Really Worried About Our Budget!! HELP!!

[famfab5]

Hi,

I have been planning this trip for over a year! I am soooo excited about it as are the children (2,7,9) The trip is just around the corner and I am really starting to panic!

I have read EVERYTHING there is about how to budget wisely. The only way to "sell" this trip to my cynical but wonderful DH was to promise nothing will go on credit cards. I was fortunate to book the Kids Stay Free Visa deal using my debit card so tickets and lodging are paid for already. Hotel down and back for travel is paid for already too.

So here is my dilemma...a smaller than expected tax return and MAJOR van repairs have made a considerable dent in what I had been planning to bring for spending and travel. (we will be driving from Maine)

I have only about 1500.00 for travel (gas, tolls, food) and spending money (food, treats) for the vacation. I don't think it will be enough...what do you think? We are going to be at Disney for 9 days at Pop Century with two overnights down and back for travel. The two older children have 70.00 each they have earned in Disney Dollars and they know it is up to them how they will spend but when it is gone... it is gone...lol

These are our PS's

Day 1 Hoop Dee Doo
Day 2 Cinderella's Breakfast
Day 3 Counter Service
Day 4 Crystal Palace-Breakfast
Day 5 Counter Service
Day 6 Counter Service
Day 7 'Ohana Dinner
Day 8 Pirate Cruise for DS7, Whispering Canyon-Dinner
Day 9 Trail Riding for DD9 and myself, Chef Mickey's B-day dinner for DS2

Could someone give me an idea if 1500 will do it! I am budgeting about 100. for counter days and 150. for splurge days with the rest for gas, tolls and food on route. Which works out to 1200. for the park days and 300. for travel.

I am feeling a little stressed with this budgeting!

Thanks for your help...

Elizabeth

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I would go to wdwinfo.com and check the menus and prices.

My thoughts are:

You CAN make do with $1500 but not with all of the PS's you have. For example, Ohana dinner (I assume you mean the luau) and Hoop Dee Doo will run over $200 each for 2 adults/2 children.

If it were me, I would cancel both of those and stick with Cindy's and Chef Mickey's (for the kids!!). Crystal Palace is also not near as pricey as HDD and Luau. Cindy's, Chef Mickey's and CP will cost over $80 each with tip for 2A/2C.

Then, since you have horseback riding and whispering canyon scheduled towards the end of the trip, you can always do a budget check and cancel if necessary the day before.

Can you get by with breakfasts in the room on some days? Are you bringing snacks/water??? And don't forget to factor in gratuity at sit-down meals.

HTH!

 

[4greatboys]

Since your driving I would pick up snacks, water and juices to take on your trip (that coming from grocery shopping before and not your disney budget). Unless you really want to do HDD maybe have a character lunch at Garden Grill (lunch is always cheaper than dinner).
I dont know if you have read anything about the vouchers on the budget board but if you bought a few before your trip that would be a little extra trip money.

 

[ceecee]

I would trim some of the PS down. Maybe one character meal? Our tab was close to $100.00 for Chef Mickey's (we did buy the photos!) We only have one DD. I wouldn't feel comfortable with only $1500.00 for 2 adults and 3 kids for 9 days. Are you planning several meals in your room per day? Maybe save HHd for the next trip.

 

[my3princes]

We went last August with 3 boys (9 mths, 6 yrs,8 yrs). Our grand total was around $3000. We drove from VT and stayed in our own camper at FW. We ate only one meal a day in the parks and our big PS were chef mickey's, garden grill and whispering canyon. We were there for 2 weeks. $1500 will certainly be pushing it. I would definately lose some of the PS. Your kids will have a great time even if you only get to do the parks. Be sure to throw in Blizzard Beach as it is a big hit with our kids age group. The Garden Grill also has a afternoon character meal make your own sundae and the characters are there much cheaper. Also consider a dinner character meal such as 1900 park fare at the GF. The price is $25/adult for an all you care to eat Prime Rib dinner vs. Cinderellas Royal Table at $19.95/adult for breakfast.

