How Much Do We HAVE to Spend at Disney

[Smbmoyers]

Go on your trip. It sounds like you guys are typically financially stable and have just been dealt a crap hand. Id say maximize your credits to cover all 6 days and on the seventh day with your $100 eat a qs meal to split. That should leave you a little bit of leftover cash. Or, pack lunch into the park and maybe hit up a McDonnalds for dinner? I would also say if you eat table service and have leftovers that could completely work in your favor as well

 

[Amy&Dan]

Op didn't say she has $100 to her name. She said she had $100 to take to Disney on a vacation that is basicall prepaid.

As usual here on the disboards conclusions are drawn and "the worst case scenario, omg your babies will be without medical care, and clearly you cannot afford to go" accusations have come a flyin.

What I took from her post was a question as to how any of us might have survived a Disney trip where the hotel, transportation, food, tickets and gratuities were all paid and we had something like $100 to cover the extras.

Op glad you got some good tips and I think you're going to have a great trip!

 

[jdrasin]

Check out your local thrift shops and garage sales for nice Disney souvenirs at dirt cheap prices. I have found many really nice things from Disney at the thrift shops. My theory is the kid really wanted it at Disney and once home it sits on a shelf until they outgrow it or mom/dad cleans the room. I've found tons of stuffed characters, water globes, mugs, toys, t-shirts and bags. Pack them up and pull them out as surprises at AoA. Plus DollarTree often has Disney items.

This is a great plan. We did this and every other day the kids woke up with a Disney stuffed animal which were bought cheaply at home. Lots of snacks and trinkets from home. The kids had no idea.

 

[mshanson3121]

Op didn't say she has $100 to her name. She said she had $100 to take to Disney on a vacation that is basicall prepaid.

As usual here on the disboards conclusions are drawn and "the worst case scenario, omg your babies will be without medical care, and clearly you cannot afford to go" accusations have come a flyin.

What I took from her post was a question as to how any of us might have survived a Disney trip where the hotel, transportation, food, tickets and gratuities were all paid and we had something like $100 to cover the extras.

Op glad you got some good tips and I think you're going to have a great trip!

If she had more to her name she would be able to take more (borrow a bit from savings etc...). She said she was literally scrounging up change and trying to pick up extra shifts, trying to find more money. So no, those of us who said she might want to postpone or look at dropping some things arent being overly dramatic or accusing her. Just saying if she's really that tight she might want to reasses things. I myself would never consider going if things were that tight. No just because of fincial responsibility, but i just wouldnt enjoy it as much.

 

[Nancyg56]

She has two days she will not be on the dining plan and has $100 to stretch over those two days. Getting rid of the dining plan and sharing meals and eating less TS would save her money to not only cover that $100 but give her an extra cushion. Everyone was just making suggestions for her on how to save money, no one was hating on the dining plan (although I don't think it's worth it unless you do plan on doing a lot of buffets and character meals). Sounds like some very helpful ideas have been thrown out and good luck OP I think you can do it with a little belt tightening.

She really only needs to cover one day. That plan will be good for her checkout day so if she wants to stretch it she can.

 

[Amy&Dan]

If she had more to her name she would be able to take more. She said she was literally scrounging up change and trying to pick up extra shifts, trying to find more money. So no, those of us who said she might want to postpone or look at dropping some things arent being overly dramatic or accusing her. Just saying if she's really that tight she might want to reasses

Being able and being willing are two different things. She might be able to pull money out of savings or a credit card but unwilling. She never said that she was unable to access funds in the event of an emergency.

Bottom line she never asked for opinions on whether she should go, she asked for suggestions on how to economize on the spending above the prepaid portions of her trip (which cover all of her trip but one day).

 

[GillianP1301]

Because it would save money to pay OOP

Not necessarily. If you have kids under 10 and you have character dining planned, the dining plan will save money. Now you could ditch the plan and share QS meals instead, that would save money. But it sounds to me like she wants to keep the dining plans as they have them, so I don't think cancelling the dining plan is the way to go.

 

[china mom]

I agree. My operational budget may often be down to my last $100 but if I had to, I could find as much as $100K in credit cards, savings, retirement accounts (those that I can access now without penalty). I can't read the OP's mind but that is how I took it.

 

[Nancyg56]

Not necessarily. If you have kids under 10 and you have character dining planned, the dining plan will save money. Now you could ditch the plan and share QS meals instead, that would save money. But it sounds to me like she wants to keep the dining plans as they have them, so I don't think cancelling the dining plan is the way to go.

True. The plan is already paid for and will cover them for most of the trip. She won't need to skimp on food while they vacation. Mom agreed to cover tips. This is one time when saving money may not be the way to go when funds are tight. You allocate the kids each their snacks and make them responsible for how they " spend" them. When yours are gone, they are gone. They each get their spending. When that is gone its gone. Share a few CS and ts meals and day six is covered. Day 7 for 100? I could do it.

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree. My operational budget may often be down to my last $100 but if I had to, I could find as much as $100K in credit cards, savings, retirement accounts (those that I can access now without penalty). I can't read the OP's mind but that is how I took it.

