Does this Disney budget sound doable???

[crisi]

I'd also bring the dress from home - the Disney Parks dresses are incredibly itchy. They are beautiful and well made and I think the ones my 14 year old daughter had are on their forth little girl, but for park walking around, princess nightdresses would be FAR more comfy - and you could use them as jammies. Or a WalMart/Target costume - also far less itchy.

 

[Kingdome8]

I think the budget looks good. I would always estimate high on things like gas and food. We ending up spending a lot less on food for the week then planned. We did like 3 character dinners and when ate at hotel and parks we would split a meal then eat the kids leftovers. Worked out well.
To me where the money goes is buying the quick little things like ice cream, snacks, and little items in hotel and stuff.
We got lucky with BBB my girls didn't want the dresses. They have all dresses here but said they didn't want to wear them in park. So we just made them iron on Disney shirts my wife got from ETSY with there names on them in cool Disney lettering and got hair, makeup and nails done. They wore the sash for an hour then took it off. Lol.

 

[MrEVILdrPorkchop2u]

We've done budget trips and non budget trips. Honestly, we could make it work on your budget. Just like others, I'd consider buying dresses for the BBB ahead of time. When our daughter was younger, we also did BBB. Although we enjoyed the experience, paying 250.00 is a lot of money. I will say that we have bought dresses from WDW, but our daughter's favorite dresses actually came from the Disney store. They weren't nearly as scratchy and uncomfortable as the more expensive ones you buy on property. Also, sooooooo much less expensive. Plus if you wait until the Halloween costumes go on sale, you could really make out. Your girls will not feel any less special.

 

[Suzanne033]

While I wouldn't change your budget, I think your gas price might be a little high. We drove to Disney in June. I kept a detailed gas log and this is how it went.

Total Distance: 2,581 miles (that included one fill-up while we were there)
Avg. Price/Gallon: $3.47
Avg. miles per gallon: 19.308 (we have a 2007 Ford Explorer)
Total Gas Expense: $561.51.

As far as the grocery budget, I agree with one of the earlier posters, try to squirrel away as much non-perishable food as your van can fit between now and your trip as it will save you LOTS of $$. I would think a container no bigger than a carry-on suitcase could fits lots of spaghetti, mac & cheese, granola bars, canned soups, pre-packaged fruit, etc.

 

[crisi]

As far as the grocery budget, I agree with one of the earlier posters, try to squirrel away as much non-perishable food as your van can fit between now and your trip as it will save you LOTS of $$. I would think a container no bigger than a carry-on suitcase could fits lots of spaghetti, mac & cheese, granola bars, canned soups, pre-packaged fruit, etc.

And cans in a flat could probably fit under a seat in a minivan.

If you have to shop when you get there, you want a store for locals, not one near the parks and timeshares. There is a huge difference in prices.

When we've grocery shopped on vacation, I always find it frustrating. Some brands I like turn out to be regional and not available in Florida. A strange store is laid out differently, and it takes me ten extra minutes to figure out where they hid the peanut butter. Have a good list and plan extra time.

 

[mrsabbott]

Your budget is awesome!! You have $800 wiggle room, so I think your trip will be just fine! I agree about bringing dresses and food with you to save and maybe splurge on something else..

 

[scrapquitler]

In fact if it were me, I'd bring the dresses,take the kids to the barbershop on main street,and pay the 10.00 for sparkly hair gel there...... then I could eat 3 decent dinners somewhere for that cost saved....or use it on gas,etc etc. I hope you have fun OP, no matter what you decide,your kids are gonna have a blast!

I agree with this. I wouldn't be worrying about my budget and then spending a LOT of money on BBB, just so my kids could have the 'experience'.

 

[TreeSapp]

Sorry I haven't read the rest of the replies - so I may be redundant.

DH and I can rack up $300 in meals at the park pretty quickly. And we don't drink at any park or order appetizers/desserts often. But we can spend $50 on a table service meal with sodas or $25 on counter service with little effort. That's just for two of us!

To counterbalance this, however sometimes we'll drive off property for lunch or dinner before heading back to the park (but we only do this on very long days 9am-midnight).

Otherwise we plan on one paid meal and one 'brown bag' meal. I'll load up our day bag with a few PB&banana sandwiches, raisins, oranges, trail mix, chips, hummus, string cheese... Whatever snacks are on sale!

And we carry water bottles & crystal light or propel packets (there are other options, kool aid, mio, etc) to mix in for flavor. We don't use 'nice' water bottles, just re-use bottled water for a day.

IMPORTANT! If you're taking kids (older than stroller age) get each a lightweight backpack and have them carry a few items each (especially snacks/water since the bag gets lighter as the day goes on) that way the parents aren't playing pack-mule all day

 

[TreeSapp]

Also, not related to food - load up on stickers, ponchos and glowsticks at the Dollar Store. Once the lights go out, Every kid wants a glow toy

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Check out my post regarding how to get great prices on Disney parks dresses - http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=48381271&postcount=40

 

[kristinradico]

I keep telling my husband this, but he says he wants them to have the experience. Where did you buy their dresses?

