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How do large families afford a day in Disney!!
- Thread starter renee123
- Start date
WDW_Princess
New Member
We are lucky to be able to go as often as we do, but we do not take vacations very often to anywhere other than the World. We could go somewhere else and spend just as much money, but it wouldn't be the same or have the magic.
If it ever came down to it, I would probably sell a kidney in order to be able to go to WDW.
If it ever came down to it, I would probably sell a kidney in order to be able to go to WDW.
Epcotian
Member
Definitely true. I save for two years to take our family to WDW for 6 days. But when Lion King (the musical) came to town, we wanted to go but refused to pay the ticket prices. Also, looked into attending a college football game with my DW and 2 kids last fall. Tickets were $90 each, so $360 just for us to get in the door, and then there would have been parking, snacks, at least one meal, souvenirs, getting beat :lookaroun...... Just wasn't worth it..... for us. For 90,000 other people, I guess it was though!
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
for meals, my younger two split a kids meal. They don't eat much, esp my son.
Honestly, EVERYTHING is expensive with a big family. When we went to see TRon in 3D, we spent over $100 on 5 tickets, 2 drinks, popcorn, and 2 hot dogs. :/
Honestly, EVERYTHING is expensive with a big family. When we went to see TRon in 3D, we spent over $100 on 5 tickets, 2 drinks, popcorn, and 2 hot dogs. :/
thewhitequeen
New Member
$600 is high for a day of entertainment, but I guess I would compare that to tickets to a sporting event, concert, or trip to the theatre. I know we spent $450 to see a performance of lion king and all we got was 2 hours of entertainment and a program. It's all relative.
I also personally don't find Disney trips all that expensive but it depends on how you want to spend your money (I wouldn't spend 1.00 on BBB or a costume but that's me). Disney has options for small, medium and large budgets.
I also personally don't find Disney trips all that expensive but it depends on how you want to spend your money (I wouldn't spend 1.00 on BBB or a costume but that's me). Disney has options for small, medium and large budgets.
Joshua&CalebDad
Well-Known Member
I will admit going to Disney is a luxury but it is a luxury that most people have the ability to choose. We all make choices throughout the year which affect whether or not we are able to afford to take a vacation to Disney such as paying a $100/month for cable when you can get away with paying $50, buying lunch everyday when you can just bag something from home, paying $300.00 dollars for a purse when the $50.00 dollar one is just as nice and so on. Over time all these things add up and that can keep a family from going to Disney. I am not knocking anyone who decides spends a little more money to purchase personal items, I am just poiniting out that in life we make choices that will affect whether or not we can do other things in life such as taking a yearly trip to Disney. 
We stay on Disney property, drive to Disney, do the Deluxe plan (with free dining offer, so we pay the upgrade only), for 8 days with park-hopper & water parks, mini golf, BBB, Pirates League, get the kids souveniers, stay at hotel on the way down to disney.
We spend each year about $5000 for a 9 day trip for a family of 4. We went to Hilton Head in October for a week and spent $3000 and didnt really do anything special.
Disney $ is well-worth it. Plan & watch for free dining or other major deals!
We spend each year about $5000 for a 9 day trip for a family of 4. We went to Hilton Head in October for a week and spent $3000 and didnt really do anything special.
Disney $ is well-worth it. Plan & watch for free dining or other major deals!
cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
I will admit going to Disney is a luxury but it is a luxury that most people have the ability to choose. We all make choices throughout the year which affect whether or not we are able to afford to take a vacation to Disney such as paying a $100/month for cable when you can get away with paying $50, buying lunch everyday when you can just bag something from home, paying $300.00 dollars for a purse when the $50.00 dollar one is just as nice and so on. Over time all these things add up and that can keep a family from going to Disney. I am not knocking anyone who decides spends a little more money to purchase personal items, I am just poiniting out that in life we make choices that will affect whether or not we can do other things in life such as taking a yearly trip to Disney.
Great post! My philosophy as well. It's a matter of what you want to spend your money on.
cowanfamily
Well-Known Member
Went to Hilton Head about 4 yrs ago for a week. Was bored out of my mind after 2 days!
ggauthier82
New Member
We will be staying on property for 12 days in August, and would like to go to IOA for 1 day. I calculated it would cost us around 500$ for a family of 4. I'm still not sure if I want to buy the Express passes. So it's not just Disney, Universal Studios is just as expensive!! I'm hoping it will be worth the $$ at least!
bjlc57
Well-Known Member
holey moley..
Wow you guys.. did I see $245 for meals for ONE DAY?
I am sorry, but we have 4 adults.. and we buy two meals for the four of us.. and ONE DRINK.. and its plenty for all of us.. our food budget for the four of us is less then or around $75 per day.. TOTAL.
however, we go to hess or Wal mart and bring in our own Gator aid.. its $1 for a 32 oz at Hess.. or $3.50 for 20 oz in the park.. with a lanyard.. sorry.. but for that $3.50.. we all get a full 32 oz drink... or close to it.. I understand that your child wants to be a princess.. great.. those same dresses are less then half that at the local Disney store.. Buy one there.. and put it in the suitcase.. and let her wear it..
for $15 you can almost buy your own low end stroller from Wal mart as well. even if you are flying.. buy one .. and leave it in the room when you leave and you are money ahead..
There is a way to see the park.. but don't come here and complain, when you didn't cut any corners.. if you are going to just flush your money into the circular water file, then don't complain about the prices..
there are many many ways to save at the park.. Heck GET A GIADORNO'S pizza.. that will give you two complete meals for a family of four.. one supper and one lunch..
