Have kids? Need budget help!

[scrapquitler]

Good to know, also. I'd definitely ask before trying this, but I also agree that the best use of these points are for airfare, hands down.



Also a good point; we'd get a studio if I rented points, so no full kitchen. Laundry might be nice too.

Funny thing is, this thread is ALSO helping me if my sister says no - DBF and I will go in late Sept for the ToT race, I think, if I don't go with the kids in August. Lots of ideas for big accommodations! (DBF and I disagree on getting up at the crack of dawn on vacation, so if we had two rooms so he could sleep and I could head to the park, that would be great)

This being said, here is my evolving budget (I'm mainly budgeting high so that I have some wiggle room):

Hotel: $500-ish
Tickets: $600-ish -- either $500 or $700 (YES), or if I don't get into a program in time, $900. If need be, we'd just get less days.
Airfare: $350-ish for 4 (SW Points - should be more like $250 but I'm budgeting high)
Gas for car while at disney: $200 (again, should be more like $125/$150)
Food: $600 (I'm thinking $100 in groceries for breakfast, snacks, and some dinners, and then at least one CS a day)

Total: $2350.

Any additional insights for me? I am super-nervous about asking my sis to take the kids; I'm scared she'll say no after I did all this planning! hahaha! No seriously, I guess I'm nervous because I don't know WHAT she'll say - she really could say anything. I can see a few reasons why she'd say no and a few why she'd say yes, and they're all equally convincing. I'm hoping to talk to her this Sunday if I can figure this out and feel comfortable with it, and then give her a week to think it over.

After THAT hurdle, I have to call two additional people - dads. My sis is divorced, and all three of her kids have different dads but only two of the dads have any parental rights. My niece's dad will be fine with it - he knows that I'll take care of his daughter and we always got along well. But my nephew's dad may be an issue, so I have to pass the first "test" and then approach the second. I'm nervous!!

Do you need to add in $$ for parking at the departure airport? how about gas for the trip from your home to where the kids are?

 

[ZehnJahren]

Do you need to add in $$ for parking at the departure airport? how about gas for the trip from your home to where the kids are?

Most of my family lives nearby the airport in the departure city, so someone would drop us off.

As for gas for the trip, I wouldn't budget for that since it would be replacing the driving I'd do during the week if I was at home. Also, it's minimal, so it would be absorbed into my paycheck for that week. My budget is everything I'd need to actually save for.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

How 'bout you ask your sister if she's alright with you doing this.... Why go through all the planning if it isn't going to happen? I hope it does, this sounds fantastic.

 

[mommagoof]

Good to know, also. I'd definitely ask before trying this, but I also agree that the best use of these points are for airfare, hands down.



This being said, here is my evolving budget (I'm mainly budgeting high so that I have some wiggle room):

Hotel: $500-ish
Tickets: $600-ish -- either $500 or $700 (YES), or if I don't get into a program in time, $900. If need be, we'd just get less days.
Airfare: $350-ish for 4 (SW Points - should be more like $250 but I'm budgeting high)
Gas for car while at disney: $200 (again, should be more like $125/$150)
Food: $600 (I'm thinking $100 in groceries for breakfast, snacks, and some dinners, and then at least one CS a day)

Total: $2350.


I see Gas for car while at Disney but Car Rental cost isn't on the list?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

In the OP's case, the SW points have far more value as airline points for flights as opposed to trade value for gift cards.

Agreed, but in a bit of a hijack, I think a couple of the rest of us are trying to figure out how best to use them for ourselves. For me, Wal*Mart gift cards would be great as we shop there anyway. That $401 ($500, minus the $99 fee) is money we don't have to spend there, so it can go toward our trip. Credit toward a hotel stay would also be good. I only fly for business, so my boss can pay for those flights

 

[ZehnJahren]

How 'bout you ask your sister if she's alright with you doing this.... Why go through all the planning if it isn't going to happen? I hope it does, this sounds fantastic.

I will - but I have to know I can afford it on my vacation budget before I ask her; it would be terrible for her to say yes and then it turns out I can't actually afford it. The way I started out, I was having trouble fitting everything in, but I've gotten great replies.

I see Gas for car while at Disney but Car Rental cost isn't on the list?

The car rental is free through my credit card points.

 

[ZehnJahren]

Agreed, but in a bit of a hijack, I think a couple of the rest of us are trying to figure out how best to use them for ourselves. For me, Wal*Mart gift cards would be great as we shop there anyway. That $401 ($500, minus the $99 fee) is money we don't have to spend there, so it can go toward our trip. Credit toward a hotel stay would also be good. I only fly for business, so my boss can pay for those flights

There's a list on the southwest site - I was looking through the perks before we got the card to verify it would be worth it all-around, since we'll keep it for a bit and there's a fee.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

There's a list on the southwest site - I was looking through the perks before we got the card to verify it would be worth it all-around, since we'll keep it for a bit and there's a fee.

