What do you pack to lower the cost?

[Laurajean1014]

We are returning to WDW this June (yay). However, since I am out of a job, we will be more budget conscience than any other trip.

Can you pack Slimfasts in luggage? Would they explode under pressure? Security (due to it looking like a solid silo).

Breakfast cereals, snacks and stuff?

What are your suggestions?

 

[Selket]

You don't mention where you are staying but if you could use a lot of supplies and especially if you have a fridge in the room I think some shuttle services will allow you stop at a grocery store en route to pick up supplies (perhaps at no extra charge for the stop?). Maybe someone else will have more info on that idea...but it could be worth looking into. It helped us to cut down costs by bringing a lot of bottled water and our breakfast foods. I also brought some of those prepackaged snack lunches for my kids (who didn't like the food court food) and some fresh fruit - but we drove down. It was easy to eat breakfast in the room.

 

[Chicago526]

I wouln't pack canned goods. While it shouldn't be a security thing, they get VERY heavy. I'd stick with boxes of cereal, crackers, chips, etc. Maybe some jars of peanut butter and jelly. You can buy a loaf of bread at some of the Disney hotel gift shops (they have light grociers in the back, you can also pick up milk for the cereal).

Some limo/town car companies will make 1 stop for food, but depending on how many people they're picking up, it could be cheaper to rent a small car, even if you don't want to go off property. Compare both to see what makes the best deal. Also, compare if making a stop or renting a car saves you money in the long run by being able to shop. It's no good to save $50 on food and then spend 2 or 3 times on a limo or car rental.

 

[KristiKelly]

Since we drive, I tend to take quite a bit. Last year, I took lots of snacks, juice boxes, case of bottled water, sandwich meat (we took a cooler & had a fridge @ BCV), cheese, bread, cereal, breakfast bars, Ovaltine for the kids, milk, Diet Dr. Pepper (you can't get that @ WDW) - you get the picture. I did pack quite a bit of food and it was used, 2 nights our kids just wanted a sandwich, chips & grapes, so they could swim in SAB. We will probably do the same thing for our next trip & either rent a refrigerator or take 2 coolers. I'd like to purchase a small dorm type refrigerator & take, but don't know if that would be appropriate.

 

[antnee]

we just do the grocery stop thing so we done have to lug it all

 

[Laurajean1014]

We are staying in a one bedroom at OKW. Lots of room for storing, cooking and refridgerating.

I am bringing two boxes of cereal, peanut butter, jelly, special K bars, pasta, tea bags, Splenda, fig newton bars, and cookies.

We usually get a town car for the p/u at the airport and they take us to the local food store and even give us the discount card. I will need to buy egg whites, bread, milk, etc. My husband is on Slim Fast, so I pick that up too!

Any suggestions?

 

[Alice28]

I packed all sorts of snacks for our family trip in 2003. I packed cereal, granola bars, poptarts, cookies, pringles, goldfish crackers, raisins, fruit snacks and juice boxes. Then we had a grocery store stop with our towncar and I bought a case of water, a 12 pack of soda, milk, gogurt and some fruit. (we were there for 10 days with our two kids, my parents and my mother in law). The 3 parties of adults split the cost of renting a fridge which we kept in our room. We did not buy one breakfast our entire trip, and bought a few snacks, but not a lot- maybe one every other day. And we only bought two bottles of water or soda the whole trip. we also bought the resort souvenir refillable mugs and definitely got our $'s worth.

I also brought ponchos that I bought from the dollar store, (instead of shelling out $6 a pop at the parks), laundry detergent tablets and dryer sheets, a sampling from practically our entire medicine cabinet (I didn't want to have to shell out big bucks for a couple Tylenol or what have you), and just about anything I could think of that I wouldn't want to buy at the hotel sundry shop. I packed all of these extras in one suitcase, and then we had an empty suitcase to pack the souvenirs in to bring home.

