What are you doing to make your Disney trips more affordable?

[mamaprincess]

Saw a post on Theme parks board about the economy and it's effects on our vacations. Thought I'd ask Mousellaneous how you guys are affected.

Have you canceled trips?

Are you cutting back on trips?

Are you doing things differently at home so you can still take your Disney vacations?

Will your upcoming trips be different than they were in the past? How so?


We are very fortunate, but we want to remain that way so we have changed some things at home:

• We cut cable down to basic.
  
• We've cut our cell minutes to the bare minimum and rarely use them.
  
• We've cut down on our car trips. We were able to get through an entire month on one tank of gas per car (2 cars).
  
• We rarely spend money on entertainment and instead rent DVD's on the weekend and invite the girls friends over or let them go visit friends.
  
• We cook even on the weekend now, no more eating out.
  
• My beauty salon trips have been cut to once a month and I do the girls hair myself now instead of sending them to the salon.
  
• We are really budget conscious when it comes to the groceries. We buy what is on sale and many things generic and nothing unnecessary.

As for our upcoming trip, we were considering skipping 09 but have decided to go. Here's how it's shaping up:

So far we only have five days scheduled instead of a full week. We'll see if that holds up. We may visit with my sis in Orlando over the weekend.

we have some leftover days from our park passes that we will use.

We have a Disney gift card that we will use in place of spending money.

We always fly as inexpensively as possible, that won't change.

We will still rent a car because Mr. mamaprincess can't be convinced otherwise. If he could be convinced that would save at least a couple hundred.

We will probably do the DDP because Mr. mamaprincess is stuck on it. I'd rather cook and do some of the dining we love but he thinks vacations are not for cooking. If he didn't insist on the DDP, we could cut our food bill in half.

I always make our t-shirts and autograph books.

We always recycle our autograph pens, light toys for parades, hats, rain slickers, lanyards and anything else we can use from previous trips.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Our biggest money saver is going to HHI or VB and not buying park tickets.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I have an Owners Lockers which permits me to have a Brita water filter pitcher for all trips. I usually ship a box down ahead of time to the resort that contains some snack foods, cereal, boxed milk, small bottles of cranberry juice and a couple of bottles of water. We usually eat breakfast in the villa, saves time and money. The water bottles we refill and freeze, so we don't have to purchase water in the parks (that is a real issue for me). Funny, I can spend thousands on my DVC ownerships, but it really ticks me off to pay $2.50 for a bottle of water. Shipping the box may cost a few dollars, but it is cheaper than the airlines baggage fees they are charging right now. It is also cheaper to urchase those things at home than when I get down there, and it saves me time--no shopping during vacation.

Having the Owners Locker means I don't have to pack as much (most of my toiletries are already down there) and can avoid those baggage fees.

 

[mamaprincess]

We buy water from Walmart of Publix when we get down there and freeze it. We can't stand the cost of Disney water.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I am ALWAYS looking for cheap flights.....even when no trips are planned! Ticket prices have sky rocketed int he past few months so i'm always on the prowl for a good deal or coupon!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We will probably drive instead of fly on our next trip.

I'd like to get others to join us, and chip in on the "free" room so that we will have park tickets or spending money. That hasn't worked out yet.

 

[Disney_Villain]

1. Have you canceled trips?
2. Are you cutting back on trips?
3. Are you doing things differently at home so you can still take your Disney vacations?
4. Will your upcoming trips be different than they were in the past? How so?

1. No
2. No
3. No
4. No

In fact, I think we are spening more than ever before.

 

[extremesoccermom]

Instead of 2 one week trips each year we will combine it into one 2 week long trip next year. We are also cutting back at home - couponing and this year I will spend my change but save all the $1.00 and some $5.00. (I hate having to roll and cash in the change).
We always bring food with us but that may change with the new airline charges or we may have to drive next year. I will watch the airlines anything around $100.00 @ way will be cheaper. I know how much gas my car uses but they are all getting older so we may want to rent a car
DS18 started college this year which for us is way cheaper than the private high school we sent him to so that money will be redirected to vacations, braces for DD and other misc savings.
We are hoping to add more points on at BLT but we have to see how the finances play out the rest of this year. The thermostat will be turned lower in the winter and is higher in the summer. (Bundle up and go swimming).

