Saving tips??

[LaBretonne2002]

My family is going to Disney World in March and wanted to know of some ways to save money while we're there. We're staying at Pop Century. Any suggestions?

Also any cool ideas of what I can do to surprise my son (he's 11) and this is his first time at disney and on a plane and to the USA (we're Canadian)

Thanks for all the help!

 

[debbiedoo]

We usually have small snacks in the room for breakfast. and our usually munchies. We have one big main meal a day. Either a late breakfast(11)at a character buffet or a lunch/dinner(3/4). If you are seated between 3 and 3:30 at a lot of restaurants you are still under lunch pricing. Not to crowded and can enjoy. With the fireworks popcorn/ice cream/ snow cones at japan--YUMMY

 

[Princess Glenda]

To save money--DON'T eat at the Pop Century Food Court. If at all possible get breakfast items so that you don't have to pay $2.50 for a donut or muffin. This could save a ton!

Buy the refillable mugs and use them, use them, use them!

Your son will love Disney. Have a wonderful time.

 

[elaine and the boys]

We also eat breakfast in our room. We drive, so we're able to pack a cooler with juice boxes, single serving size applesauce/fruit cups, and we also bring a couple large boxes of cereal (also plastic bowls and spoons). Then we use the resort's ice machine to refill the cooler every night after a quick trip to the food court for a quart of milk to use for the following morning. Technically, all you need to keep cold is the milk. I heard, though, that the moderate/deluxe resorts will all have fridges in their rooms at no extra cost, so you could do without the ice. And we bring cereal bars, waters, etc. in our fanny packs for snacking. We also try to eat our big meal at lunch. The prices in the nice restaurants are better at lunch time.

I also keep my eyes open for Disney merchandise on sale on disneydirect.com.
That way, I can surprise my DSs and DH with souveniers that I've already purchased on clearance. We always buy a couple souveniers in the parks, but this definitely reduces $$ spent. We're going back to Disney during Christmas week, so Santa will surely be leaving some "great buys" that his little elf (ME) procured prior to the trip. My kids are 15 and 13, but that doesn't mean that Santa doesn't come to those who believe in the "magic" of Christmas!! My DH really appreciates it, too! He's such a big kid!!

Hope this helps!

 

[Dopey's Girl]

Probably the best place to save money is in your food budget. We do the same as previous posters, eat breakfast in room. Cereal is always my family's favorite. You can keep the cooler for milk, or even at Pop you can rent a fridge for the room. We've done that in the past, but you can save the money and just keep a cooler. Your call on the convenience factor. We've taken other breakfast stuff as well. Also, carry snack or two in your back pack. It'll hold off hunger in a pinch. We like to eat one sit-down meal a day. Usually a late-ish lunch (1:00 or so) then we either eat counter service or munch during the parades, around the pool, etc.

Next best place to save is souvenir $. It's easy to get sucked into the "I want the world" mentality when you're there. Set a solid budget before you go as to what you're willing to spend. We always give our kids x amount of dollars and it's their choice how to spend it. We buy all the meals and some snacks, but not all the candy and junk. That's their call. Example: We might buy a round of ice cream for everyone or popcorn, but only if we're all going to enjoy together. If it's something just one of our kids want, then they have to decide if they want to burn some of their money on it. (Amazing, by the way, how discriminating they become when it comes from their wallet)

Also, with budget. We have taken many trips to the world. Some may disagree, but we have found it easiest to stick to the budget with cash. We bring what we're willing to spend and when it's gone, we're done! We carry a certain amount each day. Again, amazing how discriminating WE become when we see the cash in the wallet and see it disappear!

Hope some of this helps! The main thing is to have FUN!

 

[newholidayx2]

stock up on Disney dollars
save your Disney Visa reward dollars for your WDW vacation

 

[drumflower]

I bought some individual Crystal Light that you can mix with the free ice water that you can get with a meal. For a family of 4 it would save at least $10.00 a meal plus it is more thirst quenching and healthier for you! Don't go in the gift shops!

 

[disney junky]

You didn't say how many kids, but the walk up combo meals are huge, burger, fries and a coke, and when our kids were little, we always split them and still had plenty to go around....

 

[disney_princess]

One way we saved money was to bring water bottles in a backpack. They were free to refill and really convenient to have in long, hot lines.
Another idea is to go to a travel agency and pick up a few brochures so that your son can see what he is in for, especially on the plane ride. Otherwise, try and keep relaxed, and don't push too hard at first,even though it is tempting! That way you have plenty of energy and less stress!
Have a ton of fun!

