Oh Boy...I dont have enough money for Disney

[GoogleMom]

I budgeted my trip PERFECTLY ...Ideally I was supposed to have $300 in disney gift cards and around $500 cash spending money. However I had several money emergencies these past couple of months and now I have pratically nothing to take to Disney

I booked our trip and paid it off as well as our airfare. It's just me and my two kids. They are 3 and 5. We will be staying at Pop Century September 12-18th . I have the DDP for the 12th-17th and a room only on the 18th (flight prices was really high and i thought i had enough money to cover the extra day)

My adr's are all planned out.The bad news is ....i only have a $150 gift card (to cover tips /extra snacks and drinks) ...and I will only have $200 cash It's like nothing . I put aside 20 bucks for mousekeeping...so that dwindles it down to $180...than the taxi to airport back and forth is another $60 ....than the kids will want food at the airport while were waiting for our flight...another $20 atleast . Not to mention i have to pay 0OP for our final day meals as well as departure day ...i feel like its too much stress and there's not enough money...

should i cancel the whole entire trip...or is there a way to do this and stretch that penny until it bleeds?
My kids are so excited to go see mickey mouse and my dd will flip if i tell her she isnt going. I cant believe i budgeted so poorly

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I budgeted my trip PERFECTLY ...Ideally I was supposed to have $300 in disney gift cards and around $500 cash spending money. However I had several money emergencies these past couple of months and now I have pratically nothing to take to Disney

I booked our trip and paid it off as well as our airfare. It's just me and my two kids. They are 3 and 5. We will be staying at Pop Century September 12-18th . I have the DDP for the 12th-17th and a room only on the 18th (flight prices was really high and i thought i had enough money to cover the extra day)

My adr's are all planned out.The bad news is ....i only have a $150 gift card (to cover tips /extra snacks and drinks) ...and I will only have $200 cash It's like nothing . I put aside 20 bucks for mousekeeping...so that dwindles it down to $180...than the taxi to airport back and forth is another $60 ....than the kids will want food at the airport while were waiting for our flight...another $20 atleast . Not to mention i have to pay 0OP for our final day meals as well as departure day ...i feel like its too much stress and there's not enough money...

should i cancel the whole entire trip...or is there a way to do this and stretch that penny until it bleeds?
My kids are so excited to go see mickey mouse and my dd will flip if i tell her she isnt going. I cant believe i budgeted so poorly

Emergencies come up, it happens. If you can go with what you have without using a credit card of any sort I would go. If you feel like you need the extra cash to make the trip worth while then maybe reschedule.

 

[Justsyd2]

So sorry to hear that! Can you make other arrangements for the airport? A car service (Super Shuttle) or a friend, instead of a taxi? You can share a couple meals on the DDP and then have two or three left over to use on your last day. Can you bring snacks from home for the kids at the airport? You can bring snacks from WDW for the airport on the return trip. Can you babysit to make extra money before you leave, or clean houses, or anything?

 

[sau418]

Is it too late to add magical express? That would save taxi money?

 

[GoogleMom]

I know this is frowned upon but my friend just got back from a trip and she's giving us her refillable mug for drinks at the food court .I feel bad because the kids are going to want souvenirs and oohing and aahing. I scraped up 35 bucks and im going to head to walgreens and get a disney gift card and use that for souvenirs. I figure they each can get one thing for about 15 bucks at the end of the week.