Me too. Whenever we go anywhere both DH and I have our money we allocate for the trip. We both have tuck away, but neither one of us used that unless it is necessary. We take cc but only to secure our magic bands. Not one dime goes on that card when we leave. It's there in an emergency. I admit I'm not as disciplined as DH when it comes to extra spending but I won't take from my household for a vacation. It sounds like op is like that. Trip is paid and her spending amount was reduced. She chooses not to go over unless dan can make the extra

 

[Hikergirl]

But only if she can cancel without penalty. Which she said she would look into.

But even after that, people are telling her to ditch the plan.

If she has to pay a penalty for changing this close to the trip, it will likely wipe out any savings.

I didnt realize there would be a penalty, I thought you had up until 5 days before your check-in to cancel.
Regardless, it could just be people are responding to the OP's first post. Things always get repeated on message boards because people share their own ideas and many of them are the same as other people's.

 

[Susan Storm]

Being able and being willing are two different things. She might be able to pull money out of savings or a credit card but unwilling. She never said that she was unable to access funds in the event of an emergency.

Bottom line she never asked for opinions on whether she should go, she asked for suggestions on how to economize on the spending above the prepaid portions of her trip (which cover all of her trip but one day).

Thanks Amy&Dan - and everyone else. I know everyone's hearts are in the right places. I really did just want to know if it was possible to have a decent trip with only $100. to spare for food/extras. If I absolutely NEED money due to an emergency then we have ways of getting it. At the moment, I'd really rather not touch those ways (emergency credit card).

We aren't a very wealthy family, my husband's enlisted military and I work three part-time jobs from home while taking care of my kids. We hardly ever do anything like this. I've basically been saving up as much as I can for two years for this trip - taking on an extra part time work-from-home job, etc,.. Is it irresponsible? I personally don't think so! It's okay if you do. Everyone thinks they need a different amount of money to live on. This isn't a trip I plan on doing again anytime soon! I just really wanted to know any tips on saving money while in the parks, or if anyone else had done a trip on the cheap like this and still enjoyed it or made it work.

 

[Amore Disney]

If you asked me what I would personally do in these circumstances, I would cancel the trip and eat the cancellation fees for the hotel, DDP, and airfare (for only 2 people of the party). It wouldn't be worth it to me to constantly worrying about balancing my idea of a vacation and finances.

However, OP seems to want to keep her plans and stretch the remaining $100 cash, and that's also very reasonable. Just like the rest of us, I'm sure she spent so much time planning ADRs out, booking FP+ at the 60 day point, and getting excited for the trip. It looks like with all these tips from the thread, she will be able to do so and enjoy the trip as planned with careful attention to extra spending. I hope its a great trip and a wonderful time with family.

 

[Hikergirl]

Thanks Amy&Dan - and everyone else. I know everyone's hearts are in the right places. I really did just want to know if it was possible to have a decent trip with only $100. to spare for food/extras. If I absolutely NEED money due to an emergency then we have ways of getting it. At the moment, I'd really rather not touch those ways (emergency credit card).

We aren't a very wealthy family, my husband's enlisted military and I work three part-time jobs from home while taking care of my kids. We hardly ever do anything like this. I've basically been saving up as much as I can for two years for this trip - taking on an extra part time work-from-home job, etc,.. Is it irresponsible? I personally don't think so! It's okay if you do. Everyone thinks they need a different amount of money to live on. This isn't a trip I plan on doing again anytime soon! I just really wanted to know any tips on saving money while in the parks, or if anyone else had done a trip on the cheap like this and still enjoyed it or made it work.

You'll be fine OP, and you will have a wonderful trip. There is alot of good advice here that can get you through those last days with just $100 and you not having to touch your emergency CC.

 

[Susan Storm]

Just trying to figure out how to delete this thread, because I think I've gotten a lot of awesome suggestions and now I'm just feeling a little embarrassed because of all the responses, lol

 

[Nancyg56]

I didnt realize there would be a penalty, I thought you had up until 5 days before your check-in to cancel.
Regardless, it could just be people are responding to the OP's first post. Things always get repeated on message boards because people share their own ideas and many of them are the same as other people's.

Yes, and if you change resorts to a Jess expensive one you have to book at the new rates. It always looks easy on paper til Disney applies the penalties.

I agree though, we all reply using our own circumstances as a guide. The op will be fine with her allocated monies, I believe. If I told you how we had to vacation when I was alone with my three!!!!! I could make my spending money travel! Lol!!!

 

[EagleG17]

Just trying to figure out how to delete this thread, because I think I've gotten a lot of awesome suggestions and now I'm just feeling a little embarrassed because of all the responses, lol

Are you kidding? Embarrassed? If half the people in the world did what you did to make this trip happen it would be a better place. I certainly commend you for all the jobs you work, most certainly am thankful for your husband serving our country!

You should feel proud of what you've accomplished!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Just trying to figure out how to delete this thread, because I think I've gotten a lot of awesome suggestions and now I'm just feeling a little embarrassed because of all the responses, lol

Don't be embarrassed! Most of us are really just chatting. We wish you the best trip!

 

[Hikergirl]

You have nothing to be embarrassed about!
Plus, this thread may help someone in a similar situation.

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

I didn't read through all of the responses but try to have a garage sale or sale thru facebook sale sites prior to the trip. last fall we sold a bunch of stuff and actually got $400 from selling house items and a lot of baby items and a tv we no longer used. if you could come up with fast cash like that it would help pad your funds that much more.