One Year to Save 2016

Busses can be hit or miss. It depends on a variety of things. We've never waited longer than 20 mins for a bus and AKL (which I think is the farthest resort) gets you to all the parks in 20 mins or less (travel time). We usually drive down for our trips, park the car in the lot and forget it until it's time to leave. We bus around everywhere (and did it with strollers back in the day) and have never had a problem.

Interesting, thanks! So for example- the longest it could take to get from AKL to a park is 20 (max) to wait for the bus, then 20 min to a park? It's tricky as the place we stayed at for our WDW trip took us 7-12 minutes to the various parks (MK- 10, HS- 7, AK- 8, Epcot- 12) and I think we will try to do Universal too, so would more than likely get a car anyways. I really want to stay onsite, but I don't know if the first trip with the baby makes more sense.
 
That is the longest WE have experienced in terms of wait times. Most of the time it was 15 mins or less. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I have heard others complain about longer wait times (a few people here and there) so it is POSSIBLE to wait longer for a bus.

Another thing to consider is that the bus drops you off nice and close to the park entrance...with parking you may have to schlep it quite a ways or ride the tram up to the front gates. And there is often a wait for the tram. We always walk when we park...I don't like to wait around. :hyper: Just something to factor in.

Universal is not exactly CLOSE to the Disney area...so when we did a combo trip a year and a half ago, we stayed at CBR for our Disney stuff and then moved offsite for Universal. We were just down the street from the Universal stuff in a Hampton Inn and the travel time was easy peasy. Have you been there before? It's a loooooooong walk from the parking area to the park entrances...I found that highly annoying. :faint:

We stayed offsite for our first Disney trip and if you don't mind paying the $20 per day parking fee...it's not a huge hassle to drive yourself (although we ALWAYS get lost when we drive somehow :rotfl: ) and get in and out of the parks quickly and conveniently.
 
Since my last update I have added $2.05 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.05 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$38.64 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$38.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $553.69!!

Esso Extra Points: 3523
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1477

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $146.31

I also added $2.10 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.05 from isay...
earned $2.05 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$36.95 in isay points....
$12.18 in credit card rewards...
$36.11 in the Europe jar...
$105.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $190.24!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $309.76

Shoppers Optimum Points: 7931

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
That is the longest WE have experienced in terms of wait times. Most of the time it was 15 mins or less. In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I have heard others complain about longer wait times (a few people here and there) so it is POSSIBLE to wait longer for a bus.

Another thing to consider is that the bus drops you off nice and close to the park entrance...with parking you may have to schlep it quite a ways or ride the tram up to the front gates. And there is often a wait for the tram. We always walk when we park...I don't like to wait around. :hyper: Just something to factor in.

Universal is not exactly CLOSE to the Disney area...so when we did a combo trip a year and a half ago, we stayed at CBR for our Disney stuff and then moved offsite for Universal. We were just down the street from the Universal stuff in a Hampton Inn and the travel time was easy peasy. Have you been there before? It's a loooooooong walk from the parking area to the park entrances...I found that highly annoying. :faint:

We stayed offsite for our first Disney trip and if you don't mind paying the $20 per day parking fee...it's not a huge hassle to drive yourself (although we ALWAYS get lost when we drive somehow :rotfl: ) and get in and out of the parks quickly and conveniently.


No that's good, the truth is what I want to hear- and also info like the bus dropping off close, that sort of thing. I love all this research and discussion, thanks :)

On our last (and only!) Orlando area experience we did 4 Disney parks days (1 day at each park) and then 2 days at Universal and 1 at Discovery Cove.
From what I remember of the parking at Universal, they had escalators a lot of the ways to the entrance? Hard to remember now.
No issues with the driving, we update our GPS and I print out maps ahead of time for where I need to go.

Then there is price- renting points say through David's comes out to around $1400-1500 min for a studio (if we can get one) and 1 beds are $2700-3000 - for a week- a condo where we stayed last time is around $1400US for 2 weeks...this is my problem- if we are going to go all the way over there- we want to make it worth while- so thinking either a longer Orlando vacation (10-14 days) so we can enjoy the parks, or possibly a split land/sea- a 4-7 day cruise with some park days...

I'm thinking that if we only do Disney parks, and do a shorter stay, scrapping the Universal and car rental, then staying onsite makes sense, but otherwise it doesn't seem to. Hubby is also not sold on onsite at all.
 

Since my last update I have added $0.52 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0.52 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$39.11 in quickrewards...
$37.05 in the USD pouch...
$38.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $554.21!!

