I Know We All Love A Budget Challenge!

[dis75ney]

Hello!

I have a friend who REALLY wants to take her children to WDW, but is convinced that it won't happen in her lifetime. She has issued a challenge to me, and I am convinced that with the help of the Budget Board DISers, we can get this family to experience the magic of WDW while the kidlets are still young!

Here are the terms:

* Budget - as close to $1000 as possible
* Family of six - 2 adults, 4 children (current ages 6, 5, 2, and newborn)
* Would prefer two bedroom condo/townhouse, but they are realistic and know that this most likely won't be possible on their budget. One separate bedroom is a must.
* 3-5 nights...can go anytime (oldest hasn't yet started school and parents do not have an issue with pulling him out of kindergarten if need be)
* 3-5 day park tickets with water parks (hopper not necessary, but would be nice)
* Do not count travel expenses or food costs...they would be driving down and using their normal vacation gas budget, and they would use their normal food budget for the week as well.

And...GO!

 

[GinnyEmma]

Go during a YES program. I think they have a class or two that takes 6 year olds, and tickets are cheaper. Rent a place from eBay or shyauction for $300 or so for the week. Eat breakfast in room. Take sandwiches for lunch, and snack or eat outside the park for dinner or cook.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Three day tickets with water parks are over $250 per person (close to $300 for the adults), so that is the whole budget unless they can get YES tickets like the PP suggested. I'd dump the water parks option anyway - I can't imagine it would be worth it for such small kids when the parents are outnumbered.

They should go before the 2 year old turns three to save one ticket expense.

If they are driving (which they must be for that budget), they should rent a condo offsite and plan to eat breakfast and dinner in the room and pack sandwiches for lunch. Use the regular grocery budget to get food to bring on the trip.

If they are not driving (they have miles for tickets and that is not included in the budget you were given), I'd book a family suite during free dining or a POR room if they are OK with being cramped.

I'd work on increasing the budget through cutting costs elsewhere, having a garage sale, saving change, getting a Disney Visa if they can get the $200 offer and can manage credit, asking for Disney gift cards for gifts, etc.

Mousesavers has a plan for going to WDW for under $1500, I think. I'll try to find the link.

Edited to add:

Here's a link on ways to save money. Still looking for the sample trip plan.

Here's the sample plan link. For tickets, they are a family of four if the 2-year old is still two when they go. But they need lodging for five plus an infant. The plan is from a few years ago, though, so prices have changed.

 

[cnorth]

I second the YES program. There is one August 22 for 5-8 year olds. The ticket prices are cheap. For 5 day park hopper and water parks for 4 people (no tickets for the two year old or baby), it's $750.48 ($187.62 x 4). You can get a two bedroom condo in Windsor hills for $299 a week, you just have to look for them. They will have to pay for parking ($14 x 5 = $70). SO:

750+299+70=1119

Definitely get the YES program, and go before the two year old turns 3.

 

[ilovemk76]

Hello!

I have a friend who REALLY wants to take her children to WDW, but is convinced that it won't happen in her lifetime. She has issued a challenge to me, and I am convinced that with the help of the Budget Board DISers, we can get this family to experience the magic of WDW while the kidlets are still young!

Here are the terms:

* Budget - as close to $1000 as possible
* Family of six - 2 adults, 4 children (current ages 6, 5, 2, and newborn)
* Would prefer two bedroom condo/townhouse, but they are realistic and know that this most likely won't be possible on their budget. One separate bedroom is a must.
* 3-5 nights...can go anytime (oldest hasn't yet started school and parents do not have an issue with pulling him out of kindergarten if need be)
* 3-5 day park tickets with water parks (hopper not necessary, but would be nice)
* Do not count travel expenses or food costs...they would be driving down and using their normal vacation gas budget, and they would use their normal food budget for the week as well.

And...GO!

IMHO it is not doable. I would put that $1K+ away and save for the next 5 years and then when the baby is 5 go to WDW and have a good time.

This appears to be a once in a lifetime trip so why go when two of the kids are too small to remember some or all of it?

During those 5 years I would try to save $50 each month and then have a long trip with the $6K+ that I had. They could even do two trips with that money.

 

[worm761]

Dates: Sept 11-15

548.93 - Royale Parc Suites- two bedroom suite, poolside
911.80 - tickets (3 day base with 4th day free from Undercovertourist.com)

The room is good here but there is just no way to get tickets for this family for that little with a room. Their tickets will eat up their whole budget.

 

[angelat]

Ok...well, www.vacationcentralflorida.com has a 3br condo still available for 03-10 Sept 2011 or several 2Br condos for $422.62 (everything included, no deposit).

Disney YES program has a How Things Move class for ages 5-8 on the 9th of Sept. However, the 3 day premium tickets (park hopper and water parks) for 4 people (the newborn and 2 year old would be free) would come to $682.32. This would put her over budget. She could purchase the 4 day base tickets for 4 people for $571.56. That still puts her at $994.18 before food or extras.
If they can wait another year and save a little more money I think that would be better.

They may be able to find a hotel for less money since they only want to stay a few nights. (though this is $299 for the week plus taxes and cleaning fee) I just figured this was bigger than a hotel room.

Are they driving or flying? And does that $1000.00 include that cost as well? I'm not so sure that $1000 is a realistic budget for 2 adults and 4 children. I know you said as close to $1000 as possible...how much are they realistically willing to spend? Hopefully others will have some better ideas.

I wish them luck and hope they can get to WDW!!

 

[GinnyEmma]

Shyauction should be able to come through for $200.