 

[pampam]

Once iI did pack diet pepsi in my suitcase and one can opened up. I had to do laundry as soon as I arrived. Won't do that again.
I pack almonds, rice crackers, mr. noodles, and whatever I think I cannot get readily there. I tend to go now with foods that are dehydrated, so they don't weigh too much. But I always make a trip to Publix when I get there for fresh produce water, etc.

 

[canwegosoon]

The grocery stop is the way to go for cans or larger bottles of soda. I think one of the biggest savings is the Britta water bottles, and bringing snacks/breakfast items. I love the Krave bars as a meal replacement for me. I would take slim fast bars for your DH. I stopped at albertsons and picked up 5 2l bottles of diet soda, milk,jelly, fruit, ice/chest, and bread. Had a List...makes it faster. Also packed a seperate case of just food (mostly for security and cleanliness) of ceral, granola, little crystal light cups, mini muffins and PB. On the way back the case was empty, and ended up getting pacled inside another case. Good luck what ever you decide to do.

 

[corinascot]

We usually bring pbj, bread, fruit, nuts, cereal, granola bars, deli meat and cheese, variety of drinks, graham crackers, other snacks, good ground coffee,...We're driving, so we can bring alot of stuff. I pack it all in a big rubbermaid box.

We're buying a Coleman electric cooler that plugs into the back of our van. We can also use it in the room. We're staying at POR and I asked them if it was ok to bring in a little cooler. The staff person I spoke with said, "Ma'am, you wouldn't believe what people put in their room!"

Corina

 

[Atotty]

Originally posted by corinascot
We're buying a Coleman electric cooler that plugs into the back of our van. We can also use it in the room. We're staying at POR and I asked them if it was ok to bring in a little cooler. The staff person I spoke with said, "Ma'am, you wouldn't believe what people put in their room!"

Corina

Thanks for the laugh.

We're staying at POR and we have the exact same cooler. I'm about to go get it out of the box and plug it in to make sure it works. I've heard other people say it'll keep cold things cold, but don't put warm things in it....they won't get cold. I'm going to test it.

 

[frannn]

I usually bring too many snacks and buy too much when we stop at Publix, so I am going to be much more careful with what I buy. I'll probably bring pks of instant oatmeal for DD1, microwave popcorn, fruit bars, and maybe some pb (they have jelly packets in the food court, I believe). I'll buy applesauce, water, soda, a few other snacks when we get there. I was thinking of getting the cup of soup type things that you just add water to, but I'm thinking it will probably be too hot for that stuff, and a hassle. I would love to find things that don't need to be refrig or cooked, that we could pack for the park. I've brought the little snack size tuna & crackers (comes w/a small plastic spreader), but that was never enough to be worthwhile.

 

[Kirby]

We're buying a Coleman electric cooler that plugs into the back of our van.

We have one of those. It keeps things cool but not cold. And don't leave it plugged in in the car overnight. Your car battery just might not work the next morning.

We've driven twice and always carried breakfast foods. Lunch food also. Sometimes we were so tired when we got back to the room that we would just have a sandwich and crash. Snacks are nice to have for the munchies. And don't forget some chocolate. It's a lot cheaper than paying for it out of the machine. Be sure and either carry or buy soft drinks when you arrive especially Dr. Pepper. You can't get that there.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

I know you said that you have a refrig, we will have a full kitchen, one thing I am stopping at the store for are some ice cream and fudgebars. My daughter is a salad eater so we will be getting some of that. We plan to have all but two Breakfast at the villa. Most lunch out and dinner out. But I think we will take a lunch to the two water parks or come back for late lunch after the water parks. I also keep a small cooler in the car. For some reason I am always dying of thrist on the way out of the park.

Another tip, I am going to pack all my loose stuff in ziplock bags. I am going to recycle them by putting water and frozening them for the cooler.

 

[crisi]

Just keep in mind that you aren't "saving" any money throwing it away at the end of the trip. It has been really easy for me in the past to overshop at my grocery stop - and end up tossing half a bag of sugar, drink mix, three open boxes of cereal because everyone had to have something different, leaving a case of pop behind. I'm sure the housekeeping staff loves the extra popcorn, fruit snacks, granola bars, frozen pizza (just in case we get hungry).....(we fly, so hauling it all back home to use isn't an option).

