacks.

we have one sit down meal a day planed seprate from the 200.
i got a good deal on the ECV saved almost 50dollers (127 for 7days) or 30 a day from Aleans wealchairs(sp maybe)

I know were going and i know we will be alright but i was crying earlyer freacking and my son was so cute hugging me telling me it will be alright ill get more money from his other daddy..lol ok it was just to cute..but he did say something that made me smile.
"Mommy I dont care how much I get I just want melifcents autograph and pic"
(pluse his other daddy should give him hopefullt a little bit for a special suviner from him he has each time lol)

Its just been a rollercoster day and I know it will get better (and to any wondering about jobs, were still just playing the waiting game..but now my DH has a apointment with some republican place.. intresting.
also the other place we thought hed be hiree at last weekend the uper office put new security checks or something up. so now hes going though that but the guy said (I have wanted to hire five ppl and have been put on hold couse all this so it looks like he will have this one..just be pationt right.

pationts is a vertue or how ever its said.

TY all for any segestions

Good thing We have the halloween tickets nothigns gona stop this trip hehe

 

[DisSarahK]

Personally I just would skip the outlet store trip...buy the autograph book on eBay or make one yourself. That way you save the money you would have spent there plus you don't have to deal with taking a taxi to the store (I think that's how you were getting there...I can't quite remember though!)

I know there were things you all wanted from the outlet store, but it sounds as though you all would enjoy the character meals more than you would enjoy trinkets and whatnot from the outlet store.

Good luck deciding where to trim your budget!

 

[jory29]

Personally I just would skip the outlet store trip...buy the autograph book on eBay or make one yourself. That way you save the money you would have spent there plus you don't have to deal with taking a taxi to the store (I think that's how you were getting there...I can't quite remember though!)

I know there were things you all wanted from the outlet store, but it sounds as though you all would enjoy the character meals more than you would enjoy trinkets and whatnot from the outlet store.

Good luck deciding where to trim your budget!

I agree!! Our pics. and our memories that we each held, were far more important than any trinket, when we went. We allowed our kids to get one item that they wanted, such as the Indiana Jones rubber snake for our son, and the tinkerbell pollypocket type set for our daughter, each for around $12-$15. The next time we went, each got a hat with their names embroidered on it. It was not about souvenirs for us at all, it was all about spending quality family time together, at the most wonderful place in the world, and that's what mattered to all of us.

I love the idea of the autograph book that you can buy at a Dollar store, spruce up yourselves, etc. My kids always got their pics. taken with the characters, but didn't bother with the signing of any books; they knew they were characters playing a role, though. Pressed pennies make a wonderfully inexpensive souvenir idea.

One other thing; we found that for 2 adults and 2 kids, for around $25 at lunch time, we could split 1 adult meal and 2 kids meals between all of us. Not a bad price at all for lunch for 4. (Hamburger stands, etc. within the park.)

I don't think a lot of character meals are neccessary either, I think that kids enjoy just seeing and meeting the characters and posing for photos with them right in the park. It sounded like you had more than one character breakfast booked, so maybe cutting some out, leaving one would be o.k.

We're doing this on a budget as well, for our next trip... [so, you're not alone. ]

Good luck!!

P.S. Customs stopped us on our way back to Canada and asked us if we had any long rope in our bags... I said no, then we all realized that it was the Indiana Jones long rubber snake. I'll have to remember to let them know about souvenirs like that in the future.

 

[chrissiecutie]

It's so hard to decide, isn't it!

In planning our trip for 3, 2 adults and DS (like you!), I tried to remember what was most important. Would I rather have lots of little things or a couple big things? DH (gasp!) is not a fan of Disney. Don't flame me people! So I know he won't be buying any souvies. More for DS and I!

I agree with you Sarah, just skip the outlet store completely! Spend it all in the parks and get what you truly want! Personally my son could care less about getting everyone's autograph. However I had a t-shirt custom made, check out zazzle.com, and plan on having the characters autograph that. Personally, that will mean more then an autograph book. I also bought the parade light up thingys on ebay, party stores and the dollar stores. DS doesn't know about them and he's still young enough that I'll be able to fool him, do what you gotta do, right?

We really don't need all those little things and I would rather not try and lug it all home! I do plan on letting my son pick out a stuffed animal, the potato head pieces look neat (we are bringing "the head" from home and just buying the pieces), and will probably get him a t-shirt or sweatshirt. We will splurge on special treats at the vendors/carts and just enjoy being there!

