Keeping costs down on DVC vacations

[Anal Annie]

I guess I don't know what to say...your posts are very condescending and insulting. I didn't say I carried a big purse with me and "whipped out" my bottled water. We go in the sweltering summer heat, so we drink bottled water all day, and it's normal to bring into the restaurants in the stifling summer heat as you have water with you all day.

I totally understand what types of foods are served @ WDW as we've eaten pretty much everywhere, and logged thousands of park hours. This is why it's not necessary to eat steak for lunch and dinner. Your posts are conflicting -at lunch, a sandwich or salad is an entree. The sides can be salad, fruit, rice, etc. Not sure what your point is here? Your statement that eating a sandwich at a TS restaurant is not the purpose of a TS restaurant is a ridiculous statement - TS restaurants have lighter meals on for lunch as that is normal lunchtime fare. If it wasn't, they wouldn't serve it. I'm really not following your logic, unless of course you would be embarassed to sit next to someone who orders a sandwich and drinks bottled water a problem. I guess you can tell that to the businessmen who order $75.00 Kobe hamburgers in Manhattan. I didn't realize there was a certain food that one had to consume in order to fully utilize the TS experience. That's a new one even for the Disboards!

Like I've mentioned a million times, we go for 2 weeks each summer and for the most part eat 2 TS meals per day. Some days it's cheaper lunches, and other days it's a character buffet. Somedays we may eat at a Signature for dinner. We can make up the $375.00 on our TIW in a few days, even with eating cheaper meals. Not sure about your math, but eating 3 lunches @ $45.00 and 3 dinners @ $75.00 is close to $375.00. It works for us and that should be fine - not sure why people feel the need to insult or judge others' dining choices? I'm also not sure why you care why I have the TIW card and how it's any concern of yours how we use it? It's a food/beverage discount card with a threshold - how one makes up that threshold is entirely up to them.

The purpose of my thread was to see if anyone felt like me in terms of the costs associated with DVC. I didn't ask for an analysis of what kind of guest I am, or whether or not I should purchase the TIW card. After having logged thousands of park hours, we are realizing that it's not necessary to spend such huge amounts of money on food - we are eating breakfast in our villa pretty much each morning, light lunches (that are filling enough for us, and keep our sugar levels in check) and heavier dinners, with snacks in between. With adjusting our dining habits, which is a great perk with having DVC kitchenettes or full kitchens, we are better utilizing our DVC.

Thanks for your thoughts, Tiger

I DON'T care! Really. Remember this started with you asking how to save money and this just really all goes back to your first few posts where you said your family eats 2 TS meals a day and then someone said maybe you could cut out a TS meal and then you said your family could eat a TS meal for $35-$40!! Diane and I both asked where you were eating in order to get a TS meal for only that much because WE spend a significant amount more for what WE CALL a TS meal. THEN you disclosed that you order sandwiches, not entrees and sides and you bring your own beverages. This is why you spend so much less. Your idea of a TS meal is eating something in a TS restaurant and MY idea of a TS meal is ordering an app to share, an entree (per person) and sides along with a beverage in a glass provided by the restaurant. We simply have different ideas of what TS meals mean. I was just pointing out that we obviously have different definitions of what this means / includes. IF we went to a TS restaurant at lunch (which is unlikely) I would certainly consider ordering only a sandwich. But we prefer to save our TS meals for dinner, where we DO order a heavier meal, not sandwiches.

Regardless of what meal, if I were in a TS restaurant with servers I would order something to drink from them, even if it was only water. I only pull out my own water at CS places where the seating is open in nature. I don't call that condensending at all. That's just how I would do it. Go. Have fun and do it however you want. I TRUELY don't care. I think we've established that we have different ways of dining and now I know how to eat a TS meal for under $40.

(PS) I am DONE.

 

[Tiger926]

I DON'T care! Really. Remember this started with you asking how to save money and this just really all goes back to your first few posts where you said your family eats 2 TS meals a day and then someone said maybe you could cut out a TS meal and then you said your family could eat a TS meal for $35-$40!! Diane and I both asked where you were eating in order to get a TS meal for only that much because WE spend a significant amount more for what WE CALL a TS meal. THEN you disclosed that you order sandwiches, not entrees and sides and you bring your own beverages. This is why you spend so much less. Your idea of a TS meal is eating something in a TS restaurant and MY idea of a TS meal is ordering an app to share, an entree (per person) and sides along with a beverage in a glass provided by the restaurant. We simply have different ideas of what TS meals mean. I was just pointing out that we obviously have different definitions of what this means / includes. IF we went to a TS restaurant at lunch (which is unlikely) I would certainly consider ordering only a sandwich. But we prefer to save our TS meals for dinner, where we DO order a heavier meal, not sandwiches.

