Going back to our "Happy Place"...on a BUDGET

[DisneyJo]

Hi Amy, I found you, I think I'm going to be busy after Monday but I'll always make time to read your TR And I don't sound like Mary Poppins OK

 

[Trentmom]

Hi! I will be getting Rebekah's outgrown shoes soon.I better start buying her the good stuff...


Hi! I am getting excited now that Christmas is over and I can start planning more. With my Christmas money my ticket is almost paid for. My birthday is next week and I have told my family all I want is money.


Hi! I am not sure of the name of the condo.Thats pretty bad,huh?My friend booked it and she did send me an email a long time ago.I will get more info when she gets back in town.

Thanks for telling me the parking fees.I was going to look that up.

I can't believe the stroller rental is so expensive! Glad I have one to take,though I am worried about everything fitting in the van.

I will be posting pics soon! DH gave me a camera for Christmas!! Also today I was cleaning out closets/kids' rooms and started packing. My family thinks I am loony but I found a bunch of shorts and Disney shirts.I saw no reason to pack them into storage only to have to find them again.

Now that Christmas is over I will be doing some major planning and will be posting here alot more.Gotta keep it all straight...

Love the preparation leading up to the trip.

packing makes it all seem closer for sure

 

[dismom9761]

Hi Amy, I found you, I think I'm going to be busy after Monday but I'll always make time to read your TR And I don't sound like Mary Poppins OK

Umm...okay, if you say so. Thanks for reading. I HAVE to get into the planning!!!

Love the preparation leading up to the trip.

packing makes it all seem closer for sure

I usually love preparing for the trip but for some reason I am having a hard time getting into the mood. I really need to plan more for this one.The last several trips have been during slow times with very little crowds but this is during a busy week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

[dismom9761]

I have been busy this weekend ,finally starting to prepare for the trip.

We are staying at the Villas at Regal Palms.Anybody heard of it??
Here is the info that my friend sent me:
It is about 10 miles from Disney, so not any further than Kissimmee. The townhouse has 3 bedrooms: one with two doubles, one with a queen, and one with a king, plus a sofa bed, so it should sleep 10 no problem. There is also a full kitchen (where we can make breakfast and snacks to save more money) and a garage.

If at any time we have to come back for a break, they have a pool with a water slide and a lazy river.

Sounds good to me.

I tried on the kids' summer clothes from last year and they were all too small. I hated to have to think of buying summer clothes so early but it gives me plenty of time to start looking for bargains.I did super well this weekend and am almost done. I got Rachel several pair of shorts,capris and a Disney shirt on clearance.I got Peyton five pair of shorts on clearance and even had a $10 off coupon so I spent very little and got his favorite brand,Under Armour.Rebekah took back two pair of boots to Limited Too and was able to get a pair of Capris,shorts and two shirts plus we got all the clothes for Rachel and I only owed $2. I had coupons that helped there too.I have actually impressed DH with my thrifty shopping.

We have talked about joining the local YMCA and finally went ahead and joined last Friday.We both wanted to get in better shape before we go.We only have 41 daysyay: ) but we need to do what we can to prepare for the walking.Since starting work my health has been put on the backburner.

Tonight is my birthday party with my family and I have told everyone that wanted to get me a gift to give me money for Disney.I hope to get enough to pay the rest of my ticket plus some to go toward food.

DH found a jar of quarters where he had started collecting all the states or whatever he was collecting them for.He has decided to roll those and put it toward his ticket. I just love "found" money.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Happy Birthday Amy!

The condo sounds nice - a big one! I'll have to look it up in my timeshare book.

I have to go through summer clothes too - I know Zachary will be OK because he can wear hand me downs, but I'm not sure how Alex's are going to fit.

Have a fun party!

 

[Trentmom]

Happy Bday!!! Hope you get a lot disney gift cards or money for your trip


Sounds like you did great with shopping

 

[aldisneygrl]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!! Hope you get lots of $$$$$$!

 

[dismom9761]

Happy Birthday Amy!

The condo sounds nice - a big one! I'll have to look it up in my timeshare book.

I have to go through summer clothes too - I know Zachary will be OK because he can wear hand me downs, but I'm not sure how Alex's are going to fit.

Have a fun party!

Hi! I wish I had hand me downs for my kids.The size differences between my older boy/girl and my younger ones is waay too big.I think the condo is going to be perfect.

