DH wants me to cut budget by $1500??!!

[teller80]

I get it. DH always bug eyes a little when he sees how much our trips are going to cost. He has no idea how much things at Disney cost. Then he's the one who wants to do the Dining Plan, because he likes the convenience.

Obviously I have no idea what your overall financial situation looks like, but one thing that has really helped for our upcoming trip is that I decided to create a complete budget a few month ago. Every dollar of income is accounted for in the budget, and in order to purchase something outside of the monthly limits or previous savings, the money has to come from somewhere else in the budget. So we can see exactly what our spending affects on a daily basis. So if we overspend on eating out every month, then we can see that at some point our vacation fund, or house down payment fund would suffer.
Before, we were just arbitrarily allocating money from our savings to go towards whatever we wanted at the time. We would look at the total amount of money in our bank account and think we were doing great. Then DH would freak out a little whenever our account balance went below a certain point, or we had to make a purchase that was more than around $500. Anyway...now that every dollar is assigned a specific purchase it's less stressful, because he can see that we have an emergency fund saved completely separate from our vacation fund.
When he came to me a few weeks ago and suggested that we take a vacation before he leaves for his deployment in October, I thought it wouldn't be possible, because there was only $2000 in that fund. However, once I added in 2 more months of contributions and a few other things, I got the amount up to a place where we can take a comfortable vacation. He's not stressed about it at all! He actually suggested that we 'upgrade' our hotel when I told him how much extra money we'd have available if we stayed at a Value resort.

Anyway...I'm glad you showed him the numbers, and agreed that there were certain things you weren't willing to compromise for the sake of saving a few dollars.

This sounds like the Dave Ramsey method, which I think is smart. Congrats to you, and well wishes to you husband. Thank him for serving our country for me.

 

[danceintherain]

This sounds like the Dave Ramsey method, which I think is smart. Congrats to you, and well wishes to you husband. Thank him for serving our country for me.

It is kind of...we didn't really have any debt, so we got to skip that part. We also use YouNeedaBudget, which has been awesome, because we can both track all our spending immediately with our phones. Better accountability that way.

 

[Misha72683]

My issue with your trip isn't the cost, but that it sounds utterly exhausting. As another poster commented, you're trying to do 3 vacations in one. Cost aside, it just seems like too much. I haven't been too Disney yet, but my SIL went last year and then did Universal as a weekend several months later (coming from Toronto) and commented that she was glad to do them seperately. They were different experiences and by doing it the way she did she was able to enjoy both to their full ability. Her children were 9 and 11 at the time of travel.

If you cut Universal out of this trip and save $655 (plus food and parking), could you put it towards a shorter trip next year? That would at least cover the plane tickets for anothet trip and in a year you could save up the rest of the costs for a shorter, more relaxed universal trip and this would let you focus on Disney and the beach.

 

[Tink2Day]

Bad idea to mention Universal on a Dis centric board. Really people, no need for some of these responses. I'm a Disney shareholder (so it is money out of my pocket) and I wouldn't even think of writing some of these hateful and snarky comments, some people are taking this far too personally.
I'd totally do Universal/IoA. Some of us live so far away from Florida that we've got to do it all as we may never make it back (none of us know what fate holds in store for us). If OP is financially ok and hubby is just being cheap then she may have just wanted backup on the 'stop being a cheapskate and wanting what you want' situation.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Bad idea to mention Universal on a Dis centric board. Really people, no need for some of these responses. I'm a Disney shareholder (so it is money out of my pocket) and I wouldn't even think of writing some of these hateful and snarky comments, some people are taking this far too personally.
I'd totally do Universal/IoA. Some of us live so far away from Florida that we've got to do it all as we may never make it back (none of us know what fate holds in store for us). If OP is financially ok and hubby is just being cheap then she may have just wanted backup on the 'stop being a cheapskate and wanting what you want' situation.

On the contrary, I think most of the posters who have mentioned Universal have said that it is worth more than the single day the OP has allotted and that the experience of the Universal resorts and parks is worth extending that portion of the trip, even at the expense of the beach, or doing as a separate trip entirely.

