trip budget help..family of 6

[MichaelColey]

Disney has no problem with you bringing food. You might want to look up the specific restrictions. I suspect that it'll say no coolers over a certain size, no glass containers, etc.

There are a ton of things you can do to cut down on expenses, and it really just depends on how limited the budget is, how much work and preparation you're willing to do, how frugal you are, and how disciplined you are.

Although we can afford to spend a lot more than we do, we choose to spend only what's necessary, splurge in a few areas, and do more vacations rather than more expensive ones.

The easiest thing to do (and it's been mentioned numerous times here) is to eat breakfast offsite before you come to the park. Many hotels have free meals. Most are just continental breakfasts. We're staying at a Hampton Inn, which has a nice hot breakfast.

We usually bring snacks and just munch on those all day rather than eating lunch.

For dinner, we eat off site. We did eat one meal on-site with our trip back in March, but it wasn't very impressive. (We LOVE eating on-site at WDW, though, and have always gone during their free dining promotion.) Eating off site is better quality and cheaper. I know it's not as convenient, but it's worth it to us.

We hardly buy any souvenirs or other junk. I know that many buy things before their trip to save. Our kids have too much junk already.

For the most economical stays, I've found that many of the hotels 3-5 miles away offer free parking (most of the close ones don't) and some offer free shuttles (many both close and a little ways out charge a minimal fee).

 

[MichaelColey]

Disney has no problem with you bringing food. You might want to look up the specific restrictions. I suspect that it'll say no coolers over a certain size, no glass containers, etc.

Hmmm, I just looked up the rules and here's what it says:

Can I bring food into Disneyland® Park or Disney's California Adventure® Park?

With the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, food or beverage items are not permitted into either of the Disneyland® Resort theme parks.

This certainly isn't enforced. We've always brought in food, and we always see many other people with food. They always go through our bags, but have never said anything.

I would just suggest to keep it simple, bring in no more than necessary, avoid glass containers, don't bring things that have to be kept cold or hot, and clean up after yourselves.

UPDATE: Also covered in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2301874

 

[Mugglemama]

how covert do you have to be to bring in so much extra food? I know that with the dullie stroller i had lots of room to stash a snack bag (a 6-pack size soft side lunch bag) and then our refillable water bottles (IMO, a better option then disposable water bottles, both on price, space, and trash). We got searched up one side and down the other with the bags--i had a feeling that if i had a day's worth of sandwiches i'd get turned into some dining police .

all i can tell you is that we have been to DLR more than 100 times, and have brought sandwiches in probably 2 dozen times or more over the past 8 years. our bags are always searched, and we've never once had anyone say anything to us at all about the food we're bringing in. when we lived close, sometimes we would even bring in homemade sub sandwiches, which were about 1/3 the size of say, a Subway sandwich, each wrapped in foil (along with fruit, chips, drinks, etc)....so, you know, quite a lot of food, and still nobody every said anything about it, even though they saw it all.

we haven't been to DLR since last september (2008), but we brought food in during that trip, as well. all packed in an insulated backpack intended to carry food. we brought in several large bottles of water, fruit, and snacks, as well. perhaps in the last 13 months something has changed? i don't know, but like i said, we've almost always brought in plenty (with multiple small kids we always needed healthy snacks and drinks on hand to keep everyone's energy levels up).

i'd be really, really, REALLY ticked of at disneyland if they started making an issue out of bringing in sandwiches, fruit, etc. we, (like most other families) spend thousands of dollars on our disneyland trips every year, and if they start getting persnickety about this kind of thing, i'd be so put off. i'd probably boycott them. seriously!

 

[lorieintucson]

well that is good to know that so many haven't had a problem bringing in more elaborate meals. In june i was told at the security search point that a lunch cooler was the largest they allow. But since i officially have a toddler with allergies, i can get in with that excuse (not that i wouldn't hesitate to claim allergy otherwise with my picky kids).

here's a wild thought: how about they street price things like whole fruit, yogurt, cheese/cracker packages and have filtered water stations (hey they could even sell Disney Kleen Kanteens or Sig bottles) and put up a good show for healthy choices? I bet a good half of the people bringing in contraband food are doing it to have simple, healthy alternatives.

