WDW on $1600

[disneyjunkie]

We would drive. I calculated the miles/gas and stops for meals and that would be $350, much cheaper than flying the four of us. Is there a way I can estimate how much for tips at the table service meals? We would probably only do 1 or 2. My 2 year old is no fun at sit down restaurants and we did lots of character meals last time.

Check out the menus on Deb's site. http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

Her menus include prices.

 

[allboyzz]

We are going next week. Our package/tickets/qsdp cost us $1788. That is for 5 people (me, dh, ds15,ds8,ds11). We are staying at POR for five days. We have the quick service dining plan. In the past we have spent over 3,000 at Disney. Thanks to Disney's offer to the military we are able to go for a lot less.

 

[Dee77]

The program was interesting to watch but it's important to keep in mind that it high-lighted 3 families that have never been before and they only stayed a couple of nights. None of the prices included airfare or travel expenses. It was also a couple of years old so prices have certainly gone up since then.

It also came across more as a platform to present to DME and Disney Transportation, the Dining Plan, Park Hopper, Rider/Parent Swap and some of the hotel/resort activities that are free and appealing. I think if asked, all 3 of the families would agree that staying longer and doing more "park" time would be in tall order for a follow up trip. Just my 2 cents.

 

[laceemouse]

WOW! $1600? I hope I am seriously overbudgeting. Well, I know I am, because I'd much rather have money left over to bring home than to run short. My family of 4 (DH, me, DS13, DS6) are staying at POP in Sept., 9 nights, 8 day park hoppers, free dining, and the total was $1998. We added MNSSHP to that, so that's about $215. We're driving from North MS (I like having my car there), so I've budgeted $250 for gas and $150 for food, misc on the trip there and back. So that's roughly $2615. Although I don't really think we'll need it, I've budgeted $20/day for extra snacks, $20/day for an extra CS meal, and $240 for 3 OOP TS meals. Also, $100 per person for souvenirs. Oh, and we're getting refillable mugs, so another $52. So that brings it to approx. $3750. Oiy, I try not to even think about it, but, again, I have tried to WAY overbudget so as to leave us lots of breathing room.

No way will you need extra snacks and meals, with the meal plan almost everyone I know, including us, leaves with unused meal and snack credits. We also never buy the mugs, they can only be used at your resort and we are really only at the resort to sleep.
I think in the show they were not counting travel costs, and some of them did not buy the meal plan, and none of them stayed very long. I think it can easily be done with a small family, staying value, not buying souvenirs, and going during value season.

 

[koima]

I saw that one, and another called "Disney on a Dime." Both were clearly produced by Disney, as neither showed the real cost saving techniques that could make a cheaper vacation - staying off site, packing your own sandwiches and snacks, sharing meals, going to the Character Outlet for souvenirs, etc. Only one family cooked and they stayed at Fort Wilderness and said they bought groceries on site. Not that budget to me!

We're going during free dining in September. (DH, me, DS3, DD1) We're staying for 9 nights in ASMusic and have 7 base tickets. It's our first visit and we're not planning on going to the parks the day we arrive or depart, and we're taking a mid-week break and going to Fort Wilderness for the evening. The whole deal is just about $1500.

Our flights from San Francisco to Tampa were significantly cheaper than to Orlando, just $175 each, so we can afford to rent a car and still be less than our travel budget. For $900, we've got flights and car covered.

I'm budgeting $400 for tips, gas, and incidentals. I'm bringing our own souvenirs and snacks. We're not big souvenir people.

So my budget is $2300 including airfare for a 9 day vacation. I will be happy if we end at under $2500, and that seems like a pretty budget vacation to me.

 

[lanasboys]

That's good to hear. I don't think we'll need extra snacks/meals either, but I budgeted for them anyway just in case because if the kids want something extra, I don't want to have to say "no". And, if we don't use it for food, there may be something else they want to do (Pirates League or something like that).

 

[lori123]

We did WDW in Sept 2008 for about that - not including airfare (DH works for the airlines so we fly free).
We (family of 4) were there 9 nights 10 days (Pop Century), 10 day park passes (no hoppers or water park)and free dining all for $1600. We really didn't spend much beyond that.

 

[EnchantedForest]

I imagine that they are not including airfare.
Our trip 8 day tickets with park hoppers, 7 nights at POP century, free dining, and airfare for $2400. 2 adults with 2 kids (10 and 8). We've done this 3years in a row.