WDW Dirt Cheap for a family of 6?

[kvnchapman]

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?

Just more expensive.

I love vacations strategy and vacation upgrades. Just go with whichever one is cheaper on your dates. Lots of folks have success with farrell, too. Several others have used EBay and gotten truly low rates, even lower that I quoted. I've used both VS and VU, and feel totally comfortable recommending them.
You guys do not need this much space (or expense), but this October we have a 4BR/4BA 2200 sq ft penthouse/presidential unit - 7 nights at $1165 total. Because we are splitting the cost with my parents, we are getting the "oh my word!" nice condo for under $600.
WBC is really nice - units are modern and upgraded; good pools, lazy river, water slides, free minigolf, gas grills, family activities, walking/jogging trail, free shuttle to WDW parks and right in the middle of the World.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for the replys

We would normally spend $250 a week for food at home, so the $300 would be in addition to that. I am not buying food at home so I am "saving" $250. So the food buget is really $550. Kids are light eaters. And superwalmart is rigth around the corner from the condo.

We spend about $100 week at home for gas in cars, so it becomes a wash. (saving $100 in gas by not being home, spending $100 in orlando)

I am really good with credit cards, we never carry a balance, we have FICO scores around 800 and I'll be very careful to cancel cards after 11 months. I'm not worried about our FICO scores taking a hit. So the cards aren't a big deal.

Kids have birthday money for spending cash.

Kids will be 8, 9, 11, 13

Thanks

Any more thoughts? Keep them coming. I don't want to forget anything!

I see that you amended your budget based on what you won't be spending at home. It would have made my answer different if I had the complete picture from the beginning.

$500 for food for the week is doable but still tight. You have to remember that you will not have the luxury of stockpiling while on vacation. And you won't be able to reach into the cupboard for just 2 Tbls. of vinegar for a recipe, or 1 tsp. of salt. or 1/4 cup of flour. You either bring it along or you pay the price of buying the full container and wasting some. It can really add up when you have to purchase those pantry staples that we're all used to just reaching for without a thought.

If you're going to do a big grocery shopping order when you arrive, then check the sales online before you go. Try to coupon match what you can and make sure that you familiarize yourself with the store's policy. As we all know, they differ widely from one store to the next. Sign up for the store loyalty card ahead of time if you can.

Make your shopping list ahead of time and base your menus off of it. Then make packets of pre-measured spices and recipe items that you will need for those meal. Label and pack them in your luggage. We spend a week at the Jersey Shore every year and I always do this so that I don't have to pay a premium price for a bottle of oregano or other necessary spices.

Do as many 1-pot meals as you can so that clean up is easy. You're on vacation, too. So don't plan elaborate meals that need several pots and bowls. If you have a grill, take advantage of it and let your husband do the grilling while you get the sides ready.

TBH, you will probably be better off eating in the condo than you will eating out. As someone else pointed out, taking a large group out to eat takes a lot of time. Just waiting for a table that is large enough can take 45 mins to an hour at peak dining times. You can have dinner on the table in less time than that and the kids can relax at the pool or just chill in the livingroom while you're doing it. The Olive Garden take-out is a good alternative but you don't get "kids eat free" there, so you're going to pay for the convenience.

Good luck with your budget trip. It sounds like you're getting a lot of good advice. I would love to see a trip report when you're done.

 

[fakereadhed]

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.

These are great tips!

If you plan $4.50 pp/day for snacks it would add a lot of fun to your food budget for not much $.

My DS7 used his teenage sisters' old pins(they didn't want them anymore) that I bought off eBay years ago and they used for several trips already. He had a blast trading all the princess pins for Star Wars and pirates with CMs in gift shops.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

My DD and I always share meals at Disney. A single meal is more than enough food for both of us.

On souvenirs, here's what I used to do with my daughter. I would go to the dollar store over the months leading up to our trip and buy the Disney items for $1. (Over the years I've bought stuffed Mickeys, stuffed Minnies, Goofys etc., tinkerbell sticker books, coloring books, figurines, light-up pens, etc.) I took these to Disney with me then each night would leave her a gift from "Tinkerbell" and a note. She loved this so much, still talks about it, it was like Santa at Disney. She never asked for anything in the parks, because she knew Tink was leaving something.

Now that she's older, her keepsakes are pins (I buy trade pins on ebay in bulk for a few dollars, and she trades with CMs for what she wants) and autographs from characters (I make a new book for each trip, with the date, and a spot for a photo in the front of us in front of the castle). I use inexpensive scrapbooking materials to do this that I buy at JoAnn's with the 50% off coupons that come in almost every Sunday paper.

