My head is spinning. Any planning guru's want to help?

[Mama Mouse]

I have been spending endless amounts of time researching options per the advice I got here about a week ago.

We'll be driving and spending around $300 on gas based on the fuel calculator. (Plus I rounded up some. Just in case.)

I have determined that the cheapest ticket cost is through the mouse savers UCT link. 6 days will be $853.23. 5 Would be 806.85. We're leaning towards 6.

We will also have one day at Universal (those tickets are already paid for) and one day at the beach.

I'd like to keep the budget to around $4000 including tickets, lodging, food, gas and incidentals.

I think my biggest hang up right now is lodging.

I can do POP for around 1025+ tax but I know there's a great Holiday Inn discount through mousesavers.

I need to call for a quote on that one.

Then there are all the condos , apartments and other hotels I've been panning through.

It's really overwhelming.

I think I'd like to see how others would pan out a $4000 budget. I want to make sure I'm being realistic. Where would you stay? WHat do you allot for food? Souveniers? Incidentals?

 

[disneyaddict101]

What time of year are going?

 

[Ginny Favers]

Well, it all depends on your priorities. There are people who think of a room as just a room, and don't need all the bells and whistles because they're going to be in the parks all day. And then there are those who would rather pay more on the room because they like the resort experience.

I am one who likes the resort experience-- we spend a lot of time at the pool and taking part in all the resort has to offer. We're staying for 6 days, too, at the GF, and our gas is $300 (I rounded up, too!). I am budgeting $1200 for food for all of us, $200 for hotel going and coming back, and $300 for souvenirs, and my budget is $4,500.

 

[Mama Mouse]

Well, it all depends on your priorities. There are people who think of a room as just a room, and don't need all the bells and whistles because they're going to be in the parks all day. And then there are those who would rather pay more on the room because they like the resort experience.

I am one who likes the resort experience-- we spend a lot of time at the pool and taking part in all the resort has to offer. We're staying for 6 days, too, at the GF, and our gas is $300 (I rounded up, too!). I am budgeting $1200 for food for all of us, $200 for hotel going and coming back, and $300 for souvenirs, and my budget is $4,500.

If you don't mind me asking, how many are there in your family?

I like the resort feel but, honestly, we'll be spending the majority of the time in the parks and a little while each day pool side. All I really want for sure is a CLEAN, safe place to stay, with easy access to the parks and a good pool.

I've budgeted about $100 for food/day for all 12 days. I know we won't use that some days. We plan on doing mostly CS. Breakfast in our room or even on the way, most likely.

 

[Mama Mouse]

What time of year are going?

We're going in the last two weeks of May.

I am figuring the current discount when I figure on site prices.

 

[jturling]

You may price POP as a package with tickets.There is a discount on tix in package.May be better.

 

[Mama Mouse]

You may price POP as a package with tickets.There is a discount on tix in package.May be better.

I did that but, unless I'm doing something wrong, it's a little more than $200 more than the discounted POP rate with UTC tickets.

I will admit, though, it does concern me that I'm doing something wrong somehow. That fear could just be my jitters. I ALWAYS have trouble pulling the trigger on big expenditures.

I just want to make absolutely sure I've done what I need to do to get the best prices and be the most economical with our budget.

 

[hsmamato2]

it seems to me that with 2 adults,one child with the tickets,room,and gas you're at 2178.00 leaving 1822.00 for the rest.... how old is child? You could stay at pop and buy the dining plan which equals a cs lunch plus dinner at a fun place, like a character buffet + 1 snack ....lots of yummy foood and fun,for approx 735.00 for 6 nights (I may be a little off here) making it a package deal at 2910.00....then again you may need to buy park tix with the room to get the dining plan....(not sure) which may throw that off.
If it did work, then you've still got like 1000.00 in your budget for extras and food offsite...which shouldn't be a problem.... am I missing something?

