When you say "renting a villa," do you mean a DVC villa or an offsite hotel?
Wait. Are you paying $700 for the 3 of you to go to Universal for one day? That's insanity, or else I'm missing something?
If you must do HP this trip, pick one of the two parks and save yourself $400.
offsite house, and we've already made a deposit on that so we can't change that
Oo. Ok. I just had the idea that it might be cheaper to cut a day off your villa or room and stay at one of the Universal hotels that give you express passes for the night before you go to Universal - the price difference may not be as much as you would be saving buying the express passes.
I didn't mean to sound snarky. I truly was shocked at the price.
It sounds like you really don't want to change the trip you have planned. If this is the trip you can truly afford, maybe it would be easier to cut $1500 after the vacation (birthdays,anniversary, Christmas). DH may stress less if he knows you are going to save some money after your trip. If you have overspent, which is easy to do...you might have to make some sacrifices.
The only thing I can come up with that has not already been suggested is see if you can find a friend or family member to drive you to the airport and pick you up. That would save $81.
As PP suggested find some discount Disney Gift Cards to purchase your food with. Not sure if Target is still allowing the 5% with the Red Card but that would be a great way to save a little on your budget.
One thing I don't see in your budget is souvenirs. With a 7 yo I would say you would definitely want to allow some money for that, unless of course he has his own money for that.
Exactly what I thought. She doesn't want to cut or change anything and have people tell her it can't be done so she can tell hubby, 'see, we can't possibly save any money!'It sounds like you really don't want to change the trip you have planned. If this is the trip you can truly afford, maybe it would be easier to cut $1500 after the vacation (birthdays,anniversary, Christmas). DH may stress less if he knows you are going to save some money after your trip. If you have overspent, which is easy to do...you might have to make some sacrifices.