What am I missing for the budget? Hidden/ surprise costs?

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Here is a list of things I came up with that I need to budget, are there any hidden costs, or things I've missed?

Hotel and park passes
Hotel to and from Sequioa
food
character meals
rental car and Gas
Horseback riding
Sequioa Entrance fee
Beach parking fee
La tour fee
Souvenirs

 

[PinkBudgie]

I assume that this is for DLR and other things you intend to do? If you drive to DLR there is a $12 a day parking fee. Or if you take ART, there is a fee for that but I don't know the price.

Oh, also, your hotel may charge a parking fee.

 

[blackjackdelta]

When I do a budget for house or work I always add a 10%-15% overage just for those "things" that come up. Even if I budget to the dollar things seem to happen and if not you have that nice little cushion.

Jack

 

[bumbershoot]

Tips.

 

[dismsn]

You included "food" but does that include snacks (Mickey ice cream sandwiches) and drinks (expensive bottled water)? I don't remember the exact prices from our visit in April but I think the Mickey ice cream is about $4 and the bottled water is $3.50. When you multiply that by the number in your party it really adds up (and we bought water several times a day the first day, after that we went to Target and took our water in).

 

[Gisele]

Definitely bring your own water into the parks. Or buy one bottle at Dl. for ex. then just re-fill it. You can go to the first aid station to do that, I believe the other location is the baby changing place. And you may go to any counter service and ask for either a cup of water or a cup of ice. I remember reading on this forum, that it would be the one or the other that one may ask for. Why that is? I have no idea. Water in a cup, or water in a cup with ice, what should it matter?

 

[bumbershoot]

Gisele, I have gotten cups of ice water (water with ice in a cup) many times at counter service places. If that has happened it was probably just a CM being silly, or a misunderstanding.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Make sure you add tax in to all your calculations where applicable. It adds up quickly.

Is anyone in your family a pin trader? Add in the cost of pins.
PhotoPass?
Camera batteries if needed?
Snacks and drinks.

- Dreams

 

[spacemermaid]

The parking fee at Anaheim Plaza Hotel is $5 a night (at least it was last December). So, even if you walk to the Park from the hotel, you'll end up paying to park *somewhere*. Parking at the hotel is plentiful, though, so at least you won't have to worry about not having any space to park!

Echoing what others have said, bringing a water bottle into the Park and then refilling it as needed will save alot of $. You can put water bottles in the fridge/freezer in your hotel room the night before and have cold water to take with you...don't know what time of year your trip is, but if it's during the warmer months you'll need LOTS of water!

I see that you have a character breakfast planned; be aware that there is an extra charge for the photo a CM will take of your family with whatever Characters are there right before you're seated. You're not obligated to purchase the photo, though, and there's no charge if you have someone take the same picture with your camera.

Have fun on your trip!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Since you are going to be at DLR for several days and nights, you may even want to do what many others in DIS do and have Vons groceries delivered to the DLH. That way you can order lots of water and whatever other munchies or necessities you think you may need so you don't have to spend the extra $$$ on buying those in the parks or DTD. Or run to a nearby grocery store and get supplies and bring them back to DLH. Just getting a case or two of water would be so worth it because the price of bottled water (just one bottle) in DLR is crazy When it is on sale, I literally can get a case of 24 bottles of Arrowhead from Vons for the same price ONE BOTTLE of water costs at DLR!!! and you will likely get thirsty. The last couple of trips, I finally got smart and brought my own water and stashed it in the SUPER COLD mini fridge at the PPH or the GCH, so I could drink it at night and in the morning like I usually do at home, and then have a bottle or two with me in the parks at all times. Not only did it save me the cost of buying expensive water in the parks, it also prevented me from feeling like I had to drink sodas or things I wouldn't normally drink because they were right in front of me - because I wasn't as thirsty.

 

[ballarinamom]

Shiny pennies and quarters for penny smashing

 

[Gisele]

Vick's vapor rub for above your lip, so in the event some one "cuts the cheese" in a very slow moving line, or self contained ride, no problem. Or if you should encounter poopy diaper syndrome while floating down the ol' bayou, no problem. Let me tell you, it works wonders. he he! No, really it does.

 

[sassy*girl]

Vick's vapor rub for above your lip, so in the event some one "cuts the cheese" in a very slow moving line, or self contained ride, no problem. Or if you should encounter poopy diaper syndrome while floating down the ol' bayou, no problem. Let me tell you, it works wonders. he he! No, really it does.

Lmao!!!

 

[Gisele]

he he, thank you for the chuckle!

 

[Amysita]

Hairbrush...I don't know why...maybe because it's the last thing I use before I walk out the door on vacation...but I always toss my brush back in the drawer instead of in the suitcase and ALWAYS get to where I'm going w/o it. For you it will probably be something else...but what ever it is...it's always a necessity...and always costs at least double what you paid for it at home.