Food budgeting questions....

[bettyann29]

Hello all.. At this point I am doing a little research.. We already have 2 cruises booked for 2005 so are looking into going to WDW with the kids at the end of 2006 or possibly summertime 2007.. I had hoped to do a 4day disneycruise/3 day land cruise but I almost fell over as I am researching the costs.. I just cant bring myself to pay that much although I know the kids and myself would love it.. so I am now looking at a week at disneyworld and then a week with family who is a few hours away.. We would be staying at a value resort (staying at disney isnt something I want to change because I want that atmosphere and the perks of staying there).. We will be driving, so there is no airfare costs.. I have researched the park passes.... My question is this... what can I expect to budget for food?? Its been 2 years since Ive been to WDW so I cant remember for the life of me what I need to budget.. There will be 4 adults and 3 children.. I am thinking about doing 2 character meals of which one will probably be breakfast and the other lunch.. I know the dinner ones cost more, so I dont want to do that.. I figure the other mornings we will eat breakfast in the room as I will bring coolers.. My main concern is lunches and dinnertime.. I figure I would bring some snacks and we will bring plenty of drinks so we wont need to purchase the refillable mugs as we have done in the past.. Can we bring our own coffeepot for the room or is that a hazard?

Im not real concerned about the misc spending as I will allow so much for each person for misc spending ahead of time and will buy disneydollars at birthdays, christmas etc..

Is there any other ways to get cheaper tickets or hotel prices?? I do remember in years past with my employer we were able to sign up and got a disney magazine and was thinking we got specials or something but that was years ago.. Is there still anything around??

Thanks for any suggestions..

 

[Disney_1derland]

First, buy your tickets now. They don't expire and this way you will avoid any price increases that will surely happen by then. The cheapest place I have found is hotwire savings club. They are even cheaper than military tickets by a few dollars.

For food ask youself these questions, are your character meals going to be your only sit down meals? How much do each of you normally eat when you eat fast food? Do you normally get a 'combo meal' like at mcdonalds and get it the normal (medium) way or do you upsize to large or supersize? How about the kids? Are they still going to be eating a kids meal at that time? Or will they be old enough to eat adult sized meals.

A good way to judge this would be to look at the menus on allearsnet.com and total a typical meal for your family.

The meals at most counter service places are on the large side. When we go, dh and I split a meal or we each get a meal and split with a kid. This saves us tons of money. Of course, they still get us because we love the snacky stuff

We typically spend $20 on a counter service meal for 4 of us. That's two combo meals and two extra drinks. We also maximize that by eating at the counter service locations with the toppings bars. My four year old loves the toppings bars because she would rather eat pickles and tomatoes anyhow LOL.

It really depends on the eating habits of your family. Have fun planning!

 

[hockey mom]

The Disney club card that you are referring to is no longer valid. There are hotel discounts to be had though. AAA discount runs all year and quite a few certain codes are put out that can help anyone. Keep an eye on Mousesavers for this info.

Food- go to wdwig.com for all the menus with pricing. This really helps to figure out how much money will be needed.

 

[Taja]

You also might want to consider purchasing one AP for an adult in your party to qualify for AP discounts, if they become available for the time of your trip. The best part about AP discounts is you don't have to have one at the time you book, just when you check in. And only one adult in your party needs to have it. The others can use any form of ticket media.

Also, don't forget that you will need two rooms at any resort other than Fort Wilderness cabins for the size of your party. I believe you can book up to four rooms in one name (should be the AP holder, just to be safe).

The rule of thumb with APs is the break-even is 8 days in the parks. However, if you save more than the difference of an x-day hopper and the AP on your room during a shorter stay, it can be worthwhile.

For example, last December I stayed as CSR using an AP discount and saved about $300 over rack rates for the same period. I really only need a six-day park hopper (and I believe only PAPs are available for six days, which I didn't want the plus feature), so I calculated the ticket cost at $50 per day not used, which netted savings of about $200. I think it actually ended up about $250 in the end.

How it works: You make your room only reservation at rack rate (or discounted AAA rate, if available and elegible) and pay for one night plus tax at that time. Make sure it is room only. The AP discounts do not apply to packages--and if you add one little thing, it becomes a package. Then you wait. And wait. And wait. Depending on their projections, WDW may announce discounts about 4 to 8 weeks prior to your trip. Then you immediately call and ask them to apply the AP discount to your room(s). Subscribe to the MouseSavers newsletter for discount codes, and they are announced on this site as soon as someone has confirmation of the codes.

The AP discounts were running about 30% to 40% in 2003; this year they seem to be 25% to 30% for the most part. There is no guarantee that discounts will be offered, which is why you don't purchase the AP pass until after you have secured the discount.

However, purchasing any other passes in advance to minimize the possibility of price increases is a good idea.

Happy planning!


__________________
Taja

 

[bettyann29]

Thanks for the suggestions.. I can use any help that is offered.. Personally I dont eat much at all, so I think myself and my youngest can share some meals.. my oldest 2 I think can share too, but I think when budgeting I will budget as them getting their own meals, just so I wont come up short.. My boyfriend and his 2 children will definitely need their own meals.. so this really helps.. I will check out the sites mentioned just to get an idea of prices..

I knew we were going to have to have 2 rooms, so I have budgeted for that. My question is about the AP.. If I get one how do I book the room if we dont have the AP when I book?? Do I tell them I have it when booking?

 

[tcfdick]

That's what I did in 2003. I had an AP voucher, but not the activated pass. When booking my room, I told the CM that I had an AP and asked if there were any available dicounted AP room rates. There was and I was able to book the room at the AP rate. When I arrived, I activated my AP at the Animal Kingdom, went on some rides, then checked in at the resort later that day.

 

[bettyann29]

Thanks for your reply.. I was thinking that was what I was supposed to do.. Can anyone tell me if the AAA rates are generally better than getting the AP rates?? Just trying to figure out which might be the better deal as we wont go back to WDW more than this one trip in a one year span as far as I know so just trying to decide if that is the way to go or not

I really do appreciate you guys.. Ive been trying to figure out all weekend how I can make this work. I would love to go in March 2006 because its just not feasible before than due to trips already scheduled for next year..

 

[Pea-n-Me]

bettyann,
Walmart sells a good sized refrigerator with adapter for around $80 that will plug into your car battery and also a wall plug for your room. It might make it a little easier than coolers, especially if you can use it later on for other trips (it's in the camping and cooler section). You should be able to bring a coffeepot and microwave if you want. Have you considered getting a Cabin at FW? With the code discount (on Mousesavers.com) they are running about the same cost you will pay for 2 value rooms but you get a kitchen also as well as a grill and you could then cook some meals there instead of eating out.

Some other thoughts for *cheaper meals*: Trails End Buffet at FW - no characters but large lunch and dinner buffets at less expensive prices than the others. Food court at the Land pavilion in Epcot has some nice choices during the day fairly cheap. Fast food Chinese food at China in the WS, kids like it and can share, can eat outside. Since you have a car you can drive offsite to some of the chain restaraunts if you want, coupons available in the Entertainment books, etc... Where there's a will there's a way...