Saving Money in WDW

[stacy87]

I'm not sure if this will have been asked before. My friend and I are going to WDW in July this year. My friend will have less spending money than myself (about £1,500), and I'm worried that she may not get to enjoy Disney as much as she would like.

So my question is, what is your best money saving tips?? :thumbs:

[uscwest]

How long will you be there? Will you be on the dining plan? How much difference are talking about for spending money between the two of you?

[stacy87]

How long will you be there? Will you be on the dining plan? How much difference are talking about for spending money between the two of you?


We are going for 10 days. We are not on the DDP, simply because we are planning to eat in many different places - not all disney parks (probably mainly off-site dining). I should have about £2,500 and she will maybe have £1,000/£1,500.

[JuniorMickey]

that's a lot of money for one person for 10 days. My goodness.

[stacy87]

that's a lot of money for one person for 10 days. My goodness.

It will be our first time there, and I had been recommended (by a family member who has been to WDW before) to take about £2,000. Is this far too much???

[JuniorMickey]

MisterE and I have gone for 9 days and spent far less than $1000 for the two of us, I can't imagine bring nearly $4,000 for one person for 10 days.

[stacy87]

MisterE and I have gone for 9 days and spent far less than $1000 for the two of us, I can't imagine bring nearly $4,000 for one person for 10 days.


That's good news! That means I will have more money for my holiday wardrobe! lol I'm trying to lose some serious weight before we go, so am not buying any clothes for it until nearer the time :D

[Tishypops]

Dont buy them until you are there!!!!!!!!
AMAZING shopping hehehehe
£2000 is definetly a lot for 10 days but I am sure you can manage to spend it lol
also you friend will be absolutly fine with £1000/£1500
we generally budget $100 per day (not includig food) but that is for 2 ad 2 ch

[hayleyneeyore]

That is a lot of money for 10 days! It's like £150 per day for one person - offsite dining will be MUCH cheaper than WDW dining. Try: Denny's, TGI Friday's, CiCi's Pizza, Sweet Tomatoes, and our favourite, Buffalo Wild Wings. Offsite dining tip: go to these restaurant's websites and sign up if they have a 'club' or email list. They often email you BOGOF, free dessert, 10% off vouchers, etc...

We are going just over 3 weeks this year and will probably take around £2000/£2500 between us. We won't be on DDP for the first time. Granted we have been before (and hopefully will be back soon!) so won't be stocking up on loads of souvenirs, but we will be buying bits and bobs at the parks. Luckily our families will be with us this time so won't have to buy presents!!

We aim to take around $200 per day between us and find it's enough, so don't worry about not having enough money! We do usually have the dining plan though, but still have to pay tips and drinks out of pocket. You will find that you'll spend what you take though. If I only had £500, I'd manage. If I had £5000, I'd probably find a way to spend it!!

One tip though is to hit the Disney Outlets (one at Prime Outlet, one at Premium Outlet) to buy some souvenirs/items before buying anything at the parks. Sometimes you'll get great bargains up to around 70% off. In 2008, I bought a WDW hoodie down from $54 to £8.99.

[Stace&Tink]

Hey last time I went to WDW was for 14 days, we ate mainly on disney sites be it in parks or the hotel restaurant, (admitedly we ate in the more budget restaurants) alot of pizza, burgers, chicken etc. I took just £800 (thats all I could afford) and had money left at the end of the trip to buy gifts to bring home etc, £1000 should be plenty for 10days! have a great time! :)
We also found that because we were so busy during the days, we often skipped lunch so were only buying breakfast and dinner, that helped us save some pennies.
I'm going again at Christmas and plan to take about £1000, so I can clothes shop too. :)

[Tishypops]

we spent about £4000 last time we were there although we were there 21 nights there were 4 of us and it was out wedding trip so we really did go all out with things and bought quite a few meals for family and friends that were out there with us.

