I Know We All Love A Budget Challenge!

[talulabelle]

I agree, water parks would be almost impossible with kids that age. There isn't much for them, not that would be worth the cost of the ticket anyway. The kids would prefer getting their little piggies wet in a hotel pool. They should wait to experience that when the kids are much older. They would spend their whole time trying to keep the 4 kids safe and busy and happy while waiting for the other spouse to wait in a long line for a ride and return, only to have to go wait in a long line themself while worrying if the spouse ws handling the 4 kids well and all was ok, and having to do the ride by themselves which isn't that fun. Seriously not worth the money for that kind of trouble.

 

[SaraJayne]

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...

It really can't be done for that amt of people for $1000. Tickets alone are almost that much for two adults and a couple children.

Saving for two years (which you said they are doing) will give them a bit more wiggle room.

 

[LadyBeBop]

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.

If they have the camping equipment, that's the way to go. You can actually rent a campsite at the Fort for about $50/night ($350/week). Many of our family's vacations were camping vacations. Great fun, and you save in food and lodging.

And if you have the equipment, you'd lend it to them, wouldn't you?

 

[Mic]

Most people would say that waiting an extra year would be a good idea, but I have to disagree. I listened to everyone who told me to wait until my youngest could "remember the trip", so my oldest was 10, missing out on a lot of princess stuff. I know that some people think Disney will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but no one on this board can really say that! Room rates and tickets just go up every year, anyway, and two years is a long time to wait. If your friend could go right before her 2-year-old turns 3, her youngest would be a little older and she would still only have to purchase 4 tickets. A good deal on a condo for the week would definitely be the most ideal, but if that can not be found, then my favorite off-site hotel is the Clarion Lake Buena Vista(formerly the Comfort Inn on Palm Parkway). The location is great, they have kid-suites that will sleep 5 plus an infant, and they run specials for $59-69 a night a lot. They also have free shuttles to the park, but I would advise a family with kids that young to take their own car and just pay the $14 a day. It is a no-frills hotel, but the rooms have a microwave and fridge, and any chain or fast-food restaurant can be found within a mile. Denny's, Steak-n-Shake, IHOP, etc. regularly offer free kids meals and are very close to the hotel, Pizza Hut and Ci-Ci's are within walking distance, and the Winn-Dixie is a stoplight away. If she signed up for a YES program for the 5 and 6-year-olds (How Things Move may be the only one they qualify for) she could order 4-day base tickets for $556 or 4-day hoppers for $72 more. YES programs are usually offered in January and late Sept/early Oct. if she is concerned about the heat with the babies. If on-site is a priority, then she would need to wait or plan a short stay(like 3 nights in at POR with 3-day hoppers). She could easily pack snacks/drinks/food for the parks with a stroller, and limit the meals out to one or two a day. I think a well-planned budget trip is better than no trip. I have a friend who took her family to Disney this past January, and made the trip her kids' primary Christmas gift. When family and friends asked what her kids wanted for Christmas, she let them in on the secret and asked for Disney Dollars or souvenir money. They had a GREAT trip, and didn't break the bank going. She is ready to plan another trip for 2013! Your friend should start looking at condos/hotels right now, even if she waits a year to go, so she will have an idea of lodging prices.

 

[julietcf14]

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.

I think that budget can be done, sort of. I dont know much about the YES tickets but if you can get them for $750.48, then they can get a once bedroom suite on SkyAuction. We have used skyauction plenty of times and never had a bad experience. They have plenty of nice, offsite places for $195 +$1 bid +$20 which will make it $216. Then add in the $70 for parking and now you are at $1036!!! Thats pretty close to $1000. Plus, they will have a full kitchen so they have breakfast at the hotel, bring in some snacks and sandwiches and then just eat one special meal a day in the park. They can choose, maybe a character breakfast or a fun themed dinner. But the rest of the meals are brought with them. I mean, they can wait till they have $2000, or they can go twice! I think their budget is totally doable!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You do realize the Art Anamation Studio will cost around $350 a night! It will be a DVC resort and most DVC go for $350 a night.

