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

[DawnM]

well, you didn't say, "Oh, and I am not open to changing ANY of my plans." That is the frustration.

 

[N8sgirl12]

I echo others who say to pack some of your own food. Disney is great about allowing food and drinks to be brought in. I would cut out a bunch of your ADR's and eat breakfast in the room or in the car on the way to the park. Pack PB&J and snacks to bring in for lunch. Eat a mixture of counter service and TS meals. This can save you several hundred and honestly not affect the quality of your vacation. I actually love bringing food in. You can eat when you get hungry, you don't have to deal with carrying trays and finding tables at crowded quick service locations, and it's a huge money saver.

I would also drop Universal and do Disney instead if cost is a huge factor. A few extra days at Disney will cost you a fraction of the amount of your tickets at Universal. But that's just me...Universal doesn't appeal to me so I'm biased that way.

 

[englishteacha]

We once tried to plan a trip like yours...a few days at Disney, a couple at Universal...and found it cost too much. We ended up doing two separate trips. For the future, that might be a wise way for you to go. I LOVE Harry Potter and really enjoy the Universal parks. We went for a short trip in January over MLK day weekend and had a wonderful time. We only did Universal and stayed at Cabana Bay (btw, unless things have changed, you DON'T get express passes at CB. You do get early entry to certain areas, though.). It was cheaper to do this separate trip than to add Universal time to a Disney vacation, even figuring in airfare twice! We spent 3 full days at Universal parks, a day at SeaWorld with my niece (we kind of regret that...we would have had a better time hanging out at the pool! It was crazy busy at SW that day), and had some pool and relaxing dining time. It really was super.

Enjoy your trip. Now you have some ideas for the future!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I'm not understanding. Was your DH not involved in the original plan? is my math right that he now wants you to cut the budget by 30%?

I agree with this post. If it were me, I'd cut out Universal, not have all the sit down meals and stay at a less expensive hotel. pre-flight.

I agree, That is really high, the added days at Disney are a fraction of the price at Universal, then the express pass cost added on top. My head would spin with the extra expenditures.
The hotel the night before is crazy high, you can stay other places even with a shuttle that will be less. But, why all the table service and at BOG? I can see 1 breakfast if you must or one dinner, but there is a ton of money being spent on table service meals.

We eat well but limit it to a breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and Lunch at Sci Fi and that is really all I can get the kids to sit at. They like the Harbour house, Flame tree, a few places at MK, even Caseys for a hot dog waiting for the parade.

I've planned trips that were $1,500 not counting out tickets which were left from the day before. I have a great appreciation of money and spending it on vacations after living on $75 a week when I was divorced and working PT with kids. I'd rather have it in my retirement fund then vacation fund.

Wonder what made him think the budget was being busted? Is he like that with home improvements? Other vacations? Last time I saw a husband flip and cut cost when they got back home he told her he was leaving and filing for a divorce. NOT saying that is what is going on, but maybe something at work has him fearing a cut or the bills are escalating, he is thinking of your retirement years in the future etc.

 

[Kacie]

OP -- you can save on airport parking. You don't have to park AT the airport; you can park at some of the nearby places and they shuttle you. I used ParkRideFlyUSA dot com from Indy for our last trip and used a coupon code (10% off) when I prebooked. It was covered parking, a shuttle and they offered me a free newspaper and bottle of water. Ok! Shop around your parking for sure!

 

[Kacie]

Well, we don't know the OP's financial situation -- it could be a tighter budget, or it could be plenty of room and maybe her husband is like "does it absolutely need to have this price tag, or is there room?"

In my own experience, we can afford a nice vacation BUT we want to make sure that our extra expenses are adding value to our experience. We want to be intentional with our spending. Maybe he just needed it spelled out that if we want to take a trip that looks like this, this is what it will cost and if we want to make some cuts, this is what it would look like.

 

[Kalliope]

Ditch the Hyatt. There is a 3* hotel on Hotwire right now for 10/20 that is $63 ($78 with taxes and fees) at the airport with a 90% approval rating and includes breakfast and a shuttle. Savings: $206.