 

[maggiew]

I would get rid of the Hoop Dee Doo. We thought it was fun and ok, but we spent $150 for the 4 of us, so you are spending more than that. Just not worth it if you are trying to stick to the budget. I would rather put that money elsewhere (even as "backup") and be less stressed out! It definitely isn't worth that.

Does the trail riding cost money?? I assume so. Does your DD know about it? Also does your DS know about the pirate cruise? If not, I would scrap those too. There are plenty of things to keep you busy in the "world" that don't cost extra. Trimming that wouldn't seem like you are doing without.

My opinion (and that's all it is) is that if you are on a budget and starting to freak out, just cancel the "extra" stuff like HDD and the trail ride and the pirate cruise.

We budgeted $100 per day for food and souvenirs (we don't buy much souvies). We had character meals and such and shared counter meals other times. I even ate kids meals once in awhile (at EPCOT). There were 4 of us.

Maggie

 

[excitedmom]

being the little devil i am, lol, if i didn't want to cancel any of the PS's i would just not stress and if i used the credit card oh well. I don't do ps's tho so i'm not sure how much that will all run you. I have also got a vacation planned with the plan being that i will save all the money before i go but i already told dh that if it comes down to it the credit card WILL be whipped out lol.

 

[famfab5]

Thanks for your replies! I am considering trimming down the splurge meals. I am thinking of doing away with the Crystal Palace because it is an EE day and my children wouldn't mind one way or the other. I wanted to see Eeyore though..lol. I also wouldn't mind letting go of Whispering Canyon although the all-you-can-eat skillet sounds wonderful!

I did forget about the souvenir pictures which is an excellent point. I'm not sure I will be able to say no to them all the time.

JessetheCowgirl-

It is not the Luau but the regular dinner at 'Ohana and I like your idea of seeing how the budget is going then cancel the PS's if need be.

Keep the suggestions coming...this is so helpful!

Elizabeth

 

[Luv2trav]

Go to allearsnet.com and check out the menu's and prices. This way you know exactly how much you will be spending in food.

 

[veraletta]

These are our PS's

Day 1 Hoop Dee Doo
Day 2 Cinderella's Breakfast
Day 3 Counter Service
Day 4 Crystal Palace-Breakfast
Day 5 Counter Service
Day 6 Counter Service
Day 7 'Ohana Dinner
Day 8 Pirate Cruise for DS7, Whispering Canyon-Dinner
Day 9 Trail Riding for DD9 and myself, Chef Mickey's B-day dinner for
Thats a lot to do in only 9 days. I would cut out a few PS
I 'll never seen Hoop Dee Doo show as I think it 's really pricey
Cinderella Breakfast I thought you get a better deal for Breakfast at Crystal Palace as it all you can eat.
I've never done Ohana Dinner so cant help you there..
We do about 2 to 3 PS's seating in about 7 days which we some times cut it down to only 2 places.As we
feel it cuts into our time at the park.
I think you know what is best or inportant to your family but I would think about cutting some of the planning out or PS .
I think the Pirate Cruise would be nice for the kids. We do plan on doing that with our grandchildren next year. and we will go to Breakfast at Chef Mickey or Crystal Palace as that is our Grandchildren favorties places to eat, our grandchildren are 6, 5 and 3.

 

[mmeb144]

My family really likes Cosmic Ray's at MK. It's cheap, for Disney, and fun. My daughter likes the "alligator". Sonny Eclipse, an audioanimatronic, entertains all day. The jokes are corny! Try to sit close, so you can hear them.

Marie

 

[rigs32]

If I were in your position, and the kids won't care about nice meals, I'd stick to counter service with only one or two PSs for the whole trip.

If you want to see certain characters, there are websites that list which characters apprear where and at what times. That info is also included in the info you pick up when you enter. You don't need the Character Meals.

Most of the major characters are available for pics right after Epcot opens. DH and I got photos with Mickey, Goofy, and other less popular characters in about 15 min because we knew where they'd be (right in front of the fountain).

