WDW Dirt Cheap for a family of 6?

[aprilgail2]

Sorry but this is so wrong. Yes you can get free ice water anyplace that has a soda fountain but at least 50% of the time the water is that disgusting swamp water, esp at MK.

BTDT on several trips and I was simply sick to my stomach over the nasty water. It's not any better over ice.

I agree! The water you get at the counter service places is just nasty! Actually the water in the hotels is gross too- we use bottled water to brush our teeth!

 

[cyndik1111]

It is going to be very hard to get all 6 roundtrip flights for that 100000 points unless you are going at a very slow time.

That's what I was worried about too, but we booked all 6 flights for 96k points. I thought for sure there was gonna be a catch. But it worked. I booked them as 12 one way tickets per suggestions on another thread. It helps that we are going during October and flying out of NY, so flights were 8k each. Things are falling into place so nicely that I'm convinced this trip was meant to be!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I forget where I read this tip, but the suggestion was to take spices in a pill container (the one with the days of the week on it) and use a sharpie to label each section. Put in your checked luggage though! This way you have what you need to cook meals without buying a bunch that you will only use a little of.

I think your budget sounds great and I know you will have a magical trip!

I did something similar with spices, but I put them in a bead holder, from the craft dept. at wal-Mart (or Joann's--someplace). The sections were bigger. Also, I recommend you put the spices in a baggie first, so you're less likely to have leakage.

Since the OP likes grocery shopping--and I'm right there with her--let me give more specific recommendations:

I start out with Super Target, because I can also get anything we didn't pack. Exit WH, turn left, then left onto 192. Super Target will be on your left, a couple miles down.

I also love Publix--they have a great bakery. I even got a birthday cake with whipped cream frosting for my DS5's 4th brithday, attractive and tasty. They are on the right as you head west on 192. Both Publix and Target are turns at lights, easy to get to.

I got a Wynn-Dixie shopper's card--it's to the east on 192, and I was less impressed with it. However, if you want to check it out, they'll give you the card on the spot to get the special deals.

Cheap gas is on the right, near the Target (sorry for being so vague). Do NOT stop at the gas station right across form Sherbeth Road!

My gang also likes to eat at the Golden Corral that's a few hundred yards west of the Old Lake Wilson Road light. Added bonus, they have the booklets in the front, where you can get tons of coupons for other restaurants and activities. Cici's is a little further down and across the street.

As to backpacks, etc.: Keep in mind, the more backpacks you (collectively) bring in, the more you have to lose. We had one backpack for all 6 of us, carrying water, snacks, ponchos, and sunscreen. I had a bonus you may not have--DS14 was going on a Scout trip to Colorado the next month, and needed to build his stamina for the altitude. So, to get out of running daily with his sister (DD16 runs cross country and needed to train daily), he carried the backpack. Without complaint. For two weeks. We did take turns with it, a bit, and if we were splitting up to do thrill rides, the backpack stayed with the Chicken Brigade (headed by yours truly). This might work out for you guys if you have a plan, say, Dad carries it for the first 2 hours, then it gets passed to Kid A, then Kid B, etc. Dad goes first because you'll be drinking the water, so it will get lighter throughout the day. I find my kids complain less, so long as they perceive that things are fair.

Sorry for the book. Happy planning!

 

[Beemitchcowski]

I agree! The water you get at the counter service places is just nasty! Actually the water in the hotels is gross too- we use bottled water to brush our teeth!

The water in the area does smell quite bad..when we were there..I really wish I had a candle to light while taking a shower!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is there a thread that lists all the great dining deals offsite, but near WDW? Like this one?

Pill container is a good idea for spices.

And no I didnt find a website with cheap WBC rates. Anyone know what it is?

I used the search function, but didn't find a ton of threads specific to this. This was the closest one IMO:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2847342&highlight=offsite+dining

You may want to do a search & wade through some of the others - I probably will when I have more time. Some of the places in the above thread were just "kind of" budget oriented IMO, but it did give me a better idea of what might be available

 

[Beemitchcowski]

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html#offsite

They have lots of tips...such as the kids eat free card ( I think its $19.99)...printing out a Rainforest Cafe awards chart for your child and then they get a 99cent meal....

 

[cyndik1111]

I used the search function, but didn't find a ton of threads specific to this. This was the closest one IMO:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2847342&highlight=offsite+dining

You may want to do a search & wade through some of the others - I probably will when I have more time. Some of the places in the above thread were just "kind of" budget oriented IMO, but it did give me a better idea of what might be available

Maybe I'll start a new thread. People who just got back from WDW (lucky dogs) or the people who go often, can post what places they've tried. I would love to have a nice long list of kids-eat-free/ cheap food/ places for good coupons etc.

I don't want to buy the kids-eat-free card. I don't think $20 is a good deal unless you use it 4 or more times. Most kids meals are around $6 plus or minus. I know we won't be going to restaurants 4 or more times. Maybe 3 at the most.
Plus you have to get a card for each child.

