Poor College Kids Budget Help

[MickeyMouseCD524]

So I posted this on the college board but I thought I might post it here too. We are a group of 5 college kids trying to save up to go to Disney World next summer and we are having a hard time trying to budget it properly and could really use some help. We know Park Tickets are kind of fixed prices and we're stuck there, but on things like dining and a hotel that will be 1) affordable and 2) sleep the five of us is sort of becoming a challenge. We thought about staying off property but since you have to be 25 to rent a car that idea quickly went out the window. My dad also offered to let us use some of the DVC points my family has but it came with a catch I'm not sure I'm willing to accept.My friends kind of just appointed me the planner of everything telling me to just give them a rough number for what they need to save and they're just going to show up so I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible for everyone. Does anyone have any idea as to how we might be able to make this work? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[barkley]

So I posted this on the college board but I thought I might post it here too. We are a group of 5 college kids trying to save up to go to Disney World next summer and we are having a hard time trying to budget it properly and could really use some help. We know Park Tickets are kind of fixed prices and we're stuck there, but on things like dining and a hotel that will be 1) affordable and 2) sleep the five of us is sort of becoming a challenge. We thought about staying off property but since you have to be 25 to rent a car that idea quickly went out the window. My dad also offered to let us use some of the DVC points my family has but it came with a catch I'm not sure I'm willing to accept.My friends kind of just appointed me the planner of everything telling me to just give them a rough number for what they need to save and they're just going to show up so I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible for everyone. Does anyone have any idea as to how we might be able to make this work? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

others can give you better help with the numbers, but keep in mind-whoever makes the reservation has to be 18 and have a credit card IN THEIR OWN NAME-and that puts them on the hook for any expenses if something happens and you have to cancel after the cut off date. so whoever takes this on needs to know what they are signing on for and keep that cut off date in mind cuz if friends flake it can drive up the cost for the non flakes who then can't afford the increased cost.

honestly-it's better not to base it on people just showing up cuz you or whoever does actually show up may not be able to afford it when the time comes. college dd has had several lower cost trips fall apart when by the time they rolled around those who said they would 'show up' and pay didn't have the $$$ so now trips are set up so everyone has to pay BEFORE the cancelation date so that those who can are able to reevaluate any increased costs (due to less travelers) to see if it still fits in their budget.

 

[Marionnette]

So I posted this on the college board but I thought I might post it here too. We are a group of 5 college kids trying to save up to go to Disney World next summer and we are having a hard time trying to budget it properly and could really use some help. We know Park Tickets are kind of fixed prices and we're stuck there, but on things like dining and a hotel that will be 1) affordable and 2) sleep the five of us is sort of becoming a challenge. We thought about staying off property but since you have to be 25 to rent a car that idea quickly went out the window. My dad also offered to let us use some of the DVC points my family has but it came with a catch I'm not sure I'm willing to accept.My friends kind of just appointed me the planner of everything telling me to just give them a rough number for what they need to save and they're just going to show up so I'm trying to make this as cheap as possible for everyone. Does anyone have any idea as to how we might be able to make this work? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

My first thought is that you should re-think your father's offer and live with his terms for the week that you're there.

But if vacationing with no restrictions is more important than your budget, then the least expensive way for 5 young adults to stay onsite is going to be two rooms at a Value Resort. You might also want to consider staying at FW. The cabins sleep up to 6 people and have a full kitchen plus private outdoor charcoal grill. You could order groceries to be delivered and do your breakfast and dinners there. You can even take a collapsible cooler into the parks to carry your lunch. Having the kitchen might be worth spending the extra money so that you can save on food.

Just remember that you will pay an extra "per night" fee for the extra adults in the room. Disney room rates allow 2 adults (over 17 years old) per room without an additional charge. The additional adult pays anywhere from $10-$25 extra per night. That's for each additional adult.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

others can give you better help with the numbers, but keep in mind-whoever makes the reservation has to be 18 and have a credit card IN THEIR OWN NAME-and that puts them on the hook for any expenses if something happens and you have to cancel after the cut off date. so whoever takes this on needs to know what they are signing on for and keep that cut off date in mind cuz if friends flake it can drive up the cost for the non flakes who then can't afford the increased cost.

honestly-it's better not to base it on people just showing up cuz you or whoever does actually show up may not be able to afford it when the time comes. college dd has had several lower cost trips fall apart when by the time they rolled around those who said they would 'show up' and pay didn't have the $$$ so now trips are set up so everyone has to pay BEFORE the cancelation date so that those who can are able to reevaluate any increased costs (due to less travelers) to see if it still fits in their budget.

