Have any money saving tips/secrets?

[Travelbug12]

I think everyone about covered it but I will add a couple details. I have a slightly different slant on things because the best way for me to save money is to make the trip short. This means really expert planning. I know this sounds silly, but your biggest expense is your time in the parks (prices went up again this year) and planning to get the most out of this time while still having fun is helpful.

That being said, when at 1 pm my kids just wanted to go back to the hotel and swim, I took it in stride. Anyway, because of this my variation on the food goes like this: First choice go to the supermarket...no time go to the 7-11 still can't fit it in you can still save money by going to the food court in your hotel and grabbing dry cereal, bagels, bananas anything you can carry. Don't look at the price because its still cheaper than anything in the park. Someone wrote that they bought two slices of bread for a nominal price and took some jelly for free and made cheap sandwiches. The idea again it to avoid eating in the parks when possible or even to eat just less. Then when it comes to eating, try to eat off premises, can't manage that, eat in your food court trying to avoid the parks except for special occasions. Then plan your special meals by researching and having a meal you truly enjoy.

When you end up paying more than you want for food remember its part of the price of getting the most out of the parks sometimes.

Also, I know that some of you are collectors so this doesn't always apply, but I taught my children from two years old that if we were going to be able to afford to travel that buying stuff while anywhere whether the zoo or disney is out of the question. Of course sometimes you have to break the rules, but the less money you can spend the better.

 

[DisnyMama]

My DS and I just returned from a 9 night All Star Sports vacation 12/15-12/24. Including tipping skycaps, busdrivers and mousekeeping, airport parking at the Van Nuys Flyaway and Flyaway bus tickets, food and just a couple souveniers I spent $660.00 for the two of us. The only meal we had prepaid before we left was for the candlelight procesional. We had two splurges (in our opinion) Lunch at Sci-Fi, our favorite and lunch at The Brown Derby. We had to try the Cobb Salad. My DS loved it. I enjoyed the ambiance more than the salad but was glad we did it. We got the mugs because I am a huge soda drinker and we had breakfast and dinner from the food court each day. sometimes I had only a biscuit or danish or just coffee for breakfast. Breakfast was usually late so we very rarely had lunch, maybe an ice cream or snack in the afternoon and then Dinner and desert back at the foodcourt. Earl of Sandwich was a great deal. We could get 2 sandwiches and a bag of chips for just under $12.00 and take it back to our hotel room and use our mugs for soda. Where at WDW can you get a great meal for $12 bucks? We did this a couple times. We also one night ordered a double cheeseburger with an extra bun at the food court because they give you plenty of fries and my DS didn't want any fries that night so dinner was only about $8. Considering that we covered all our expenses I think we did pretty good for 9 days. I ususally budget $1000 for 7 or 8 days.

 

[dyna]

I agree start saving now. Not only your singles and change but when you think about eating out just think how much cheaper you can throw a quick easy meal together at home and add the savings to the jar.

Use coupons add that savings to the jar as well.

Some has a yard sale and adds that money to their trip fund as well.

Breakfast in the room isa huge money saver and time saver as well. We always drive and take our food and cooler with us. Cereal and fruit for breakfast. We also take enough sodas for our stay. Meaning the ones we will drink in the room and at food court yes we been known to take in our own sodas to the food court.

We take peanut butter and bread that is usually our dinner or supper sometimes a few other snacks. DD loves the pudding and such in the small containers. They don't need to go in the fridge.

DH takes care of the cooler couple times a day draining off the water and adding more ice. It's worth it to him to have the ice cold drinks in the room and the milk for breakfast. Much cheaper than renting a fridge.

OH you might think of jobs that you now pay for someone else to do for you that you could do yourself cheaper and add that to the disney fund.

Yes the budget board would be a good place to look for even more ideas.

 

[Evil Queen]

I use many of these tips too.

Change, change, change....you would be so surprise how quickly that adds up. Then we have a "rolling party" about a week before our trip, where we roll all our change. Where you hold your bank account, normally won't mind cashing them out.

Another, when we have the urge to go eat out, we will decide to cook at home. Not everytime, but even cutting out a meal or two eating out HELPS!

Movie night? Go rent a movie, even up it one better, get a Disney movie to help get you in the Disney mood.

I bought water bottles, that came in an insulted carrier with a strap. I would fill them up with ice from the machines at the resort in the morning and never added water. By the time you wanted water, the ice was melted and cold water was there. We carry a back pack and most have a place for water bottles on the outside, so I never had to deal with the straps of the bottles around my neck. And I was surprised it never seem to weight down the pack that much.

I carry snacks in the pack too. Great little fillers until the lunch crowds die down.

Breakfast in the rooms always!! Poptarts, muffins (individually wrapped), pecan rolls, granola bars. Even those small boxes of cereal (you can get milk in the resort gift shops-if you don't have a fridge in your room).

We are big soda/coffee drinkers, get mugs from the resorts to refill.

Depending on what time of year you are going, when at your local Target, Wal-Mart look for sales on clothes. My DS23 scored big on Star Wars shirts for $5.00 last year for the day at MGM.

Start your "supply" kit EARLY. Band-aids, sunscreen, Tylenol, sinus meds, etc. I have a box I have just for this. I make a supply list first and then mark off the items as I get them. I add to it each payday a little something, so I am not so worried about what I hhave or what I have to spend to finish getting ready for the trip.

We drive so I know much of this is easier on me than many folks, but I take a cooler. We make several sandwiches to eat on the way and after we arrive. Meals are taken care of for day 1 for sure.