Family of 6 on a Budget WDW $3200 for ENTIRE trip including Transportation We DID IT!

[mrseace711]

AND we had an AMAZING time!! We booked during the Kids Play Free promo and it saved us the most $$$ we added the basic dining plan, and stayed in All Star Music Family Suite right in front of the pool
5 days, 4 nights no park hopper or water parks and more 1 park a day
= $1951.60

We actually took $1400 for spending money just in WDW based on the information I got here We charged everything to the room including tips at our 4 sit down meals and our bill was $414 when we checked out My only rule was no balloons or facepainting and I asked the kids to wait until the last day which we spent at AK to pick a souvenier for themselves which they happily excepted. I purchases Pins on E-Bay and they picked their own lanyards 1st day at the parks. Also Ears were a MUST our kids were not very interested in shopping or the novelty light ups the vendors brought out at night. We used our snack credits for an ice cream or float every day, saved the treats from meals so later snacks, we even allowed them a treat at the candy store. This was a big deal for our kids since we do not allow daily sweets nor do we buy random toys or candy when we go to the store. Our kids kept checking our faces when we would say "yes" My Hubby charged another $75 to his debit card the last day for my new mickey straw hat that suited me well lol and additional treats before we walked out of the park it was so hard to say goodbye
= $489

Add'l shopping we went to Walgreens where we bought milk,cereal and bread plus a case of water and 2 of the Gift Shops before driving out of the Disney $200 spent (DH let the kids go crazy @the gift shops buying crap that had nothing to do with Disney )
=$200

We drove which saved another $1,500 atleast! We drove straight thru on the way down, stopping for breakfast once and gas fill ups as well as soda. Way home 1 hotel stay and 1 breakfast stop. Other stops gas only. 6 Fill-Ups we only stopped at Walmarts and Krogers where we got 10 cents and up off of each fill-up
= $291 Fuel
= $51 Hotel
= $150 Breakfast (it was probably a little less)
= $20 in snacks on the road (mostly RedBull and Soda we had LOTS of snacks)

Came Home with $$$$$ The kids were not deprived of anything BUT balloons and facepaint They were just so happy to be there. The Pin Trade was great the kids couldnt wait to show off their pins.

Our Tips =

More than 2 kids book during the Kids Play Free Promo
Dining Plan PERFECT
Cases of Water a MUST
Small Soft Side Cooler for water
I carried washclothes from the room to wipe sweat
Kids had their own mini fans

Next Time we go =
Insulated Water Bottles or Funtainers/Thermos
The keep cool neck things I read about here

Thats IT =) We did not make it to any of the rope drops and only went back for naps the first 2 days.

 

[mansionmama]

WOW!! You guys did great- and sounds like you had a fabulous time!

 

[carrie1626]

very impressive
glad you had a great time,too

"next time.........."

they got ya!!!! It is a Magical place, isn't it!!

 

[Deesknee]

That is awesome! So glad you all enjoyed it.
No matter how I plan, whether we buy the DDP, fly or drive, etc. doesn't matter, DH always says...it's gonna cost us $5000. And he almost always is right. When the 3 older kids were under the 10yr mark we used to bring my mom and get her her own room, that would bring it up to the $5000. Now they are considered adults (which I guess they are...) we have a younger one, so it cost us $5000. haha. It's all good though. some of the best $$$ we have ever spent are on WDW vacations.
Sincerely happy you were able to make it work. Your kids sound very appreciative.

 

[tanyatpb]

Thats awesome! Wish I coulda got that good of a deal!

 

[HappyGal]

That's terrific! I haven't heard of the kids play free promo? I'll have to watch out for th at! Thanks for sharing your trip & tips!

 

[phred52]

Way to go!! You did great!

 

[mrseace711]

Thank You Thank YOU all I just wanted to inspire other families who have never been and thought Disney was out of their reach.

 

[ffcheff]

It can be done. I had priced a 4 night 5 day including air fare for a family of 5 for $3100 during free dining in october. spending money not included. great job on your part and thanks for sharing.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Great post We also took advantage of the kids stay/play free promo since all of our kids were 9 years old and under during our trip and that promotion saved us more than the original free dining offer we had booked.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Wow! You Rock Momma! Saving money at the World always make for an even magical trip.

 

[jacksmom]

You did great!

 

[Queen2]

WOW, that is totally awesome

 

[Travelingdad]

I wasn't aware of this promo either. Does anyone know if it will be done in 2012 and what dates? We booked a family of 5 on property for 10 days with water parks, using the free dining promo for about $4,200. Im happy with that but if this offers a better deal I want to check it out.

 

[mrseace711]

I wasn't aware of this promo either. Does anyone know if it will be done in 2012 and what dates? We booked a family of 5 on property for 10 days with water parks, using the free dining promo for about $4,200. Im happy with that but if this offers a better deal I want to check it out.

When you have more than 1 or 2 kids the Kids Play Free promo works out better. We have 4 kids under 10.

The promo we got was offered at the end of Feb or begining of March when we booked, theres a set of travel dates to pick from

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I wasn't aware of this promo either. Does anyone know if it will be done in 2012 and what dates? We booked a family of 5 on property for 10 days with water parks, using the free dining promo for about $4,200. Im happy with that but if this offers a better deal I want to check it out.

Like the OP mentioned, the kids stay/play free promo tends to be a better deal if you have two or more kids that meet the age requirement for the promo which is 3 years to 9 years old. I also have four children ages 9 and under so this deal was a no brainer for us and saved us more than the free dining promo for our past trip.

 

[Suger Mag]

Wow, great job on saving! SOunds like you had a awesome time.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Wonderful for you and your family. Congrats on an affordable vacation at the best place on earth. You know, they are going to start asking to go back very soon!!