Have kids? Need budget help!

[ZehnJahren]

Hello.

I am seriously considering taking my niece and nephews to WDW with me this year - they are 8, 11, and 12, and have never been. I have been batting this idea around for awhile, but after a recent visit with the kids I realized my time is growing short to take them and them still be interested! Upon research, it's looking like we'd go 8/13 through 8/18 IF I could do it. Otherwise, I'd be going in September as I originally planned.

I am not 100% sure of two things: 1) will my sister let me take them, and 2) can I afford it.

I've taken the kids on other outings and they know I'm not a "buyer". I figured if I was allowed to take them, I'd let them know that I would be paying for everything and ONE souvenir, but that they'd have to pay for the rest of their souvenirs. That's what we have always done at the zoo, museums, and at Six Flags.

Edited to add: I spoke with my sister on 3/2, and she said the kids could go with me! So I'm even more interested in your recommendations.

I know for a fact that I won't receive any monetary help on a trip, so I'm trying to decide if it's do-able before bringing it up to my sister. Her family has very little money and she's taking care of three kids on her own, so I wouldn't expect a dime (nor would I ever, ever ask). Further, they wouldn't be allowed out of school so I must go during the busier, hotter season.

I'm an AP holder, so I'd get in free and could use my discount in some places. I thought possibly I could sign them up for a YES program class, which they'd love and which would get them discounted tickets. I also thought that I could try to rent points from a DVC member to get us a nice place to stay with minimal money. If not, I could get an AP discount on any of the values, which would be a good deal. I do want to stay on property.

Here's my biggest expense: transportation. If we all fly, it will be almost $1000 - that's a big chunk and almost puts everything out of reach. If we drive, the cost shrinks considerably but we also have to factor in at least two days driving both ways (since I'd be alone) and a motel both ways (additional cost). Plus, I'd have to drive another 5 hours after dropping them off since we live far away from each other. If we fly, I'd drive to their city, fly to Orlando, and then fly back with them.

I'd really like to try and make this work. Really really. I have to know exactly what it will cost me and I'm trying to budget. But I've only gone with adults these past years! What additional am I forgetting?

Here's what I'm budgeting for (updated budget page 5):

Hotel - AP or DVC
Tickets - YES tickets for the three looked about $514. Otherwise, we're looking at over $900 through UT.
Flight ($1000), or car+gas+motel both ways (car could possibly be on points, or I may be able to borrow a dependable one)
If flying, I can get a car for free while there on points; we could go and get groceries and breakfast items then, and I'd feel better knowing I could personally take them to a hospital or go get medicine for them if need be.
Meals - how much? $35 per person per day? We won't be doing anything fancy, and I'd bet there will be a lot of sharing. Possibly $20 per person per day?

... So what else is there? I need a solid, hard budget so that I can determine if I have the monetary means to handle an emergency if it comes up. I don't carry credit card debt, so I wouldn't necessarily want to turn to it unless absolutely necessary. I think I couldn't go above $2500 for the trip cost if I wanted to be safe. Anything lower would be a massive perk.

Any help? Or am I delusional? I really, really want to try and make this work!

 

[fakereadhed]

The food budget is low IMHO because you can make them share when they're your kids much easier than other people's kids. I wouldn't count on that as part of the budget, unless they routinely do that at home. We have taken our kids' friends on vacation. What has worked for us is to set clear guidelines at the restaurant before ordering. "Feel free to order any entree under x amt. We are having dessert later so we're not ordering that here. You can order juice, milk, or a small soft drink." If you don't put it out there upfront, one kid can cost you an arm and a leg I'm no time. My kids intuitively know what we are OK with ordering, the other kids have no way if knowing how we expect them to order.

 

[ZehnJahren]

The food budget is low IMHO because you can make them share when they're your kids much easier than other people's kids. I wouldn't count on that as part of the budget, unless they routinely do that at home. We have taken our kids' friends on vacation. What has worked for us is to set clear guidelines at the restaurant before ordering. "Feel free to order any entree under x amt. We are having dessert later so we're not ordering that here. You can order juice, milk, or a small soft drink." If you don't put it out there upfront, one kid can cost you an arm and a leg I'm no time. My kids intuitively know what we are OK with ordering, the other kids have no way if knowing how we expect them to order.

That's a good point; I've taken the kids with me places before and we've shared, though. They DO share at home and with other members of their family, and they share with me.

