First Visit, 32 Days And Counting!!!!!!!!

[disneyqt]

MY FAMILY AND I WILL BE @ WDW FOR A 5 NIGHTS. IT'S JUST THREE OF US MYSELF AND TWO JRS. I'M REALY STARTING TO STRESS OVER OUR BUDGET. I BOUGHT OUR PLANE TICKETS IN JANURARY, BEFORE THE FTP CAME OUT. WE WOULD LOVE TO STAY 7 NIGHT INSTEAD OF 5, BUT IT WILL COST ME $1OO'S PER TICKET TO MAKE ANY CHANGES. WOULD IT REALLY BE WORTH IT? I'M TAKING $1,800 DOLLARS SPENDING MONEY. BUT IF I MAKE THE CHANGES TO OUR TICKETS I WILL ONLY BE TAKING $1,500. WILL THAT BE ENOUGH?? I WILL BE MAKING A GROCERY STOP SO WE CAN EAT BREAKFAST IN OUR ROOM, BUT THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN MY SPENDING MONEY. MY CHILDREN WILL HAVE $3OO EACH FOR SOME MEALS AND SOUVERNEERS. PLUS I WILL BE SENDING A BOX TO THE RESORT WITH SNACKS,JUICE,WATER,CEREAL, POPTARTS,CHIPS,LIL DEBBIE CAKES, CANDY,AND GUM. I WILL PICKUP FRUIT, MILK, SANDWHICH MEAT,BREAD.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO HAVE A PLAN? WE REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT ORDER WE WOULD LIKE TO DO THINGS IN. WE WOULD LIKE TO DO WHATEVER COMES TO MIND AT THE TIME. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO TAKE AND AFTERNOON BREAK TO SHOWER AND CHANGE,HAVE DINNER THEN HIT THE PARKS AGAIN IN THE EVENING. IS THAT WHAT EVERYONE USUALLY DOES?

THIS BOARD HAS VERY HELPFUL. THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD TIPS.

GONE DISNEY CRAZY IN KENTUCKY

 

[wdwnutze]

I would think that for an extra $300 it would be worth it. WDW is very large and takes a long time to see everything. You don't mention your kids ages, but they can always split a meal(portions are very large). There are all sorts of things you can do to make up for the money spent to change you tickets. Breakfast in the room is a good start. Put snacks in the kids fanny packs and bring your own bottles of water. You should try to budget out the money you will spend eash day so you can break it down for yourself. You should also come up with a certain amount that your kids can have for souvineers($50 each). I think you will be fne with $1500. If your kids are old enough, explain to them that in order to stay 2 more days you need to work on a daily budget. If there is extra money at the end of the week you can all do something special with it. Good luck
P.S Turn of your caps when you're typing. Caps mean you're yelling!

 

[prncess674]

sending bottled water, cokes and juices in the mail can be $$$$. Add these items to your grocery stop list. I think rather than saying I have $1500 you need to plan a daily budget. This will help you where you can economize and where you may be splurging. Look at www.wdwig.com to see the menus for all the restaurants in WDW. This will give you an idea how much meals will cost YOUR family. Only you know how much your kiddies will actually eat. Will they eat off the kid's menu or will they eat adult entrees. There is usually a big price difference. Can the 2 kiddies split an adult entree?

Portions are large so factor that in to your budget. Also making a daily budget and tour plan will help you decide if you need to make any priority seating reservations at sit down restaurants. Sit down meals are cheaper at lunch so if you do an in room breakfast, a big sit down lunch you may be able to get away with a light snack for dinner (perhaps PBJ in the room). Only you know what you can get away with in your family.

Soft drinks at quick service restaurants are expensive so either plan on sharing a soft drink or just drink your bottled water you brought with you.

Also instead of ordering everyone a burger and fries. Try ordering one less side item. So if there are three people order 3 sandwiches and two fries.

 

[prncess674]

I would also separate food money from souvenir money. Give each kid Disney Dollars for souvenirs. If you give them each one pool of money for food and souvenirs they may run out of money before the end of your trip. Disney Dollars are good way to separate out the money. $50 per child I think is more than adequate for souvenirs in my book. Also let them spend as they see fit. If it is "their" money they are usually alot more careful in how they spend it. They see your wallet as an endless supply.