I think your food budget is very generous if you plan to eat most meals in your condo and share counter service for the occasional park meal.

Have a great trip!

 

[MEM]

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.

I fly SW exclusively to MCO from the Boston area. I have had the opposite experience - since SW revised their program a year or so ago, I find that I can use my points on any flight I want- its just that the flight we prefer, the first in the morning, usually costs more in points than flights later in the day.

 

[cyndik1111]

If you're going to do a big grocery shopping order when you arrive, then check the sales online before you go. Try to coupon match what you can and make sure that you familiarize yourself with the store's policy. As we all know, they differ widely from one store to the next. Sign up for the store loyalty card ahead of time if you can.

Make your shopping list ahead of time and base your menus off of it. Then make packets of pre-measured spices and recipe items that you will need for those meal. Label and pack them in your luggage. We spend a week at the Jersey Shore every year and I always do this so that I don't have to pay a premium price for a bottle of oregano or other necessary spices.

Do as many 1-pot meals as you can so that clean up is easy. You're on vacation, too. So don't plan elaborate meals that need several pots and bowls. If you have a grill, take advantage of it and let your husband do the grilling while you get the sides ready.

Some really great advice, thank you! I had no idea I could get the ads online and sign up for loyalty cards. I will definitely bring little packets of spices etc. I am already planning to bring little containers of laundry soap/dishwashing soap.

Thank you for taking the time to post all this- a real help!

 

[cyndik1111]

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!

Thank you thank you thank you! I have just cut and pasted your post into my planning doc. I now have more menu ideas, grocery stores, and souvenirs all taken care of

 

[njmom47]

Do you have AAA? I think there are some discounts for parking at the parks. Maybe someone else has more information about this.

 

[cyndik1111]

I fly SW exclusively to MCO from the Boston area. I have had the opposite experience - since SW revised their program a year or so ago, I find that I can use my points on any flight I want- its just that the flight we prefer, the first in the morning, usually costs more in points than flights later in the day.

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was getting nervous. We are pretty flexible, so I think we can make it work for FREE FLIGHTS!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Wow some really great ideas.

I'm gonna check into the CiCi pizza place. The kids will eat pizza.

I saw that suggestion a few days ago & IIRC is about $6/person to eat there. OTOH, CiCi's is advertising a carry-out special right now of 3 medium pizzas for $10. No idea if it's just a local special or if it will expire before you get down there, but it could be a much cheaper deal than the buffet.

 

[cyndik1111]

I use inexpensive scrapbooking materials to do this that I buy at JoAnn's with the 50% off coupons that come in almost every Sunday paper.

My kids aren't into pins. They are really very practical. But I love the scrap book idea. They can each do one themselves. Plus they can bring it to school to show everyone. It will be a great place to keep photos, Epcot passport, etc.

Oh, and by the way, we are not doing photo pass. My husband loves to take pictures. That will be his job! And we will just ask a kind stranger to get a few family shots for us. I don't want the added expense of those photos. Once I see a picture of my kids, I have to have them all, even if they aren't the best. So I know that would be a budget killer. So I'm not even gonna go there.

I like the idea of getting gifts at the dollar store a head of time, except I hate all that junk laying around the house after. So maybe just a couple things as a surprise.

Another question- I was thinking of getting the kids each a fanny pack to wear around the parks for snacks, money, juice pouches/water. Your thoughts? I think the older kids will baulk at this...."not cool" What has others done? I don't want to be the one carrying around "the backpack" for the whole family of 6. I want them to carry their own, that they can take out what they need without bugging me every two seconds.
Suggestions? You guys have such great ones!

 

[danielle79]

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I was getting nervous. We are pretty flexible, so I think we can make it work for FREE FLIGHTS!

I think your budget and trip sound amazing! We stayed at the FW cabins last year and ate breakfast and dinner there almost everyday. We would then have counter service meals for lunch, and one princess lunch splurge in Epcot. My kids were allowed one clothing type item and one toy type item for souvenirs and knew this ahead of time. If allowed my kids would buy some cheesy toy everyday for double the price Walmart sells them for. I also get a lot of Disney t-shirts for my little girls online for about $5 a piece and pack them in their luggage and they have a new Disney shirt to wear almost everyday we are there. Remember to do EASY meals at the condo, no one wants to do something time consuming at 7pm after you have been at the park all day! My hubby would grill hot dogs and I would cut up fruit and make mac and cheese or pop in a stouffers lasagna! Have a magical time!