We have done Disney/Universal as one trip, and some years we only do Disney and others we only do Universal. Disney/Universal together is exhausting but doable, but I would prefer to spend several days at the Universal resorts and parks instead of one day trying to do both parks. The OPs family might be able to do most of the rides, but there is no way they will have time for the beauty and intricacy of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Seuss Landing in a one day trip. They might be fine with that since they haven't been before. We went to Universal for four days on our last trip and I somehow still missed Kreacher in the window at 12 Grimmauld Place. It just depends what kind of experience you want.

 

[Marshmelo]

Bad idea to mention Universal on a Dis centric board. Really people, no need for some of these responses. I'm a Disney shareholder (so it is money out of my pocket) and I wouldn't even think of writing some of these hateful and snarky comments, some people are taking this far too personally.
I'd totally do Universal/IoA. Some of us live so far away from Florida that we've got to do it all as we may never make it back (none of us know what fate holds in store for us). If OP is financially ok and hubby is just being cheap then she may have just wanted backup on the 'stop being a cheapskate and wanting what you want' situation.

Thank you!!! Hateful and snarky indeed. I am about done with this thread and sorry I posted it!

 

[Sytrace]

Have a wonderful vacation
Seeing Disney and Universal (and the beach) thru the eyes of a child is amazing!

I am sure you probably know this but just in case, the Gulf of Mexico (St. Pete Beach) will be slightly warmer than the Atlantic Ocean (Cocoa Beach) the water will be closer to 75 -80 degrees as compared to what it is right now. Not incredibly warm, but not freezing either. Sometimes in October we have some balmy days especially on the Gulf side of the state. It really starts getting "chilly" around Halloween with cool temperatures at night. Since you are coming earlier in October you should be just fine.

Just as a heads up, the sand on the Gulf is light and silky and the Atlantic has a more course sand. I hope you can get some pails at Target or Walmart before hitting the beach. Lots of sand castle building to be done. There is nothing like waking up to the sounds of the surf and gulls.

Enjoy!

 

[Tink2Day]

On the contrary, I think most of the posters who have mentioned Universal have said that it is worth more than the single day the OP has allotted and that the experience of the Universal resorts and parks is worth extending that portion of the trip, even at the expense of the beach, or doing as a separate trip entirely.

We have done Disney/Universal as one trip, and some years we only do Disney and others we only do Universal. Disney/Universal together is exhausting but doable, but I would prefer to spend several days at the Universal resorts and parks instead of one day trying to do both parks. The OPs family might be able to do most of the rides, but there is no way they will have time for the beauty and intricacy of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Seuss Landing in a one day trip. They might be fine with that since they haven't been before. We went to Universal for four days on our last trip and I somehow still missed Kreacher in the window at 12 Grimmauld Place. It just depends what kind of experience you want.

Yes, but to me Disney isn't relaxing for most people who only go for a week or less... so might as well have a blast doing everything you can and have a vacation from your vacation when you get home.

• I did all 4 Disney parks and IoA in 4 days, MVMCP, Fantasia and the Osborne Lights, the F&W 2 times (once on a Friday night), illuminations etc, etc. Yes I was tired, but it was a last minute trip and I didn't fly 6.5 hours each way to waste a minute. (and I'm 'older' well maybe much older, I have an almost 19 year old grandson. yep I'm definitely a senior citizen). Although come to think of it I even had time to sit on a park bench and enjoy a couple of Mickey Bars and people watch.

However I think if you read some of the comments I may be referring to, they almost all said to opt out of Uni/IoA, without qualifying it and frankly seemed rather belligerent about it. I see that a LOT on these upper Disney boards/forums.

 

[deide71]

Yes, but to me Disney isn't relaxing for most people who only go for a week or less... so might as well have a blast doing everything you can and have a vacation from your vacation when you get home.

