Oh, the stress of figuring out spending $$$

[nalajms]

You need to compare how you eat with the free dining. Do you finish everything easily? Or do you have left over snacks/meals and are hurrying to use them?

When we're on DDP, we tend to eat way too much. When we don't have DDP, we snack more and eat less meals. The only time we come out ahead in DDP is when we book expensive TS. Also, I like to charge everything to the room because you can ask for a printout of your spending - easier to keep to your budget.

Other things we spend money on is when I forget to pack something: batteries, tylenol, specific clothing items, etc.

Good luck and have a great trip. The Beach Club will be SO FUN this time of year!

 

[luvmy3]

I don't think it's possible to come home and not say "omg, how much did we spend?!" The $1200 food bill for 8 days is enough to make anyone with a keen eye for a budget just keel over in shock!

"A budget" implies what you can/want to spend on XYZ, and everyone's is different. It doesnt mean scrimp and save and be cheap, it means set an amount you personally can afford and stay within that. For some $1200 is what it is, for others its less, and for others its more. An amount higher than what you budget doesnt mean someone lacks a keen eye for budgeting

To put the OP's budget into perspective, that is $37.50 per person per day. That isnt bad at all when buying food in the parks.

 

[texasroni75]

I get what the OP is saying. I don't WANT to spend more than a certain amount of money on food for the duration of the trip. Would I not be able to pay my bills at home if we went a little over our budget? NO. Would I be very unhappy about it? YES.

This is our first time on QSDP and I feel a lot of pressure taken off of me knowing that the majority of our food bill is "paid for" already. We plan to do one TS meal out of pocket and will probably be buying some breakfast items OOP too (since it's a better value to utilize our CS meals at lunch and dinner because they generally cost more and come with dessert).

I can say from experience that DH would give me a "look" sometimes on previous trips when I asked for yet another snack or drink on day 5 or 6 of the trip, knowing he's doing some math and thinking if we are close to budget already. It's stressful and takes away from my enjoyment of the trip. I'm looking forward to not dealing with that this time!

That said, we don't really spend too much money in the parks on things other than food. I'd say less than $100 on souvenirs in total. ($20/person)

 

[RainK]

OP here. We are not big eaters...well, except for my DH, so $1200 for food for a week is crazy...but it is what it is and it's Disney. I get it.

If I spend $1300 on meals, it certainly won't break the bank, but it will make me crazy in the end. I will def be looking at food prices when ordering as opposed to our previous trips where I didn't care if I ordered the $30 steak. I always came home so mad at all the food I ate 'just because' it was free....I.e desserts. I never eat desserts but I did on the DDP cause 'it's free'

I tend to overspend on vacations so this year, I won't take a credit card so the temptation won't be there. Just my debit card.

We are def not a family that spends $1000 on souvenirs..... We have been a few times so we don't need much...although my kids THINK they do. That's why they have their own money to spend on what they want. Once their money is gone, it's gone and they know that.

Anyways...I am excited to go but since a budget is important to our family, I'm just worrying a bit. Once we are there, I am 100% sure it'll all be fine....it always is.

 

[Marionnette]

"A budget" implies what you can/want to spend on XYZ, and everyone's is different. It doesnt mean scrimp and save and be cheap, it means set an amount you personally can afford and stay within that. For some $1200 is what it is, for others its less, and for others its more. An amount higher than what you budget doesnt mean someone lacks a keen eye for budgeting

To put the OP's budget into perspective, that is $37.50 per person per day. That isnt bad at all when buying food in the parks.

I never said it meant scrimp and save during her vacation nor did I say that she needed to do anything on the cheap. What I said was that anyone who normally keeps a sharp eye on their budget is very likely to come home and think OMG! when they realize that they just spent $1200 spent on a week's worth of food. You totally took what I said out of context. In fact, I said that the OP needs to loosen up and enjoy her hard-earned vacation. If she has $1200 budgeted for food, then she shouldn't stress out over spending that amount. Maybe you should have quoted my entire post instead of editing out that part. Then maybe you wouldn't be

 

[luvmy3]

I never said it meant scrimp and save during her vacation nor did I say that she needed to do anything on the cheap. What I said was that anyone who normally keeps a sharp eye on their budget is very likely to come home and think OMG! when they realize that they just spent $1200 spent on a week's worth of food. You totally took what I said out of context. In fact, I said that the OP needs to loosen up and enjoy her hard-earned vacation. If she has $1200 budgeted for food, then she shouldn't stress out over spending that amount. Maybe you should have quoted my entire post instead of editing out that part. Then maybe you wouldn't be

Not confused, I read your whole post, you said "I don't think it's possible to come home and not say "omg, how much did we spend?!." The $1200 food bill for 8 days is enough to make anyone with a keen eye for a budget just keel over in shock!"

