Family of 12 Disney Trip

[irishdancemomma]

My adult brother and sister and I are taking our spouses, kids, and younger siblings to disney world in July. The party includes kids ages 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 5 adults. We have been able to get our total cost down to around 5500. This includes:

Condo for 7 nights (this is booked)- $600 all fees included

Gas for two vehicles - $450

6 day base tickets using the Y.E.S program for one adult and the 5 older kids and cheaptickets/ebates for the preschooler and 4 other adults - $3023

Parking for two vehicles for 6 days - 200

Hotel rooms on the way there and back (these are booked) - 200

Food (a combo of eating at the condo, eating cheap in the parks, and eating out offsite) - $1000

The kids will be responsible for any souvenir or snack money.

I have a family of light eaters. All breakfasts and some dinners will be in the condo. We will be doing one trails to go meal at ft wilderness because two of the 10 pc meals will feed everyone and the total would only be $50. I was considering packing some lunches, but was also thinking about just doing kids meals in the parks. Most of us eat kids meals outside of disney on a fairly regular basis and I think they could be a good lunch option for us. If we buy one $6 kids meal each the total would be $72 before tax. $72 to feed 12 ppl in disney seems totally reasonable and I think it would fit into our budget just fine. My question is which places have the biggest kids meal serving sizes?

I also wanted to know if I am missing anything from my budget. Is there any way to cut these costs that I am not seeing? TIA!

 

[irishdancemomma]

Oops! Condo was $650 not $600.

 

[KingofJapan]

Ouch. $1000 to feed 12 people for a week. That's tight. Why don't you just purchase adult meals in the park and split them. We did this years ago with my brother in law, sister in law and my family (before kids). I agreed to pay for the house and tickets and I left it up to them to pay for food/snacks/drinks. Turned into a battle since they never wanted to eat in the park. We were up for eating every meal in the park but they wanted to buy ¢.49 hamburgers from McDonald's for everyone every night. We ended up going out on our own and eating out (by ourselves while everyone stayed behind and ate kfc/McDonald's)

Gas prices fluctuate and if you do some searching online, you can park for free at the parks. Can't mention that since I would be reported. Your whole concern will be those kids bonds they get hungry they want to eat right away. They will not want to wait until you get back to the condo. If you have a Costco/BJs membership, you can buy a huge bag of nuggets there along with frozen chicken sandwiches and decent frozen burgers(given you will have access to a grill).

 

[elsbit]

I have only been to Florida once (second time will be later this year). However, I do recall being shocked at how much tolls were. We went to WDW and also a little South. I think one toll may have been close to $10! Anyway, I would set aside a little toll money. I am sure someone else can suggest how much tolls will be.

I also remember reading that you can buy a double patty burger and just ask to buy an extra bun for like a buck. And then you can go to the toppings bar and create two hamburgers. This may have been at Pecos Bills in MK.

The nice thing about driving and staying in a condo is that you can pack food from home that you already had and it won't cut into your $1000 budget.

 

[KingofJapan]

I have only been to Florida once (second time will be later this year). However, I do recall being shocked at how much tolls were. We went to WDW and also a little South. I think one toll may have been close to $10! Anyway, I would set aside a little toll money. I am sure someone else can suggest how much tolls will be.

I also remember reading that you can buy a double patty burger and just ask to buy an extra bun for like a buck. And then you can go to the toppings bar and create two hamburgers. This may have been at Pecos Bills in MK.

The nice thing about driving and staying in a condo is that you can pack food from home that you already had and it won't cut into your $1000 budget.

Forgot about tolls. Those can be pricey. For me to go from Miami to Disney costs about $15 and that's with a transponder. It's a lot more if you charge by your license plate.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow you have got some great deals for 12 people OP! do you need to calculate the cost of every meal for all 12 of you? IMHO this is the area in which each family is responsible for their own costs...beyond the shared condo grocery bill.... why not just calculate the cost for your own family group,and let each group choose for themselves to simplify? I would hardly think all 12 of you will want to eat the same meal at the same time/place for a whole week anyway...(This to me seems ideal to have a little separate time) When I went last with family groups, we all decided on our own how to eat,and it worked well-this includes the times when DH and I packed our lunches into the parks to save some $$$ and the others didn't

 

[hsmamato2]

or based on that 1000, why not decide to spend a certain amount on groceries you can all use,and then each family gets food in parks?