I'll have to look at it closer. I clicked the link last night, but there weren't any details on that front page. Maybe I need to push a few more buttons

 

[winnapooh]

Yes, you've got a point about the gas - I used about a half tank when I went in January, and I think it cost me around $40-ish to fill up at the end before heading back to the airport - and I was driving EVERYWHERE. It would probably be less than $100 altogether.

That's awesome you got to take your nephew! I think about the other niece and nephews I have (8 altogether) and these three are the only ones who really need someone to help them out. My brother's two kids have been to DL several times (they live in CA), my other sister's two kids have been to WDW OFTEN, and my other brother has a 3 year old and they aren't exactly a "disney" kind of family. These three that I want to take ARE DEFINITELY WDW material.

How did you convince your nephew's mother? And how did you ask them to take him in the first place?

We asked his parents by saying that we had extra flight credits (which we did) and that we thought he might really enjoy going with us. Also we have no kids of our own, so we wanted to "borrow" him for a week. His father said yes right away. His mother wasnt sure, but based on her reasoning, I suspect it was more of a guilt thing, that she hadn't taken him. She finally consented after her husband convinced her that if we were offering, and paying, there was no good reason for him not to go. You could try the airline points approach

Good luck! It sounds like your nieces and nephews are used to traveling with family, so maybe it won't be too hard to convince your sister. But I would ask sooner than later, so she has time to make a decision where you will still have enough time to book everything.

 

[amandank]

I, being the very thrifty person that I am, have shipped dry goods (quaker oatmeal, pop tarts, nutrigrain bars, micro popcorn bags, juice boxes that don't need refrigeration etc.) to my hotel 2 days before my arrival---this can eliminate all breakfasts! Plus, no dragging cranky kids to crowded restaurants in the morning and helps with nighttime snacks!

Plus, I agree on the souvenier that scrapquitler mentioned...I would skip it.

I hope you all make it down!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Well, I've spoken with my sister, and....

... she's given me the green light! She said it would be an amazing opportunity and the kids would love it!

One down, two to go. She didn't think the dads would have any problem letting me go with them, but she was going to talk to them tonight and think more on it and then let me know in the next week or so!

I asked her not to tell them anything yet, so we could make sure everything is finalized before the kids get wind of it AT ALL.

So I could very well be utilizing some of these great responses! Very very excited to get the green light!

 

[ZehnJahren]

We asked his parents by saying that we had extra flight credits (which we did) and that we thought he might really enjoy going with us. Also we have no kids of our own, so we wanted to "borrow" him for a week. His father said yes right away. His mother wasnt sure, but based on her reasoning, I suspect it was more of a guilt thing, that she hadn't taken him. She finally consented after her husband convinced her that if we were offering, and paying, there was no good reason for him not to go. You could try the airline points approach

Good luck! It sounds like your nieces and nephews are used to traveling with family, so maybe it won't be too hard to convince your sister. But I would ask sooner than later, so she has time to make a decision where you will still have enough time to book everything.

Hey, that's pretty much what I did. I told her I could get a great price and I'd like to take them all with me! She seemed pretty surprised, but thought it was wonderful; my voice started cracking because I wanted her to say yes so bad and I thought of how much they'd like it.

I, being the very thrifty person that I am, have shipped dry goods (quaker oatmeal, pop tarts, nutrigrain bars, micro popcorn bags, juice boxes that don't need refrigeration etc.) to my hotel 2 days before my arrival---this can eliminate all breakfasts! Plus, no dragging cranky kids to crowded restaurants in the morning and helps with nighttime snacks!

Plus, I agree on the souvenier that scrapquitler mentioned...I would skip it.

I hope you all make it down!

Yep, I would run to Target and get breakfast stuff once we got there, and save the shipping costs - I really liked doing that on my last trip. Plus I think the kids would like "shopping for the week" - would feel like a real vacation for them!

 

[cm8]

Well, I've spoken with my sister, and....

... she's given me the green light! She said it would be an amazing opportunity and the kids would love it!

One down, two to go. She didn't think the dads would have any problem letting me go with them, but she was going to talk to them tonight and think more on it and then let me know in the next week or so!

I asked her not to tell them anything yet, so we could make sure everything is finalized before the kids get wind of it AT ALL.

So I could very well be utilizing some of these great responses! Very very excited to get the green light!

Good luck with the rest of them

 

[Rienchen]

Yay, so glad you're able to take them

I work as a nanny and would love to take the girls I look after to Disneyland Paris for a weekend as I don't think the parents are planning on taking them anytime soon and I'm sure I could plan it on the cheap

 

[sunshinehighway]

Its a really nice idea to take your niece and nephews. I have taken young relatives before and its a lot of fun. Of course I wasn't brave enough to take more than one at a time.