 

[cyndik1111]

In case anyone cares, Chase ended it's 50K points for a southwest credit card. They are now only offering 25K
https://creditcards.chase.com/airli...5892&jp_cmp=cc/TEAirlinePhrase/sea/na/Airline

If you want to apply, get it now before they pull that offer too.

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm not a big fan of the family backpack, especially with older kids. Someone always ends up being the pack mule, usually mama! My two younger kids (6 and 9) each had an adjustable water bottle holder (worn around waist or over shoulder) that had a zipper pocket to hold a couple snacks. DD12 and I each had smaller cross-body bags for essentials, camera, water bottle, etc. DS15 and DH both used their cargo pockets plus DH had the camera case some of the time. No one had to take off their bag for rides and we always had four water bottles to fill/refill. We refilled from drinking fountains or CS but also carried the mix-in packets. Some of the CS lines were so long that waiting for water was impractical.

While we carried a couple snacks each, we also made room for special snacks each day -- the French bakery, waffle cones, Mickey bars, churros. We did a lot of splitting and trading and rarely bought 6 of anything at one time. I think the kids thought of the snacks as special consumable souvenirs because they got to pick them out.

PHXscuba

 

[kvnchapman]

Is there a thread that lists all the great dining deals offsite, but near WDW? Like this one?

Pill container is a good idea for spices.

And no I didnt find a website with cheap WBC rates. Anyone know what it is?

cyndi - google "vacation strategy" and "vacation upgrades". I can't recall thier exact web addresses.

 

[kvnchapman]

check out the Dis thread for orlando accomodations. they have reviews, pics, etc for all of the great and not-so-great offsite options.

 

[cyndik1111]

check out the Dis thread for orlando accomodations. they have reviews, pics, etc for all of the great and not-so-great offsite options.

Great -thanks to all for the tips about WBC. I will definitely check them out!

 

[busymama04]

Sounds a little low priced. I have a family of 6 DH, Me, DS11, DD9, DS5, DS3 we are going Aug 7 to 13 We are staying at ASMU family suite with 7 day park tickets. We are driving from NJ and before we add food, gas and gifts the Disney trip is costing $3,050.

 

[Marionnette]

Sounds a little low priced. I have a family of 6 DH, Me, DS11, DD9, DS5, DS3 we are going Aug 7 to 13 We are staying at ASMU family suite with 7 day park tickets. We are driving from NJ and before we add food, gas and gifts the Disney trip is costing $3,050.

You're comparing apples to oranges. The OP is staying offsite. You're staying onsite. The OP is getting her park tickets thru the YES program. I'm assuming that you're buying yours from Disney? You are driving to Disney, the OP is flying down for free and renting a mini van once she is there.

I guess if she were to pay OOP for everything that the OP has listed, it would probably exceed $3K as well. But she is taking advantage of a lot of free or reduced-price offers, which is reducing her OOP expenses to so little. The only line item in her budget that is not already set in stone is the food, which is a flexible expense.

 

[busymama04]

You're comparing apples to oranges. The OP is staying offsite. You're staying onsite. The OP is getting her park tickets thru the YES program. I'm assuming that you're buying yours from Disney? You are driving to Disney, the OP is flying down for free and renting a mini van once she is there.

I guess if she were to pay OOP for everything that the OP has listed, it would probably exceed $3K as well. But she is taking advantage of a lot of free or reduced-price offers, which is reducing her OOP expenses to so little. The only line item in her budget that is not already set in stone is the food, which is a flexible expense.

I understand that she is taking advantage of of free or reduced offers. I was talking about her estimates seem low for her food and speding budget. It seems as if I offended you for not clarifying what I was talking about? I apologize if this is the case. I come to the dis boards for fun and informative information and opinions. I am no expert and it was just my opinion that her budget is low. For now on I will just read posts and not reply with my opinions.

 

[Marionnette]

I understand that she is taking advantage of of free or reduced offers. I was talking about her estimates seem low for her food and speding budget. It seems as if I offended you for not clarifying what I was talking about? I apologize if this is the case. I come to the dis boards for fun and informative information and opinions. I am no expert and it was just my opinion that her budget is low. For now on I will just read posts and not reply with my opinions.

No offense taken and I don't know how you could have read anything like that in my response. Don't stop posting on my account.

 

[lam]

I'm not sure if this 'link' will be of help to you but back in 2010, us Disney Uk (& Ireland) fans compiled a list of restaurants in the 'Disney' area which gave free coupons (for birthdays) & BOGOFF special offers etc.
The list is still ongoing today!

Check out the FIRST page and then jump to the last 3 or 4 pages for more up to date info.
COPY and PASTE to your Browser.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=403095

Regards

lam

 

[4MCMICKEY]

I carry a small backpack that is a cooler whewe go to the parks. I usually freeze a couple of water bottles and that will keep all other drinks cold. I figure this saves us around 20 each day. The backpack also have a couple of other pockets that allows us to carry essentials like bandaids, aspirin, sunscreen.
Have a great trip