Saving money

[KSkdvcbw]

My family and I bought 150 points at BWV in 1997,and go for 2 weeks for 2 years in a row then skip a year and bank the points and then start all over again.We also buy an annual pass so the 1st year we go at the end of the mounth and the 2nd we go the first part of the mounth.Does any one know any other things to make a great trip even greater?

 

[TnRobin]

We always eat breakfast in the room and pick up juice boxes and water bottles at the store or order from Net grocers

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<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[jmatzen0106]

Don't forget pizza at Caribbean Beach Resort.

 

[thepoohbear]

We have also found that having breakfasts, snacks, and beverages in the room really saves a bundle. Plus a few times we have a big, late lunch out and then have a quick easy dinner back in the room after the parks. We also did a pizza night from the Spoodles take-out window and I've heard you can order pizza in from Pizza Hut or Dominos. Also, if you eat somewhere on the boardwalk and have leftovers, you can take a doggie bag back to your room because of the fridge and heat it up the next day. Oh, and the snack bar by the pool has pretty inexpensive food (comparing to other restaurants there.)
Hmmm...I'm noticing that all of my ideas have to do with food. Either it's getting close to dinner time or eating out is a main focus for vacations for me. Also, we really stick to a limit when it comes to buying Disney stuff but I think every family has to decide what is best for them when it comes to that. Oh, one more thing...If you can squeeze them in, bring a relative! They are great for babysitting one night and they usually insist on springing for dinner once or twice!

 

[goofyforwdw]

We make sure we go the the grocery store first thing we have three teens so food and money are important. We buy our beer/wine/water/soda/coffee/bagels/ceral/milk/cookies and coldcuts. we do a lite breakfest or take it w/ us if going in early. Buy a late lunch out and have sandwich and icecream when we get back . I carry snack in a backpack for when we get hungry in line. I buy a trail mix and dried fruit a BJ's put them in sip lockthey are awesome when waiting in line. We save our shopping for Downtown and use our DC/DVC for a 10% discount or AEx if you spend over $50.00 you get a 15% dis. wit your resort card. Hope this helps

 

[dianeschlicht]

We do the same as you. We also pack some staples of food that are nonperishable to take down with us as well as stopping at the grocery store between the airport and OKW. I usually plan a couple of meals so we don't have to eat our main meal out every day. We love the WDW restaraunts, so those are usually only a few in the week or so we are there. Last trip, I did quite a few meals at the end of the trip because our guests were on a tight budget, and I didn't want them to feel like we were going out on them all the time. We often will cook a substancial breakfast (oat meal, etc.) and have our main meal at one of the restaraunts at about 1-2 pm. Then we just need a light snack in the evening to tide us over.

Disneydiane

 

[bullyforyou]

We like eating at Wolfgang Puck's express at Downtown Disney & the Marketplace. Their pizzas and subs are out of this world. Also, you can enroll in their Puck's Perks programs which gives you a $10 food credit for every $100 you purchase. It's great if you can get back to Disney within a year and use the coupon(s) - we do!

Maria
Daughter of Luisa
*To know God, love many things. - Vinny Van Gogh

 

[MN_DizNut]

One of our favorite dining places is The Crystal Court in the MK. We make the arrangements for seating throughout the time we're there and hit it for a late lunch. The food is fantastic, and (if) I waddle out after the meal I don't need to eat for days! Well, several hours anyway!!!

Jon

 

[mikesmom]

We always have 2 teens with us, so food can be quite an expense. We also stop at the grocery on the way in and stock up on fruit, chips, soda,ice cream, frozen pizza, etc. I also cook a VERY substantial breakfast each morning(OK, I LIKE to cook). Fruit, omelettes, toast, sausage, juice and milk. That holds everyone 'til a late lunch (about 2 or 3), which holds everyone with only a snack (French bread and cheese for adults, pizza for kids)in the evening.

We also budget in 1 or 2 special dinner meals during the trip. With Disney portions, the leftovers almost always make another meal. I also buy deli meats and sub rolls at that first grocery trip, make big sandwiches, wrap them tightly in the fridge. The boys can grab them if they are back at the room and hungry.

I was amazed at how much less we spend on food since joining DVC. That available refrigerator of food comes in real handy - and that food is no more expensive than I would be buying at home anyway.

 

[JoEllen]

We like to pack a soft thermal lunchbox to take beer/pop/snacks to the pool. We also use this at blizzard beach and when we play golf.

We joined the Rainforest Cafe Club for $10 and get gift certificates all the time which we save and use at Downtown or Animal Kingdom.

We also use the bottle straps to carry our water/pop into the parks rather than buy they more expensive pop in the parks.

 

[brittsmamabwv]

We plan on renting a studio during most of our trips home (BWV)....Total of 3 in my immed. family. We will be visiting the VWL in May. We found that we prefer todrive our van "home" and enjoy the trip. It also allows us to pack as much as we want, our DD is 3 yrs old and requires a lot of toys etc. I am going to bring an elec. burner (you can purchase them around here for about $15.00) and also my GEORGE FOREMAN GRILL. We've rented the one bedroom etc before and found that we don't do much cooking. I'm not sure how much use I will get out of these items but I'm going to give it a shot