Post by mamabader on Sept 8, 2011 20:12:10 GMT -5
We are saving for our 2012 trip to Walt Disney World!! And we are so excited! I'm hoping that keeping this thread will help keep me focused and motivated and remember what I'm saving for.
I visited WDW for the first time in 1971, when it was brand-new (I was very young)! My husband and I went in 1988 as newly-weds. And with our sons, we have been to WDW twice, once in 1996 (w/2 kids) and again in 2003 (w/3). Now, two of our children are grown, but we are determined to take them (and their significant others) one more time, travelling as a family. So, that makes it a total of 7 people we are saving for!
We want to stay for 12-15 days. We already booked our timeshare for one week, and we have to pay our maintenance fees before we can book a second week. So, that said, accomodations are virtually free and since it's a full condo, we have a kitchen and will save money on food by shopping at the grocery store for breakfasts, snacks and non-park day meals.
My son is a Disney cast member (Adventureland/Frontierland attractions) and he will be able to get into all of the Disney parks free as well as sign in 3 others in our party each day we attend. If he marries his fiance before the trip (a real possiblity
, that's another free entry and we will end up only having to pay for 2 passes to the Disney parks! Woo Hoo!
Since we have to fly all the way from California, the airfare is definitely the largest portion of our expense. We also need to save up for food, rental car (& gas), souvenirs, tickets to Islands of Adventure (cannot wait to see Hogwarts!!), etc.
We will deposit our entire tax refund into the account in the spring, but in the meantime, I'm using a lot of Couponing to Disney's advice to save additional money. I haven't exactly figured out how much we need to save, but I will post it when I do.
I only just started a savings account for this trip. I have started depositing money that I save on my grocery trips and any rebates I get. I also recently removed my acrylic nails and stopped getting my monthly pedicures. The money that I would normally spend on these luxuries, as well as having my hair done, grooming the dog, having the house cleaned, the yard done, etc. is all going into the fund. We are doing all the work ourselves now. I'm also having a yard sale with signs that say, "Proceeds from this sale help send our family to Walt Disney World!" ;D
So, you can see that we have lots of ways to save money, but appreciate the help we're finding here. Any help, encouragement, and new ideas are appreciated!!
I visited WDW for the first time in 1971, when it was brand-new (I was very young)! My husband and I went in 1988 as newly-weds. And with our sons, we have been to WDW twice, once in 1996 (w/2 kids) and again in 2003 (w/3). Now, two of our children are grown, but we are determined to take them (and their significant others) one more time, travelling as a family. So, that makes it a total of 7 people we are saving for!
We want to stay for 12-15 days. We already booked our timeshare for one week, and we have to pay our maintenance fees before we can book a second week. So, that said, accomodations are virtually free and since it's a full condo, we have a kitchen and will save money on food by shopping at the grocery store for breakfasts, snacks and non-park day meals.
My son is a Disney cast member (Adventureland/Frontierland attractions) and he will be able to get into all of the Disney parks free as well as sign in 3 others in our party each day we attend. If he marries his fiance before the trip (a real possiblity
, that's another free entry and we will end up only having to pay for 2 passes to the Disney parks! Woo Hoo!Since we have to fly all the way from California, the airfare is definitely the largest portion of our expense. We also need to save up for food, rental car (& gas), souvenirs, tickets to Islands of Adventure (cannot wait to see Hogwarts!!), etc.
We will deposit our entire tax refund into the account in the spring, but in the meantime, I'm using a lot of Couponing to Disney's advice to save additional money. I haven't exactly figured out how much we need to save, but I will post it when I do.
I only just started a savings account for this trip. I have started depositing money that I save on my grocery trips and any rebates I get. I also recently removed my acrylic nails and stopped getting my monthly pedicures. The money that I would normally spend on these luxuries, as well as having my hair done, grooming the dog, having the house cleaned, the yard done, etc. is all going into the fund. We are doing all the work ourselves now. I'm also having a yard sale with signs that say, "Proceeds from this sale help send our family to Walt Disney World!" ;D
So, you can see that we have lots of ways to save money, but appreciate the help we're finding here. Any help, encouragement, and new ideas are appreciated!!
We just got back from WDW and will be headed that way again in April. Good luck with your savings!