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

[fabmic]

This is a great idea! Skip the ADR's, do QS and no tips. You can use that money toward a little thing for the kids.

She is within her 45 day window. She could go from QSDP to DDP by just paying the difference but to downgrade she would pay to alter the package.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I don't tip mousekeeping.

Your meal credits are good until midnight on the night you check out. You can still use your DDP credits on the day you switch to room-only.

See if there is enough food if you split a kids meal and an adult's meal between the three of you. We often split adult meals between two adults.

There are a few places where there is no kids menu. At those locations, it is perfectly acceptable to order an adult meal for your child and use credits for it (only get one to split between the two kids).

Pack snacks for the airport. Bring empty water bottles and fill them at the fountains once you get through security. Bring some of those Crystal Light packets to make it taste like juice (you can get the empty water bottle through security and once you are through security, you can fill it to drink while you wait and refill it before you board the plane).

Snacks like granola bars and cereal bars will fit in small places in your luggage.

Use the refillable mugs for beverages when you eat at your resort and get juice or bottled pop to take into the parks.

Ask for a cup of ice water at the CS restaurants for free. They will give you one whenever you want and you won't have to carry it. Bring those little flavor packets if you don't like the water there.

Ask a friend to take you to the airport.

Share snacks between the three of you to extend those credits. Save the desserts to eat later. You can often request fruit in place of the dessert if that is too many sweets.

If you've managed to save up any meal credits by sharing meals or having snacks instead of full meals, get sandwiches on your last day. If you bring a few ziploc bags, you can seal the sandwich in the bag and keep it in the ice bucket so it is good for the next day instead of paying to rent a fridge. Juice doesn't need to be refrigerated if it isn't open and milk will stay cold and fresh in the ice bucket overnight.

I think your budget is workable. Have a good time!

 

[Secretmagic]

I think i will be able to pull this trip off! I sure hope i can...Is it true you can get a large pizza with counter service credits? That can be dinner one nite! We have 2 breakfast adrs scheduled so on the breakfast days we can use cs credits for pizza!



I think that the large pizza uses 2 adult counter service credits ( I may be wrong-- someone jump in and confirm or deny) Just be careful. If you feel like traveling a little, Port Orleans Riverside has a "make your own pasta" meal that is really good and would easily feed all of you for 1 counter service credit.

 

[petals]

I know you've less time but what I have been doing everyday for the last two months is put any coins change I have in my purse at the end of the day into a savings jar and have quite a bit in it at this stage so maybe do that for extra money and cut back on everything..

Just think positively you're going to happiest place on earth and it'll be great

 

[lisaross]

I think u could do it...ur kids r only 3 and 5 tell them they can only buy 1 thing and get them something small or better yet..go to the 99c store and buy a bunch of disney themed stuff and leave 1 gift per night under their pillow - tell them "mickey" will be giving them gifts.

Bring snacks so u don't need to buy at the airport - u don't need money for extra snacks if ur on the dining plan, u get so much - we always have leftover credits - share a couple of meals and you'll be fine!

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

 

[Shleedogg]

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

I would go, but just go really budget. Can you downgrade to QSDP? Keep one character meal and pay OOP, but you'll still save a bit of cash and won't be spending the extra money on tax/tip. Plus, then you'll have 2 snacks a day so you won't have extra snacks to budget in. So by going down a level in DDP, you'll save $70 on your DDP. Not sure if your kids are still kids or adults, but even if they're both still kids, you'll save close to $100 just by cutting that. Another $100 for tax and tip cutting. We usually figured $20/meal for tax and tip.

I just saw you don't want to downgrade DDP. It's either you making sacrifices or your kids.

I would cut out mousekeeping tips. Harsh I know, but you don't have to tip them. It's nice, but not required.

Definitely do the AirTrain that a PP mentioned. $5 to the airport. That's a no brainer. Might be a little more of a pita the a taxi, but that's a lot of money saved.

Bring snacks from home in your suitcase, microwave popcorn, granola bars, poptarts. Things that maybe you kids don't get at home that would seem special, but that are more economical than buying another meal/snack at Disney. Idk what times your flights are, but eat at home right before you leave and pack sandwiches and snacks. For departure day, make sure you pack snacks in your carry on. Might even be cheaper to buy sandwiches at Pop food court and bring them with you.

So that's about $380 in savings. I think you can do it, you just have to be willing to sacrifice a few things. Maybe it's not your dream Disney trip, but hey, you're still in Disney! It's almost impossible to not enjoy yourself once you're there! Have fun and I hope it works out! We'll be there at the same time, see you there!