 

[lucigo]

I budgeted my trip PERFECTLY ...Ideally I was supposed to have $300 in disney gift cards and around $500 cash spending money. However I had several money emergencies these past couple of months and now I have pratically nothing to take to Disney

I booked our trip and paid it off as well as our airfare. It's just me and my two kids. They are 3 and 5. We will be staying at Pop Century September 12-18th . I have the DDP for the 12th-17th and a room only on the 18th (flight prices was really high and i thought i had enough money to cover the extra day)

My adr's are all planned out.The bad news is ....i only have a $150 gift card (to cover tips /extra snacks and drinks) ...and I will only have $200 cash It's like nothing . I put aside 20 bucks for mousekeeping...so that dwindles it down to $180...than the taxi to airport back and forth is another $60 ....than the kids will want food at the airport while were waiting for our flight...another $20 atleast . Not to mention i have to pay 0OP for our final day meals as well as departure day ...i feel like its too much stress and there's not enough money...

should i cancel the whole entire trip...or is there a way to do this and stretch that penny until it bleeds?
My kids are so excited to go see mickey mouse and my dd will flip if i tell her she isnt going. I cant believe i budgeted so poorly

My first thought is, don't they have free bus service from the airport to Disney? Magical Express?

Second thought...you still have time, eat out of the freezer and the pantry for a couple weeks!

 

[momof1princess]

please don't feel bad, OP. emergencies happen. is there any way you can make some money quickly? a yard sale? sell old gold? plasma donation? i know it sounds silly, but a few pieces of gold jewelry can bring you big bucks. US gold buyers got my package yesterday, and is sending me a $630 check-all for a few pairs of tarnished-looking earrings and a bent necklace.

 

[GoogleMom]

The taxi isnt for Disney. Were using magical express. The taxi is from my apartment to JFK airport ...which would be no more than 30 bucks each way.

 

[parith1114]

First of all...I feel your pain. You'll notice no trips for me planned anytime soon. Just wondering why you can't take the ME for transportation to and from the airport. Also, if you are on the DP for most of the days just get a couple snacks that could double as breakfast your last day. Also, if the kids split a couple meals you'll have plenty left through the night of the 17th. I'm sure it will be tight, but I think you can make it work. Given the ages of your kids your tips shouldn't be that high. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Tink9295]

Bummer. But you came to the right place. Budget Board people are the best at helping you find a way to DW.

Magical Express is your free transportation to DW from MCO. See if you can get a ride to and from your home airport. That will save you $60.00.

Other ways to raise quick money.

Tag Sale. Won't take too long to set up and it's immediate cash.

Every bottle and can counts in our house towards DW. That's about $3-5 a week.

You can pull this off. You still have time. Hang in there and listen to the people on this board. They will help you find a way to get there. They're the best.

 

[Tigger's Friend]

I budgeted my trip PERFECTLY ...Ideally I was supposed to have $300 in disney gift cards and around $500 cash spending money. However I had several money emergencies these past couple of months and now I have pratically nothing to take to Disney

I booked our trip and paid it off as well as our airfare. It's just me and my two kids. They are 3 and 5. We will be staying at Pop Century September 12-18th . I have the DDP for the 12th-17th and a room only on the 18th (flight prices was really high and i thought i had enough money to cover the extra day)

My adr's are all planned out.The bad news is ....i only have a $150 gift card (to cover tips /extra snacks and drinks) ...and I will only have $200 cash It's like nothing . I put aside 20 bucks for mousekeeping...so that dwindles it down to $180...than the taxi to airport back and forth is another $60 ....than the kids will want food at the airport while were waiting for our flight...another $20 atleast . Not to mention i have to pay 0OP for our final day meals as well as departure day ...i feel like its too much stress and there's not enough money...

should i cancel the whole entire trip...or is there a way to do this and stretch that penny until it bleeds?
My kids are so excited to go see mickey mouse and my dd will flip if i tell her she isnt going. I cant believe i budgeted so poorly

Maybe you could arrange for the Magical Express. It takes you from the airport to the hotel and back again for FREE. It is run by Disney. If you can do that you gained $60.00...

Another option, as mentioned above is to bring snacks with you. You can also pack some so you will have them while at Disney in case one of the kids get hungry.

One thing I read on another thread is to go to the dollar store and buy some disney stuff and hide it from the kids. When they want something at Disney pop out one of the things you brought from home, that was alot less money.