If you arrive at the spot 5-10 min early, you'll almost always be at the head of the line for pics and hugs.

 

[maggiew]

Originally posted by famfab5
I am thinking of doing away with the Crystal Palace because it is an EE day and my children wouldn't mind one way or the other. I wanted to see Eeyore though..lol.

Pooh and friends (including Eeyore) were at this little character spot at AK, right before you enter Dinoland. There has been no line the past 2 times we've been there. It's kind of hidden and not well known???

Maggie

 

[bobcat]

You will see Eeyore even with out eating at CP! I'm a major Eeyore fan and I have a ton of photos all over the parks with him. The character spot in AK that maggiew mentioned is a great spot to see all the pooh gang.

O'hana's was nice but if it was a budget breaker I wouldn't have a problem eliminating it. Same with the Hoop Dee Do.

You can share meals at any of the counter service restaurants and a few are a great value. Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays have a wonderful toppings bar and my 11yo always share a double burger here with no problems. You can also get burgers without fries for a lesser cost.

Hit the outlets for souvineers. The Character outlets are great and we always walk out with most of our trip souvineers. Very friendly on the budget. Besides I don't feel bad spending a little money in the parks for the must have souvineer because I get everything else for little $.

 

[NotUrsula]

For Ohana or WC your 2 yo will not have to pay to eat. If your older children don't want Ohana's barbeque, you can order traditional kids meals (they will bring them in from Kona, next door) that are about 1/2 the price of the Ohana meal.

Ohana and Whispering Canyon are similar experiences, lots of games for the kids. One of them is probably enough, and which depends on which menu you prefer. However, only Ohana lets you see the water pageant while you eat.

I'd skip Crystal Palace. Breakfast buffets are nothing to write home about. The easiest place to see the Pooh characters is actually at MGM; they are always at their trailers by the Animation Courtyard.

Did you priceline your road hotels? You could recoup a fair amount that way if you don't have prepaid ressies already.

BTW, we always use our CC so that we can get points to use toward hotel nights. The trick is to pre-pay the CC account right before you leave.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i think you can make it work, one idea is cut out a meal if you eat at around 10:30 then again at like 4:30 and have snacks it will cut down also i know it is vacation but a nice ice cream cone was dinner for my dtr a night or two and she loved it, i pack my food and ups it to the hotel enjoy your vacation

 

[Microcell]

You may also get by eating just two meals a day. I usually get a big breakfast like chef Mickeys and go at 8 AM then we are usually not hungry until 2or 3 pm or so and we have dinner, with snacks between and after. We are sweating having $1000.00 for six days with four of us- a 6 year old and two year old with two adults. I am trying very hard to save more and to avoid credit cards. We have 3 priority seatings and I will use credit if I have to so my kids can see characters and so I don't count pennies to get them a snack. I am definately going to avoid credit as much as I can. I hope this helps!

 

[HaleyB]

I am going to differ with many here by saying I think you are fine with your budget. You will not spend $100/$150 every day on food unless you are big eaters and a bit wasteful. On the days you do a big meal you may just want a snack or two. If you join connections to buy the breakfast vouchers you will save on those. Also whenever you read menus at WDW counter places they are 'meals' that include a salad or side, but you can just order the Pizza without the salad and save a few $$... that is what we always do.

Looking over your plans:
Day 1 Hoop Dee Doo - Never done this so can't add anything here.

Day 2 Cinderella's Breakfast
Vouchers from connections would save on this- 2 adult and 2 child incl Tax and tip is $60. I doubt you will need $90 more in food today.

Day 3 Counter Service (if you skip breakfast or eat it in your room lunch and dinner for your group should not be more than $60, add $12 for a round of Mickey Bars and you are still well under $100.

Day 4 Crystal Palace-Breakfast (I would go with EMH and counter service) Vouchers do work here I think.
So either ditto day 2 or 3 here and for the rest of your days...

