Help me plan a budget!

[blanq]

My Disney itch needs scratching again, but to this I need a budget. My family and I just returned from a 10 day, non-Disney vacation, and we have a week long cruise planned for Dec, so to squeeze in a trip to "The World" will require some serious penny pinching. This trip will just be my 9 year old DS and myself (DH will not be able to take the time off of work). I did make a reservation for CSR for 8/21-8/28, and was able to get the $94/night rate, with the code on Mousesavers. We would probably take the Mears shuttle, forgo a rental car and spend the entire week onsite, using Disney transportation. I do not think I can afford passes for the whole week, so was thinking of 4 day hoppers(I think I can get a slight discount with my DC membership, or though Ticketmania). I do not mind hauling down some food for breakfast in our room, and we aren't into souveniers (when we went in 12/01, my DS actually came home with $15 of the $20 we gave him, and all of the money he brought from his piggy bank!) The big unknown is the airfare cost. It seems we usually end up spending about $200-$250 per ticket from Minneapolis. I do see rates around $100-$150/ticket, in the travel section of our paper, but usually it is for travel in the next week to 2 weeks, and I think it's for charters that need last minute filling. I was thinking of taking the chance, and waiting last minute to purchase airfare, in hopes I can snag a really low fare. If the fares don't pan out, I would be willing to cancel my room ressie last minute. So, what other costs do I need to factor in? What are some low cost entertainment options for us on the days we will not have park passes? What do you think a reasonable food budget would be, if we eat breakfast in our room? What costs am I overlooking? Any tips for getting low airfare, aside from the approach listed above? Thanks in advance!

 

[trustknoone]

Airfare
If Southwest or AirTran fly out of your area you may be able to get cheap flights with them. If you are very flexable you could try Priceline (start with your exact preferences no compromises and work down from there) Priceline is NONrefundable for any reason.
Hotel
If it's just the 2 of you try checking rates at the AllStar resorts. I have stayed there several times and they have always been nice, just small.
Entertainment
As for low cost or free things to do, all I can think of is Winter Summerland Golf, strolling the BW or DD, and resort visiting.
Eating
The meals are large enough in most sitdown restaurants to share then you can get a Mickey head ice cream for dessert.
If you don't like the same things you could order a kids meal for yourself and your child. ( I have gotten the child's portion before and never had a problem) You could take sandwiches with you into the parks for lunch and have dinner in the food court or any counter service.

Hope this helps

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I'm not going to DisneyWorld, but planning a trip to Disneyland with my 2 dd who are picky eaters. I'm packing some of those EasyMac's (microwavalbe mac and cheese), Bowl Appetit(microwave alfredo, spiral cheese, rice, potato's), Pasta Anytime, Costco has cup of potato's kinda like cup of soup, and a few cans of soup for the girls to eat for lunch. In addition to breakfast things. If we do eat lunch, I am planning to snack (which I'm bring) during the day then a late lunch then a few snack for the hotel room before bed.

 

[trustknoone]

Sonya you mentioned easymac...have you seen the new single serve ragu spaghetti and sauce? It's packaged just like the easymac. Just thought you might be interested.

 

[Sonya in Boise]

trustknoone,
I haven't seen those, but I will be on the look out now. Can you tell my girls eat pasta!?! Thanks