• I did all 4 Disney parks and IoA in 4 days, MVMCP, Fantasia and the Osborne Lights, the F&W 2 times (once on a Friday night), illuminations etc, etc. Yes I was tired, but it was a last minute trip and I didn't fly 6.5 hours each way to waste a minute. (and I'm 'older' well maybe much older, I have an almost 19 year old grandson. yep I'm definitely a senior citizen). Although come to think of it I even had time to sit on a park bench and enjoy a couple of Mickey Bars and people watch.

However I think if you read some of the comments I may be referring to, they almost all said to opt out of Uni/IoA, without qualifying it and frankly seemed rather belligerent about it. I see that a LOT on these upper Disney boards/forums.

I think you are seeing what you want to see, not what is actually there. I recommended dropping Disney park days and adding Universal park days, as did several others in this thread. I feel your comments are not only a misrepresentation, but pretty snarky and belligerent also. Pot...meet kettle.

 

[Eastern]

I don't think people are trying to be snarky, it's just that from their perspective, it seems very simplistic in terms of 'how to save' money. I know that for me, the problem would easily be solved by several methods, including decreasing days (drop beach days), dropping memory maker (take your own pictures), dropping express pass, or only doing one park. Even if I can afford to spend X amount of dollars, doesn't mean I think I should do it. And here, your husband is asking to decrease the budget, so you could easily drop various line items from your itinerary. It seems that you really don't want to deviate from your plan, and that's ok, but don't be surprised if people seem perplexed.

We haven't done Universal in years because I always find that it adds a lot to my total cost for only a few days. We are doing it this year, and it is pricey, but the kids want to do HP world and it's just expensive.

 

[bumbershoot]

(+$210 for express passes)
MCO Hyatt hotel night before flight $216
parking at our local airport $81

OK I've narrowed this down based on the things you've stated (not as clearly as perhaps you think?) you don't now feel the need to change.

Express Passes. The ones you purchase give you ONE time on the rides. They do NOT work on Pteranodon Flyers, Gringott's, Forbidden Journey, the Ollivander's shows, Hogwart's Express, and supposedly Kang and Kodo's Twirl and Hurl. (but I swear I saw a EP sign there)

With the photo package, you'll get the ride photos. BUT the Spiderman photo is NOT NOT NOT on the ride! It is IN the line. the NORMAL line. Not the Single Rider line, and not the EP line. You have to wait in the normal line for that photo.

Really REALLY think about if EP is necessary. Although I find onsite Deluxe stays at UO to be absolutely vital to my enjoyment, I cannot ever imagine a time I would buy EP unless I was buying unlimited EP *and* had early entry for Wizarding World.


We stayed here one night. Free chocolate chip cookies at checkin. And checkout because DS told the front desk person how much he loved them. And I think another set in there. Their shuttle was quick and easy. I would have zero problems staying there again if they were a decent amount cheaper than the MCO Hyatt.


Check out any offsite parking lots at your home airport, any shuttles from home to the airport. We have a shuttle service here that is free for kids under 13. It's definitely worth looking into.

He does not want to go without the express passes.

But does he really know what they give you guys?

counter service dinner at MNSSHP

No time should be spent eating during the party! Or not more than snacks. You have paid too much money to get in there to spend time on a meal.

This is his first trip there so I really want him to experience Universal.

As a Universal lover, I kindly tell you that that is NOT possible in a one day, 2 park, visit. If you want him to experience it, truly BE there, wait and go a little later and stay longer and onsite.

Don't get me wrong, my son went when he was 6.5 first. Then 7. Then then then. But a one-day visit doesn't give you the full experience. It's a taster.

Is it *that* big a deal to have an 8am adr in the park?

If it works, it's great. But people have been saying that BOG guests are being shunted to the BACK of the line of people getting into the park at opening.

as long as hours don't change in which case I will cancel

And it's utterly worthless if they open the park earlier, as they have been known to do, *on that day*. I'm glad that you're aware that they sometimes change hours. But they sometimes change hours on that very day. Then having an ADR is like jail. Jail with decent food, but you're still not out where you want to be, doing what you want to be doing.

