Question on Disney Vacation Budget...

[Ariel Mae]

Okay, after sitting down, rescheduling, rebudgeting, etc...no matter how many times I do it, the budget for a four day trip to DisneyWorld, with a hotel stop halfway there, and halfway back...always seems to come out to around 600$.

It doesn't feel right. That's 600$ a person, for three of us.

Am I missing something?

I budgeted in possible gas prices, food per day, the hotels, souvinears, taxes, and even my friend's cigarettes.

What's wrong, here? Why do I feel this isn't anywhere near right?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Wow, that is a pretty good price. we go for eight days and I budget about 4k each, but its just the two of us!!

 

[Ariel Mae]

Wow, that is a pretty good price. we go for eight days and I budget about 4k each, but its just the two of us!!

Perhaps I budgeted it wrong?

We're not staying on Disney Property. Our hotels there and back are around 50$ a night. The food is 20 to 30$ a day. Parking 12$ a day. Four day Park Hopper Tickets, at around 269-300$, per person.

It comes out to about 1500, total, split between the three of us, and then the tickets added, individually, back to 600$.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That sounds pretty good. four days of fun!


I always add an extra 10 to 15 percent for unscheduled souvineers!

Or other things!

 

[alldiz]

Perhaps I budgeted it wrong?

We're not staying on Disney Property. Our hotels there and back are around 50$ a night. The food is 20 to 30$ a day. Parking 12$ a day. Four day Park Hopper Tickets, at around 269-300$, per person.

It comes out to about 1500, total, split between the three of us, and then the tickets added, individually, back to 600$.

I think your food price is low.....unless you are not doing any sit downs.
Dosen't seem to be any money for souveniers....or booze
Happy planning
kerri

 

[DisneyMomOK]

I don't know if you have been to the Budget Board, but there are some folks there that can work magic w/ numbers, IMO. If there is a way to go for less, they can help you. That does not sound too out of line to me, but we stay at DVC, so the lodging cost is not one we have to include in whatever I budget.

Good luck!

 

[Ariel Mae]

I think your food price is low.....unless you are not doing any sit downs.
Dosen't seem to be any money for souveniers....or booze
Happy planning
kerri

We're not planning on spending too much on souveniers.

And, as for booze...I'm the only one who (will be) is legal. I don't want to drink, on the trip. Okay, maybe a bit at World Showcase, haha, but I don't believe in spending money on that stuff.

And as for food...no, we don't plan on doing sit downs. ABC Comissary type food places, all the way.

 

[Ariel Mae]

I don't know if you have been to the Budget Board, but there are some folks there that can work magic w/ numbers, IMO. If there is a way to go for less, they can help you. That does not sound too out of line to me, but we stay at DVC, so the lodging cost is not one we have to include in whatever I budget.

Good luck!

I've been to the Budget Board, and even have a thread, but no one really gave any appreciatable advice.

I was hoping to find a way into a Disney Resort, but we're three college students, on a budget. Hence the budgeting.

 

[Pumbaa_]

what are you paying for your hotel room off property? you would save $12 a day in parking to be onsite, and often there are specials

have you prices out the stay 4 get 3 free? its a decent promotion

is the food per day or per person per day? Again, the new DDP plan for CS is $30 per person per day with 2 CS, 2 snacks and refillable mug (plus the perks of early entry)

what about flying and doing DME? Price out a ding, you never know

 

[tzolkin]

We went for 9 days/8 nights last May for under $3000. That was for a family of 4 + one baby, so that works out to $750pp (not counting the baby). That includes all food (I kept receipts), gas, souvineers, etc.

If you're driving and not planning to do any sit-down meals, you can save a lot of money by stopping at the grocery store and stocking up on snacks and breakfast in your room. We carried a backpack into the parks with some food and our kids enjoyed snacking throughout the day and sharing an occasional counter service meal. We also stayed at POP and got a large pizza a few nights to eat in our room.

When are you planning to go? The value resorts are pretty reasonable and then you can just use the busses, save the parking cost, and take advantage of EMHs.

 

[geffric]

good advice tzolkin.. I was just going to add - stop at the store and use that food it is much cheaper for breakfast in the room, granola bars to take to the parks as snacks .. bring sandwiches into the parks and a cold beverage to cut down on cost.. we bring a packback with lots of waters one day one park tickets are cheaper than hoppers.. plan a day with out the parks.. do mini golf or DTD and just check out the various hotels..of course there is a water park day that is fun..