Just a side note, you may want to plan on more for food. I budgeted for the 3 of us eating as counter service for 2 meals and our 1 character meal and snacks and it came out to $55-65/day depending on where we ate. This was also considering that we would pack in most of my son's food. I can't imagine how you would only spend $200 for 5 days! Wish I could!
Have you tried checking out the menus at allears.net or themouseforless.com? They list prices and that should help you figure out a realistic budget.

Best of luck, you'll have a great time!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well the out let store we are also trying to get some christmas stuff for family 9cheaper then in the park)

tho we will do minnies and goofys and maybe storytellers and maybe we should just give up princess meal at least for now.

my son has a cool hat but didnt get his name embroyed on it last time. (im not sure if he will want the light up one or if we should take this one and get his name on it.
if we took all our spending money down 25 dollers (75 each) then id save 100
and my son really isnt gona get everything he wants he is gona have a little card with 20 on it just for him to spend what he wants (the other i have planed. lego shop mr potato head shop and a toy of some kind (tho he will have just got his bday gift the sleeping buety set with dragon form of melifcent he will have that with him)

also if we cancle the princess we save 32 couse i wont want to get the pic lol we did go last year and do have the nice pic and frame.
I will get the goofys one becosue thats his bday dinner party

The cab wont cost to much i have my taxi money over estmated so im safe there.

What dose every one think of storytellers is it worth it?

 

[usschmidt]

Here's how we save money:

• take a reusable bottle and refill it with water
• don't buy snacks/drinks in the park...I know they're delicious, but not a necessity imo
• only $50 per person for souvenirs...if someone wants to spend more, s/he has to find their own $...that includes mom and dad (why do you think I put things on craigslist)
• only 1 sit down meal per day...the rest is either food in the motel or from somewhere on Harbor

I know not everyone subscribes to my way of doing things...and that's ok. It's just how we've chosen to do it.

 

[dizneekrazee]

I agree, skip the outlet store. Get a t shirt as PP mentioned, and get the characters to sign that. We only do 1 character meal each trip, whether we can afford it or not, cause we rather get more goodies in the park than another meal with characters. Right now, we cannot afford 2 character meals, so we are just doing Storytellers the day we head home.

If you are referring to those light chaser things kids use, that they used to sell in the Disney Stores, I would most definately check ebay. Actually I have a few that I could list if you were interested, and guess what, I have a one. And a couple others too, but only "boy" ones. They usually run about $13.92 at DL for them, (we just processed 2 returned ones, that is why I have the price). The ones I have are from the Disney Store, I bought them for my boys the last trip, and forgot to pack them. Never gave them to them, and quite frankly, dont want to give them to them because the 2 little ones throw them at each other. PM me if interested.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

im saying 25 for 1 meal a day (5.99 kids meal and me and DH shareing chicken strips and small things or frys and stuff. ) then another 15 or 20 a day on small snacks.
Drinks we will have from vons. snacks we will have from vons. One day like monday afternoon we will order 2 big pizzas and have left overs diering our stay (i love pizza culd eat it all week lol)

We have decied not to do rainforest cafe at this time if something changes we will.
We are also going to eat at white water snacks once. and mimis

I may look at a few sites for the shirt and auto books maybe just maybe we would move that trip around and not go but we thought we could find things there posbily that we would of got at world disney and in park for cheaper.
we also have a 10% coupon for that place

 

[missxjess]

However I had a t-shirt custom made, check out zazzle.com, and plan on having the characters autograph that. Personally, that will mean more then an autograph book

I have never thought of that for DL, that is a GREAT, GREAT idea. I LOVE to have my souvenirs on display for everyone to see and getting a shirt photographed would be great for display purposes! Thanks for the idea.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

also walmart had a huge bag of light up sticks last year 5dollers grandma got it i will this year its grate on bus and in hotle and park..he knows he gets one light up toy from the parks ONE night we are there. he picks one and thats it. Last year he picked the star wand (girly but he still loves it and was 10dollers) so i always have that budgeted in it.

we will eat one meal a day (who knows we may only do goofys his dinner bday and minnies (DH's fav meal)

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well warehouse is crossed off DH said ok
and he just informed me he wants the light up hat lol well i had known that but thought maybe hed use his old one instead..lol (its the micky sorcey hat, now he wants the light up star one

 

[DangerMouse]

And as another example -- here's how we save money (2 adults, 3 kids):

No character meals Seriously, we can live w/o them and still have an excellent DLR experience.

Eat breakfast in the room (cereal, milk, oatmeal, fruit, etc)

Pack lunches into the park. Allow 2 snack items (churro, dole whip, etc.) per person per day.

