Quick budget trip - is it possible?

[thebigkahuna]

Many car rental places allow you to drop the car after hours.

I wasn't aware of that...and that could cut time off the rental - thanks, I will keep that in mind.

 

[thebigkahuna]

I am also on the "No Buy Thread", but I see the wisdom in taking time to relax and have some down time to keep on track the rest of the time!

The no buy is a nice reminder for me. It helps me keep track of my smaller purchases, and I love how supportive everyone there is. But being there doesn't mean I'm never taking a vacation ever again! (Perish the thought!!) I completely agree with you, that down time & vacation time is wise!

If I lived "close enough to drive", but could only drive if I rented a car, I would save the driving time, energy and gas $$. I would fly, but instead of staying offsite, I would spend the night at Disney in a value room.

Flight $109
Value Room $ 90(?) Don't they have a FL resident discount?
QS dining $ 36 (Correct me if this is incorrect please)
"Trinkets" $ ? Personal
Airport txs $ 0 Magical Express
Ticket $ 70
1 TS Meal $ 40 ? Depends on where you eat and choices.
Total $345 + trinkets for a weekend "getaway"

One park day, one relaxation day (DTD or?) This would feel like a real "get away" and a fun/relaxing trip. If you have been on budget and saved money over past months, maybe it is time!! Life is short and being responsible allows indulgences at times!!

Thank you! This is a good plan, and you have shown me where to make some changes to be more "budget friendly". (and stay longer!)
Unfortunately, I have decided not to go - although the outline you have is *completely* within budget, I do not want to stay overnight.
My idea was for a quick fun day trip, but that's not going to work right now.

Also the main reason to get a budget in place, pay down debt and save money, is to be able to do some of the things you enjoy!! I say if you can afford it, will enjoy it, then go for it!!

I completely agree. My budget is there so that I *can* take vacations, even while paying off debt, and saving for the future. Sometimes an investment in our mental health is priceless.

I will say that I am feeling very meloncholy today. It is 3 years today that I lost my Mother to cancer. She passed 6 days after her diagnosis. There were things she wanted to do but didn't get to. It wasn't $$ issues, but health issues. Life is short!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Today must be a hard day for you. I hope you see something that makes you smile.

 

[amykay9377]

I'm thinking about a quick budget trip to Disney. Just for the day I need a bit of a Disney fix - a nice "pick me up" to feel like I'm doing something magical for me (besides the magic of paying bills. thats not as magical as one may think!) but it seems like it's cost prohibitive. (especially for us budgeteers)
Have you gone budget? What did you do? What did you *not* do?
I'm trying to get ideas in case I'm overlooking something huge. I'd really like to go.

Thanks! I agree about needing to just bust out of the routine once & a while. Sadly, my routine is gonna stick - I've decided against going.

Without getting into a lot of detail, I really need a break, and I would LOVE some Disney time. If there was an easy way to get my behind to Disney & have it be as budget - friendly as possible, I really wanted to hear options.

TBK - My family and I recently got a little Disney Fix for Mother's Day:

We drove in from Daytona (had a wedding the night before) and went to DTD for the afternoon and spent a few hours there. We didn't spend a whole lot (I think including dinner, it was less than ONE one-day ticket).

Hopped on a Disney Bus to the Contemporary (which apparently also goes to Wilderness Lodge and lots of other stops!) and rode the monorail all over the place, then got off at the TTC, took a bus to Saratoga Springs (we love that resort), then took a ferry over to DTD and then went over to Golden Corral for dinner.

After dinner, we headed back to DTD for another hour or so. At around 8, we hopped in the car and drove over to the Poly and walked to the Ferry Dock at the TTC to watch Wishes! Hubby and I are both photographers, and the view can't be beat!

After Wishes, we got back in the car and drove home.

Gas $30
Lego Store $15
Dinner for 3 $45
Purchases $10 (Grocery green-bag and an antenna topper)

We did this again for the 3rd of July and it was great. I feel that I get a good 'dose' of Disney without actually 'going' to Disney - see what I mean?

Hope this helps you, or someone else, with a quick WDW fix.

 

[thebigkahuna]

thank you amykay! These are the types of ideas I was asking about originally - budget friendly, and still allowed for a "Dis-fix" LOL
it sounds like it was a lovely day for you all. DTD is a fun place, and I'm sure I've only seen a small part of it.
(P.S. I'd love to see some of your pictures from Wishes!)

TBK - My family and I recently got a little Disney Fix for Mother's Day:

We drove in from Daytona (had a wedding the night before) and went to DTD for the afternoon and spent a few hours there. We didn't spend a whole lot (I think including dinner, it was less than ONE one-day ticket).

Hopped on a Disney Bus to the Contemporary (which apparently also goes to Wilderness Lodge and lots of other stops!) and rode the monorail all over the place, then got off at the TTC, took a bus to Saratoga Springs (we love that resort), then took a ferry over to DTD and then went over to Golden Corral for dinner.