Regardless of what meal, if I were in a TS restaurant with servers I would order something to drink from them, even if it was only water. I only pull out my own water at CS places where the seating is open in nature. I don't call that condensending at all. That's just how I would do it. Go. Have fun and do it however you want. I TRUELY don't care. I think we've established that we have different ways of dining and now I know how to eat a TS meal for under $40.

(PS) I am DONE.

Got it! Thanks, Tiger

 

[littlestar]

We sold off a bunch of DVC points and bought Wyndham resale points instead. We've started staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek in at least 2 bedroom units (next door to Disney's Caribbean Beach). Total cost for 280,000 Wyndham resale points - $1,200. And those points are giving us 2 trips to Disney and a long weekend vacation in the Smoky Mountains. We are staying once a year in a DVC resort for 4 or 5 nights before we switch over to a large unit at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We also tend to travel in value seasons which helps us stretch our value (September, January, and May).

We go to the grocery store and buy snacks and breakfast items and lunch meat and soup for lunches. Our supper/dinner meals are out at either Flippers Pizza in Orlando, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster (you get the lunch prices if you get there before 4:00), and at least one meal at Beaches and Cream with a No Way Jose thrown in for desert (shared by two people because it's huge). If we're in Epcot (we have annual passes) we like the fish and chips for dinner.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I DON'T care! Really. Remember this started with you asking how to save money and this just really all goes back to your first few posts where you said your family eats 2 TS meals a day and then someone said maybe you could cut out a TS meal and then you said your family could eat a TS meal for $35-$40!! Diane and I both asked where you were eating in order to get a TS meal for only that much because WE spend a significant amount more for what WE CALL a TS meal. THEN you disclosed that you order sandwiches, not entrees and sides and you bring your own beverages. This is why you spend so much less. Your idea of a TS meal is eating something in a TS restaurant and MY idea of a TS meal is ordering an app to share, an entree (per person) and sides along with a beverage in a glass provided by the restaurant. We simply have different ideas of what TS meals mean. I was just pointing out that we obviously have different definitions of what this means / includes. IF we went to a TS restaurant at lunch (which is unlikely) I would certainly consider ordering only a sandwich. But we prefer to save our TS meals for dinner, where we DO order a heavier meal, not sandwiches.

Regardless of what meal, if I were in a TS restaurant with servers I would order something to drink from them, even if it was only water. I only pull out my own water at CS places where the seating is open in nature. I don't call that condensending at all. That's just how I would do it. Go. Have fun and do it however you want. I TRUELY don't care. I think we've established that we have different ways of dining and now I know how to eat a TS meal for under $40.

(PS) I am DONE.

Exactly. No condecention intended. We usually keep costs down by eating a big breakfast and one small "pick up" meal in our villa. This requires little prep and cheap groceries. We then have one "real" (my word) table service meal a day. Sometimes it's at midday (cheaper at most places) and sometimes it's in the evning. We consider our TS meal to be our main meal of the day, so it's usually at a nicer place where there are many options. We too find the TIW card to be our big "saver". That's because we like our TS places to be things like Jiko, Artist Point, and Turf Club etc.

I merely responded to your idea that you were spending $45 on TS meals to be unbelieveable under my definition of a TS meal. I agree that we often bring water bottles in with us too if we are in the parks, but I would never use my water bottle as a replacement for ordering a beverage from a TS restaurant. It's tacky and not necessary. If you are only going to drink water, you might as well settle for the glass of water they bring you with your meal.

For those who TRULY want to SAVE money eating at Disney, my reccomendation is always to make a good run to the grocery store and cook all your meals in the villa. We always do that when we have large groups with us, and we are able to eat for no more than we spend at home.

Remember YOU asked for someone's opinion when you posted on a message board. You can't then take that opinion and think it is meant as a slam against you when all I'm doing is giving what you asked for...MY opinion.

 

[Tamar]

So, Tiger, did you pick up earlier in this thread that you can buy annual passes every other year if you time trips right? Also, I would stop thinking of your initial investment as part of the expense of each trip....that money's long gone, right, and you've recouped that in previous trips. Maybe that'll help with the perception that the vacation is costing so much.

