Stupid Budget Question

[Mom2micayla]

I'm in Tucson too and just got back a few days ago. I took I-8 over (like that drive better). I drive a minivan, but I think we spent close to $125 on gas, give or take $10. We paid like $3.40/gallon in Anaheim before we left. Even with a 10 gallon tank, that would have blown half your gas budget. I'd strongly suggest adding more to that category, at least.

There is no way that we could do your food budget either, even if it were DH and I only and we bought snacks. Everything in outrageous in the parks. But you know how you eat, so if you think that's enough, you'll probably be ok (bring your own drinks.. they are a huge budget buster there!).

If it were me, I'd bump up your budget to at least $1500 minimum to account for at least a few extras (gas, extra souvie, snack, etc) if you can. Better to have too much than too little money, IMO.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I was wondering about the LMT vouchers. Are they really a value?

If I understand it correctly, the voucher is good for the meal...only. The restaurant also charges a 18% tip and sales tax and don't think those were included in the price. I hope I am wrong...

If you have Disney Credit card, you can get discounts at many of the larger restaurants.

Very much so ~ they do include tax and tip! I also look at it as prepaying ~ so long as I don't pay more than I would just paying at the restaraunt I'd rather have the meal paid for months in advance. We have vouchers for Ariel's and Goofy's for our 4th of July weekend trip next month!

 

[Sherry E]

I was wondering about the LMT vouchers. Are they really a value?

If I understand it correctly, the voucher is good for the meal...only. The restaurant also charges a 18% tip and sales tax and don't think those were included in the price. I hope I am wrong...

If you have Disney Credit card, you can get discounts at many of the larger restaurants.

Just to clarify (because I don't want anyone having the wrong information) - the gratuity that they add onto the character meals at the restaurants is 15%, not 18%. I have seen that 18% number thrown around before (is that what they charge at WDW for tip at character meals? I can't figure out where people got it from!), but it is incorrect. The only case in which they may add 18% tip is if you have a large group of people. But for the average table, it's 15% tip. The tax is 8.75%.

 

[Funball]

I'm in Tucson too and just got back a few days ago. I took I-8 over (like that drive better). I drive a minivan, but I think we spent close to $125 on gas, give or take $10. We paid like $3.40/gallon in Anaheim before we left. Even with a 10 gallon tank, that would have blown half your gas budget. I'd strongly suggest adding more to that category, at least.

There is no way that we could do your food budget either, even if it were DH and I only and we bought snacks. Everything in outrageous in the parks. But you know how you eat, so if you think that's enough, you'll probably be ok (bring your own drinks.. they are a huge budget buster there!).

If it were me, I'd bump up your budget to at least $1500 minimum to account for at least a few extras (gas, extra souvie, snack, etc) if you can. Better to have too much than too little money, IMO.

OP the idea you had on bringing snacks from home is a good idea! Bring water in a bottle is really a good idea. i agree with mom2mycayla-that you are better to bring a little extra then to come up short! and i was reading everyone's response and we seem to all feel the same way...just take a little extra money with you!!

 

[letitsnow]

why not invest in a deluxe annual pass?? it is only $299 and unless you are going on a blocked out day then it might not be a bad idea. you will also get all the extra annual pass discounts.

 

[EagleFlyer]

When we went last year I did the same thing I do when budgeting for home repairs or health expenses for the year. Add it all up and then add 33% to the total.

I don't remember the details on how much we spent on gas and hotel, but we did bring PB&J sandwiches, chips, water, etc for lunches every day. We had one character meal, ate out every night for dinner (Mimi's, Millie's, etc), probably one snack each during the trip (one a day that we shared: dole whip, churro, etc), and had breakfast in the hotel. We probably spent $40-$50 each day on food on the days without the character meal. But it's real easy to spend way more than that on food in the parks.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Gas- $80 ($20 fills us up, so that's two stops both ways)

You driving to Disneyland on a motorcycle?

 

[heatherleigh]

I don't know about the fuel, so I cannot comment on that one. However, the food budget doesn't sound like enough. I would add an additional $200, minimum. That way you won't have to deprive yourself and get not worry about snacks.

 

[jtown]

Like the others, I'd recommend a bigger food budget. With a drink, most counter-service meals will run $12-15 per person.

BTW, MHP's $54/person for regular day-of-event purchases on 10/5 and 10/8.