When each child turned 4, we went to Six Flags - just them and me right around their 4th birthday. We had similar rules; I pay for everything, you listen to me, and you get two souvenirs at the end of the day. We had the best time! I have taken them to Six Flags on other occasions too, and each time we ended up sharing meals and desserts, just because of the size of the food baskets. I wouldn't plan on it all the time; usually what I do is give them options. Or I say "that's a lot of food, let's order one and we can come back" and then we end up full and don't need to come back.

What has been your budget when you've been with kids, for food? Do you budget in snacks? Or are those outside the budget?

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I think $35 for CS + 1 snack per day is a good estimate (excluding breakfast which you'll be picking up groceries for). CS meals with a drink average $10-$15. We usually average about $125-$150 a day for 2 CS meals and snacks a day for our family of 6, but my kids share a lot of stuff and we bring small snacks and water to the parks with us.

 

[Suellen]

You could add the Quick Service Dining plan for an average of ~$30/day.

We usually get three adult meals and split them up for four and sometimes 5 people. EASY!

Especially because we (me and my girls) prefer water. We get three large drinks (iced tea usually) and then a couple large ice waters.

Then we use the extra meals we have to get breakfasts in the morning.

I think your biggest advantage will be to sit them down before you go and explain the cost of things and what you will and won't allow for.

This would make Food: $584.80
Transport: $1000
Tickets: $514

That only leaves you about $400 for a room.

It may be hard to do.

I'd also say try Sam's Club for GC's ~ it only saves you about 2% but I always figure that 2% is better for me than nothing!!

FWIW ~ I can easily go for a week with the girls and not buy them one thing... but hubby on the other hand thinks we are the Rockafellars once we step on disney property. So kids CAN understand that.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Could you drive down by yourself? You could pick them up at the airport. If you did that, it would be one less ticket and you could bring camping gear and stay at Fort Wilderness.

 

[SaraJayne]

Does Southwest service any airports near you? You could sign up for the SW credit card and receive 50,000 points to use toward flights.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I think $35 for CS + 1 snack per day is a good estimate (excluding breakfast which you'll be picking up groceries for). CS meals with a drink average $10-$15. We usually average about $125-$150 a day for 2 CS meals and snacks a day for our family of 6, but my kids share a lot of stuff and we bring small snacks and water to the parks with us.

Interesting. And you stay in the park for the CS all day? I was thinking we'd probably need down time and would be doing some nighttime pizzas and trips to McDonald's and Subway - which can be expensive in it's own right! And your kids share, too. Ok, very helpful.

Could you drive down by yourself? You could pick them up at the airport. If you did that, it would be one less ticket and you could bring camping gear and stay at Fort Wilderness.

Would it be a very good idea to go camping in August? I'd think it would be very hot in the tents at that time of year, yes? The kids love camping, so it's something to consider (and it's actually what I did as a kid; we camped every time) - but I don't want to be hot all day and all night. I think we'd need air conditioning. But I don't know, how is the Fort?

Does Southwest service any airports near you? You could sign up for the SW credit card and receive 50,000 points to use toward flights.

Yes, we'd fly SW if we flew - but they won't give me a card. I'm in a battle right now to fix something on my credit report, since it was reported in absolute error, but it's an uphill battle to get something taken off your report even if it's wrong. As such, they won't let me have it - I tried.

DBF has great credit and has mentioned that maybe he could get the card and I could pay the yearly fee for the first year; that way we could get the tickets (it wouldn't cover all four, but it would cover almost all of them). That might be an option.

 

[clutter]

Can you go on August 25th? Free dining. In a value, it'll be counter service, but that would save food costs. With your sharing, that should completely cover your meals and snacks with little need to even supplement breakfasts. You could get by without a car.

Also, there is a link for the SW bonus points in the SW thread. For $99, you can either get airfare, or I know you can trade points for certain gift cards. Since they've stopped the 50,000 miles on the airline site, I wonder how much longer the link provided will work. Do they have any you can trade for where they sell Disney gift cards, like Target?

 

[ZehnJahren]

You could add the Quick Service Dining plan for an average of ~$30/day.

We usually get three adult meals and split them up for four and sometimes 5 people. EASY!

Especially because we (me and my girls) prefer water. We get three large drinks (iced tea usually) and then a couple large ice waters.