 

[Marionnette]

My adult brother and sister and I are taking our spouses, kids, and younger siblings to disney world in July. The party includes kids ages 1, 3, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 5 adults. We have been able to get our total cost down to around 5500. This includes:

Condo for 7 nights (this is booked)- $600 all fees included

Gas for two vehicles - $450

6 day base tickets using the Y.E.S program for one adult and the 5 older kids and cheaptickets/ebates for the preschooler and 4 other adults - $3023

Parking for two vehicles for 6 days - 200

Hotel rooms on the way there and back (these are booked) - 200

Food (a combo of eating at the condo, eating cheap in the parks, and eating out offsite) - $1000

The kids will be responsible for any souvenir or snack money.

I have a family of light eaters. All breakfasts and some dinners will be in the condo. We will be doing one trails to go meal at ft wilderness because two of the 10 pc meals will feed everyone and the total would only be $50. I was considering packing some lunches, but was also thinking about just doing kids meals in the parks. Most of us eat kids meals outside of disney on a fairly regular basis and I think they could be a good lunch option for us. If we buy one $6 kids meal each the total would be $72 before tax. $72 to feed 12 ppl in disney seems totally reasonable and I think it would fit into our budget just fine. My question is which places have the biggest kids meal serving sizes?

I also wanted to know if I am missing anything from my budget. Is there any way to cut these costs that I am not seeing? TIA!

I think that you will find that the kids' choices in the park QS locations are pretty generic - even in the different countries of the World Showcase. You'll find the usual chicken nuggets, cheeseburgers, turkey sandwiches and PB&J Uncrustables. Some will offer pizza and a few will have salads or hot dogs. None of them have what I would consider to be big serving sizes. They're intended to appeal to younger children and their lighter appetites. You might do better to order from the adult menus and order a la carte instead of platters.

Aside from the tolls, which a PP mentioned, and an emergency account to cover things like additional sunscreen or lost sunglasses, I can't think of any lines to add to your budget. But I will echo others in the sentiment that your food budget is extremely tight for 12 people. If you cannot pad that budget then I think you should be prepared to pack a soft-sided cooler of sandwiches and fruit for your in-park lunches instead of buying kids' meals. Your food budget is just a little over $11/day pp and that's not much when it has to pay for both in-park meals and food at the condo.

 

[Pkltm]

We also have a family of light eaters, and will eat kids meals or share at home, but keep in mind in disney your are active and walking and may actually have bigger appetites..

We still do share meals in disney and have the occasional kids meal but we find we need to eat more often

 

[irishdancemomma]

Tolls yes! I'm glad I asked because I fo remember the high tolls.

I have to figure out the food budget for the group out as a whole because we are taking our 5 younger siblings and my parents can not go and can't afford to pitch in at all. The kids obviously can't budget for themselves with no jobs. I am the budget guru of our family and I love it so that job has been given to me.

The kids meals will be more food than splitting an adult meal between two people and variety is not an issue. The goal is just to get full bellies without eating sandwiches 6 days in a row. I plan on doing kids meals for two days so burgers and fries are fine. I know pecos bills offers a nice toppings bar. Do any other places offer good toppings bars?

I have figured up our food budget meal by meal and come up around $950 including 10% tax and 15% tips. Less if I add in more meals at the condo. I realize of course table service won't be happening on this trip. These kids don't get to go on vacation or eat out. Ever. (Except my own kid.) So being in disney and eating chick fil a is going to be a dream come true for them. Eating table service will not be a deal breaker.

Thanks for suggestions so far! If anyone knows of a place with better/bigger kids meals than another or a place with a great toppings bar let me know!

