Ok now im getting worried ...

[SaraJayne]

We leave tommorow for our 3 night vacation. I was already on a tight budget but now it just got a little bit tighter. Im really worried that I'm going to be flat broke and thats my ultimate fear while im on vacation!Ok so turns out that the rate I paid for the Nick Hotel did not include the resort fee AND they place a $100 hold on your credit card for incidentals . The resort fee will be around $90 for 3 nights. On the third day we will be going to MNSSHP . We can take the shuttle there but there is no shuttle back so we'll have to get a taxi. That leaves only about $ 300 for all of our food /snacks /souvenirs ( Not planning on buying any souvenirs ..maybe one souvenir each for the kids) . $300 just does not seem like enough money . Im so used to having the dining plan and staying on Disney property. Our room will have a full sized kitchen. We can save alot of money by cooking meals but we dont have a rental car ...Any food purchased will have to go into our checked luggage. What will I be able to pack to stretch our food budget? I was thinking of buying sodas /juice and putting it in the checked luggage but im worried it might explode .

BTW we do have the character breakfast booked (not paid for yet)and I was thinking of ordering Flippers for dinner one night and having it delivered .My kids are not gonna be thrilled to eat in the room .I was going to pack microwaveable chef boyardee and they bulked.


Any suggestions ?

It isn't.

 

[satorifound]

A great easy meal to pack would be spaghetti. Just get the canned spaghetti sauce so it doesn't break. Also cans are lighter than jars. Kids love spaghetti... usually. LOL

 

[jaminmd]

If $190 ($100 hold & $90 resort fee) is going to put such a strain in you financially, why would you go on a vacation?

I'll never understand how people can live so close to the edge of financial ruin and still spend money on things they can't afford.

I hope you & your children have a wonderful time despite the financial burden it's putting on you.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

You're right I am going to cancel the character breakfast .I can pack breakfast items in our luggage.We're not big breakfast eaters anyway we were going to the breakfast to see the characters . I guess I can use that money for the 4D show instead which im sure they will enjoy more.

What's the 4D show?

Personally, OP - since you can't cancel the trip at this point without taking a hit on a lot of things (the plane tickets, the hotel, etc) - I would cancel the MNSSHP and save that money. The only difference between going to that and a regular park day are Halloween costumes on the characters and a little bit of "free" crappy candy. The Halloween decorations are already up in MK.

 

[TandT]

I'm sorry you are on such a tight budget. We plan our trips at least a year in advance. Was this a trip that was planned for awhile or just a last minute getaway?? I would not attempt to do a 3 day vacation on only $300. Could you change to another hotel rather than stay at the Nick hotel? Maybe find a cheaper one. I would of saved up and put money in an account ahead of time and researched the fees that were involved so I wouldn't be in that situation. The key to a great vacation is PLAN,PLAN,PLAN!!! The only advice I have for you is to penny pinch on EVERYTHING to make sure you don't run out of money before you get home....which is not a very good way to spend a vacation. Good luck to you and your family!! PS....the idea of skipping the Character Breakfast is a good one...I wouldn't spend a dime on a Character "Breakfast"....not worth the money. JMO

 

[kamik86]

What's the 4D show?

Personally, OP - since you can't cancel the trip at this point without taking a hit on a lot of things (the plane tickets, the hotel, etc) - I would cancel the MNSSHP and save that money. The only difference between going to that and a regular park day are Halloween costumes on the characters and a little bit of "free" crappy candy. The Halloween decorations are already up in MK.

I'm not sure she even could cancel MNSSHP I tried to change the dates on my tickets and were told they aren't refundable or transferable.

 

[*love*2*shop]

i am sorry. but i agree with this poster ...Not sure why you would book a vacation if you dont have the extra to be able to eat?? very odd

If $190 ($100 hold & $90 resort fee) is going to put such a strain in you financially, why would you go on a vacation?

I'll never understand how people can live so close to the edge of financial ruin and still spend money on things they can't afford.

I hope you & your children have a wonderful time despite the financial burden it's putting on you.