 

[juligrl]

Okay, after sitting down, rescheduling, rebudgeting, etc...no matter how many times I do it, the budget for a four day trip to DisneyWorld, with a hotel stop halfway there, and halfway back...always seems to come out to around 600$.

It doesn't feel right. That's 600$ a person, for three of us.

Am I missing something?

I budgeted in possible gas prices, food per day, the hotels, souvinears, taxes, and even my friend's cigarettes.

What's wrong, here? Why do I feel this isn't anywhere near right?

That sounds a little off since on the Disney website you can do a 7 day vacation for just a little over $1500 staying at a value (park hopper ticket option). Of course that's not factoring in food. That's also figuring a value season trip.
Four days with counter service dining (again during value season, and with park hoppers) prices out at $1440ish.
I hope you can find some numbers that work for you!

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[DisneyMomOK]

The passes are the biggest expense, if you can find someone with AAA who is willing to take you to AAA and buy the tickets with you a bit can be saved.

There are also AAA room discounts, since you want to stay onsite, if possible. How about renting points from someone w/ DVC? Since you would not pay for parking or getting to and from the parks, that might end up being doable.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

You could also JOIN AAA for a few bucks, and save much more in better rates and deals!

 

[Ariel Mae]

what are you paying for your hotel room off property? you would save $12 a day in parking to be onsite, and often there are specials

Um...we're paying about 70$ a night off property. It's the least I could find, for the times we werew going.

have you prices out the stay 4 get 3 free? its a decent promotion

Yeah, but still not in a college student's budget.

is the food per day or per person per day? Again, the new DDP plan for CS is $30 per person per day with 2 CS, 2 snacks and refillable mug (plus the perks of early entry)

It's per person, per day. And I refuse to get the DDP plan. It's not my cup of tea. And on my mother's advise, I steer clear of it. It's a joke.

what about flying and doing DME? Price out a ding, you never know

Flying? That would cost a fortune! Gas comes out cheaper!

When are you planning to go? The value resorts are pretty reasonable and then you can just use the busses, save the parking cost, and take advantage of EMHs.

Memorial Day Week. That's what's catching us. :S

The value resorts are still so far out of our budget, no matter when we go.

 

[Ariel Mae]

The passes are the biggest expense, if you can find someone with AAA who is willing to take you to AAA and buy the tickets with you a bit can be saved.

I might have to inquire that upon my mother.

You could also JOIN AAA for a few bucks, and save much more in better rates and deals!

Yeah, I don't have a 'few bucks' a month. This is it. Once I get this, it's done for the summer, 'til I get my job again, come the fall semester.

How about renting points from someone w/ DVC? Since you would not pay for parking or getting to and from the parks, that might end up being doable.

I asked my mom, a DVC member, and she's not up for it, haha. An 18 year old, a 19 year old, and a 21 year old managing money AND points?

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I might have to inquire that upon my mother.



Yeah, I don't have a 'few bucks' a month. This is it. Once I get this, it's done for the summer, 'til I get my job again, come the fall semester.


I asked my mom, a DVC member, and she's not up for it, haha. An 18 year old, a 19 year old, and a 21 year old managing money AND points?

Umm, its not every month (AAA Fee) its a one time fee. And if you are DRIVING, it might be a real good idea to have AAA, just in case!!

 

[Planogirl]

That sounds about right to me. You should try to throw in a little extra for incidentals though. Extra expenses always seem to pop up.

The last time we visited, we stayed offsite and our biggest expense by far was the Disney passes. If you can save on those, go for it!

 

[koolaidmoms]

You may also want to look at Mousesavers.com. Sometimes they have deals on hotels and tickets. They send out e-newsletters once or twice a month.

I do think $20-$30 for food for 3 people per day is pretty low(unless you are multiplying that by 3). We just returned and for a family of four (2 adults and 2 kids meals) for entrees and drinks only at a CS were $30 for lunch. That does not include a snack mid-day snack and dinner if you are staying late in the day.

An ice cream bar is about $2.75 and a small individual pizza and drink will set you back $10.

I remember college travels and how to survive on nothing. Take a pack of snacks with you granola bars, rice krispie bars and fruit and carry them in a back pack if you want to save and give you some energy for the day!

Good Luck!