I was addressing the bolded, as it implies that a $1200 food bill is enough to shock anyone with a keen eye for budgeting. (Those are your exact words, are they not? )
My point was, one can have a $1200 budget and still have a keen eye for budgeting. And, nobody who says I'm planning on spending X for food (because that is their own personal budget) is going to come home "shocked" that they spent X on food.
So, if you actually didnt mean those words you said, then yes I am confused. Yes, one who has a weekly budget of $1000 for food per month will be "shocked" at spending $1200 for just one week. Of course this is vacation, and most people do realize the inflated costs, which is why they make a budget for it in the first place. So I apologize, I didnt realize you were speaking about a household budget compared to a vacation budget since the OP is asking about her vacation food costs.

Maybe next time, you should say exactly what you mean so that it couldnt be taken out of context. Otherwise posters are left to interpret the words you do use.

 

[jennylyn_b]

We have 3 TS only booked. Everything else will be QS and we are very light bkfst eaters. A bagel or toast is fine by us.

I can't add the DDP with the package we got from a TA. I have the $1200 set aside for food, I am just really worried it won't be enough. Good thing is, we don't drink alcohol and we have a case of water and snacks delivered from garden grocer.

I just have to "let it go" and stop worrying I guess.

Take a deep breath and relax! You will be fine! You are only doing 3 Ts. $150 a day for qs is plenty. Especially if some cs meals are shared, some are large enough. Also watch the kids if they aren't eating the full meals then maybe they could share and just add an extra side and you just saved $5! That covers an ice cream or two right there!

 

[LynnTH]

We were just there in May/June for 10 nights. We stayed at BWV for 4 nights and Old Key West for 6 nights. Had full kitchen at Old Key West.

There are 4 of us (Me, DH, DS14 and DD12). We spent $1500 total for everything. This included: Food/Tips/Souveniers

Groceries Delivered ($100). We ate all breakfasts in the room. Also ate a couple lunch/dinners in rooms on pool days. The rest was out at the Theme Parks. We ate mostly CS but we did also eat at - Ohana's, 50's Prime Time,
Yak & Yeti, T-Rex, and Sci Fi Diner.

We had snacks when we wanted them. Sometimes DD and I would share a meal as we do that at home alot too. We don't buy much in the way of souveniers - probably $100 total and most of that was DD ( Sketch Book/Pillow Pet/Money Clip for DS) I think I bought a $8 bracelet. We like Disney but don't care to wear them or have Disney items displayed at home.

So, I think you should be fine... Have fun!!

 

[nalajms]

OP here. We are not big eaters...well, except for my DH, so $1200 for food for a week is crazy...but it is what it is and it's Disney. I get it.

I think you'll be fine! And might even end up under your budget.

DH is a big eater too, and we don't say the "d" word on vacation. When we're not on DDP and do more QS than TS, I will usually split my meals with DH. So he has his, then some of mine, and whatever's leftover from DS. DS is 4 and not a big eater. I like to snack so I'll give up half my meals.

If we have leftovers from a TS, I usually tell DH to eat that for breakfast. He needs more than a pastry or toast. Otherwise I'm out getting him a full breakfast.

 

[RainK]

I think you'll be fine! And might even end up under your budget.

DH is a big eater too, and we don't say the "d" word on vacation. When we're not on DDP and do more QS than TS, I will usually split my meals with DH. So he has his, then some of mine, and whatever's leftover from DS. DS is 4 and not a big eater. I like to snack so I'll give up half my meals.

If we have leftovers from a TS, I usually tell DH to eat that for breakfast. He needs more than a pastry or toast. Otherwise I'm out getting him a full breakfast.

Hahaha. We cannot say the d word on vacation either. Well, my DH never days it anyways. I do.
He hates that I am such a choosy eater. I tend to eat healthy even on vacation and it drives him crazy. Haha