Just for Fun: A $1600 Challenge!

[aka-mad4themouse]

I can't do it. Undercover tourist for 4 adults (2 adults and 2 juniors) come out to $904. That's the cheapest. Even assuming a cheap offsite condo for a week (about $350 with tax and everything-I got an email offer just this morning) and WDW parking for 5 days ($14 per or $70). That's $1324. We still have to eat for a week and actually get to Orlando somehow for $376. No way!!!

I know. It's not an easy challenge. The special on FLN just got me to wondering if it would be possible with today's prices (the program first aired in 2008). But to help you out, don't include transportation to/from Orlando because they didn't include that in their numbers on the show.

 

[MEM]

I can't do it. Undercover tourist for 4 adults (2 adults and 2 juniors) come out to $904. That's the cheapest. Even assuming a cheap offsite condo for a week (about $350 with tax and everything-I got an email offer just this morning) and WDW parking for 5 days ($14 per or $70). That's $1324. We still have to eat for a week and actually get to Orlando somehow for $376. No way!!!

The OP said not to include airfare so I presume that means all modes of transport to the Orlando area.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

OK, I'm going to play.

I'm going with the empty nesters as this is as close as it gets to our annual trip (DD and myself)

Grand total for all the fun...........$1595.68

I want your trip! It sounds like so much fun!!!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Well, I won't take the challenge-it's too depressing! Here's the way it would go for us: 8 airline tickets DFW to MCO @ $200 each+ $1600. Money gone...time to go home!

The challenge doesn't include airfare. Try it anyway. Even if it's not a trip you can take, it may give others an idea of what they can do with a limited budget.

 

[punkin]

OK, so if no transportation costs, then what could we eat for a week for $376 considering I am really not willing to cook?

Cereal for breakfast every day: $5 for 2 boxes + half gallon of milk. $10 for the week
Dinners: Spaghetti and sauce; side salad $5; omlettes w/ cheese for adults and Chef Boy R Dee ravioli for kids (this is a treat-they never get this at home) $6. Hamburgers w/ fixings $9; Order pizza in $15; Hot dogs, side salad $6; Cold cut sandwiches $10. Total: $41 (not exactly healthy or particularly good, but cheap, filling and quick-if I have time, I might think of something better).
Total food at condo: $51, but I really have to budget at least $75 to include water to take to the parks (probably closer to $100, but this is a mental exercise).

Lunches: counter service only and drinks from home (one from each park): MK: Cosmic Ray's 1/2 Chicken and BBQ Rib Combination - $13.99 That should feed all of us.
Epcot: Sunshine Seasons Rotisserie Half Chicken - with two sides $9.99 (order 2 of these to feed all of us) $20
DS: hmm, having trouble finding anything here How about 2 Turkey Legs at $6.59 each. They are huge and should feed 4 of us $14
AK: Smoked 1/2 Chicken - served with baked beans and corn muffin $9.49 Two of these $20.

Would probably do 2 Epcot days and 2 MK days so another $13.99 and $20.
Total: $102

That leaves a grand total of $199 for mickey bars and snacks. We never buy souvenirs anymore anyway.

OK put $100 of that towards better meals in the condo and only leave $99 for snacks. I could do it. Tight, but a real vacation!!!

 

[2TxAgs]

My turn! I love a challenge!

My choice is Family B - 2 adults and 2 tweens.

Fly into MCO early Sunday, 8/15/2010. Use DME bus to WDW. Check into AS Movies, head over to Typhoon Lagoon.

Mon and Tues 8/16 and 8/17 - Universal - we've never been. On Tues, come back early to go see Yehaw Bob's show at PORiverside. Rent some canoes to paddle around.

Wed 8/18 - use the Give a Day/Get a Day passes we earned to visit Epcot, our favorite park.

Thurs 8/19 -check out, swim, take a late flight home.

Cost - 4 nites AS Movies - $371
4 days food (@ $110/day, counter service all the way) - $440
4 2-park unlimited Universal tickets from Undercover Tourist - $432
4 admissions to Typhoon Lagoon - $192
Canoe/bike rental - $60

Total - $1495, which leaves $105 for food/snacks at airport, cab to Universal, tip for Bob, etc.

TxAg

 

[kwhite1022]

Im watching this thread like a hawk, cuz if anyone get even close on family D Ill give them a big hug, cuz that my family, and we cant see to touch a trip for under $4500 (thats including $900 for airfare) If we were willing to stay offsite I know it would be cheaper....but thats not our type of vacation.

 

[MEM]

Do we know yet if the "give a day, get a Disney day" tickets can be applied to upgrade to a multi-day ticket?

 

[Colleen27]

What I would do on that type of budget would be a very focused trip, rather than trying to stretch to do a "see it all" trip.

Since my mom & I are planning a budget girls-only Flower & Garden trip, that's where I started. In reality one of my girls is under 3, but for the sake of the challenge I'm counting them both in the 3-9 group.

