Planning my vacation budget

[TiggerInNY]

OK, I know I have until October until I get there, but I'm starting to figure out how much this is going to REALLY cost me. I started to write down my expenses and feel like I'm forgetting something. I know someone out there will help me. So far I have:

Airfare
Airport parking fee
Accommodations
Car rental
Gas
WDW tickets
Sea World tickets
Food (we will have a kitchen)

I know I'm forgetting something. Can someone help me out, please? Thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[karebear1]

OK Maria, I have a big tip for you...... don't forget the TIPS!!! for restaurants, housekeeping etc.!!! And souveniers! And film! And processing the film...... oh boy, I could just keep going and going and going- just like the energizer bunny!!!

 

[tonysgal34]

If you stay off-site, you need money for parking at the kingdoms. If you have kids, plan on extra money in general-I am trying sooo hard to figure out our expenses as this will be our one and only trip to Disney. I told hubby just to figure on giving the kids $20 per kid per day for souvenirs and stuff and when it's gone, it's gone.....we would cover food-like the regular meals-but if they want that cotton candy or that stuffed animal, it will be out of their $20. Other than that, your list looks pretty good.

 

[TiggerInNY]

Tonysgal,

Thanks for the tip about the $20/day. That sounds good. Our boys will be 7 1/2 and just about 4 when we go. This might work with the older one. This will be our only "vacation" per say for this year, too. Our tax return working for us.

Does anyone know how much it is to park at the parks on a daily basis? I realize all the other expenses, but I wanted to earmark monies for the expenses that I know definitely how much they are. Believe me, I realize it adds up!!! Plenty. I've never been to WDW with kids, but remember, we're ALL kids at Disney, including ME!!! I could probably, no, I know for sure, that I could spend more than the kids.

I am sooo excited that I wish we were going tomorrow. Some say the anticipation makes it better. But it's killing me!!!

I'm looking for the 4-day hopper plus tickets. The cheapest I found was with the Magicard at A-213.75, C-171.25. Does anyone know of any cheaper hopper passes?

Thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[dahess]

Stroller rentals if you need one.

 

[TiggerInNY]

How much are stroller rentals?

 

[Meagansmom]

I think it is $9.00 for a single and $14.00 for a double now. Anyone just back? I know that the prices went up.

 

[karebear1]

TiggerInNY- are you staying on site?

 

[TiggerInNY]

KareBear,

No, we're staying at the Marriott Cypress Harbour Timeshare on International Drive.

Wow!!! $9/day? That could add up. I think I better convince my DH to bring our own stroller. The baby is going to be just about 4 when we go. Do you think we really need it? I don't plan on spending every waking moment at the parks. My kids are too young to do the marathon thing. Ya know?

Thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[mad4themouse]

Little legs can only take so much walking. Airports and parks can take a toll on a pre-schooler. If you have an umbrella stroller that you can take along, I would recommend bringing it. If not, I would still rent a stroller for EPCOT and maybe even AK since you will do a considerable amount of walking in those two parks.

You may not be doing a marathon trip, but often times, the attractions that you will want to see are not spaced close together. What seems like a little bit of walking can feel like a mile to a 4 YO. You'll be especially grateful for that stroller come mid-afternoon when you have a tired tyke who cannot walk one more step and you're about as far from the park exit as you can get! Or when the fireworks are over and your child wants you to carry her back to the parking lot!

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

ABSOLUTELY bring a stroller! You can buy a cheap umbrella stroller at Wal-Mart for about what you'd spend on 2 days of rental at WDW. We brought our double stroller our last 2 trips and it was a lifesaver for the little ones--the 2 yr old sat in one of the seats all the time, and then one of the (then) 5 yr old twins occasionally (ok, frequently!) used the other seat. The 2nd seat also was great for carrying backpack, purchases, etc. when not occupied. It seems like the little tykes have an unending supply of energy most days, but somehow WDW really saps their strength. Plus, if you rent one, you have to return it in the park, so then you have to carry the child to the car (bus, tram, whatever). I promise you, you'll be glad you have your own!

Sue

 

[TiggerInNY]

My "umbrella" stroller has a basket underneath it. If I buy a stroller at Wal-mart, they usually don't have a basket under it.

What to do, what to do?

Thanks for all your insights. I love these boards. I tell everyone who is thinking about going to Disney to check this out.

Have a good day.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[mom2girls29]

May I suggest that instead of allotting the kids $20 a day, start giving them disney dollars for birthdays, Easter, or for just being good. Then it becomes THEIR money they are spending and they will be less likely to nickle and dime you in the parks. This worked well with our 8 and 11 yr old. They really thought twice about spending the money unless they really wanted the item.

Good luck.

Mary

 

[TiggerInNY]

Mary,

Good one. Where do I get this Disney money? At the Disney store?

Great idea.....thanks.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[beansmom]

we give dd her allowance ($20 every 2 wks) $10 in cash and $10 in her savings account or Disney Dollars...that way she has plenty of money to spend any way she wants. After she spends it, it's gone. We also do DD for birthday, Easter, Xmas...whenever we want to give her money but don't want her to blow it.

 

[Maddle]

You will be so happy to have your own stroller in the airport, too. Be sure your rental car will accomodate it along with your luggage, though. In any case, if you don't bring your own, you'll be happy with the money well spent on the rental.

As for your budget, be sure to allow for parking and sales taxes, along with tips.

Maddle

 

[tonysgal34]

Tigger-what about one of those two-seater wagons? It's a pain to bring unless you are driving, but I bet the 7-year-old might get tired too and you can put things in the seats and by their feet-might really be a life-saver, might be a pain to tug all over the place-guess it depends on your game-plan.

Hey everyone-what on earth are Disney Dollars???

 

[TiggerInNY]

I don't have one of the double strollers and I really don't want one. I may have to rent one for my 7 year old. I will definetly bring my own from home.

What about these Disney Dollars? I would love to know where to get them, too. Easter is coming up and it's a great idea. I will tell the family, too. Better than money. It'll help us out too in October. Kids love having their own control.

TTFN,
Maria

 

[delswife]

I get Disney Dollars right at The Disney Store in our mall.

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by tonysgal34
Tigger-what about one of those two-seater wagons? It's a pain to bring unless you are driving, but I bet the 7-year-old might get tired too and you can put things in the seats and by their feet-might really be a life-saver, might be a pain to tug all over the place-guess it depends on your game-plan.

Hey everyone-what on earth are Disney Dollars???

I'm not sure that wagons are permitted in Disney parks. I've never seen them in use there.