Longtime lurker finally posts a PTR...8/6 - 8/13 @ POP

[briarbear]

Just wanted to add a little side note about this trip in general...I was so happy when we made our last payment, put aside our souvenir money and got our airfare - I figured well thats it the trip is paid for, but I dont know if its because this is our first vacation or what,...but just buying things for the trip are now costing me a fortune. I know some things will be reused...hopefully our msiterfans if walmart ever lets me in on where they are hiding them, suitcases, etc...but for the most part they are one time use kind of things so holy crap I guess I just didn't plan on that expense part of the trip....is everyone else buying all sorts of stuff too?

I hear ya. We paid for everything up front. And I set aside money for extras, just buying the stuff for the trip has really set us back. (I feel like we have to get things that I would never spend money on outside of this trip.) Not to mention the back to school stuff we havent even started on yet. But you have to remember this may be a once in a lifetime trip, enjoy it for what it is. The kids will have fun even if they are not wearing matching shirts. Dont get to caught up in what you have to buy.

 

[KAMKIM]

I hear ya. We paid for everything up front. And I set aside money for extras, just buying the stuff for the trip has really set us back. (I feel like we have to get things that I would never spend money on outside of this trip.) Not to mention the back to school stuff we havent even started on yet. But you have to remember this may be a once in a lifetime trip, enjoy it for what it is. The kids will have fun even if they are not wearing matching shirts. Dont get to caught up in what you have to buy.

yeah that is how I feel as well - I meant toiletries we'd have to buy anyways so that doesnt count but I am buying a bunch of stuff that I would not normally buy - and now that we are down to the last few weeks our budget is getting REALLY tight trying to fit it all in. I wanted to grab the girls a few more outfits before we go, but not many because you know how it is here another 2 months and we'll be getting out the sweaters and jeans again LOL

We have not started back to school shopping either, and my daughters birthday is the day we arrive in Disney so that is 2 major expenses for us outside of this trip...my plan is to get my DD a DSi for her birthday (she has a DS now but wants a DSi like our older daughter has) I guess Game Stop is offering $50 for an upgrade so we might do that for her and just get her a new game for the plane - other than that I'm baking cupcakes and having a small get together.

For school supplies that is on my budget for the week we get back, hopefully everything wont be picked over by then.

 

[KAMKIM]

Wow, please never tell my wife that you have the suitcases out, my wife wants to have them out and I try to tell her that there is no reason to pull them out until like 4-5 days before we go. I don't understand and it kind of depresses me that we can't leave sooner.

Also, when we traveled by plane a few years ago, we used an extra carryon bag that had snacks and goodies for the trip and the week. Didnt really need a plastic container since we had the bag under our seats.

4-5 days before I'd be in panic mode then!! Although I am learning that for some reason when I put things in they magically (and I mean magically as in 4 year old thief) disappear....maybe next time I'll force myself to bring them out 2 wks ahead, dont think I'd be okay with 4-5 days though I'm hoping to have them in the car waiting for the airport 4-5 days before

 

[dd50]

Don't get caught up on buying things that you really don't need. I haven't even started that yet as I will be bringing water, soda and breakfast food. I don't think about packing until the day before or maybe the day before that because then I always need to go to Target to get some things that I need and don't have. I still need to get a camera card and a few other things.

 

[KAMKIM]

Don't get caught up on buying things that you really don't need. I haven't even started that yet as I will be bringing water, soda and breakfast food. I don't think about packing until the day before or maybe the day before that because then I always need to go to Target to get some things that I need and don't have. I still need to get a camera card and a few other things.

the things left on my list are
mister fans - any opinions? Thought it would be a nice cool down for us but do I get everyone their own or just share one? Maybe one for each of the girls? prob total $20

memory card - a must - probably will take several hundred pics while there and this is cheaper than photo pass total $20

extra bathing suit for DD's $30

some kind of backpack to carry cameras/wallet/snacks while in the park $30? dont want to carry around a dora backpack all day so I'd like to get a basic black one any suggestions on where to go? actually I'd like a messenger style one

Probably another bottle of sunscreen I grabbed one but I think that wont be enough for several applications a day everyday for 2 kids for 7 days 0 at the most $10

snacks $20 - gum candy granola bars goldfish pretzels etc.