 

[ancestry]

Even if the basics can be done is this really a smart thing for her to do? What if something happens during the trip--a kid gets sick, the car has a flat tire or breaks down, etc.

Many different unforeseen situations can arise when traveling and it doesn't sound as though she will have a cash reserve to handle an unexpected expense. I would be a nervous wreck to go anywhere the a group of children if I didn't have the resources available to cover basic emergencies. That would make for a very stressful trip for me.

 

[soonerfan2008]

I would get the waterpark option with YES program tickets. It is an inexpensive way to extend the trip by several days.

Last summer, I did the waterparks by myself with 3 kids (ages 8, 4 and 2). Having one more kid and one adult would have been too easy. As it was, the days were fine, a little hectic, but not crazy or miserable. We had a blast! We also packed lunches, bought snacks and did not carry a lot of junk into the parks with us.

Seriously, when you are used to chasing the kids around at home, a day out at a park is almost easier.

 

[sissy_ib]

You do realize the Art Anamation Studio will cost around $350 a night! It will be a DVC resort and most DVC go for $350 a night.

Art of Animation will NOT be a DVC resort. It is a value resort of mostly (if not all) family suites. It is being constructed from the unfinished half of Pop Century. The pricing should be on par with the current family suites at the All Star resort.

 

[mb_uh]

While you do not want the kids to get too old I think since if they want to do it for $1000 that doing it now would not make sense. The oldest is 6 now so even waiting 2 years would be 8 which is not too old, unfortunately while it would save money I am not sure that the 2 year old would remember the trip.

It sounds like they want to stay onsite which would only be possible during value season with free dining- 5 nights would be 950 for room/food for 2 value rooms
tickets would be about 1200 not including wpm. Unless you are staying offsite and doing yes tickets wpm seems like a waste for such young kids. At least this plan would include food, snacks, and souveniers- mugs plus extra snacks (lollipops, etc)

While it might could be done closer to 1000 now I do not think a once in lifetime trip should happen when the kids are so young and you can not afford to do anything extra or even eat in park (which can not be done on a normal family budget)

 

[SaraJayne]

You do realize the Art Anamation Studio will cost around $350 a night! It will be a DVC resort and most DVC go for $350 a night.

No, it won't be. AoA is going to be in the value category.

 

[CouponAngie]

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.

I agree with this poster. Is there a reason the trip HAS to be done this year? It makes more sense to save for a while longer, and also have the benefit of the children being a bit older to enjoy it more. I'm all for budgeting and saving money, and have cut many corners in planning our trip. However, I think they would have a much better time overall and not be so worried about spending if they would have some patience and let the money grow!

 

[semo233]

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"


Considering the ages of the children, I would only get tickets for 2 or three days for a 5 day vacation. Take a few days off from the parks and hang out at the pool where you stay or find a local playground, rent DVD's and have a movie day, a game day, bowling, etc. That would save A LOT off the total!

 

[eliza61]

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...

The only caution I would give is that if she waits she is definitely going to have to up her budget. Ticket prices are definitely going to go up at least once within another 2 years.

Do they have to go to the parks every day?

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

Just my two cents on the whole when to go thing:

I'd certainly wait till the new born was at least a year, year and a half. Other than that I wouldn't worry about them "remembering" it as PP's have said. I felt that way until MIL took us when DS was 3. Nothing better than seeing them experience that magic, something they won't do when they're older.

Also, those of us on the boards that have been more than once think of taking days off as being the best way. Gotta say, being your first trip, even at the younger age, my kids were raring and ready to go. There was no need for that "day off". We NEVER pushed them. We did have strollers so they didn't walk too much and we go in Dec so crowds are low making things much easier IMHO... and cheaper. If it were my family in your friends situation, I'd do a Dec. trip, no park hoppers, no water parks. Really, as PP's have said, water parks would be tough and we've never had park hoppers, no need. There's way too much to do in each park you can spend the whole day. AK did give us an easy day, planned it for mid week, it closes early and we hung out at the hotel the rest of the day.

I'm sure on site even with free dinning will put them over budget and since I've never stayed off site (I'm looking into it for next year) I can't really help with how it would be cheapest. I hope they go and have a great time though!