After dinner, we headed back to DTD for another hour or so. At around 8, we hopped in the car and drove over to the Poly and walked to the Ferry Dock at the TTC to watch Wishes! Hubby and I are both photographers, and the view can't be beat!

After Wishes, we got back in the car and drove home.

Gas $30
Lego Store $15
Dinner for 3 $45
Purchases $10 (Grocery green-bag and an antenna topper)

We did this again for the 3rd of July and it was great. I feel that I get a good 'dose' of Disney without actually 'going' to Disney - see what I mean?

Hope this helps you, or someone else, with a quick WDW fix.

 

[amykay9377]

thank you amykay! These are the types of ideas I was asking about originally - budget friendly, and still allowed for a "Dis-fix" LOL
it sounds like it was a lovely day for you all. DTD is a fun place, and I'm sure I've only seen a small part of it.
(P.S. I'd love to see some of your pictures from Wishes!)

You are quite welcome!!! It was probably one of the BEST Mother's Days I've ever had - I mean c'mon - who gets fireworks for Mother's Day?

Something else that I just thought of - remember that you can go to ANY resort and explore! I forgot until now that we explored the GF b/c we'd never been there! Stroll around AK Lodge and check out the animals or head over to the Boardwalk - there are little shops there too! Despite what LOTS of people say, you can do lots of stuff for free or at least frugally at Disney!

I actually haven't even uploaded any of my Mother's Day pix to Photobucket yet-I'm lazy!

I'll try to get some pix up tonight for you

If you have any questions, I'm certainly not a WDW Vet, but I bet I can help you come up with some free and frugal ideas!

 

[annsteere]

In response to your original question, I did a SUPER budget DisneyFix last year and have another planned this year.

Had to fly to Orlando sometime in the fall for work. So---

I chose the day before my birthday (Flight-free).

Rented a cheapo car to get from work site to a hotel where the 2 nights I stayed in Wisconsin last year for a wedding earned me a free night at what turned out to be a lovely resort. (Hotel-free).

In the morning I returned the rental car to the Disney car site and took the Disney bus over to Pop Century (car-$13 plus $6 in gas).

Dropped suitcase at Pop Century and hopped the bus for a full birthday at Disney. (admission- free, using the free birthday promo).

Stayed the night at Pop using a code ($59 +tax, but paid for out of Disney dollars earned with my VISA).

Second morning I took the resort bus over to Poly for a leisurely Kona coffee and long monorail ride. Hung out at Pop pool until it was time to depart (coffee- $3?)

Took Magical Express to the airport in the afternoon. (free)

Even including my strawberry banana smoothie and candied almonds this full day in the parks and half day at the resort cost just under $100.

I plan a similar DisneyFix this fall using my GAD voucher. This year I've got two girlfriends joining me so the hotel cost will be divided

 

[thebigkahuna]

You are quite welcome!!! It was probably one of the BEST Mother's Days I've ever had - I mean c'mon - who gets fireworks for Mother's Day?

Something else that I just thought of - remember that you can go to ANY resort and explore! I forgot until now that we explored the GF b/c we'd never been there! Stroll around AK Lodge and check out the animals or head over to the Boardwalk - there are little shops there too! Despite what LOTS of people say, you can do lots of stuff for free or at least frugally at Disney!

I actually haven't even uploaded any of my Mother's Day pix to Photobucket yet-I'm lazy!

I'll try to get some pix up tonight for you

If you have any questions, I'm certainly not a WDW Vet, but I bet I can help you come up with some free and frugal ideas!

Riding the monorail is one of my most favorite memories from my last trip - after dinner at O'Hana, it was right outside the door - why not go for a little ride!! wonderful. (and free! unlike dinner at O'Hana!)

And don't feel bad, it took me a while to get my pics off of the camera after my trip too

 

[thebigkahuna]

In response to your original question, I did a SUPER budget DisneyFix last year and have another planned this year.

Had to fly to Orlando sometime in the fall for work. So---

I chose the day before my birthday (Flight-free).

Rented a cheapo car to get from work site to a hotel where the 2 nights I stayed in Wisconsin last year for a wedding earned me a free night at what turned out to be a lovely resort. (Hotel-free).

In the morning I returned the rental car to the Disney car site and took the Disney bus over to Pop Century (car-$13 plus $6 in gas).

Dropped suitcase at Pop Century and hopped the bus for a full birthday at Disney. (admission- free, using the free birthday promo).

Stayed the night at Pop using a code ($59 +tax, but paid for out of Disney dollars earned with my VISA).

Second morning I took the resort bus over to Poly for a leisurely Kona coffee and long monorail ride. Hung out at Pop pool until it was time to depart (coffee- $3?)

Took Magical Express to the airport in the afternoon. (free)

Even including my strawberry banana smoothie and candied almonds this full day in the parks and half day at the resort cost just under $100.

I plan a similar DisneyFix this fall using my GAD voucher. This year I've got two girlfriends joining me so the hotel cost will be divided

WOW! Now *that* was a budget trip! And it's exactly the type of info I was asking about! Congrats on getting your Disney fix so cheap!