On
Jun 29, 2013
Missy
Asked
Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.
“
This is my very first time planning my own family vacation. BOY is this stressful. I don't even know where to begin. We are a family of 5 and we have three kids ages 7, 3 & 1 .My husband thinks it's too expensive. I need help in budget saving ideas.”
Hi, Missy!
Been there, done that! :-)
Stay at a Value Resort w/ Family Suites, such as Disney's All-Star Music Resort. Room for 6, plus 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. A Family Suite at ASM starts at $235 per night.
Use the kitchenette for breakfast, and lunch or dinner as needed. If you can't bring non-perishables with you, ship them to the resort. Send microwavable mac-n-cheese, soup, peanut butter and jelly, juice boxes, crackers, cereal, apples, oranges and microwaveable popcorn. We send a 2nd box with (fragile) loaves of bread, donuts, English muffins, etc. Add paper plates and plastic utensils and you're set. Perishables (milk, lunch meat, cheese, butter orange juice) are in your resort shop in the lobby. Your in-room mini-fridge will hold enough for a couple of days' worth of perishables.
Skip park hopping and the Water Parks Fun & More Option. Enjoy several days in WDW without a park ticket, too. A day or night at Downtown Disney, a day by your resort pool followed by dinner at another resort would be a great way to extend your vacation without adding on the per person cost of extra days' worth of park tickets. Multiply your savings by the 5 in your family, and you could shave $50 from your ticket cost by purchasing a 4-Day Ticket instead of a 5-Day.
Finally, bring your own food / snacks into the parks. We buy one souvenir popcorn container on Day 1, then refill each morning with microwaveable popcorn from the room. Everyone a wide-mouthed, refillable bottle of ice water (filled with ice and topped with water each morning) and a few portable snack items, too. Grab one Quick Service or Table Service meal per day. (Don't forget to ask for doggie bags at TS locations and bring zip-shut plastic bags for QS meals that you don't finish.)
Send another question for more tips on cutting down the cost of a trip to WDW, Missy; I'd love to help!