 

[Minnie J]

You have 180 bucks leftover? Trust me huney I dont have alot either. I think for our 4 days we have 400 in cash. I cut alot of corners to even make that work Cut alot of dining out by going to an outside place for your food. I am going to walmart when we get there and will be eating off of that for 3 days. Just being at Disney is enough for the kids. I hope things work out for you and don't worry you're not alone in this problem

 

[Kay1]

The $6.99 surprise bag sounds AWESOME!! We are definetly hitting mickey mart! As far as souvies...I just want a couple of keychains! We went to WDW in April...I overbudgeted! I bought $1000 spending money for a 5 night trip! And we were on the QSDP! I got a 300 dollar gift card .Even so on our departure day we had a ton of snack credits left over as well as like 100 bucks left on the gift card..and i realized i barely touched the cash... so before i left i took a HUGE chunk of that $1000 to book this trip with the DDP...I really want to go to the sit down restaurants .We have Ohana Breakfast,Arkeshus Breakfast (for my dd!) ,Cape May Cafe Dinner, Planet Hollywood Dinner, and sci fi booked for our adrs...If i cancel them or the DDP i will feel like a big part of my vacation experience is down the tubes.

So, now the budget part comes in. You have enough money, though maybe not the the extravagant meals you want and have planned. You don't want to switch to Quick Service, but you could.

It sounds like you're on the right track with the less expensive souvies and snacks from home. Will your kids eat tuna kits? Those will stay fresh for your last day. Now I think about it, if you were just there maybe you could do without souvies. I like the idea of Dollar Tree trinkets to keep the kids happy.

 

[bumbershoot]

You are on the dining plan so you are getting mugs. No need to take them from your friend.

Not with the normal plan. Quick service plan and deluxe plan yes, but not the middle of the road normal one.

I have a big duffel bag so I will fill it with caprisuns and their favorite snacks and just take a few out a day to the parks!

Is it true you can get a large pizza with counter service credits? That can be dinner one nite! We have 2 breakfast adrs scheduled so on the breakfast days we can use cs credits for pizza!

Please just imagine those capri suns in a duffel (which are soft-sided) being at the very bottom of a luggage pile before, during, or after the plane trip...having been tossed there, having other heavy luggage tossed on top. Picture what that might do to the capri sun pouches. Picture the mess, and picture all of that sticky stuff leaking into other peoples' luggage... Don't put pouches into a duffel, please... (and a box of them might puncture the duffel)

I think the pizza takes more than one credit.

is the Free Dinning not available during your vacation dates ?? this is the same time we are going and we have the "Free Dinning" plan. They dont automatically add it if it becomes available for your dates you have to call and request it. I had to call and they added it no problem. We are staying at CBR but I believe the QSDP was available for the values during this time. I could be wrong but it couldnt hurt to ask.

I read in a post yesterday that the booking period for free dining during the time she's going is over. So if she didn't get it, it's likely too late.



To me, it sounds like you'll be fine. You won't have a ton, but I think you'll be OK. Remember to take your food, entertainment, gas (if you have a car, I know not everyone in NYC does) money out of your home budget for the week and put them into your trip budget.

I can't imagine canceling a trip that's THIS close, that's already fully paid off, for want of extra spending money...

Of course, what others say about an emergency fund is true...and when you get home I'm sure you'll start thinking about that.

 

[scdak]

I was just a Party City today and they have a great selection of Disney trinkets on sale that would be great to give the kids as "surprises" for the trip thus decreasing the "I wants" when you are in stores at WDW. Same holds true for the Dollar Tree. If you want to be creative, check out some of the DISigns threads here on the boards, there are many things you could do to make the little treats special, gift pouches to print and then they are folded to make a package, bag toppers to put on simple gift bags you make up with inexpensive things, candy bar wrappers to print and then put around some candy you bring from home, the list is endless, the more I sit at the computer, the more I find from the great DiSigners here.

I think you have been given some great ideas already so I won't repeat them. But keep them in mind and try out alot of them and I think you will come out fine. THe most important thing is to have a great time with your children, take lots of pictures to make the memories stick with them, that age isn't the greatest to remember things but pictures sure do bring the trip back to life for them.

 

[dimimi]

I would bring a CHEAP umbrella stroller for the trip. Yes, it may be a bit small for you, but $85. is A LOT for a stroller rental. They have inexpensive strollers on sale all the time.

If your kids like cold drinks, you can store them in ice and pack them in ziplock bags to bring in the park...OR....just ask for a glass of ice when you need . I would not use a snack credit for poptarts, why not bring them from home.I would also pack other snacks that will fill them up.

It is great your mom is giving you $ for souveniers. That is very generous and should be plenty for the kids to choose a couple of things. Your kids are a great age for disney and should have a BLAST!

 

[beansmom]

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.

this might be dumb but can you take the subway or something to JFK?

Otoh, if you explain to the babies that they can haved ONE treat at the end of the trip, they might have lots of fun shopping and planning for it. I would take snacks.

Maybe hte old gold thing is a good idea...

good luck...I wish you the very best.