DisneyWorld is not a cheap vacation, but it is a VALUE vacation, and it sounds like you're getting a great value for your family as it is, just need to find a way to focus less on the money.

 

[Tiger926]

Exactly. No condecention intended. We usually keep costs down by eating a big breakfast and one small "pick up" meal in our villa. This requires little prep and cheap groceries. We then have one "real" (my word) table service meal a day. Sometimes it's at midday (cheaper at most places) and sometimes it's in the evning. We consider our TS meal to be our main meal of the day, so it's usually at a nicer place where there are many options. We too find the TIW card to be our big "saver". That's because we like our TS places to be things like Jiko, Artist Point, and Turf Club etc.

I merely responded to your idea that you were spending $45 on TS meals to be unbelieveable under my definition of a TS meal. I agree that we often bring water bottles in with us too if we are in the parks, but I would never use my water bottle as a replacement for ordering a beverage from a TS restaurant. It's tacky and not necessary. If you are only going to drink water, you might as well settle for the glass of water they bring you with your meal.

For those who TRULY want to SAVE money eating at Disney, my reccomendation is always to make a good run to the grocery store and cook all your meals in the villa. We always do that when we have large groups with us, and we are able to eat for no more than we spend at home.

Remember YOU asked for someone's opinion when you posted on a message board. You can't then take that opinion and think it is meant as a slam against you when all I'm doing is giving what you asked for...MY opinion.

Thanks, but your comments are condescending when you use words like, "tacky", "settle" and "unbelievable". You mean exactly what you are implying - you both can't believe that a lunchtime meal only costs that amount. Have you looked at the menus lately? There are many reasonable lunchtime choices available at most restaurants. You think it's tacky to not order beverages - I already said we can't drink Orlando water, I can't drink pop/coffee/milk, so kids order juice or milk, but we most often drink h20 and have it with us as it's 100 degrees in the summer. Everyone walks around with bottles attached to them all day long!

The purpose of my thread was that we are finally realizing that we don't need to spend so much money on eating out, as we can have a great Disney vacation despite this! You and Annie seem to be implying that if we don't eat your way, then we musn't be doing Disney right...This is pretty much the exact opposite of what everyone else on this thread has replied. I am very glad I posted as this thread has shown me that it's ok to mix things up while on vacation - despite what you both seem to by implying, there is no certain way to eat, and there is no magic dollar threshold or certain menu items that need to be ordered in order to fully maxmize one's Disney experience - you eat what you like, and we'll eat what we like.

When you go for 2 weeks at a time like we do, the dining costs add up to thousands as we've been eating out for all lunches and dinners. I was looking for tips and opinions on how to cut those costs - I wasn't looking for opinions on how we eat, why we eat it, or what kind of people we must be for eating that way. Three adult meals which may be a sandwich, soup/salad or grilled chicken, or 2 adults and 1 kids meal with a couple of juices/milks/waters will allow for a lunch under $50.00 at most places with TIW- it's not tacky. That's what the menus offer, and that's what we eat! Disney offers a multitude of ways to dine, and that's just fine!

I do like reading all suggestions, and people are free to express their opinions, about the topic at hand. Nowhere did I ask for people to judge my family and how we eat. No worries though as this is par for the course on the DIS, and I've been here long enough to know that there are always going to be a few people who roll this way.

Thanks again - we have cut out a few meals, added some character meals and will attempt to cook a few dinners in our villa. Thanks to all for the suggestions and tips, as we are going from eating most, if not all meals outside of our villa, to now learning how to incorporate some meals in our villa, along with eating at our favourite restaurants. It's a new and exciting world!

Tiger

 

[Tiger926]

I am such a dork! So, I went back and looked at my spreadsheets again - have taken a break the last couple of days, and realized 2 huge things after reading Annie and Diane's posts:

1. Dining Plan - this is the 1st summer trip in years that we haven't been on either Regular or Deluxe DP. So, as I'm remembering about bringing in juice boxes and such, hubby reminded me this was as supplementation for our low blood sugar. Kids usually always have juice or water (not usually milk in summer heat). I only drink bottled water (like I said, these are attached to us in the summer), and a juice sometimes at breakfast. Since drinks are included on the DP, and are always included with buffets anyway, this threw me off. In March when we went on TIW, it was very chilly, so we had hot chocolates and stuff too, but we also bought bottled water and lots of choco milk for kids. This brought me to #2

2. Beverage budget - All of a sudden, I noticed a beverage/dessert subtotal at the end of my spreadsheet. It contains totals for drinks - milkshakes (they drink them often, and I had them listed under dessert) and water/juice/milk. Oy! I'm not sure why I had them separate from food totals? I created this spreadsheet months ago, and just keep adding to it, so I'm not sure what is going on at this point. I will copy it and add those totals to our meal totals, so those totals will go up. Annie and Diane will like that!