Your total for your other 7 nights is $1324 including car rental and parking. That's the equivalent of $167 per night at a Disney resort. I just spent $114 per night to stay at Coronado Springs in July so $167 would have been totally doable. I also think your villa is overpriced as I've paid the same for a full week over Christmas in the same area. Heck, I once paid $412 for a full week in a condo over spring break.

I assume that you're not interested in canceling the villa because of the lost deposit, so you're stuck with it. You car rental rate is pretty good for 8 days and you can't do anything about theme park parking so those are both good. I would cancel the beach resort (I assume you can cancel) and stay around Orlando with a day trip to the beach. Clearwater beach is beautiful and about 2 hours away. So, you're looking for a place on the 18-19. Can you add to your house at a reduced rate? If the days are still available the owner may strike a deal with you to fill those days. If not, you can book at All Star Sports on Orbitz using the 15% off code "SAYYAY" for those nights for $184.81. Ditch the beach: Savings: $100.

Day trip to Clearwater beach, save on one days worth of parking: Savings $17.


I don't know what you were thinking when you pre-purchased $240 worth of photos, but that too is water under the bridge. Frankly, I think $655 for ONE day at Universal is completely insane. $445 is almost as insane. Your son is 7, not 17. He won't be able to ride any of the big rides. Seriously, WDW is a better place for him for a few more years. Ditch Universal: Savings: $655.

As you know, the more days you go to Disney, the cheaper it becomes. You can book 3 5-day tickets via Mousesaver's link to Undercover Tourist (adding 2 extra days) for $941: Additional cost: $106


Cancel every single one of those breakfasts. You have a full kitchen for most of the time goodness sakes! A breakfast at BOG will set you back $55 each. Ditch BOG Breakfasts: Savings: $110.
The Fantasmic! package is not worth it. You can find a perfectly nice seats without it. Ditch Mama Melrose Fantasmic! Package: Savings: $95
Choose TRex or Rainforest Cafe but not both as they are the same experience. You can get a Landry's $50 gift card from Raise.com for $38.00. Savings: $12.

Keep Sci Fi (it's fun!) & BOG dinner. CS meals without drinks or dessert are about $11 per adult and $6 per child so you should budget about $28-$30 per CS meal.

Total savings by ditching the Hyatt, the beach resort, Universal, BOG breakfasts, Fantasmic! package and getting a Landry's voucher: $1195. Additional costs for 3 extra WDW days: $106. TOTAL SAVINGS: $1,089

That's not your $1500 since you have prepaid way to many things (your photopasses and your party would have made up the difference) but it's still a lot!

ETA: If you want 6 days worth of WDW tickets they are $982 through UT or $41 more total for the extra day. You may also be able to "price bridge" the tickets once you are there for about $32 but I don't think that the $9 savings would be worth it.

Great suggestions and similar to what I posted earlier. Like I suspected, she isn't interested.

 

[Marionnette]

Great suggestions and similar to what I posted earlier. Like I suspected, she isn't interested.

Yes, it became apparent after the first follow-up post by the OP. She doesn't want to cut costs if it also means compromising her plans, even when others have indicated that some of her spending is unnecessary (as in the Express Pass at Universal). I think that she was more interested in showing her husband that it wasn't possible to economize and he just needs to suck it up and pay.

BTW, awesome suggestions from a lot of people on this thread. Even if it was no help to the OP, you probably helped someone else.

 

[Marshmelo]

Well, we don't know the OP's financial situation -- it could be a tighter budget, or it could be plenty of room and maybe her husband is like "does it absolutely need to have this price tag, or is there room?"

In my own experience, we can afford a nice vacation BUT we want to make sure that our extra expenses are adding value to our experience. We want to be intentional with our spending. Maybe he just needed it spelled out that if we want to take a trip that looks like this, this is what it will cost and if we want to make some cuts, this is what it would look like.

Precisely

 

[robinb]

Yes, it became apparent after the first follow-up post by the OP. She doesn't want to cut costs if it also means compromising her plans, even when others have indicated that some of her spending is unnecessary (as in the Express Pass at Universal). I think that she was more interested in showing her husband that it wasn't possible to economize and he just needs to suck it up and pay.

Precisely

 

[DawnM]

Well, we don't know the OP's financial situation -- it could be a tighter budget, or it could be plenty of room and maybe her husband is like "does it absolutely need to have this price tag, or is there room?"