Esso Extra Points: 3567
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1433

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $145.79

I also added $3.70 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.95 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $2.75 to the Europe jar...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$37.90 in isay points....
$12.18 in credit card rewards...
$38.86 in the Europe jar...
$105.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $193.94!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $306.06

Shoppers Optimum Points: 8361 ($10 in rewards)

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
Did a wee bit more Paris math and here are the latest stats:

Food (850 Euros) ~$1275
Transportation (255 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (183 Euros) ~$275
Accommodation Taxes (80 Euros) ~$120
Misc expenses (100 Euros-85 Euros=15 Euros) ~$25
Airport parking $100

Disney expenses ~$460

Grand Total Needed: $2640 ($1240 for this thread)
Total Earned/Saved so far: $193.94

Remaining Needed: $1046.06 ($586.06 before Disney)

**I've separated the Disney stuff because that line is the only NON ESSENTIAL one in the bunch. We must come up with the funds for the rest but the Disney stuff is extra. I am still keeping it in the totals but if we are getting close to the trip and seem to be coming up short...that little day trip will be dropped in favour of something cheap to do within Paris proper.

**I'm a little worried that the food budget numbers are a little low. DH has done a bunch of research and selected most of the places where we will be dining...I'll have to dig into that and see if I'm close or way off base. I don't want to have to drop Disney because of food...but I will if necessary! He really wants to enjoy the cuisine and while I do want to keep to a budget...I don't want to "cheap out" on food for this vacation.

**Not ALL of this needs to be magicked up with found money. :faint: I'd NEVER do it in time. About $1400 will be set aside over the next 15 weeks from our regular budget and the remaining $1240 is what I have to pixiedust: raise.
 
Since my last update I have added $4.79 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.79 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $2.00 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$42.76 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$40.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $559.86!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $140.14

I also added $7.18 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.10 from isay...
earned $3.23 in credit card rewards...
added $2.85 to the Europe jar...
added $1.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$38.00 in isay points....
$16.79 in credit card rewards...
$41.71 in the Europe jar...
$106.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $202.50!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $297.50

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
Since my last update I have added $2.25 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.25 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$45.01 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$40.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $562.11!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $137.89

I also added $2.32 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $1.80 from isay...
earned $0.52 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$39.80 in isay points....
$17.31 in credit card rewards...
$41.71 in the Europe jar...
$106.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $204.82!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $295.18

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
On Monday I used up my $10 in Shoppers rewards dollars on some milk. Payday is on the 30th and we are down to the nitty gritty here for food budget, so I found it was necessary. I still have $32 to get another week's worth of milk and produce on Tuesday. That should take us through to payday but I have had to force myself several times not to spend ahead in the last few weeks. Gotta break that habit! I have a freezer full of food and a decent amount on the pantry shelves...so we aren't going to starve any time soon, thank goodness.

DH and I had a chat over the weekend and we decided to drop Disneyland Paris from the trip itinerary. He feels the kids will be too pooped to hit up two parks in one day after being jet lagged and powering through much of what the city of Paris has to offer in terms of sights. I was never really on board anyway (weird, I know) and agreed with DS that we'll go to Paris again in the future and can hit up the parks then.

I still haven't had the chance to rework the budget though...so look for that in the coming days. I'm going to increase the MISC fund by a bit to allow for us doing something in place of Disney, and I need to check options for that which is why I can't just cut it down by $460. In the meantime, I'm plugging away at the surveys and trying to be as frugal as possible.

I have $10 in cash, 3/4 of a tank of gas, the above mentioned money for groceries (and $50 from the clothing budget which can be tapped into in the case of an emergency) which need to last me 10 days, so I think we're good!

I've been working on the Disney food budget portion of the trip. I've looked into what TS meals we'd be likely to want and trying to get a scenario pulled together for that. It's been fun! I'd love to be able to use my QR Disney gift cards to cover some (possibly most or ALL??) of the onsite meal costs. I'll need more time to pull that info together as well but I've got it started and it's already adding up alarmingly! :faint:

DD and I want to do afternoon tea at the GF and the boys want to go golfing, so we're trying to work that in to the schedule. I'm going to try and book DVC again at the 7 month booking window and see where we get. I'd like to have the accommodations locked in soon.

That's all the updates...now back to my research!
 