At this point, my head hurts! My hubby says I'm too detail oriented and too much of a micro manager. After logging thousands of park hours, and many DVC vacations, you'd think this would get easier, instead it gets more difficult!

I thank you all for your suggestions and tips. I am sorry for the confusions over meal totals - although our lunchtime meals are still very reasonable, they will now go up by a wee bit for beverages. As I said, I had a separate beverage total at the end of my spreadsheet, so it was adding it to the bottom line total, but not each day's meal totals. So, I kept looking at the grand total and it was scaring me as it was creeping up there for 2 weeks.

Thanks again - I'm sure you are all sick of me, but I greatly appreciate all of the tips! I am going to close my spreadsheet for awhile and come back to it later!

Tiger

 

[momx2]

Tiger, in all honesty, and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, I think your husband is right and you need to take a deep breath and not worry so much. I'm all for planning, but you are taking things to far, IMO. If you want to save money, cut a few character meals out, that'll save you a few hundred dollars there and enjoy. Life's too short to be this worried over your VACATION!

 

[Tiger926]

Tiger, in all honesty, and I'm not trying to be mean or anything, I think your husband is right and you need to take a deep breath and not worry so much. I'm all for planning, but you are taking things to far, IMO. If you want to save money, cut a few character meals out, that'll save you a few hundred dollars there and enjoy. Life's too short to be this worried over your VACATION!

Thanks, not mean at all, as you have a right to your opinion. I'm not worried about vacation at all - there are more important things to worry about than eating at Disney World. But, when it comes to money, I'm the saver, and hubby is the spender, so I get very concerned and mindful of keeping things in check. I don't think it's necessary to spend thousands of dollars on food for a 2 week vacation, so that's why we went back to TIW and are going to attempt to eat some meals in villa. That's why I started this thread - when you've been used to doing things one way for so long, it's good to get a fresh perspective and new tips from others who have been through it. I cringe when I think of how much we've spent on food in the past while doing the Deluxe Plan for 2 weeks.

I am detail oriented though, and I overanalyze, but no worry or anxiety at all. I love to plan, and with so many choices available, I like to make ADRs early and thus the need for spreadsheets that keep track of all of that as I have 2 weeks worth of meals to keep track of.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[edk35]

We started out with 175 points, 6 years ago @ SSR. We could stay for 10 nights in a studio in July. Dues were $800.00 and buy in $420.00, so it was very reasonable @ approx $1300.00 (sometimes more due to fluctuating exchange rates).

Fast forward to today - we now own 360 points (SSR & AKV). We stay for approx. 12-14 nights in July/August in combination of studios and 1 beds. We added on as we had our son, so with 2 opposite gender children, 4 years apart, we were seeing space and sleeing issues. Dues are $1750.00 and buy in is $720.00 for a total of $2500.00.

We are now at double our original vacation totals for only a few more nights. Of course, everything has gone up in regards to food as well as we now have 2 hungry kids to feed. We love TIW, and like to eat breakfast in our villas (occasional breakfast buffet), and 2 TS meals per day. The frugal girl in me is now cringing when I see a total of almost $5000.00 for 2 weeks @ WDW each summer. FYI - we go for 2 weeks as I'm a teacher and we drive from Canada, so in order to keep transportation costs down, we do it 1x per year.

My hubby thinks I'm nuts, as he says that's very reasonable, considering the accommodations, annual passes and 2 TS meals per day, plus snacks. I am thinking that having a 1 bedroom for 6 days and not using the kitchen is silly. I want to cook more in our villa, but hubby says it's not worth it when we the 4 of us can eat lunch for like $40.00 (we get 3 adult meals to share and bring our own bottled water).

I am very analytical, introspective and frugal, so now I'm feeling great regret for doing our add-ons, and for eating out at so many TS meals. Actually our total food budget is good as we have 23 TS meals, 2 CS meals and 4 snacks per day budgeted for less than $1500.00 for 2 weeks - that's 2 adults, DD7 and DS3. But, that's several months of groceries for us, and that's a lot!!

