[mairinmaureen]

Originally Posted by gingles

Ok, I'll start with a mild one (saving my best).

A guy I met taught me this one at the POR pool.

Buy Heinekens in the gift shop for less than half the price of beer at the pool bar.

I think my DH just fell in love with you.

Seriously, he will love this idea. The cheaper, the better for him. If it was up to him, we would eat PB&J's in the room for every meal. It's a good thing we are going to WDW this fall during Free Dining.

I don't understand what is tacky about this idea. I happen to be one of those people who get embarassed very easily. When we would go to the movie theater with my cousins, my aunt and uncle would buy our candy at a grocery store in advance and stuff it in my aunt's purse for the show. I was always totally embarassed when she would open up her purse and divide up the goods.

This idea on the other hand sounds like a completely legitimate way of saving some cash to me. This is beer you are buying from the resort and are drinking at the resort and if it is in a cooler it's not like you are walking around with a six-pack. The money you save could be used to do something else, like rent a pontoon, etc.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

I think my DH just fell in love with you.

Seriously, he will love this idea. The cheaper, the better for him. If it was up to him, we would eat PB&J's in the room for every meal. It's a good thing we are going to WDW this fall during Free Dining.

I don't understand what is tacky about this idea. I happen to be one of those people who get embarassed very easily. When we would go to the movie theater with my cousins, my aunt and uncle would buy our candy at a grocery store in advance and stuff it in my aunt's purse for the show. I was always totally embarassed when she would open up her purse and divide up the goods.

This idea on the other hand sounds like a completely legitimate way of saving some cash to me. This is beer you are buying from the resort and are drinking at the resort and if it is in a cooler it's not like you are walking around with a six-pack. The money you save could be used to do something else, like rent a pontoon, etc.

As you can see from reading the many wonderful posts in this thread (wow, I learned a lot!), spending and saving are always a balancing act at WDW (unless maybe you're Bill and Melinda Gates bringing their kids).

I made the point somewhere that the first time I went to WDW, I drove my family crazy a couple of days or so by penny pinching too much, then learned may lesson and lightened up.

So you just set your budget but go have fun--but we all love saving here and there! Thanks for the comment!

BTW, my DD's still sneak candy into the movies (on their own)!

[schaery]

This may seem a little expensive at first but I saved alot of money on my last trip by pre-purchasing the photopass cd for $99. We got lots of pics taken by the photographers - I think about 60 pictures. When I got home, I edited the pics on the Disney photopass site and ordered the cd. I then got them printed online thru dot photo. I ended up getting about 85 disney pics plus 300 of my own ( ) developed for around $40. (They had a 1st timers special). It would have cost so much more just to have to the individual photopass pics developed with Disney.

[tiki]

Originally Posted by shaggie229

We UPS down a "care package" to the hotel. We include a case of water, cereal, breakfast bars and snacks. We also send our sunscreen and umbrellas with it. It saves us time and money!

I've heard of this before and think it's brilliant, and with the way luggage on flights is these days, it may be the only way to have the extra essentials you want. My trick from my last two trips of filling a suitcase with snacks and then when it's empty filling it with souvinirs may not be an option any more!

[Campbell87]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

When we would go to the movie theater with my cousins, my aunt and uncle would buy our candy at a grocery store in advance and stuff it in my aunt's purse for the show. I was always totally embarassed when she would open up her purse and divide up the goods.

Sweets and drinks are too expensive in the cinemas these days, especially over here. Ever since I was a kid I always remember my mum and dad buying bags of popcorn, bottles of drink and sweeties before we went to see a film, it saves a fortune and I stil do it now! Probably alway will! Its amazing how much goodies you can fit inside my bag hehe!

[MJD]

Originally Posted by shaggie229

We UPS down a "care package" to the hotel. We include a case of water, cereal, breakfast bars and snacks. We also send our sunscreen and umbrellas with it. It saves us time and money!

Thats an awesome idea!!!! How much does that cost??? I drive down alot and that would save space....

[brebre_51]

If traveling to WDW, look into taking the train. My daughter did. It was very inexpensive. Yes, it does take a little longer to get there. But, considering the price of gas, we feel it is worth it.

[Jennatrz]

Originally Posted by brebre_51

If traveling to WDW, look into taking the train. My daughter did. It was very inexpensive. Yes, it does take a little longer to get there. But, considering the price of gas, we feel it is worth it.

Amtrak's sales are up by 40% or something crazy like that.

[mairinmaureen]

Originally Posted by Campbell87

Sweets and drinks are too expensive in the cinemas these days, especially over here. Ever since I was a kid I always remember my mum and dad buying bags of popcorn, bottles of drink and sweeties before we went to see a film, it saves a fortune and I stil do it now! Probably alway will! Its amazing how much goodies you can fit inside my bag hehe!

