[tiki]

Two weeks ago, I took advantage of the fall room rate at ASM and was able to pay for 3/4 the trip in misc. points from cc. (The biggest savings was only bringing my 2 yr old and leaving the rest of the family home! ) Since I had saved so much, I wanted to continue saving so , like so many do, I packed an extra suitcase with snacks, paper bowls, empty water bottles and some water flavor packets, and even some produce. Each morning I made oatmeal with the water from the coffee maker for me and my little guy and splurged on a hot dog from Caseys one day and at the food court two other times. I only spent $70 in food on site during our 6 days and that's including my biggest splurge, a character dinner at Chef Mickeys. The best part, I lost weight too.
For me, I enjoy a vacation so much more if I'm pinching pennies, my dh hates it! He'd definately get his beer from the pool bar, while I'm pulling out my stash of capri suns!

[Lovethemouse]

We pack cereal, english muffins, snacks, DD Coffe, etc in one suitcase. I am considering bring a couple boxes of wine for me & DH. That way you have breakfast and snacks. I have friends who just came back and they packed water in the suitcase because they drink at least a gallon a day between the two of them. The beauty of this is by the end of vacation, you have an empty suitcase to pack any goodies you bought and bring back with you.

We also do the meal plan. I like not having to worry about that aspect of the trip. I kind of wish Disney would rethink the age on the plan though, my son is 10 but is a really picky eater, so it probably won't be a good deal when it comes to him as I am sure he will still want to order off the kids menu but will be charged as an adult. Also I have seen on other websites that the tip will no longer be included in the DP. There will be an automatic 18% tip added on to meals starting in 08. Kind of defeates the purpose of having it all paid for. I am not sure if this is a rumor or fact though.

[alabamamouse]

I can tell you I don't like all that cheapskate stuff... I have heard of people splitting double cheeseburgers and such, but to me if you are going on a dream vacation, $$$ save$$$$ until you can really have a dream vacation. The ideas of bringing in snacks and such are good ones, but beyond that, its just too much work for me. I am saving for my next trip in March and can't wait.

[scrpbkshannon]

I cannot say i find it "cheap". For me it mixes time and money savings. I cannot let my family wait until we go "out" for breakfast...they will be unbearable. So, eating in the hotel room, while we are getting ready suits us best. Also, I must bring along water bottles. It is a NIGHTMARE to have one of the kids fussing because they are thirsty. I enjoy a nice cold bottle of water my own self!

Additionally, if there is a way to save a little here, I can spend a little more THERE......We always drop a LOAD of money on these trips. I'm going to do what I need to do to be comfortable.

[DisneyDiva30]

I love this thread I check back in from time to time to get more tips for our 2008 trip, I hate to admit that I'm not Disney Finatic but I am Fan, now that my children are older (15) and (9) they don't want to go to disney as much and we just got back from a week at Universal they can't stop talking about so I may get out voted on Disney or Universal. I don't think you have to spend 5000 a week to have a good time at Disney or Universal We spent 1500.00 for a week in Universal by staying in a rental home, cooking our meals and not buying so many useless suviniors. And We had blast and we didn't break the bank so we get to vacation again next year . I think its funny how people come to the thread just to say I don't cut corners we just save for 3 years so we splurge, So why are you on the cheapskate thread? For all those who have split a double cheeseburger I ( I loved that tip actually tried it at universal and worked out fine) See ya next year while the people who turn their noses up at our cheapskate tips save until 2009.....lol

[DisneyDiva30]

I love this thread I check back in from time to time to get more tips for our 2008 trip, I hate to admit that I'm not Disney Finatic but I am Fan, now that my children are older (15) and (9) they don't want to go to disney as much and we just got back from a week at Universal they can't stop talking about so I may get out voted on Disney or Universal. I don't think you have to spend 5000 a week to have a good time at Disney or Universal We spent 1500.00 for a week in Universal by staying in a rental home, cooking our meals and not buying so many useless suviniors. And We had blast and we didn't break the bank so we get to vacation again next year . I think its funny how people come to the thread just to say I don't cut corners we just save for 3 years so we splurge, So why are you on the cheapskate thread? For all those who have split a double cheeseburger I ( I loved that tip actually tried it at universal and worked out fine) See ya next year while the people who turn their noses up at our cheapskate tips save until 2009.....lol

[MJD]

Originally Posted by Boss Mouse

Ok, ok how about THIS. Two on a Turley leg sharing a recycled mug of soda swiped from the Ice Station?
(How do you like me now?)

