DL on a Budget?

[tomchfun97006]

I am soooo excited I just booked my first Family DL trip. We are going Aug 3 from PDX. The best deal I could find with air and lodging was at Parkside Inn. I realize it is a low-budget place but that it was within my budget and 3 beds. Found DL Hoppers at AAA the cheapest. We are taking some groceries with us but are there any Grocery stores within walking distance? (Not renting car) Should I take my Mom's (71) wheelchair? Any money saving tips are welcome!!!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

No grocery stores in walking distance. We usually hit up Target, Wal Mart or Kmart.
Eat breakfast outside of the park if you want to save money. That could actually go for any meal. Alot of places will deliver right to your room.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Have a great time. We also bring juice boxes and tons of waters to bring into the park. It's a no brainer, 24 bottles of Dasani for $4.99, or 2 at the park for the same price!!! You can have a grocer deliver to your hotel. Forgot to add, If you are walking to/from the hotel, I would bring the wheelchair. If you are taking the shuttle, if she can make it to the shuttle area, I would rent at the park! Have fun!


Andrea

 

[tomchfun97006]

Thanks for the info. Parkside has some form of a Contenential Breakfast. We are planning to do alot of homemade sandwitches and snacks while at the park. I will be there on my B-D so I want to do something a little special but I'll be at DL and that is great enough.

 

[hlbtimes2]

YOu can order groceries from Albertsons.com Shipping is often free for your first order. They will give you a time frame for delivery, and you'll have to be there or they wont leave them.

A few other money saving tips- anywhere that has pop in the fountain (vs bottled) will give you free cups of ice water. You can order kids meals for yourself anywhere in the park, except the sit down places. A kids meal with a drink is about $6. Many of the adult meals are big enough to share. If you buy coffee at the shop on main street, save you receipt. They give you "refil" (not really a refill since they give you a new cup) all day on the day you purchased it. Get a birthday sticker at city hall. It might get you free dessert with a meal, it will get you many wishes, and it will more then likely get you a whole pack of fresh tortillas on the tour in DCA. Pressed pennies are a cheap souvenir.

 

[DisQueen]

If you can, purchase Disney souveniers for the kids before you leave. Target, Walmart, Disney Store all have Disney merchandise for much less than stuff in the park. Each morning have the kids open a new shirt, toy, or hat. Then you can spend your souvenier money in the park on a couple items that just say Disneyland - like a picture frame. If your kids are interested in getting autographs from characters (DD3 loves it!), bring an autograph book from home. It can even be something they decorate - a tablet of blank paper and Disney stickers is cheaper than a DL autograph book

 

[disneycutie84]

Yeah, all the tips everyone has given so far are great! Remember that if you still want to eat at a restaurant...there are several good ones less than a block away, right outside the park. If you do that instead of eating there it will save you alot! plus with that money you saved, you can buy yummy goodies (churros, ice cream, ect) in the park for cheaper.
It is a good idea to buy Disney stuff outside the park since everything there is so expensive!!
Good luck!