WDW Dirt Cheap for a family of 6?

[cyndik1111]

I doubt we will do anything else except hang at the condo. The beach would be great- but maybe another trip. I am sure that 6 days at the parks is soooo exhausting. We get tired from 2 days at our local ammusement parks. I have to remember to leave a little down time in our schedule, or we will have 4 cranky kids. Plus, we are pulling the kids out of achool, so they will have homework to do. We are gonna have to set aside some time for that (will do a lot on the plane rides).

How much is a typical counter service meal? I thought I read that is was around $10, but can't find that thread now. Does that include beverage? Someone said they are large, and to split them- just in case we want to do a counter service 1 day.

 

[michelleh1]

I was looking at the credit card offer, and looking at flights using points. It wanted to charge me government taxes - have you figured those in? Also, how will you be getting to the airport - do you need to pay parking while you are away? Just a few things I thought of. It sounds like an awesome deal so far though!

 

[cyndik1111]

I was looking at the credit card offer, and looking at flights using points. It wanted to charge me government taxes - have you figured those in? Also, how will you be getting to the airport - do you need to pay parking while you are away? Just a few things I thought of. It sounds like an awesome deal so far though!

No, I didn't think about taxes on flights. So I will add that to the budget.
Also forgot to add travel to/from airport. i can either have my mom drive us/pick us up, or use the airport shuttle. It was $3 per person ech way that last time we used it.- My mom will not cost me money, but I'll pay in other ways...LOL

Some good thinking- thank you!

 

[GraysMom]

The Brita was another good idea- I'll put that on the packing list. What about the water at the drinking fountains in WDW? Is that bad too?

All the water fountains in the parks, as well as the faucets at the hotels have awful sulfury water (I'm not sure if it's just WDW property or if it's Orlando's municipal water supply that is all like that). I would highly recommend the Brita bottles or buying cases/gallons of water to haul along.

 

[princesssatheart]

Make sure you can use your Southwest points when you want to. I have had a Southwest card for years and they have made it harder and harder to find a flight that I want to use my free points with. Yes, you may have free points to cover the flights, but will those flight "types" be available on the dates you want to travel? It can be very tricky.

 

[KCmike]

One last thing I can think of (traveling to airport made me remember some reason)...Do you have any pets? Where will they stay?

 

[brymolmom]

I doubt we will do anything else except hang at the condo. The beach would be great- but maybe another trip. I am sure that 6 days at the parks is soooo exhausting. We get tired from 2 days at our local ammusement parks. I have to remember to leave a little down time in our schedule, or we will have 4 cranky kids. Plus, we are pulling the kids out of achool, so they will have homework to do. We are gonna have to set aside some time for that (will do a lot on the plane rides).

How much is a typical counter service meal? I thought I read that is was around $10, but can't find that thread now. Does that include beverage? Someone said they are large, and to split them- just in case we want to do a counter service 1 day.

Yes - $10 is approximately correct for average CS meal cost. Yes that includes a drink. Menus and prices are out there someplace. Kids meals are cheaper and are fine quantity for smaller appetities (although quality and variety of the kids meals is not so good in many places). Some good places for splitting meals:
Fairfax Fare in DHS - Chicken and rib combo - plenty to share
Mexico CS place in EPCOT - chicken tacos meal comes with 3 soft tacos and a basket full of nacho chips.
Pizzafari in AK - a couple of pizza meals plus a side of breadsticks could feed at LEAST 4 - 5 people.

 

[cornflake]

If y'all aren't foodies and don't care then I'd say your food plan is good - though I'd take like $100 of the $550 and try to do the food all from a market on $450 for all meals and keep the $100 in your pocket for the random Mickey bar/cupcake/drink that someone is going to want while in the park. Since that's the way you guys are with food in general, and the kids are snacky, I'd put aside for snacky treats, especially if it's maybe a one-time trip.

Also - souvenir wise, maybe get some pins and lanyards off ebay for trading. They can be had for cheap on there and then kids can trade pins and get new stuff rather than want to shop for souvenirs.

 

[momxx5]

Congrats on planning your budget trip.

I think it fair to say that a budget trip is possible. We are a family of 7. It has been a long while since we have been.
I didn't crunch your numbers as we usually drive and stay onsite.

I think we share the same thoughts for some of your plans.

