The $1200 Challenge!

[poeticdiabetic]

Ok,

for the last 3 years, our family has been vacationing at Disney for Spring Break. And we loved every minute of it. This year, it was our plan to go on a Disney Cruise, or even a cruise that wasn't Disney.

But due to the economic situation, coupled with the fact that I don't work for AIG and get paid bonuses for doing nothing- those plans are scrapped for this year.

See, by April, I'm normally at the point where I am in need of a vacation. And not just me, but my family as well. I mean, we are a family on the edge by Spring Break.

So we came up with this idea: We will go to Universal Studios. And we only have $1200 to spend for a family of 4. (2 DSs are age 10 and 9.) It seemed like one of those deals from "Mission Impossible" but I think I came up with a good strategy. But if anyone can poke holes, or come up with something better, please let me know.

OK. We are going to be down there for 4 days. There will be a festival when we get back home that we can attend that will keep us in a festive mood.

Transportation-

We plan on renting a car. The rent will be $183 for 6 days. Plus, it will take about 2 fillups that will be approx. $25 a tank each way. So that's another $100.

Oh, and for 4 days, parking is $12 each. ($48 total.)

Hotel-

Who needs a fancy hotel? Motel 6 is right around the corner for around $41 a night. All together, the price is about $124 for those 4 days.

Tickets-

We are Costco members. At the local Costco, they have a good special for unlimited 2-park tickets for 3 months for $89.99. So our tickets are approx. $360 for 4 people.

Food-

We plan on doing what we normally do when we were in WDW: We would go to the Walmart close to our house and buy juice boxes, fruit, breakfast bars, etc. We put it in a cooler and eat that kind of stuff for breakfast. Therefore, we can hit the parks first thing.

Lunch and dinner? Citywalk Food Court and International Drive restaurants. It will cost us about $8 per person for lunch. And it will cost us between $10 and $13 per person for Dinner. (less for the kids.) So we will have a good $350 allocated for 4 days food. (Heck! We may even be able to mix in a snack or two!)

All together, we are looking at about $1150.

What do you think? Can I do better while staying under $1200?

 

[macraven]

you do what you have to do if your budget is $1200 for the 4 days.
many families are being hit by the economy at this point.


since you are driving, you can bring food from home for your trip.


staying off site or on doesn't matter if you are crunching numbers.


whatever way it is for you to be able to be at Universal, is all that counts !!

you'll have loads of fun there.

 

[t-and-a]

You can eat in the parks at the counter service restaurants reasonably. Also, ice water is complimentary, if you don't mind drinking water. You can find menus with prices here: http://allears.net/uni/menu/menus.htm

 

[UniMom]

Hi there? Where can we get ice water for free at the parks?

 

[t-and-a]

Hi there? Where can we get ice water for free at the parks?

At any CS restaurant and at some of the concession stands in the parks.

 

[Darcy03231]

Hi there? Where can we get ice water for free at the parks?

You can bring the single serving size powdered drink mixes in with you. My kids love lemonade so I bring those so we're not just drinking water all day.

Also, if you have AAA bring your card. You get a discount at restaurants in the park (I believe its 10%).

 

[fanoforlando]

wow, this thread is inspiring. i always love good challenges , especially when it comes to saving some $$$$ in this economy

 

[poeticdiabetic]

wow, this thread is inspiring. i always love good challenges , especially when it comes to saving some $$$$ in this economy

That's how I see it. I think that we can do it. The numbers looks good. Plus, I did put some fluff in it, as well- just in case.

Oh, and we just told the kids and they're extremely happy. They think that US will be more extreme and have more thrilling rides. Plus, I told them about the last time I went to US... 1995. They are excited because I told them that I was in that place, a grown , straight man- hugged up with another unknown man; screaming at the top of my lungs and ducking from that plasma spider. And when it finally blew up, we were yelling and pumping our fists.

Oh, and we promised to never speak a word about the fact that we were so scared... Ooops!

 

[vorpalswrd]

Wow, where did you find a rental car for that price? I must know!

 

[avic77]

We are in the same boat DH allowed me $1200 for vacation this year. We are a family of 5, 3 are considered adult.
I have a pretrip report started but here are some of my numbers:

Gas $100.00 (plus another $60.00 in gas cards so probably wont need all $100 cash)
Food $350.00
Condo 2 bedroom 5 nights: $330.68
Universal 2 parks 7 days: $ 492.75
Parking Cars, Vans, & Motorcycles: $12.00 (48.00 4 days) may use shuttle
5 Days Hotel + universal food gas parking= $1330.00
Yes I am over 1200 but I babysit for extra money and only $1200 will come out of our family budget

A fuel calculator i found online says $78.90 for gas there and back so I rounded to $100. I have $60.00 in gift cards that I will use first then use cash if we need any more.
I got my 2 bedroom condo off easyclicktravel.com for a very good rate(about $47 a night). It's right outside Seaworld and close to Universal. It has the added benefit of a kitchen so we can eat in some nights (Universal closes pretty early). We will probably do things like ordering Pizza or buying a frozen entree and cooking it ourselves.

 

[poeticdiabetic]

Wow, where did you find a rental car for that price? I must know!