Dates: May 7 - 10
2A 2C

3 nights at WDW Dolphin - $533 (govt employee rate)
Sedan service to/from airport, with grocery stop - $120
Upgrade "Give a Day" tickets to 3 day base tix - $553

Day 1 -
Grocery stop for sodas, pastries, and snacks - $25
Check in, swim
Hollywood Studios if Fantasmic is showing - adding 1 day to tix, $23
If not, miniature golf - $46
Dinner at ESPN Club - $29 (nachos & wings to share)
Dessert at Seashore Sweets - $15

Day 2 - Epcot
Breakfast in room, pastries from grocery stop
Lunch at Chefs de France - $59 including tip (pate appetizer, two shared entrees, profiteroles dessert)
Dinner at Sunshine Seasons - $31 (half chicken meal, 2 entree Asian meal, two bakery desserts to share, large soda to share)
Illuminations


Day 3 - Magic Kingdom (should be EMH evening)
Breakfast in room
Lunch at the Plaza - $34 including tip (reuban & cheeseburger to share, 1 banana split for the table)
Dinner at Kona Sushi Bar - $34
Dole whip dessert from Capt Cooks - $4
Watch fireworks from Poly beach
Back to MK for evening EMH

Day 4 - Epcot
Breakfast in room
Lunch at Tokyo Dining - $43 including tip (sharing several rolls, one kids' meal as the "safe" backup for the girls)
Festival pins - $40

Total - $1566

 

[2TxAgs]

Hey kwhite....

Here's what I came up with. You said you can't get under $4500, which includes $900 in airfare. So I figure you're working with $3600 for non-transportation costs. I can't get you to $1600, but I split the difference and I believe I can get you close to $2600.
Not exactly sure of your kids ages, ability to share beds, etc.

Aug 15-20, 2010

Either 5 nights at POR if one kid can take the trundle and the other two share: $838
or, 5 nights in two adjoining rooms at a value - everyone in their own beds: $925

5 day tickets from Undercover Tourist are $1130, or if you go with the Give a Day/Get
a Day, it will only cost you $770 to upgrade your one day tickets to 5 days.

5 days food at $120/day (CS and sharing some meals) - $600

Depending on your tastes, that is between $2208 and $2655. If you use DME to and from the airport, that is free. Now if your kids can't share meals, or you won't enjoy
staying at a value resort, your expenses will go up, but I wanted to show you that it
can be done.

TxAg

 

[Colleen27]

Do we know yet if the "give a day, get a Disney day" tickets can be applied to upgrade to a multi-day ticket?

Somewhere I read that it can, but I don't recall where now so I can't say if it was in the official documentation or just someone's interpretation. Since the birthday tickets could, I would think the 'give a day' tickets will be able to as well.

 

[4Seasons]

Actually we just did this last month during free dining, we are Family B.
We stayed 5 nights at POP with 5 day base tickets, Magical Express and the free dining. Our package was roughly $1415 and we put out about another $200 in tips.
I have to admit though we cheated a bit, we stayed 2 nights in a 2 bedroom condo at Lake Eve Resort during our booked stay at POP (I needed to see/experience the property, LOL) for $150 plus we rented a car from the Alamo counter at Dolphin for $52 (including tax) and spent roughly $30 at Walgreens on stuff. All that was optional though, so we did stay just slightly above the $1600 mark for the 4 of us.

 

[rdevine10]

Ok, I chose Family A, because I have family A!

Option 1:

6 days/ 5 nights @ Pop Century during bounceback Free Dining in Sept 2010.

Standard Room
Base Tickets for 6 days
Free Dining
Use Magic Express

= 1392.98

that leaves 207.02 for tips and souvies

Option 2:

Skyauction Condo, purchased via a blowout sale, $220 for 7 nights

7 day Base Tickets, purchased via Mousesavers newsletter: $857.80

Parking for 7 days: 14 x 7 = 98

7 days 1 counter service meal: $30 each day = $210

Breakfast at condo daily:

3 boxes cereal ($6)
2 boxes Donuts ($5)
eggs ($2)
bacon ($2.50)
Sausage ($2)
Juice ($2)
Bread for toast ($1.49)
Butter ($2)
(Bring coffee and Tea from home, not included in budget)

Breakfast Total is $21 (better yet, bring it all from home and dont include it in the budget!)

Eat Dinner Out (Fast Food), or Restaurant.com deals, or make a few dinners at condo, or take out pizza. Budget: $175 (or $25 per night)

Souvies: $25

Car: You have driven, so you have your own car!

Total: approx $1600-$1615

Hope that helps!

 

[kwhite1022]

Hey kwhite....

Here's what I came up with. You said you can't get under $4500, which includes $900 in airfare. So I figure you're working with $3600 for non-transportation costs. I can't get you to $1600, but I split the difference and I believe I can get you close to $2600.
Not exactly sure of your kids ages, ability to share beds, etc.