If you wait until Oct 31, Nov 1 you will be able to find a princess dress on clearance with the Halloween items (Target/Walmart/Disney Store)

 

[mom2my3kids]

I agree with this. I wouldn't be worrying about my budget and then spending a LOT of money on BBB, just so my kids could have the 'experience'.

 

[kirstenb1]

We're DVC'rs, so we eat breakfast and dinner back at the room. Breakast is really cheap--we just do breakfast bars and go. Dinner is something easy like tacos, or pasta, or subs.

Since you're driving, I'd like to share a little advice. You ever hear of "beer goggles" to describe how attractive someone looks after a couple of beers?

When I grocery shop in Orlando, I get "vacation goggles" if I don't stick to a list. I also buy way too many impulse items, like chips, cookies, etc that are so easy to pack in the car, and save some money buying on special at home. The Publix in Orlando is nicer than our hometown grocery store, so I really have to be careful to limit myself on impulse items.

 

[snorris2]

While I wouldn't change your budget, I think your gas price might be a little high. We drove to Disney in June. I kept a detailed gas log and this is how it went.

Total Distance: 2,581 miles (that included one fill-up while we were there)
Avg. Price/Gallon: $3.47
Avg. miles per gallon: 19.308 (we have a 2007 Ford Explorer)
Total Gas Expense: $561.51.

As far as the grocery budget, I agree with one of the earlier posters, try to squirrel away as much non-perishable food as your van can fit between now and your trip as it will save you LOTS of $$. I would think a container no bigger than a carry-on suitcase could fits lots of spaghetti, mac & cheese, granola bars, canned soups, pre-packaged fruit, etc.

This helps a ton! It's probably the kind of gas mileage we will get. Did you drive around to the parks that week?

I will definitely try to get as many food items as I can for the trip. I'll try to designate a suitcase. Our family loves spaghetti, so that would be an easy meal. I always stock up on pasta. Also, I can hit up Publix when the PB is BOGO. We will definitely do waters and crystal light. The girls drink crystal light all the time.

 

[snorris2]

I agree with this. I wouldn't be worrying about my budget and then spending a LOT of money on BBB, just so my kids could have the 'experience'.

I actually suggested this. I really wish my husband would okay it. My oldest daughter has sensory issues as it is. I have a feeling she isn't going to let them touch her hear at BBB.

 

[snorris2]

Sorry I haven't read the rest of the replies - so I may be redundant.

DH and I can rack up $300 in meals at the park pretty quickly. And we don't drink at any park or order appetizers/desserts often. But we can spend $50 on a table service meal with sodas or $25 on counter service with little effort. That's just for two of us!

To counterbalance this, however sometimes we'll drive off property for lunch or dinner before heading back to the park (but we only do this on very long days 9am-midnight).

Otherwise we plan on one paid meal and one 'brown bag' meal. I'll load up our day bag with a few PB&banana sandwiches, raisins, oranges, trail mix, chips, hummus, string cheese... Whatever snacks are on sale!

And we carry water bottles & crystal light or propel packets (there are other options, kool aid, mio, etc) to mix in for flavor. We don't use 'nice' water bottles, just re-use bottled water for a day.

IMPORTANT! If you're taking kids (older than stroller age) get each a lightweight backpack and have them carry a few items each (especially snacks/water since the bag gets lighter as the day goes on) that way the parents aren't playing pack-mule all day

We actually already rented a double stroller just in case. My youngest does not like to walk. I am betting my oldest will get tired too. I wanted the space to set stuff as well.

 

[snorris2]

Also, not related to food - load up on stickers, ponchos and glowsticks at the Dollar Store. Once the lights go out, Every kid wants a glow toy

Very good idea!

 

[Suzanne033]

Did you drive around to the parks that week?

Yes. We were actually there for a volleyball tournament at WWoS so we were driving to different locations every day (ie. parks, play venues, dinner, etc).

 

[TreeSapp]

Very good idea!

If you have michaels's craft stores, they have a neat little 3-pack of LED lights with an elastic band on each the right size to go in your finger like a ring. They're 1.99 per set (or $1.20 if you use the 40% off coupon).

We get stopped about once every 20min all night long by people asking where we got them. And they're hard for kids to lose cause they don't get set down like some of the other glow toys. I also like them as mini flashlights when looking for car keys in the parking lot, or walking when the lights are reduced for the fireworks

 

[stayhomemom77]

I have a daughter with sensory issues also and I took her to BBB when she was 6. She loved it! However, we just got the basic package and Santa brought her a Cinderella dress (which I am sure he got around Halloween ) before the trip. She had no problems with them doing her hair and makeup and was thrilled with the whole experience. I will say that she eventually changed out of the dress (hot and itchy) for touring the parks. She slept in her hairdo the first night and was mad I made her have a bath and wash everything out the second night. Considering how short of a time she actually wore the dress, I was glad I didn't pay for the full experience. She's 10 now and would gladly do the hairdo part again...she said she'd pick the one with the least makeup but doesn't know if she'd ever do the outfit again. HTH!!