Sending some pixie dust your way

 

[momof1princess]

The taxi isnt for Disney. Were using magical express. The taxi is from my apartment to JFK airport ...which would be no more than 30 bucks each way.

could you possibly get a friend or relative to take you to the airport and pick you up? maybe offer them $30 to drop off and pick up, if necessary? it's not free, but half the price of a taxi.

 

[secretpantssam]

Sorry to hear about your budget busters!

Since you still have some time, I would recommend trying to raise money anyway you can. Sell stuff on ebay, have a yard sale, see if you can babysit or do odd jobs for friends or family. Try to scrimp on everything until your trip and see if you can come up with the money. I feel like you're too close to just give up now!!

 

[eowensby]

You should call Disney and add Magical Express to your package. It will save you on the taxi fare, for sure!

I have never done the dining plan, but I hear so many people talk about having snack credits leftover and grabbing stuff to take home (rice crispy treats, pretzels, etc...). I think with 2 little ones you will have plenty of snack credits and should have some wiggle room at the end for snacks on the way home instead of airport food.

Meals are so big at Disney that we end up sharing often when we order counter service food. I think that's an option for the day you don't have the meal plan.
And remember you can order a la carte from counter service so you don't have to order the combo meals...it can save a lot!


Do you have any outgrown toys, furniture, etc.... that you could sell on Craigslist to give you a little cushion for your trip?

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I might get flamed for this but I wouldn't spend $20 for mousekeeping if that is all you have. Save that and use it for your family.

Also, is it too late to change your DDP to the QSP? That would save you a lot of money, not only on the plan but on tips as well. We always take snacks with us. You can make do with snacks you bring in the airport and you can make breakfast out of stuff from home.

Even if you don't have enough to buy much there... you can still have a great time. Go and enjoy.

 

[happily single]

In my early days before the DisBoards I was always broke when I went to Disney. Even now I never take more than about $600 with me.

Based on the ages of your kids I think you are all set. If you MUST buy soveniers for the kids there is the Disney Mart (I think) In Downtown Disney where everything is under $10.00.

Also, pack an entire suitcase with juiceboxes, water and snacks that your kids eat. I know my kids are pretty picky and want the "usual" snacks such are granola bars, goldfish crackers, etc even at Disney

Can you take some sort of public transport to the airport? It might take a bit longer but possibly doable.

I didn't see it mentioned but your taking your own stroller right? You will need it. Even if my kids walk it comes in very helpful at the airport to transport carry-ons.

Is there any family member that may be willing to donate to the Disney Fund for the kids? Or, I may get flamed here, maybe put off paying a bill in full for this month only.

Good luck, let us know how you make out.

PS I'm very surprised not one person suggested cancelling the trip!

 

[Secretmagic]

When my children were young they collected pressed pennies as souveniers. They could get a few for very little money (.51 each). Most tourist attractions have them. We didn't have much money and they were satisfied finding their favorites. Disney even sells a book to collect them in. You can definately share counter service meals. Just look for the best ones. Cosmic Rays has chicken and ribs combo that is huge. Pack food for the airport. I don't think that I spent more money than you are taking on my last trip ( 2 adults).

 

[wvjules]

If money is that tight then I would cancel and reschedule. What happens if another emergency comes up before your trip? Or after? And you have no money for it? Then what? Save, save, and save more so that you have an emergency fund AND can still afford disney at the same time without going broke.

 

[Boog's Mommy]

In my honest opionion it sounds like you are going to be really strapped. If it was my trip, I would rescedule for a later date. Neither you or your kids will have fun if you are going to be stressed every day about money. Trust me, I've been there.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

 

[mizzoumom]

I would contact Magical Express and see if you can catch that to and from the airport. That will save you money. You can also bring some snacks with you from home and pack them in your suitcase. Thats what I did when I went on a tight budget. We bought the refillable mugs and used them in both the resort and parks. You can ask for cups of water and bring your own drink packets into the park.