[stacy87]

Thank you everyone for the messages :) I will tell my friend that she can relax and not to worry about her spending money :) We're hoping to day a day of shopping whilst we're there too, so I will be taking a little extra for this! lol :D

[princess jade]

Remember you've got to fit it in your suitcase :wink:

[stacy87]

Remember you've got to fit it in your suitcase :wink:


lol yes, that will be my problem! I'm planning on packing light and throwing away anything I don't need again over there to save some room in my case for returning :D I'm a self-confessed shopaholic! lol

[Tishypops]

I threw out so much before we came home form this trip, then when we got to the airport the person checking us in had checked in my family the previous week (they stayed 2 weeks then took my DD's home for a week so we could have a honeymoon) anyways the guy remembered and let all of our baggage through. I was kicking myself i had thrown away my "comfy jeans" lol

[stacy87]

I threw out so much before we came home form this trip, then when we got to the airport the person checking us in had checked in my family the previous week (they stayed 2 weeks then took my DD's home for a week so we could have a honeymoon) anyways the guy remembered and let all of our baggage through. I was kicking myself i had thrown away my "comfy jeans" lol

lol that sounds like something I would do! :rotfl:

[Barbeegirl]

Just one quick point that no one has mentioned yet, but in your budget are you planning on buying park tickets too? These can get expensive depending on how many disney/ non-disney parks you plan on visiting.

It usually works out cheaper to buy these tickets in advance of your trip, but you can check the prices online before you go so you know how much you will need for them.

[stacy87]

Just one quick point that no one has mentioned yet, but in your budget are you planning on buying park tickets too? These can get expensive depending on how many disney/ non-disney parks you plan on visiting.

It usually works out cheaper to buy these tickets in advance of your trip, but you can check the prices online before you go so you know how much you will need for them.

We have purchased the Orlando Flexticket as we are going to visit Universal, IOA and Seaworld (and Busch Gardens if my friend really wants to go!) lol We want to go to 3 Disney parks, so we were going to purchase these on the day whilst we are there. We've also got the Discovery Cove with swim booked and paid for :)

[Tishypops]

ooooh I would check those prices out before you go.
Might work out cheaper to buy 7 day ticket here rather than 3 day when there!!!!
Seems mad I know but the prices on the gate are really high

[stacy87]

ooooh I would check those prices out before you go.
Might work out cheaper to buy 7 day ticket here rather than 3 day when there!!!!
Seems mad I know but the prices on the gate are really high


What's the best website to look at for ticket prices? Will definitely look into this if it will save us money :) thanks :thumbs:

[Tishypops]

There are some advertised on here which I tend to find the cheapest but I can never remember what they are because I just click the link lol

[Tishypops]

This one
http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41709

[stacy87]

This one
http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41709


Thank you :) Will take a look just now!

[Tishypops]

no problem :)
You must be so excited I remember my first trip it was amazing

[stacy87]

no problem :)
You must be so excited I remember my first trip it was amazing


Very excited! I really can't wait. I have to try and stop thinking about it whilst at Uni which isn;t always easy though! lol :rotfl:

[Tishypops]

I know what you mean.
I work as a travel agent so I spend most day checking messages on here because it is a good excuse as it is 'research' hehehe

[stacy87]

I know what you mean.
I work as a travel agent so I spend most day checking messages on here because it is a good excuse as it is 'research' hehehe


lol I wish I could get away with that! When did you have your first trip to WDW?

[Tishypops]

2005
It was fab, we were supposed to be going to greece with friends in the september but then they pulled out and DH was sat in the travel agents, he was only supposed to be changeing it to a booking just for us and he phoned me and said so I want ot go to Florida instead!!!!!
I must say though although I was sooooo excited I get more and more excited everytime I go because I know what to expect. It doesnt matter how much you read nothing can prepare you for the scale of everything and the atmosphere there is amazing!!!
We were there last feb to get married and on the plane home we were talking about our next trip lol

[stacy87]

2005
It was fab, we were supposed to be going to greece with friends in the september but then they pulled out and DH was sat in the travel agents, he was only supposed to be changeing it to a booking just for us and he phoned me and said so I want ot go to Florida instead!!!!!
I must say though although I was sooooo excited I get more and more excited everytime I go because I know what to expect. It doesnt matter how much you read nothing can prepare you for the scale of everything and the atmosphere there is amazing!!!
We were there last feb to get married and on the plane home we were talking about our next trip lol


aww that's fab!!! :D So when's the next trip?? :hehe: and where u going this time? lol

[Tishypops]

not for a loooooong time.
I want DD's to be a little older for the next trip. Abi last time was 2" too short to go on most things so we have decided we want Gabriella to be tall enough next time we go.
We have decided on 2012 and because I hope to get free DDp we are looking at september (will be my 30th while we are there too :) )
I am really torn about the hotel, my head says Fort WIlderness because of the extra room in there. We will have a lounge area so when the kids go to bed at night we can still sit and chat without waking them up. I really want AK but I just think the room will not be enough.

