Where Do I Begin? Lots of ?????'s

[meeshi]

This will be my first time actually planning a disney trip and I have no idea where to start. We have been to disney before but never actually planned a whole trip around disney. I would like to go next year if possible.

My mom has a time share and we're hoping to exchange for something in the Orlando area. There are 3 adults (DH, my mom and myself) and 3 kids (14, 12 & 10). Also, dh, dd#1, and I all have one day passes left from when we were there 10 yrs ago. I was pregnant with dd#2 and ds got in free. So could we still use those days and how do we go about doing that?

Where do we come up with our budget amount? ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MHopkins2]

Yes, you can still use the tickets from 10 years ago - just not at Animal Kingdom, because it wasn't open then. (You can "upgrade" them to include Animal Kingdom, but why not just use them for a MK or Epcot day and save the $?) Since they're so old (vs. tix from a year or two ago), you might need to go to Guest Services outside the park to get current ticket "media" - but you won't have to pay anything.

It sounds like your hotel costs will be taken care of with the timeshare, so that's one big expense out of the way!

For food, you'll need to decide where and how often you want to eat out vs. eat at your resort. Deb Wills's site, WDWIG has full menus for nearly every vendor, counter service, and sit-down restaurant inside WDW. Those are a BIG help with budgeting.

Except for the three one day tix, you're going to have to plan on (gulp) $300/day for park tickets. All three of your kids are "adults" as far as Disney tickets are concerned, and the various ticket options vary in flexibility, but most are ~ $50/person/day.

Will you drive or fly down? Try Orbitz or Expedia for plane fares - or southwest.com if you're in one of their markets (Southwest doesn't participate in any of the big consolidated travel sites).

Souveniers & miscellaneous are the hardest things to budget for. I can't help you much there, other than to say figure out how much you think you'll spend, then add another 50%!

Have fun planning your trip!!

 

[travelitis]

I would suggest starting with a guidebook. I like the Unofficial Guide and the Official Guide. The Unofficial Guide will give you more dollars and cents info along with the nuts and bolts of line times, etc. Birnbaums' Official Guide is a happy, sweet read with lush descriptions and Disney trivia. It has much helpful info, and I think the 2 books complement each other. If you don't want to buy them, look at your local library.

You could use those passes by purchasing hoppers for the littlest 2 that are one day longer than hoppers you purchase for yourselves. For example, everyone with old passes purchases 4 day hoppers for a 5 day visit, and for the 2 without passes you purchase 5 day hoppers. Your biggest expense is going to be passes.

For food prices, look at the menus at www.wdwig.com and www.wdwinfo.com. The Unofficial Guide has good money-saving strategies for food. This is an area of your budget over which you have a lot of control and is your biggest variable. You could eat at WDW and spend as much on food as on your passports, or you could utilize the kitchen at your timeshare and pack snacks and cut that budget at least in half. It totally depends on how you want to vacation.

Transportation: Are you flying or driving? If you fly you'll need to factor in a rental car and gas. If you're driving factor in gas and hotel stays. Remember to add the food during travel or non-Disney days in your food budget.

Souvenirs: We give our kids the opportunity to earn and save their own money throughout the year. They are responsible for buying their souvenirs and extra Mickey ice cream bars. We buy the some ice cream, but not every day and if they want more it comes from their budget. This helps teach them fiscal responsibility and appreciation. We make sure, though, that they have ample opportunity to earn a sufficient amount. We wouldn't want them to have less than $50 and encourage them to save more. Don't forget to put some souvenir money in for yourself, and add some for the surprises you get for your kids.

Pack to avoid wasting time and money running after aspirin, bandages, moleskin, sunscreen, etc., or you'll get nickled and dimed to death.

Extras to factor:
stroller rental unless you take your own
pictures
film
rain ponchos
Mickey ice cream bars
tips
taxes
pool floaties
sunglasses (if you forget yours)

This is a list that can go on forever depending on your personal preferences, so I'll stop here. You get the idea, I'm sure.

So, take each category, determine the cost, list the totals and add them together. Good Luck!

 

[meeshi]

Thanks for your replies. I guess I need to just do this slowly. Put money away and then buy the tickets a little at a time. I read someone's post who said that's what they do. That's a great idea so it doesn't seem like one big chunk of money.

I think we'll be driving down since we're staying offsite and we'll need the van for dd's wheelchair. It'll be less expensive than flying and having to rent some kind of van.

Ok, thanks for the information. This will get me started!

 

[Lewisc]

Use, don't pay to upgrade, your existing tickets. The value Disney puts on them is based on your original purchase price. Ocassionally hotels, resorts or ticket agencies offer 3 day park hopper tickets. If they become available you might want to buy them (would work well with your existing tickets)

Food--You're staying in a condo with a full kitchen. Most of the supermarkets are no more expensive than at home. Every restaurant chain has multiple locations in Orlando. There are countless coupons for kids eating free or for a reduced price. You really only have to worry about the INCREASED FOOD COSTS (in park meals and snacks). You probably don't HAVE TO spend much more than you would at home. WalMart, K-Mart, Target, Costco... all have large stores in Orlando. Use whatever store you're used to using to stock up.

 

[meeshi]

Ok, I have a question. With the coupons for kids eat free or at reduced prices. What ages do they mean? My kids will be 15, 13 and 11. Would they be too old for these specials?

 

[zulaya]

I think most restaurants define kids as under 12. You really should check into it though because some might have different policies. And realize that if you are able to take advantage of any kids specials it is usually one kid per paying adult.