9-day Park Hopper Tickets $1,612.00 10-day Non-Hopper tickets $1519.00
14-nights All Star Music - Standard $1,960.00
Photo Pass $150.00
14-nights
Disney Dining Plan $2,510.00
PVD to MCO RT Flights on Southwest $900.00
Merchandise $700.00
Alcohol $420.00
Tips $325.00
Pre-Flight Hotel Room $90.00
Tours $90.00
3rd Party Stroller Rental $100.00
MNSSHP Tickets $250.00
Touring Plans Subscription $16.00
Travel Insurance $160.00
So that adds up to just under
$9300 $9200.
Thoughts on various line items -- playing devil's advocate on some things:
- With a stroller-aged child, I might be willing to pop for an upgraded room at the All-Stars. Not to get a nicer room, but to be closer to the pool and bus stop. That type of convenience is worth a price.
- 15 nights in a standard hotel room, especially with a child, can get old. Something we did when our children were small: We had a small pop-up tent, which could be set up indoors, and we'd set that up for the kids' spot ... it gives them a little space of their own, leaving a bit of privacy for, um, adult activities or even just watching whatever on TV. Also, we used to buy glow sticks for the kids in the hotel room; they were each allowed to take one to bed, and they were "just enough" light in a strange room.
- With a two-week trip planned, I'd suggest you add a line for laundry.
- Also, don't underestimate the total cost of all those little things you need to bring: Sunscreen, bandaids, Tylenol, juice boxes.
- I'm not a big fan of the dining plan -- it's not really "free"; you're paying for it in the cost of the room, and eating out
every meal with a small child gets old. Have you checked menus on All Ears /added up the cost of the meals you'd likely buy without the plan? Consider that you can slash your food budget by providing your own breakfast in the room. Also, especially with a child, a pizza delivered to the room can be an easy dinner for everyone, and it's only going to be $20 or so -- if you have any "points" saved up, it could even be near-free.
- That's a lot of merchandise. When our kids were very small, we decided we'd be a no-souvenir family. We explained to the kids that skipping the gift store was
one way we were able to vacation 5-6 times per year -- and they understood. But it wasn't just the money; it's buying stuff seems to add a layer of consumerism that we didn't like. Especially when kids have X amount of their own money to spend, it can take on a life of its own, and time in the gift stores can seem to become the focus of the trip. By bypassing this, we focused on family and experiences. I have never been sorry for that choice.
- I personally could skip the alcohol and be perfectly happy.
- I see you're renting a stroller. You won't need your own stroller to get through the airport? I don't know -- we've never flown with small kids. Would ordering an inexpensive stroller from
Amazon /abandoning it at the end of the trip be less than $100?
- With 10 days in the parks, do you really need a separate ticket to the Halloween party too? That's a very expensive couple hours.
- Have you factored in costumes?
- Do you need the trip insurance? If -- God forbid -- you were unable to travel last minute (and, yeah, it's happened to me -- it was a cruise), what sunk costs would be lost?
- I'd add a small bit to decorate your Magic Bands. You're going to wear them constantly -- give them some personality.
- Do you
need a night-before-flight hotel room?
- I don't see a line for ground transportation to /from the airport OR parking at the airport.
got pull ups for my kiddo at a 2% discount.
This is a very different kind of cost-saving suggestion: Ditch the pull-ups. They're the devil. They cost so much more than diapers, and -- in reality -- they
grossly prolong potty training because the child isn't uncomfortable sitting in a wet /soiled pull up. Either stick with diapers for now, or go with real "big kid underwear".
We had a yard sale this past weekend, and the $200 earned from that is paying off the deposit we made today with my wife's Disney Visa.
That's both wonderful and horrible.
Wonderful in that you turned no-longer-used-things into cash. Horrible in that you had so many no-longer-used-things around the house that you could turn them into $200. Pennies on the original-purchase dollar. Aim to reduce the number of things you buy that're useful short-term, and you'll keep more of those original-purchase dollars in your pocket.
Admittedly, though, this is harder with a small child who outgrows clothing and toys. But it's good advice when it comes to small household goods, adult clothing, and more.
Probably more expensive if everyone gets an AP. But if 1 adult gets an AP, it would include the memory maker, plus discounts on merchandise & dining not covered by the dining plan. Also possible discounts on the party tickets & tours. Something to check into.
Without having done the math, that sounds like a pretty good plan.
On Landry's if you become a member it's 25 dollars to join then you get the 25... back on your first visit towards the meal... then you earn points... as well you get 25.00 automatically for your birthday... and you can walk up and get seated right away, at T-REX and Rainforest as a Landry's member... you will have to show your card or a valid number to the host or hostess... So I would check on Landry's restaurants in your area and see if this might benefit you.
Don't underestimate the "being seated right away" benefit. And the coupons they send you -- is it just for birthdays? -- they'll take even if they're expired.