We're all over 18 with credit cards so that's not an issue. I was afraid of that happening and since they put it all on me I told them nothing is getting booked unless they hand me they're share upfront and once I get everyone's money then we book it. As much as I trust everyone in our group when there is this much money and planning involved I'm not going to risk it.

 

[kymom99]

I would do the cabins. I think that would be the best for your money, as stated above.
You could also do a preferred Disney hotel, such as those by DTD. You wouldn't need a car and you could get a better deal. You would just need a cab from the airport.

Also, I would make everyone pay for the room part upfront. That may be hard for your friends to come up with, but that is the only way you won't get stuck holding the bag if someone backs out. I would tell them you will make the reservation but they won't get the money back if they back out. I would also make them purchase their own tickets and obviously book their own airfare.
What does your dad say about the liability part? Do you know these kids well enough to know that they won't cause damage that you might be responsible for?

Oh, we were posting at the same time!

 

[barkley]

We're all over 18 with credit cards so that's not an issue. I was afraid of that happening and since they put it all on me I told them nothing is getting booked unless they hand me they're share upfront and once I get everyone's money then we book it. As much as I trust everyone in our group when there is this much money and planning involved I'm not going to risk it.

SMART, SMART, SMART!

I know you are concerned with staying offsite and the issue of having a car, but try checking prices at the embassy suites near wdw. you could get a double queen suite room (there's a pull out bed in the living room that can sleep the 5th person) that includes free full breakfast for everyone in the morning AND you've got a mini kitchen (small fridge, microwave, sink) that can save some more (if only to store and reheat leftovers). they offer a free shuttle to wdw as well. check their website-also look to see if you qualify for any discounts.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

My first thought is that you should re-think your father's offer and live with his terms for the week that you're there.

But if vacationing with no restrictions is more important than your budget, then the least expensive way for 5 young adults to stay onsite is going to be two rooms at a Value Resort. You might also want to consider staying at FW. The cabins sleep up to 6 people and have a full kitchen plus private outdoor charcoal grill. You could order groceries to be delivered and do your breakfast and dinners there. You can even take a collapsible cooler into the parks to carry your lunch. Having the kitchen might be worth spending the extra money so that you can save on food.

Just remember that you will pay an extra "per night" fee for the extra adults in the room. Disney room rates allow 2 adults (over 17 years old) per room without an additional charge. The additional adult pays anywhere from $10-$25 extra per night. That's for each additional adult.

The offer only came with one restriction for the actual trip which would of been fine but he added on like three others that only applied to me and I'll be kicking myself for the next year if I take it the offer. I'm slowly trying to talk him out of some of those restrictions but we need a plan B should I fail.

The cabins are sounding like a good idea the more I look into them and hear from people here on the boards., and splitting it 5 ways shouldn't be too horrible. Is it easy to get to the parks from them? I can't really find much on them transportation wise.

That's another idea too. I mean an extra $10 is better than an extra $100

 

[havaneselover]

My first thought is that you should re-think your father's offer and live with his terms for the week that you're there. But if vacationing with no restrictions is more important than your budget, then the least expensive way for 5 young adults to stay onsite is going to be two rooms at a Value Resort. You might also want to consider staying at FW. The cabins sleep up to 6 people and have a full kitchen plus private outdoor charcoal grill. You could order groceries to be delivered and do your breakfast and dinners there. You can even take a collapsible cooler into the parks to carry your lunch. Having the kitchen might be worth spending the extra money so that you can save on food. Just remember that you will pay an extra "per night" fee for the extra adults in the room. Disney room rates allow 2 adults (over 17 years old) per room without an additional charge. The additional adult pays anywhere from $10-$25 extra per night. That's for each additional adult.