 

[erinmomof2]

I second using SkyAuction.com we are doing this for our upcoming trip and we rented a condo for $195 for a week. We have used them before and have always been happy. If they could get a similar deal and get the YES tickets hotel and tickets could come in under $1,000.

If transportation and food aren't included in the 1,000 I think it is totally doable.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I second using SkyAuction.com we are doing this for our upcoming trip and we rented a condo for $195 for a week. We have used them before and have always been happy. If they could get a similar deal and get the YES tickets hotel and tickets could come in under $1,000.

If transportation and food aren't included in the 1,000 I think it is totally doable.

We've used skyauction a dozen times or so and always been happy. Right now, there is deal where you take what you get. There isn't a promise you will get the 1st choice.

 

[girli565]

Would they be willing to wait another 6 months and up the budget to $1500? Because then they may be able to do it using some of the examples given above.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would wait. $1k is a tight budget. Remember they more than likely will need a hotel stay during their travel to and from home.

 

[amylynne01]

Although they are going to use their regular grocery budget, food at WDW will still be more than their budget (I hope at least) unless they bring every meal, every snack, and every drink from home. Will gas be more than their typical budget? $1000 is a really tight budget for a family of 6. My personal feeling is I'd rather go to WDW and do what I want (DVC points, park hoppers, souvies, etc) then go and not be able to enjoy those extras. If she starts saving now, she can do a great trip!

 

[TnTWalter]

I second the YES program. There is one August 22 for 5-8 year olds. The ticket prices are cheap. For 5 day park hopper and water parks for 4 people (no tickets for the two year old or baby), it's $750.48 ($187.62 x 4). You can get a two bedroom condo in Windsor hills for $299 a week, you just have to look for them. They will have to pay for parking ($14 x 5 = $70). SO:

750+299+70=1119

Definitely get the YES program, and go before the two year old turns 3.

there ya go!!

you can also do bonnet creek on ebay for similar prices....and note this is for a week stay! Good job cnorth!

Trish

 

[JennSaint]

Hello!

I have a friend who REALLY wants to take her children to WDW, but is convinced that it won't happen in her lifetime. She has issued a challenge to me, and I am convinced that with the help of the Budget Board DISers, we can get this family to experience the magic of WDW while the kidlets are still young!

Here are the terms:

* Budget - as close to $1000 as possible
* Family of six - 2 adults, 4 children (current ages 6, 5, 2, and newborn)
* Would prefer two bedroom condo/townhouse, but they are realistic and know that this most likely won't be possible on their budget. One separate bedroom is a must.
* 3-5 nights...can go anytime (oldest hasn't yet started school and parents do not have an issue with pulling him out of kindergarten if need be)
* 3-5 day park tickets with water parks (hopper not necessary, but would be nice)
* Do not count travel expenses or food costs...they would be driving down and using their normal vacation gas budget, and they would use their normal food budget for the week as well.

And...GO!

So for their food budget they aren't going to factor any meals in the parks etc?

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

I'm with StitchandPooh, dump the water park. We're out numbered 3-2 and felt that it would be too much for us to do (too stressful). They loved the pools at OKW and didn't know what they were missing (until DS5 saw a picture of Blizzard Beach and gave me a dirty look ).

Your friend can rent 50 points for a studio Sun-Thur @ OKW during value season for about $500 here on the Dis! That and the YES tickets gets it to a around $1100.

 

[JennSaint]

I'm with StitchandPooh, dump the water park. We're out numbered 3-2 and felt that it would be too much for us to do (too stressful). They loved the pools at OKW and didn't know what they were missing (until DS5 saw a picture of Blizzard Beach and gave me a dirty look ).

Your friend can rent 50 points for a studio Sun-Thur @ OKW during value season for about $500 here on the Dis! That and the YES tickets gets it to a around $1100.

I thought Disney only allowed one child under 3 in a room like that. Plus that would be one crowded studio.

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

I must have been thinking of a 1br (5+1 under 3) but doesn't help keep the budget down. I guess that would rule out any of the less expensive on site resorts.

 

[dis75ney]

You guys are awesome! Let's keep the ideas coming!

I spoke with my friend last night. She had to pick her jaw up off the floor when I told her that WDW could be done on a $1000 budget. I outlined everything that I came up with and the suggestions you guys offered, and she was stunned. We now have plans to meet up in a couple of weeks to discuss further options...

She did give me a little more information as far as budget goes...

* She originally said she wants to take the kids as soon as possible, so she could have two kids be free. I convinced her to give herself at most another two years to save up, as the baby would still be free if he's under 2, and the other kids would be slightly more independent if Mommy or Daddy needed to tend to the baby. Plus, they could save up enough to stay onsite, which they REALLY want to do. I suggested the All Star Music family suites or the Art of Animation resort (which should be open by that time)...

* Since they are now saving for two-ish years, they'll have plenty of money for food in the parks.

* As far as the gas budget goes, this is something that they already budget for. They take yearly vacations to visit family in Tennessee and Florida (panhandle area), and her husband refuses to fly, so they budget for gas expenses throughout the year regardless. WDW would simply replace either Tennessee or the panhandle trip for that year...

 

[englishteacha]

I was about to suggest they wait till the kids are a bit older. If they're planning on this being a "once in a lifetime" trip, wouldn't they want their kids to remember the trip? If they're willing to wait, they can save up more money. If they want to go on a really frugal trip, that will give them time to plan it. They could even camp somewhere near WDW. There's a campground that is $30ish a night in Kissimmee where we stayed years ago. Very nice place, they could tent out, enjoy the campground, and visit the WDW parks. It could be a very economical trip. Or they could rent a condo or something in Kissimmee for just a bit more.