What money saving tips do you think are a bit extreme?

[rance]

Here is the OP:

What money saving tips do you think are a bit extreme?

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The OP was looking for others to mock people. No salad was mentioned until later, by another poster. Clearly the OP was judging (and assuming..how does he/she know what people pay for their vacation? How does he/she know where anyone is staying. Maybe they saw/read about a FL resident visiting for the day??) then everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

Disney 1975,

I think you are reding too much into things. There are lines that are crossed in an effort to save money that do border on stealing. When Disney prices a double hamburger on their menu they account for condiments, lettuce,onions, tomatos, pickles into their cost. If someone makes 2 hamburgers out of it and uses the condiments their using product they didn't pay for....If it wasn't a problem why did disney take it off the menu's. Now if you are someone who always enjoyed a double burger too bad for you now because of others abusing the system.

The thread was not about ways of saving money, but "extreme" ways. Disney is a "luxury" and I am aware not everyone can afford it, but if I go to make coffee in my room and the previous family was cooking oatmeal in the coffee pot, to me that's extreme. If I go to iron a shirt and someone was using it to cook bacon or grilled cheese..that's extreme.

 

[2Tiggies]

I guess I'm not the best person to answer this question since I think it's a little extreme to use the hotel room's coffee maker to toast a Pop-Tart. But, to each their own...

It would never occur to me to do that. I wonder if that was for convenience of not having to trot along to the food court or to save money?

Anthing made to eat in the hotel room coffee pot! Saw a whole thread on that once. Eeeewwww....

When I read this the first thing that came to mind was a discussion on bringing croc pots to the resort room.

I must admit, although some of these things make my jaw drop and/or just tickle me for their originality, I do accept that things like bringing burger buns for example may seriously make the difference for a family as to whether they can afford a trip or not. To be fair, I don't know about the next person's personal circumstances so although some of the things people do may initially surprise me, it is just because I am blessed enough that I don't need to cost cut to that extent. If it means their family gets a vacation of a lifetime, unless it is a safety issue (cooking in a room not equipped with a kitchen is not really a good idea) I'm all for it.

 

[2Tiggies]

We get creative too. We just don't walk into a place and make a salad off the topping bar. That IMHO is wrong! Also carrying the bun seems a BIT extreme to me as you can get an extra bun for $1.00.

We eat breakfast in the room. We carry our own waters.

But I do draw the line at taking something you did not pay for. Sorry that is not being creative anymore.

JMHO ~ and I wouldn't be pointing it out to anyone either ~ I just wouldn't do it.

I agree with you - as usual!

 

[OnlyDisney]

I saw in a thread once that people will carry hamburger buns with them all day and then order a double hamburger so they then have 2 hamburgers.

Seemed a bit extreme when you are spending 1000's on a trip.

Any other one's you have heard?

I just read this and my 1st thought was "What a great idea!" My husband would disown me if I tried this though...

 

[d1gitman]

...As for the thread...I think it's gotten a little out of hand. It's unfortunate one can no longer join in a discussion where judgments aren't being made right and left. And I'm talking about both sides.

Why? Because we all live in a day and age of PC and no one dare call out wrong as wrong? It's not unfortunate that wrong actions be judged in a thread. It's wrong that we have to tip-toe around everybody's BS PC these days. Wrong is wrong and I can feel pretty confident that using a clothing iron for grilled cheese, or stealing from a toppings bar to make a salad, or improperly using appliances is WRONG.

If you think this thread is out of hand, then you will be in for a bit of a shock on some of the other threads on this board Don't even think about entering the threads about whether or not Disney has gone down hill.

 

[Travelboy]

Creative ways to make your money go farther is one thing while taking advantage of the system is another.

In regard to using the salad/condiment bar to create a meal without buying anything at the restaurant, it should be noted that the cost to stock that bar is built into the price of the cash-purchase meals and meal plans. The other patrons are paying for that food so, when I buy my meals, I am subsidizing the family that is taking theirs for free.

WDW is a business. They pay people to stock the salad bars and clean the tables and empty the garbage cans. Businesses need to make money in order to keep running (and, yes, they are allowed to make a profit).

I certainly understand and respect the need of some guests to vacation on a budget but everyone should respect the boundaries of common sense.

 

[Fantasmic23]

I certainly understand and respect the need of some guests to vacation on a budget but everyone should respect the boundaries of common sense.

Amen!

 

[NickyNoodle]

I'll make fun of myself a little bit...
Our first trip was about 9 years ago, when my husband and I were first married.

We flew from Texas, and in our suitcase packed breakfast foods (granola bars, poptarts, fruit) as well as a loaf of bread and that squeeze peanut butter and jelly combo

We only ate "out" for dinners.

While that may not sound too over the top, let me tell you that we were both active duty military and got Free tickets for the week. And we were DINKS (double-income, no kids) with zero debt. Like, not even a car payment. We probably could have eased up on the Pb & Jelly.

I think we were still in the poor-college student mindset.

The next trip we bought the dining plan and found we could relax significantly and enjoy all the tasty treats the World has to offer.

We leave in less than a week and this time we're on the free dining plan-- even better!

 

[twokids0204]

I'll make fun of myself a little bit...
Our first trip was about 9 years ago, when my husband and I were first married.

We flew from Texas, and in our suitcase packed breakfast foods (granola bars, poptarts, fruit) as well as a loaf of bread and that squeeze peanut butter and jelly combo

We only ate "out" for dinners.