Port Orleans Riverside could be cheaper and sleeps 5 adults. It's convenient to Downtown Disney. It would be way too cramped for my taste, but I'm practically two decades out of college.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I would do the cabins. I think that would be the best for your money, as stated above.
You could also do a preferred Disney hotel, such as those by DTD. You wouldn't need a car and you could get a better deal. You would just need a cab from the airport.

Also, I would make everyone pay for the room part upfront. That may be hard for your friends to come up with, but that is the only way you won't get stuck holding the bag if someone backs out. I would tell them you will make the reservation but they won't get the money back if they back out. I would also make them purchase their own tickets and obviously book their own airfare.
What does your dad say about the liability part? Do you know these kids well enough to know that they won't cause damage that you might be responsible for?

Oh, we were posting at the same time!

These cabins are looking better and better. I'll have to do some more research on the preferred hotels cause that probably wouldn't be a horrible idea either.

I already told everyone nothing gets booked unless I get all the money upfront. I think I might even put all the park tickets with it too because then I know we're all in and everything is in one place and I don't have to worry about someone forgetting to add a park hopper or so and so forgot they're tickets on the kitchen table.

My dad was concerned about that which I totally understand. I mean they're all pretty responsible (apart from not knowing how to clean their room sometimes) there's only one that we might have to watch and that's because he's as dumb as a brick sometimes. But our idea of a crazy night is staying up baking cookies and watching Pirates of the Caribbean until 3am, and I hang out with them almost every day. I mean accidents do happen you can't help it, but I think it will be very unlikely the only thing I can possibly see happening is someone accidentally drops a mug or something dumb like that. We're not going to be standing on tables and setting fire to the curtains.

 

[Marionnette]

The offer only came with one restriction for the actual trip which would of been fine but he added on like three others that only applied to me and I'll be kicking myself for the next year if I take it the offer. I'm slowly trying to talk him out of some of those restrictions but we need a plan B should I fail.

The cabins are sounding like a good idea the more I look into them and hear from people here on the boards., and splitting it 5 ways shouldn't be too horrible. Is it easy to get to the parks from them? I can't really find much on them transportation wise.

That's another idea too. I mean an extra $10 is better than an extra $100

The cabins are located within the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. There is an internal bus system plus buses and water transportation to/from the parks, all included for free as a part of your stay. You would be eligible to use Magic Express to/from the airport, just like any Disney Resort guest.

The extra adult charge for the cabins is $15 per adult per night. In your case, where there are 5 adults, there would be 3 extra adults in the "room".

The cabins are not always included in room or package discounts. Since you are looking for the least expensive way to go, I would avoid the dining plan unless it is offered for free at the cabins during your stay.

I agree with others who recommend having each person pay for their own tickets and airfare. In fact, I would make them buy their own tickets and book their own airfare. You can still do all of the legwork and steer them in the right direction. But I would be pretty irritated if a good airfare came up, but other people dragged their feet and it disappeared before they gave me the money to pay for it. I would also be pissed off if I purchased a ticket for someone and then they backed out without paying me. Airline tickets are almost always nonrefundable and the credit can only be used by the person for whom the original ticket was purchased.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

SMART, SMART, SMART!

I know you are concerned with staying offsite and the issue of having a car, but try checking prices at the embassy suites near wdw. you could get a double queen suite room (there's a pull out bed in the living room that can sleep the 5th person) that includes free full breakfast for everyone in the morning AND you've got a mini kitchen (small fridge, microwave, sink) that can save some more (if only to store and reheat leftovers). they offer a free shuttle to wdw as well. check their website-also look to see if you qualify for any discounts.

That's a really good idea too! Thanks I'll look into that also.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Port Orleans Riverside could be cheaper and sleeps 5 adults. It's convenient to Downtown Disney. It would be way too cramped for my taste, but I'm practically two decades out of college.

haha. I mean cramped is what we do we fit 6 people in my very tiny single one night and that only had one bed and the floor so I'm sure we can mange with that. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Marionnette]

Port Orleans Riverside could be cheaper and sleeps 5 adults. It's convenient to Downtown Disney. It would be way too cramped for my taste, but I'm practically two decades out of college.