 

[LIFERBABE]

I'm not changing a thing!!

I'm waiting on my bail-out check!

 

[cogero]

we aren't doing anything different in order to go to Disney but I am keeping my house cooler this winter because I don't want to give the Electric and Gas Co any more money for their lousy service.

 

[dtheboys]

We are planning to eat OFF premises this year...not all of our meals, but a majority of them...
Fun Pizza night out, etc.
Find some places to eat that have meal specials etc.

PS... Instead of booking a two bedroom unit...I plan on putting all 6 of us in a studio!!!...LOL!!!!!

 

[hakepb]

I'm going more this year!
I'm already paying for DVC points, and I bought my AP last November so this is kinda a "free" 2 trip year, with transportation and food being our "only" added vacation expenses!

It is absolutely wonderful that DVC ownership has allowed this lifestyle. Without DVC, it would be a whole different story

 

[LIFERBABE]

I'm going more this year!
I'm already paying for DVC points, and I bought my AP last November so this is kinda a "free" 2 trip year, with transportation and food being our "only" added vacation expenses!

It is absolutely wonderful that DVC ownership has allowed this lifestyle. Without DVC, it would be a whole different story

I have to agree, now that the economy is shot, I feel better about my DVC purchases. We are almost paid off and can get to Florida on 3 tanks of gas. We can cook in our villa and just enjoy our surroundings and being away.

We still have to pay dues, but those are manageable.

We take lots of trips, but back in 2001 we decided to stay in our starter home and not build on our lot we purchased. So we changed our lifestyle years ago to be able to travel more and enjoy our vacations.

 

[keishashadow]

nothing, yet

DVC has trained me to plan everything 11 months (or more ahead of time) & the funds r already pretty much allocated

I am considering dropping the DP from upcoming trip, short stay & @ AKV not too difficult to head out to highway for a meal or 2

next trip (next summer) will probaly reflect some downscaling. We'll still have our Universal AP into June (bogo year free deal...hopefully, they'll offer it again) or may just buy MYW/waterpark/NE tix & stretch it out over a couple trips & finally visit SeaWorld & a few other things i've been wanted to do for years

 

[We3LoveDisney]

I have an Owners Lockers which permits me to have a Brita water filter pitcher for all trips. I usually ship a box down ahead of time to the resort that contains some snack foods, cereal, boxed milk, small bottles of cranberry juice and a couple of bottles of water. We usually eat breakfast in the villa, saves time and money. The water bottles we refill and freeze, so we don't have to purchase water in the parks (that is a real issue for me). Funny, I can spend thousands on my DVC ownerships, but it really ticks me off to pay $2.50 for a bottle of water. Shipping the box may cost a few dollars, but it is cheaper than the airlines baggage fees they are charging right now. It is also cheaper to urchase those things at home than when I get down there, and it saves me time--no shopping during vacation.

Having the Owners Locker means I don't have to pack as much (most of my toiletries are already down there) and can avoid those baggage fees.

I have heard about the owner's lockers, but don't know anything about them. Can somebody let me know how these work, costs, etc.

Thank you

 

[HayGan]

Have you canceled trips?
No - in fact I am trying to add on a second trip next year - DH doesn't know yet

Are you cutting back on trips?
We won't be doing DDP anymore but not necessarily for financial reasons

Are you doing things differently at home so you can still take your Disney vacations?
We are doing things differently but not specifically because of Disney. We are becoming more conscious of our spending habits. I am trying to do more in the way of grouping errands, not just running to the store for 1 thing, etc. to watch our fuel costs. We also were much more observant of our heating and cooling costs this year. I am a frugal kind of gal to begin with but the economic situation of our country over the past 18 - 24 months has made me even more cautious.

Will your upcoming trips be different than they were in the past? How so?
Yes, but all because of DVC. Instead of shorter more frequent trips, we will take longer trips (because of the drive) spaced further apart. We will likely expand our horizons beyond WDW while in Orlando more (GASP!) to experience more things and take advantage of some other great offers. Additionally, we will be driving for most of our trips in the near future. It is much cheaper for us and we get to add on other day trips to really get to see more of the East Coast on our drives.

