[boo's_parents]

It is a print called "A Disneyland Tribute to Firefighters", commissioned by Disney to say "thanks" for saving some of their property during the wild fires...go to the firehouse on Main Street at MK and you can find a boatload of merchandise with that on it!!!

[SoThisIsLove]

O yea! I saw that last year! That is sooo cool! I'm going to get some stuff this time.

[carodosy]

On our last trip which was in January, we had to go very cheaply or not go at all so we did what we called the peanut plan. My husband, 8 and 6 year old children and I went for a quicky trip and left the baby with my parents. it was a surprise christmas present for the kids and we were on a very strict budget. We stayed at a moderate with a discount code and planned to eat one meal a day "out" and the other two we ate bags of peanuts, breakfast bars, fruit roll ups and crackers. This way, we were able to eat one night at rainforest cafe, one night at liberty tree tavern, another day we ate at tusker house with the meal deal they offer and were able to get the free ice cream/popcorn later in the day. Since we were on a quickie trip that involved non stop riding the rides the kids were fine with just having to stop once a day for a sit down meal. We brought tons of water from home. I also have been on two longer trips with the whole family to the polynesian in which no expense was spared, did every character meal, hoop dee doo,cirque de soleil..... Those trips were great also but I have to say my kids had just as much fun on this budget trip and we had fun seeing how much money we could save.

[gingles]

Excellent trip advice carodosy! When you're really on the run, too many sit-down meals are just a waste, anyway.

On our trips, one of our tricks is to eat cheaply the first three days or so (cereal in the room, sandwiches) to save up for more expensive meals the second half of the trip.

[pumouse]

we love to bring snacks from sams club or costco, and bottles of soda and water. we always eat between lunch and dinner time instead of eating both. Then we have more money to spend on stuff!

[gingles]

Cool! Thanks for the tip.

[Goofy3230]

We usually go to a local supermarket and stock up on water bottles, snacks and breakfast foods. This makes for happy kids and a very happy hubby when the meal costs aren't through the roof. If we don't have a fridge, we keep the sink and the ice bucket full of ice and keep things cold (we learned this trick keeping my dd's meds cold when we couldn't get a fridge)

My other tip would be to shop in the market place not in the parks. In the parks, you're tempted to buy a lot more things. In the marketplace, it seems you're a little more choosey about things you really "need".

[gdsrn]

I am going to use wegoshop a grocery delivery service. the cost seems reasonable and the food is fresh from a market. You even get to pick the brands and sizes. My son is a picky eater, a peanut butter and jelly type of guy. We are dvc members so we have the lux. of a full kitchen ect. Hoping to eat breakfast in most mornings except for our character breakfast at the Animal Kingdom. We eat a late lunch out. then just a snack at night. We are going on a tight budget and I don't want to spend the most on food.

[memorymaker]

I love these tips. The best thing about Disney is that anyone can afford to go if they are willing to cut corners. We have been 10 times in the last seven years and we have spent as liitle as $500 over 5 days to a few thousand dollars over a long weekend. If you just want to see disney with no money than book a timeshare promotion that provides great accomodations and free or discounted tickets but be prepared to spend 2 hours of your trip in a resort presentation. This in my opinion is not the most enjoyable way to vacation but you can make it work by booking the earliest tour usually 7am and being firm in your resolve not to purchase. This will usually hurry them along because it's still early in the day and thier next victim might actually buy one. I have vowed never to do that again but that itch to see the mouse can be very powerful and who knows.

[gingles]

Awesome advice MM! We are getting our first three nights at the Doubletree Universal (at $33/night) this way throught the Hilton Vacation Club. Perfect because our first two days are at Universal. We've done this before and have no problem saying no. Also, it's not as hard sell if it's a known major franchise. This gives us more $$ to spend at WL the rest of the trip.

[JM0318]

That is really a great idea to use the time share.. I just wish that the Disney Vacation Club offered stays for listening to there sales pitch... that would be great....

[Mari annie]

We have been going for years now
and saving money is a biggie! We went in Feb/just got back and going for Thansgiving.
We eat (cereal bring from home)with throwaway bowls, etc.
Or you get the bowls, cutlery from the resorts. They do give them to you just ask**
Eat breakfast at Crackerbarrel (there's 4 now in Orlando)
There's a ton of off site properties in WinterPark/Longwood/Orlando that have great food (a few where on the food network), we are foodies!
If you have a car, go out and be discover the hidden gems.
Orlando Weekly, etc is a great source and the College areas offer excellent ecletic places to eat at they aren't dirt cheap but offer an array of cuisines-
near Rollins College area, and near Universal areas
as well as Celebration, they have a couple great places to dine there.

Wherever you go enjoy yourself
and have fun!
After many many trips to WDW we finally tried Jungle Jims at Crossroads, they have happy hour-(if you can still believe that one) the place gets jammed but for 2.00 Lime Margarita's-who can complain, and they are good too.

[deejohn]

There are 2 things I do that embarreses my wife , but save money so I can get more T-shirts:
1. Drinks on the Mouse...I mean House
a. I bring a funnel from home and use it to fill the 20oz soda bottles that we bring to the parks using my Refillable Drinking Mug
b. I buy one mug and then bring 4 plastic Disney cups from home for the kids, they don't know the difference

2. We always fly in and request that the car service stop at the supermarket, where we load up on grab-n-go food, which we bring to the park.

Good Luck...spend..spend...spend

PS - I also bring my own laundry soap, which saves about $5

[Mari annie]

Great Tips!!!

I love the one about the car and stopping @ the supermarket
and me, too.
I bring my own detergent (we drive) and laundry stuff-

That's the idea save save save so there's more trips to see the Mouse!!!!

Only been home for 3 days and I am in withdrawal

counting the days until the next trip...
just go on the boards constantly to get my daily doseage(s) of WDW and
trip info in general!!!

[gingles]

Originally Posted by deejohn

There are 2 things I do that embarreses my wife , but save money so I can get more T-shirts:
1. Drinks on the Mouse...I mean House
a. I bring a funnel from home and use it to fill the 20oz soda bottles that we bring to the parks using my Refillable Drinking Mug
b. I buy one mug and then bring 4 plastic Disney cups from home for the kids, they don't know the difference

2. We always fly in and request that the car service stop at the supermarket, where we load up on grab-n-go food, which we bring to the park.

Good Luck...spend..spend...spend

PS - I also bring my own laundry soap, which saves about $5

That is is awesome...using one refillable mug...I'm not worthy.