Family of 12 Disney Trip

[amylevan]

Good point on the condo items! I will ask the owners.

I may add in a dinner or two at the condo. It's really only 4 chicken nuggets meals though spread out over 10 days. Not what I would normally eat, but not ridiculous for this particular situation.

You have 4 days of chicken nuggets, plus 2 days of Disney kids meals. There isn't a whole lot of variety in Disney kids meals and you could very well end up with additional days of chicken nuggets. But even at 4 meals over the course of 10 days, it's almost every other day. It's fine if you are ok with it, I just wanted to point it out before you get to day 4 and realize that you cannot eat another nugget and there is no budget to switch to burgers or something.

 

[hsmamato2]

personally OP, I find the level of counting chicken nuggets a little....unusual. How can you possibly know how many nuggets each person will be eating on a particular day in this future trip? I assume those type of things vary day by day,so trying to calculate a chicken nugget amount per person x12 people just seems like maybe 'stretching it' a bit as far as how much control one can actually have over quantity of food? Maybe that's just me, but that level of planning would put every single person in my party into a tailspin,and it wouldn't go well.If I have a family group with me,and walk into an average fast food place, telling them all that we are ordering 'xyz' because that's my EXACT budget,and then dole out the exact # of nuggets and fries to each person, to tell you the truth I'd feel less like a family on vacation and more like a military commander ordering my platoon. Not saying you should stop planning, but perhaps I missed this, you all could spend some more time discussing food options together? I know some of these people are your little sibs, but the other adults, or family units might have a different plan once in a while? It just seems to me that your planning is bound to have some negative feedback from your party over the course of a long,hot,strenuous week in which you all share the same vacation home, eat at all the same places,the same food,the same rides..... I wish you well, since it seems like you really know how to find bargains!

 

[irishdancemomma]

Like I said before, I was put in charge of food planning. The other adults don't want the job. They have all seen the plan for food so far and are okay with it. They are aware that there will be little to no wiggle room and we will have to stick to the plan unless they want to spend out of their own pocket. If we are going to go to disney at all we are going to have to cut corners somewhere. We decided as a group that we would rather go to disney on a tight budget than not go at all.

We are a family of 8 kids. We grew up in the ghetto because my parents couldn't afford for us to live elsewhere. More than once we ate Kraft Mac and cheese every day for two weeks because my dad worked for Kraft and got the stuff for free. We grew up with the words "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". I am fortunate enough to have gotten out of that rut. The rest of my family is not so much. I doubt I will hear complaints about having chicken nuggets doled out, but if I do there will be fruit, veggies, and snacks in the car and at the condo to add to them. Counting nuggets, sharing meals, and deciding in advance what can/can't be ordered is common place for my family and the most effective way to follow a good budget in my experience. Believe me, if I had the money to walk to twelve of us into McDonald's and say order what you will I would. Unfortunately, McDonald's isn't as cheap as they would like you to believe and we could easily end up spending $100 on fast food every meal.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Oh, and we won't be staying together in the parks. That sounds like a nightmare! We will split up most of the day and get back together for some meals. The days we get kids meals or take in subway we may or may not even have lunch together.

 

[mrsabbott]

I completely understand where you are coming from and I say "GO FOR IT!!" Better to do Disney on a tight budget than not at all! We had to cancel our Florida vacation this year (no amount of budgeting could help the fact that everything seemed to go wrong and break down this past year) but we are desperately trying to save up enough to go next year. I am currently unemployed and we are on a very tight budget as well. Likely, our vacation next year will end up being done on a very tight budget, but it is better to be there and eat cheaply than to not go at all!

While I certainly enjoyed getting to eat at some nice restaurants on our last vacation, those weren't the main memories of our trip. The atmosphere, the rides, the laughter, the shows, the sunshine, swimming, being together and having fun.. those were the best things about our trip! I bet you guys will have an amazing time!

 

[kymom99]

This is a wonderful thing you are doing and I bet your family will all appreciate it. A lot of folks could learn a thing or two from you. And you are right, everyone can fill in the cracks with fruit, snacks, etc. Food doesn't have to be the focus of a vacation.

We never went on vacation when I was a kid. My parents didn't have the money and my dad was a part time farmer. Summers were too busy to be gone. He would take vacation and we would go to a local amusement park for a day. We always packed a picnic. I don't think we ever bought a single thing in the parks. And I never felt like I was missing anything. We didn't go there to eat, and my mom made some good fried chicken!

 

[lauradis]

Did you budget in items that you will need in your condo? We had to buy toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, etc when staying in a condo. They normally only give you start up items.

Yes, but they are driving she can just bring the stuff like that from home.

Think carbs and protein for snacks. All that walking can really make teens and kids starving wild animals. lol

I would bring nice size cooler, leave it in the car and then picnic in the parking lot for lunch/dinner which ever fits better in your plan. Done it many of times as a child. Yes it was hot, but hey I was hungry.

Only pack mule snacks and drinks into the park.

 

[lauradis]

Like I said before, I was put in charge of food planning. The other adults don't want the job. They have all seen the plan for food so far and are okay with it. They are aware that there will be little to no wiggle room and we will have to stick to the plan unless they want to spend out of their own pocket. If we are going to go to disney at all we are going to have to cut corners somewhere. We decided as a group that we would rather go to disney on a tight budget than not go at all.

