****OFFICIAL August, 2012 (PART 2)****

[youcansmellit]

Yay! Thanks!! I am trying to stream 365 at work now and its not working....I guess I should probably work....

try D-cot.com. Play the songs you want at any time.

 

[cinnderly]

I think I've found the answer to my coffee nightmare. So long as I can use the in-room coffee maker just to heat up hot water... I can, right?

 

[cinnderly]

Whoa! Pic is huge, sorry.

 

[youcansmellit]

I think I've found the answer to my coffee nightmare. So long as I can use the in-room coffee maker just to heat up hot water... I can, right?[/IMG]

I think that should work.
Is there a date for starbucks to open in the world?

 

[MelsBells]

I get them, but usually it's around 5 months out after I get all of my ADR's booked and I realize just how long I have to wait.

This is the point where I start to stress big time about money. Do I have enough, how much do I need to bring, what if I run out, etc?

Ugh, that's how I'm feeling now. I had a panic attack yesterday counting how many more paychecks DH will get before we go.

 

[jm106]

Ugh, that's how I'm feeling now. I had a panic attack yesterday counting how many more paychecks DH will get before we go.

2 nights ago I decided we spent too much on vacations and was up for hours, lol. We plan and save yet still I do this to myself. A few weeks back it was my ADRs I second guessed, wondered if we were spending too much on meals. I get paid midweek of our trip but no PTO and dh our last day(good, lots if OT in that check, dint want temptation lol.)

 

[pigletto]

We've done both spendy trips and very tight budget trips. When we first started going we had to stretch every penny.
We always had a blast!!! If it would help you guys that are worried about money I am sure we could all come up with ideas to stretch a few dollars for you on your trips!
What are you most concerned about? Tips? Souveniers? Extra activities? I'll give suggestions if I can

 

[jm106]

We've done both spendy trips and very tight budget trips. When we first started going we had to stretch every penny.
We always had a blast!!! If it would help you guys that are worried about money I am sure we could all come up with ideas to stretch a few dollars for you on your trips!
What are you most concerned about? Tips? Souveniers? Extra activities? I'll give suggestions if I can

I use a lot if saving tips, I just know resorts and flights and nice meals add up. We are not big souvenir ppl and only have pirates league as extra. For me, it's just adding it all up, I'm wouldn't say I'm concerned about it, I just know we spend a lot on travel and I feel guilty when others cannot.
I have souvenirs to take, all sorts of glow wands, and things for ELP, made t shirts. We take food, get delivery, bring water to parks.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

We all get matching t-shirts as souvies (if we can find them in all our sizes), my DH always gets a deck of cards from where ever he goes(even if it is multiple times, he just gets a different style from the last one). What I am slightly worried about is the fact that I have to get both our cars inspected before our vacation. I don't think they need anything crazy and I have a budget for them already but I could use some well wishes and good thoughts on that front. I would love to come home from disney with money still in my pockets.

Here's a question for all you Team August peeps out there. Do you ever come home from Disney with MORE money than you thought you would????

My answer... Only once. we were not as hungry on a trip when we weren't on the DDP and didn't spend all our alloted food money. How bout you???

 

[MelsBells]

OK, As the Official Uncoordinated Cheerleader for Team August-I have now declared Thursday officially "Sigmund Freud Friday"

The good thing about what Im hearing in these posts, is that we recognize the dysfunction...that my friends, is the key to change it for us, and our lives, and our children-and their kids!!

Well said! It sounds like we are all actively working hard to change things for our kids. Yay us!

 

[mommys3]

Here's a question for all you Team August peeps out there. Do you ever come home from Disney with MORE money than you thought you would????

No. If there is any money left over, someone will find a way to spend it (me included )! Seriously...I hope that I over-budgeted this time. I would love to walk away from this vacation spending less money than I have allocated for

 

[jm106]

We all get matching t-shirts as souvies (if we can find them in all our sizes), my DH always gets a deck of cards from where ever he goes(even if it is multiple times, he just gets a different style from the last one). What I am slightly worried about is the fact that I have to get both our cars inspected before our vacation. I don't think they need anything crazy and I have a budget for them already but I could use some well wishes and good thoughts on that front. I would love to come home from disney with money still in my pockets.

Here's a question for all you Team August peeps out there. Do you ever come home from Disney with MORE money than you thought you would????

My answer... Only once. we were not as hungry on a trip when we weren't on the DDP and didn't spend all our alloted food money. How bout you???

We did last year. Our first time on DDP and way more good then needed, had bunch of snacks left, ordered water and drinks so just didn't need as much cash as we allowed. My kids got $40 in gift cards for souvenirs.

 

[Mousemom234]

AND it doesn't help that I just found out this morning that my car needed repairs to pass inspection - they just called, and it's over $700 - that's more than our room

I hear ya about the finance worries....it sounds like you truly need a vacation, but you certainly cant do anything thats gonna bite u in the butt at the end of the day. It sounds like your worry is overpowering your excitement for your trip. But we can only do what we can do and unfortunately sometimes life gets in the way of our fun, doesnt it. I hope everything works out for you. I cant tell you how many times "ive been there". Hugs to you-everything will work out in the end. Theres my dose of positivity for the week for what its worth

The pre-vacation blues were setting in well before this happened - this is just icing on the cake
But I'll take that group hug, thankies, and also pass it along to anybody else who needs one

It's not a financial worry for us as much as it is a pain in the posterior. We can affford it - but it would have been nice to know that my floorboards were rotting out. They never mentioned it when I had the car in in May for an oil change and checkup -- noooo, they have to wait until I need it inspected, and have 4 days (over a weekend) to get it done..... Hmmmph !