I know some DVC members do the majority of their meals in the room - posting over at the DVC board or searching there will yeild a ton of good "cooking at DVC" suggestions. Mine will be "make a menu, shop to it, and stick to it." Some of the favorites over there are spaghetti or chili - both easy to do with the equipment DVC provides in a one bedroom. We would do scrambled eggs or omlettes every morning, with coffee juice and toast - but no other cooking.

One BIG hint is to make sure you have extra sunscreen, sunglasses, film, hats, etc. These things are REALLY expensive (especially sunscreen and film) if you forget or lose them or use them up. We lose at least one hat a trip (or leave it in the room) and are always buying more hats and sunglasses! Also, if you aren't familiar with DVC, you will not get a full stay worth of shampoo and conditioner like you would in a regular room (unless you are very conservative in your shampoo use), so make sure to pack it - its also pricey onsite. (As well as the other toiletries you may take for granted).

 

[cindyfan]

There is a Super Target right off of 417 that we stop at on our way from the airport to WDW.

They sell those styrofoam coolers for like $3.99 and then we load up on just what we will use for our stay.

Breakfast foods.....singles packs of cereal...which are good for carrying in the back pack for a mid-day snack too, Pop Tarts, etc.

Drinks....WATER! it is so cheap at Target...that even if we throw away a few bottles we are still saving $$ over the week. And pop.....we don't buy the refillables anymore....cheaper to grab a few 12 packs.

Lunch meat, small jar of peanut butter, and bread too.....cheaper to make a few sandwiches in the room than to pay $$ at the food court.

We also will wait til we get to Target to pick up the film.....now that they X-ray the luggage....don't have to worry about ruining the film on the way in.

And we usually pack the tablets of laundry soap....so easy to put a few in a ziplock and throw them in the suitcase.

Make sure you buy a large bottle of sunscreen (usually can find one of those "30% more for free")...then get a couple little travel size containers (we have lots of free sample things that are now empty)....then put the sunscreen in them to carry in the parks. You must have sunscreen with you all day to keep re-applying.

I carry my extra pair of prescription glasses in my suitcase...just in case.
My DD always takes a couple hats with her.....keeps the sun off her face.

And....we carry a first aid case....with lots of pain killers (tylenol, advil, etc.) and sinus medicine, antacid tablets (like Tumms), mole skin for blisters, small packets of Purell (or some kind of hand sanitizer) and lots and lots and lots of Bandaids! My DD used to be so prone to slips and falls (not as bad now) that I always had Bandaids in my pockets along with Neosporin!
Also, think about any other things you are prone to get.....one year I had a bad cold the week before we left and I always get cold sores when I have back colds.....but didn't think about it when packing. We spent DOUBLE the $$ for the medicine and had to waste 2 hours getting to the store to buy it.

Now I always have my First Aid case ready to go with everything.....and check expiration dates before you go too!

Have a great time!

 

[WALT2DAY]

I pre-send a food box to myself to the resort, 5 days before we plan to arrive. I pack, mayo in a plastic container, 3 large cans of tuna, gum (not to be found at WDW), gummies my DD likes, granola bars for DH, some cookies and crackers.

We do the limo grocery 30 min stop.
We buy a styrafoam cooler, water bottles, fruit, plastic utensils, bowls & paper plates, cereal.

To save money- Breakfast always in the room. We buy milk at the gift shop each evening, place in the cooler with ice for breakfast cereal. One exception - Cindy's one morning.

3 tuna dinners on the 3 days we do our 3 character/sit down lunches. We like the buffets - H&V, Crystal Palace, Whispering Canyon.

We would rather spend extra $$'s on more days in the parks
than on more calorific foods in our tummies.

Just a suggestion.
But.... my family refuses to eat tuna dinners after we returned
from WDW

 

[Desi]