This is the best one ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MJD]

Originally Posted by noahsark45331

Take a small crockpot and put makings for soup in before you leave in the morning. When you come back to the room you will have soup for dinner along with sandwiches you make on your George Fourman grill. DH and I did this every year we went to Louisville for the Truck show. And I have done this on other trips. Flour tortilla, shredded cheese and Tyson chicken strips make great Quesadillas onthe GF grill.

Couldn't this possibly be a fire hazard?

[MJD]

Originally Posted by Boss Mouse

I sold one of the children on the last trip. That brought in some money.

You are out of control.... I have been reading this thread for an hour now.....

[Franco54]

I just got done re-reading this whole thread
Its a big beautiful world ain't it? From the
very good tips, weird tips, silly tips and stupid tips
I have been laughing for awhile
Even though I am from the camp whose motto is
"eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we go home"
I applaud you all for being who you are!
Thanks Gingles for one of the best threads ever!
IMHO this puts you in line for a Mousebuzzer of the
month award!!

[MJD]

Originally Posted by Franco54

IMHO this puts you in line for a Mousebuzzer of the
month award!!

I second that!!! That's a great idea............

[nitaworm]

I also get a kick out of this thread, because it sums up that we all are willing to suffer in some areas to splurge in others. Like its no way possible I could convince my husband and 4 kids to stay again on Disney property in a tiny room and eating oatmeal, and snacks, and getting refillable mugs, and scrimping on meals. I am the cheappie in the family of "be merry we leave tomorrow" people who don't see the bottom line figure. So we save by staying off property at our timeshare that's paid off and really close to Disney (we own at Bonnet Creek - Wyndam Property located on Disney's property), cooking breakfast, most dinner's in our condo, fixing snacks (sandwiches, fried chicken (nothing like cold fried chicken) and packing them with our waters for the park. We usually do a lunch at the parks, and when we aren't at the parks do a dinner at one of the resorts. However, we once stayed on site just to see what all the hoopla was about, and quite frankly wasn't too impressed to pay more than our $169 a week trade fee to stay off site.

[emamasa]

Nita - bonnet creek is beautiful! we are considering a timeshare again next trip, and its listed on RCI's site, so i am hoping we can trade for there.

i am going thru menus to decide if we will be better off staying off site and not doing DDP, than staying onsite and doing DDP - still eating at all the places we really want to eat at. so far, offsite is much cheaper, so i am betting that's what we do.

[nitaworm]

Waffle Iron, and water only added pancake mix. It can be made anywhere!!! ------Also Sara there are some other timeshares that have a lot of amenities. The only thing I like about staying at a timeshare versus on Disney is that usually all of the amenities are nearby my unit as I usually request to be near them, and when we weren't near any of the better pools and had take the transport to other things. Being on Disney property was a bit time consuming for my impatient husband, but for me it had its pluses ...like just being there. If I ever stayed on property again, with my 4 kids and hubby we would only do the wilderness cabins, it felt most like a home away from home. My family is spoiled because with our timeshare we travel almost every other month, as luckily Wyndam has quite a few timeshares near us and we bank the lowest amount of points for great RCI trades.

[tinkerbelle24]

Originally Posted by nicolemm

I have asked family members and friends to limit the number of toys and clothes that they give my kids for Christmas, bday, easter, halloween, etc and replace them with disney dollars. So when we go the kids have a rather large stash of spending money. Plus it has somewhat controlled the clutter in the house!!

This is what we do as well... I go to WDW for a vacation not to think as it as what can I cut to save $. I do however try to plan out trip the cheapest way possible before we get threre... I always stay at a value because we are ONLY there to sleep. MOst of the time my DH stays home (he rather be fishing in MA) so the room isnt too crowded. I always get the DP ( hope its free this time in Sept) I was actually thinking if they didnt have the free DP perhaps paying OFP for some sit downs and just eating counter service. The kids never eat much while in WDW and I like to go when its warm so no one wants to eat heavy I always save all of my change. I average $50 monthly because I pay EVERYTHING in cash. I never use my debit card for anything. If I have a purchase at the store for $4.20 I will gove $5 and stash the change.. I always surf for coupon codes for WDW and also I use the SWA ding for $49 sales( i hope to get one for Sept) If air is too much from PHIL TO ORLANDO with SWA I will look at usa3000 to another airport.. In the long run I will usually pay $3500-$4500.00 on a wdw trip but $1500-$2000 of that is spending on gifts for the kids. Thats my downfall. I can get a trip for under $1500 for 8 nights but I spend too much on souveniers. This time Im stocking up on pins BEFORE I get there for my dd to trade. She rather do that than buy useless stuff that will sit in her toybox for ever and forget about. I always pay them in Disney Dollars for doing stuff around the house and also I request that when hoidays comes they get that as well and no useless polly pockets that will get sucked up into the vacume(yea I have to get a new belt for it today)