 

[Emteach]

Question for you... We havent been to Disney in 6 years so have not the foggiest how much things cost now (figure a fortune lol). Our last trip we got some stuff downtown Disney but this trip we wont be going out that way.
Both my brother and sister are doing BBB (sister Courtyard pkg., brother knight). Any tips on how much to allocate for souvenirs? We are within a fairly tight budget - thankfully we got free DDD so dont have to worry too much about food. Also found one of those light up spinning Mickeys from our last trip so bringing him (one souv. down lol).

 

[cinnderly]

We've done both spendy trips and very tight budget trips. When we first started going we had to stretch every penny.
We always had a blast!!! If it would help you guys that are worried about money I am sure we could all come up with ideas to stretch a few dollars for you on your trips!
What are you most concerned about? Tips? Souveniers? Extra activities? I'll give suggestions if I can

I'll take suggestions! Mostly I'm worried about the extra food. We'll be there 3 days without the free dining, plus the dining plan doesn't cover quite everything. I would love to get souvenirs, and I am positive my son will be asking for a lot of things, but if we can't do it, we can't do it. Food though, we can't live without. I'd also really like to do the Behind the Seeds Tour.

 

[pigletto]

Definitely check out Allears for the menus and get and idea on all the food prices! A few we love:
Wolfgang Puck Express. You order at the counter and then they bring your food to you. The portions are very large and we love the patio. I

Earl of Sandwich is very reasonably priced.

The Plaza at the MK has pretty good prices as well and the food is basic but great! I think it's the cheapest table service meal we have ever eaten at Disney.

I also just saw this on Mousesavers for AAA or CAA members!

Save 20% on food (not beverages) at the following casual dining restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin hotels on Disney property: Cabana, Fountain, Fresh, Garden Grove, Picabu and Splash. Thanks to Marlene for info.

I forgot about Trails End at Fort Wilderness. Decent buffet with excellent prices compared to the other Disney restaurants.

And one thing I always recommend is packing snacks and breakfast bars for the room. That will save you a bit right there before your ddp starts.

 

[SenecaWolf]

Taking notes here. No DDP and a very tight budget. Don't need souvies, we were just there in April, he still has some pins to trade, i'm more worried about feeding him for 5 days LOL. Thinking of having Garden Grocer deliver some cereal, milk, bread and luncheon meat. Oh and water!

 

[jm106]

Taking notes here. No DDP and a very tight budget. Don't need souvies, we were just there in April, he still has some pins to trade, i'm more worried about feeding him for 5 days LOL. Thinking of having Garden Grocer deliver some cereal, milk, bread and luncheon meat. Oh and water!

We get water, juice, milk and fruit from GG and then shove a box of cereal and snacks in suitcase(cheeze it mix, nuts, granola bars.) This way if someone wants a small snack, its not $4 for each of us totaling $16+. Breakfast alone is a big savings. DH and I skip most days(not to save money, we just dont eat big breakfasts.) I also often share food, again its not only cost affective, we just cannot eat the quantity of food they offer. I have ordered things like chili from pecos bills and its plenty for me, or kids got a meal at flame tree and shared with some of the fruit I had. One time, DH, I and then 3 and 11 month old shared a turkey leg, added grapes and chips I had and it fed 4 of us WE just try not to get sucked into indulging in over priced food just to throw it out. DH and I also order chips and dip and beer for the room so in evening if we ate early and want something to munch on back at room, its there. Tuck kids in and relax on balcony
Check out best bets from mouse savers. Thye offer some suggested places to eat that will cost less. http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html
DH and I shared a breakfast sandwich at main st cafe last year, it was big enough. We try things like that so it keeps things in check.
eta-also DH and I got a breakfast platter at QS late one morning to have by the pool. It was scrambled Egg, potatoes, bacon sausage, french toast and biscuit. I took 1/2 egg bacon and biscuit and made a breakfast sandwich and DH had sausage, potatoes and french toast.

 

[Mousemom234]

....Here's a question for all you Team August peeps out there. Do you ever come home from Disney with MORE money than you thought you would????

Like you, only once We buy at least one lottery ticket whenever we go on a trip, and hit it once in FL for $100.

Definitely check out Allears for the menus and get and idea on all the food prices! ......

I also just saw this on Mousesavers for AAA or CAA members!
Save 20% on food (not beverages) at the following casual dining restaurants in the Swan and Dolphin hotels on Disney property: Cabana, Fountain, Fresh, Garden Grove, Picabu and Splash. Thanks to Marlene for info.

I forgot about Trails End at Fort Wilderness. Decent buffet with excellent prices compared to the other Disney restaurants.

With All Ears, check the dates too - some of them are a bit old, and both the menu & prices may have changed.
Thankies for the AAA info - that confirms our Monday breakfast ADR
Trails End is wonderful. They don't have the lunch buffet anymore, but it is still a nice break in the day - take the launch over, and just relax for a bit.

 

[Stan Solo]

I'll take suggestions! Mostly I'm worried about the extra food. We'll be there 3 days without the free dining, plus the dining plan doesn't cover quite everything. I would love to get souvenirs, and I am positive my son will be asking for a lot of things, but if we can't do it, we can't do it. Food though, we can't live without. I'd also really like to do the Behind the Seeds Tour.

When it comes to the dining plan I have a suggestion. If you arrive early and leave late you have a whole day of meals to pay for that won't be on the plan or in your case three days. One thing you can do on an evening you don't have anything planned or are at a resort that closes early i.e. AK order a pizza and have it delivered to your room and watch an outdoor movie at your resort while you enjoy your pizza. I also found that Palo ??? The chicken place at DTD had the best chicken I ever ate and was not crazy over priced.

If you have snack credits left over you can use them for snacks at your resorts gift shop. Things like Mickey Mouse Rice Krispie squares make good small gifts for young children's friends.