 

[irishdancemomma]

We will bring in snacks too in case a kids meal won't cut it. I'll use that extra $50 in our budget for that.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Also, the other adults have been given the menu plan and itinerary I have so far. They know we won't be eating in the parks much and are fine with it. They also know they are welcome to pay for their own food/snacks in the parks if they like. I am the only one of my siblings who has ever been to disney because I'm the only one who can afford it. Everyone in our group is happy to cut costs where we can just to be able to go.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Oh, and gas cost includes wiggle room in case of a price increase. If it increases beyond what is budgeted I'll throw in a bit extra from my pocket.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Right now our plan for meals is as follows. I have added in more eating out. We can change that if we need to though.

Cereal, granola bars, fruit in condo for breakfasts. Bought from aldi to get the best prices.

Chick fil a 2x - 4 nuggets each for the babies, 6 nuggets each for kids, 8 nuggets each for adults, share 6 orders of fries, $40 each time with tax after using $10 gift card earned through survey mini

McDonald's 2x - 3 20 pc nuggets, 2 mcdoubles, 3 large fries - $30 per meal with tax

Taco Bell 2x - 24 dollar cravings items - $30 per meal with tax

Little ceasars 2x - 3 $5 pizzas - $17 with tax

Steak and shake 2x - 8 $4 meals for oldest people, 4 free kids meals (on weekend) - $40 with tax and tip

Subway to take to parks 2x - 6 $6 footlongs, take chips and fruit - $40 per meal with tax

Trails to go at Ft Wilderness on MK days 2x - 2 10 PC meals to share - $55 with tax per meal

Disney kids meals 2x - 1 $7 kids meal each - $85 per meal with tax

Earl of sandwich - 5 free sandwich vouchers, buy 3 sandwiches, take chips and fruit - under $25 with tax

Rotisserie chicken from Walmart with corn and Kraft Mac and cheese 2x - $25 per meal with tax

Fazolis - adults order one meal under $7, kids eat for $.99 (on tues), $45 with tax (this will be on the way home as there isn't a fazolis in orlando)

We will buy sodas at the store as well as snacks, fruit, chips, etc to supplement meals. Free water at the parks.

 

[mrsabbott]

Wow! You really are the budget guru!!

I think that someone else mentioned having a small "emergency fund" for all of those "just in case" items! Also, looking into the age of some of the kids I am guessing you will have a stroller with you! We have a soft sided cooler that we use when we go places. Put in an ice pack and pack some extra snacks, etc.. I am not a big eater but walking all day in the parks made me famished! Last time we went to Disney (years ago) I brought snacks with us (tube yogurts kept frozen, cheese sticks, crackers, granola bars, cereal bars, fruit snacks, PBJ uncrustables..) and they really were a lifesaver! I just kept it in the basket area of the stroller!

 

[irishdancemomma]

Yogurt and cheese are good ideas. They will help keep people full. I'll add them to my list.

I think I'll add a $100 just in case fund and just put in that extra $100 myself.

 

[KingofJapan]

I have figured up our food budget meal by meal and come up around $950 including 10% tax and 15% tips.

Tax is 6% and since you mentioned there will be no sit down meals, there is no gratuity at the counter service meals. The only tip I see is at steak shake. I respect that you are going to get some meals in the park for the kids. I read these families on here that will refuse to buy any meals in the park. I saw one little boy begging his mom and dad for something to eat. He was yelling that he was starving. The parents told him he must wait until they get home unless he had money to pay for his food. Parents yelling at their kids there is no money for ice cream or a slushie is something I see a lot. You spend all this money to go there and can't fork over a few bucks for an ice cream.

 

[irishdancemomma]

Does the double burger with an extra bun trick still work? I thought you couldn't do that anymore. I guess I could bring a bag of buns in. Haha!

 

[irishdancemomma]

The kids will have the opportunity to do some chores for grandma to earn money for sweet treats or souvenirs. They will just have to budget their own extra money. We can't afford to buy 12 sundaes every day.

 

[irishdancemomma]

I wasn't sure how much sales tax was in orlando so I just guessed super high. Better too much than too little. I guess steak and shake is the only place where we will tip. I just wanted to put that I had figured in tips when they apply.