How cheap can we budget this?

[GinnyFavers]

We're going! We just booked a trip for 5 nights, 6 days, 2 adults, staying at Caribbean Beach resort.

We're determined to keep this trip on the frugal side. What's the cheapest you think we could shoot for?

We will be fine with not eating at any table service places except one evening we really want to try the new sushi place in the Japan pavilion at Epcot. We will have a rental car, and Joe likes to go out for Ihop pancakes, Steak & Shake and Papa John's when we're down there, and I really like all the deli food from Publix, so that will save some $$ right there, I hope.

TIA!

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

I guess if you really want it cheaper, stay at a value or even off property. I might consider that if I knew most of our meals weren't going to be at Disney. I guess I would plan on $100 a day. That would more than cover it I would think. Are you asking about how much for hotel & park tickets or just eating, shopping & maybe some little extras?

 

[rcraw45425]

Well, unless you are doing a buffet, all of the WDW TS restaurants that we have enjoyed have allowed sharing a meal, which is a major way to cut costs. We have shared steaks at Concourse Steakhouse (yummy, large portions too), shared entrees at Nine Dragons (although our last meal there we noticed that they had cut back on portion size). Most CS burgers are plenty big enough to share too, and Cosmic Rays at MK has a rotisserie chicken and rib meal that is definitely shareable. We always take our own sodas and bottled water for the hotel, but if you purchase the refillable mugs at the resort for $11.99 you get free refills that entire visit, quite a deal if you plan to spend any time around the resort, or eat meals in your room. Your room at CB will have a mini fridge in it, if you make a Publix run you could get the small prepackaged cereal bowls (I know our local Target sells them for <$1 each) and get some milk at the food court, or even buy that offsite too. YOu will also have a coffeemaker, so you could do cocoa, or I've even done Oatmeal like that. If you get to the parks early enough you can find bakeries that sell sweets and you can share one of those. We are a family of four and share a lot while down there.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We always pack small boxes of cereal, bowls and plastic spoons in our suitcases and by milk at the resort gift shop. It's a $ saver, huge time saver in the morning and gives you room for souvenirs.

Also, at CS places, order less than you think you need. You can always buy more if you need it. 3 meals is usually enough for our family of 5, depending on the meal.