stainless steel water bottles on sale at Target this week for $10 each...probably will get 2 total $20 - my thinking is we fill one with water throughout the day and another with lemonade using single serving kool aid mixes

So there is easily another $150 on top of what I've already spent

Has anyone else bought these things and then later though ah we could have done without that? I think they are pratical expenses though - any suggestions

 

[KAMKIM]

Gonna make a stop at Target today to get an extra bathing suit for the girls - stainless steel water bottles (I'm thinking 2 will be okay and we'll share?) - also getting an extra memory card for my camera - I think that is almost everything on my list, gotta get a few more things next week. 3 wks to go!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disneychix]

Honestly I wouldn't take the SS water bottles. Although they will keep the drinks cool it's perfectly acceptable to fill water bottles with water at the CS places and there's also drinking fountains around WDW. That could be one way to save money. Plus those will be bulky to carry around.

I too am in WNY. You can get a nice memory card for $10 at Big Lots. That's where I got mine and I just saw them in the ad this past week. You can also get some cheap sunscreen there too. Or try The Christmas Tree stores for sunscreen. They had some brand name stuff for cheap too.

Have fun!!

 

[KAMKIM]

Honestly I wouldn't take the SS water bottles. Although they will keep the drinks cool it's perfectly acceptable to fill water bottles with water at the CS places and there's also drinking fountains around WDW. That could be one way to save money. Plus those will be bulky to carry around.

I too am in WNY. You can get a nice memory card for $10 at Big Lots. That's where I got mine and I just saw them in the ad this past week. You can also get some cheap sunscreen there too. Or try The Christmas Tree stores for sunscreen. They had some brand name stuff for cheap too.

Have fun!!

I would have never thought about Big Lots, I need a duel pro memory stick? Its for a Sony - at least i think its called a duel pro, something like that but I know they are generally more than a regular memory stick...I wonder if a 2GB will be enough should I get 4? What would be the difference in the amount of pics I can take?

 

[briarbear]

KamKim, IDK if you bought the bathing suits yet but Justice shop had them online really cheap. I had a hard time finding 1 pieces suites and they had a ton of really cute choices. They also had cute sunglasses. I did standard shipping a got them in 3 days.

 

[KAMKIM]

Well we didn't have much luck at Target for bathing suits, they only had extra small and extra large, silly me trying to buy bathing suits in July - I wasn't too worried because the girls both already have bathing suits but thought it would be nice to have a brand new one for vacation...so we took a stroll over to Kohls and they still had a huge selection left and 60% off

I picked up

bathing suits - 60% off

water bottles - on sale $10 each and very cute

extra socks and underwear for all of us...and by all of us I mean everyone but me

I got our stamps (I plan on sending post cards home each day we're there so when we get back we'll have a little Disney waiting for us

Still need

memory card

maybe a couple more outfits for the girls

a few things for myself

sneakers for DH

snacky type foods (fruit snacks, granola bars, pop tarts, koolaid single serving packets, candy)

misc things for the girls to do on the plane, they are taking their ipods and DSs but I might grab some coloring books and crayons as well

a backpack/messenger bag for me

and that should be about it

3wks from right now I'll be sitting on a plane

 

[lovedonaldduck]

3 weeks is so close!

Sounds like you are making good progress on your shopping list. I need to see what I have and what we still need so I can break up all the shopping as much as possible. For some reason I feel much better picking up a couple things each week than buying it all at once. My wallet likes that better, too.

 

[KAMKIM]

3 weeks is so close!

Sounds like you are making good progress on your shopping list. I need to see what I have and what we still need so I can break up all the shopping as much as possible. For some reason I feel much better picking up a couple things each week than buying it all at once. My wallet likes that better, too.

Yeah same here I started picking up toiletries a few weeks ago, toothbrushes and toothpaste one week, shampoo another week, soap another week - when I add it in with my regular grocery list I dont feel the pinch so much and if I would have waited I would probably would have to spend another $100 within the next 2 weeks just for that stuff.

And actually now that we are only 2 paychecks away I wish I would have gotten alot of this stuff even earlier....we're broke but we're going to Disney

 

[Nuwanda9]

And actually now that we are only 2 paychecks away I wish I would have gotten alot of this stuff even earlier....we're broke but we're going to Disney

That SO sounds like me!!

