Disney on a budget for large family

[queenbetsey]

hey you may want to consider quick rewards or sunshine rewards as a way to get some Disney gift cards for your trip also. Mousesavers.com is pretty helpful and worth checking out

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Staying in a condo can be a real budget saver for you. We stay at Bonnet Creek b/c my folks are Wyndham owners and they gift us a week when we head to Orlando. We are able to have a heavy-ish breakfast and then we can either share CS (2-3 meals for 4 of us, depending on the place) or just snack in the parks around lunch time. We don't like to take in anything big, but I would think you all could carry a hefty snack in a couple of backpacks or small coolers. Backpacking snacks are generally lightweight and calorie dense - my boys like pb or nutella on tortillas, pepperoni with crackers, granola bars, pb crackers. Store brand crystal light packs make water more exciting and are frequently very inexpensive (also try Big Lots for these). Then we make dinner at the condo and spend the evening with Redbox movies or in the lazy river.

Alternatively, you could make a heavy breakfast, take light snacks to the park, and come back for pool time and a big meal around 3, then back to the parks for the evening. Either way, if you can just do 2 good sized meals at the condo, you can get away with snacks only the rest of the day.

We buy most of our food at Walmart after we arrive. We also rent Redbox movies there. Easy and filling meals include crockpot meatballs (bring your own crockpot) with couscous or as sandwiches; spaghetti; frozen chicken patty sandwiches with frozen fries (bring or buy cheap / disposable jelly roll pans, as most units only have one); hamburgers with chips; hot dogs or polish sausages on buns with baked beans. I generally bring / buy disposable muffin tins and some 69cent mixes to make snacks, and you can also do microwave popcorn in the microwave at the units.

The condos also make non-park days fun. Bonnet Creek has 2 lazy rivers, several pools, mini-golf, and other activities. I would assume any condo / apt rental would at least have the full kitchen, pool access and a dvr.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

If you go the condo/house rental route, there may be extra appliances already there. I know the house we rented had a blender and a crock-pot, as well as a grill. Bonnet Creek, etc. wouldn't likely have those things (maybe a communal grill).

If going the condo/house route, ask about appliances. Also ask about extra costs--some places charge for pool heat and gas for the grill.

Also, if you're staying off-site, there are a ton of restaurants you could go to for a little splurge, that would cost 1/3 the price of on-site. My gang loves Chef Mickey's, to use an example, but it's over $200 for the 6 of us (probably more now, one turned 10 today).

I also agree with the person up-thread who suggested getting everyone in on the "saving for WDW" thing. It can be fun to all pitch in towards a common goal, and with everyone trying to earn, you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[sweet maxine]

I hope this might be helpful to you.

Several years ago here, there was a mom with a large family planning a similar trip. If I can find her pre-trip report it would probably be even more helpful, so I will post if it turns up. Anyway, a budget trip was planned and taken for a large family, and the poster went into a bit of detail of activities they enjoyed on the cheap. I realize that some of these activities aren't for everyone here, but they are definitely in line with what I think of when someone asks for help in planning a real budget trip. After all, sometimes it is the little things that are remembered later on that bring a smile to the face, right?

So, here's the link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1618376

Hope there is some advice or wisdom in there to inspire you. Best wishes for a fun trip!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Hope you can pull it off! The kids would be thrilled!

Just a note that while you may be able to fit into a minivan, the storage for luggage is limited. Adding tents and camping supplies may be impossible unless you have a way to use the roof.
We drive a Honda Odyssey with 4 kids (soon to be 5) and we barely fit our luggage inside when we travel.

 

[blessedby3]

Hope you can pull it off! The kids would be thrilled!

Just a note that while you may be able to fit into a minivan, the storage for luggage is limited. Adding tents and camping supplies may be impossible unless you have a way to use the roof.
We drive a Honda Odyssey with 4 kids (soon to be 5) and we barely fit our luggage inside when we travel.

We have an 8 seater Toyota Sienna. We have taken it to WDW many times. We drove it down in 2010 with DH, Me, DD20, her BFF20, DS15, His BFF15, DD11 and DD3 (in her carseat) and we did fine. It was a bit tight, but we had no complaints from the crew We do have a Sears XCargo cartop carrier that we use when we travel on vacation. Frees up lots of space. Maybe you can find a friend that has one you could borrow...altough I dont know if the rentals have roof racks or if you are allowed to use them on rentals.
If you cant use one, I think you will be hard pressed to get everyones suitcases and stuff in one vehicle.
I would also check out the condo route. Camping (in tents) with that many littles just sounds not so magical. You can get condos pretty cheap

 

[ptlohmysoul]

We have a Toyota Sienna that fits 8. Talk to the rental companies to make sure you can get one that fits 8. If you rent a house or condo, you should also get a washer/dryer and can save on packing by not packing extra, or pack half and wash 1/2 through the week. Don't use suitcases, just duffle bags/backpacks, as they fit better wherever you have room in the van.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

If you are coming from Utah- Why not look at doing a DisneyLAND trip vs WDW- It'd save a lot in gas, time (6-10 hours driving vs 20+) and there are a lot of cheaper places to stay around Anaheim esp with a car (I usually pay about $50 a night for the Super 8s within walking distance and thats with free breakfast!)

I know its not 'the same' but for a first visit for a large family (and IMO DL has a lot of charm thats missing at WDW) I'd be looking at DLR long before WDW esp as they often have great deals for DLR though credit unions/costco etc..


-em <born and raised in Utah

 

[TLuvsD]

I didn't realize they were in Utah...definately do Disneyland, California Adventure, the beach and maybe a day in LA (Universal Studios). Saves time, and money.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Utah?! Heavens yes, visit DLR! I love Disneyland/California Adventure, the weather is much more tolerable in S CA compared to Orlando.

OP ~ check out my favorite board here *the Budget board is a close second* http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I will never drive to FL from UT - that's crazy!

 

[fishing gal]

I don't think they're travelling from Utah. Any point in Utah is way more than 20 hours drive each way to Florida.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Not coming from Utah. We are coming from Oklahoma and the trip is about the same to either park.

I love these replies. Thank you all so much!

 

[momofEAP]

I think the PP thought they were coming from Utah when the OP said that she would be buying the tickets from UT. I am assuming the OP meant Undercover Tourist.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Oh yes, undercover tourist. Sorry about that!

 

[disney1990]

Do you have a Target RED Card. You could use it to buy Disney gift cards at a 5 percent discount and then use those cards for your Disney related expenses.


You can even take the gift cards to the Disney store and buy park tickets.