Grandparent on a budget...ideas?

[GracieB]

It is tough, as a single grandparent on a budget, to make the most of Disneyland, when paying for all trip expenses without help! My last one-day trip with them inspired me to try for a 5 day trip this Summer.

I am trying to justify paying $180 for us to do the Fantasmic Dessert seating. Last time, we saw the roped-off seating and dearly wished we could do it. My hesitation is the expense, plus the waiting time.

Higher on my priority is the princess lunch, which I did last month with other adults and loved. Bibbity Bobbety Boutique sounds great, but expensive.

Hotel, food, tickets, transportation are high enough already, it is the extras that are difficult. Suggestions?

 

[dragonflycurls]

Personally I would rather do the princess lunch than the fantasmic dessert seating. But it's up to what is more important for you!

If you do decide to do the princess lunch you can save a bit of money by buying vouchers from ares travel or get away today.

Do you have costco? Sometimes you can get cheaper package deals on hotels and it includes premium meal vouchers. But it always pays to check first because sometimes the deals aren't the best.

It's also worth continually checking for hotel deals. We went two weeks ago and had a crazy awesome deal at the Anabella- 5 nights for $497. We had never stayed there and were a bit hesitant but we absolutely loved the place and would go again. The only issue is that there is no breakfast, but we went to the store and got some yogurts, cereals, etc for the mini fridge. We ate almost all breakfasts in the hotel and then would also pack sandwiches and things for some lunches to save money.

The number 1 tip I got from here is to bring a refillable bottle for water. It worked like a charm and you can get cold water from so many places- even fruit infused water from Starbucks.

 

[krispin41]

How old are the grandkids? I loved the dessert seating for Fantasmic, but age would play a factor in it for me. If the kids are young, I would probably wait.

Also, I like to book through AAA or Walt Disney Travel because they allow you to make payments.

 

[lovebug33]

Get the Disney credit card and charge everything to it. Dh and I have done two one day trips lately because we had the money for tickets from the rewards. You could probably get enough to pay for the princess lunch or the dessert seating tha way.

 

[YukonMommy]

I would suggest taking in a blanket and staking out a spot for F! instead of the seating. The views are just as good (and free), you could *purchase each grandchild a special snack (candy apple, lollipop, popcorn, etc) to have while waiting for the show all cuddled up together talking about your day (this is what we do with our 4 kids and Gramma when we go).

I would pick the princess lunch over the Bibbity boutique. We took along crowns and fancy dresses for our girls and they loved it (ok I will admit I had a crown also!!)

Lets be honest a trip to Disney should be enough for the kids, if you can't afford the extras then don't do them! Disney, as you know, can be enjoyed just as much without all the extra bells and whistles!

*my Mom always gave our kids a gift certificate she had made up on the computer, it said it was good for 1 treat of their choice from the Main street candy store to be redeemed on the day we were going to watch F! and it could be eaten while waiting for F! to start as we staked out a spot around 4:30.

We also had a rule about stuff....we would buy them 1 article of clothing and they could take $50 of their earned money/allowance to spend on what they choose. For us its more about the memories than the stuff


Have the most Magical time!!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I'm a single grandma so I pay for all expenses when I take my granddaughter. Once I decide when we're going, I make lists of everything we want to do and how much it will cost, and then I start budgeting like crazy. It is hard, but once you have everything listed out it seems easier to decide where you want your money to go. For our upcoming trip, we are staying off site and this was a big compromise for me because I love staying at the GC, but I know my granddaughter (6 yrs old) will love Hojo's because of the water play areas. Next time we go (March 2015) we are splurging all the way, and I'm already saving for that trip. I think the most important thing is just to make indelible memories, and they don't have to cost a lot. Do the things that your budget allows. Even without all of the bells and whistles, DLR has enough magic. Also, about Fantasmic! dessert package - we did that in May and it was awesome. I did not line up at that podium. We just showed up about 15 minutes before the show and took the seats that were left. I refused to wait for seats I had already reserved and paid for. We were in the back row and it was great because my granddaughter could have sat on her knees if she needed to, but she didn't have any problem seeing the show.

 

[smiles33]

If your granddaughters are older (say above age 8), maybe you can do the far cheaper Studio 365 makeovers in Downtown Disney? My 8 year old is no longer as "dazzled" by princesses but would love to get some makeup and hair as a special treat. We didn't have time this past trip, but I considered it instead of BBB. From what I've read on their website and here on DISBoards, you don't get a Fairy Godmother-in-training or the same fancy reveal, but $19.95 is much cheaper than the cheapest BBB packages and your DGD will still likely enjoy being fawned over and feeling like a fancy/glamorous girl.

We have also done the Ariel's Grotto lunch twice and I don't think it's worth the money. FIL and MIL paid for it the second time, otherwise I wouldn't have wanted to go again. They were too rushed going from table to table, compared to meeting them in the park. We had better, longer interactions with the princesses at the Princess Fantasy Faire/Royal Hall (the new one by the theater) and we lucked out and only had a 10-15 minute wait (compared to 3 years ago when we were in the old space and waits were much longer). The advantage of doing Ariel's Grotto is sitting and eating while the kids meet the princesses--but that often means they don't eat much and get hungry later. I'd rather spend 10-15 minutes waiting in line than over $100 for a family of 4 to eat at AG.

If you're going to do a character meal, what's your priority? If you want to meet the most characters and don't care about quality of the food, I think Minnie's breakfast at the Plaza Inn had the best location (inside DL!) and most commonly known characters. But if you're weighing characters plus food quality, we liked Goofy's the best of the 4 character meals we've tried. It's just a trek to get to the DLH.

As for the Fantastic package, we've never done it as my girls are still too sensitive to scary scenes. But IMHO, it seems worthwhile for those who don't want to wait 90+ minutes for a great seat, but if you have more time than money, I'd just go sit and relax (and rest those weary feet!).

Have a great time!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Just going to Disneyland with your grandkids is magical! I have been very lucky that my mom is always willing to meet me at DL and my dad comes too when he can get away from work. My mom has taken my kids without me as well. I honestly can't think of any special meal or add on that they have paid for but my kids have wonderful memories of the times they have spent at DL with Grandma and Grandpa! Ride the rides! That is the most fun at DL! Skip the stuff that will stress your budget - there is a line between, "Hey, that Fantasmic dessert area looks exclusive - I wish I were one of the few", and maxing out your credit card to make yourself feel like one of the few for two hours.

 

[Disney Dory]

These are all great suggestions! I am wondering if someone can tell me what the princess lunch is? Do you have to get tickets for it or reservations?

 

[smiles33]

These are all great suggestions! I am wondering if someone can tell me what the princess lunch is? Do you have to get tickets for it or reservations?

The princess lunch is one of the 5 character meal options. If you book a meal at Ariel's Grotto in DCA, you get to meet Ariel and 4 other princesses. Search for the master character meal thread and you can read reviews and see photos.

 

[Disney Dory]

Thank you Smiles 33