DVC trip on a tight budget

[DenLo]

You could probably save some money by purchasing regular tickets instead of park hoppers. Since you don't plan on eating out it would be easier to plan a day at a single park. Also I'd check with your mother and see if she wants to go to the parks every day. She may prefer days off.

 

[dzorn]

Hi all..I'm trying to avoid cancelling our Sept trip. If we get to go we will be on a tight budget. We're having a horrible year and I've never had to do a WDW trip on a budget. I already have annual passes so I won't need to buy tickets. This trip will mean no DP for us. No fruitty drinks by the pool (unless I make my own) No Dole Whips, and other things I really enjoy each trip. I know many DVC members don't do the DP and cook meals. But we love to eat out and TS meals are a big part of our vacation. Has anyone ever gone from getting the DP every trip to only eating in the villa and cooking? How did this work out? Thanks

Actually I found it more relaxing. We cooked simple meals that allowed for left overs. We also enjoyed our no parks trip.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Thanks guys. We are driving this time. I also invited my mother to go along with us. I invited her back in the spring before my husbands work slowed down. She will need a 7 day park hopper and a scooter. I am going to pay for these things because I invited her and I don't feel right making her pay for anything. So that will be myself, DH,DS9, and mom. I'm thinking that maybe $200-$250 for groceries for the week will be enough and we can cook a big breakfast and eat before the parks, have a snack in the afternoon and make something quick for dinner each night (like a skillet meal or spaghetti and some veggies). I'm hoping we can keep our expenses under $1200 including gas. Any other sugesstions?

We usually do a big batch of marinade chicken breast (italian dressing) bake until done. We have it with veggies and potatoes. The next day we will do chicken cesar salad bag mix. Next day pasta alfredo with chicken salad with the left over italian dressing.

Denise in MI

 

[SamSam]

Yes,you are safe to use a slow cooker; many do. Also, you can pick up wine at Publix, a big savings!

 

[Hunclemarco]

If you do choose to do a sit down lunch at epcot or elsewhere, choose a place that accepts DVC discounts or AP discounts... that can go a long way.

I think i've said it before, but Chef's de France has a good lunch menu/special for 20.00, and with the entire course meal with dessert, it's simple to split the meal feeding 2 people. My wife and i do this often.

As mentioned before, if you dine out, choose lunch menu options, for the most part they are the same portions of dinner, just less cost.

 

[rentayenta]

Some of our best trips are budget trips. At the end of the day, the things you remember are the moments as a family and not what you had for dinner on a Tuesday night.

I actually enjoy making a nice breakfast in our villa and grilling dinner when at a DVC resort. One of my favorite meals was at the GCV. We were burned out on park food (yes, even TS) so we decided to grill. Burgers and hot dogs with a view of DCA was the best ever! It's all about perspective.

 

[cel_disney]

I totally think you can enjoy a trip on a budget! I'd recommend making breakfast and then heading to the parks and then doing an early dinner - say around 4 - and heading back for the evenings!

Some dinner ideas:
Tacos or Fajitas
Ham Steaks with pinapple
Ceaser Salad with Grilled Steak or Chicken
Pasta with Sauce and Sausage/Meatballs
Hotdogs and beans

For breakfast, we are big fans of scrambled eggs made in the microwave - sometimes serving them in a breakfast burrito with microwave bacon and melted cheese! and then some fruit (strawberries/bananas) and mini-bagels with cream cheese!

I figure that you would be eating at home anyway - so this isnt really much cost above that! You dont need souveniers..you might need a snack around lunch time - but you would not need to spend alot - even if you all shared a chicken finger order or got 2 doll whips or something - it wouldnt break the bank!

Have fun!!

 

[mjc2003]

Another thought would be that you could start shopping now for some foods at home with coupons, since you are driving and can bring it with you. See if you can get a deal on cereal, or granola bars, or trail mix. I bought several taco dinner kits the other day at the store b/c it was a buy 1/get 1. I also just bought 3 12-packs of seltzer b/c it was 3 for $5, normally they are 2.99 each.
Don't assume the price you get at the store in Orlando can't be beat with a little planning. If you save $2-$3 here and there, it will add up quickly and may result in an extra meal out in the budget.

 

[jennypenny]

All of our trips used to be like yours. We only ate out at lunchtime--it's cheaper and a nicer time to get out of the heat and rain. For dinners we had grilled chicken and caesar salad, burgers and hot dogs, a Stouffers lasagna, Ravioli and Sauce, sausage and peppers and onions, and lots of grilled sandwiches (buy aluminum foil to grill them on the outdoor grill--much more fun). I always bought one of those sampler cheesecakes and some chocolate for the room for a sweet snack also. That felt more like vacation. And lots of fruit.

A refillable mug is probably a cheaper option in the end for drinks. I forget where you said you were staying but it usually isn't too inconvient.

Bring lots of ziplocs for packing food for parks and bringing extra food home from parks if you eat out. And share CS meals. There are many nights that we walk around the countries in Epcot and share snacks from each country as our meal.

