The original thread.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/concerned-about-theme-park-pricing.3578886/
We did spend a very low amount of money on our February trip. Since then, we have spent more, and our Fort reservations alone are $900 in October.
Ticket prices are non-negotiable, but what I never got to say all I wanted to about that. Staying at the Fort has much to do that doesn't involve going to the parks. Camping is an adventure in of itself, so a family could get by with tickets for only every other day. Or, if they are frequent visitors, annual and seasonal passes pay from themselves quickly. And, if you're a Florida resident and can get weekdays off, those are the best priced passes of all. We pay $100 down, then $13.65 month for ours. Being a passholder also gets you discounts on just about everything purchased on property, including food.
Going during the off season, when campsites (or rooms) are cheaper is the way we tend to go. We also have a pop up, which allows us to use the tent loops, even cheaper. Going during peak season is substantially more expensive. Also, all campsites allow up to ten people (as I'm sure you all already know, but had planned to share that information in previous thread.) With large families, it's a no-brainer compared to renting a suite or multiple hotel rooms.
When camping, even in a tent, you have your own kitchen. No reason to pay for Disney food at all, unless you want to. Because we live nearby, I precook and freeze our meals to take. If you had to go grocery shopping once you arrive, that is still easily doable at nearby grocery stores. We take a soft sided cooler into the park with bottled water and some snacks. For meals, we head back to the Fort to eat. If we run out of water at the parks, we get free ice water from any of the quick service places.
We did end up going $80 over our budget in February, but could have avoided it. I bought two Christmas ornaments, rather than one I had budgeted for. We ate two unplanned meals in the park, and I believe bought a passholder pin. Once again, we didn't have to do that and could have saved that $80.
If you have children that will want souvenirs, Character Warehouse is just minutes away and has all licensed Disney merchandise for a small fraction of park prices. Even if you're not staying at the Fort, coming over for Chip & Dale's evening events is fun for all. Kids love to ride the monorails, buses, and boats. Just more things to do on days that don't require park tickets.
Yes, ticket prices are high. BUT, there are so many different ways to cut corners. It just depends on a family's comfort level. Apparently, my "20 year old camper" and home cooked food is not most people's idea of a vacation. I get that. But if I had kids and the only way I could afford to take them was roughing it a bit, I would do it in a heartbeat.