 

[MichaelColey]

here's a wild thought: how about they street price things like whole fruit, yogurt, cheese/cracker packages and have filtered water stations (hey they could even sell Disney Kleen Kanteens or Sig bottles) and put up a good show for healthy choices? I bet a good half of the people bringing in contraband food are doing it to have simple, healthy alternatives.

They actually have fairly reasonable prices compared to other theme parks. Just about everything I've compared is cheaper than at Universal or Six Flags. But even if they cut their prices in half, it would still be quite a bit cheaper to bring your own.

I think their food prices are fine. Let them make some profit off of those people who don't mind spending that much. If they cut the food prices and couldn't make it up on volume (which I doubt they could), they would have to raise prices in other areas (like tickets) to make up for it.

 

[Mugglemama]

They actually have fairly reasonable prices compared to other theme parks. Just about everything I've compared is cheaper than at Universal or Six Flags. But even if they cut their prices in half, it would still be quite a bit cheaper to bring your own.

I think their food prices are fine. Let them make some profit off of those people who don't mind spending that much. If they cut the food prices and couldn't make it up on volume (which I doubt they could), they would have to raise prices in other areas (like tickets) to make up for it.

well that might be fine for adults going without kids. but for those of us with big families, can you even imagine what kind of food budget we would have to come up with if we were staying for 5 days and needed a ton of healthy snacks for 3 or 4 kids each day? it would end up costing more than the tickets, lol.

additionally, i don't know about everybody else, but our family's tummies definitely cannot tolerate nothing but disneyland food for 5 days. ugh. no matter how much water and fruit we consume during the day, that disneyland food has a way of really causing some not-so-fun tummy issues.

even if i was a gazillionaire, i still wouldn't eat solely disneyland food during our visits.

 

[DangerMouse]

well that might be fine for adults going without kids. but for those of us with big families, can you even imagine what kind of food budget we would have to come up with if we were staying for 5 days and needed a ton of healthy snacks for 3 or 4 kids each day? it would end up costing more than the tickets, lol.

additionally, i don't know about everybody else, but our family's tummies definitely cannot tolerate nothing but disneyland food for 5 days. ugh. no matter how much water and fruit we consume during the day, that disneyland food has a way of really causing some not-so-fun tummy issues.

even if i was a gazillionaire, i still wouldn't eat solely disneyland food during our visits.

Amen!

Our budget-minded homeschooling family of 5 feels exactly the same way. I have to bring in my own food or else I get Disney tummy. I think it's the general nervousness and excitedness mixed with processed and rich food. Makes me feel yuck!

 

[firefly87]

Same here. Plus I just have to wonder just how many meals can my kids eat chicken nuggets & fries? When we went to WDW back in 2004, I felt like the food we ate the whole time was "heavy". I do like eating at Rainforest though......that is where I usually can get my salad fix!

 

[Mugglemama]

Amen!

Our budget-minded homeschooling family of 5 feels exactly the same way. I have to bring in my own food or else I get Disney tummy. I think it's the general nervousness and excitedness mixed with processed and rich food. Makes me feel yuck!

LOL, it's beginning to sound like all of us homeschoolers are dirt poor, hahahahahaha!!

omg, i just saw that you live on whidbey island?!!!! in my best napoleon dynamite voice...."LUCKEEEE!" i love, love, love that area. 7 years ago we took the kids on a 2 week road trip from L.A. to canada, visiting places like yosemite, the redwoods, winchester mystery house, etc., all along the way. we had scheduled a whale watching trip in washington, and ever since then, friday harbor has been my absolute favorite place on earth, second only to disneyland. we camped almost every night of that entire adventure, and we got rained out really bad in anacortes - had to escape to a hotel, the bunch of sissies that we are!



ETA: my apologies for going OT!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Same here. Plus I just have to wonder just how many meals can my kids eat chicken nuggets & fries? When we went to WDW back in 2004, I felt like the food we ate the whole time was "heavy". I do like eating at Rainforest though......that is where I usually can get my salad fix!

I LOVE those salads! They are big enough that my DH and I can split one for lunch, too.