My kids would definately rather being riding the rides & playing than sitting down to table service. A sit-down meal for a large family can take up quite a bit of time even with reservations. That time, for us, could be better spent. During the dinner time hours some of the rides have smaller lines so we take advantage of that....eat on the run and ride an extra turn a BuzzLight Year. At Disney Studios we would grab some fruit. pretzels or even large fries(McDonalds quick stand) and thensettle in to watch the parade.
Now if we had older children or even really young babies, a sit down meal is a nice break from the day, but right now it would not be a priority.

Another thing is souvenirs. We explain plenty ahead of time that a lot of the toys, etc are extremely pricey at WDW. We are there for the themepark experiences not to buy toys. So, with that explained before hand we do not end up with a battle over a light-up toy or Legos, but instead focus on the great rides and definately "window shopping" at the gift shops on the way out of the rides. I usually plan to get the kids one main souvenir as a memento of the trip. It usually is from one of their favorite rides or a special something from Downtown Disney. I let them look throughout the week with the understanding that the purchases will not be made until the end of the trip just in case they change their mind about what they want to get. It is too easy to grab a small toy the first day, only to wish they had waited because they would rather have that other special thing. T-shirts from their favorite rides is something that I really like for them to get.

The pressed penny machines are fun as souvenirs also. You could plan to let each child take a turn to get one....making a collection for the whole family. They do not neccessarily need their own collection because once home having one main set is nicer than them having something they will likely forget about. Same goes for trading pins. It is fun while you are there but once home the pins are not really that important. I know there are many people who have great collections of pins...so for them that in their passion. Its just not for us.

A lot of the focus is on the family having a great fun trip, with the happiness of actually being at WDW far outweighing any little trinket.

Wishing you lots of pixie dust.

P.S. check out the family forum also...there are many great very inexpensive or even free things to do.

 

[Arynrm1]

I'm not sure I understand the yes program. I googled it and it looked like you had to have a minimum of 10 students to sign up? Do you just sign up your kids and hope that 4 more kids sign up at the same time yours do? If that's how it works how would you divide up the adult tickets as it looks like 2 per 10 students.

The classes look really interesting, and my kids might like to try the same thing, so any extra info would be appreciated.

 

[cyndik1111]

Momxx5- well said! I agree

 

[cyndik1111]

you need to do the yes individual program. look for the thread on DIs for all details.

here's the disney website
http://www.disneyyouth.com/individual-enrollment/catalog/

 

[Arynrm1]

Oh! I see, that is a very cool program, I might have to look into that for our next trip.

Thanks!

 

[canopynut66]

They have typically offered free dining in October in the past. Have you priced out what it would cost you to get two rooms at a value with free dining. That would cancel out the need for the food, the car rental (magical express) and the parking fees. You would probably have to buy a one day ticket for all of you and then could get a 5 day YES ticket. Not sure of the price but might be worth looking into. Good luck!

I agree with this as well two rooms connecting and then use ME from airport to resort then get the free dining when offered. at values is counter service of two each day and a snack and a mug that is refillable the entire trip. tickets as well come with this package. and then no cooking or grocery for the whole week.you can eat at resort as they or anywhere in any parks or Downtown Disney as well on the dining plan. will just need to check this out as I can say we are three adults going for 13 days and with ten day tickets for us is only $2729.00 total and were staying at POP Century. Now free dining has not came out yet for late October and we do upgrade to the Magic Your Way Dining as we like the one TS daily and the counter service.

 

[kvnchapman]

Tell me if I'm doing something wrong. Trying to plan a trip for a family of 6 (2 adults/4kids). We don't have a lot of money, but sooo want the kids to experience Disney at least once in their lifetime! Planning for Oct 2012
I've researched and this is what I've come up with

1) Apply for Southwest credit card (1 for me and 1 for DH) get 50K
points each...total for 100k points for 6 roundtrip flights................FREE
2) Stay at Windsor Hills Condos 3 bed/2bath condo........................$560
3) Yes program "basic" for 6 days ..............................................$1052.46
4) rental car/minivan for 1 week.................................................$450
5) parking at WDW $14/dayx 6 days............................................$84
6) Purchase food for condo/snacks for in the park/ kids-eat-free
restaurants around orlando, etc.................................................$300

For a grand total of around $2500 for a week at WDW for a family of 6

Am I figuring something wrong? too good to be true!
We could swing this!