 

[bonybroad]

sorry

 

[hellerjw]

Have you canceled trips? Are you cutting back on trips?
No - we just added-on last week so we will be increasing our visits to 2 or 3 times per year

Are you doing things differently at home so you can still take your Disney vacations?
We have cut back on eating out and the savings have been dramatic. We used to be really bad about eating out, usually 4 or more times a week. We have cut that in half to 1 or 2 times a week and when we do go out it is to the less expensive places. The money we saved just doing this helped fund our recent add-on.

Will your upcoming trips be different than they were in the past? How so?
We will just try to take longer trips to WDW and/or short weekend jaunts to HH. Luckily we only live about 4 hours from HH and WDW is only 9 hours away so driving is always our mode of transport. I think the 2 biggest things we are going to try to start doing is cooking a few meals in the villas and start doing more activities in and around Orlando, outside of the parks (I know, blasphemy, right )

 

[edk35]

Instead of 2 one week trips each year we will combine it into one 2 week long trip next year. We are also cutting back at home - couponing and this year I will spend my change but save all the $1.00 and some $5.00. (I hate having to roll and cash in the change).
We always bring food with us but that may change with the new airline charges or we may have to drive next year. I will watch the airlines anything around $100.00 @ way will be cheaper. I know how much gas my car uses but they are all getting older so we may want to rent a car
DS18 started college this year which for us is way cheaper than the private high school we sent him to so that money will be redirected to vacations, braces for DD and other misc savings.
We are hoping to add more points on at BLT but we have to see how the finances play out the rest of this year. The thermostat will be turned lower in the winter and is higher in the summer. (Bundle up and go swimming).

We have not cancelled any trips and are not planning on cancelling any.

We are going to take less trips than before


Starting next summer...we are planning on doing ONE long trip vs. 2 or 3 a year. We went for 14 this past summer but I think we will shoot for 10 nights possibly 11. We were going for like 5 nights in late Jan. and a week in Nov. (was doing this prior to becoming DVC members). The past two years though...we have gone a total of 3 times each year. Next summer will start our once a year trips. The airfare is a killer for 2 or 3 trips a year. IT used to be cheap for us to fly SW and Airtran for like 49 and 59 each way....those days are LONG GONE. We are also realizing that we don't need to eat a TS meal every single day of our trips. They really add up. We also enjoy TS lunches when we do them....usually cheaper. We also are using Owner's Locker's for the first time starting in Nov. and I think this will help us not to spend more on extra luggage charges when flying too. We love Disney...and would love to go 4 times a year....for each season but we also realize that WE DO GET TO GO BACK and no matter how many times we go....we are always sad to say goodbye. I think keeping our trips to once a year and no more than 10 days...will help us to saving money. We also have water shipped to our resort or buy it before checking in along with some breakfast items and snacks. This helps us save some money too.

We are eating out less than we used to, not necessarily because of future Disney vacations that we are saving.... for but just because we EAT OUT TOO MUCH. LOL I am trying to be more frugal about a lot of stuff...nothing major, just because we have always kind of blown money as if we have a money tree in our backyard. If helps me to justify my Disney Vacation Obsession...if I feel like I am cutting back at home some too. Oh and did I mention I have a dd starting college in a year?!

 

[BlakeNJ]

Funny, I can spend thousands on my DVC ownerships, but it really ticks me off to pay $2.50 for a bottle of water.

Having the Owners Locker means I don't have to pack as much (most of my toiletries are already down there) and can avoid those baggage fees.

Funny, I am the same way. One year I packed an entire case of water I bought on sale up here to avoid buying park water or the inflated cost that you see outside the resort area--but I want to add on more points

I don't know why I can't pull the trigger on OL. I am in the midst of packing a box with paper plates, cups, ponchos, folding hamper etc--all things that can be kept in an OL. I am sure the package will cost me $20 to send but I guess it's still cheaper than OL.

As far as what we have been doing...I have been selling everything under the sun to make spending money. I have had a garage sale, sold an old table, sold a few things on ebay that were of some value, sold old gold and most recently, CDs that are already on my iPod. Normally, I might have only had a garage sale and saved change but this year I am determined to cover the cost of our APs and I'm very close to doing that (4 APs).

We will also be eating two dinners and most breakfast in our Villa. That alone will save us about $300.

We have not cut down on household expenses but we are pretty tight to begin with.