My financial outline--doable-opinions please

[quilt4luv]

The party involves three people, myself, husband and 11 year old daughter on a first trip. We stay at a hotel by the airport the night before we fly out but not the day we come back. This is my rough "budget" please feel free to add or give suggestions. Thanks:
$25.00 for car gasoline to hotel and back after trip
$69.00 for a net grocer shipment to resort
$78.00 for motel before fly out
Tuesday a.m.b-fast before flight in room, poptarts etc we bring from home
All Star Movies balance of $304.12
Tuesday lunch at All Star Movies at $20.00
Town car at $80.00
Supper Tues night at Sci-Fi at $75.00(non of us drink alcholol)
Pressed penny collection $15.00
Wed. b-fast at resort in food court @$25.00
Lunch at Electric umbrella at 30.00
Supper at Chef Mickey's at 75.00
Thursday b-fast in room, possibly 5.00 for milk
lunch at Peco' Bills at 30.00
Supper at a counter service at 30.00
Friday b-fast in the room and possibly $5.00
L at Restaurantosauras at 30.00
Supper at counter service at 30.00
Sat b-fast at resort 25.00
lunch from airport vending or something 15.00
supper back in Columbus fast food at 15.00
souveniers for the trip at 120.00
The money we have saved and after paying all of the above will leave us with approx. 200.00 extra in cash.
Does this seem reasonable? Thanks in advance.

 

[CarolA]

The only two things I see are the Towncar did you include a tip? Also if you use skycaps at the airport you will need to tip them.

On your last day you have $15 for lunch at the airport from vending. There are basically no vending machines as the Orlando airport and a candy bar from the gift shops is over $1. I think that needs to be beefed up. The prices for food there are as high as not higher then Disney and the airline is not feeding you anymore.

 

[quilt4luv]

Carol,
Thank you, I had forgot about those two tip items and also maid service. I have added that. thanks!
MJ

 

[BostonMouse]

Originally posted by CarolA
On your last day you have $15 for lunch at the airport from vending. There are basically no vending machines as the Orlando airport and a candy bar from the gift shops is over $1. I think that needs to be beefed up. The prices for food there are as high as not higher then Disney and the airline is not feeding you anymore.

You can do McDonalds for 3 people for about $15 or so at MCO.

 

[quilt4luv]

Bostonmouse--never been to an airport before, never flown, is the McDonald's right at the airport?
thanks.

What about my daily food at Disney for lunches etc, do you think I am thinkg enough? Emily and I will generally share most likely, but there may be some days we don't.

 

[waughzee]

If you are using a towncar service, I see no need to also use Netgrocer. Take advantage of your complimentary grocery stop, and get what you need then!

 

[quilt4luv]

The reason I was dong netgrocer is to save time as we will be arriving later in the day as it stands now. I figured it would be easier to have one package shipped and waiting and the cost for shipping is only 8.95. I may think about it though, but think I will stick with that. Thanks for your opinion though.
MJ

 

[Cindy B]

Depending on if you do a towncar stop or not you can eliminate bfast in the hotel food court.

Having stayed at All Stars, remember the prices are high. I was shocked when two bagels (just plain, no eggs or bacon/cheese or anything ) was $4.89 That made me go out and get bagels and toast them on my own.


If you want something hot for Breakfast, and you don't want to break the bank, there is a McDonalds right near (across the street) from All Star Sports. It is easy walking distance from the Sports lobby.

Electric Umbrella.. $30.00 are you thinking about using three Q& C vouchers? That would be $33.. but you would get more food than say ala carte. You would have a side, entree, drink and desert, tip and tax included. (There's really no tip at EU, but you know what I mean). If your child eats anything like my kids, you would get by with two vouchers for four people..

I'm not sure if Restaurantosaurus is included in the Q & C vouchers as well, you could make out better there as well if they are included.

Unfortunately Chef Mickeys is high.. not much you can do about that. I'm not sure if $75 will cover the three of you or not. I remember $50 not covering the four of us for breakfast, so I don't know.

 

[BostonMouse]

McDonalds is right at the gates, after you go through security. Look at the menus at www.wdwig.com for cost estimates. The menus sometime changes but you can get a good idea of the price.

Don't forget to add in tax and tip.

I spent substantially more on food this trip than my previous 7 trips because we ate at Disney restaurants/hotels much more than in the past.