Ooh... my turn! I love NICE budget trips!
1. Look at WBC (next To Caribbean Beach onsite) 7 nights in 2BR or 3BR. FYI - 7 nights in a 2BR/2BA is usually around $600-675. Master BR and 2nd BR has 2 queens.
2. Love YES tickets!! Yea for you!
3. Use free shuttle to parks. Add $ for airport transfers. Are you flying into MCO or Sanford? Maybe $100?
4. No fees with free shuttle
5. Budget like you would at home. Have Garden Grocer deliver. Do frozen pizzas and lasagnas, chili, crockpot roast, spaghetti, breakfast for dinner, bagged salad, canned mandarin oranges, frozen bicuits, sandwhiches for brownbagged lunches, refillable water bottles, chips, raisins, granola bars, apples and bananas, cereal, poptarts, eggs, etc. Cheap, somewhat healthy and filling foods! Use restaurant.com for 1 or 2 dinners out. Go to that inexpensive, yummy salad bar place across from DTD once. Do the rest of your meals in. Take $5 per person per day for an inpark treat (like a Mickey bar). $180
6. Think about photopass - $90
Total = $2070

 

[leebee]

I usually use the BJ's coupons and codes for renting from Alamo and they are about the best deals around. However, check out mousesavers.com to learn how to stack codes and coupons for the best deals. ALSO... Keep checking the car rental prices. They fluctuate worse than the stock market! Always reserve when you find a good price, as I can guarantee it won't be there in another week or even another few days. Then cancel the reservation you won't be using. Keep looking... right up until just before you leave.

No way I'd do onsite.. although we sometimes do, to avoid the rental car by using DME and take advantage of free dining. Of course, we ARE foodies, and there are only 2 or 3 of us when we go. Basically, we stay wherever it's going to be cheapest for us to do everything we want to, but TS meals are part of our vacation.

Consider talking your kids OUT of too many souvenirs... remind them their souvenir money can also be used for special treats, like Dole whips, Mickey bars, sweet pretzels in Norway, etc.

REgarding counter service meals... DD17 and I usually SHARE a double cheeseburger and fries for lunch. The portions really are generous, and sharing keeps us within our budget. Another good "sharing" lunch is the sampler platter and the meatballs platter at Tangerine Cafe... one of each is MORE than enough to share among 3 people when DH accompanies us!

Olive Garden gives you a TON of salad; we find it enough for dinner the next night, too! We usually call when we get to the car in the parking lot and by the time we get to OG, it's ready.

Good luck.. I love a great budget trip!

 

[cyndik1111]

OK, tell me about WBC- Bonnet creek right?
I looked it up- the 2 bedroom was like $212 per night. We are paying $399 for the full week for 3 bed/2 bath

Am I looking at the wrong website?

 

[cyndik1111]

leebee.... you do Olive Garden take out? I've never done that- we have gift cards, do you think we can use them for take out? I hate sitting in restaurants. While on vacation, we like to sit on the living room rug in our jammies and eat take out. (or a meal we cooked)

OOOOh such good ideas, thanks all (I'm jotting down ideas constantly)

 

[Keurigirl]

Yep, you can use Olive Garden gift cards for takeout

We LOOOVE Windor Hills Resort and that is where we stay at DW. We do not like staying on site at DW. It's far more expensive (even with free dining, etc) and when you factor in having laundry and so much more space... we will take Windsor hills any day. Plus their pool area is awesome.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

We always stay offsite now, and rent a house in Windsor Hills. Like yours, my kids value relaxing time, and don't care to eat in restaurants for every meal.

Just an FYI, the Super Wal-Mart is actually a few miles from Windsor Hills. Super Target and Publix are both closer--I shopped at both. Just a few suggestions on our quick and easy meals:

--grilled chcken strips on caeser salad (we had a grill, but you can also buy the frozen, pre-cooked chicken strips)
--burgers and frozen fries w salad or fruit
--muffins from Publix for breakfast (good stuff!)
--spaghetti with cooked frozen meatballs
--break and bake cookies (a vacation favortie with my gang)
--Daddy's Special pancakes with bacon

As to souvenirs, there are a ton of shops along 192 that sell similar merchandise for 1/3 the price. At least have your kids check out one of these places BEFORE they spend their money. Yeah, if you want a Tower of Terror t-shirt, you have to get that onsite. But, you can get t-shirts, pens, beach towels, etc. much cheaper. It's at least worth a look. Especially if your kids are spending their own money, they may appreciate the savings. I know my kids are much cheaper when it's THEIR hard-earned dollars!

Bottom line, I think your trip is do-able. We love Windsor Hills, and it's very close to WDW.