We are a family of 8 kids. We grew up in the ghetto because my parents couldn't afford for us to live elsewhere. More than once we ate Kraft Mac and cheese every day for two weeks because my dad worked for Kraft and got the stuff for free. We grew up with the words "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". I am fortunate enough to have gotten out of that rut. The rest of my family is not so much. I doubt I will hear complaints about having chicken nuggets doled out, but if I do there will be fruit, veggies, and snacks in the car and at the condo to add to them. Counting nuggets, sharing meals, and deciding in advance what can/can't be ordered is common place for my family and the most effective way to follow a good budget in my experience. Believe me, if I had the money to walk to twelve of us into McDonald's and say order what you will I would. Unfortunately, McDonald's isn't as cheap as they would like you to believe and we could easily end up spending $100 on fast food every meal.

I too grow up in the ghetto for years and escaped, congrats it not an easy task.

Oh the summer of Rice and Bean of my childhood still haunts me.

Don't worry to much about the na sayers on the disboard, Most of them don't really understand what its like to grow up poor and to be happy to have 6 chicken nuggets, which is a luxury, instead of beans and rice with no seasoning, with only tap water to drink for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or to be happy to go to school, because they had lunch, when you only eat expired toast at home, before school, that night when you got home to eat Mac and cheese.

 

[gopher101]

You might look into getting taco 12pks from taco bell (not the best, but filling and cheap). You can probably feed everyone for under 30. Also chicken nuggets might be on sale at burger king when you go (10 for 1.49 each), cheaper than McDonalds). You might also want to do hot dogs one night in house. Some pasta salad and regular salad can go along with it.

 

[indimom]

Don't forget you can get glasses of water for free in the parks (although they are small cups and you may find this a bother with a dozen people.)
We often carried one cup or bottle and filled up at the water fountains and shared. I've heard complaints on these boards about the taste of the water, but we only hit one fountain that tasted "funky" to us.
We found that when we had a full breakfast, we could power through pretty easily on granola bars, trail mix, apples, carrot sticks, beef jerky (made at home, that store bought stuff is pricey) or similar. We didn't carry all of that every day, we changed it up. But, these foods carry well in a backpack, and were filling. So, we didn't always need a midday meal in the parks. We were ready for a filling meal at the resort by dinnertime, and everyone would eat well there.
Good Luck with the budgeting! It can be done, BUT it never hurts to have a small emergency fund. Sometimes things just happen.

 

[JessB320]

Do you know when the steak and shake gift card sale happens? I thought it was only during the holidays?

Looks like they currently have a promo going, buy a $25 gift card and get a free double steak burger with cheese meal and a drink for free.

 

[marthachick]

I would take cans of Pringles or Lays Stacks on the Subway days. Buy them at home on sale between now & your trip. If you buy 1 or 2 a week, it's not big deal to the budget. And they won't get smashed. We also took things like cheese & peanut butter crackers, Tootsie Rolls (a little chocolate that won't melt), and some other small candies.

Also, sunscreen is usually on sale during spring/early summer. So buy that and home and bring it with you.

And great job! Chicken nuggets at WDW are better than filet mignon at home!

 

[Tanooki]

At Cosmic Ray's in MK, you can get a rotisserie chicken meal that is a half-chicken with 2 sides (usually fries and green beans but you can ask for fries only and you'll get 2 portions), we found that this meal can be easily shared. There is also a nice toppings bar at that restaurant. You can also get the half-chicken meal at Flame Tree BBQ in AK (same price), as well as a chicken/ribs combo for about 16$. Both of these come with 2 sides as well.

 

[auntmeme7577]

We like to bring cheese sticks from home to add to a snack or meal. We freeze the package and toss it in a Ziploc and into the suitcase. If you could bring a couple of packs they could really help with snacks in the park. I think it's great that you are doing this. The kids will have a blast!

 

[mrzrich]

I wouldnt take the boat trip to Trails End for the Chicken when you can get Fried Chicken from the Publix Deli for a lot less money.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Thanks guys! I knew I'd get some good suggestions here. I was definitely planning on taking our own chips for subway and earl of sandwich. Taking our own fried chicken could be a good idea too. I actually enjoy the boat ride and exploring fy wilderness, so we will probably still do trails end and the chip n dale campfire one night, but bring in our own the second day.

 

[LovesTimone]

I agree with the PP's 1000 bucks for 12 people for 7 nights is very tight. Also a few other thoughts...

Is someone going to do some cooking? or more like the grab and go meals? Don't forget to add in dish soap, and if you are going to do laundry which I am assuming washing liquid.

Double check and make sure parking is included with the Condo fee, our friends got hit with 20.00 per day to park at the condo, also check for hidden resort fee's. When they went to check out there was a 50.00 a day resort fee. And what is the cleaning fee for the condo and is it included? and what about at the hotels on the trip to and from, also food while traveling?

Did you include gas back and forth from the parks?

Florida is hot and humid, water and more water and drinks you will need at least double or triple what you normally drink. So budget for lots of water, and drinks.

With the heat and running around you will be doing, you need to replenish more often, you don't want to get dehydrated. Sunscreen and more sunscreen budget for this or make sure to bring enough with you. You want good sunscreen this is an item I would not skimp on.

Bring snacks and water for the parks don't throw away the water bottle refill it often, share adult meals more variety and you might be able to share 1 meal with 3 people. Take the time to check out menus here and over on allears.net, for an idea of what is offered, also most of the hotel QS have more variety, so you could check out the resort and have lunch or dinner and also get a break form the parks and crowds for a while.

Take out, pizza, Chinese, Olive Garden and O Charley's have big portions easily split. Olive garden salad and bread stick included, O Charley's yummy yeast rolls to die for also included.

Check for coupon for Sweet Tomatoes, the last one I saw was 4 for 25.00 with drinks. Golden Corral is another less expensive route, and all you can eat.

Have a wonderful trip