Enterprise. I'm getting an economy car. Enterprise has been much cheaper than anywhere else. Except for when you want to rent a van. Last year, we rented a nice, brand new van for around $330 for a week!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

We are in the same boat DH allowed me $1200 for vacation this year. We are a family of 5, 3 are considered adult.
I have a pretrip report started but here are some of my numbers:

Gas $100.00 (plus another $60.00 in gas cards so probably wont need all $100 cash)
Food $350.00
Condo 2 bedroom 5 nights: $330.68
Universal 2 parks 7 days: $ 492.75
Parking Cars, Vans, & Motorcycles: $12.00 (48.00 4 days) may use shuttle
5 Days Hotel + universal food gas parking= $1330.00
Yes I am over 1200 but I babysit for extra money and only $1200 will come out of our family budget

A fuel calculator i found online says $78.90 for gas there and back so I rounded to $100. I have $60.00 in gift cards that I will use first then use cash if we need any more.
I got my 2 bedroom condo off easyclicktravel.com for a very good rate(about $47 a night). It's right outside Seaworld and close to Universal. It has the added benefit of a kitchen so we can eat in some nights (Universal closes pretty early). We will probably do things like ordering Pizza or buying a frozen entree and cooking it ourselves.

That condo is inviting! I may take a look at that!

 

[donaldduck352]

Done universal on a budget before.Here is a couple of hints that might help..
They do allow you to bring food in the parks,just not larg coolers.We packed lunches,not pbj,but roast beef and cheese,chips etc..Just buy one of thos collapsble coolers and some ice packs.They got lockers at the entrance of each park..

Then get the sipper cup.It cost $8.99 and refills are(i think $4)this you can use everyday your there..

 

[donaldduck352]

Sorry about that,my computer froze..
They are Super Wal-Marts and grocery stores local....

Now to splurge alittle try The Volcanoe Nachos at Jimmy Buffets.order two of them and you got a meal that you will be bringing back to the hotel!! The price for them are $10.25 each and are HUGE!!

Now offsite they got a Ci-Ci's pizza on I-Drive.All u can eat for $5.99..

This tip will save you huge on the food bill..

 

[minniejack]

Since you're kids are only 9 and 10, I can't imagine that they'd be big eaters. The portions at the sit-down places are usually so big that you can split the entrees.

Also, at Margaritaville, the Volcano nachos are $10.95 and will feed 3 comfortably--its a huge, WHOPPING, delight. Me and my 2 teens (13 & 15) recently ate that for dinner 3 different nights.

 

[poeticdiabetic]

Since you're kids are only 9 and 10, I can't imagine that they'd be big eaters. The portions at the sit-down places are usually so big that you can split the entrees.

Also, at Margaritaville, the Volcano nachos are $10.95 and will feed 3 comfortably--its a huge, WHOPPING, delight. Me and my 2 teens (13 & 15) recently ate that for dinner 3 different nights.

Thanks to both you and the previous poster on those Volcano nachos. We LOVE nachos, so we may go there to order them.

But even though my kids are 9 and 10 years old, they are a couple of serious athletes. My eldest plays football and basketball. And he's kinda skinny. My youngest plays football and wrestling. And he's built like a football player or wrestler. Not a lot of fat, but muscular for his age.

Now I'm a 38 year-old, 190 lb man that is an ex-athlete that works out all the time. And they can eat more than I do. I push my plate back and they keep going! We can comfortably spend over $500 in groceries per month easy!

So here's my question: can a grown athlete, say an NFL linebacker- can he eat those nachos by himself? If so, then that's a good indication that my sons can eat them by themselves too.

 

[t-and-a]

Thanks to both you and the previous poster on those Volcano nachos. We LOVE nachos, so we may go there to order them.

But even though my kids are 9 and 10 years old, they are a couple of serious athletes. My eldest plays football and basketball. And he's kinda skinny. My youngest plays football and wrestling. And he's built like a football player or wrestler. Not a lot of fat, but muscular for his age.

Now I'm a 38 year-old, 190 lb man that is an ex-athlete that works out all the time. And they can eat more than I do. I push my plate back and they keep going! We can comfortably spend over $500 in groceries per month easy!

So here's my question: can a grown athlete, say an NFL linebacker- can he eat those nachos by himself? If so, then that's a good indication that my sons can eat them by themselves too.

I don't know about an NFL linebacker eating the nachos, but my husband can't finish them. I can't imagine any 9 or 10 year old being able to finish them.

 

[NashvilleTrio]

Melissa and I shared those nachos at Margartiaville and we couldn't finish them. I'm not exactly skinny either.

I think you're making a good decision and I think you're evening meals could probably be cheaper than your meals in the parks. For instance, a family meal from KFC or 3-4 medium pizzas from a pizza chain wouldn't cost more than $20. No tipping either.

Good luck and have a great time.

 

[donaldduck352]

Thanks to both you and the previous poster on those Volcano nachos. We LOVE nachos, so we may go there to order them.

But even though my kids are 9 and 10 years old, they are a couple of serious athletes. My eldest plays football and basketball. And he's kinda skinny. My youngest plays football and wrestling. And he's built like a football player or wrestler. Not a lot of fat, but muscular for his age.

Now I'm a 38 year-old, 190 lb man that is an ex-athlete that works out all the time. And they can eat more than I do. I push my plate back and they keep going! We can comfortably spend over $500 in groceries per month easy!

So here's my question: can a grown athlete, say an NFL linebacker- can he eat those nachos by himself? If so, then that's a good indication that my sons can eat them by themselves too.

Here is a picture of it at Nascar Cafe Jimmy Buffets is just as big.There is no optical illusions going on here!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1031541&page=8

Look at post #111

 

[poeticdiabetic]

Here is a picture of it at Nascar Cafe Jimmy Buffets is just as big.There is no optical illusions going on here!! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1031541&page=8

Look at post #111

Wow! That's HUGE! I guess they can share one. Or get one with a doggy-bag.