tips to save money!!!

[chartle]

Most of the posts on the budget board are very non Disney related these days.

I've checked out that board a couple of times and it is mostly how to save money all the time, not so much Disney.

On page one I only found 5 maybe 6 threads that were WDW related.

 

[klmall]

FYI - There are already many ideas and threads about this on the budget board.

And some on other Dis boards such as the Restaurant and Off-Site boards.

 

[katytrott]

I've checked out that board a couple of times and it is mostly how to save money all the time, not so much Disney.

On page one I only found 5 maybe 6 threads that were WDW related.

This thread is useful for international readers on the Dis boards. Tips on how to save money once IN Disney are useful, but a lot of the threads/tips pre Disney, or general in life, are useless when they are often about services/products that can only be found in the US - one reason why I have given up with the budget board

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

For water back when the airlines allowed you to take two suitcases I used to fill one suitcase with a case of water and snacks - now that you need to pay for suitcases I have invested in the Bobble reusable filtered water bottle and I fill up the bottle with water from either fountains or getting a cup at the counter service and then I add a drink mix like the Crystal Lite packages. For this upcoming trip I found the Brita filtered bottle which has a wider mouth and it will be easier to put ice in.

To save money on possibly needing to pay for a second suitcase on the way home for all the things we buy when I pack all full size bottles of shampoo and things like that that are almost gone but enough to last us on our trip and then I throw the bottle so that I will have that room in my suitcases that they took on the way down.

We also split meals and snacks so that we can try a lot of new things. In May when we went to Starring Rolls for lunch we bought one sandwich and an extra croissant and we spllit the meat on the sandwich because it was way too much for one.

Our airline charges for all bags so I either go to costco or staples online and order water (and soda if we use staples) I can almost always find a coupon code and have it shipped to the resort. We got 2 cases water and 2 cases of coke products last trip from staples delivered for under $15.

I also do the toss the shampoo/conditioner, etc bottles for more suitcase room and usually an judge what we will need for a trip so there isn't much left. Another thing we do is fill a snap top container with snacks for breakfast like granola, fruit bars, peanut butter crackers, etc and take it with us, then we have that container to put our make your own rice krispie treats and other mushable goodies in to take back home.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

I just love how people who split TS meals feel the need to defend it with "it's not to save money!" What's wrong with splitting to save money? Oh that's right there are those on the DIS who will slam people for being frugal by insulting them. Frugal Disney visitors unite!

 

[sissy_ib]

I just love how people who split TS meals feel the need to defend it with "it's not to save money!" What's wrong with splitting to save money? Oh that's right there are those on the DIS who will slam people for being frugal by insulting them. Frugal Disney visitors unite!

I'm sorry but NO WAY I would go hungry. If I can afford to fly down to Disney, buy park tickets and pay my monthly DVC payment and annual dues, I can afford my own meal. If I split anything or order an app for my entree it is because that is the amount I want to eat (or I'm saving room for dessert ) No way I am eating half a meal to save $20, then taking the time (and money) to find snacks because I didn't fill up at my meal.

Going to TS for lunch instead of dinner-to save $$$
Cooking b-fast in the room-to save $$$
Bringing water-to save $$$

 

[Donut23]

We were absoltuely shocked how much $$$ we saved on our last trip by simply eating off-site.

We stay at castmember rates so the room is always discounted. We also enjoy the convenience of a car (taxes only from hotel rewards). We are so much not fans of the Disney transportation system....especially when we stay at EPCOT resorts.

This time, for a change and in search of more healthy food, we ate many of our meals off site. We saved 40% on our overall food budget. We ate healty meals, tasted better with far less salt.

It was a GREAT discovery!

 

[Nature Mom]

I just love how people who split TS meals feel the need to defend it with "it's not to save money!" What's wrong with splitting to save money? Oh that's right there are those on the DIS who will slam people for being frugal by insulting them. Frugal Disney visitors unite!