While that may not sound too over the top, let me tell you that we were both active duty military and got Free tickets for the week. And we were DINKS (double-income, no kids) with zero debt. Like, not even a car payment. We probably could have eased up on the Pb & Jelly.

I think we were still in the poor-college student mindset.

The next trip we bought the dining plan and found we could relax significantly and enjoy all the tasty treats the World has to offer.

We leave in less than a week and this time we're on the free dining plan-- even better!

We packed breakfast foods too. Oatmeal and cereal. We brought bowls and spoons, and purchased milk at the food courts.

I don't see a problem with that.

No one is saying you have to spend your meal money at Disney.

I think the consensus here is, if you aren't spending the $ at the Disney restaurant, you don't have the right to use their condiments (which are inteded as accompaniments to the purchased meal).

 

[2Tiggies]

We leave in less than a week and this time we're on the free dining plan-- even better!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We don't bring any kitchen stuff to the resort, but don't judge people who do. Other people can go about their business without it affecting me.

It's funny, because we took two BIG trips as a family when I was little. One to the Poly, and one to this motel in either Orlando or Kississimme called Wilson World. Wilson World smelled like chlorine when you walked into the lobby, and they had a kid's night with a "magician" who was so bad that my four year old brother could see what he was doing. My sister and I had to share a bed, and I (then seven) got in trouble for kicking my one year old sister in my sleep, which I thought was egregiously unfair.

Needless to say, while our tip at Poly was great, it's Wilson World that we always talk about. Saving on money gave us great stories.

I have a very different tune now, because my partner and I don't have kids, and can afford to stay Deluxe. But I wonder, sometimes, about the memories we would make elsewhere.

 

[Suellen]

What does, "a few steps above stealing" mean? Is there a name for that "step"?

Can people bring their own sunscreen or is this, too, "a few steps above stealing" since it wasn't purchased from Disney?

Also, what are the rules for what is "mock worthy" and what isn't? Is there a generally accepted list or does it just get determined on a personal level determined by the meanness and/or strength of the desire to mock of the mocker?

If people want to bring sunscreen or water or extra buns to a park, I'm all for that. If people want to pay extra for the convenience of buying it in the park, I'm all for that, too. If all the boats float, it's a good day.

What you are saying here doesn't even make sense! Sunscreen?

No one has a problem with others bring in their own bottled water. That is FAR from EXTREME!

I think bringing a bun (let's recap) that you can purchase for $1.00 at the counter... yeah is a bit extreme. If your budget is SO tight that the $1.00 is going to be a problem.... perhaps you should save for an extra month before taking the trip. Now if you are doing it out of cheapness and not need than that is DEFINITELY mock worthy. (Allergies are different).

Now since I don't like the buns ~ I could also see having your own bun to "switch" out with the crumbly bun. I wouldn't but I would understand it.

And making a salad from the condiment bar with no purchase.... you can argue that anyway you want. It is still stealing.

(now where is David to tell me it is "technically" trespassing somehow?)

 

[Suellen]

Oh and to all those that think cooking in the room is gross because of smells and such... what about when they provide you with a kitchen in the room (DVC?) Is it still "gross"?

 

[tony67]

I do not think anything is too extreme if it is what you need to do so you can enjoy and afford your vacation as long as it is not a hazard to others.

Cooking in a hotel is a hazard IMO.

I may laugh when I see my uncle take his burger out of the holder put it on a napkin and make himself a salad, but he is allowed as much toppings at the free topping bar as he likes.

Would I do it , no, But it is amusing.

 

[momimouse27]

I have to agree about the condiment bar. There's reasonable ways to save money, then there's ridiculous. If you aren't eating at the restaurant in Disney, you shouldn't use their condiments, just like twokids said.

As far as bringing a bun, and making two burgers out of it...I don't think it's necessarily out of line, but it would be more practical to just buy a large hamburger and split it. Personally, I would never do it myself. I think my husband would have a heart attack.

 

[Suellen]

It reminds me of when salad bars in the grocery store were new. Some of our French Canadians were visiting and my grandparents took them to the grocery store. They all went their separate ways and when my grandmother ran into them again they were each eating a salad and telling her how wonderful it was the grocery store provided a free salad while you shopped!! My grandmother was just mortified!! Apparently they didn't have salad bars in Canada then.

 

[mrbghd]

This thread makes me very sad

Most of us are fortunate to be able to take our families on a nice Disney vacation, but others may have been saving for years just to get through the front gate and may have to get creative to feed their family. Are any of you in the position to judge a person for carrying around a bun? How did they "cheat" the system. They paid for a double cheeseburger...they didnt steal it. If they cut it in half and shared it with someone else would that be offensive to you too?

I really cant believe the noses up on this thread.

Not to be a jerk, but if money is that big of an issue a vacation to WDW is not the best thing for a person to do!

 

[momimouse27]

Not to be a jerk, but if money is that big of an issue a vacation to WDW is not the best thing for a person to do!

Actually, I kind of agree.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Actually, I kind of agree.

But who are you to say how other people spend their money?

 

[DaParkers]

Suellen, who are you to determine what is mock worthy? Are you 12? I hope you don't have kids or grandchildren that someone feels are "mock worthy." Maybe there is something about you that should be mocked. I don't mind people voicing their opinions, but there is a line between disliking a person's actions and mocking that person. Grow up, this isn't high school. And yes, I am judging you because you are "Judge Worthy".