Just Won a Trip to DW!!!

[Alanna]

Well, okay, so I actually won it 3 1/2 weeks ago. Won if from a contest sponsored by Clear Channel Radio, I have never won anything before in my life so what a prize to win!!!
It is for 4 days/3 nights, preset for May 3 through May 6, for four people. Airfare, lodging, and $250 Disney Dollars. I received a letter from Disney informing me that we are booked for the Polynesian! I should have my flight info next week. I hope we get an early flight in and a late flight out
I will be traveling with my children, ages 5 and 11, and my 21 year old cousin. This is my kids' first trip to DW. I haven't been since 1990, when I was 15. I feel so blessed because this is not something I would be able to afford for at least a year or two.
Of course, 'free' is a relative word. I know I will have to spend a fortune on food. Does anyone have any money-saving ideas as far as food goes? I saw some meal vouchers on eBay and wonder if that is the best route to go?
Can I just say I am so excited?! I love DW more than anywhere else, if I could find a way to sneak in and live there I would!

 

[bugsy]

Yay for you!!!! have a great time!

 

[Luv4Disney]

Congratulations and enjoy your trip! What a wonderful thing to win!

 

[athenna]

Congratulations!

 

[ryan840]

Congratulations!! DO NOT but the vouchers on ebay, they sell for two to three times their value.

 

[MinnieFan]

Congratulations and have a wonderful trip!

 

[berly1657]

Congratulations! Go to the budget board for info on food. AK has vouchers you can buy at the park and people seem to like these - only good that day at that park.

 

[liznboys]

That is SO COOL!! Congrats and have a magical trip!!

 

[disney4me4ever]

Congratulations of winning! And what a way to start! By the way, welcome to the Dis.

Nancy

 

[lindsey]

You can eat breakfast in the room and save. We took plastic bowls and spoons and individual cereal boxes. We bought milk at the Poly. Then we threw away the bowls and spoons before we left.

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Enjoy your trip! May is a wonderful time to go

 

[DizBelle]

Not to burst your bubble but also remember that you will have to pay income tax on the value of this trip. With 4 days/3 nights + airfare for 4 will probably mean tax of about $1200. Just keep it in mind.

 

[pezpam]

You'll find a lot of money-saving food tips by browsing these boards and checking out www.mousesavers.com

The Animal Kingdom Meal Plus (might be the wrong name....) voucher is great. I wish they'd offer that at the other parks!

If the kids don't care about little plastic lunchboxes and pails and such, kids meals can be ordered without them to save a couple of dollars for each kids meal each time

Get creative - Order a double cheeseburger and an extra bun so you can put the extra patty on the extra bun and have 2 burgers. Cut a foot-long hotdog in half. Buy milk in the hotel gift shop instead of the food court - for some reason, it's cheaper. In food courts, it's sometimes possible to buy 2 slices of bread cheaply, small packets of peanut butter for almost nothing, and get jelly free as a condiment - cheapest PB&J shy of being at home.

If you'll drink water, get a Brita Fill-N-Go filtering bottle and keep refilling it from drinking fountains or the free ice water from counter-service restaurants.

Find out which appetizers are huge and split one as a meal.

Counter service places dont' care if adults eat kids meals. They will also sell you items that are normally in a combo as a la carte items at a reduced price.

If you prefer to eat at the 'better' places, you could see if you're eleigible for the Dining option to be included in your package. Do the math on what you will spend on food vs the price of the plan before buying to see if it's worth it!

DD and I are doing the dining plan this time around, but were on a serious budget during our last trip - it is possible to be full and happy on a small food budget if you look around!

Enjoy!!!!!!!

 

[Alanna]

Yes, I am dreading those taxes. The radio station had me fill out a tax form for it, so no getting around that one!

Thanks for the ideas everyone, I will check out the tips listed.

 

[eeyore45]

Congratulations!! How wonderful for you, and your family!!

The Poly is wonderful, I reccommend checking out Tikiman's website, it will give your kids a great overview, and he has included the voice to pronounce the lodges! The pool is so fun, my dd 8 would rather stay at the pool than in the parks!!

http://tikiman2001.homestead.com/index.html

Some places (like with characters) buffets etc can be expensive, but it was worth it to plan ahead for us! We loved Ohana's, in the Poly, it was a buffet, hope you can call wdw to make a few Priority Seatings (like reservations) you can stop in the parks that day and ask at guest services if you can get a PS too!!

Check out menus and prices at this site, (as well as a whole lot of information!!) http://www.allearsnet.com/ menus are under dining.

You wont be able to do everything, be informed, and do what is important, learn about Fast Pass, less standing in lines!!

 

[minmate]

You could also check out to see if your trip is considered a "Pacakage" in which case you could add the Magic Your Way Dining Plan... I'm so excited for you!!!

 

[eeyore45]

Just started clicking on allears, and here's another link with lots of info on late night, emh, that you get to take advantage of!!

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/themeparks.htm

look at the list on the left!!

also for the airlines, when you get that info, if its Southwest Airlines, they have a liberal policy on changing times, most do charge, but not for the day - you can fly stand by if there is availability - wouldnt hurt to call and find out!

 

[cindyfan]

You can eat breakfast in the room and save. We took plastic bowls and spoons and individual cereal boxes. We bought milk at the Poly. Then we threw away the bowls and spoons before we left.

Exactly what I was going to suggest!

Congratulations on the trip!!
I am surprised that it doesn't include some kind of meal ticket.....but hey there are definitely ways to eat cheap.
So....start with taking the individual boxes of cereal....they pack pretty easy.
Also, pack stuff like granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.

Look at the prices when buying food!! You may be able to buy just an adult meal and split it between the kids....sometimes it works out alot cheaper....same as buying a large order of fries instead of 2 small orders, etc.

I think it is worth it's weight in gold to do at least one character meal. And I suggest to make it a breakfast. You will see the characters and breakfast is a lot cheaper than a dinner. Kids 11 and under are only charged kids prices, and if you go to a buffet or family style...they can eat all they want. And the kids prices are pretty reasonable!
I would recomend Ohanas or Crystal Palace for breakfast, or if you would rather do a character dinner....go with Liberty Tree Tavern. All 3 of these places are great for the kids.

You are so lucky to get this chance!!! And you will LOVE the Polynesian!!!
Have a great time!!!

 

[copper0426]

Congratualtions. It is good to hear from someone who actually wins a trip to Disney. You always hear about contests, but never really find out if there really is a winner. Have a great time.

There are 3 of us My husband who needs to eat about every 3 hours, my 8 year old son and myself. We usually figure on about $100 a day for food. No matter what money is something everyone worries about. When we go, we usually take the money we would normarlly use for food shopping at home and put it toward our meals.

Diane

 

[marriedmarylander]

I've been trying to call to win that trip

You have to pay $1200 in taxes??? Tha'ts probably how much the trip would cost anyway.