Then we use the extra meals we have to get breakfasts in the morning.

I think your biggest advantage will be to sit them down before you go and explain the cost of things and what you will and won't allow for.

This would make Food: $584.80
Transport: $1000
Tickets: $514

That only leaves you about $400 for a room.

It may be hard to do.

I'd also say try Sam's Club for GC's ~ it only saves you about 2% but I always figure that 2% is better for me than nothing!!

FWIW ~ I can easily go for a week with the girls and not buy them one thing... but hubby on the other hand thinks we are the Rockafellars once we step on disney property. So kids CAN understand that.

Very interesting! Thanks for the math. So, around $400 for a room isn't impossible if I get a decent AP discount - I think a 35% discount for those five nights at ASSports was right at $500. That $100 isn't a deal breaker for me, though it IS pushing the line.

However, I'm not sure how much we will be eating at the Disney parks. I'd hate to have paid for food twice; so I'd really have to examine that part and figure out a food budget if we eat at Disney all day vs. eating there and in the room. I HAVE to have some "real food" from time to time, so I need some groceries. I insist on water when we're all together in the hot weather, as do their grandparents, so we'd all drink water anyway... I'm definitely going to look more into food costs, though.

Fortunately, the kids really know what I expect from them and have always been good about following my rules. We would definitely have a serious talk about what would and wouldn't be done, and they know for certain that if they broke a rule or complained a ton that there would be consequences. They're very grateful kids, so I love to do unexpected things for them; this would be the ultimate surprise for them.

I don't have a Sam's card - and I don't think I know ANYONE who does! I have a Costco membership, but they don't sell gift cards.

Wonder if I could get a Target card and get that 5% off gift cards. Can I use Disney gift cards to pay for YES tickets? That might be a way to save a little money. Anything would help.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Can you go on August 25th? Free dining. In a value, it'll be counter service, but that would save food costs. With your sharing, that should completely cover your meals and snacks with little need to even supplement breakfasts. You could get by without a car.

Also, there is a link for the SW bonus points in the SW thread. For $99, you can either get airfare, or I know you can trade points for certain gift cards. Since they've stopped the 50,000 miles on the airline site, I wonder how much longer the link provided will work. Do they have any you can trade for where they sell Disney gift cards, like Target?

No, unfortunately their school will have started. And, for free dining, we'd have to pay rack rates and full-price tickets.

I wonder about that link too. I wish they'd give me that card. Credit reporting agencies are so difficult to work with; the information they want is so hard to get. It won't be a big deal if I can't get this improper ding to my report off of there because I have two credit cards now (no balances), paid-off car (and cash to buy a new one), and mortgage is already locked into an interest rate, but SW won't give me theirs.

 

[kvnchapman]

Hello.

I am seriously considering taking my niece and nephews to WDW with me this year - they are 8, 11, and 12, and have never been. I have been batting this idea around for awhile, but after a recent visit with the kids I realized my time is growing short to take them and them still be interested! Upon research, it's looking like we'd go 8/13 through 8/18 IF I could do it. Otherwise, I'd be going in September as I originally planned.

I am not 100% sure of two things: 1) will my sister let me take them, and 2) can I afford it.

I've taken the kids on other outings and they know I'm not a "buyer". I figured if I was allowed to take them, I'd let them know that I would be paying for everything and ONE souvenir, but that they'd have to pay for the rest of their souvenirs. That's what we have always done at the zoo, museums, and at Six Flags.

I know for a fact that I won't receive any monetary help on a trip, so I'm trying to decide if it's do-able before bringing it up to my sister. Her family has very little money and she's taking care of three kids on her own, so I wouldn't expect a dime (nor would I ever, ever ask). Further, they wouldn't be allowed out of school so I must go during the busier, hotter season.

I'm an AP holder, so I'd get in free and could use my discount in some places. I thought possibly I could sign them up for a YES program class, which they'd love and which would get them discounted tickets. I also thought that I could try to rent points from a DVC member to get us a nice place to stay with minimal money. If not, I could get an AP discount on any of the values, which would be a good deal. I do want to stay on property.

Here's my biggest expense: transportation. If we all fly, it will be almost $1000 - that's a big chunk and almost puts everything out of reach. If we drive, the cost shrinks considerably but we also have to factor in at least two days driving both ways (since I'd be alone) and a motel both ways (additional cost). Plus, I'd have to drive another 5 hours after dropping them off since we live far away from each other. If we fly, I'd drive to their city, fly to Orlando, and then fly back with them.