Since you seem to now be looking at off site as well, you're getting another on Bonnet Creek here. The only thing I didn't like about staying there was the bus service. Since you'll have a car that won't be a big deal for you.

With three kids, breakfast in the hotel will be the easiest thing and save you money if you stop at a grocery store. I don't know how your niece and nephews are, but when there are three kids, at least one of them is super slow to get ready. The rest of you can eat while you wait.

I noticed you have a $900 budget for non YES tickets. Is that for Park Hoppers? If it is, I'd eliminate that option first if I were on a tight budget. You'll just have to plan ahead to decide which park to go to each day. It seems like you are really excited to do this and will probably be doing lots of planning anyways.

 

[clutter]

Hey, that's pretty much what I did. I told her I could get a great price and I'd like to take them all with me! She seemed pretty surprised, but thought it was wonderful; my voice started cracking because I wanted her to say yes so bad and I thought of how much they'd like it.



Yep, I would run to Target and get breakfast stuff once we got there, and save the shipping costs - I really liked doing that on my last trip. Plus I think the kids would like "shopping for the week" - would feel like a real vacation for them!

Yay!!!

I'm excited for you!!!! I wish I had young neices and nephews to take!!! I'm living vicariously thru you.

Target is great, but we also like the Publix near the Gaylord. They seem to have decent prices. As for hoppers, I'd go for them if you can afford them. With your AP, you're used to park hopping. We've used APs for eleven years. Now that we don't go as often, I don't know if I could live without hopping. OTOH, what fun if you could swing a water park for a day...

(Sorry about the gift card hijack. I was trying some creative thinking in case you drove or tried to add your sister.)

 

[disney1990]

Personally, we have done Disney on $35 a day (counter service), but we usually have granola bars or something else in the room that we use for breakfast.

 

[gillenkl]

Have you tried pricing it out with the free dining offer at a value - wouldn't that be less hassle for you and the kids?

 

[ZehnJahren]

Since you seem to now be looking at off site as well, you're getting another on Bonnet Creek here. The only thing I didn't like about staying there was the bus service. Since you'll have a car that won't be a big deal for you.

With three kids, breakfast in the hotel will be the easiest thing and save you money if you stop at a grocery store. I don't know how your niece and nephews are, but when there are three kids, at least one of them is super slow to get ready. The rest of you can eat while you wait.

I noticed you have a $900 budget for non YES tickets. Is that for Park Hoppers? If it is, I'd eliminate that option first if I were on a tight budget. You'll just have to plan ahead to decide which park to go to each day.

Yes, I've definitely been looking at Bonnet Creek - it just seems like all the prices I find are similar to Disney prices, and then you lose the EMHs (of which there really aren't too many I'd want to do in that time frame). Also, when I've looked at other sites, I don't know who's reputable! Or, how to only get a 5 day stay when everyone is selling 7! I'm still looking.

And you've got a good point with the park hoppers. I like to hop, but the kids have never been and really wouldn't know any different. And if we got down there and found my budget had been strict enough to leave wiggle room once we went, if we didn't have YES tickets I'd be able to upgrade to the park hopper there.

Target is great, but we also like the Publix near the Gaylord. They seem to have decent prices. As for hoppers, I'd go for them if you can afford them. With your AP, you're used to park hopping. We've used APs for eleven years. Now that we don't go as often, I don't know if I could live without hopping. OTOH, what fun if you could swing a water park for a day...

(Sorry about the gift card hijack. I was trying some creative thinking in case you drove or tried to add your sister.)

I'll take any advice I can get - if you don't throw an idea out there, I can't get more ideas from it! I know that we would take a day off - I know they'll need it, and I'll need it.

Personally, we have done Disney on $35 a day (counter service), but we usually have granola bars or something else in the room that we use for breakfast.

Wow, nice to hear! I think breakfast in the room is a must - I carry at least one granola bar with me anyway during the day, so I figured I'd be toting snacks. If we had a kitchen, it takes no time at all to whip up scrambled eggs and bacon, or hash browns, or of course, cereal.

Have you tried pricing it out with the free dining offer at a value - wouldn't that be less hassle for you and the kids?

Eh, I'd have to pay rack rate, plus buy tickets for myself when I already have an AP - plus I wouldn't be doing all my meals on-site regardless. And I don't believe free dining is available for my dates anyway - I'll have to check, though, because I'm trying to cover ALL the angles.

 

[mom2rose&john]

This must be so exciting for you!!! I'm excited for you. Since you are taking Southwest, I would totally utilize the 2 bags fly free bonus. I would take a case or two and put things like a case of water, snacks and simple snacks for the room. Each child should have their own carry on and the older on can even have two if he/she can swing it. Personally since you are the only adult I would try to stay onsite and utilize the Magical express. Then you wouldn't have to worry about lugging around luggage and navigating three children through the car rental. Can you rent through Enterprise? They may even bring the car to you hotel (not sure about this).