Here, here!! I'm frugal for Disney...we drive our own car and then camp with our own gear at FW, where we cook 65% of our own meals (we aren't missing out, we are foodies who can cook well {we have a catering business} and hate spending $$$$ on sub-par food). I'm all for being frugal in some spots, so we can do more in others, like WDW/WWOHP/SW in the fall and Greece in the spring.

 

[jimfaster]

During the trip, I still find places that are accessible and how I can save money and get the best service. This advice is very good. I will help you save money when traveling.

 

[GinnyEmma]

I just love how people who split TS meals feel the need to defend it with "it's not to save money!" What's wrong with splitting to save money? Oh that's right there are those on the DIS who will slam people for being frugal by insulting them. Frugal Disney visitors unite!

we don't split to save I say that to convey two things. The meals really are large enough for two people who eat moderately. And to say that it is wasteful to order two meals only to trash half of each. That is my choice as a frugal person.

We also choose not to buy a bunch of junk, rather than to find it cheaper.

 

[tina.tina]

Have breakfast in the room early AND have a late breakfast with the characters which will serve as your lunch. It's hard for me and my kids to eat a lot first thing. This way, we're not spending the most money on our breakfast meal which would usually be our cheapest meal.

We got a pizza from Pop's food court and brought drinks & chips with us. This was a relatively cheap meal.

We all love the kids' $5.00 Mickey waffles meal. I ate the waffles & drank the milk, gave the bacon & sausage to the kids (they can't get enough bacon!) and had the applesauce left over for a snack for them later.

Our kids thought the glow bracelets were boring because Disney had a bunch of cool flashing light up toys.

Spray sunblock doesn't last very long when 4 of you are using it multiple times per day. Bring plenty!

 

[100AcreWood]

We drive, so we pack a case of bottled water from Costco. It's only $3.45 for the entire case of 30 bottles. We have small soft sided cooler we keep it in for the parks. I also bring plenty of healthy snacks so we aren't tempted to eat mickey bars all day long!

Another cost saver for us is to carry envelopes in our fanny packs with the kids' money. We give them a chance to earn money for the trip and then when they spend their money it's gone.

Our next trip we're planning to avoid all table service meals. This will be new for us. But I think it will be provide the most cost savings yet! Last year we had free dining. That was fun but the meals really add up when you're paying.

I'm enjoying all the tips!

 

[nicoleakr]

Saving money for us starts long before our trip. When shopping, pricing out groceries, well, just about anything, I think to myself..."The savings could be put in the Disney Jar". We use that money for extras at Disney, like pins, a Grey Goose Slushie, or a T-shirt I can't live without!

And, yes, I hardly ever go to Budget Board because 1) I forget about it and 2) when I do go to it, it isn't Disney related.

We save out change too! However I got this tip in passporters, when we get $50 dollars in change we cash it in and buy a disney gift card. This way we are not tempted to use it for something else. It also gave us gas perks in our area!!

 

[mmmagique]

I'm sorry but NO WAY I would go hungry. If I can afford to fly down to Disney, buy park tickets and pay my monthly DVC payment and annual dues, I can afford my own meal. If I split anything or order an app for my entree it is because that is the amount I want to eat (or I'm saving room for dessert ) No way I am eating half a meal to save $20, then taking the time (and money) to find snacks because I didn't fill up at my meal.

Going to TS for lunch instead of dinner-to save $$$
Cooking b-fast in the room-to save $$$
Bringing water-to save $$$

As a five foot nothing lady, I am so glad my daughter likes the same types of things I do, as almost EVERY restaurant meal (except fast food) is too darn big! Between the two of us we don't even finish an entire meal.

It is true I may get hungry again faster than someone who ate a lot, but I'd rather be satisfied than stuffed, especially in the heat of an amusement park.

 

[TeresaMc]

I did it more because it was fun......but in the long run I'm sure it saved money.

