Heading to Disney on a Budget

[pabef]

Heading to Disney in 10 days with kids 6 and 13 and my husband! Yahoo! Plan to make this a blowout trip on a budget. Condo is already paid for and we are taking lot's of our own food for breakfast and some suppers. We are driving from Mississippi. Is $2000 enough to take for tickets, spending money, and other meals? Just do not want to come up short, but do not want to take more money than necessary. We are using travelers checks for security. We are going to buy 4 day park hoppers.

 

[CheapMom]

If you are very budget conscious I think you can do it. (This of course excludes your lodging fee) It will be a fun challenge but you may want a little backup $ just in case.

 

[JaxnBanditFan]

I dont see a problem with it 800 for your park hoppers. 200 travel expense leaves you with 1000.00 and your taken plenty of food.
Were driving from Ms also. We already have rooms and tickets paid for and were taking 1000.00 for food and travel expense and a few souvenirs . Have a great trip .

 

[pigget74]

We also live in MS and always drive to Disney. Our first trip cost us for lodging and tickets about 1300 for a family of four. We took about 1500 spending and had plenty left over--until we decided to add on Universal. Went last March and only took a 1000 spending with us, but that was to pay for gas, food, lodging on the way, and for all food and souvenirs. We had plenty of money, but we were careful as well. Are your rooms already paid for? I would by the advanced tickets or order thru another source other than Disney. Another thing--our children have their own spending money. As far as eating out we all pick one place and then we do counter places--knowing that Crystal Palace does not count as a choice because it is where we always eat our last breakfast. If you have any questions let me know. There are many ways to cut costs.

 

[pigget74]

Forgot to say ---WELCOME to the BOARDS

 

[pabef]

I think we will take some back up money just in case. Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I am as excited as my kids. We have friends who are going on an all out budget and flying as well, but I think we will have just as much, if not more, fun. Great websight! Any other budget tips would be appreciated.

 

[maggiew]

Food portions at Disney tend to be LARGE. You may want to share meals. Not only does it save money, but then you don't have to carry around left overs all day. This is especially true if you eat at any sit down places.

At MK, they have a family rotisserie chicken meal for around $14 at Cosmic Ray Cafe.

Kids meals are usually pretty cheap. Once in awhile I would even order a kids meal. I like their chicken tenders and it was just the right amount of food. I think you get 2 chicken planks (think 2 big chicken strips, not nuggets) and fries and a drink with the kids meal. Check out http://www.allearsnet.com for menus with prices.

We bought one bottle of water and then just refilled it from the water fountains. Bottled water costs $2.50 at WDW. We think the water in Florida is fine but some say it "tastes funny." The tap water works for us! But, if you are staying at a condo, maybe you could bring some bottled water with you.

If you want to do a character meal but be on a budget, try the Ice Cream social at Garden Grill in EPCOT. IT is around $8 each for adults and kids. You get a big ice cream sundae thing and get to see the characters too! Its cheaper than the other character meals but fun! Just order water, though the drinks can jack up the price.

At Animal Kingdom they have a meal deal. You order a meal at a counter service place and it comes with tickets for a free water/pop and ice cream/popcorn for later. Ask for the meal deal when you order. I had read about it on these boards, so I knew about it when we went last time. Good thing because as I recall it wasn't advertised much at the restaurant.

I think having fun has A LOT to do with attitude! We go on a budget often (at least compared to some of the amounts I see spent on this board!!) but have a great time because we LOVE Disney and are happy to be there. You will have JUST as much fun as your friends with the bigger budget so ENJOY!

Maggie

 

[Mic]

I would RUN to the Disney store to purchase tickets before you leave-they will cost more at the gate. I just did a price comparison for a friend:

Disney Store Gate
______________________________


4-Day Hopper(Adult).....................$204.48...........................$221.52
4-Day Hopper(Child)......................$161.88...........................$177.86

By purchasing the tickets before you get to WDW, you'll save $67.10(enough to eat breakfast at Donald's Breakfastsaurus)!! If you are a member of AAA, you could save a few more dollars by purchasing the tickets at your local office, if they carry the 4-day hoppers. Our local office does, but I live in NC. I don't think you would have time to order them from another vendor this close to your departure. Most lunch menus at the park are cheaper than dinner(for the nice sit-down restaurants), so you're saving money by only eating lunch in the parks. Don't forget to take your own bottled water into the parks($2.50 each x 4 really adds up over 4 days), and a few light snacks to tide you over until dinner wouldn't be too hard to carry in a backpack. Make sure you bring enough batteries and film for cameras--there's a huge mark-up on property. Give each of your kids a pre-set limit for souvenirs--we've done this every trip for all 4 of our kids, and it really cuts down on our spending for things we don't need anyway. If you get your tickets at the Disney Store, convert the kids' souvenir money to Disney Dollars--your 6-year-old would probably like this. We are DVC members with PAP's, and we can easily do a trip for $1000, with 2 adults and 4 kids. You should be fine. Oh, a little tip some people don't know...once you pay for parking(I think $7 a day)at one park, you don't have to pay another $7 if you "hop" to another park. Just show your receipt from the first park at the booth of the second park when entering. Our poor friends paid once at MK, then again at MGM the same evening when they decided to see Fantasmic. I hope I'm not repeating advice!

 

[Bill Foster]

If you dont have Bob Sehlingers's book "the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney world 2004" please get it before you leave and fallow his tour plans. They work.
All counter service eateries in the parks will give free ice water. Just ask.
Carry some cool aid or crystle lite in your waist pouches and flavor your water.
A cheep meal during the day with no lines --Buy a turkey leg. Best deal in the parks.
At counter service that serves burgers or foot long hot dogs, order the double burger meal and an extra bun(about 80 cents extra). Pick a place that has a fixins bar. Split the burger/dog and fries. If you tell the server you don't want the drink they will usally discoun the price a bit.
In M K, as the morning wears on and you need a break and a quick bite, head over to Tom Sawyer Island and let the kids burn off some steam and grab a sandwich at Aunt Polly's. This was a real life saver for us and our 3 boys. You will love this place.
I hope this helps and isn't just a repete of what you already know. You are going to have a great time! Let loose and allow you own inner child to resurface. Any one who dosen't believe in magic WILL after they leave this place.