Originally Posted By Amynleroy Look out Disneyland, cause here we come! I think DL might run out of buttons on this trip! We are Celebrating: 1)Mom's 50th Bday (surprised by friends & Family from WA & TX) 2) Cousin's 20th bday 3) Friends 51rst Bday 4)Bro's 26th bday 5) My 6yr wedding anniv. 6) friends 5yr wedding anniv 7) Bro & Sis in laws 1yr anniv 8) a surprise family reunion 9) and 3 first visits! How fun is that? Know of any "on budget ideas?"
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Wow! Have fun! That is a lot of reasons to celebrate. My biggest on budget tip would be to try stay away from the sit down restaurants in the park. Have breakfast in one of the bakeries (or hotels...my favorite cheap breakfast spot is White Water Snacks in GCH) and get some snacks or counter service meals throughout the day.
Originally Posted By MerryMouseWife Sounds like a great trip! Budget tips: Eat breakfast in your room before heading out to the parks. I pack milk, cereal, bagels and cream cheese, and so on. We eat before heading out and then can just get a late breakfast or early lunch counter service in the parks. This last trip, just last weekend, we only ate a meal in the parks once a day. The first night we ate pizza in our rooms but ate at Taste Pilots for a late lunch. Bring snacks in to eat while standing in line. I usually have apple slices, baby carrots, granola bars, cheese sticks and other things that can stand up to being buffeted in a backpack or large handbag. We also buy water and bring in our own bottles and just fill up at drinking fountains throughout the day. Personally, I think the water tastes okay, not great, but definitely better than our Scottsdale tap water. Blech. Don't impulse buy. We usually shop during the trip and decide on the last day what is important enough to spend any samolians on. It really helps keep the souvenir budget under control. This is all I can think of right now. I am sure others will chime in with their do's and don't's. When are you all going?
Originally Posted By MrDisneyGeek Steakhouse 55 for Breakfast its not cheap but its not pricey either <a href="http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_55b.htm" target="_blank">http://allears.net/dlr/din/men..._55b.htm</a> we loved it on our last trip.
Originally Posted By ncnike7 I think your slogan for this trip should be 'What are you NOT celebrating?' That is quite the list of special events, how fun! As far as 'on a budget' We are very familiar with Disneyland on a budget. Definitely bring in snacks. My kids like fruit roll-ups, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, pb&j, granola bars, stuff like that. We only eat in the park once a day as well and that saves a lot. If you have a car you could take a trip to the grocery store once you're down there and get milk, cereal, whatever you don't want, or can't, pack with you. If you have a Disney Visa you can get discounts on some food and merchandise as well. They also do a free meet n' greet with different characters for cardholders and you get a free picture as well. Nothing better that free souvenirs!
Originally Posted By retlawfan Salads or pasta at Plaza Inn (at the end of Main street) are easily shared as the portions are very large. I agree on the waiting until the end of the trip to shop for souvenirs. Window shop throughout the trip and buy stuff at the end. If anyone has an AP, remember there is a discount on merchandise as well as most restaurants. World of Disney at DTD has just about everything piece of merchandise available. I always find it easier (time wise) to shop there as it can be done in one stop. Just don't wait until after the park closes to go there. Everyone else will be there too. Very do able, but sometimes pretty crowded. Have fun!
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 ^^^Ditto about the shopping at World of Disney. We never go at the end of the day. I recommend taking a shopping break in the middle of the day (either in the parks or in DTD) and then getting a locker to keep your goodies in. Although some souveniers won't fit in the lockers. We figured that our when my sister in law bought her son the Indiana Jones dress up set. LOL.
Originally Posted By retlawfan Shopping bags can also be left/checked in at Engineers Toys at DCA or the Newsstand at DL. It is a free service. Just make sure you have all of your receipts.
Originally Posted By tashajilek IM sorry the water in aweful just bring bottled water you wont be able to live without it.
Originally Posted By Amynleroy So the trip went Great & if I have time I need to write up a trip report! We did really well at saving money. We stayed at BWPPI walked over had lunch there. Their Cont. breakfast now includes biscuts & Gravy wich were WAY better than Capt Kids! oh and FREE! Ihop has kids eat free so we did eat dinner there, HOWEVER. it costs just as much to eat there as in the park! Only good thing is we paid for 2 meals and got 2 free! We had a blast and are planning the next trip!! =)
