Ok now im getting worried ...

[Bonnie151]

OP, just a friendly word of advice. If you ever need to post a similar thread in future, keep it upbeat, not stressed - e.g. title it "Nick Hotel! on $300! I Can Do It! Help Me Plan!" and turn it into a challenge without getting into all the background of stress/worry/ony money you have. Just tell people you've set a challenge to have a great holiday on a tight budget and ask for tips (e.g. "I've done plenty splurge holidays before but this is a quick, "can't stay away from Orlando" getaway. I don't want to spend more than $300 on x,y,z - help me do this!!"). You then won't get this descent into dissecting your personal finances and questioning why you're going in the first place. Don't open yourself up to it.

Having said all that, cut the character breakfast and I think you'll be fine. Tons of people (*cough* thinking back to my student days, taking overnight trains to avoid paying for even a youth hostel room *cough*) travel on *extremely* tight budgets and your kids will enjoy just being there.

Edited to make livndisney happy.

 

[brunette8706]

Hey, Brunette!

Does it really suprise you that someone who can't properly budget, nor research their intended vacation destination, doesn't have proper foresight to see that she has cut herself too short?

I didn't realize the trip was today either...oh, boy. That hotel absolutely does charge for everything, and I still can't get over that resort fee. Like I said, our 4 star resort in Maui didn't even charge that much! Yikes!

Seems to be a classic case of not having enough funds to sustain one's self in the lifestyle that she so desires...

Tiger

*
Hey there Tiger-

Yes, it doesn't make sense. There are so many things she could have done differently based on her lack of funding.

Get a cheaper hotel withOUT a kitchen and withOUT the ridiculous RESORT FEE

Don't do a character meal

Rent a car (there are so many good promotions)

Better yet pay your credit cards, student loans etc using the vacation money instead of the EMERGENCY FUNDS!

Brunette

 

[livndisney]

OP, just a friendly word of advice. If you ever need to post a similar thread in future, keep it upbeat, not stressed - e.g. title it "Disney on $300! I Can Do It! Help Me Plan!" and turn it into a challenge without getting into all the background of stress/worry/ony money you have. Just tell people you've set a challenge to have a great holiday on a tight budget and ask for tips (e.g. "I've done plenty splurge holidays before but this is a quick, "can't stay away from the Mouse" getaway. I don't want to spend more than $300 on x,y,z - help me do this!!"). You then won't get this descent into dissecting your personal finances and questioning why you're going in the first place. Don't open yourself up to it.

Having said all that, cut the character breakfast and I think you'll be fine. Tons of people (*cough* thinking back to my student days, taking overnight trains to avoid paying for even a youth hostel room *cough*) travel on *extremely* tight budgets and your kids will enjoy just being there.

Student days are quite different than traveling with atleast two children. And the rest of the advice won't work either since the OP is not going to Disney. The Nick Hotel IS the vacation according to her posts.

 

[Missy1961]

*
WAIT!! She just launched her post yesterday regarding that she is getting worried about funds....Isn't that kind of late to be concerned? I had no idea her trip was today!

Anyway, she didn't see this coming a month or two OUT? The day before her trip she's getting worried!!?? Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course you would! Because you are not trying to stir the pot. I have a feeling (as I see a previous poster has as well) that this is a person with a history here. They claim a lot of different weird things, get everyone riled up, then disappear & start over with a new user name. This may be happening or it may not.

 

[livndisney]

Hey, Brunette!

Does it really suprise you that someone who can't properly budget, nor research their intended vacation destination, doesn't have proper foresight to see that she has cut herself too short?

I didn't realize the trip was today either...oh, boy. That hotel absolutely does charge for everything, and I still can't get over that resort fee. Like I said, our 4 star resort in Maui didn't even charge that much! Yikes!

Seems to be a classic case of not having enough funds to sustain one's self in the lifestyle that she so desires...

Tiger

From the Op's first post :"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 ."

 

[Disneyadore]

Of course you would! Because you are not trying to stir the pot. I have a feeling (as I see a previous poster has as well) that this is a person with a history here. They claim a lot of different weird things, get everyone riled up, then disappear & start over with a new user name. This may be happening or it may not.

Me old German Sheperd nose sniffed the same smell as you.

 

[jsmla]

We love to travel and I do need to watch the pennies if we want to go several times a year.