[stacy87]

not for a loooooong time.
I want DD's to be a little older for the next trip. Abi last time was 2" too short to go on most things so we have decided we want Gabriella to be tall enough next time we go.
We have decided on 2012 and because I hope to get free DDp we are looking at september (will be my 30th while we are there too :) )
I am really torn about the hotel, my head says Fort WIlderness because of the extra room in there. We will have a lounge area so when the kids go to bed at night we can still sit and chat without waking them up. I really want AK but I just think the room will not be enough.


That sounds good though - gives you lots of time to plan, plan, plan! :D A separate lounge area sounds better - gives you some chill out time once the kids are in bed :) Although AK looks lovely! We originally wanted to go there, but couldn't afford it. So we may go there next time - just take longer to save up! lol

[Tishypops]

lol Yea to stay FW looking at this years prices even after my TA discounts (which by 2012 are quite a lot) I am still going ot be paying £3700 for flights accom and park passes. That is more than I paid for 3 week in POR last year lol

[stacy87]

lol Yea to stay FW looking at this years prices even after my TA discounts (which by 2012 are quite a lot) I am still going ot be paying £3700 for flights accom and park passes. That is more than I paid for 3 week in POR last year lol

wow! It doesn't come cheap does it? lol But I have no doubt that it will worth it :D We're going to make our next payment to the holiday tomorrow :) Only 2 more to go after that!

[Tishypops]

wahoooooo
It is really nice to see that total going down isnt it :)
I have opened a savings account already for special things we want to do out here this time with the kids like BBB and pirates league, also to start saving some spending money. :)

[stacy87]

wahoooooo
It is really nice to see that total going down isnt it :)
I have opened a savings account already for special things we want to do out here this time with the kids like BBB and pirates league, also to start saving some spending money. :)


Yeah it's great to see the total go down! Our total came to £3,500! Seems so much, but that also included all our park tickets and flight upgrades :) I started saving the minute I knew I wanted to go on holiday! lol It is best to save as early as possible! :thumbs:

[Tishypops]

Where are you staying?

[stacy87]

Where are you staying?

we're at the CBR

[Tishypops]

wow you will have a blast, the mods are lovely. we stayed at POR last year and it was gorgeous. I was worried because I hadnt stayed onsite before and though maybe I should have gone for a deluxe but I was extremly pleasently surprised :)

[stacy87]

wow you will have a blast, the mods are lovely. we stayed at POR last year and it was gorgeous. I was worried because I hadnt stayed onsite before and though maybe I should have gone for a deluxe but I was extremly pleasently surprised :)

I hope so! :) We've read lots of mixed reviews about CBR, but it looks lovely and definitely our kind of thing! So we're going to wait and see for ourselves when we get there! lol :D

[Tishypops]

The problem with reviews is that everyone judges things on past experiences.
The number of people that complain about hotels and the reson they are is because they are used to 5* All Inclusive caribbean hotels and they are staying at a 3* hotel Room only hotel. You can not compare the two and you should judge places on that fact.
Saying that I must say that I would rate POR higher than a 3+ especially compared to europe hotels which I have stayed in.

[stacy87]

The problem with reviews is that everyone judges things on past experiences.
The number of people that complain about hotels and the reson they are is because they are used to 5* All Inclusive caribbean hotels and they are staying at a 3* hotel Room only hotel. You can not compare the two and you should judge places on that fact.
Saying that I must say that I would rate POR higher than a 3+ especially compared to europe hotels which I have stayed in.


Yeah that's why I try not really pay much attention to reviews. I like to see things for myself as everyone is different and likes different things.

This is my first time ever booking a holiday and is the first holiday I have had without any family members! So it's even more exciting! lol

[Tishypops]

Awww you have definetly chosen an amazing place for your first trip
I am so jealous I wish I was going :)

[johnl0gan]

Ive spent 2 weeks in all stars, no ddp, flights, holiday, car hire, and spendo all in for £1000 and still ate in disney some evenings. So you can do it easily!