I'd really like to try and make this work. Really really. I have to know exactly what it will cost me and I'm trying to budget. But I've only gone with adults these past years! What additional am I forgetting?

Here's what I'm budgeting for:

Hotel - AP or DVC
Tickets - YES tickets for the three looked about $514. Otherwise, we're looking at over $900 through UT.
Flight ($1000), or car+gas+motel both ways (car could possibly be on points, or I may be able to borrow a dependable one)
If flying, I can get a car for free while there on points; we could go and get groceries and breakfast items then, and I'd feel better knowing I could personally take them to a hospital or go get medicine for them if need be.
Meals - how much? $35 per person per day? We won't be doing anything fancy, and I'd bet there will be a lot of sharing. Possibly $20 per person per day?

... So what else is there? I need a solid, hard budget so that I can determine if I have the monetary means to handle an emergency if it comes up. I don't carry credit card debt, so I wouldn't necessarily want to turn to it unless absolutely necessary. I think I couldn't go above $2500 for the trip cost if I wanted to be safe. Anything lower would be a massive perk.

Any help? Or am I delusional? I really, really want to try and make this work!

What a sweet aunt (and sister)! What is your overall (TOTAL) budget goal? A few sugestions...
1. Stay at Bonnet Creek in a 2BR/2BA deluxe. It is directly next door to Caribbean Beach Resort and has a free shuttle to the parks. The villas have full kitchens and laundry rooms in each suite. This allows 2 things - less luggage, therefore less airline baggage costs, and very little in food costs. Amazing pools, slides, lazy river, free minigolf, etc. You can probably get this for less than $100 per night.
2. Lower food costs by using your villa kitchen for almost each meal. If you must do a character meal, make sure it is at breakfast when the cost is so much lower. If not...yea!... you just saved moolah. Buy cheap and easy food to prepare, bfast in your suite, lunch either in your suite when taking mid-day breaks or packed picnic-style for the parks and dinners again in the suite. Consider the 99cent certificates for kids meals at TRex and RC in AK.
3. Do the YES Program!!
4. Fly.
5. Either let each kid earn their spending moneyor give them each a $25 gift card to use on a souvenir (cost will be capped and equal, no haggling).
Keep us posted!

 

[juliemouse]

Tickets - YES tickets for the three looked about $514. Otherwise, we're looking at over $900 through UT.

Due to the ages of the children, you'd have to buy a YES ticket too as a chaperone. You have to have a YES ticket to attend even though you have an AP. You have to attend because of their ages.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I hope it all works out. You must be the best aunt ever to take them to WDW by yourself! They're lucky!

 

[juliemouse]

Where did you get 99 cent kids' meals to T Rex? I saw the RC ones on their website but not TRex. Thanks!

 

[scrapquitler]

Hello.

Here's my biggest expense: transportation. If we all fly, it will be almost $1000 - that's a big chunk and almost puts everything out of reach. If we drive, the cost shrinks considerably but we also have to factor in at least two days driving both ways (since I'd be alone) and a motel both ways (additional cost). Plus, I'd have to drive another 5 hours after dropping them off since we live far away from each other. If we fly, I'd drive to their city, fly to Orlando, and then fly back with them.

Honestly, I would NOT be comfortable with borrowing a car from someone and using it to drive that far. I'd be such a nervous wreck about it that I wouldn't be able to enjoy

Once you factor in the cost of two nights hotel, gas, tolls, and the time involved, etc. you'll probably be better off flying.

Have you priced out staying offsite? It might save you enough extra money to make the whole thing do-able (and then if you eat dinner in the room a couple of times and breakfast in the room each morning, you can save some of the food budget).

And maybe their mother could give you at least some money toward food. If she's not feeding 3 kids for five days, she will be saving a bunch on her grocery bill that week. If she can't do that, maybe she could at least have them pack snack foods like peanut butter crackers, pop tarts, granola bars and crystal lite tubes to bring and save some money on breakfast/snacks.

When DH and I go to WDW, we share counter service meals (we'll usually eat one meal plus a water and then buy a snack, so $20 will more than over a lunch or dinner for the two of us).

