Teresa should have to count the granola bars.

[aggielawyer]

Please...no flames, but I really do not like this challenge. It seems Teresa is more annoyed than anything. Maybe because I'm a Disney planning nut, but she isn't approaching it the right way.

I have felt the same way. Part of thinks that maybe it's just her personality. I'm just going off the podcasts, but I get the feeling that if she hadn't been issued this challenge and was an average traveler from the Midwest, then she wouldn't be planning like this--that maybe her spouse is the planner in their relationship, or she'd turn to her friend that enjoys planning. But she's been given this challenge to do something that she really doesn't enjoy doing, and so rather than having fun finding out all the details and debating whether it would be better for her family to get the dining plan or pay out of pocket, she's just getting overwhelmed and irritated, which is frustrating to listen to.

The idea for the challenge is certainly a good one, but a more 'type A' person would have probably enjoyed it more.

ETA: OK, I see that Theresa just blew my theory a few posts up. Oh well!!

 

[PeterPan09]

The fun for me has been "bugging" John with the tiny details and waiting for his Head to explode.

and that is what is so entertaining for me listening to it!

 

[jeanigor]

ETA: OK, I see that Theresa just blew my theory a few posts up. Oh well!!

Some things are hard to present over the airwaves. This would be a challenge for me, I am a visual learner. If I can see it, or a representation of it (i.e. graph, chart, pros/cons list, etc.) I can grasp it far easier than listening to it.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have felt the same way. Part of thinks that maybe it's just her personality. I'm just going off the podcasts, but I get the feeling that if she hadn't been issued this challenge and was an average traveler from the Midwest, then she wouldn't be planning like this--that maybe her spouse is the planner in their relationship, or she'd turn to her friend that enjoys planning. But she's been given this challenge to do something that she really doesn't enjoy doing, and so rather than having fun finding out all the details and debating whether it would be better for her family to get the dining plan or pay out of pocket, she's just getting overwhelmed and irritated, which is frustrating to listen to.

The idea for the challenge is certainly a good one, but a more 'type A' person would have probably enjoyed it more.

See, I don't hear it this way at all. To me, Teresa sounds like many, many people I know who have planned trips. They start out telling me "We decided to go to Disney" and you know they think planning it won't be that big of a deal, then when you talk to them later, you can tell it's sinking in that isn't going to be as easy as they thought, then after that you hear how overwhelmed they are, trying to sort everything out, second guessing their decisions, ect....No, I think Teresa sounds very much like a typical first time trip planner. Brings back memories actually.

Go Teresa! You can do this!

 

[tlcoke]

I have used the dining plan and like it for the benefit of prepaying for my food, as I pay for my vacation package - that way I don't have to think about food in my budget.
I will stop at Walmart and pick up a few things too - Soda, snack food, etc.. I purchase the refillable mug and carry it with me at all times. Even though you can't refill it with soda in a park, you can fill it with water from a water fountain.

However, in December when I came down for DAP, I purchased food out of pocket. I estimated a $40.00 per day allowance for food, figuring I would eat twice a day. I brought some granola bars with me from home, that I did not count as part of my $40 daily meal allowance.

 

[Stich's girlfriend]

So I think Teresa should be allowed to take food from home. I bring liquor, especially since many wine brands are slowly converting to the terra boxes and there are many plastic liquor bottles...my I sound like an alcoholic..I'm all for a afternoon cocktail that is less than $7 a drink while I'm getting ready to go out for the night!

..Anyhow years ago when I first started going to the World my travel buddy had free shipping from his company so we shipped all of our snack/breakfast food items right to the carribean beach..it was actually kind of awsome to check in to the hotel and be handed our package! It was a tip I found on the Dis Boards.