[Damfino]

It is possible to eat relatively cheaply there, especially going by Brit price standards. A lovely yummy cinnamon bun in the Mainstreet Bakery doesn't cost that much and could fill you up so you don't need a big lunch (think Turkey legs, one could feed two people!) When I say Brit prices consider this DD and I went into the new Costa Coffee in our town had a medium hot drink, a sandwich and a linzer bisuit and said bye bye to £17 (convert that to $$$ and it wasn't even that special) Worse is a local (un named) cafe that charged £6.99 for a tiny piece of battered plaice and half a dozen tepid chips and £3 for a titchy slice of cake (DD paid as a treat for me and I felt so guilty when it came because it was so bad) so don't look at Brit cafes and restaurants for price and portion sizes, you'll get a lot more for your money over there!

[Spridge76]

My best tip is simply to budget a $ per day allowance, and make sure you stick to it.
Some days you can save against the target and add that to your shopping allowance for those days :)

Then avoid buying Disney things you can get back where you live, you'll regret spending money on things you can get at home if you run out of cash - I ran out in both 1997 and 99 :(

[villavirgin]

I can't claim this tip for myself, I wish I could, since it is a real money saver, the credit goes to someone long forgotten on another forum.

All the stands and restaurants with soda fountains, in all the parks, not just Disney, will give you, absolutely free, as many beakers of iced water as you need.

If you carry along some sachets of Crytal Lite flavours (available from all food stores), you can drink pink lemonade, lemonade, orange juice, iced tea, and other flavours all day long, absolutely free.

For a family group of seven, on two or three rounds of drinks per day, that's saving us about 150 dollars a day against buying sodas or even water in the parks!!!

Best money saving tip I ever heard.

VV

[jackbency]

My opinion is that Don't buy soda in the park. you can get a 24 pack from publics and pack a cooler. just keep it in your locker and also so your soda isn't hot so go into restaurants and ask for glasses of ice. In this site there is lots of information about pretty much every Disney-related discount imaginable.I have heard that also Some theme park restaurants offer deals where kids eat free.

[Damfino]

Personally, this involves too much hassle. Take a water bottle and several sachets of Crystal lite to flavour the water. Imagine being at Thunder Mountain and having to traipse back to the locker for a drink, no thanks. Besides I wish people wouldn't lug great big coolers onto the Disney Transportation at busy times, it is a complete nuisance, the same goes for overloaded back packs and dirty great strollers.

[mommacrab]

Hello everyone

Can you take your own drinks into the Disney Sites? I'm thinking along the lines of a sports bottle with water in it, not carrying a cooler around. Any information would be appreciated.

Cheers

Mommacrab

[AlecK]

Hello everyone

Can you take your own drinks into the Disney Sites? I'm thinking along the lines of a sports bottle with water in it, not carrying a cooler around. Any information would be appreciated.

Cheers

Mommacrab

Yes you can, no problem and welcome to the UOG :hello:

[Bec]

it is a complete nuisance, the same goes for overloaded back packs and dirty great strollers.

:tut::tut::tut: that comment bothers me. Not nice IMHO. Have you not travelled with little ones??

[Damfino]

:tut::tut::tut: that comment bothers me. Not nice IMHO. Have you not travelled with little ones??

Of course I have (I have a DD) Why not invest in one of those umbrella strollers for £20? I did when DD was 18 months old, brilliant! As for the backpacks, how many times have you been on a crowded bus and been hit quite hard by someone who forgets they have one on their back and turns to talk to someone, whack! You're going into a theme park for the day not scaling Mt Everest! A couple of nappies, packet (not box) of wet wipes, one bottle refill with water when needed much healthier than juice boxes too,maybe a fresh t shirt and shorts for the child in case of accidents. Just look at what you bring to the park on your first day and how much of it is still there when you get back to your room and adjust accordingly. I would love to know what people pack into their backpacks and how much they truly need. It's a case of thinking about others as well as yourself, what's so wrong with that.
Oh and the number of people who tried to get on the buses with their great big strollers still up and with the baby still in them, then holding the rest of us up while they sorted their act out, at the end of a long day and a full bus is no fun for the rest of us.

I know I'm not going to be popular for what I said and these people are the minority at the end of the day, but, all you need is one.

