Trip cost estimate question

[raammartin]

We haven't been to Disney in several years. I haven't looked at the cost of a Disney trip in just as long. Our kids are now old enough to go to Disney World and enjoy it. I haven't got the first inkling as to the possible cost of this trip and I'd love some idea of cost from you experts on the DIS. Here are just a few known details about our future trip and if at all possible I'd love for someone, anyone to give us a ballpark idea of the cost. THANKS!

• Thanksgiving @ WDW 2006 we plan to stay at a Value or Moderate for 6 nights

• Airfare from Louisiana to Orlando for 4

• Park passes for 3 over age 10 and 1 under age 10 (we may park hop, but doubtful we'll do Pleasure Island or the waterparks)

• Food (We found that when DH and I alone went in 2000 that we were only able to eat 2 meals a day with an occasional snack. The portions were so large that we hardly ever ate more than the two meals and maybe had an occasional snack. Now I realize, with kids, this will change. I'm sure they will be predictably unpredictable - or vice versa. )

• Souvenirs

• Stuff I'm probably forgetting

I'm getting stressed just thinking about this and I've got 18 months until we go.

I love you guys!

 

[DiszyDean]

I will take a stab at this...some of the regulars can probably give you more accurate figures..Considering the time you are staying which I think is the value season...

Moderate resort - 6 nights = $650
Value resort - 6 nights = $450

Roundtrip airfare for 4 from Louisiana = $800 ( booked at least 45 days out )
Park Hopper Tickets for 4 for 6 days = $950
Food = $800
Souvenirs and Misc = $400

I am not 100% sure on the moderate / value resort rates for that time...but the rest is probably close..

So, I would say, if you stay at a moderate you are looking on spending about $3600 in total....$3400 for a value...And that might be a high estimate...obviously you can cut down on stuff like food ( if you eat a lot of counter service meals ) and souvenirs...

And as I said, just my best guess...

 

[golfgal]

You could also look into the meal plan at $35/day for over 10 and $10/day under ten. It gives you 2 meals and a snack and if you check the reports on the restaurant board, the reports are that people are saving quite a bit of money using it.

 

[Gymbomom]

I would go on Disney's website and price a package with them for this year. So if you are going December 2006, price for 2005 include park hopper on tickets and MYW Dining. (although you never know if that promotion will be on then). But, it can still give you an estimate on $ amount.
I played around on the site for Dec. 7 - 13 at POP (value resort). 6 nights, park hoppers for 7 days, and the dining package is $2,125.37.
The same package staying at PORiverside is $2,499.37.
Add airfare for these prices would be around $800.
Any Extra Food or Spending Money is really based on your family. I believe with the package you get 1 sit down meal, 1 counter meal, and 1 snack.
Look at some of the past threads about children saving for Disney, i.e. the change cups, Disney Dollars for birthdays, rewards, Christmas, etc. Earning your own amount of spending money is a great thing for kids, it also puts a "cap" on spending, my dd (8) is taking around $200, when it is gone, it is gone, and she decides where to spend it.
Packages are nice as you can pay off as you go, and only budget spending, misc. money. Release dates for 2006 resort and package prices haven't come out yet, but should be soon.
Also remember and holiday time period or peak time period will raise these figures!

 

[raammartin]

Thank you guys so much. That gives me some sort of idea for sure. I was expecting to pay up to $5k. I'd rather not, of course.