I really liked BOG lunch and dinner options (vegetarian, so our options are limited), but I cannot imagine their breakfast. I'm a person who is HAPPY to bring PB&J into the parks, because my stomach just gets tired of dining out all the time, and I'd rather do that than have breakfast at BOG. Or just eat somewhere else that morning.

The Harry Potter rides are not included in Express Pass either.

Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff ARE included.

Maybe you could skip the beach hotel and stay onsite at Cabana Bay at Universal instead, you would get early entry into the parks that way.

Love that idea.

Costco has great rental car rates

This has never been my experience.

I had checked into the Universal hotels some time ago and they were all booked for the day we are planning there (it's a Saturday) anyway

If you are looking at the Saturday, it's not that they are booked, it's that during HHN season there is a 2 night minimum. If you looked at the 16th, checking out on the 17th (and you would get ALL of the benefits of being onsite for checkin AND checkout days, by the way, assuming you had 2 day tickets), it's available. Cabana Bay, 154 base rate. No Express Pass, but you get Early Entrance to one of the WW areas, which would be very helpful. RPR and PBR are more expensive, but assuming you could get out of the hotel you're at on the 16th, the total could be worth it (vs that hotel night elsewhere plus the EPs). Especially since you *could* get TWO days worth of EPs.

the way you have structured your trip with a few days in each place makes it expensive

Absolutely.

Tickets for MNSSHP are not cheap either, but if you have purchased them already, then that part is done.

Totally. Makes me sad she didn't ask for help before buying those.

The PP is right that you can enter MK at 4 pm on the party day - you should get a lot done that day.

Yes.

Once you try it, you will gladly pay extra to skip the shuttles.

We enjoyed the MCO Hyatt, but enjoyed the Doubletree, too. Now, we didn't pay for that; we were (thankfully) bumped from our flight (Superbowl 2014...DH is a lifelong Seahawks fan who was a realist and had NO expectations of them actually being in the Superbowl), BUT it just showed me that slightly-offsite-MCO is totally OK.

Also, you may not realize this, but you still need to get there early even if you have the Fantasmic package

Definitely good to let the OP know!

I really want DS to see Fantasmic without having to stand and sit around for an hour (again, ADHD).

I believe you only mentioned ADHD just before this. You know that they might be able to help with issues like that? At both parks. I'm not sure of his actual needs or if there are accommodations, or what they would be, but you can always ASK.

And as the PP said, you still have to get there early. If as they said you go inside, you get a seat, but you're still waiting.

plus DS wants to meet Beast

Finally, BOG isn't actually a character meal, so they don't guarantee the Beast at dinner. He is usually there (he was at ours), but you can't count on it.

Also very very worth knowing.

OP has an amazing rate

I agree.

As for the beach, our DS has never been to a beach and DH really wants beach time.

You're doing 3 separate vacations in just over a week! It's making me tired and I'm not even going.

If HP can't be used in the Express pass (which thank you for that info, I didn't know it was excluded) I would ditch the express pass.

It's not 100% true.

Yup! 64 in August . We were in Buzzards Bay on Cape Cod.

As an FYI if you skim your previous post it sounded like you were saying you live in FL and the beach was 64 today.

That makes the day so much more costly- $700 for a short day.

ONE park closes early. Not both. They have the UO version of a "hopper".

Yes, it is expensive, but DS is at the perfect age/interests to experience it right now and who knows if/when we will be able to go back.

11 is actually the perfect age for Universal given his HP fandom, since that's when young wizards get the invitations to Hogwarts. My sig shows that we're all still waiting! Not sure why an American kid would get an invite to the UK school, but we have a whole huge theory about how the American school would have been shut down in the early 90s from lawsuits after kids get turned into newts and spend half the school year in the infirmary etc etc. So it's really our only English-speaking choice.

The park is pretty creepy with all the props setup for the HHN already, some are covered and some are right out in the open.

They haven't had props out during the day since 2010 at least.

I think it was The Walking Dead theme last year and there were buses and trucks full of "bodies" on the streets in Universal Studios, one can only assume that were going to be setup for the after dark extravaganza.

No, that shouldn't have been. Were you there after 5? It would be interesting to post about that on the UO board to see what was up that day.