Happy Bday!!! Hope you get a lot disney gift cards or money for your trip


Sounds like you did great with shopping

Thanks! My birthday is Wednesday but we have a busy week so I decided to have everyone over today. I did get some money! I am going to update our budget/savings in a minute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!!! Hope you get lots of $$$$$$!

Thanks!

 

[jordanyosh]

Why hello stranger!!!!!!!!!!

I'm along for the ride again....

 

[dismom9761]

Here is our budget so far and what we have managed to save.Its been soo hard with Christmas presents to buy.We only use cash so its been very tight this year.I will put what we have in red.


Tickets-$1375($726)
Room for 2/12-??
rooms through Hotwire 2/13 & 2/14-$75
condo-$200(paid)
gas-?? will split with GM
tolls-??
paying to park-$96
Counter services and offsite meals-$400 ($50)
Table services-$350($60)

We also have money in the credit union that we are trying to not touch to use for food money.We had to use some at Christmas but I think we have about $400.DH counted his quarters tonight and added them to the Disney fund.He had $105! He also added his $50 Visa Card he got for Christmas to go toward food.I am hoping to babysit the next few weekends and make some money.We want to send off for the tickets in a couple of weeks.39 more days!!!

I am trying to decide what bag to take now.I have the baggalini but it rubbed my neck and was very uncomfortable.I guess I need to decide what I will be carrying so that I know how big I need it.

Carrying to the parks
mine and Rachel's sunglasses
bandaids
camera
cash
cell phone
penlight
hand sanitizer
Rachel extra outfit in ziploc
small book w/ ADRs ,etc
pen for me
small sunscreen
park tickets
tissue pack
small pack of wipes

 

[dismom9761]

Why hello stranger!!!!!!!!!!

I'm along for the ride again....

Jordan!!! I have been wanting to check on your current report but feel so lost after my long absence. I will have to set aside some time for it.

You have to help me remember what all I am forgetting...

Thanks for stopping in..

 

[jordanyosh]

Jordan!!! I have been wanting to check on your current report but feel so lost after my long absence. I will have to set aside some time for it.

You have to help me remember what all I am forgetting...

Thanks for stopping in..

Don't worry. I have only been on 3 or 4 times since May to post on my TR. I am only now catching up this last week or two.

Take your time. There's always my new PTR which will be out in a few weeks.

 

[dismom9761]

Don't worry. I have only been on 3 or 4 times since May to post on my TR. I am only now catching up this last week or two.

Take your time. There's always my new PTR which will be out in a few weeks.

I will definitely be looking forward to that.

 

[DisneyJo]

Happy Birthday Amy

 

[TeaForTulips]

Hello! Read your last trip report and now Im subbing for your pre trip report! Very enjoyable!

Im so excited for you!

Cant wait to read more.

 

[dismom9761]

Happy Birthday Amy

Thanks,Jo.

Hello! Read your last trip report and now Im subbing for your pre trip report! Very enjoyable!

Im so excited for you!

Cant wait to read more.

Hi! Thanks for reading.I am working on my packing list and will be posting it soon. Also need to work on my daily plans...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day!
Did you got lots of money the other night?

 

[dismom9761]

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day!
Did you got lots of money the other night?

Thanks and it was not really a good day but thats okay.I celebrated on Sunday.

I was just posting on your pretrip while you were posting here.

I got about $200 which paid for the rest of my ticket and some towards food.

I just found out I need to try to change an ADR.I have a friend that lives in Tampa and wants to come see us on the second Friday night we are there. That night we are supposed to eat at Ohanas and that is my absolute favorite restaraunt.

 

[Trentmom]

Thanks and it was not really a good day but thats okay.I celebrated on Sunday.

I was just posting on your pretrip while you were posting here.

I got about $200 which paid for the rest of my ticket and some towards food.

I just found out I need to try to change an ADR.I have a friend that lives in Tampa and wants to come see us on the second Friday night we are there. That night we are supposed to eat at Ohanas and that is my absolute favorite restaraunt.

woo for bday money!! Happy bday!!!

OH man. IF you can not change it...just have her meet you during the day..I would not give that meal up

 

[dismom9761]

woo for bday money!! Happy bday!!!

OH man. IF you can not change it...just have her meet you during the day..I would not give that meal up

Thanks! And I got $50 last night. It went right into the Disney fund.

I didn't get home tonight early enough to call so I will tomorrow.