Is this a reasonable budget?

[wdwpluto]

Is this a reasonable budget for 2 adults staying 4 nights/5 days at the CSR?

I'm planning for May 2004 and basing the room rate on the May 2003 rates.

Room: 4 nights CSR @ $144/night = 576 + 11.5% tax = $642.24
Annual passes: already paid for
Pleasure Island Passes: 1 night x 2 adults = $45??
Airfare: 2 @ $250 = $500 (but we may use frequent flier miles for 1 ticket)
Food/Souvenirs = $200/day x 5 = $1000
Ground transportation = $40 (1/2 of $80 for Tiffany Towncar we'd be sharing with someone)
Tips: Bell services = $20, Mousekeeping = $15
Taxi to airport in NJ = $50
Taxi from airport in NJ = $50

Approx $2500 total

As far as food we'd like to eat at Wolfgang Pucks in DTD, the Clambake, Crystal Palace, O'Hana and possibly CRT for breakfast if we could get it. Other than that it would probably be counter service/on the fly. We'd probably do breakfast at the Pepper Market (take out to avoid the 10% of course)

Any thoughts, suggestions?
Thanks!
Lori

 

[MELSMICE]

I think that's a good budget - more than enough for a trip that length. Anything you have left you can use for the next trip.

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I would think you have thought of everything and have budgeted more than enough.

Have fun!

 

[searlproudbottom]

Dear WDWpluto

Here is my Opinion for all its worth.

First you say you have annual passes and one airline ticket Pd for.

Airfares are down. Purchase Two airline Tickets and save your miles until next year. I would gamble that air travel will go up as the economy improves. Next year you might have enough miles for two fairs and if you time it right you would have your annual passes for entry.

Also I Think you are light on your tipping I am a heavy tipper I believe I receive much better service from house keeping because of it. I have $ 100.00 in fives before I leave home.

Taxi to airport in NJ $5.00 min.
Skycap at airport $5.00 min.
Ground transportation, Tiffany Town car 1/2 $ 20.00
Bell Captain at hotel $5.00
Mouse keeping 4 nights x $5.00
Return
Bell Captain at hotel $5.00
Ground transportation, Tiffany Town car 1/2 $ 20.00
Skycap at airport $5.00 min.
Taxi home to NJ $5.00 min.
Total tips $ 70.00

Have fun on your trip
Searl

 

[wdwpluto]

Thanks everyone! I'm glad to hear that we're pretty much on target. I'm very much looking forward to this trip. It will be my Mom's 50th birthday and my 28th birthday. DH and I are traveling with my Mom, so it will be a blast!

Searl -

You make a good point about airfare. Airfares out of Newark and La Guardia have been up and down. When we went November '02 were were hard pressed to find a flight for under $400 per person (when previously we'd paid $150-250) on the days we were going (but we were locked in to certain days due to the wedding). I'm going to kind of play the "wait and see" game when it comes time to book the tickets as to whether or not we use the FF miles.

As far as tipping, I didn't break some of those that you mentioned out specifically, but we will tip (out of our $200/day expenses). We don't use skycaps at the airport though, 1 bag each and we check in at the counter.

Thanks again everyone!
Lori

 

[hockey mom]

You might find also that you will be able to acquire an AP discount for your room in May. I believe the rate with the discount for this year is $109 so that would be a nice bonus.

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by hockey mom
You might find also that you will be able to acquire an AP discount for your room in May. I believe the rate with the discount for this year is $109 so that would be a nice bonus.

I thought of that too, but we're not counting on it (just in case). CSR doesn't always participate in the codes and we much prefer to stay there than PO or CBR.

 

[nearlychildless]

you should be able to get the pleasure Island tickects for less. Check the mousesavers site.