Aug 15-20, 2010

Either 5 nights at POR if one kid can take the trundle and the other two share: $838
or, 5 nights in two adjoining rooms at a value - everyone in their own beds: $925

5 day tickets from Undercover Tourist are $1130, or if you go with the Give a Day/Get
a Day, it will only cost you $770 to upgrade your one day tickets to 5 days.

5 days food at $120/day (CS and sharing some meals) - $600

Depending on your tastes, that is between $2208 and $2655. If you use DME to and from the airport, that is free. Now if your kids can't share meals, or you won't enjoy
staying at a value resort, your expenses will go up, but I wanted to show you that it
can be done.

TxAg

Thanks, maybe Im just not running somethings right or taking into consideration options. Youve given me a glimmer of hope...cuz $3500 sounds much more doable then $4500!!

 

[torinsmom]

I may be a hair off on my calculations but here is one (I used the empty nesters on this one):

Feb. 6-11, 5 nights, 6 Days
CSR King Room using 40% off Disney Visa Code=$610.80
Park Tickets- (2) 6 Day Park Hoppers=$602.80
QSD=$319.90 ($31.99/night now??)
-----------------------------------------------------
Grand Total of $1,533.50

They would use ME, so no extra cost there. And on the QS plan, all dining is included And only using Disney buses, which again is free.

That was an easy one though...now I'll try the harder ones...

Is this a code anyone with a Disney Visa can use?

Thanks,

Marsha

 

[rdevine10]

Now for Family D (2 adults, 2 juniors, 1 child over age 3)

Option 1:

Tickets purchased at Disney gate. 7 day base tickets (no waterparks, no hopping). Minus the cost to upgrade 2 adult tickets from the 2010 promotion (give a day, get a day) = $979

Skyauction condo- sleeps at least 5 with full kitchen, purchased via a blowout sale for 7 nights: $220

7 days of parking at the parks @$14 per day = $98

Gas for the week = $25

Drive your own car= no additional rental cost

Souvies: $75

Food, all prepared at the condo for all 3 meals for the week, bring your lunches to the park = $200

Total = $1597

Option # 2:

4 nights at Port Orleans, with 40% off Disney Visa Code, Quick Service Dining, with 1 day base ticket: $1324

2 adult give a day, get a day tickets: Free, after day volunteered

Cost to upgrade 2 juniors and 1 child ticket to a 2 day ticket: $235

Souvies: $50

Drive own car, park free at Disney hotel OR use Magic Express: Free

Total: $1609

Option 3:

3 nights at Port Orleans with Free Bounceback Dining, 1 day base ticket with water parks and more (which is 2 visits to 2 waterparks) = $1194.61

Cost to upgrade 2 juniors and 1 child to a 2 day base ticket: $235

2 adult give a day, get a day tickets: Free, after day volunteered

Tips and Souvies: $169

Drive own car, park free at Disney hotel OR use Magic Express: Free


Total = $1600

Option 4:

A Disney AND Universal Vacation:

Skyauction condo- sleeps at least 5 with full kitchen, purchased via a blowout sale for 7 nights: $220

1 day base ticket with waterparks and more for 2 juniors and one child (2 days at 2 waterparks/Disney Quest) = $404.92

2 adult give a day, get a day tickets: Free, after day volunteered

Cost to upgrade adult Give a Day tickets to waterparks and more: $110.76

7 day Universal Unlimited Ticket, purchased at least 2 days in advance via the Universal Website for all 5: $543.20

parking at Universal for 4 days: $60

Parking at Disney for 1 park day (waterparks and Downtown Disney have free parking) : $14

Souvies: $50

Food for week, all meals eaten at condo, food brought to park for lunches: $200

You have driven your own car, so you have no rental cost

Total is $1603

Option 5 (goes a tad over budget, but is close)

4 nights at Port Orleans with Bouceback Free Dining, 1 day base ticket with waterparks and more (2 visits to 2 waterparks or Disney Quest), standard room: $1362.25

Cost to upgrade 2 juniors and 1 child to a 2 day base ticket: $235

2 adult give a day, get a day tickets(1 day, 1 park): Free, after day volunteered

Drive own car, park free at Disney hotel OR use Magic Express: Free


Total is 1598

Need to pay for Souvies and Tips still.

Anyways, this challenge was fun.... hope it helps someone!

 

[Carrie772]

Bumping for more ideas!

 

[griergirl2]

Is this a code anyone with a Disney Visa can use?

Thanks,

Marsha

Yes, it is. I don't have the link, but I am sure someone has it for you.

 

[zhazhazsu]

Family C

2/1/10-2/8/10

Using the 5/2, using the ME, staying at ASMO, and getting the QSDP = 1543.91

That leaves very little for souvies, and I would use that $$ to tip mousekeeping and bring home a hat or a mug.