Is my budget realistic?

[worm761]

Can you take a look at tell me if this is realistic or if I need to adjust it?

First, this is a super budget trip. We all really just need a short get away. We live within driving distance and already have season passes that will end in October. Got an AP discount on the room. There is DH, me, DS , and DD 2.5. We plan to pack a lunch for the trip down. My plan is to eat all counter service except for RFC which I have $50 in GC for from MyPoints.

$221 - Room at AS Music, 3 nights
200 - gas for truck
300 - food

$721 total for three days. DS has his own spending money if he wants souvenirs. I sort of feel like I am missing something in my budget. I plan to take juice boxes and snacks for DD in the park bag.

 

[stsomewhere]

I think $300 for food is too low. Maybe $500

 

[worm761]

I had figured out the meals at $50 per meal for counter service. Not including breakfast. Sorry, forgot to mention the intent to bring those!

 

[blessedby3]

We are a family of 6 and I budget $100 a day for food (counter service twice per day) and so I think that $300 for your family for 3 days would be perfectly fine. My DH and DS order their own meal, but my 3 girls and I order a couple of meals and share. For a Counter service meal, even if you and DH each ordered a meal, then got a kids meal for each child...you would only be at $35 or so. You could split your meal with the kids and order one kids meal and be even cheaper.
You can also order one large drink and ask for the smaller cups and divide that drink up to share. We never order drinks for everyone. Just 2 or 3 large and get the small cups to pour into.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

Everything sounds about right but I would put a little extra aside for gas. It's difficult to know what gas prices will be but considering you live 456 miles from WDW, it will more than likely be more than $200 round trip for gas, depending on gas prices at that time and gas mileage on your truck.

 

[worm761]

Everything sounds about right but I would put a little extra aside for gas. It's difficult to know what gas prices will be but considering you live 456 miles from WDW, it will more than likely be more than $200 round trip for gas, depending on gas prices at that time and gas mileage on your truck.

I use Gas Buddy and then pad it with $50. That is where I got that number. We are in Pensacola.


Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[carebee21]

How old is your DS? If he's also young, then I would say your budget is probably ok. If he's a teenager or adult, I would say your food budget is too low.

 

[dhardawa]

I think your budget is fine. Even if you're buying an adult meal for your son, $50 should be plenty for counter service. Most adult meals, including a drink, run about $12. Kid meals are less.

 

[worm761]

DS is 16 and DD is 2 1/2. DS does not eat like your typical teenage boy. He is on ADHD meds and they tend to curb the appetite quite a bit.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I think your budget is fine. Even if you're buying an adult meal for your son, $50 should be plenty for counter service. Most adult meals, including a drink, run about $12. Kid meals are less.

I think you are fine as well.

 

[torinsmom]

Remember you can get kids' meals for anyone. It is plenty of food for me. You get the main entree, a side, and a cookie plus a drink for $4.99. And of course, ice water is free. Bring flavor packs and order free ice water when you need something to drink to save extra money.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

I think your budget looks just fine.

Our trip is 1,000 miles each way and gas ran me a little less than $400 for my van a few weeks ago. So $200 should be good for you.

Food for 6 of us ran less than $100/day. We ate stuff in the room for breakfast. Then ate counter service for everything else except T-Rex. We typically ordered 2 adult meals and 3-4 kids meals each time. Each meal ran us about $40 and then we got a few snacks each day as well.

 

[erisgirl44]

Looks good to me. I use to live in Pensacola so I think you have enough for gas.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I use Gas Buddy and then pad it with $50. That is where I got that number. We are in Pensacola.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Oh, then you should be fine!

 

[marmalade]

I think $300 for 3 days is plenty. Since you'll have your car you can even go offsite to eat for cheaper. If it money gets tight on the last day, there is nothing wrong with a good'ole Pb&J.

 

[marthachick]

I would be sure to take snacks & drinks for the ride. It's too easy to pick up 3 or 4 drinks & 3 or 4 snacks & blow through a $10 (or more) bill quickly.

ETA: Just saw that you're taking lunch. Probably need some munchies or gum too for when you just need a little something.

 

[worm761]

I would be sure to take snacks & drinks for the ride. It's too easy to pick up 3 or 4 drinks & 3 or 4 snacks & blow through a $10 (or more) bill quickly.

ETA: Just saw that you're taking lunch. Probably need some munchies or gum too for when you just need a little something.

I plan to! I ordered coupons for Coke and Powerade from MyCokeRewards to get some free sodas for the drive. And I plan to take munchies. Definitely grapes for DD, nuts and such for me. whatever DS and DH decide the night before that they want.

 

[Random Ninja]

I plan to! I ordered coupons for Coke and Powerade from MyCokeRewards to get some free sodas for the drive. And I plan to take munchies. Definitely grapes for DD, nuts and such for me. whatever DS and DH decide the night before that they want.

The value resorts have fridges now too so you can keep yogurts and milk for breakfasts. I think your food budget is plenty and so is the gas budget. I budget $50 for jax to wdw and $100 for jax to pensacola so $200 is more than enough. Do you have a Winn-Dixie nearby? You may want to sign up for a fuel perks card; 5 cents off per gallon up to 20 gallons for every $50 you spend (including gift cards). Make sure you get gas before you leave disney, that's the cheapest gas for miles around.

I can't think of anything you're missing. Have you packed already? Maybe you left something out of the suitcase?

 

[mommy22gurlz]

I definitely think this is do-able!! Have fun!!

 

[worm761]

The value resorts have fridges now too so you can keep yogurts and milk for breakfasts. I think your food budget is plenty and so is the gas budget. I budget $50 for jax to wdw and $100 for jax to pensacola so $200 is more than enough. Do you have a Winn-Dixie nearby? You may want to sign up for a fuel perks card; 5 cents off per gallon up to 20 gallons for every $50 you spend (including gift cards). Make sure you get gas before you leave disney, that's the cheapest gas for miles around.

I can't think of anything you're missing. Have you packed already? Maybe you left something out of the suitcase?

LOL...we just got Fuel Perks here. And I am a Winn Dixie shopper! We used it for the first time on Saturday and got $0.10 off per gallon. Saving it up though!

I had to laugh at the packing. I keep looking at stuff and wanting to pack. I have the toiletries done but can't do clothing and whatnot yet. I am trying to lose weight and am down 2 pounds so far this week. If I keep this up I will need new clothes for the trip!