 

[Mom2micayla]

Another family of 6 here. I could probably just ditto what everyone else said- eat breakfast at the hotel, bring in my own snacks & drinks, only eat one meal in the park, etc. We often eat a late lunch and then only have a light snack at dinner to cut down on costs too. We've never had any issue with bringing in our own food. Admittedly I've never tried bringing in sandwiches, but I see other families eating their own all the time when we're there. All I can say is I've never once had a security guard give me any issue at all for the food/drinks I brought in. Well one did tease me about the number of drinks I brought in, but in a good natured way.

I'd say on the average day in the parks, we probably spend around $50-$60. That would be one CS meal (2 adult meals, 4 kid meals) and a couple of pretzels or a bucket of popcorn to share for a snack. Occasionally we'll splurge and get a couple of rice krispie treats or something sweet for the kids to share too. We try really hard to not buy drinks at all if possible because it's at $3/bottle, that's nearly $20 just for drinks!

I give my kids all a set $$ amt to spend. It varies every time, because it depends on how much change has been saved. I cash in all the change and split it amongst the 4. Often ends up around $25 or so. They can spend it anyway they want, but once it's gone it's gone. My oldest likes to spend it on one bigger item, whereas the others like lots of small $5 things.

The biggest thing I can say about saving $$ there is obviously bring your own snacks and drinks & eat outside the park if possible. Be sure to check out all the coupon threads on here. You can save quite a lot that way. For instance, if you eat at someplace like Denny's instead of your typical meal at Disneyland that will cost you $40 CS, you get a sit down meal (and break from the parks) for less, and it's generally healthier and more of a variety. Pair the healthier, cheaper meal with the 20% off coupon they give you for signing up for their e-club, and it's a way better value for your money. Oh and of course split meals/snacks whenever (if) you can.

 

[MichaelColey]

LOL, it's beginning to sound like all of us homeschoolers are dirt poor, hahahahahaha!!

Rich or poor, I think we just want to be good stewards of the things God has given us. It's a big sacrifice of both time and money to be able to homeschool your kids.

 

[LuvIt]

As a treat for your little ones, hit a Dollar Store before you go and get a few packages of those light up bracelets (or necklaces, but the bracelets are shorter and pack better) and stash them in your purse. Then when it is dark open one up and give it to them to wear. My little one LOVED that surprise. And when they see other kids who have bought the expenseive light-up disney toys in the souvenir shops, they'll feel cool cause they have their own light up stuff. Plus it's easy to keep track of them in the dark if they are wearing the lightup things! LOL
I've also seen the light up sticks and bracelets at Wal-Mart, but our Dollar Store has them at $1.00 for a package of 3 bracelets which is cheaper than Wal-mart (plus I dont like Wal-mart) Buy a pack or two for each night you'll be there....well worth the investment and the kids really enjoy it.
My other tip would be bring water bottles and refill them - don't buy drinks.

 

[Mom2micayla]

As a treat for your little ones, hit a Dollar Store before you go and get a few packages of those light up bracelets (or necklaces, but the bracelets are shorter and pack better) and stash them in your purse. Then when it is dark open one up and give it to them to wear. My little one LOVED that surprise. And when they see other kids who have bought the expenseive light-up disney toys in the souvenir shops, they'll feel cool cause they have their own light up stuff. Plus it's easy to keep track of them in the dark if they are wearing the lightup things! LOL
I've also seen the light up sticks and bracelets at Wal-Mart, but our Dollar Store has them at $1.00 for a package of 3 bracelets which is cheaper than Wal-mart (plus I dont like Wal-mart) Buy a pack or two for each night you'll be there....well worth the investment and the kids really enjoy it.
My other tip would be bring water bottles and refill them - don't buy drinks.

You can actually get them for much cheaper than that. Michael's carries a tube of 15 bracelets for $1 in their bins. Before I found them, I was getting them at Dollar Tree for 6/$1 and thought I was getting a good deal. Anyway, just thought I'd pass that on. We definitely do the same thing, though. The kids even like giving them out to other kids around us when we have extras.