I wouldn't change being DVC members at all, and I am so grateful for it. But, I am wondering if we should have just kept our 175 points at SSR for as long as we could, and added on once kids are older? I am conflicted because even with 360 points, we can't stay in 1 beds for the whole trip, so this trip, we have more studio nights than 1 bed (although this is because we squeezed an extra trip in March).

Not sure if our add-ons were a good choice? Does anyone else feel guilty about their DVC purchase? If so, how do you rectify these feelings? How else to keep costs down?

Tiger

This is probably a completely stupid question but what do you mean by "buy in" and then the amt.???

 

[edk35]

I am still on the first page of this and maybe someone else mentioned it already. I would just cut the trip to less nights. If you are there less nights, you spend less money. Why not just go and stay in 1 bedrooms even if it means staying less nights. I mean...we all know....the longer we are at Disney the more money we spend. We went to Disney for 14 nights two years ago..but we had to pay for 3 or 4 nights ..discounted cash ressie of course through DVC (it was for a 2 bedroom) to stretch our trip.... because we didn't have enough points to stay 14 nights in a 2 br. SURE we had a blast...but we spent a ton of moola. SO last year we went for 9 nights. This year we are going for 8 nights and 4 at Vero. We are also driving so that saves us moola as well. We are a family of 5. So there are things you can do to cut back. If you don't have enough points to stay 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom and you are switching back and forth from studios to 1 bedrooms...that is hectic too. Just figure out how many nights you can stay on points for a 1 bedroom. I know you live in Canada and you want to stay as long as possible...but it seems money is an issue for that long a trip now. Maybe plan a fun stopover in another state to extend your vacation more cheaply. Maybe visit the beach or stop at VA and go to Busch Gardens. Just my two cents. GOOD LUCK.

 

[edk35]

What table service places are you eating at? I doubt we have rarely done that for one person, let alone 4! In the parks, we like places like Teppan Edo or Le Cellier, but many of our table service meals are at the resorts like Artist Point, Citricos or Jiko. I figure I want at least one "special" meal a day, and I eat very little for the other.

I don't know either. I mean..if they are sharing an adult meal and getting two kids meals...but I think they would spend more than that.

 

[edk35]

Update:

TS meal prices - We have TIW, and so for lunch, we order 3 adult meals (kids share 1 adult meal), so we actually feed 4 people for that price. It's easy at places like: Plaza, GF Cafe, Le Cellier (reasonable lunch prices), Beaches & Cream and Liberty Tree Tavern (even Le Cellier is pretty reasonable for lunch). As I stated, we don't buy drinks or dessert, as we bring in our own bottled water or juice boxes. So, for lunch we can order 3 adult sandwiches and this comes in for $35-45.00 meal, tax & tip included, depending upon the restaurant. Dinner of course varies, but these prices are for lunch meals. For dinner though, we can eat at places like Tony's or Mama Melrose (3 adult pasta platters) for like $45.00 with tax/tip included as well.

Bottled water - Someone asked where we bring in our own waters, and we do it at all TS restaurants (have even done it at Signatures). We also bring in juice boxes too. No one has ever had a problem with this at all. We don't drink pop, nor alcohol either. Once in awhile kids want milk, and we get those at the restaurant, but never water or juice, unless we've run out.

Cancelled ADRs - We've been tweaking our budget, and I knocked off $500.00 in meals! I cancelled 7 ADRs (4 being character meals). I am very excited about this as we are going to eat dinner in our room for the 1st time! Since we have a 1 bedroom (we added an extra day at BWV in a 1 bed), we thought about pizza, roasted chicken and pasta. The kids are excited to be able to eat on the balcony or outside.

Added Vero Beach - We cancelled our 3 non-park days at AKV as we were worried about it being difficult for the kids. They are still young, and love visiting the parks. We had several meals scheduled to keep them busy, plus, we had some other recreational stuff planned, which cost more money. Last night we thought about Vero (we drive and have our own car), and this will be perfect. We can have a couple of lazy beach days, and have picnics on the beach! We've always wanted to go to Vero, so we are looking forward to it.

Thanks to all for your awesome tips, and support. This is such a great board!!

Tiger

Were you able to get Vero ressies???