 

[dimimi]

The $6.99 surprise bag sounds AWESOME!! We are definetly hitting mickey mart! As far as souvies...I just want a couple of keychains! We went to WDW in April...I overbudgeted! I bought $1000 spending money for a 5 night trip! And we were on the QSDP! I got a 300 dollar gift card .Even so on our departure day we had a ton of snack credits left over as well as like 100 bucks left on the gift card..and i realized i barely touched the cash... so before i left i took a HUGE chunk of that $1000 to book this trip with the DDP...I really want to go to the sit down restaurants .We have Ohana Breakfast,Arkeshus Breakfast (for my dd!) ,Cape May Cafe Dinner, Planet Hollywood Dinner, and sci fi booked for our adrs...If i cancel them or the DDP i will feel like a big part of my vacation experience is down the tubes.

I would skip the Planet Hollywood Dinner, unless it is on the dining plan. It's nice, but I can't see how a 3 and 5 year old would enjoy it. They probably would like the Dinosaur or Rain Forest cafe much better. Also, have you found out if your airline charges for luggage?

 

[semisweetcocoa]

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.

I totally agree, with 2 kids, I think you will be fine. I wouldn't go heavy on the souviners like the op said just one is fine. Grab some pretzels, cheese crackers etc for the time at the airport. I wouldn't cancel the trip trust me there are ways around these circumstances, just emphasize.(fyi...tipping is not mandatory.) Do what is in the best interest of your family first.

Don't stress, just have a magical time.

 

[jrsmom]

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.

Do you have a friend or family member that can provide transportation to and from JFK?

 

[riley2008]

Okay, I admit I didn't read everything, but you really should be fine.

I know we spent considerably less than that the last time we were there and that was for 4 people on about the same plan as you.

My suggestions:
1. find a cheaper way to/from the airport
2. Skip or reduce the generousity with Mousekeeping
3. Plan or change ADR to times that can count as two meals - late breakfast or late lunch (then healthy snacking at other times)
4. Bring snacks and food for the park and airport/plane (remember that you can't bring liquids in carry-on bags) - sandwiches, chips fruit, etc; for the plane/airport bring an empty (or poor out before security) thermos or water bottles then refill them with water and add a kool-aid (or whatever brand) flavor packet; we even packed a small rubbermaid shoebox with grapes, cherries and an apple in our luggage; We liked granola bars, crackers, dried cereal, goldfish, nuts and dried fruit, etc.
5. When getting counter service plan your dessert to have for a snack or even breakfast
6. Don't go crazy on souveniers - set your limit and stick to it. It really seems that this would be biggest expense for you (maybe plan on buying things the last day so you don't find "something better" that you have to have the next day)

Have a great time and take lots of pictures. The pictures make great keepsakes, especially if you make a flip book off of Snapfish or one of the other sites. (Makes the magic linger!)

 

[torinsmom]

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

Well, if you have a TS meal that is not a buffet, you don't have to use 3 TS credits if you share a meal, and I definitely would not get 3 meals at a CS for you and 2 kids that age. Save your extra credits for meals you would have had to pay OOP for. Also, don't waste your snack credits on drinks. You can get free ice water at any CS place that has a soda fountain. Bring the flavor packs to add in if you don't want water(10 pack for $1 at the Dollar Tree). You can share snacks like Dole Whips very easily as well.

I would not tip Mousekeeping or tip them less than you planned. It is a good practice to tip them, but not if you are struggling.

Pay someone else to take you to the airport or use the service a PP was talking about.

Set a budget for souvenirs and stick to it!

Bring sandwiches or snacks for the kids at the airport and bring empty water bottles. You can fill them up at the water fountain after you go through security.

Bring snacks from home, fun things the kids might not get everyday.

Remember to add in your grocery bill from home for that week, since you want need it.

I second buying a cheap umbrella stroller--$85 is a lot of money to rent.

Have fun! I always have about that much spending money and we do just fine.

Marsha

 

[irishsharon]

Today would have been our 2nd day at disney but we had to cancel,we got trip insurance so we where able to get our money back.(we needed to get a new to us car unexpectedly)I say go for it you have been given so many great ideas here that will help with the budget. The person who mentioned about selling gold is so right,I sold old jewlery from my high school days and got $250, I could'nt believe it! Good luck and just remember your kids will be happy just to be there

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I would not tip mousekeeping.
I would pack poptarts, fruit snacks, granola bars in my suitcase.
I don't know who you are flying...do you have to pay for your checked bags? Make sure you don't go over weight limit of checked bags.
My kids have learned that they don't get to buy something because they see it. We look around all week and then get something at the end. 1 thing per kid. And usually around $25 each...which in my house totals $100.
I would split meals at the places that are not all you care to eat. I see you have a lot of those booked so I don't know how much you could change there to save tip money.
You can make it work. Don't stress, just be careful and have fun!

 

[Minnie J]

I bought a stroller for $25 bucks from someone on Craigslist and I love it!! Hubby is 6'8 so he'll be pushing some of the time. Doing all these steps provided by the DISners will save you a BUNCHA money