Here's my budget eating plan:

We almost always fly Southwest and have two checked bags each. One will be for food items. I use an older suitcase just in case something should go awry and we end up with either lost luggage or a massive layover. That way it can be pitched. In over 30 year of budget travel this has never happened but I figure why chance it!

Checked bag:
-bread packed inside an old Diet Coke 12 pack
-individual mayo packets
-peanut butter, small jar (Your bag will most likely be searched with PB!)
-baked goods (homemade muffins, cookies, bars, etc.)
-oatmeal (I divide into single servings in Ziplocs.)
-pretzels, trail mix, raisins, nuts
-museli
-spices (I use old well washed prescription bottles)
-olive oil (TRIPLE Ziplocked!)
-salad dressings (I collect those single serve packs)
-pasta
-potatoes (I wrap these in paper towels to prevent bruising)
-shelf-stable milk
-plastic microwave steamer and bowl
-paper towels/plates
-plastic cutlery
-sponges loaded with dishwashing liquid and packed in a Ziploc
-small cooler packed with frozen yogurts, cheeses, etc.

I also carry on a small cooler packed with our more perishable items:
-fruit (usually apples, grapes, bananas)
-veggies (peas, celery, carrots, salad stuff, spinach, broccoli florettes, tomatoes, avacado, etc)
-ham, turkey, pre-cooked bacon

(I've heard of people using just the frozen peas but I usually pack extra Ziplocs and then get ice from a vendor past security.)


Breakfasts are museli/yogurt, muffins, fruit
Lunches are sandwiches/salads (I like spinach, apple, bacon and pecan )
Snacks are baked things, pretzels, fruit, celery/pb

With my stash I can make these dinners:
-Pasta with peas, ham, onion, garlic, parmesan and milk (It makes a "cream" sauce.)
-Pasta with sauteed spinach, zucchini, garlic, onion, bacon and tomatoes
-Microwaved potatoes with bacon, steamed broccoli and cheese
-Large chef salads with veggies, ham and cheese

It's a carby/cheesy menu but I've done all of these dishes with stuff packed into our luggage. A full kitchen is better but you can also make any of this with just a fridge and microwave. I never spend more than 30 minutes or so preparing meals. Here are a few that I've made with things I packed onto the plane. The tostada was made with canned black beans and salsa-kinda heavy but nice.

http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r135/jsmla/Condo Cooking/?action=view&current=Disney0909249.jpg

 

[jsmla]

Sorry! I'm not so hot with pictures. Here's my tostada!

Also wanted to add that most of the shelf-stable stuff comes from my pantry. I'll buy a ton of pasta, for example, when it's around $.50 and other things (like the salsa or canned beans) when they're on at a good sale.

Good luck with your budget trip!

 

[Marionnette]

I wish the OP had posted this a week ago instead of the day before her departure. It almost comes across as a way to stir the pot and not a genuine request for help.

I think that she could probably get by on the $300 she has but I'm sure that it would not be anywhere near as enjoyable as it could have been if the OP had done some serious research and allocated her funds more judiciously.

And I can't imagine traveling with two small children and not having some sort of back up funds to cover an emergency. God forbid that she should be stranded at the airport in Orlando because her flight was canceled. How would she feed the kids? No credit card. No extra cash. Not much money in her checking account. Frightening.

I wish the OP well. I can't wait to see the trip report.

 

[brunette8706]

Of course you would! Because you are not trying to stir the pot. I have a feeling (as I see a previous poster has as well) that this is a person with a history here. They claim a lot of different weird things, get everyone riled up, then disappear & start over with a new user name. This may be happening or it may not.

*
Hi there!

No., I think you are right on target. Someone mentioned DisneyMama something and a few others names as her alias.

Another thing I wonder if she really is going on vacation, or did she just post this just to see people's reactions....I mean if they would use different alias names they would be capable of doing practically anything...I would think.

This is the same person that had a booked reservation at a VALUE resort (keep in mind the values were not fully sold out) but yet got an upgrade to the AKL. Now it gets better, not only were they upgraded to the AKL they were upgraded to the SAVANAH room which is 2 more upgrades in itself! I'm not sure I'm buying that though.

Brunette

 

[Marionnette]

We love to travel and I do need to watch the pennies if we want to go several times a year.