 

[edk35]

I am such a dork! So, I went back and looked at my spreadsheets again - have taken a break the last couple of days, and realized 2 huge things after reading Annie and Diane's posts:

1. Dining Plan - this is the 1st summer trip in years that we haven't been on either Regular or Deluxe DP. So, as I'm remembering about bringing in juice boxes and such, hubby reminded me this was as supplementation for our low blood sugar. Kids usually always have juice or water (not usually milk in summer heat). I only drink bottled water (like I said, these are attached to us in the summer), and a juice sometimes at breakfast. Since drinks are included on the DP, and are always included with buffets anyway, this threw me off. In March when we went on TIW, it was very chilly, so we had hot chocolates and stuff too, but we also bought bottled water and lots of choco milk for kids. This brought me to #2

2. Beverage budget - All of a sudden, I noticed a beverage/dessert subtotal at the end of my spreadsheet. It contains totals for drinks - milkshakes (they drink them often, and I had them listed under dessert) and water/juice/milk. Oy! I'm not sure why I had them separate from food totals? I created this spreadsheet months ago, and just keep adding to it, so I'm not sure what is going on at this point. I will copy it and add those totals to our meal totals, so those totals will go up. Annie and Diane will like that!

At this point, my head hurts! My hubby says I'm too detail oriented and too much of a micro manager. After logging thousands of park hours, and many DVC vacations, you'd think this would get easier, instead it gets more difficult!

I thank you all for your suggestions and tips. I am sorry for the confusions over meal totals - although our lunchtime meals are still very reasonable, they will now go up by a wee bit for beverages. As I said, I had a separate beverage total at the end of my spreadsheet, so it was adding it to the bottom line total, but not each day's meal totals. So, I kept looking at the grand total and it was scaring me as it was creeping up there for 2 weeks.

Thanks again - I'm sure you are all sick of me, but I greatly appreciate all of the tips! I am going to close my spreadsheet for awhile and come back to it later!

Tiger

I have been reading this thread and I thought I was a crazy planner when it came to these trips. YOU NEED TO JUST GO ON VACATION and not worry about all of these things. You are stressing me out.

 

[Tiger926]

This is probably a completely stupid question but what do you mean by "buy in" and then the amt.???

Buy in is the amount that the initial purchase cost, so for us with our contracts of 360 points we are at $39,000 CDN (exchange fluctuations put us at this amount). Then, you have to add in yearly dues, so to get a total cost for each vacation, we add our buy in amount (you divide the totals by the amount of years on each contract), plus our yearly dues = total vacation cost. Our contracts are paid for, so the buy in amount doesn't come out of our pockets each year, but we feel it's important to include as it's the only way to see how much each vacation truly costs.

I am still on the first page of this and maybe someone else mentioned it already. I would just cut the trip to less nights. If you are there less nights, you spend less money. Why not just go and stay in 1 bedrooms even if it means staying less nights. I mean...we all know....the longer we are at Disney the more money we spend. We went to Disney for 14 nights two years ago..but we had to pay for 3 or 4 nights ..discounted cash ressie of course through DVC (it was for a 2 bedroom) to stretch our trip.... because we didn't have enough points to stay 14 nights in a 2 br. SURE we had a blast...but we spent a ton of moola. SO last year we went for 9 nights. This year we are going for 8 nights and 4 at Vero. We are also driving so that saves us moola as well. We are a family of 5. So there are things you can do to cut back. If you don't have enough points to stay 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom and you are switching back and forth from studios to 1 bedrooms...that is hectic too. Just figure out how many nights you can stay on points for a 1 bedroom. I know you live in Canada and you want to stay as long as possible...but it seems money is an issue for that long a trip now. Maybe plan a fun stopover in another state to extend your vacation more cheaply. Maybe visit the beach or stop at VA and go to Busch Gardens. Just my two cents. GOOD LUCK.

Thanks, but for us, if we knock off nights, it means that those accommodations cost more. The only part that is less money is the food part as we aren't big souvenier spenders either. We can only go on vacation 1x per year (once in awhile we are able to squeeze in an extra one, but not usually), so since we bought enough points for approx. 10-11 nights, it would not make sense to cut nights. Also, we only have one transportation cost to worry about with only 1 vacation per year as we drive from Canada, so we have 2 hotels to factor in as well (on way down and back home), plus food and gas. Plus, we have APs, so tix aren't an issue either. As mostly everyone has helped me see on this thread, the best way to cut vacation costs is with dining. I realized this after starting the thread, and should have changed my title to reflect that. We don't mind split stays at all, and enjoy them very much, so this isn't a big deal for us. We never borrow points either, as we work with what we have.

I don't know either. I mean..if they are sharing an adult meal and getting two kids meals...but I think they would spend more than that.