In my own experience, we can afford a nice vacation BUT we want to make sure that our extra expenses are adding value to our experience. We want to be intentional with our spending. Maybe he just needed it spelled out that if we want to take a trip that looks like this, this is what it will cost and if we want to make some cuts, this is what it would look like.

It doesn't matter what her financial situation is. She titled the thread to imply she wanted to cut the cost of her trip by $1500. That is what we are ALL trying to help her with.

 

[sk!mom]

I admit I'm perplexed. The OP wants to save money but she rejects cancelling one thing that would save 43% of her goal. I just don't get it. It seems like such a 'no brainer' to me. Then again, I have never spent $655 for a single day of entertainment and I have been to WDW dozens of times and have travelled all around the world.

I've been to Universal 3 times- twice since Potterworld opened. There is no way it is worth that one day cost to me. Geez, what if it rains?

Yes, it became apparent after the first follow-up post by the OP. She doesn't want to cut costs if it also means compromising her plans, even when others have indicated that some of her spending is unnecessary (as in the Express Pass at Universal). I think that she was more interested in showing her husband that it wasn't possible to economize and he just needs to suck it up and pay.

Completely agree! This reminds me of the "help me convince my DH to go to Disney for the 14th straight year when he's begging for something different" threads. Basically, "I don't really care what he wants."

To the OP, have you shared this thread and all the suggestions with your DH? Are you giving any respect to his stress/concern over spending so much?

Honestly, if my partner was so concerned with the cost that he wanted me to cut that much, I'd be trying to make some cuts rather than saying "nope, I want my trip as I want it." Especially when as this thread shows, you truly are spending WAY more than necessary in many areas. Your DH is correct, you could have an awesome trip for much less. I completely understand feeling like, "yes we can afford it but is it ridiculous to spend so much more than necessary for this trip?"

My compromise with my DH would be, yes let's see if we can make some cuts and put the savings toward our next vacation.

 

[brazzledazzler]

I'm not seeing an extra $1500 there, but I do recommend this to estimate your meal expenses:

http://www.distripplanner.com

$800 actually seems low to me, but this calculator is really helpful.

I agreed with this comment. Your pricing for food, based on where you are eating at WDW is extremely low. Have you looked at the prices on WDW website, they have the menus for all those restaurants you have listed to give you an idea of how much you are spending. To give you an idea, when DH & I got to Disney: We eat our own breakfast in the room, have a Table Service Lunch, and then have a QS dinner/Snack; or We eat our breakfast in our room, and have QS Lunch & QS dinner; We bring snacks into the park & bottles of water, and don't always order a soda with a meal. We average about $90 a day. Your summary shows you eating at a LOT of Table Services meals, multiples times a day, as well as eating out for breakfast, your meal costs area really not accurate. I think that the distripplanner listed above is a FANTASTIC tool. Good luck on cutting down costs and have a great time on your trip!

 

[DawnM]

"help me convince my DH to go to Disney for the 14th straight year when he's begging for something different" threads. Basically, "I don't really care what he wants."

When we moved from SoCal to NC the stipulation I had was that we do Disney at least once per year. It was an agreement/compromise to get me to move.

Honestly, if my partner was so concerned with the cost that he wanted me to cut that much, I'd be trying to make some cuts rather than saying "nope, I want my trip as I want it." Especially when as this thread shows, you truly are spending WAY more than necessary in many areas. Your DH is correct, you could have an awesome trip for much less. I completely understand feeling like, "yes we can afford it but is it ridiculous to spend so much more than necessary for this trip?"

My compromise with my DH would be, yes let's see if we can make some cuts and put the savings toward our next vacation.

However, we HAVE to do Disney as cheap as possible or DH will not enjoy it. I will argue that we have just as much fun as everyone who pays more. For us, it is about the parks, not about the character meals (we did that when the kids were still allowed kids' prices!) and not about the hotel. So we stay off site for $50/night for a 4 bedroom townhouse and commute in. We get YES tickets when we can, we eat a lot of our own food, we have come down when DH had a conference and it could be covered by his work (gas), etc.....we make it work.

