your best $ saving tip?& how much should I take?

[luvmyfam444]

I'll be traveling T'giving w/family (so no $ spent getting there or lodging) But we're not doing the dinding plan this time so I'm gonna have to eat @ all the fast food places (they won't pay for any sit down meals---I KNOW I KNOW! CRAZY!---) so this time I'm gonna have to take $ for all our food (me & 2yo & 7yo) I guess really it's the food that's gonna be our expense.

How much $ would you set aside for the meals? IF the hamburger combos are $6 each & we eat 2 of those a day x 2 me & 7yo dd & the kid meal for 2yo dd @ that's another $3.50 or so x2 meals---let's see that should mean taking about $32 a day for food for the 3 of us....does that sound right? OF course that's not the extra snack/drink in there but I usually just bring water & crackers into the park...

Of course if I'm gonna be using my checkcard then I don't know why I'm worrying about how much $ to take... I guess I just need an idea to make sure I've got it all covered..dh won't be with me this time to talk me out of purchases either...HA HA ! SO I guess I better make sure there's enogh in the account to feed us as well as spend!

 

[Robo]

How much $ would you set aside for the meals? IF the hamburger combos are $6 each & we eat 2 of those a day x 2 me & 7yo dd & the kid meal for 2yo dd @ that's another $3.50 or so x2 meals---let's see that should mean taking about $32 a day for food for the 3 of us....does that sound right?

Those numbers are OK.
You'll find it varies with what you choose (ie. Burgers every meal, or NOT every meal).

Adult meals run from $6-$11 (entree or combo) but I'd estimate $7 -$9 to be "safe".

OITOH, I consider that I can get pretty "full" with just a Dole Whip and a pretzel, too.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I think your numbers look good.

Why not try to plan at least one character meal for just you and your kids?

 

[Goofy DS]

This tip worked great for us.

Flying or driving?

If you are flying, pack a suitcase with food like granola bars, juice boxes, pop tarts (which my kids eat cold. Yuk), packaged donuts or muffins etc.... and eat breakfast in the room. This save time and money. Then we eat a "snack" type meal for lunch, and an early (4:00-5:00) dinner at a sit down place. That way we only buy 1 large meal each day!
Be careful if you are going to check that bag. Not all airlines allow food stuff to be checked anymore.
Then at the end of your trip you have an empty bag to take home all of the souviners!!(sp?)

This year we are driving and stopping at the grocery before we get there so we don't have to pack food.

Not all families can do this, alot like BIG breakfast etc... , but it woks for us!!

 

[Wendy1953]

I agree with the other poster who said to book at least one character meal for you and your children....make it at an all you eat buffet restaurant (Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace, Ohana's, etc.) Breakfast foods in the room, along with snacks and juice boxes....you could always order a kids meal for yourself at the CS restaurants! You didn't mention if you are staying on or offsite....the day you go to AK, you could always stop at a restaurant offsite for dinner...AK always closes early! Staying in a suite or someone's home? Make sandwiches, freeze them, pack them in your cooler at the beginning of the day with icepacks, and voila....inexpensive lunch...then you can always splurge for dinner or sovenirs!

 

[ellyn2000]

We often end up sharing meals even with counter service, so you may not have to purchase 2 adult meals every time. I think your budget is pretty good. I also vote for at least one character meal on the trip. Have a wonderful time!

 

[Crazoo]

Purchase 1 combo and 1 sandwich for every 2 people. I find I can't even finish the fries most of the time, and it's very unhealthy too.

A lot of places also have a sandwich of the day type deal where it's like $1.79 for a sandwich and $4 for a combo.