Day 5 Counter Service
Day 6 Counter Service
Day 7 'Ohana Dinner (eat one late morning meal and make an early PS for this)
Day 8 Pirate Cruise for DS7, Whispering Canyon-Dinner (I would do 'Ohana over WC and keep the cruise as DS is perfect age right now! But this day I think you are over if you do both)

Day 9 Trail Riding for DD9 and myself (play by ear, cancel if need be- but I love to ride myself so I understand this extra), Chef Mickey's B-day dinner for DS2 This is a great way to finish the trip! I think you will have enough left from the days you go under the $100/150 plan that the days you go over should be fine.

I think your travel budget is right on. That is about what I expect we will spend driving from Texas. We drive to California every year and it is two nights on the road, that comes in around $225 each way.

 

[N.Bailey]

Here is my .02 cents for the little that it's worth.

I sort of crunched some figures for your itenary and here is basicially what I came up with: (I love doing this because it helps me as well!)

All are figured with 2 adults and 2 children (3-11) with the exception of Cindy's breakfast. It looks like you must pay for the younger child here too (all children under 11 it says), but deduct $9.99 if my understanding is not correct.

Tax and tip at 21.5%. (6.5% sales tax, plus 15% gratuity) Maybe you'd leave more than 15%?

Hoop Dee Doo
$147.64 (tax and tip included)

Crystal Palace (breakfast)
$51.96
+11.18 (tax & tip)
$63.14

Cindy's (breakfast)
$69.95
+15.04 (tax & tip)
84.99

Ohana (dinner)
$67.96
+14.62 (tax & tip)
82.58

Chef Mickey's (dinner)
$73.96
+15.91 (tax & tip)
$89.87

Whispering Canyon (dinner)
This one isn't quite as easy because as you know, the prices aren't set. You did however mention the skillet, so I assume at least that's what you'd order. For each skillet ordered it would be $21.99 plus $4.72 tax and tip for a total of $26.71. If you ordered 2 of these for the adults, your bill would start off at $53.42. I have no idea what you would order for your children, but I'm just going to say this meal would probably run around $80.00. That's without really going all out and also without scimping too much at the same time.

Then you would have:

Pirate Cruise (This is just your son, right?)
$28.17
+ 1.84 (6.5 % tax)
$30.01

Trail Riding (I assume this is just you and your daugher?)
$32.00 per person
* 2 (tax included already)
$64.00

If I add all that up, it comes to $642.23.

This is right over half of your budget, but you also will have 4 dinners and 2 breakfasts taken care of. Maybe you could buy some of the Q&C vouchers and consider splitting some of those meals? There are a few restaurants that these are really a good bargain.

You could also eat breakfast in your room on the mornings you're not having the character meals. This will not only save money, it will save LOTS of time. For my family, the time factors more into that decision than the money.

Also, bring lots of snacks, water and perhaps soda for that sweet tooth along with you.

You could also go offsite and eat a lot of your meals.

You're definitely going to have to make some sacrifices to do all that you listed, but I really believe if those things mean that much to you, it can be done.

Have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[famfab5]

Wow! I am impressed with ALL your responses...they were EXACTLY what I was looking for and then some! I printed out quite a few of them to keep in my Passporter planner! I feel so much better this evening about our budget. I think with some tweaking it is definately "doable." I am going to cancel Crystal Palace but keep Whispering Canyon and see where we are in our budget when the time comes, if need be I will cancel this as well. My children will be just as happy to have counter service. I also think the Pirate Cruise and the Trail Riding will mean more to them.

We will be bringing a large airtight container box with breakfast foods like peanut butter, whole grain bread, granola and cereal bars, instant oatmeal, parmalat, fruit and juice boxes. I have been buying an item of the non-perishables each week and putting it away in the box. We also have purchased filter water bottles which will save tons.

I want to say again, how amazed I am by the wonderful responses to my post. What a fabulous group of people we have here on the DIS! I will proudly wear a lime green ribbon in May


Elizabeth
(who is not stressed at all anymore!)