That 5th bed would not comfortably accommodate an adult unless they're a very small adult. It measures about 66″ long by 31″ wide. That's not even as big as a twin bed. I wouldn't recommend it to college kids unless one of them is 5' tall or shorter.

ETA: Here's a link with a review of the Murphy beds in POR: http://**************.net/2012/11/0...alligator-bayou-rooms-port-orleans-riverside/

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

The cabins are located within the Fort Wilderness campgrounds. There is an internal bus system plus buses and water transportation to/from the parks, all included for free as a part of your stay. You would be eligible to use Magic Express to/from the airport, just like any Disney Resort guest.

The extra adult charge for the cabins is $15 per adult per night. In your case, where there are 5 adults, there would be 3 extra adults in the "room".

The cabins are not always included in room or package discounts. Since you are looking for the least expensive way to go, I would avoid the dining plan unless it is offered for free at the cabins during your stay.

I agree with others who recommend having each person pay for their own tickets and airfare. In fact, I would make them buy their own tickets and book their own airfare. You can still do all of the legwork and steer them in the right direction. But I would be pretty irritated if a good airfare came up, but other people dragged their feet and it disappeared before they gave me the money to pay for it. I would also be pissed off if I purchased a ticket for someone and then they backed out without paying me. Airline tickets are almost always nonrefundable and the credit can only be used by the person for whom the original ticket was purchased.

Wait that just got kind of confusing if they sleep 6 and there's five why is there an extra adult fee?

Yeah everyone's taking care of their own airfare that's their problem. I'm only putting the tickets on my card if they give me the money to do it. Because don't rooms and tickets sometimes get packaged together? Cause it would probably be easier to just do that.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

That 5th bed would not comfortably accommodate an adult unless they're a very small adult. It measures about 66″ long by 31″ wide. That's not even as big as a twin bed. I wouldn't recommend it to college kids unless one of them is 5' tall or shorter.

ETA: Here's a link with a review of the Murphy beds in POR: http://**************.net/2012/11/0...alligator-bayou-rooms-port-orleans-riverside/

I mean I'm 5'2" and could probably squeeze on that thing if we were to stay there but I'll definitely keep that in mind while trying to figure this out. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Where do you live?

If driving is an option, that would do 3 things for you:

1) negate the need for a rental car since you'd already has a car
2) open up offsite possibilities
3) eliminate some of your travel cost (driving vs flying)

 

[havaneselover]

That 5th bed would not comfortably accommodate an adult unless they're a very small adult. It measures about 66″ long by 31″ wide. That's not even as big as a twin bed. I wouldn't recommend it to college kids unless one of them is 5' tall or shorter. ETA: Here's a link with a review of the Murphy beds in POR: http://**************.net/2012/11/04/the-murphy-bed-5-person-alligator-bayou-rooms-port-orleans-riverside/

I agree but given that it's probably one of the cheapest ways to stay on property it's worth mentioning. It definitely wouldn't work for five average sized guys

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

Where do you live?

If driving is an option, that would do 3 things for you:

1) negate the need for a rental car since you'd already has a car
2) open up offsite possibilities
3) eliminate some of your travel cost (driving vs flying)

Well the problem with that is no one in our group owns a car. Otherwise I'm totally up for making the 20 hour ride but it's probably going to cost us the same as flying between gas and tolls and all that jazz.

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I agree but given that it's probably one of the cheapest ways to stay on property it's worth mentioning. It definitely wouldn't work for five average sized guys

Yeah I mean I'm tiny so it might work for me

 

[Sandi]

Yeah everyone's taking care of their own airfare that's their problem. I'm only putting the tickets on my card if they give me the money to do it. Because don't rooms and tickets sometimes get packaged together? Cause it would probably be easier to just do that.

I'd have everyone get their own tickets for park admission. Order through Undercovertourist.com to get a bit of a discount or they can be ordered direct from Disney. If you decide to stay on WDW property, don't get a package (which would include tickets). Just get a ROOM ONLY reservation. A package needs to be paid in full 45 days before arrival. For a RO, you pay a deposit of one night and then the rest is due at check-in. If you stay 5 nights, you could each pay for one night.