[Damfino]

Hello everyone

Can you take your own drinks into the Disney Sites? I'm thinking along the lines of a sports bottle with water in it, not carrying a cooler around. Any information would be appreciated.

Cheers

Mommacrab

Best idea, makes life so easy and cheap too.

[psdjmem]

backpack .... yep I am one of those people who by just the looks of it has a big ole' backpack. I do carry a spare set of clothes for the kids ( I have 5 kids and when they were all younger just the clothes took up half the pack now just carry clothes for three kids) a zip lock baggie with some wet wipes not a whole box - some tissues, a small bottle of tylonol, my wallet and oh yes my daughters and sons breathing machine. They have asthma and need treatments while in the parks on most day. That takes up quite a bit of space along with the meds for the nebulizer machine. You just never know why a person has a big backpack believe me when I tell you I would love to be back pack free as most poeple who are hauling around a bulging backpack.

As for strollers the umbrella ones are great IF your child is comfy many kids just want something that is familiar while on holiday. I rather have a big stroller on the bus than a poor screaming child thank you very much!

Are there people with backpack and big strollers that could be more considerate yes I am sure there are some rude ones just as there are rude smokers out of the smokers area blowing the stinky smoke over in my direction making my children wheeze, or some nit who had a few too many drinks in Epcot and is staggering around the world showcase looking quite stupid, or some large herd of preteens talking loudly and texting each other on a ride. There are rude people everywhere I just roll my eyes to myself and go on with my vacation and have a fabulous time!

[uscwest]

As for the big strollers on and off the buses problem it would probably help if Disney had CMs at the bus stops to remind people that the stroller MUST be folded before entering the queue.

[Bec]

Well said sharon.

I take your points damfino but strongly disagree and so I won't keep on!!

However, I will not apologise for not putting my precious, Gorgeous little boy in a £20 stroller!!!!!:rolleyes:

Totally john or maybe some helpful fellow holidaymakers could help people that are trying to get themselves sorted with kidlets. I know my husband has helped guys out with strollers loads of times.:thumbs:

[tweenie123]

Well said sharon.

I take your points damfino but strongly disagree and so I won't keep on!!

However, I will not apologise for not putting my precious, Gorgeous little boy in a £20 stroller!!!!!:rolleyes:

Totally john or maybe some helpful fellow holidaymakers could help people that are trying to get themselves sorted with kidlets. I know my husband has helped guys out with strollers loads of times.:thumbs:

I totally agree Bec! The number of times DH has either helped someone with a stroller either onto or off the bus, I've lost count. Maybe if there was more help, some of the problems might not occur?

[disneykids]

Yep, I totally agree. Who wants to sit squished in a small umbrella stroller??? We have a stand and sit stroller for our 2 boys. They would never fit in umbrella strollers comfortably. My boys are 4 and 6. The 6 yr old will walk most of the way, but who at the end of a long day wants to carry a 60lb 51" boy? Not me I would probably fall over under his weight. I don't want to listen to the I can't walk any more either. So we have the option of the stand and sit. I folds up nice for the bus and would never dream of leaving it up while on the bus. It just depends on the type of person you are dealing with. The majority of us are smart about the backpacks and strollers. But you run into all kinds. A little help goes a long way for exhausted parents also.

[joanne]

I totally agree Bec! The number of times DH has either helped someone with a stroller either onto or off the bus, I've lost count. Maybe if there was more help, some of the problems might not occur?

I had a bad time last time we were there. Jon had gone back to the hotel as he was ill, leaving me with Sophie (then 6 mths) at Epcot (my choice!)
I put her in the baby sling but also had a fold-up stroller with me. I struggled to fold this up on my own while she was strapped into the sling on me. I then struggled onto the bus balancing Sophie, the stroller and my bag. It was quite full and not one single person, including the driver offered to help. Thankfully a person sat near the front made her little boy sit on her lap then I could have a seat, although the driver had started off before I'd got chance to sit down.

[mommacrab]

Thank you for the answers and welcomes AlecK and Damfino.

[Damfino]

Would just like to clarify my comments about strollers and oversized backpacks as I know I (unintentionally) upset a few members. I have no problems with them in the park if people really feel the need to have them, just not on the transportation as space can be at a premium at times.