Just back....budget hints!!!!!!

[Jinnyboom]

I received so much help from this board prior to our December 7 thru December 15 trip.........and wanted to pay you guys back in a small way

Do take your own bottled water into the parks....all you have to do is ask for a "cup of ice"...they will give you a small cup..but you can add your own bottled water...(we purchased 25 oz bottles of water at Publix...six for $2.50...bought a few packages and it lasted the entire eight day trip).........we ate at several "expensive restaurants" and had no problem with bringing our own bottled water.........

Also....bring your own Pop Tarts; bagels; breads, etc....toast them in the food court toaster and avail yourself of the free jellies, butters, etc..............saved us a fortune in breakfast costs as well as drink costs at restaurants all over Disney

 

[SamSam]

I agree; eating breakfast in your room is a huge cost savings.

 

[Muffy]

Great budget tips! Thanks!

 

[SandraC]

Great tips! We always bring our own water to the parks ~ we are big water drinkers. We bought Disney water bottle straps ~ excellent souvenier and we didn't have to carry the bottles, they hang off you like a purse.

We love our character breakfasts, but when not having a char breakky, we would eat in room too. Saving money was the bonus, we did it to really save time, which it does! I would get up, shower, then go get 2 coffees for dh and myself with our resort refill mugs while he fed the kids breakky in room. By the time I got back, I would eat and dh would shower. I would finish eating, dress the kids and we'd be on Dumbo ride with one hour of getting up!

One tip I got from these boards that worked great for us is eating at Pecos Bill's in MK. It's huge and wasn't too noisy when we went. We actually don't mind noisy places, then our noisy kids are drowned out LOL! This one time we went to Pecos Bills, ds was cranky, we ordered him a hot dog and I loaded it with FIXINGS. DH and DD got burgers with a ton of FIXINGS. DS only wanted to eat ketcup and a few bits of hot dog and a couple of fries. So I ate his lunch and the fixings was like a salad. It was a cheap meal. DS loved it so much, so calmed right down and it's not a favourite memory.

S

 

[MEM]

During our November 2002 trip, we tried sharing meals for the first time. Three counter-service meals split four ways was plenty. I just asked for extra plates and cups -- no problem. This works especially well with the Kit Carson salad at Pecos Bills. We have not tried this with sit-down restaurants.

We have always picked up water, juiceboxes, Parmalat, cereal and donuts during our Tiffany TC grocery stop. This year we added bread and PBJ, for between meal fillers. Even though we have a collapsible cooler, I am leery of deli meats and such, but it works for some people. I did not feel deprived doing this, but rather, I felt empowered.

 

[SeaWitch]

Another thumbs up for Pecos Bills... it's so easy to split a burger or sandwich with someone else when you have all 'the fixings' to add on! My DH loves the sauteed (is that how it's spelled?) mushrooms. Plus the seating area is HUGE, both inside & out. And if you grab an outside table close to the 'street' you get a pretty good view for the parades.