Disney Budget Tips & Ideas???

[groovygirl927]

My kids are used to bringing in their own food and going to disneyland on a budget. We pack a lot of our own foods/snacks and we always drink water (ask for a cup of ice water it is free) When me and my daughter go we will split meals.

Another think I would do when I had a little extra money I would give my kids a set amount that they would carry Or I would put it in an envelope with names and carry for them. That is what they could choose to use it on snacks or souvenirs.

 

[Kalice]

We placed an order with Vons, when I signed up I got an offer for free delivery. We ordered Milk (ate Cereal in room), raisins, granola bars, mini carrots, juice boxes, apples, bananas, grapes, mac,n'cheese (inroom microwave), and some crackers. We still ended up eating in the park, but didn't need snacks.

We also took our own water bottles, we have bottles with in-built filters.

We found to meals too big to finish, so often ordered to share thus saving room for sweet treats.

We didn't hire a locker, we started early in the day, went back to the hotel for a break, put on some warmer layers and went back to the park for the night.

Our kids used money they had saved and that had been given to them by family for gifts for their other spending. It made them think before purchasing and got rid of all the "I wants!"

 

[MagicPixieDust]

Wow I love this thread - loads of good tips!

Kalice what a good suggestion to get a delivery from Vons...we won't have a car whilst in Anaheim so I will definately be looking into that for ordering some bottled water, snacks etc. I take it they were ok with delivering to your hotel and that the hotel was ok with having a delivery coming in - how did you arrange it?

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

They are the mullet of the fashion world and the Crocs of the shoe world. Horrific, no matter how functional.

I've been wracking my brain coming up with functions of a mullet

 

[tinkermomma]

Plus I'm pretty sure fanny packs are go-to Disney fashion

this is the reason I'm excited to take my daughter in her carrier part of the time. It has a built in "fanny pack" but no one's the wiser

 

[rentayenta]

I've been wracking my brain coming up with functions of a mullet

It's functions as a form of expression. It's says: I'm here to party and I mean business!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Vons delivery is the best way to go. You can try to order as many sale items as possible, as well as essentials. I get a few bottled waters and then one of those 2.5 gallon jugs with the spout for $3.50 and then just refill. Then we don't have to bring our own water bottles to the park or risk losing them (they are $20 a pop!)

Oranges, bananas, carrot sticks, etc. PB&J is always fine with my kids. Plus just plain deli turkey with string cheese (we skip the bread on that one). The biggest part is drinks (which are so crazy expensive in the parks). We get 100% juice boxes and Horizon milk boxes and just carry it in.

One word of caution: only order fruits and veggies that can't really be messed up by someone just going through the isles grabbing stuff. We ordered grapes and strawberries one time and ugh, they were gross. So be warned!

When buying meals like dinners, we always order two kids meals and one adult meal or appetizer and then all share. The steak for kids at GCH is only $14 with mashed potatoes/fries and broccoli. We get two and then something else small (like the quesadilla or a salad) and then share. DH eats a lot, but we are still fine with that amount of food for all of us.

 

[elevenisnow]

So many Great suggestions!! Thank you!! Thank you!!

on a side note: any feedback about the shuttle buses from Harbour to the park?

 

[2alwaystravel]

I was told you couldn't bring food in except for babies and those with medical conditions so thank you for the tip. We are having a family reunion this Christmas and trying to cut down the food budget. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[PinkBudgie]

What you can't bring in is glass bottles and hard sided coolers.

 

[KeroKero]

We like to buy a few Disney themed toys, games etc before we leave (never been to Disneyland though), so we don't feel the need to spend a ton on souveniers when we're at the parks.

 

[RedRosie]

I was told you couldn't bring food in except for babies and those with medical conditions so thank you for the tip. We are having a family reunion this Christmas and trying to cut down the food budget. Thanks for all the suggestions.

On our last trip, the CMs at the security check said they look for glass, alcohol, and sharp items. They did not bat an eye at our food.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Darn it. My glass decanter shaped like a knife is a nono LOL!

Yeah most places that bag check are looking for stuff like that. Really as long as you either premake your sandwiches or take stuff that comes in plastic you're cool. Make sure your knives are plastic tho lol Maybe this time we'll plan on more meals brought in. I need to reign in my budget somewhere.

 

[RedRosie]

Darn it. My glass decanter shaped like a knife is a nono LOL!

 

[PinkBudgie]

On our last trip, the CMs at the security check said they look for glass, alcohol, and sharp items. They did not bat an eye at our food.

Oh, and they check for pepper spray. One day I opened my purse and he said, "No pepper spray?" I guess I look like someone who is likely to defend myself?

 

[mousefan5]

How much does it cost to rent a locker? Is there lockers at the entrance of both parks?

 

[Kalice]

Hi

we were so happy with Vons and Hojos, our order was in our room when we arrived, and the cold items were put away in the fridge.

 

[SlpgBty]

How much does it cost to rent a locker? Is there lockers at the entrance of both parks?

Locker rentals are available for $7 for small and $10 for large per day, and you can go back as often as you need to. The small is big enough for our 3 jackets and anything I buy. You can find them on Main St. in Disneyland about halfway down on the right. They have them in DCA to, but we always park hop, so we've only used the one's at D-land.

 

[elevenisnow]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!! Packing already and only a few more days

 

[TeddiBarra]

These were already suggested, but they are great suggestions, so I'm going to repeat them:

Food with plenty to share:
Redd Rockets Pizza Port (the pasta dishes and a salad will easily feed two)
Rancho Del Zocoro (several of their bigger meals could be split)
Plaza Inn 3 piece chicken meal.

I took DS last year for his 10th birthday and we ate at some of those places splitting a meal and a salads.

One other tip: many of the desserts are huge enough to share. I *think* you could get by with a meal budget of $30 a day for the two of you, doing split meals/cheap meals.