Really want to plan a trip... NOW

[brandip22]

Hey guys. I was in chat last night for those of you who were there when it started. My thoughts are this: DH and I just bought into SSR and have UY of Feb. In 2005, we will be going with my family and using our points for the room. We plan on banking and/or borrowing to fill the points needed since we only have 150 and it will be 285. Here's my problem- I want to go now!! I am so excited over getting DH to agree to buy into DVC that I just can't wait. DH doesn't have any vacation this year, so I'm thinking of planning a girls trip w/my sister and some friends. The sister is coming in 2005, but I think we can have a lot of fun with just us and no Moms. She is saving for the 2005 trip right now and wants to make sure she can afford to go twice. Since I have the room done, I am thinking we will get APs(which can come out of the 2005 budget), and we will just need food money. We won't really get souveniers since we'll be returning so soon. And I plan on us eating pretty cheap- no breakfast , just lunch and cheap-o dinner. We'll probably go to PI a couple of nights. What do I need to budget for that I haven't though of? We will drive and that will be gas, but not too much between the two of us. Oh, and I have been looking at the budget boards, but most of those tips we do or plan on doing. Plus, most of those posters seem to stay off site, which we won't, of course! TIA for help!

 

[brandip22]

just bumping this up for your help! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jarestel]

That's the beauty of DVC. Since you already have the accomodations covered and your annual passes in the bank, you are now free to spend as little or as much as you like. The incidentals at WDW ( soft drinks, snacks, etc... ) do tend to add up quickly, but it's definitely doable. Sounds like you have a good plan, have a great time!

 

[lurontravel]

I went on a two night trip last week with my mom and two kids. We stayed in OKW in a studio. We spent only about $0 the whole time (not including gas and tolls). We brought meat sauce (in a microwave container) and pre-cooked noodles (put them in a ziplock bag), salad stuff in a ziplock bag, salad dressing, and chicken breasts (frozen when we left, and thawed on the way and in the fridge once we got there), and a George Foreman to cook them on, and an electric skillet to cook noodles and sacuce (Lipton's) and our eggs, canadian bacon and sausage for breakfast in, and a bag or two of microwave popcorn. I also brought drinks, and some tuna/egg salad that we also made at home with crackers for lunch/snack in the parks. We have seasonal passes (we're Florida residents). That is how I can go to WDW for next to nothing all of the time. SO, unless you want to eat out, it can be pretty cheap, and no, I can't think of any other expenses you might run into! This is one of the reasons I LOVE my DVC! Enjoy!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't have any budget tips, but I hope you have a great time with sister and friends! I was laughing to myself, because there's a question here about "Are there enough Grand Villas" and for us, yes there are enough since DH thinks there would be too many people under one roof. However, I think a sister and girlfriend trip would be a good time for trying out a GV, sometime in the future for us, when we finally can HAVE some banked points, for '04's travel plans we have borrowed.

Since you're driving, I would find room for a crock pot to take to have fragrant delicious dinners waiting for us as we came home from the parks.

Have fun, when will you leave?

Bobbi

 

[jmminarik]

You can't get less expensive than doing meals on your own. I'd do breakfast in the room (quick stuff) and load up on snacks since you're driving down. You can save money if you can munch your way through the day. Though I don't recommend any restaurant, eating dinner offsite can be a huge moneysaver.

Buy "small" bottles of water and freeze/semi-freeze them. Carry a few into the parks with you. You can save lots on beverages.

I'm assuming you're going to look for Studio. Try OKW to save on points unless you're sold on another resort to visit. Check-in Sunday, check out Friday to save the most points.

Look at your PI admission options, factoring in next year's trip.

And if you do figure out how to get there...relax knowing you'll be able to go Home for the next 50 years.

-Joe