 

[SaraJayne]

If $190 ($100 hold & $90 resort fee) is going to put such a strain in you financially, why would you go on a vacation?

I'll never understand how people can live so close to the edge of financial ruin and still spend money on things they can't afford.

I hope you & your children have a wonderful time despite the financial burden it's putting on you.

It's also her third trip in a year.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

It's also her third trip in a year.

 

[TandT]

It's also her third trip in a year.

WHAT???!! Now THAT's CRAZY!

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Geez, why do people have to be so judgemental and catty here! Where did op say that she was in financial ruin? :confuse
ed3

 

[SaraJayne]

Geez, why do people have to be so judgemental and catty here! Where did op say that she was in financial ruin? :confuse
ed3

I have no problem with people taking multiple trips in a year, when they can afford it. If a $90 resort fee and a $100 hold on your card is going to put you over the edge financially, you should probably reconsider the trip.

I will never understand this "disney at any cost" mentality that is SO prevalent on this board.

 

[CF'er]

Geez, why do people have to be so judgemental and catty here! Where did op say that she was in financial ruin? :confuse
ed3

I think the fact that the $190 was a budget buster and OP needed to bring Chef Boyardee in a suitcases to eat just about says it all.

And if you are going to save money by cancelling the character breakfast why not SAVE that money for a potential unexpected expense?

 

[crashbb]

Geez, why do people have to be so judgemental and catty here! Where did op say that she was in financial ruin? :confuse
ed3

I think the fact that the $190 was a budget buster and OP needed to bring Chef Boyardee in a suitcases to eat just about says it all.

And if you are going to save money by cancelling the character breakfast why not SAVE that money for a potential unexpected expense?

That and the "no credit card" and "no extra money".

 

[crashbb]

I have no idea how my quote ended up before the post that I quoted!

ETA - and this ended up before the quoted post too! So weird.

 

[jaminmd]

I think the fact that the $190 was a budget buster and OP needed to bring Chef Boyardee in a suitcases to eat just about says it all.

And if you are going to save money by cancelling the character breakfast why not SAVE that money for a potential unexpected expense?

But... if she keeps the Chef Boyardee warm in the coffee pot all day, she'll not only be a super-budget saver but she can come back to a warm, delicious meal after a long day in the park!

 

[dodukes]

Ive started to read the thread and halfway thru I will voice a different opinion. I think you will be fine. You just have to not expect to eat at the park all that much, maybe eat before you get there so you can all get smaller meals or split osmething later that evening . I ahev done entire weekends to disney for $500 including gas and hotel, I am in south florida so 3 days with $300 for food is MORE than enough. I know you wont have a car and thats the tricky part but there are still domino and pizza hut deals and they WILL deliver to hotels. My theory has always been id rather be on vacation eating mcdonalds then home eating Ruth's Chris!! My only worry is that you dont have any backup in case of emergency, I have my CCs just in case but really ive done plenty of low cost weekend trips and have NEVER spent $300 on food for the weekend (unless we actually wanted to).

 

[MrsPete]

It isn't.

True, but let's break it down:

4 days /3 nights . . . and the OP has $300 (or an average of $75/day)

I'd break it down like this:

Souveniers are off the table -- they're just not possible.

Pre-trip, I'd allot $30 for groceries, and that'd be a skimpy grocery cart. Buy Crystal Light packets, crackers, candy, and other snacks. You could easily spend $300 for four people on JUST drinks and snacks.

Day 1: Travel day, I assume
Breakfast at home
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner

Day 2: Park day
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner

Day 3: Park day w/ party
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner
$30 for taxi

Day 4: Travel day
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch

This assumes, of course, that you don't have to pay to park at the airport, that you aren't tipping the shuttle drivers (which I would never skip, myself), and that you don't have any type of emergency. It also assumes that you're able to say no to sodas, balloons, photographs, ice cream, penny-crunching, and all the other little expenses at Disney.

These meal allowances are super-tight. With four people, they're do-able only if you choose kids' meals, split entrees, and drink only water. They're also do-able only at counter-service restaurants; if you have to include tips, they're not possible.