 

[firefly87]

As a treat for your little ones, hit a Dollar Store before you go and get a few packages of those light up bracelets (or necklaces, but the bracelets are shorter and pack better) and stash them in your purse. Then when it is dark open one up and give it to them to wear. My little one LOVED that surprise. And when they see other kids who have bought the expenseive light-up disney toys in the souvenir shops, they'll feel cool cause they have their own light up stuff. Plus it's easy to keep track of them in the dark if they are wearing the lightup things! LOL
I've also seen the light up sticks and bracelets at Wal-Mart, but our Dollar Store has them at $1.00 for a package of 3 bracelets which is cheaper than Wal-mart (plus I dont like Wal-mart) Buy a pack or two for each night you'll be there....well worth the investment and the kids really enjoy it.
My other tip would be bring water bottles and refill them - don't buy drinks.

I totally agree! I bring our own light up necklaces and bracelets for the dark. Got them at the Dollar Tree but I will def. be checking for the deal at Michaels! We even had people approach us in the parks asking where we got our light up stuff! They thought we'd bought them there.

I do remember on our trip in March, we were walking from IASW over to the Matterhorn and it was really dark and crowded and hard to keep track of our group. We all put those around our necks and it was much easier to find everyone!

 

[GrandBob]

Two comments to add to this thread.

When we went in late Sept, we stayed at Carousel, which has a Quizno's sandwich shop. For 3 of the 5 days, we bought a large size sandwich in the morning and brought it into the park for lunch. About $8, and it was actually too big for two of us to share. And security saw it each time and had no problem at all.

Also, I went overboard and bought 1000 glow sticks off eBay before we went. $40 total, including shipping! I bought that many because we're going again after Thanksgiving with DGD6, and thought it would be fun to give them away. And it was soooo much fun. Fantasmic, fireworks, jungle cruise, other ride lines -- we were constantly lighting them up and giving them to any little kid we could see. And we only managed to use about 300. I still have 700 for our trip with our granddaughter. Don't know what we're gonna do with that many Anyway, the message is to check eBay. You can buy them in any quantity you like. But our price, in huge quantities, worked out to 4 cents each.

-Bob

 

[Howry]

Im not so sure you have enough money set aside for food. Id add on $100 just to be safe with that many people.

 

[rentayenta]

For us food and souvenirs seem to be the biggest budget busters.


We just took a last minute 3 days trip to Disneyland and spent the least on food we ever have. We:

• Took total advantage of the free full hot breakfast at our hotel.
• Brought in our own water bottles.
• Brought in snacks such as beef jerky, cheese and crackers, and lots of good munchies from Trader Joe's.
• Shared! We found the best food with the biggest portions to be at the Plaza Inn (fried chicken dinner) and Rocket Redd's (pasta and salad)

As far as souvenirs, I am powerless.

 

[laura&fam]

Also, I went overboard and bought 1000 glow sticks off eBay before we went. $40 total, including shipping! I bought that many because we're going again after Thanksgiving with DGD6, and thought it would be fun to give them away. And it was soooo much fun. Fantasmic, fireworks, jungle cruise, other ride lines -- we were constantly lighting them up and giving them to any little kid we could see. And we only managed to use about 300. I still have 700 for our trip with our granddaughter. Don't know what we're gonna do with that many Anyway, the message is to check eBay. You can buy them in any quantity you like. But our price, in huge quantities, worked out to 4 cents each.

-Bob

How nice of you! What a great idea. We have two 50 packs and I was only going to take one because I thought that would be plenty for our kids, but I think I'll pack them both and hand out extras.

Now I just need to convince my DS5 that he can share and he doesn't need 50 for himself, he's still learning.

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

Here is an idea- that I have been doing- for extra money- Craigslist all your crap! People buy crap! its insane! I have made $300 since the beg of Sept selling junk. My garage is soo much cleaner. I have a special hidden jar too hold my cash- so when we go to DL next month and i see something I want- DH already knows not too give me that "we can't afford that" look!
He knows this cash is for spending on more crap- which I am hoping that this plan will relieve some stress. its like free money!

Also- when we go to DL- my family, a family of 7, i have noticed in the past- that we didn't eat nearly as much as I thought we would- mostly do too having so much fun- who has time to eat??? The thirst was huge though!

have fun on your trip- and buying the glow in the dark stuff beforehand will save you a ton of money!!! Those were great ideas! I hope i run into some of you who are passing your extras out for free!! (nov 19-22nd)