Christmas 2024

[Lonelymama88]

Hi everyone,
My partner (soon to be hubby) had a brain wave of potentially booking 2 weeks in Florida over Christmas! Partly for our honeymoon and partly to surprise our DDs.
We have got prices from TUI staying at Coco Key Resort on International Drive. Obviously for that time of year food packages aren’t included.
We have a few questions if anyone is able to answer please…
1: What are we likely needing to budget for food (2 adults 2 kids) for 14 nights?
2: Can we cope without hiring a car? Thinking Ubers and Lynx or even walking?

Thank you in advance

Forget walking. The distances are just too great to get to the parks and then around them. I've heard Ubers are good. Budget about $300 per day.

How old are the children? How good are you at coupons etc. Loads of chain restaurants most will have deals if you are inclined to look for them plus supermarkets with hot delis that you can get full meals from (I don't mean just rotisserie chicken and wedges!) If children are young (under five) it's quite normal to feed them food from your plate (just ask for an extra side plate). There's public transport and Ubers, hotels often have shuttles too, plenty of people don't rent a car.

How much you spend is so down to choices, you could spend $150 being careful, using buses, having breakfast items in your room, refillable water bottles etc (the ultra concentrated squash you put a few drops in a bottle is useful for fussy children young adults) but if you want to experience more breakfasts out, use Ubers, full lunches, buying drinks and souvenirs and not bargain hunting for deals for dinner then it's more like $400 eating even at modest chain restaurants. Very expensive the USA. I suspect the most savvy can eat cheaper still if kids are tiny, but I remember it being horrendous when I went 20 years ago

I think with some savvy planning you can definitely manage food on a budget of $300/day for your family of 4. Stock up on breakfast supplies from the grocery store - cereals, yogurts, fruit - to eat in your room. Pack lunches with sandwiches, snacks. Then one nicer dinner in the parks or restaurants is doable. Be sure to check out discount days too. As for transport, the Disney buses and Lynx buses are really convenient. I'd only rent a car if you plan day trips outside Disney property. Have a magical trip!

Be aware that the parks are going to be at their busiest this time of year and you will spend a lot of time waiting in line

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice… it’s really appreciated 😁