Be sure to pack sunscreen, Tylenol, bandaids, and all those other little things that you have at home but cost so much when you're forced to buy them at premium park prices.

I think it's entirely too tight. I think you will be out of money on vacation. I'd say that something has to change. Things I'd consider:

- Is it possible to change to a less expensive hotel?
- You're at a hotel with a great pool. How about doing away with one park day and making it a pool day? Even if you already have your tickets, you'd save by being able to cook in the room (bring things you already have at home). Your kids will see this as big fun or as a letdown, depending upon how you present it.
- Skip the extra-ticket party and just have three park days.
- Make a grocery store stop and pick up lunch fixings for every day. This'd allow you to have a nice dinner every night, but I doubt you'd be able to fit that much food into your suitcases, so you'd need to figure out a grocery stop -- and that'd cut into your savings.

Personally, assuming all these things are possible, I'd change hotels and skip the Halloween party. That'd still not give you a fat budget, but it could make the budet more comfortable.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

there is nothing wrong with going, I just think that she should have planned a little different.. say maybe like staying at a less expensive hotel. The Nick hotel is very nice, but it is expensive, especially when you don't have the "extra" funds and the $90 resort fee and the $100 deposit is going to make you cash strapped per-say for your trip. She has $300 or so for her 3 days, which would be fine if she had a credit card for emergency funds and her taxi ride back to the resort after MNSSHP, but she doesn't. She is giving up her character breakfast, that will save her some cash.. and she really must save that money. She will not have enough to do that. Some people don't stop to think of the needs, only the wants when planning. Again, nothing wrong with going, but OP should have considered a cheaper hotel.. Pixie Dust clouds the eyes on some who cannot see past Disney's Magic...

 

[SaraJayne]

True, but let's break it down:

4 days /3 nights . . . and the OP has $300 (or an average of $75/day)

I'd break it down like this:

Souveniers are off the table -- they're just not possible.

Pre-trip, I'd allot $30 for groceries, and that'd be a skimpy grocery cart. Buy Crystal Light packets, crackers, candy, and other snacks. You could easily spend $300 for four people on JUST drinks and snacks.

Day 1: Travel day, I assume
Breakfast at home
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner

Day 2: Park day
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner

Day 3: Park day w/ party
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch
$40 for dinner
$30 for taxi

Day 4: Travel day
Breakfast in the room
$30 for lunch

This assumes, of course, that you don't have to pay to park at the airport, that you aren't tipping the shuttle drivers (which I would never skip, myself), and that you don't have any type of emergency. It also assumes that you're able to say no to sodas, balloons, photographs, ice cream, penny-crunching, and all the other little expenses at Disney.

These meal allowances are super-tight. With four people, they're do-able only if you choose kids' meals, split entrees, and drink only water. They're also do-able only at counter-service restaurants; if you have to include tips, they're not possible.

Be sure to pack sunscreen, Tylenol, bandaids, and all those other little things that you have at home but cost so much when you're forced to buy them at premium park prices.

I think it's entirely too tight. I think you will be out of money on vacation. I'd say that something has to change. Things I'd consider:

- Is it possible to change to a less expensive hotel?
- You're at a hotel with a great pool. How about doing away with one park day and making it a pool day? Even if you already have your tickets, you'd save by being able to cook in the room (bring things you already have at home). Your kids will see this as big fun or as a letdown, depending upon how you present it.
- Skip the extra-ticket party and just have three park days.
- Make a grocery store stop and pick up lunch fixings for every day. This'd allow you to have a nice dinner every night, but I doubt you'd be able to fit that much food into your suitcases, so you'd need to figure out a grocery stop -- and that'd cut into your savings.

Personally, assuming all these things are possible, I'd change hotels and skip the Halloween party. That'd still not give you a fat budget, but it could make the budet more comfortable.

If I'm not mistaken, that $300 has to pay for the MNSSHP tickets, too. Those are what, $50-$60 a person?