Is Disney on a budget possible?

Avatar for jamer104
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Is Disney on a budget possible?
4
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 4:17pm

My family and I are headed down there in a few weeks.
It is an extention of a trip to georgia that we had planned for
a family wedding. Anyhow the plane fare was really cheap and I got
us a suite in kissimee for 50 bucks a nite!!!
But I am wondering about a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and back?
And if anyone has any moneysaving tips to pass on.
Unfortantly this trip was unexpected so not budgeted in until the last week or so so.
Look forward to seeing your tips
Thanks for your help
take care
Colleen

we are arriving on a monday and leaving on thursday so there will only be two days
to go to the park

Avatar for sphintergirl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 6:00pm

How many people are in your party? Ages? You can do Disney on a budget.

Let me know and then I will expand my ideas.

Sarah

Avatar for jamer104
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 9:24pm

There are 6 of us-Me-37,DH-38,MIL-80(young 80),DD-3-6-10.

Thanks for your help

Colleen

Avatar for sphintergirl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 10-10-2006 - 11:04pm

I know you said you have a suite for $50 a night at an off site hotel.

Have you considered a family suite at All Star Music? Rates right now are great if there is vacancy. That way you can take the Disney transportation to and from the hotel (included in price of trip) and then you won't have to take hotel shuttle to the parks you can just use the Disney transportation. You may pay a bit more for your short trip, but it might be worth it in the end. Since your trip is short you would be able to take advantage of early or late hours at the park of the day.

It seems the big out pour of cash at Disney is food. Don't worry. If you are planning on eating at the parks, most counter service meals are splitable between the kids. Your 2 youngest could share a meal no problem. Or maybe you and your oldest, depending on appetites. Ice cream is always a nice snack. We usually only buy for the kids. They can never finish, so DH and I do. That saves cash. If you are thinking about doing an all you can eat character meal, we found it worked to eat an early dinner. We would eat a decent breakfast, snack at lunch and then load up at dinner.

As far as park purchases for the kids...on our first trip they wanted everything they saw. My mom was with us and bought everything they wanted. On our last 2 trips they were limited to about $10/day. They could save up and buy 1 big thing or little things during the day.

We have stayed off site - relying on hotel shuttle for parks (never do that again), stayed at a time share with a rental vehicle and we just stayed on site at the Contemporary. By far my favorite trip was our last. It was all Disney all the time. Very magical.

If you have an other questions, let us know. Everyone here is full of knowledge.

Sarah

Avatar for jamer104
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Wed, 10-11-2006 - 5:05am

Thanks for the ideas-My mil already told me "you are not going to tell me what i can buy the kids"-meaning I always say dont spend your money ect ect-well this time she will be sorry because she can buy them whatever they want.ehhehehehe
but the 10 buck a day thing is a good idea. How much is the character meal? and what is it?FIure i will pack water,juice boxes and some snacks too.
I feel so clueless....
I am really looking forward to this trip-just wish i had planned and saved for it along time ago:(
anyhow thanks for the 411 and if you think of anything else let me now
Colleen