 

[Ashleigh]

You could surprise your son with a dinner that is all about him. If he is into the characters, then schedule a character dinner. You could also let him be the one that answers the wake-up call in the morning to get a special wake up to the day ahead. You can save money by taking your own water bottles and snacks. Also, don't plan on buying any souviners until the day you leave. By then you have looked at everything Disney World has to offer and will know what you really want. Instead of buying something on day 1 and then on day 4 you see something you like alot more. Buying the refillable mug is also a huge money saver. At Pop Century you can fill it up with soft drinks, coffee, or hot chocolate. I think they also had frozen coke you could fill it up with...your son would probably like that. I went last March to DW and it was the best weather and the best time I've ever had! I hope you and your family have a great time!!

 

[mickeyholic]

We also eat breakfast in our room and carry water and small snacks in our backpacks. We encourage our kids to look around for souveniers during the week and wait to purchase on the last day of our trip, this way they have seen everything and know exactly what they are wanting to spend their money on. We also take our own emergency ponchos, they are only around $1 for package of 2 at Wal-mart, but will cost around $7 for 1 in the parks. We also found precious autograph books and pens at the Wal-mart in Kissimmee for $1.99 rather than $5.99 in the parks. They are spiral bound and are easier for the kids to keep the pages turned.

 

[c&ldisneylovers]

I second bringing water bottles into the parks!! You can buy individual packets of crystal light that are pre-measured to go into a 16oz water bottle. I personally don't like that tap water at WDW but will add Crystal Light to it. A soda or bottle of water will cost you over $2.00 and in warm weather you are constantly drinking so a water bottle will save you big $$$.

 

[rigsby25]

This is a silly question maybe, but how do you go on a ride with a backpack? Haunted Mansion might be okay, but what about rides lie MGM's Aerosmith?

 

[motbobi]

where do you buy the individual crystal light packets. I have seen the bigger ones at super walmart?
Bobi

 

[elmonshea]

i found my crystal light packs with the koolade and reg crystal lite powder.. at walmart
They are in rather small boxes. There are like 10 in each box.

 

[Disney Ontario]

Hi We are also going in March and realy try to save money.We stay with my in-laws at thier time share at Vistana. So we buy some groceries and snacks. We also try to do something everyother day, so we can enoy the pools and warm weather. We will be heading to Rosses, Beltz outlet, Walmart, Target, all the less exspensive stores too. it won't be long now.

 

[live4christp1]

We took our first trip last year and enjoyed it so much we immediately started planning for the next Spring Break. Some things we did to save money were, breakfast in the room, fortunately we had a room with full kitchen (Days Suites Old Town) my kids usually just want cereal or pop tarts anyway. We also froze bottled water and kool aid pouches and then packed them in a soft tupperware chill bag, by mid afternoon they were thawed, only soft drinks we bought were with meals. Also took in a baggie of skittles and m&m's and gummies to munch on. We had figured we would spend about $100 a day on food but most days didn't go over $50.00. Did one character meal while we were there. Also, told ds who was 6 before trip that he needed to save his allowance and that way he could buy whatever he wanted. DS was only 1 and not really demanding about souvineers but we have been putting back her allowance money this year in anticipation. DS, now 7 has saved almost $200. We buy a few souvineers for them, but toys, etc......that comes out of their money. We usually visit the Disney store before we go and get everyone a shirt or two, they run these lots of times 2 for $12 or $15. Also this year went ahead and bought the light chaser things, a cinderella and incredibles to present to them when we leave on our way to have in the parks at night as there are carts everywhere selling the same thing but they are more in the parks than at the disney store. Also last year I went to Dollar Tree store here and found the glowing necklaces and bracelets, package with 4 for $1.00 - these were great to have at night......gave a few away to little girl sitting next to us at Fantasmic. Also bought ahead of time (fortunately we had good weather and never had to use them) plastic ponchos for $1.00 at Walmart. We all had a great time last year and didn't have to try real hard to save money, we had already planned in advance, etc.......it can be done and still have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[live4christp1]

Hey Disney Ontario I just read your post and noticed that you are going the same time we are. We are staying at Westgate Vacation Villas, got a great deal at Redweek.com, $500 for a villa that sleeps 10 for 7 nights. So excited to be going.......we are doing MK Mon & Fri, Epcot Tue, AK Wed, and MGM Thurs. Hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

If your trip is in August or the fall the Disney Store clearances out lots and lots of stuff starting after Memorial Day. I bought my children about 5-6 T shrits a piece for $3 each. The small battery opperated fans went down to $2....flip flops, swimsuits, glasses, etc.. For about $100 I had everybody (6 of us) outfits and gadgets for 2 weeks!

My kids had their own Disney Dollars saved for souvinears.

We saved so much on food because we ate 1-2 meals at our RV (alway breakfast unless we had a character meal which we made those late enough to be called lunch too) that I came back w/ so much cash that I saved it for the next trip!

I had our campsite or room paid for by the time we got there and I had already bought the tickets.

If you plan, it really is not so bad. Heck I probably spend more at home a week!!

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

Instead of eating at a character meal, try the ice cream social at Epcot. The character interaction is great, and the ice cream wasn't bad either. You will save $$ and have lots of fun.