Sorry the thread is long, but I did mention this. On average (not for every lunch) for some lunches, we can get away with around $45.00 - $50.00 for 3 adult meals, or 2 adults and 1 or 2 kids meals. We eat lighter at lunch and don't mind sandwiches, salads or soups, so this menu items are pretty reasonably priced at most restaurants and we have TIW card. I did realize today though that my spreadsheet was incorrect, so some of my totals were off. Most lunches are under $60.00, but cheaper places like The Plaza only cost us around $45.00 for 3 adult meals and juice or milkshake (kids share as it's huge). Hope this helps.

Were you able to get Vero ressies???

Yes, we have 1 night, so we'll spend 2 days there, and are on a waitlist for a 2nd night too. We are looking forward to it as we've never been before. Based on your signature, we might be there at the same time!

Thanks, Tiger

 

[edk35]

Buy in is the amount that the initial purchase cost, so for us with our contracts of 360 points we are at $39,000 CDN (exchange fluctuations put us at this amount). Then, you have to add in yearly dues, so to get a total cost for each vacation, we add our buy in amount (you divide the totals by the amount of years on each contract), plus our yearly dues = total vacation cost. Our contracts are paid for, so the buy in amount doesn't come out of our pockets each year, but we feel it's important to include as it's the only way to see how much each vacation truly costs.



Thanks, but for us, if we knock off nights, it means that those accommodations cost more. The only part that is less money is the food part as we aren't big souvenier spenders either. We can only go on vacation 1x per year (once in awhile we are able to squeeze in an extra one, but not usually), so since we bought enough points for approx. 10-11 nights, it would not make sense to cut nights. Also, we only have one transportation cost to worry about with only 1 vacation per year as we drive from Canada, so we have 2 hotels to factor in as well (on way down and back home), plus food and gas. Plus, we have APs, so tix aren't an issue either. As mostly everyone has helped me see on this thread, the best way to cut vacation costs is with dining. I realized this after starting the thread, and should have changed my title to reflect that. We don't mind split stays at all, and enjoy them very much, so this isn't a big deal for us. We never borrow points either, as we work with what we have.



Sorry the thread is long, but I did mention this. On average (not for every lunch) for some lunches, we can get away with around $45.00 - $50.00 for 3 adult meals, or 2 adults and 1 or 2 kids meals. We eat lighter at lunch and don't mind sandwiches, salads or soups, so this menu items are pretty reasonably priced at most restaurants and we have TIW card. I did realize today though that my spreadsheet was incorrect, so some of my totals were off. Most lunches are under $60.00, but cheaper places like The Plaza only cost us around $45.00 for 3 adult meals and juice or milkshake (kids share as it's huge). Hope this helps.



Yes, we have 1 night, so we'll spend 2 days there, and are on a waitlist for a 2nd night too. We are looking forward to it as we've never been before. Based on your signature, we might be there at the same time!

Thanks, Tiger

I was surprised you got Vero at that late a date. We are there for 4 nights in two Garden Inn rooms because we booked too late for anything else. We are actually in a 1 br. for the first night on DVC discounted cash. This is starting on the 21st. We are driving from MD and arrive Disney on July 12th.

We have never used the DDP except for last summer we stayed 2 nights at Poly before BCV and we did get counter service and thought it was okay. We have used the TIW card before too. We don't eat TS every day because we also like to eat at DTD especially when we stay at SSR. Since we are driving this trip we plan on eating outside of Disney for a few meals too. We find the TS meals cheaper at lunch too. So we might do one breakfast, a couple of lunches and dinners. We get sick of Disney food after being there 10 days. Have a fun trip.

 

[joandegennaro]

We too are looking for ways to control the food budget and here are some ideas that work for my family of 4. Kids are DD17 and DD12 both eat as much as an adult would. While we haven't visited in the summer heat (and most likely never will) this is what we do. Go to Walmart and purchase water, juice, fruit (things that we can take into the parks such as grapes) cheese, crackers, cold cuts(this might not work for you with most processed food). We also love the Olive Garden(don't have it here in Canada as you will know) we purchase the Tour of Italy(three different types of pasta) we order extra and take it back and reheat it the next day. Cost of it is about $17 and can feed 3 of us with a salad on the side from Walmart. In the entense heat of summer in Flordia you will want (and need with you low blood sugar issue) smaller meals throughout the day but more than your average B/L/D. You can also purchase a whole chicken meal (you might be able to make chicken salad sandwiches with the left overs to avoid the processed food issue) We also plan to do less park days and more relax at the resort days. This way you could prepare more meals in the villa. I understand how you can find alternatives to the dreaded burgers at the TS places. Have you considered eating your "dinner" meal at buffets close to the switch over to dinner. I have read that you start at the lunch late in the day and it switches over to dinner while you are still there. Therefore you would kindof get 2 different meals for the price of the lunch. Not sure it this still goes or not but something for you to consider. Since you have plans to go every year maybe you could say you only do half the time in the parks as your total days there. That itself could dramaticly reduce your food budget with the ability to go shopping with the car. What ever you decide to do to help reduce your food cost don't feel guilty. You are spending quality time with your kids and DH which in itself is priceless. Good Luck and Wonderful Trip!