Here's my budget eating plan:

We almost always fly Southwest and have two checked bags each. One will be for food items. I use an older suitcase just in case something should go awry and we end up with either lost luggage or a massive layover. That way it can be pitched. In over 30 year of budget travel this has never happened but I figure why chance it!

Checked bag:
-bread packed inside an old Diet Coke 12 pack
-individual mayo packets
-peanut butter, small jar (Your bag will most likely be searched with PB!)
-baked goods (homemade muffins, cookies, bars, etc.)
-oatmeal (I divide into single servings in Ziplocs.)
-pretzels, trail mix, raisins, nuts
-museli
-spices (I use old well washed prescription bottles)
-olive oil (TRIPLE Ziplocked!)
-salad dressings (I collect those single serve packs)
-pasta
-potatoes (I wrap these in paper towels to prevent bruising)
-shelf-stable milk
-plastic microwave steamer and bowl
-paper towels/plates
-plastic cutlery
-sponges loaded with dishwashing liquid and packed in a Ziploc
-small cooler packed with frozen yogurts, cheeses, etc.

I also carry on a small cooler packed with our more perishable items:
-fruit (usually apples, grapes, bananas)
-veggies (peas, celery, carrots, salad stuff, spinach, broccoli florettes, tomatoes, avacado, etc)
-ham, turkey, pre-cooked bacon

(I've heard of people using just the frozen peas but I usually pack extra Ziplocs and then get ice from a vendor past security.)


Breakfasts are museli/yogurt, muffins, fruit
Lunches are sandwiches/salads (I like spinach, apple, bacon and pecan )
Snacks are baked things, pretzels, fruit, celery/pb

With my stash I can make these dinners:
-Pasta with peas, ham, onion, garlic, parmesan and milk (It makes a "cream" sauce.)
-Pasta with sauteed spinach, zucchini, garlic, onion, bacon and tomatoes
-Microwaved potatoes with bacon, steamed broccoli and cheese
-Large chef salads with veggies, ham and cheese

It's a carby/cheesy menu but I've done all of these dishes with stuff packed into our luggage. A full kitchen is better but you can also make any of this with just a fridge and microwave. I never spend more than 30 minutes or so preparing meals. Here are a few that I've made with things I packed onto the plane. The tostada was made with canned black beans and salsa-kinda heavy but nice.

Your plates are restaurant-quality! That's an amazing menu and I applaud your ingenuity. But I'll be honest and confess that there is no way on God's earth that I would go through that kind of effort to pack the necessary supplies to produce that kind of menu when I'm flying anywhere!

 

[alice99]

JSMLA - You are preparing some awesome meals out of a suitcase! Well done

I thought I was doing a great job with cereals,sandwiches and mac&cheese transported in a suitcase. I will follow some of your suggestions.

Does the coke 12 pack really keep the bread from crushing?

 

[Bonnie151]

Student days are quite different than traveling with atleast two children. And the rest of the advice won't work either since the OP is not going to Disney. The Nick Hotel IS the vacation according to her posts.

I mentioned student days because at least some people here would relate to that. My student travels were a luxury compared to my childhood travels when I was in a youth orchestra (NEYE) sleeping on church floors and napping on park benches - never hurt me in the slighest and I saw the world, although many people would be horrified by that extreme. A hotel room with prepackaged food is many many levels above that. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they can have a perfectly fine time. I'll bow to you seeing as you like to be pendantic and will edit my post to read "Nick Hotel!" rather than "Disney!".

I don't really care about the OPs back story. I think it's very silly to post your personal financial position on a public forum. I'm just making a friendly suggestion for avoiding such responses in future.

 

[SaraJayne]

Student days are quite different than traveling with atleast two children. And the rest of the advice won't work either since the OP is not going to Disney. The Nick Hotel IS the vacation according to her posts.

Two special needs children, don't forget.

 

[jsmla]

Your plates are restaurant-quality! That's an amazing menu and I applaud your ingenuity. But I'll be honest and confess that there is no way on God's earth that I would go through that kind of effort to pack the necessary supplies to produce that kind of menu when I'm flying anywhere!

I know it's not for everyone but I started way back in the early '90s when theme park counter service meals were mosly dire and the kids' nickname for me was "Food Nazi" It's kind of a fun challenge for me to see how well we can eat without spending $$$ in restaurants. The packing does take some time and organization but once you're there it's super easy and faster than loading up everyone in the car and heading out to a burger place.