I DID try to change from going on Saturday to Wednesday, but they do not have the character breakfast on that day. I've already purchased that and it is not refundable. Not resistance.

What a bummer it's nonrefundable. Because spending time at a character meal on a ONE DAY visit is just...yeah, not my choice.

USSSA tix? Do I want to take a chance "cheating" by using tix I am not supposed to? And risk losing all that money just to save $100? Not resistance, common sense and integrity.

The person who gave you the link wasn't aware that the rules had changed last year.

Not to mention the hassle of loading/unloading all our luggage onto a shuttle twice?

We would drop off an adult and child and the bags at the hotel and the other adult would deal with the return and the shuttle. Getting to the airport for your trip home, of course, requires all of you.

I would challenge you to think hard and honestly and pretend that you have not been in 11 years, have never been with your spouse and child and this is your child's first and maybe only time there (oh, and child has never seen the ocean), and possibly your family's only chance to go. Your child is a boy about to turn 8, has ADHD and loves adventure. You have to fly from Indiana because it is a good 16 hour drive and you only have a week, plus DS would be miserable thus making everyone miserable, in a car that long. You have to go during a school break too.

What would your budget be for this possibly once in a lifetime vacation to Orlando. And please be honest with me AND yourself!

I don't take once in a lifetime trips. Too depressing.

Today we were talking about how they are probably taking out Light Motors Action to put in the Star Wars area. It makes me sad. I actually like LMA. DH said "aren't you glad you saw LMA?" And nope, the answer is NO. I would rather have never seen it than to see it leave. I'm glad I never went to The Adventurer's Club because now it's gone. We took an Alaskan cruise for the honeymoon instead of Bali or Bora Bora with the on-the-water bungalows, because especially at that time it would have been a one time thing. I don't do that.

Can you not get one night at a universal hotel for cheaper than another hotel cost + the 210 express passes?

On her Sat she can't book b/c of the limitation on weekends. She could stay over on Friday, though. There are rooms available on Friday.

So many of you have suggested spending a couple days onsite at Universal, but I don't see the savings there. I went to their site and calculated a package for 2 nights at Royal Pacific and 2 days of park tickets and the total is $1240! The cost of 2 nights at our offsite house and a day of tickets and express passes for us as I have it planned is $966. Sure, we would be getting an extra day, but would still be paying even more than the budget now. If I take it down to just one day of tickets it is still $1092. What am I missing?

No one told you to book a package!

Book room-only from here. Or a place like cheaptickets, etc. One day tickets will be the same wherever you go.

Hope you're hungry.

Holy wow! You DO understand that your very countdown mentions your son's FIRST WDW visit? "First", to me, indicates that there will be more. You focused on your list of past trips while replying, but that countdown gives a very important insight into how you're thinking of this trip. And you say that you hope your DH will agree to more trips.

Do you WANT to never go again? The person wasn't being rude saying that; they are optimistic that you will go again. How is that a bad thing???

I wouldn't even think of writing some of these hateful and snarky comments

So far I've seen one of those. And it wasn't from the people trying to help.

However I think if you read some of the comments I may be referring to, they almost all said to opt out of Uni/IoA, without qualifying it and frankly seemed rather belligerent about it. I see that a LOT on these upper Disney boards/forums.

Nope. I'm a huge Uni fan and ALL that I'm seeing is that adding on a second park (and a beach trip) to this trip is making it too expensive. That Uni should be done on a longer trip or on its own.

Before she said she won't be dropping Uni, I was going to say to drop it, too. There's just too much.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I added an extra day in the meal calculator to account for Universal. The CS meal prices there are pretty similar to wdw I figure. So the only food it didn't account for was what we will buy at store for breakfasts/snacks and meals on our beach days.

