Pre-planning budget

[Hallfam726]

Can someone take a look at this and see if anything looks too high or too low?
We are a family of 4 (mom, dad, 5yo boy, 2 yo girl who is free into park). We are going during slow season (October 2014)

Airfaire (Kansas City to Orlando)- $300pp/$1200 round trip
Hotel (on site value) $200/night x 4 nights = $800
Park Tickets- (MK, no hopper) 3 days = $750

Food- No idea?? I assume 3 days isnt long enough to get the free dining plan. How much should I budget for 3 days in the park?? We want one sit down character meal, the rest quick service. How much do I set aside for this?

We are also planning on renting an SUV to take to the beach after, but will be staying with relatives...I'm budgeting $400 for 3 days of car rental and gas??

Souveniers- None. I will be buying a few things at Disney Store here at home to take with us. Kids are too young to know the difference.

 

[Marionnette]

Can someone take a look at this and see if anything looks too high or too low?
We are a family of 4 (mom, dad, 5yo boy, 2 yo girl who is free into park). We are going during slow season (October 2014)

Airfaire (Kansas City to Orlando)- $300pp/$1200 round trip
Hotel (on site value) $200/night x 4 nights = $800
Park Tickets- (MK, no hopper) 3 days = $750

Food- No idea?? I assume 3 days isnt long enough to get the free dining plan. How much should I budget for 3 days in the park?? We want one sit down character meal, the rest quick service. How much do I set aside for this?

We are also planning on renting an SUV to take to the beach after, but will be staying with relatives...I'm budgeting $400 for 3 days of car rental and gas??

Souveniers- None. I will be buying a few things at Disney Store here at home to take with us. Kids are too young to know the difference.

Food: Check the menus and prices here. Don't forget to add 6.5% FL sales tax to any price listed. Tipping at table service locations is generally in the 15%-18% of the pre-tax total, with 20% and upwards for exceptional service.
http://allears.net/dining/newmenusystem.htm

Car Rental: Just go to any car rental website and plug in your dates to get an idea of prices for an SUV for your dates. Weekends tend to have more specials (free upgrades, free days, etc.). There are some great codes available to the general public on the Mousesavers.com website. Keep in mind that it doesn't cost anything to make a reservation and then cancel it later unless you go the pre-paid route. If you see a rate that you can live with, book your vehicle right then and there. Car rental rates change frequently.
http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/rental-car-discounts/

Gas: Use this calculator to estimate costs for gasoline. Prices may rise or fall between now and your trip, so check it closer to your trip to make sure that you have set enough money aside.
http://fuelcostcalculator.aaa.com/

ETA: Don't forget to budget for toll roads. If you have an EZPass for your personal vehicle, you can take it to FL with you and use it for the rental car.

 

[MandiC]

All our table service meals had a recommended tip right on the bill of 18%. I agree, with checking the menus beforehand and planning price based on that. I pretty accurately planned our out of pocket spending that way. In October you *might* be able to get free dining. Some years it seems to run into early October. I think as long as you have a 'package' (on-site room and park tickets) you can get the dining plan.
The rest sounds pretty good as far as budget. I will say though, as far as souvenirs, most were very reasonably priced in the parks and some things that I wanted there but didn't buy...I came home and looked and the prices are higher NOT in the parks. So you never know. I know everyone always says how expensive things there are but I was pleasantly surprised with most things (when you compare them to prices at other things we've done; local zoos, circus, local amusement parks, ect).

 

[nalajms]

ETA: Don't forget to budget for toll roads. If you have an EZPass for your personal vehicle, you can take it to FL with you and use it for the rental car.

Really? You can use the NJ/NY EZPass in FL? I always thought they wouldn't work.

 

[Marionnette]

Really? You can use the NJ/NY EZPass in FL? I always thought they wouldn't work.

Yep. Took mine for a trip a last year and had no problems. EZPass works across the country as long as you use it on an EZPass toll road.