We do eat out on vacation, usually just for a few special meals though. It's just the way we like to travel. I don't want fast food every meal and, given, let's say, a $10,000/year travel budget, would much rather take five $2k trips than two $5k trips.

Different strokes, you know!

 

[livndisney]

I mentioned student days because at least some people here would relate to that. My student travels were a luxury compared to my childhood travels when I was in a youth orchestra (NEYE) sleeping on church floors and napping on park benches - never hurt me in the slighest and I saw the world, although many people would be horrified by that extreme. A hotel room with prepackaged food is many many levels above that. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but they can have a perfectly fine time. I'll bow to you seeing as you like to be pendantic and will edit my post to read "Nick Hotel!" rather than "Disney!".

I don't really care about the OPs back story. I think it's very silly to post your personal financial position on a public forum. I'm just making a friendly suggestion for avoiding such responses in future.

My point was-you are attempting to compare apples to oranges back story(which I mentioned nothing about) or not. No need to "bow" or be "pendantic". Nor is their need to be sarcastic.

That being said, I did just have a nice trip to WDW. I planned ahead and after paying for my hotel, I did not spend 300. But the hotel I choose did not charge for each little thing and I was aware of the fees/taxes when I booked.

And I did not sleep on a bench or the floor

 

[jsmla]

JSMLA - You are preparing some awesome meals out of a suitcase! Well done

I thought I was doing a great job with cereals,sandwiches and mac&cheese transported in a suitcase. I will follow some of your suggestions.

Does the coke 12 pack really keep the bread from crushing?

I can't say we've never had an interestingly shaped sandwich but it does help! We eat fairly dense breads and they fare much better than white. The baked goods are packed in "to go" containers. I just pop everything in the recyclye once we're done

The tostada, obviously, was prepared using a condo oven but most things I do can be fixed in a microwave.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

*
Hi there!

No., I think you are right on target. Someone mentioned DisneyMama something and a few others names as her alias.

Another thing I wonder if she really is going on vacation, or did she just post this just to see people's reactions....I mean if they would use different alias names they would be capable of doing practically anything...I would think.

This is the same person that had a booked reservation at a VALUE resort (keep in mind the values were not fully sold out) but yet got an upgrade to the AKL. Now it gets better, not only were they upgraded to the AKL they were upgraded to the SAVANAH room which is 2 more upgrades in itself! I'm not sure I'm buying that though.

Brunette

here is that thread.....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2796306

what makes this unbelievable is that the AKL doesn't allow balloons. So why would the CM's give her children balloons for the taxi ride to only take them away They just would not do something like that to children.. how do you explain to children that they can only have the balloons for the ride, but cannot keep them. That was her mistake.. she goofed up putting that in If she really wanted us on the boards to believe this happened to her, she should have left that out! I am not saying upgrades do not happen, but I doubt that her story is true simply because of the "balloons"..... and anyone who knows this would understand..

http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl.htm

AKL does not allow balloons inside the resort. Any balloons brought to the resort (from the theme parks, for example) will have to be checked with bell services for the duration of the guest's stay. They will be returned upon departure. This information might be helpful to families with younger children, so there are no disappointments when returning to the resort

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have come to the conclusion that OP is a troll.. what brings me to this conclusion you ask....

1. Some here have found her writing style with other screen names who simply disappear.

2. This post about not knowing about the $100 hold or resort fee when booking. Nick hotel is very clear about resort fee and if anyone has ever traveled, we all know that there is usually a hold of some sort upon check in. Most do not pay attention because we travel with credit cards and it is placed on there.

3. The post about the upgrade at the AKL.. no CM is ever going to give children balloons to take them away. ever!

I haven't checked her other posts.. but I do wonder what they are like.. I think she may post just to stir the pot.. and I don't mean the coffee pot with the hot dogs in it...

 

[happily single]

Yes I have debt. Who doesn't? I still pay my debt off every month. I booked this quick budget trip as a reward for getting my a.a degree . I really wish people would stick to the topic and not jump down my throat because I under budgeted. I'm not the first and I'm sure I won't be the last person to go on vacation on a budget .

Glad you said something. I honestly am sick of posting to these boards, all people do is fail to read the details of your question and then proceed to judge and belittle you for anything you say...