I also agree $800 seems very low unless you are doing all counter service. We had to budget $600 for the upcoming WDW portion of our land/sea vacation, and that is only three days, which includes three CS lunches, three TS dinners, and two TS breakfasts. And that budget only leaves a little bit for drinks/snacks and doesn't even include some groceries we are having delivered. You are staying much longer than we are. Rather than using a calculator, look up the menus posted online and add up the costs, including both tax and tip. I think that might give you a more accurate idea.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We went to universal for one day...arrived at the gate 40 minutes before opening. Rode every HP ride, and ate at the three broomsticks, Jarasic park, and the minions....no express lines for us...ARE YOU KIDDING. At those prices, and most likely your 7 year old won't ride the thrill rides...it cost $27 premium, $17 regular to park at universal too.

 

[Tink2Day]

So far I've seen one of those. And it wasn't from the people trying to help.




Nope. I'm a huge Uni fan and ALL that I'm seeing is that adding on a second park (and a beach trip) to this trip is making it too expensive. That Uni should be done on a longer trip or on its own.

Before she said she won't be dropping Uni, I was going to say to drop it, too. There's just too much.

Not necessarily speaking to you, but there is more than just one.

 

[Tink2Day]

I think you are seeing what you want to see, not what is actually there. I recommended dropping Disney park days and adding Universal park days, as did several others in this thread. I feel your comments are not only a misrepresentation, but pretty snarky and belligerent also. Pot...meet kettle.

Not sure what you mean. I saw everything I was able to see in a short period of time. I was on a last minute business trip with some fun thrown in. If you're referring to what I saw on this board...well I'm not the only one who saw a lot of negativity.

If the shoe doesn't fit, then...... Not sure why people who didn't address the drop Uni comment feel the need to defend it, that's not who I'm speaking to anyway.


Actually I thought your advice to the OP about the MNSSHP was right on target.

I may not have been addressing you originally about the snarkiness but your comment to me was off base and uncalled for.
There are an awful lot of snide comments.. Now to maybe be a little snarky myself....perhaps what's considered snarky is interpretive based on a 'regional' perspective.......and the OP seemed to agree with my take that a lot of the comments were over the top.

 

[Sparkly]

Bad idea to mention Universal on a Dis centric board. Really people, no need for some of these responses. I'm a Disney shareholder (so it is money out of my pocket) and I wouldn't even think of writing some of these hateful and snarky comments, some people are taking this far too personally.
I'd totally do Universal/IoA. Some of us live so far away from Florida that we've got to do it all as we may never make it back (none of us know what fate holds in store for us). If OP is financially ok and hubby is just being cheap then she may have just wanted backup on the 'stop being a cheapskate and wanting what you want' situation.

If suggesting skipping Universal is a "hateful and snarky comment", then you are clearly too personally invested in a theme park. Two sets of tickets is extortionate, cutting down to one place will save the OP quite a lot.

And yes, I enjoy both resorts equally.

 

[Tink2Day]

If suggesting skipping Universal is a "hateful and snarky comment", then you are clearly too personally invested in a theme park. Two sets of tickets is extortionate, cutting down to one place will save the OP quite a lot.

And yes, I enjoy both resorts equally.

Nope that wasn't it at all. Sorry.
I read all the comments and don't want to call out each individual but that wasn't the comment that I referred to. Even though there are ways of offering advice about dropping one park or the other that could have been put more nicely and to me it's not particularly nice to make comments that come off as putting people (OP)down.
Not sure if those comments are even still on here.

 

[Planogirl]

You could always drop the Disney part.

Seriously, check the times when (if) you go to Universal when it comes to the restaurants. The Monsters Café is seasonal and Thunder Falls Terrace (a favorite) tends to close early.

 

[NewRVLady]

I would not book a trip until all costs are figured out
$1500 is a crazy amount!
We drive- do 4 Disney days and drive home

Seriously would cut back park days- and cut a Universal simply to save$$

 

[robinb]

You could always drop the Disney part.

Seriously, check the times when (if) you go to Universal when it comes to the restaurants. The Monsters Café is seasonal and Thunder Falls Terrace (a favorite) tends to close early.

That would work too. They could add on to Universal and just go to the MK on their party ticket. It's the 3 separate vacations in one that's the main problem along with pre-paying for (IMO unnecessary) things before her DH wanted to cut costs.