Since my last update I have added $0.20 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0.20 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$45.21 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$40.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $562.31!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $137.69

I also added $2.00 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0 from isay...
earned $1.75 in credit card rewards...
added $0.25 to the Europe jar...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$39.80 in isay points....
$19.95 in credit card rewards...
$41.96 in the Europe jar...
$106.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $206.82!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $293.18

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
Since my last update I have added $2.75 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $2.75 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$47.96 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$40.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$330.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $565.06!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $134.94

I also added $1.89 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $1.00 from isay...
earned $0.89 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
added $0 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$40.80 in isay points....
$19.95 in credit card rewards...
$41.96 in the Europe jar...
$106.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $208.71!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $291.29

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
For yesterday:

Since my last update I have added $2.75 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0.75 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $2.00 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$48.71 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$40.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$332.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $567.81!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $132.19

I also added $65.60 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0 from isay...
earned $0.60 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
added $65.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$40.80 in isay points....
$20.45 in credit card rewards...
$22.06 in the Europe jar...
$191.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $274.31!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $225.69

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
Since my last update I have added $6.66 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $0.66 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $6.00 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$49.37 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$46.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$332.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $574.47!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $125.53

I also added $2.25 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $1.25 to the Europe jar...
added $1.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$40.80 in isay points....
$20.45 in credit card rewards...
$23.31 in the Europe jar...
$192.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $276.56!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $223.44

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 
Here is how the Paris trip stuff breaks down:

Food (850 Euros) ~$1275
Transportation ( 257 Euros) ~$385
Entertainment (183 Euros) ~$275
Misc expenses (100 Euros-85 Euros=15 Euros) ~$30
Accommodation Tax (80 Euros) ~$120
Airport parking $100

Grand Total Needed: ~$2185

I have $1420 coming in over the next three months, leaving me $765 to magic up.

Total of "extra bits" savings needed:$765
Total Earned/Saved so far: $276.56

Remaining Needed: $488.44
 
Okay...got me some calculations done for our Christmas break Disney trip and it looks as though I need to magic up about $295 a month from June to December. Bit of a tall order for June, July and August but I'll do my best. I need about $2100 in found money (from today) but I do have access to some contingency money in the form of Christmas and birthday present money (about $800) if I fall short of the mark. I am hoping to avoid touching ANY of that cash, but it's there as a fall back. One thing I have not included in my budget as of yet is the money for DH and DS to go golfing and for DD and I to do tea at the GF...both things I hope to add onto our trip.

I am going to power through the rest of this month and make as much as I can and then the REAL fun begins! :lmao:

I'll do the break down in a couple of days, once I'm fairly certain it's been finalized.
 
You are doing so awesome! You are finding money left, right, and centre!

Paris and WDW months apart- you are one special momma! :worship:
 
So...

I got my confirmation number emailed to me this morning that our MAGICAL vacation has been booked! I've linked it in MDE and got our magic bands all customized and I am soooooo excited!

:yay:

8 nights at Port Orleans French Quarter and four day convention tickets (base tickets) with a bonus waterpark day. I am beyond thrilled!! I am going to start sharing my plans here for fun but my outline is still very basic at this point so I'll need a bit more time to meddle with it.

The Paris itinerary is just about ready though...so look for that soon.

But back to Disney...

At this point, I've only got to pay the $200 deposit (about $265 Canadian) which I can easily cover. Then I'll be saving hard core (like I'm not already--LOL) so I have enough to pay off the balance when it's due in November.

We tried again to rent DVC points but they still had no member able to book it for us so we just decided to make our trip MAGICAL and stay at a moderate resort. I actually promised the kids on our 2011 trip that we'd stay at POFQ on our next trip, so better late than never, I say!

DH and I are both pretty geeked about it and the kids will be too once I inform them when I see them after school!

So excited to dig into this! :cheer2:
 
Since my last update I have added $4.46 to my Disney funds because I...

earned $4.46 from quickrewards...
added $0 to the USD cash pouch...
added $0 to the Disney jar...
earned/received $0 in Disney gift cards...
added $0 to the Disney account...

So the new totals are:

$53.83 in quickrewards...
$37.10 in the USD pouch...
$46.00 in the Disney jar...
$110.00 in Disney gift cards...
$332.00 in the Florida account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $578.93!!

Esso Extra Points: 3603
Points needed for $30 in free gasoline: 1397

May goal Florida: $700
Total Remaining: $121.07

I also added $1.90 to my Europe funds because I:

earned $0.90 from isay...
earned $0 in credit card rewards...
added $0 to the Europe jar...
added $1.00 to the Europe account...

So the new totals are:

$41.70 in isay points....
$20.45 in credit card rewards...
$23.31 in the Europe jar...
$193.00 in the Europe account...

...for a GRAND TOTAL of $278.46!!

Savings Goal Europe: $500
Total Remaining: $221.54

Shoppers Optimum Points: 461

8000 points is $10
22000 points is $30
38000 points is $60
50000 points is $85
95000 points is $170
 














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