I understand the instinct to bring in snacks that you can buy elsewhere at a lower cost, but concession sales are how movie theaters stay afloat. They post signs that read "No Outside Food or Drink" because of that very reason.

I managed a movie theater for five years and know that the
theaters make less than 3% off ticket sales. For some films, like the Star Wars prequels, they make less than 1%. Without concession sales, theater owners would not have the funds to stay open, especially the few independently-owned theaters that are still out there as well as the last remaining drive-ins.

If I can't find the money in my budget to buy snacks at the theater, I do without, or I wait until the film comes out on DVD and eat them at home.

[Campbell87]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

I understand the instinct to bring in snacks that you can buy elsewhere at a lower cost, but concession sales are how movie theaters stay afloat. They post signs that read "No Outside Food or Drink" because of that very reason.

I managed a movie theater for five years and know that the
theaters make less than 3% off ticket sales. For some films, like the Star Wars prequels, they make less than 1%. Without concession sales, theater owners would not have the funds to stay open, especially the few independently-owned theaters that are still out there as well as the last remaining drive-ins.

If I can't find the money in my budget to buy snacks at the theater, I do without, or I wait until the film comes out on DVD and eat them at home.

I do understand that at the end of the day it is a business and they need to make money and what not but when the prices of the snacks are far higher than the tickets themselves the idea of having to part with even more money is woeful. If the prices are too high people will steer away from the cinemas and they will make even less money.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

I understand the instinct...If I can't find the money in my budget to buy snacks at the theater, I do without, or I wait until the film comes out on DVD and eat them at home.

No disrespect, I understand what you're saying and if I ran a movie theater I would agree. Of course, if I ran a grocery I would everyone there to spend $500 a visit, if I were a car dealer I would want every customer to leave with a 7-series Beamer.

But, alas, I'm a consumer. Movie theater food prices aren't high--they're outrageous. They make WDW food seem cheap. Anyway, 90 percent or more of moviehouse patrons don't bring food in, so they do just fine. And if families just stay home and watch the DVD, where does that leave the theaters?

[mairinmaureen]

Originally Posted by gingles

No disrespect, I understand what you're saying and if I ran a movie theater I would agree. Of course, if I ran a grocery I would everyone there to spend $500 a visit, if I were a car dealer I would want every customer to leave with a 7-series Beamer.

But, alas, I'm a consumer. Movie theater food prices aren't high--they're outrageous. They make WDW food seem cheap. Anyway, 90 percent or more of moviehouse patrons don't bring food in, so they do just fine. And if families just stay home and watch the DVD, where does that leave the theaters?

The point is there are signs posted that say "No Outside Food or Drink". If concession prices are too high, then simply go without snacks. The fact that one needs to "sneak" these items into theaters highlights the fact that this is something that is frowned upon.

Regardless this is well beyond the point of my original post that was intended to give credit to you for what I thought was a good tip about saving money at the resorts.

[gingles]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

The point is there are signs posted that say "No Outside Food or Drink". If concession prices are too high, then simply go without snacks. The fact that one needs to "sneak" these items into theaters highlights the fact that this is something that is frowned upon.

Regardless this is well beyond the point of my original post that was intended to give credit to you for what I thought was a good tip about saving money at the resorts.

Point taken and thank you.

[ddoll]

Originally Posted by mairinmaureen

If I can't find the money in my budget to buy snacks at the theater, I do without, or I wait until the film comes out on DVD and eat them at home.

I understand your point, but you admit that if you're not wanting to spend money on overpriced food in the movies, you won't. So if you stay home or go without snacks, the theater is still not getting your money.They at least make SOME money from you if you buy a movie ticket.

The bottom line is: bringing your own snack does not take money away from the theater.

Personally, I always end up buying SOMETHING from the concession stand, but I certainly don't spend $50 on popcorn, snacks and drinks for the whole family. I consider that just a foolish waste of my money.





Oh and MJD, shipping packages is not a cheap option. I would only recommend that to someone who was flying and wasn't able to make a grocery stop. I think it's well worth cramming more in to the car as opposed to mailing a box down.

[XQIXX]

Oh and MJD, shipping packages is not a cheap option. I would only recommend that to someone who was flying and wasn't able to make a grocery stop. I think it's well worth cramming more in to the car as opposed to mailing a box down.[/quote]


I agree ddoll. I looked into shipping down some water and snacks and it would have been cheaper to buy at the resort. The best way is the grocery stop if you can.