 

[sk!mom]

I agreed with this comment. Your pricing for food, based on where you are eating at WDW is extremely low. Have you looked at the prices on WDW website, they have the menus for all those restaurants you have listed to give you an idea of how much you are spending. To give you an idea, when DH & I got to Disney: We eat our own breakfast in the room, have a Table Service Lunch, and then have a QS dinner/Snack; or We eat our breakfast in our room, and have QS Lunch & QS dinner; We bring snacks into the park & bottles of water, and don't always order a soda with a meal. We average about $90 a day. Your summary shows you eating at a LOT of Table Services meals, multiples times a day, as well as eating out for breakfast, your meal costs area really not accurate. I think that the distripplanner listed above is a FANTASTIC tool. Good luck on cutting down costs and have a great time on your trip!

OP, As many have pointed out, if you stick with your current meal plans, you are very likely to go over budget in that area. If your DH is already concerned with the cost, how is the real cost of food going to go over with him?

 

[kdzgon]

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?

.....

I agree with this sentiment, expressed by many, in different ways. Seems to me anyone asking to cut $1500 from the budget this late in the game can't really afford the trip you planned. There were many ways to save before making the commitments you did (eg, picture packages are nice, but virtually all the photographers will also snap a photo with your own camera). Spending so much to have a harried trip to multiple large scale theme parks is not only overkill, but a very expensive way to go. It would likely be more enjoyable and definitely a lot less expensive to slow down and take some time to explore whichever set of parks you might choose.

That said, seems to me you have no wish and no intention of changing much of anything. I sincerely wish you a wonderful experience, especially considering the cost. Your choices are what they are, so now look ahead and find plenty of enjoyment every day of your trip!

 

[12disneybee]

May i ask why your packing so much into such a short time? Why the beach and 2 major theme parks? And your 7 year can handle all of this? Sounds exhausting... universal the way you are doing it is not going to be pleasant especially if it's hot! Trust me. 2 days minimum for Universal, to really enjoy it, your plan is exhausting and ridiculously expensive. Cut out Universal and make that a special trip in itself.

 

[nacho113]

To the OP: I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this already but Universal has their Halloween Horror Nights running at this time of year. When we were there last October, the park closed down early (I believe at 5:00pm to get ready for the evening event). You may want to check the park hours on the day you plan to attend US/IOA, you may find that it's an incredibly short park day as we did.
We had planned to stay until the posted closing time of 9:00pm but unless you had the HHN passes, you were ousted at 5:00. Fortunately Guest Services allowed us to upgrade our tickets to season pass tickets at a very reasonable cost ($22 each from a 2 day P2P ticket) so we returned later in the week (and later in the year also)

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

To the OP: I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this already but Universal has their Halloween Horror Nights running at this time of year. When we were there last October, the park closed down early (I believe at 5:00pm to get ready for the evening event). You may want to check the park hours on the day you plan to attend US/IOA, you may find that it's an incredibly short park day as we did.
We had planned to stay until the posted closing time of 9:00pm but unless you had the HHN passes, you were ousted at 5:00. Fortunately Guest Services allowed us to upgrade our tickets to season pass tickets at a very reasonable cost ($22 each from a 2 day P2P ticket) so we returned later in the week (and later in the year also)

This is an excellent point. IOA closes at 7 on October 17, but the Studios close at 5. I would never pay for express passes at Universal because we always stay onsite, but the OP probably will find the express passes very helpful on what will surely be a very busy day. A Saturday night HHN will almost certainly sell out.

I would still rearrange the trip to spend some time onsite at Universal - it is such a better experience. I would much rather upgrade to multi-day tickets and stay onsite than spend the money on express passes that only allow for one turn on each ride.

 

[sk!mom]

This is an excellent point. IOA closes at 7 on October 17, but the Studios close at 5. I would never pay for express passes at Universal because we always stay onsite, but the OP probably will find the express passes very helpful on what will surely be a very busy day. A Saturday night HHN will almost certainly sell out.

I would still rearrange the trip to spend some time onsite at Universal - it is such a better experience. I would much rather upgrade to multi-day tickets and stay onsite than spend the money on express passes that only allow for one turn on each ride.

Oh wow! That makes the day so much more costly- $700 for a short day. This would would be one more reason for me to nix Universal this trip or at least change to a less crowded day if I was determined to cram it in.

The OP's DH probably better get ready to add Universal Halloween Party tickets to the budget though.