 

[Ms.Mouse]

Hi all..I'm trying to avoid cancelling our Sept trip. If we get to go we will be on a tight budget. We're having a horrible year and I've never had to do a WDW trip on a budget. I already have annual passes so I won't need to buy tickets. This trip will mean no DP for us. No fruitty drinks by the pool (unless I make my own) No Dole Whips, and other things I really enjoy each trip. I know many DVC members don't do the DP and cook meals. But we love to eat out and TS meals are a big part of our vacation. Has anyone ever gone from getting the DP every trip to only eating in the villa and cooking? How did this work out? Thanks

Yes, we've always used the DP and then last year's trip, we were on an extra tight budget so we decided to try cooking in the room for 3 adults and 3 children... well, it DID NOT work out for our family!!! I don't mind breakfast in the room BUT we will NEVER again go without a dining plan of some kind! We find the basic plan the best for us, having breakfast in the room OR a muffin with juice or coffee in the park or bought from the store downstairs...a counter for lunch...and the table seating for dinner so we can get off the park and relax for the rest of the evening...

It may be ok for others but when I'm on vacation, I don't want to leave the park to go back to the room to eat and clean up from dinner and go back to the bus for the park again... although it's good that it does work out for others... this is just my findings and opinions...
So, IF I have to scrimp somewhere, which we've had to do two years in a row, it WOULD NOT be to keep meals in our room and to leave the dining plan behind!!!

 

[FreeTime]

We used to always go without the dining plan and on our next trip plan to go without after 5 trips with. I agree with all of the suggestions that others had made. I wouldn't worry about the extra few minutes that someone commented on about cleaning up. Those few minutes are worth $'s when you think of what you saved on food. Don't get stressed about where to eat, instead look forward to enjoying your mom's 1st trip. I am sure she will love it regardless of the food!

What is the pick a day DP that was mentioned in this thread?

 

[jodifla]

I agree with the PP about eating out at lunch.

We had nice big breakfasts....eggs, bagels, bacon, juice, coffee...or pancakes.

Then we often ate a late lunch in the parks at the restaurants we enjoy. Back to the pool for a swim, the a light dinner and back out to the parks!

Or if it's wintertime, we have a bigger dinner and hang in the room.

We also grill a lot while at DVC. Just pair steaks with some garlic bread and bagged Caesar salad and some martinis, and you have terrific meal by the pool!

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Just pair steaks with some garlic bread and bagged Caesar salad and some martinis, and you have terrific meal by the pool!

Just drink those martinis from a plastic or paper cup instead of glass. No glass at the pool.

 

[jodifla]

Just drink those martinis from a plastic or paper cup instead of glass. No glass at the pool.

Uh, I'm not sure why this is necessary, but OK.

 

[hbehrman]

Has anyone ever gone from getting the DP every trip to only eating in the villa and cooking? How did this work out? Thanks

We did WDW 2006,2007 and 2008 doing the September Free Dining promotion each year. 2006 was great but major changes in DP made it less economical an (no appetizer, pay taxes and gratuituy). We stayed at POR which we loved.

Last year we bought in at SSR and no DP for our stay at AKV Instead we at lunch at TS or CS at a park ( we only do 3 theme parks a trip) paying OOP. On the drive in we loaded up in food (and adult beverages ) at BJ's at the Millenia mall. We ate breakfast (which we did at POR too), and fixed most meals at the resort. We really liked this as it allowed us to have a more enjoyable time as we were not tied to "the DP ressie list". We spent around $200 bucks on food and beverages that we needed for the resort for the week and felt we had a more relaxing time.

 

[DVCconvert]

depending on transportation, don't forget about Golden Corral....all you can eat for about $10

 

[Peggy Sue]

Disney advertises that a dining plan can save you up to 20% off your food bill. We did the DDP in 2009 and found it was way too much food and too many table service meals (2 a day!) In 2010 we decided to try the TIW card ..it is accepted at most dining venues and you get 20% off including all drinks/wine/beer etc. We got to eat when and where we wanted and we saved money ..spent a lot less than we did the previous year when we purchased the plan. The card is 75, and it covers everyone at the table (providing you request one bill) We hosted a family reunion last year and within two days we had paid for the cards with the discounts earned and the remaining 6 nights were true savings. We are returning this December and will use the same card to continue our savings.

Just something to think about if you want a few table service, and if you can manage to have your following year vacation dates fall before the TIW card expires it gets even better.

We enjoy breakfast in the room. After a few days of TS we like to have a meal our two in the room ..there are so many quick and easy meals that can be fixed and it's so relaxing.

Good luck with your planning. I'm sure your mom is going to have a fantastic time!

 

[rentayenta]

depending on transportation, don't forget about Golden Corral....all you can eat for about $10

I'd rather eat Top Ramen.

 

[ThreeKMom]

This is a great thread! Thanks everyone for your advice.

We are in a similar situation as the OP. My DFIL gave us his RCI points as an anniversary gift and we were lucky enough to be able to book the BWV! However, my DH owns his own business and things are tough this year. We usually stay at the YC with the dining plan and take about 10 months to pay off our trip. This time we don't have the option of paying off the trip because you need to pay in full when you add tickets or the dining plan, so we have decided to cancle our ADR's and cook in the room for 2 meals a day. We will eat at a nicer CS each day either for lunch or dinner and spend lots of time at the pool (we expect it to be extra HOT in August - LOL!).

We bought our tickets through UT at the old price and saved a bundle! We will be driving for the first time also!

I'm actually looking forward to our budget friendly adventure, I think it will be a more relaxing and spontaneous trip! It's all in your attitude!!

 

[Jonell]

I agree. I'm also starting to look forward to a budget friendly trip. Dining at TS restuarants during free dining is often crowded, noisy and the service is slower. By eating in our room we will have more time to relax especially after a long hot day at the parks. Thanks for all of the great advice