And of course, maybe it would be worthwhile to ask the kids to forego the souvenier alltogether? You could make some mickey head tie dye shirts ahead of time and collect some pressed pennies instead. I'd personally rather scrimp on this stuff than not have enough money for the rest of the park tickets/travel, and I would suspect that most kids would agree with that.

 

[Avery&Todd]

I was thinking about your question on souvenirs...

The first trip we took with our boys we bought and bought and bought...it was expensive!! We bought t-shirts and stuffed animals and light up stuff..you name it, we bought it..

then we went back the following year, and I got smarter....I knew that my local stores sold Disney clothing - like Target - and bought shirts ahead of time so there was no need to buy crazy expensive ones there...

and this trip, Im planning on MAKING our own! I'm going to ask some of the very talented and brilliant DISigners to make up some templates, and then I bought transfer paper, and tshirts DIRT cheap from my local craft store -and POOF! custom tshirts!!

you can also get cheapy Disney trinkets from the Dollar Store, or again, Target, and that may make the kids "need" to get souvenirs at WDW a little less..

You could also look into customized autograph books - are they into that?? The DISigners here make those all the time!!

BUT, I would definately have upfront conversations with the kids about the "rules" for the trip - that way when you tell them "no", they'll be more accepting of it - or maybe they wont even ask!

and that's a FANTASTIC gift you're giving them!!

 

[SaraJayne]

Very interesting! Thanks for the math. So, around $400 for a room isn't impossible if I get a decent AP discount - I think a 35% discount for those five nights at ASSports was right at $500. That $100 isn't a deal breaker for me, though it IS pushing the line.

However, I'm not sure how much we will be eating at the Disney parks. I'd hate to have paid for food twice; so I'd really have to examine that part and figure out a food budget if we eat at Disney all day vs. eating there and in the room. I HAVE to have some "real food" from time to time, so I need some groceries. I insist on water when we're all together in the hot weather, as do their grandparents, so we'd all drink water anyway... I'm definitely going to look more into food costs, though.

Remember that in a value, you won't have a fridge unless you pay $10 a night for it. So your choices will be pretty limited~ either Disney food or bringing a collapsible cooler (if you fly) to keep food in, with nothing to cook on or with in the room.

 

[clutter]

No, unfortunately their school will have started. And, for free dining, we'd have to pay rack rates and full-price tickets.

I wonder about that link too. I wish they'd give me that card. Credit reporting agencies are so difficult to work with; the information they want is so hard to get. It won't be a big deal if I can't get this improper ding to my report off of there because I have two credit cards now (no balances), paid-off car (and cash to buy a new one), and mortgage is already locked into an interest rate, but SW won't give me theirs.

Would your parents or even your sister (if she's credit worthy) be able to get the SW card? You can get $500 in Wal-Mart gift cards with the points, do they sell Disney gift cards? (They probably sell Visa gift cards, which also could be used.) That's a $400 gimmie!

Have a blast! I did the same (but brought my sister, too!) way back when. We all squeezed into a room at the now Nick hotel back when it was a holiday inn and affordable! My dd was 3, and the other kids were about the same ages.

Did you check to see if there are any long weekends or breaks during the school year? We've got a 4 day weekend in November and in January, so we've done quick trips with newbies then. Maybe your sister's kids have a time you can go without taking but a day or three off of school.

And as for a cooler, Publix has styrofoam ones for under $5. Used them for many a trip, just pack ziplocks.

 

[kvnchapman]

$600 - 2Br/2Ba villa
$1000 - flights
$515 - tickets
$75 - souvenirs
$100 - airport transfers
$125 - groceries (use coupons!)
$75 - 2 budget meals out (99 cent deals)
TOTAL = $2490
If they earn their own money and you can use poits for transfers,then it is $2315. And if you don't eat at RC and TRex, it is $2240.

 

[lurkernj]

I'd rent points and order food from garden grocer to be delivered so you don't have to involve any rental car (unless there are some known health issues that make you think you'd probably need it). Some drinks, bagels, cereal, milk, cheese/crackers,perdue nuggets, pizza, fun things so they won't feel like they're missing out. Have breakfast in the unit, let them choose a snack in the parks around lunchtime, maybe bring some granola bars, then dinner back at the room (or an occasional cs here too) before heading back into the parks at night. I'm sure you'd have to supplement an occasional CS meal here or there to hold them over, but it doesn't have to be a fortune.

That's totally awesome that you want to do this for them.