Trying to keep costs down for quick trip!

[OKW97]

So my question is in order to keep costs down what would you do?

Here is some trip detail:

We are making a quick trip to WDW arriving Wednesday Oct 20 in the evening and leaving Sunday Oct 24 in the morning and trying to keep costs in check. There will be 3 adults in a 1 bedroom @ OKW which has a full kitchen. The only park we will be visiting will be MK for MNSSHP on Friday and one night a PI. Usually on vacation we have had time to put together a nice budget so that we can do what we want because we are on vacation, but this one needs to be tight as this was not a planned trip and funds are not plentiful. What should we do to be the most economical?


1. We can rent a car for the entire time @$136.00 including fees and taxes and go to the grocery store

2. Utilize other transportation with no grocery stop (getting in to late) and eat all meals out except what we pick up at the general store.


Or maybe there is a another idea that one of you has done that I am not thinking of and any other information that will help save some money would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RhondaS]

Use your most economic transportation to/from the airport and pack snacks and dry goods in your luggage. You can then get a few cold items at the general store.

i.e. pack Instant Potatoes that only require added water, Kraft EZ Mac & Cheese, canned soups/Ravioli/Spaghettio's, tuna fish, peanut butter & jelly, crackers, pepperoni slices, cookies, cereal, instant oatmeal, etc.

You could even ship this stuff ahead of time.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd pay the extra money for a rental car but if you're on a tight budget you could make a stop at an open supermarket (some are open until midnight) or stop at a convenience store/min-mart to get items like milk, eggs, soda and water.

Mears would cost $87 + tip. A towncar would cost a little more but even a mini-mart stop would probably save you enough to justify the difference.

Payless limo is $70 (after coupon) but excluding tip. I'm not sure if that includes a grocery stop but I'd think you could at least get a quick min-mart stop if you ask.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What would your shuttle/taxi costs be?

Are you the type that enjoys eating out on vacation?

How disciplined will you be to eat ALL meals in your room?

Figuring 3 adults at $7 breakfast/$10 lunch/$15 dinner--that is $32 per day. Or $96 for 3 days (not incl Sunday) per person...that calculates to $288 before transportation costs. (I didn't figure in general store as you said all meals out besides what you buy at the store--so I wasn't sure if that was snacks or not).

It might be cheaper to just use your at home grocery money for a grocery trip--rent a car, and just eat 1 or 2 meals out.

The general stores on site are just wayyy too expensive (more than a 7-11) and since you aren't doing parks in the daytime and were just looking at a quicky getaway--I'd keep the car for $136, Grocery shop and spend no more than $30 (or whatever you would usually spend on groceries for 3 days at home), plan for 2 meals out at maybe $60 per meal (assuming its dinner)...and you are out only $226 and all your transportation and food needs are covered.

This is what I would usually do on "saving money" trips--b/c I know it is just too tempting to eat out--so we plan for some out meals, but do everything else in the room.

***my meal estimates were based on what my family would spend per adult--other estimates may very--but remember, disney ain't cheap on the food