 

[michellem1118]

I am the only one posting on my PTR lol anyhoo - I have a question, since we are on the dining plan, and all tickets/hotel/airfare is paid for now how much extra money should I take? We are not fancy pants kind of people so I dont expect to be spending hundreds on souvenirs, but here is what I figured

DD will be turning 5 the day we arrive so she is due to get a gift card for her birthday, I am including this in her souvenir money so its even between the two girls...they each get $100 for spending money so total $140 out of pocket

Probably $100 for gratuities (I prob spelled that wrong forgive me) is this enough? We have 7 TS meals which I was told will have the 18% added because we are a party of 6 total so i figured average $15 per meal for grat?

Dinner at TREX I checked their menu and figure this will be about $80 including tax and tip...so total $320

Now I plan on bringing water bottles and koolaid packets to drink during the day so that is covered....I'm considering buying the souvenir cups at the hotel as well so that is another $52 or so for 4 cups? TOTAL 375. I planned on bringing 700 so that leaves 325 for unexpected expenses. Will that be enough? I know we'll have to buy some snacks throughout the week but am hoping the 2 meals a day on our dining plan covers us....we are used to eating 3 meals a day....any thoughts?

I'm not a big souvenir person and would be happy to get a magnet, hoodie, and keychain.

I just started reading, so I don't know if anyone else has chimed in on this yet, but here's my best guess... the $100 each for spending money for the girls is probably plenty, just make sure they stick to it! I would bet that, with 6 people eating entrees & desserts, the gratuities at the TS meals will exceed $15/meal, but its hard to say for sure without knowing what TS places you're eating at... if they're mostly buffet places, then that's probably enough, but many of the TS restaurants are on the pricey side... just DH & I usually spend ~$10/meal on gratuities when we're on the meal plan... Check out the menus on wdwinfo.com or allears.net to get better estimates.

If you've looked at the TREX menu, you're probably OK on your estimate there. If you want a hoodie, plan ~$40-50 for just that (I know, its crazy), plus another $10 for magnet & keychain...

Also, since you said you'd possibly be booking a stay for April right after you get back, check out the bounceback rates while you're at the hotel on this trip... sometimes there are really good deals if you rebook before you check out.

 

[michellem1118]

Well we didn't have much luck at Target for bathing suits, they only had extra small and extra large, silly me trying to buy bathing suits in July - I wasn't too worried because the girls both already have bathing suits but thought it would be nice to have a brand new one for vacation...so we took a stroll over to Kohls and they still had a huge selection left and 60% off

I picked up

bathing suits - 60% off

water bottles - on sale $10 each and very cute

extra socks and underwear for all of us...and by all of us I mean everyone but me

I got our stamps (I plan on sending post cards home each day we're there so when we get back we'll have a little Disney waiting for us

Still need

memory card

maybe a couple more outfits for the girls

a few things for myself

sneakers for DH

snacky type foods (fruit snacks, granola bars, pop tarts, koolaid single serving packets, candy)

misc things for the girls to do on the plane, they are taking their ipods and DSs but I might grab some coloring books and crayons as well

a backpack/messenger bag for me

and that should be about it

3wks from right now I'll be sitting on a plane

We're leaving in 9 days, and I've been looking for a new swimsuit for me... I'll have to check Kohl's, thanks for the suggestion! For a basic backpack/messenger bag - I saw some lightweight ones at Target today for $10 that were really cute, and would hold everything I need at WDW, or you could check somewhere like Sports Authority - I got a really cute, small backpack at REI (a sporting goods store) last year before our honeymoon.

I'd probably get the 4gb memory card if its not too much more expensive - it'll hold a lot more photos! I believe either Best Buy or Staples had them in the weekly ad this week, but I might be wrong. I don't think you'll need anything else for the girls on the plane if they have iPods and DS's - those will keep them occupied for the whole time.

