Where to start with budgeting for the trip?

[krismanda]

Hi all!

We are 1st timers staying at Coronado Springs 9/29-10/6...two adults, a 4 (turning 5) year old and an infant.

We have our resort reservations and airfare paid for. With six months or so until our trip, I want to make sure that we save enough for the rest of the trip.

I'm just not sure where to start with planning for the rest of the expenses. Are there any websites or books that have good resources for estimating dining, souveneir (sp?), incidentals, etc? I know it can probably vary pretty widely, but if I could even just find some info on averages it would be helpful.

There is so much info out there, that I feel like I need a starting place.

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

One thing I can suggest is if you are staying ON property, watch the Disney special offers page for free dining offers. Right now they just have free dining for stays in August and September, but some time this summer they will release the fall free dining dates and if your dates fall within the released dates of the offer you can have that applied to your existing reservation.

Last year we already had our trip booked and paid for, for 10/27 to 11/5 and when they released the fall free dining promotion it happened to line up perfectly with our dates. I wouldn't have been able to change our dates as we had our airfare already booked and paid for and changing it is a big PITA and costs you fees usually and higher fares.

Next time we are driving and staying as DVC owners so we won't qualify for any free dining promo. =(

Here is the link for the special offers page

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Go to allears.net for dining options and pricing.

 

[tevisco4]

FREE DINING! If your resort has rooms available, you can get free dining added to your package. The last available date is September 29th, but if there are rooms available and you check in on the 29th, then you can get FREE dining your whole stay Good Luck...we are staying the same time frame at Music and are taking advantage of free dining.

 

[gillenkl]

What kind of meals are you interested in: character, table service, counter service. After you figure that out....look over the menus from allears. You need to make your dining reservations 180 +10 out from 9/29. The 5 yr old can probably share meals with the adults. For planning I use www.tourguidemike.com-wouldn't plan my trip without it.