Over planned, super budgeted, MNSSHP & buying DVC

[LSU25]

We try and go to Orlando every 6-8 months- we absolutely LOVE it, as I'm sure everyone here does. We have a 24 month old, who loves everything Disney as well. Every time we go I keep a tally/fund/budget thread on another website BUT I just stumbled across this site and haven't gotten out of my seat for the last 2 hours! ( the babies napping and that's how excited I am I found this and all of you fellow Disney lovers)

We've gone at almost every holiday EXCEPT Halloween, so that's when we are headed there this time. We just went in January and had the time of our lives. Coming with us will be my husband and our son as well as FIRST TIME DISNEY GOERS my brother, his wife and their two kids (4.5 y/o & 1 y/o). They are flying, we are driving - they are also paying for the room and a friend of ours works for Disney so we are able to get comped tickets to all the parks. ( I know how lucky we are trust me, its a true blessing)

*Just a warning - I need to be SUPER budgeted (I'm a #'s person) and SUPER organized...haha I've been reading a bunch of other PTR and can't wait to read more tonight!

Current Expected Costs:
Universal Tickets + Food $245 Current: $180/ $245
Souvenirs/Misc $400 Current: $185/$400 *(pending $100 Disney Credit Card / Gift Card)
Sea World Tickets + Food $220 - Paid
Epcot F&W $240 - Paid
Disney Food $350 - Paid
MNSSHP $140 -Paid
Hotel Gainesville $200 - Paid


$1,510/ $1,795 = $285 dollars to go

 

[LSU25]

It's funny as we keep going through our budget....Yes, we are those people who love #'s .... we keep forgetting or finding added expenses- I completely forgot about the night we are spending over in Gainesville to tour UofFlorida, I've been to every SEC campus (including Missouri and Texas A&M except for UofF and every time we pass- I ALWAYS wish we could tour it...now here is my wish coming true.

Add another $200 for a night in the hotel.

 

[LSU25]

Looks like I'll be able to start my WDW planning bindery his weekend. My DH and I have come down with something. My poor DS just wants to know what's wrong with us. The saving grace use absolutely loves Harry Potter and there is marathon this weekend. (even though we own them all on bluray) there's something special about watching them on ABC family.... Also tomorrow is the big UEFA championship against my team BAYERN Munich vs. my husbands team Chelsea... So this is going to be a nice relaxing weekend spent in our pjs.

 

[LSU25]

I've been working on my binder...SLOWLY haha- I still need to figure out what works best for me as far as keeping track of things...oh well, looks like some more searching is ahead of me.

Besides Disney, Cam and my husband are obsessed with everything Thomas the train. ( I always joke that couldn't we have found a cheaper hobby, Disney & Thomas the Train) ....we went to the store today and let him pick out some new train things for his birthday....as I'm sitting here all I can hear is DH & DS laughing and playing "Choo Choo's" there really isn't a better sound in the world than this.

In Disney trip news...I picked up the 2 x $120 Disney GC for the food & wine festival, as well as paid off and made reservations for our hotel in Gainesville $200....Like I mentioned earlier all I need to figure out is a way to keep track of all this and whats already done/paid for and what isn't.... one day I will be organized....one day

 

[LSU25]

My planning binder is coming along great! I have the cover and budget sheets ....

 

[LSU25]

132 days to go...not that we are counting down or anything. My binder is coming along great and we already are starting to talk about getting a DVC. We are going to wait till after the new year and see what offers are out there as well as how much cash we have saved up, since that ultimately determines how many points we will purchase. We are looking at anywhere between 200-225 points. We are going to go the re-sale route, unless Disney comes out with a "special offer" when we are ready to buy.

Some factors in no order:
A) Obviously cost, PP
B) Points per night
C) Location
D) Length of contract 2042/2057/2060
E) The ability to accommodate our current family (DH, Me, DS) / future kids

We have narrowed down our two choices:

1)Bay Lake Tower: More money per point BUT have heard nothing but good reviews and the convenience of being able to walk and take the boat or monorail to MK.

2) AKL: It seems like you get your moneys worth quickly, and the PP is almost $20 cheaper BUT like my DH said (he wants BLT) spend a little more money now and get exactly what you want.

-Since this trip's hotel is already paid for, we are going to concentrate on paying 100% cash ( which we try to do most trips) and save whatever extra money we can for DVC.

 

[LSU25]

I Updated my current budget after receiving and AWESOME early birthday present of $500 Only $403 dollars left and 132 days to save it. Then it will be time to find / pick our ADR / Character dinning and start to schedule / plan days!!!!

- I usually don't allow myself to start planning all the things until the trip is paid off.

 

[LSU25]

Finally bit the dust, wish I would have done this 4 weeks ago, before I bought all the Disney Gift Cards but we applied and were accepted for the Disney Chase Premier card -2% bonus here we come + $100 gift card added to the fund!

 

[LSU25]

Cleaned out our change jar $23.00 - so close to paying this thing off and start planning/making reservations for ADR's and character dinners- just need my Disney CC to come in.

$285 more dollars and 4 months to go.

 

[LSU25]

Ah.
- MNSSHP tickets have arrived
- ADR at Mickeys BBQ is booked ( still hoping for a cancellation for September 29th though)
-Just waiting on tomorrowland dessert buffet to open
- Waiting for Disney Credit Card to come in before we order anything else

 

[LSU25]

....and now pregnant