My Pastor is there in Orlando today.. Guess where they ate yesterday.. and just guess what he and his wife are having for lunch today? and yet it was All paid for already last night..
sorry , but you decided to give them your money.. now you need to start think about doing it with the money in YOUR FAVOR and not Disney's..
Wow you guys.. did I see $245 for meals for ONE DAY?
I am sorry, but we have 4 adults.. and we buy two meals for the four of us.. and ONE DRINK.. and its plenty for all of us.. our food budget for the four of us is less then or around $75 per day.. TOTAL.
however, we go to hess or Wal mart and bring in our own Gator aid.. its $1 for a 32 oz at Hess.. or $3.50 for 20 oz in the park.. with a lanyard.. sorry.. but for that $3.50.. we all get a full 32 oz drink... or close to it.. I understand that your child wants to be a princess.. great.. those same dresses are less then half that at the local Disney store.. Buy one there.. and put it in the suitcase.. and let her wear it..
for $15 you can almost buy your own low end stroller from Wal mart as well. even if you are flying.. buy one .. and leave it in the room when you leave and you are money ahead..
There is a way to see the park.. but don't come here and complain, when you didn't cut any corners.. if you are going to just flush your money into the circular water file, then don't complain about the prices..
there are many many ways to save at the park.. Heck GET A GIADORNO'S pizza.. that will give you two complete meals for a family of four.. one supper and one lunch..
My Pastor is there in Orlando today.. Guess where they ate yesterday.. and just guess what he and his wife are having for lunch today? and yet it was All paid for already last night..
sorry , but you decided to give them your money.. now you need to start think about doing it with the money in YOUR FAVOR and not Disney's..
Disney05
Well-Known Member
We're a family of 4. We only started taking the kids, now 18 and 11, since 2005. There are ways you can save. To me a Disney vacation starts with a lot of planning. Months and months or more it starts. It's part of the experience for us. Always looking for deals, even after we book. Watching for good airfare, even though my wife wants to try and drive at least once. We don't need to always eat at a sit down restaurant, ok maybe once per trip. We even ship down a box of snacks and breakfast items. We only go once per year. And usually only for 7-8 nights. Wish we could do longer. We do prefer to stay on property. Usually at a mod resort but I know someone who we rent DVC points from at half of what Disney would charge us. Could we go and spend less, yes. But we never know if that trip will be our last trip there, for whatever reason, so we have the best time possible. Life is to be lived. Don't go out with regrets.
aka_emilicious
Well-Known Member
Actually, I think Disney is one of the only theme parks I've seen that allows food and drinks in to the park as long as its not in a glass container (except baby food) and non-alcoholic. I always bring a lunch, snacks, and drinks to the park. Personally, I am not a huge fan of park food so saving money is just a plus, lol.
From the Dining FAQ:
Q. Can food be brought into Walt Disney World® Resort and Theme Parks?
A. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Resort. If you have items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk Cast Member to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Please check with the front desk to see if there is a charge for use of the refrigerator. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Theme Park. Just inform a Security Cast Member.
WonderlandAlice
Member
Mmhmm, precisely.
The only tip regarding saving money I have to offer is to research ad nauseum.
Using a travel agent; reading lists of fun freebies; costing out everything in advance to see what works for your family - these are all tips I've picked up from websites like this one and good tour guides and they worked for our circumstances. Knowledge is power.
Epcotbob
Well-Known Member
As a family of 7, we have to really shop on price to make it affordable.
During the free dining promotion I was able to put together a 5 night / 6 day 2 - room package at Pop Century with park hoppers and all food for around $2500....that works out to about $60 a day per person.
That's cheaper (per day) than a 1 day 1 park ticket, so they do really cater to multi-day packages.
During the free dining promotion I was able to put together a 5 night / 6 day 2 - room package at Pop Century with park hoppers and all food for around $2500....that works out to about $60 a day per person.
That's cheaper (per day) than a 1 day 1 park ticket, so they do really cater to multi-day packages.
scottnj1966
Well-Known Member
Many people save for years to get to visit Disney.
That's just the way it is. Always has been.
It cost alot of money to keep the parks the way they look, keeping the cast members happy, adding rides, etc etc.
We in Florida for the most part are very lucky.
That's just the way it is. Always has been.
It cost alot of money to keep the parks the way they look, keeping the cast members happy, adding rides, etc etc.
We in Florida for the most part are very lucky.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Well, the thread IS called "How do large families afford a day in Disney!!" So the idea that people would respond by a: talking about how they save money and b: discuss ways in which the OP could have gotten more bang for her family's buck, isn't exactly a crazy notion.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
It's a place for relaxing, that's for sure. Unless you're big on golf, fishing/boating, or taking the historic tours, chilling out is the #1 goal of a HH vacation. For those who can afford it, it's also a good "pre or post-vacation vacation," where you spend a few days at HH either before or after a WDW trip, either rest up for the theme park assault to follow, OR recuperate following the parks.
I was in no way complaining. I obviously could afford this trip and that's why I took it. I only have the one child and in my case if say I had 3 children I would be in a different boat. But some of you provided great ways to save and I think who doesn't want to save a buck. I was merely wondering how you do it on a limited budget and with multiple children. I'm wealthy enough to waste the cash (and I agree it is a waste to me but not a 5 year old) on a hairdo and cheap dress for my daughter. I just know others are not in that position and I wanted to know how the rest of country is getting the money together to take this trip. I found out on this forum a lot of ways they save, cut corners, and a bit of you use credit cards. It was also interesting to see that a much better value is to purchase a multi day pass.
Thanks to those who shared their thoughts and tips.
Thanks to those who shared their thoughts and tips.