A few years ago I took my niece and nephew for their first visit, they were 6 and 8. I bought lots of Disney trinkets, candy, etc, and each night Tinkerbell would leave gifts, followed my a little pixie dust glitter. Watching them get up every morning and look for their gifts was priceless. And because they got all this "stuff" they didn't ask for much at the parks. Probably didn't save much since I even bought a Tinkerbell and Pirate build a bear for Tinkerbell gifts, but you could use this to save money if you planned it right.

 

[whacked]

We rent a car. Since we come from Oregon flying is cheaper than driving.

Even with free dining, we save more with a car rental than it costs. I'm renting a car for an August vacation that costs just over $200 for 10 days.

By eating just a few TS meals off site and getting some breakfast items for the room we save quite a bit. We can also pick up sundries cheap that the airlines won't allow (bottled water, large sunscreen, etc).

We can go off site to buy the little items we always seem to forget that cost a LOT in the resort stores.

We can go outside Disney for souvenirs (character outlets, etc.)

We can also stay an extra couple of hours in the parks on our last day as we drop the car at the airport.

 

[rentayenta]

As a five foot nothing lady, I am so glad my daughter likes the same types of things I do, as almost EVERY restaurant meal (except fast food) is too darn big! Between the two of us we don't even finish an entire meal.

It is true I may get hungry again faster than someone who ate a lot, but I'd rather be satisfied than stuffed, especially in the heat of an amusement park.

I prefer smaller meals and have a high metabolism. I am not about to stuff myself to avoid wasting food. Sharing is the way to go.

 

[sissy_ib]

As a five foot nothing lady, I am so glad my daughter likes the same types of things I do, as almost EVERY restaurant meal (except fast food) is too darn big! Between the two of us we don't even finish an entire meal.

It is true I may get hungry again faster than someone who ate a lot, but I'd rather be satisfied than stuffed, especially in the heat of an amusement park.

That is great but my point was the reason you are sharing a meal is not to save money. Saving money is just a bonus in this situation. No one who can or wants to eat a full entree will share a meal just to save a few bucks. Like I said in the long run you are wasting time and money if you don't leave the restaurant satisfied. Not saying I lick the plate clean but if I am wanting a full meal I will get one. I find other places to save money. I would not recommend to anyone to share meals to save money if for example, they were a family with a few large teenage sons! That would be silly.

 

[knlasv]

I love all of these tips! My fiance and I are going to WDW in July 2012 for our honeymoon and we are beyond excited! We have already started a "change jar" that is going towards our trip! You'd be surprised how fast that change adds up! We collected several hundred dollars in a little over a year to go on a shopping trip for new clothes, so I can only imagine how much extra change we'll throw in the jar for Disney!
I am trying to convince him that we will not be eating 3 square meals a day with 2-4 snacks in between like we do now. He is a big eater with a fast metabolism and does not think we will ever be sharing meals. I, on the other hand, have a much smaller appetite, especially in the summer. I guess we still have a year to discuss this situation so we'll wait and see!
Keep the tips coming everyone!

 

[sissy_ib]

I love all of these tips! My fiance and I are going to WDW in July 2012 for our honeymoon and we are beyond excited! We have already started a "change jar" that is going towards our trip! You'd be surprised how fast that change adds up! We collected several hundred dollars in a little over a year to go on a shopping trip for new clothes, so I can only imagine how much extra change we'll throw in the jar for Disney!
I am trying to convince him that we will not be eating 3 square meals a day with 2-4 snacks in between like we do now. He is a big eater with a fast metabolism and does not think we will ever be sharing meals. I, on the other hand, have a much smaller appetite, especially in the summer. I guess we still have a year to discuss this situation so we'll wait and see!
Keep the tips coming everyone!

If you are a small eater and he is not I would recommend you pay OOP. That way you can order a soup and salad or an app as your meal. At CS you can order a kids meal for yourself. Also bring snacks with you. What does he eat for snacks? I am thinking things like granola bars or cliff bars would be great for Disney and will fit great in your day bag. Plus easy to take on a plane if you are flying.