 

[3DisneyKids]

I'm happy to share how we handle the food issue. We are a family of 5--and like you, we don't do a lot of processed foods, etc. And I have low blood sugar as well.

--We have breakfast in the villa, that is a no-brainer.
--I make sure we all have a snack mid-morning. We have found some of the best snacks to be trail mix, luna or lara bars, apples. (Luna bars are organic and natural, not like other protein bars. But seriously, trail mix goes SO FAR as it is a great blend of carbs and protein--and it fills you up and lasts for a while.)
--Then we have another hearty snack at what would be lunch time.
--We have our "main meal" at 2:30 - 3pm. As someone with low blood sugar, I am sure that you know it is important to eat every 3 hours. (This is a good rule for anyone, not just those with blood sugar issues.) But those feedings don't need to be full meals. So with healthy snacks that are blends of carbs, protein and healthy fats, we can all make it to 2:30 before having a main meal.
--Since we had such a late meal, we just need light fare/snacks back at the villa in the evening.

We have found that this not only saves money, but saves on calories as well. When we did the dining plan, we ate WAY more than we would normally. Now we are never over-stuffed, we eat healthy, we save money, and with all of the walking, we usually come back a few pounds lighter.

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks for all food tips, but with our low blood sugars, we need to eat meals every few hours, with snacks in between. We cannot just eat snacks, no matter how filling and then eat later in day, or, only eat 1 meal per day. Daughter and I turn into monsters...and you don't want that @ WDW. Plus, we have sensitivities/allergies to contend with, so we cannot eat energy bars, trail mix, etc.

Our system works well, but in summer, it's harder due to the heat and such. That is why we've been eating 2TS meals per day. We do have our own car, so going back to villa is no problem, and when we stay @ Boardwalk, is easy as we can walk back! So, you have all convinced us to give cooking in our villa a try and the kids who will be 3 and 7 on our trip, seem to be on board! This is great because now I feel like we are getting the full value from our 1 bedrooms and DVC.

Like I said, hubby and I re-did our spreadsheet as it was all discombobulated, and it's now fixed. More meals in our villa then we've ever attempted, so we'll see how that works out. Despite the fact that this is our 8th DVC vacation, with growing kids, changing vacation habits, and a different meal program (no more DP), it was necessary to start over this time and re-evaluate what we've been doing. I find with TIW, hubby thinks it's more of a free for all, whereas with DP, he sticks to it and we limit OOP expenses. Thus, the reason for the new ADR spreadsheet and me starting this thread in the first place!

Thanks for all tips in helping us keep our DVC costs down! Tiger

 

[bookwormde]

I am another person who love to "budget" for our WDW trips (spreadsheets), it is a fun challenge. I do it because it allows us to bring extended family along to the "party" (I supply accomidations and villa food only). Here is my list if ways I keep the $ down
First shop everything.
If air fares are high we drive.
Bought resale so the effective all in cost of my yearly points is about $7pt with maintenance, amortization and lost income from the money I committed to the DVC purchase.
We do 2 years worth of visits (15+ days per visit) on 1 DVC AP (works out to about $30/park day for a family of 4)
Only do special event dining out (character meals, shows etc).
Use CRO exceptional deals when they are available.
Transfer in last minute points at fire sale prices to fill in or replace some of our vacations (and bank back our current UY points)
Not "afraid" to stay offsite if needed for a couple of weekend days (have not had to by doing the item above)
Pack water and snacks fro when we are in the parks.
Do a day or 2 of QSDDP at the beginning of our trip before the rest of the clan arrives while we are in a studio to get our fill of WDW food and snacks.
Use Disney Visa for as many purchases as possible and pay it off each month (this is our "fun money")
Avoid buying "plastic junk"
It is great to come back from a WDW vacation without a financial "hangover"
bookwormde