 

[SusanWasHere]

I go to Disney between 2-4 times a year. Have only done the dining plan once, the rest just do counter service and maybe a nice dinner or two. I can tell you that every time I go, I go into my pantry and grab 2 boxes of zone bars that I eat for breakfast, a handful of oatmeal packets, whatever paper bowls I have stuffed in there, and any opened bags of trail mix, chex mix, or licorice that's opened. I stuff them and some unopened Poland Spring bottles in my 2nd checked bag. When people ask me how much I usually spend on my trips, I only add air fare, food and goodies at the park, and whatever my DVC points would have cost me. I don't add in the odds and ends that I grabbed to fill in the gaps. And since we usually stay almost 2 weeks, I take shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. from my tub and fill up my travel bottles. I don't add them in. And I also grab whatever sunscreen is in my beach bag and don't add that price. Let's be realistic - I'm sure Teresa is going to bring her chapstick and comb from home - does that have to count?? I think she's doing a great job and is going to have lots of fun telling her stories. Here's some glitter for you Teresa lol

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

I'm glad they clarified the rules for Teresa. Clearly she has been reading the boards for help and with all the different feelings about how a budget should be handled, it would be very confusing for a person who wants to live up to the spirit of the challenge.

We all plan and budget differently. Judging this challenge based on our own budget styles is just not fair to Teresa or the Pod-crew.

For example my family has a monthly Grocery budget and there are 4 weeks in a Month. If we are at Disney for one of those weeks I would not count food brought from the house against my Vacation budget. I would count any food purchased once we were on the way.

If you do things different it doesn't make you wrong. Maybe you had to count a weeks grocery budget to get 2500 vacation budget. There's a big difference between all I have is 2500 and if i spend it all at the park I'll have no gas money to get home, and all I can afford is 2500 but if I go a little over I'll manage.

Looking forward to Teresa getting though the overall planning and start getting into the details.

 

[WaltD4Me]

There's a big difference between all I have is 2500 and if i spend it all at the park I'll have no gas money to get home, and all I can afford is 2500 but if I go a little over I'll manage.

Let he who has not ever gone over budget throw the first stone.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Let he who has not ever gone over budget throw the first stone.

Well said.


The reason I bought into the dining plan back when hardly anybody used it was it allowed me to relax at the parks. With out the pre-paid food I was the Budget Nazi on the trips.

 

[stitchlover]

I just wanted to say I am really enjoying the segments. It's been 5 years since I planned my first extended on site visit and OMG I remember going through all of those questions and more.

 

[Kimberle]

I think T is doing a wonderful job! Can't wait to hear her new plans!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

The fun for me has been "bugging" John with the tiny details and waiting for his Head to explode.

For that I am reducing your budget to $1000 and you can't bring snacks from home........

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Not everyone is going to like everything on the show. Personally, I like this challenge and think it is a very unique way for Teresa to become more knowledgeable about the WDW vacation as a product. I never hear her sounding annoyed. Instead, she is asking questions and debating ideas. I like it a lot.

Good work, Teresa!

 

[Renysmom]

It's really very simple. If you have to "buy it", you have to "count it".

Yike, this would never do in my house

Then by that logic, they must include the cost of their clothes in the formula. Which, if they were specialty clothes, I would agree. If I were going hiking in the Canadian Rockies, I would include the appropriate gear in my budget. However, I am not factoring in any apparel/gear into my budget for the DIS Sweet Meet at Hershey in August....

Wait.. Your coming to Hershey?? When did that happen???


T is doing a great job and asking all the questions newbies who visit this board ask themselves and posters. Can't wait to hear what you've come up with.

 

[jcb]

For that I am reducing your budget to $1000 and you can't bring snacks from home........

I have $1000, do I hear $900?

 

[robind]

The fun for me has been "bugging" John with the tiny details and waiting for his Head to explode.

My favorite part.

For that I am reducing your budget to $1000 and you can't bring snacks from home........

Oh, good one John.

 

[Justin Jett]

I have $1000, do I hear $900?

$900 and she cant bring her own Segway.

 

[newmouse2008]

For that I am reducing your budget to $1000 and you can't bring snacks from home........

I think I am staying off property at John's house. I can do it for $1000! Do you have a buffet Breakfast John?

 

[catycatcat4]

I think I am staying off property at John's house. I can do it for $1000! Do you have a buffet Breakfast John?

He has to drive you to disney too.