Family of 8, how we ate for under $1000 over 6 days..and more tips

[TIMLEO007]

Hi, Tim! I am a DVC member from NC, too! We have 4 children, and got tired of having to reserve 2 rooms, so DVC made sense for us, too. The ability to cook in the room is great, while still having all the on-site Disney perks. Your dining arrangement looks a lot like ours did back in the day. When we first purchased in 1999, our kids were 11,9,7, and 5. Now 2 have graduated college (1 is married, one engaged), and 2 are still in college at different schools. We started with 150 Boardwalk points...about 5 minutes later I was adding on already! We still use our points every year for a big family trip (complete with son-in-law, fiance, and friends), usually at Thanksgiving, and I rent out or donate the rest. Once I have grandchildren, I imagine we will be taking more than 1 trip a year, but I just can not afford to add-on any more points through Disney...WAY too expensive now. I do catch myself browsing the resale listings every now and then, though...

Looking forward to those days when the kids are grown and grand kids are on the way as well. Although we love NC, we have been looking to move to FL...moved here from Tampa in 2000, and probably back to the same area in a few years. Kissimmee is a nice area too.......hhhhmmmmm.....

 

[Mic]

I have the best of both worlds...I live in NC, but my oldest daughter moved to Lake Mary a year after graduating from UNC. She and her husband now live and work in Orlando, so I visit every chance I get. She worked for Disney for 6 months while still in college, and met her husband at Disney, where he was working as well. He moved back to Holland to finish his degree while she came back to NC for her last year of school, and they married at Disney once his visa was secured. We knew they wanted to live in Florida, and we HAD taken the child to Disney a hundred times before she moved there...she knew her way around! I hope you get back...I can't go until hubby retires!

 

[Mic]

sorry...double post

 

[TIMLEO007]

That is so cool! Love can be found anywhere.

I have the best of both worlds...I live in NC, but my oldest daughter moved to Lake Mary a year after graduating from UNC. She and her husband now live and work in Orlando, so I visit every chance I get. She worked for Disney for 6 months while still in college, and met her husband at Disney, where he was working as well. He moved back to Holland to finish his degree while she came back to NC for her last year of school, and they married at Disney once his visa was secured. We knew they wanted to live in Florida, and we HAD taken the child to Disney a hundred times before she moved there...she knew her way around! I hope you get back...I can't go until hubby retires!

 

[fairy8i8]

Looks like you travel like us!! We are a family of 6, leaving Sunday yay! We have always stayed offsite so usually end up with lunch in the parks with both breakfast and supper at our house. This time we are traveling with 14 of us, rented a house (10 mins out) 7 bdrm, 4.5 baths, game room, pool and hot tub for $89/ night. This has allowed us more $$ for extras, as we are traveling with some college aged sons and young boys we also are spending 2 days at Universal. Thanks for your post!! I love to read how others go about saving their $$

I have a friend who wants to rent a house. Where did you get this deal? That is amazing!

 

[TIMLEO007]

great tips! thanks everyone