 

[Mama Mouse]

it seems to me that with 2 adults,one child with the tickets,room,and gas you're at 2178.00 leaving 1822.00 for the rest.... how old is child? You could stay at pop and buy the dining plan which equals a cs lunch plus dinner at a fun place, like a character buffet + 1 snack ....lots of yummy foood and fun,for approx 735.00 for 6 nights (I may be a little off here) making it a package deal at 2910.00....then again you may need to buy park tix with the room to get the dining plan....(not sure) which may throw that off.
If it did work, then you've still got like 1000.00 in your budget for extras and food offsite...which shouldn't be a problem.... am I missing something?

When I budgeted it with the dining plan it was 2847.99. BUT that was not including gas or anything else. It was about $1000 to add dining. I seriously don't think we'll need $1000 for the six days we're at disney which is why I'm not doing the dining plan. The rest of the trip is four days of driving, a day at Universal and a day at the beach.

But that was a good thought, if we were just going to be at Disney.

I think it is all adding up perfectly. I think I'm just paranoid.

 

[RN2003AZ]

Have you thought about renting DVC points from a member? You could have a deluxe resort for about the price of a moderate. Just a thought!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

You might also want to check what Annual Passholder discounts are available on rooms. It may be worth it for you to buy one AP to access those discounts.

 

[Lorien728]

If it were me I would not consider staying off property. Ive done it before and to me it just didn't feel Disney. If were considering spending that kind of money it would definately be on property. Parking alone will rack up the difference in pricing I'll bet--unless oyu get AP's.

 

[Marionnette]

I have been spending endless amounts of time researching options per the advice I got here about a week ago.

We'll be driving and spending around $300 on gas based on the fuel calculator. (Plus I rounded up some. Just in case.)

I have determined that the cheapest ticket cost is through the mouse savers UCT link. 6 days will be $853.23. 5 Would be 806.85. We're leaning towards 6.

We will also have one day at Universal (those tickets are already paid for) and one day at the beach.

I'd like to keep the budget to around $4000 including tickets, lodging, food, gas and incidentals.

I think my biggest hang up right now is lodging.

I can do POP for around 1025+ tax but I know there's a great Holiday Inn discount through mousesavers.

I need to call for a quote on that one.

Then there are all the condos , apartments and other hotels I've been panning through.

It's really overwhelming.

I think I'd like to see how others would pan out a $4000 budget. I want to make sure I'm being realistic. Where would you stay? WHat do you allot for food? Souveniers? Incidentals?

You're making this much more stressful than it needs to be. You've gotten great advice on the threads you posted last week. No one is going to be able to plan your vacation for you because what you see as important, someone else won't, and visa versa.

I spend more on food and very little on souvenirs. I prefer to fly and stay onsite. And I get hoppers instead of base tickets. None of that is going to help you decide.

People have taken Disney vacations for much less than what you've budgeted. It's certainly doable. All you have to do is DECIDE where you want to spend the money.

Just decide. Weigh the positives and negatives you got in all of those other threads and DECIDE!

 

[Ginny Favers]

If you don't mind me asking, how many are there in your family?

I like the resort feel but, honestly, we'll be spending the majority of the time in the parks and a little while each day pool side. All I really want for sure is a CLEAN, safe place to stay, with easy access to the parks and a good pool.

I've budgeted about $100 for food/day for all 12 days. I know we won't use that some days. We plan on doing mostly CS. Breakfast in our room or even on the way, most likely.

There are 4 of us, 2 adults, and 2 kids

 

[Mama Mouse]

You're making this much more stressful than it needs to be. You've gotten great advice on the threads you posted last week. No one is going to be able to plan your vacation for you because what you see as important, someone else won't, and visa versa.

I spend more on food and very little on souvenirs. I prefer to fly and stay onsite. And I get hoppers instead of base tickets. None of that is going to help you decide.

People have taken Disney vacations for much less than what you've budgeted. It's certainly doable. All you have to do is DECIDE where you want to spend the money.

Just decide. Weigh the positives and negatives you got in all of those other threads and DECIDE!

You are absolutely right. This is sort of my pattern any time I'm planning a big expenditure. Buying our last car was a NIGHTMARE-for my husband-because of all my fretting and indecision.

I do feel like I'm more focused now and should be able to pull it together.

 

[Mama Mouse]

There are 4 of us, 2 adults, and 2 kids

Thank you! This helps to know. I've loosely budgeted the same amount for food and there are only 3 of us.