[disneyguy]

I know that every family has something special that they do to save money, while at WDW. I was just wondering what these thing were???

[BDavis932]

Our family tips are:

-pack our own breakfasts

-hubby and I share lunches (sometimes!)

-we give our kids disney dollars for their allowance all through the year and they get to buy their own souvineers that way!

[Dana]

I buy Disney Dollars every pay day even if it's only $10. My daughter gets DD's for birthday etc and so do I sometimes. Cash is set aside in whatever demonination I can afford that paycheck. $20 a week or more if I have it. This adds up very fast adn allows me a trip where I can pay for everything in advance and have more than enough spending money to not care what things cost (too much). I also have a change bank that I put all of my change in every day. I never give cashiers the exact total amount so I can hang onto change. That change is also turned into Disney Dollars when the bank is filled. I start saving soon after a trip and by the time the next one rolls around, I'm prepared and don't have to juggle paychecks to have enough money to go. I get paid every other week, so I save anywhere between $100-$250 a month depending if the car breaks down etc. Something always comes up and I have seen my WDW fund shrink...lol Just some little things I like to do. Oh! When I buy the Disney Dollars, I throw out the receipt so I can't take them back..lol Sometimes I have no self control and NEED new shoes..lol:laugh :laugh

[cahogbin]

We are just planning our first trip but some of our money saving ideas are:

1. We are taking the auto train - cheaper than flying and renting a car.

2. We are packing the car full of breakfast and snack items as well as a cooler for some lunch meat and milk. Oh and WATER!!

3. I've already got a AAA membership and the Disney Visa to take advantage of discounts on rooms and the train tickets.

4. We're planning on getting our Park Hopper Plus Passes from Omar at MapleLeafTickets.com - he's a whole lot cheaper than Disney Store or at the gates. Plus he's gotten great reviews on here.

5. Thanks to a post on here my DS has joined www.kidzeyes.com to take online kid surveys to earn his own spending money. DD will join for her 6th B-day.

6. Disney Dollars will be given for things like Valentines Day and Easter instead of toys and as part of allowance for chores.

7. I save out so much each month ahead of time for the phone and electric bills and the extra left over each month if I can talk less long distance and remember to turn off unused lights etc will go towards Disney Dollars.

8. We're going to NASA and Universal while in FL too and we'll be getting our tickets from AAA for NASA and Universal we're using the online feature of 5 days for less than the price of 2 ($89.95).

I think that's it so far.

[cahogbin]

I thought of another one. I use my Disney Visa for EVERYTHING! Truly, from gas to groceries, to doctor's bills to WalMart. I use it like most people use a debit card and then I pay it off each month. So I don't pay interest for my rewards which would be a waste of money in the long run.

So if you can pay it off each month put everything on your Disney Visa for the rewards.

[MissLisa5730]

I loved the idea of buying a few disney dollars every payday - What a great idea:!:

We use the Disney Visa card for everything too - and pay it off every month. But last month we went over our credit limit (ack). The over-limit fee was almost equal to what we earned (so ... ummm .. don't do that :cry: ) Of course .. in my defense, we went over our limit because I payed for our air tickets for the next trip to WDW ... grin

Speaking of which - Southwest Air has put out their summer fares this week - killer deals on airfare if you book now.

[tinkerbell]

to save time and money, I buy cereal bars and have even taken boxes of cereal with us.
the only real way I can save is to stay out of the shops
:whistle:

[eeeee]

We buy bulk water from Sams. The bottles wind up being less than .30 each. We bring 6 to the parks (for the 3 of us) and put them in the stroller. As the day goes by if we get thirsty we grab a water. It is healty and cheap. The only drawback is if you don't have anything to carry the bottles around in they are heavy. :D

[Quidam]

We use the water fountains near the rest rooms. Nothing to buy. Nothing to carry.

[disneyguy]

I love the water bottles ideas, i was going to buy a Camelback Water Backpack, but didn't have time. I am leaving tomorrow so the waterbottles willn definetly work.

[disneydana]

We eat most breakfasts in the room. I take an electric cooler and bring soda, water, milk, snacks, etc. The cooler plugs into the car and has been a wonderful investment. I also pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and snacks and take them into the park with us. It not only saves money but time as well!

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by cahogbin
I thought of another one. I use my Disney Visa for EVERYTHING! Truly, from gas to groceries, to doctor's bills to WalMart. I use it like most people use a debit card and then I pay it off each month. So I don't pay interest for my rewards which would be a waste of money in the long run.

So if you can pay it off each month put everything on your Disney Visa for the rewards.

That's exactly what we do. We used some for our Aug trip, some for Oct, some for Christmas, & we're planning on having ~$140 for our May trip...& then start all over for Dec! It's a great deal. I'm thinking we can have a wonderful meal, with the wine flights, at The Vineyard Room at DL for free!

[MissLisa5730]

This tip doesn't actually save money .. but it does WONDERS for your little ones' temperments ...

When we go to WDW we always keep a bottle of bubbles in our backpacks. They appear during long lines, rest stops, and while waiting for parades or transportation busses.

A few little bubbles go a LONG way!

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by MissLisa5730
This tip doesn't actually save money .. but it does WONDERS for your little ones' temperments ...

When we go to WDW we always keep a bottle of bubbles in our backpacks. They appear during long lines, rest stops, and while waiting for parades or transportation busses.

A few little bubbles go a LONG way!

ohhh wow where were you when my granddaughters were little!! lol wonder if this would still work for teens !

[Nitareeny]

Hi All,

I'm new here (but not new to WDW) so bear with me. The DD's sound like a great idea and cool gift idea too. Where do you get them? I think my ds has one or two, but for the life of me I can't remember where he got them.

Thanks in advance :)

Nita