 

[Marionnette]

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.

I fly SW exclusively to MCO from the Boston area. I have had the opposite experience - since SW revised their program a year or so ago, I find that I can use my points on any flight I want- its just that the flight we prefer, the first in the morning, usually costs more in points than flights later in the day.

I think the PP was thinking about the old Rapid Rewards program where you earned an Award after a certain number of miles flown or dollars spent with your card.

RR 2.0 is a lot different and it's so much easier to spend your points. You can use them on ANY flight! No blackout dates and the points don't expire as long as your account has activity. Just using your credit card or shopping thru their partners portal is considered to be activity. You don't need to take a flight.

You pay for your flights on a points-per-dollar basis. For Wanna Get Away fares, it's 60 points per dollar. Anytime fares are 100 points per dollar and Business Select is 120 points per dollar. As long as there is a seat available, you can use your points to pay for it.

Another nice thing about the program is that if the cost of your flight goes down, you can re-book your ticket at the lower price and the extra points will be returned to your RR account, regardless of who the flight was booked for.

 

[cyndik1111]

I saw that suggestion a few days ago & IIRC is about $6/person to eat there. OTOH, CiCi's is advertising a carry-out special right now of 3 medium pizzas for $10. No idea if it's just a local special or if it will expire before you get down there, but it could be a much cheaper deal than the buffet.

What restaurant is IIRC? $6 per person is right up my alley!

 

[Marionnette]

Another question- I was thinking of getting the kids each a fanny pack to wear around the parks for snacks, money, juice pouches/water. Your thoughts? I think the older kids will baulk at this...."not cool" What has others done? I don't want to be the one carrying around "the backpack" for the whole family of 6. I want them to carry their own, that they can take out what they need without bugging me every two seconds.
Suggestions? You guys have such great ones!

Fanny packs are NOT cool! Try those drawstring sports sacks that the kids carry their gym stuff in. The kids don't mind carrying those.

 

[Marionnette]

What restaurant is IIRC? $6 per person is right up my alley!

IIRC= If I Recall Correctly
It's just an abbreviation.

 

[cyndik1111]

You just gave me an idea. I think I'll get everyone matching disney tshirts to wear on our trip down. 1 souvenir taken care of and one less item to pack!

I am with you on the food. Cheap, easy, quick, but not too "junky". I always throw frozen green beans with a little butter on the table when we eat these kinds of quick meals. Then I don't feel so guilty.

 

[cyndik1111]

IIRC= If I Recall Correctly
It's just an abbreviation.

My bad!
I'm so nieve , thanks for the abbreviation lesson. They should have a chart with all these listed for people like me. I've figured out most, but not all.

 

[cyndik1111]

Fanny packs are NOT cool! Try those drawstring sports sacks that the kids carry their gym stuff in. The kids don't mind carrying those.

Oh YES good idea.
I forgot about those. But don't they hurt your arms. Or am I just showing my age? Do they have decorate-yourself ones? Maybe at Joann's with a coupon??? then the kids could use fabric paint to customize them.

 

[Natalie's Mommy]

Oh YES good idea.
I forgot about those. But don't they hurt your arms. Or am I just showing my age? Do they have decorate-yourself ones? Maybe at Joann's with a coupon??? then the kids could use fabric paint to customize them.

i owuldnt use those draw string ones, i would think they would hurt your sholders if they got too heavy. i would get a couple "family" backpacks and make everyone take turns carrying them. also look for good BTS sales on insulated lunch bags for drinks in the park. nothing worse than a hot drink on a hot day. We bring bobble bottles to fill up in case we run out of bottles of water (they have a filter in the cap, and i got them at old navy with a 40% off coupon!), but you could also pack a smallish britta filter and fill a camel back with a ton of ice and water and someone could carry that (they also have pockets).

also don't forget to take advantage of your free checked bags for food as well. i stocked up on things like cereal, granola bars, fruit snacks, snack packs of chips and crackers and packed them into our luggage. We fly get blue and get 1 free checked bag per person, everything fit into 3 suitcases (one we carried on with our everyday stuff) so we distributed everything into 4 and packed food items. I did garden grocer for some basics, 2 cases of water, 2 cases of soda (for my parents), chip dip, lunch meat and fresh bread.