 

[KAMKIM]

I just started reading, so I don't know if anyone else has chimed in on this yet, but here's my best guess... the $100 each for spending money for the girls is probably plenty, just make sure they stick to it! I would bet that, with 6 people eating entrees & desserts, the gratuities at the TS meals will exceed $15/meal, but its hard to say for sure without knowing what TS places you're eating at... if they're mostly buffet places, then that's probably enough, but many of the TS restaurants are on the pricey side... just DH & I usually spend ~$10/meal on gratuities when we're on the meal plan... Check out the menus on wdwinfo.com or allears.net to get better estimates.

If you've looked at the TREX menu, you're probably OK on your estimate there. If you want a hoodie, plan ~$40-50 for just that (I know, its crazy), plus another $10 for magnet & keychain...

Also, since you said you'd possibly be booking a stay for April right after you get back, check out the bounceback rates while you're at the hotel on this trip... sometimes there are really good deals if you rebook before you check out.

We are a party of 6 but I'm actually only paying the tips for 4 people so I'm hoping the $100 is about right
$40-$50 for a hoodie wow...well i may just have to splurge though because I really want them and we live in Buffalo so they will def get alot of use.
now what is this bounceback rate? A special offer they give you before you leave your current vacation? Do you have to put the deposit on it the same day?

 

[michellem1118]

We are a party of 6 but I'm actually only paying the tips for 4 people so I'm hoping the $100 is about right
$40-$50 for a hoodie wow...well i may just have to splurge though because I really want them and we live in Buffalo so they will def get alot of use.
now what is this bounceback rate? A special offer they give you before you leave your current vacation? Do you have to put the deposit on it the same day?

Yep, bounceback is a special rate that you can get if you book before the end of the current vacation. I assume you have to leave the deposit, but I'm not entirely sure, since DH & I own DVC we've never bothered looking into the bounceback rates.

Your tip estimates should be good, then... I wasn't thinking about the fact that you had another group with you to help with the tips. The hoodies are pricey, but I have one or two... and I live in Texas! They actually get more use than any of my other jackets, since it rarely gets really cold here, LOL. So far, they've held up well too - I have one from 2001 and one from 2007, and both are in great shape even after repeated washings. Hopefully that makes you feel better about the expense! LOL

 

[KAMKIM]

Yep, bounceback is a special rate that you can get if you book before the end of the current vacation. I assume you have to leave the deposit, but I'm not entirely sure, since DH & I own DVC we've never bothered looking into the bounceback rates.

Your tip estimates should be good, then... I wasn't thinking about the fact that you had another group with you to help with the tips. The hoodies are pricey, but I have one or two... and I live in Texas! They actually get more use than any of my other jackets, since it rarely gets really cold here, LOL. So far, they've held up well too - I have one from 2001 and one from 2007, and both are in great shape even after repeated washings. Hopefully that makes you feel better about the expense! LOL

Just wondering are the kid hoodies are little cheaper? I would like to get one for each of the girls (maybe I'll grab a size bigger than they need now) and then one for myself. I once bought my oldest DD a tink hoodie from the Disney store (when they were still around) when she was 2 - I got it very big...and now my youngest DD wears it 6 years later and still looks like I just bought it!

 

[lovedonaldduck]

We booked a bounceback when we were there in May, and our deposit wasn't due until a week after we got home, that way we had a little more time to think it over.

Something else you might consider is checking pricing on an annual pass. You can upgrade your existing tickets and it might be cheaper than getting tickets again in April. Also, passholder room rates are great!

 

[Nuwanda9]

Just wondering are the kid hoodies are little cheaper? I would like to get one for each of the girls (maybe I'll grab a size bigger than they need now) and then one for myself. I once bought my oldest DD a tink hoodie from the Disney store (when they were still around) when she was 2 - I got it very big...and now my youngest DD wears it 6 years later and still looks like I just bought it!

I have a feeling that my niece will want to get a hoodie there as she is the Hoodie Queen! I have been putting money periodically on Disney gift cards and I was planning to give her a $100 one for her own souvenirs. Maybe I'll have to bump that up since a hoodie will take a chunk out of her spending money.

We booked a bounceback when we were there in May, and our deposit wasn't due until a week after we got home, that way we had a little more time to think it over.

Something else you might consider is checking pricing on an annual pass. You can upgrade your existing tickets and it might be cheaper than getting tickets again in April. Also, passholder room rates are great!

I was so hoping for a bounceback offer when we go but now that I am thinking of doing a cruise it might not do well to be tempted!