What Worked... Thanks for the Help!

[Tetonman]

I've posted a series of trip reports, but wanted to share the tips that I found here that worked very well at saving us money on our trip. We spent 4 days at the All Stars Movies with DH, DW, DS (4), DS (2), DS (4 mos).

-- Bring your own cereal and breakfast (saved about $12/day)
-- Bring your own snacks for the pool and parks (saved over $30 just on this idea alone)
-- Buy the mugs for $10.99 (we refilled with coffee or soda at least 4 times a day and only bought 2 and shared with sons)
-- Use Disney Transportation rather than renting a car
-- Buy souveneirs at Disney Store on sale before going (I bought each son two shirts and Buzz Lightyear PJs before going for a total of $19 per son versus cost at WDW for same of over $32 per son)
-- Buy Dollar Store autograph books and stickers (saved $4, but spent it on Buzz Lightyear light up pens at Disney Store)
-- At resort, buy your alcohol and milk at the convenience store in the resort Disney store instead of the food court (saved $16 on drinks alone)
-- Review menus before you go and get PS to avoid surprise costs
-- Treat the monorail as a ride and go check out the other resorts
-- Smushed pennies are a cheap fun alternative to expensive toys (we let each son get two for a total cost of $2.04 and they love them)
-- Enjoy the pool, it's free!
-- Use your fantasia golf tickets for a free round on a great course
-- Get each child a room key for a free souvenier
-- Tip Mousekeeping and you'll get fast service every day you are there (spend a little to save time)

Thanks to everyone for sharing their tips. I learned a lot and was able to save at least $150 on our trip expenses.

 

[hercamore]

Great tips, and even my l9 yo dd collects those pennies!


herc.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Heck my 30 year old DH gets the pennies and quarters....he absolutely loves them

 

[JuJuJasmine]

Great Tips! I've been challenging myself with this one, so i'll throw it out to the boards...
In September we will be 5 (3 adults and 2 children under 5). We arrive on a Sunday for 4 days at WDW then head to Port for the DCL 3 day cruise.
Given this agenda - and our crew - would you still say use Disney transportation and don't rent a car? By the time i add up transfers and the convenience of having "wheels", it almost seems a car rental is the way to go...
Thanks - Ju

 

[MCazer]

Rent the car. We have found that having a car is invaluable when you have little ones. Rent from Avis and you can drop it off at the Radisson in Port Canaveral and take the shuttle over to the terminal.

We have done this 2 times.

We find that with strollers and all the extras associated with little ones, having the car (we usually rent a van) is great. Any idea what it is like to drag your kid out of a stroller and fold it up and hold them on a bus, especially if it standing room only? I did that once, because my mother insisted that the buses were the easiest.

The thing is, is that she was never there with kids in strollers. It was a horror scene, and we ended up having to switch buses. We would have been back to the room in minutes instead of an hour.

Also, since you are staying onsite, parking will be free.

Have fun!

 

[Tetonman]

Given your itinerary, I would rent the car. Especially given the tips above.

Tetonman