Budget for one meal in the parks per day (either counter service or PS at Carnation Cafe which is much more affordable than a character meal, and Oscar is one of the BEST characters in DLR!). Usually, it's an early dinner, and then we snack later with stuff I have brought into the parks.

Each child gets 1 souvenier bought at DLR and they get it on the last day of our trip. I cap the price at $35 per kid. If they want something more expensive, they need to spend their money on it. Adults don't get souvies -- just tired feet and happy memories!

I honestly couldn't imagine doing 3 or 4 character meals in one trip. Our family really just doesn't think it's worth the money and would rather be experiencing the magic inside the parks.

This is the only way we manage to do family trips annually. If I were to present my dh with a budget plan of over $1200 for a DLR trip I think he'd faint. I've spoiled him by being frugal, and now he expects it. But at least I continue to get my DLR fix, so it's a win/win situation for us.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm a big fan of pre-buying souvenirs, if I can do it. Disneyshopping.com has a good outlet, and it seems they are always having some sort of sale. So definitely check out their outlet, and if you have a Disney store nearby, go to that b/c I hear they have good sales too.

Definitely pm dizneekrazee, she's got light spinners! Anything you can bring in and surprise your son with, so he doesn't even have to ask for something (and it sounds like he's good about NOT asking for things, which helps), will be very fun.

Autograph books aren't that expensive. I think the blue ones with the picture spot next to it are $12? I think I've mentioned it before, but make sure you take the pictures for it on the horizontal, or they won't fit.

I've looked into a store on ebay where she customizes autograph books with fabric covers and she has a matching bag, but it comes out to about the same cost as just buying a book at Disneyland. (and most of the ones at disney have pens that go with it)

I thought Storytellers had good food, and the little character interaction we had was nice. There weren't many characters b/c we were at the last b'fast seating. It's also *gorgeous*.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you're doing the princess meal just to see the princesses, I would cancel that and do the PFF instead since it's free and you'll still get to see princesses there. That could save a lot of money and there is another place where you can get the princess interaction.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well what you must understand about the charcter meals i know there alot but they are our one meal that day we sit down
so heres what we have decied since i started this post that saves money.
dont do the outlet store. we could get the book at world of disney. and maybe that shirt will be there i want to replace.

We are not doing the princess in less something changes (still prays)
I have pmed and will see about the light spin up things that may help big time.

Yes hes good about not asking. the only thing he gets I wants about is at walmart we get these small figuers with two in a box for 6dollers and when theres two or three new ones he dosnet have he wants all to add to his other marvel heros lol

We know alot of food will be done in hotle room witch is ok for us.

Now question should we do BB montor cristo or the other place and is it cheaper?
(we really want to do the bb desert at least but if i can save by not doing the whole lunch there maybe worth it)

we are still trying to figuer out how to dress up as pirates with out spending so much there (i have a pink eye patch and the pirate hat i had last year we could get one for DHG wasnt much at all. and a pirate hat for DS (he wants a peg leg and parot on his shoulder i said i didnt think he could have that lol)

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I've had the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans. I've had cheaper sit down places in the parks, but if you want the Monte Cristo, it should be cheaper there than in BB.

Have you tried looking at a secondhand store for stuff like a stuffed parrot? You may be able to find one there for around $1-2.

 

[Joy2theWorld]

If you have most of your meals in the room, won't you waste a lot of time going back and forth?
Also, there are other meals that you can sit down and enjoy besides the character meals. I'd probably do BB instead of one of the character meals just for the better ambience and food. $100 isn't all that much between now and October. Isn't there something you can cut out of your regular budget that would make up for that $100?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

nope about the 100 ive already done my budget over and over (and im not even counting that by time we go from my ex and saveings i should have 150 extra that im not even counting yet)

we are going back to the hotle every after noon we dont spend all day in parks we have set times and are back by lunch time..and we will eat late dinners or snacks at hotle since every night close by 8 or 9 or 12 the sunday we get there)

I think we will get the desert at bb now for snack (yummy excpinsve snack and then do later lunch or dinner at cafeOrleans. for the Monte Cristo.

I loved the bangle BBq last time i was there

 

[Mycutekitties]

WOW that's a bunch of character meals! We usually don't do any because we can save $ and go more often. They are so expensive and my kids don't miss out at all!
Have fun!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

hehe even my dh was saying 4 was alot. now these two are plenty/ goofys for bday party and minnies couse breakfast isnt to much and we had the best time last time there my dh love loved the charcter interaction there