 

[poober25]

Personally, I think you're figuring a bit high for your counter service meals, but that's just me. We don't spend that much for 4 of us. DH, me, DS5, and DDalmost2. Of course, we either get water or bring cold drinks in an insulated bag. I don't know if you've planned snacks in your budget or not, but you might want to think about that. Mickey bars can get expesive The only other thing I can add is that if you are really going to get into the pressed pennies, you will probably need more than $15. Also, they sell books for the pennies that are really cute for $6 or $6.50. They hold 36 pennies and 6 quarters. HTH.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Why not take a box of cereal with you and then al you'll need to do is get milk!(also bring your own bowls and spoons) You can bring some ziploc bags with you and fill them up every day wtih ice to put around the milk that you buy. You could also bring some kind of collapsible cooler with you and then keep the milk in that with the bags of ice.
I'd also make sure to get a brita Sports bottle to use down there, this will help defray the costs of drinking as well. If it's hot down there(as it usually is) then you might be tempted to spend more than you think on drinks.

 

[quilt4luv]

What is a q and C. I am confused on this and not understanding, thanks!
MJ

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by quilt4luv
What is a q and C. I am confused on this and not understanding, thanks!
MJ

Q & C are Quick and Casual Vouchers and you can get them in various places. They ar e good for a host of restaurants in the parks, and resorts. They are $11.25 each, and they include entree, side, drink, dessert, tax, tip. Some places add up more than $11.25, and some break even. Some places namely Beaches & Cream, Pepper Market, Tangieriene Cafe, Columbia Harbor House, Cantina y San Angel, the entrees are about 8/9 dollars on the low end, and the high end is 15. That is a great savings.


For example: We used two Qc Vouches at
Beaches & Crea last year for the four of us (2 adults 2 kids). We ordered milkshakes for drinks, got two ribeye sandwiches, (split) french fries, onion rings, and two huge sundaes.... (we dind't even finish the sundaes)... and it was more than enough left over.


That meal off the menu would have cost approximately $50., not including tax and tip! We just gave them our vouchers and left.


We are buying a ton of vouchers for our upcoming trip.

Some places won't give us the same bang for your buck like B&C did for us, but it at least will be a prepaid convienence... especially if DH & DS want to do some different attractions, and meet up with them later in the day.. no carrying cash around, or worrying about lost credit cards.


On the top of this board there is a list of all the restaurants that offer this. Also there are many many threads about how to buy the Connections vouchers.

 

[bobcat]

Have you checked the menus at www.wdwig.com? This can help you really budget your meals. I too think your counter service estimates are a little high since your daughter can still eat off the kids menu if she wishes.

You would be amazed at what snacks I was able to pack in my luggage the last time I flew with the kids. Take everything out of their boxes and anything uncrushable can fit in and around your clothes.

Depending on which town car you are using there are sometimes coupons for $5-10 off your rate available. Not a huge savings but a little bit.

Animal Kingdom has a great meal deal where you buy a ticket at any of the counter service restaurants for around $11 adult/$5 child. With that you get a combo meal at the counter service restaurant and two tickets that you can exchange at any of the carts in AK for a soda/water and either an ice cream or popcorn. It would cost you $5 for just the ice cream and soda so the kids meal is a great deal for you daughter. Tusker House is wonderful.

I also sent you a PM.

 

[quilt4luv]

what is a pm? Said you sent me one, and to be dumb not sure what you are speaking about?

 

[Cindy B]

PM-- Private Message. Look on the bottom of your post, you will see stuff that says email, PM, website, etc. Click on the PM and you will go to your PM file.

 

[Gretchen]

I confess I didn't read the whole thread.....but, I've allways taken a suitcase full of food for snacks and breakfast in the room. We usually stop at a grocery store and pick up a cooler, ice (one bag), fruit and milk. BIG time saver! The last trip, in december we didn't bring the food. Stopped at super wal mart and it took forever! We also bought so much food, we had trouble fitting it all in the car! So, for me anyway, the food in the suitcase works real well!
Gretchen

 

[inky dinky doo]

Will you leave your car in the long term parking lot at the airport while you're gone? We flew out of Columbus the last time we went, and I think parking in the long term lot was $6.00 a day. They also have a parking garage, but the rate is higher there.

http://www.port-columbus.com/parking/parking/lots.asp

I also did a search and found a place where you can pre-arrange discounted secure long-term parking:

http://www.airportparkingusa.com/

Have fun!

 

[quilt4luv]

Hi, actually we are staying at the Cross Country inn there by the airport. They have parking on their site that is free unless you go over 5 days and then it is a $5.00 charge. We will be doing this and will be back before the 5 days. I am hoping this is an ok and safe way to do it.

What do you think? You live close, or in that area correct.....Portsmouth??
MJ

 

[bobcat]

The Cross Country should work out great. The Columbus Airport is pretty easy to get around. Which airline are you flying?

Did you figure out how to get your personal message?