How much $ do you give kids to spend in Disney?

[DonaldDuckFan]

I'm going to Disney the end of december with my two boys, 4 and almost 2. I've decided to come up with a chart for the 4 year old of things that he needs to do every day (like brushing teeth, getting changed, making bed) and then if he does well at the end of the week I was going to give him an allowance of disney dollars to spend while we are in disney. We have about 15 weeks before we go so I was thinking if I give him 2 disney dollars a week he'll have $30 by the time we go. My mom also bought 10 disney dollars for him and is going to give him them throughout the summer so he'll have $40 total. Then while we are there I thought I would take him to Downtown Disney and let him pick out something. Do you think this is a good amount? How much do you usually give your kids?

Thanks, Amy

[HRPro]

Hi,

Just got back from WDW. My 5yo DD gets $3 a week for an allowance. We started saving it in January and she also had an opportunity to earn extra money for her trip. Besides gifts and money DGM & DGP gave her, she had about $15/day to spend on a 7 day trip. I told her I would buy the t-shirts, but other items were up to her. She made very wise decisions and even put things back when I reminded her she's have to spend her own money. She came home with money and can't wait to go to the local Disney Store to spend more disney dollars.

Hope this helps

[#1 Pocahontas]

I personally think that's a great idea and a good amount. Our DD was given $25 to spend at Disney when she was 2. We looked at everything and she finally decided on getting the Fab Five pvc figurines. Which together cost almost $25!! :rolleyes: I did buy her some things that I wanted to get her. Like Tinkerbell shorts and shirt, and a minnie mouse stuffed animal.

This trip I think we will do something similar to what you are doing. :thumbsup2

[graygables]

I think at that age, that amount sounds reasonable. My DDs each had $150 for our last trip (10 days, including a cruise), but it was birthday money, Christmas money, and money they had earned working for me. I've learned if they have to earn/save it themselves, their purchases are much more well-thought out.

Another thing we do is keep a notebook and keep track of all the things they get excited over, then, towards the end of the trip, if they are still excited (and have the money), then we'll go back and get it. It's amazing how much that "gotta have it" turns to "eh, maybe not" with a few days time.

[ChrisKsAngel]

I think that is a reasonable amount of money for that age.

We started planning our trip to Disney (next month! :cool1: ) a year in advance. I told my DD (age 7) that she should start saving money. In that time, she has not bought a single thing and has saved $250, from birthday money, Christmas money, chores, recital presents, and report cards. Personnally, I think this is a lot of money and depending on what happens when we get to Disney, I may try to covince her to save some.

[lovmy2girls]

Our very first trip, 100 each.
Each trip after that 50 each.

I do give in a little but not much over their budget. They would buy everything! Thier favorite words are "CAN I HAVE"

[4chitlins]

When we went in Feb. my sister gave each of my children 50 Disney dollars each, and we let them do extra chores and things to earn money for months before we left so they had about 100.00 by the time we got there.

[dougsmom98]

I don't think you will need any more than that. Even that amount might be too much. On our first trip our kids were 4, 2, and 2. They didn't ask for one thing the entire trip, and then the second to the last day, we let them pick out one thing from the Winnie the Pooh ride store. The 4 year old picked out a computer read along CD and that was a little less than $20. The twins picked out something in the $10-$15 range. If we hadn't offered to buy them something, they would have been perfectly happy. Even on the last trip, the kids were 7, 5, 5 and 9 months, the older kids didn't really ask for anything. Since they are Star Wars fanatics, we offered to buy them one thing under $30 in the Star Wars store. They all bought light sabers in the $25 range. I try not to give the kids an amount to spend on vacation because then they feel like they need to spend it. I want them to feel like the vacation is special and they don't need to buy things every time. I've seen kids in stores stressing out when they have money burning a hole in their pockets. On the flip side of this however, I know that experts say it is good to let kids learn about saving and spending. We do this, just not on vacation.

[Lora]

When my girls were that age, we gave them $10 - 20 each (can't remember if it was birthday $ or allowance). Now (at 8 and 10) they save their own money. We exchange cash to DD throughout the year. I think they had about $40 each last year and one dd came home with change. They're not big spenders and they don't have the "gimmies". Since you asked, my advice would be to start small when they're small and then when they get older put it on them to save their money. I think $20 is plenty for kids that young, but that's just my opinion.

[daisyduck123]

I have to confess that we don't give our 2 kids a "set" amount. We just take it "souvenir by souvenir". When they see something they want, we would usually get it for them, unless we thought it was "cheaply" made & would break quickly.

DH & I really couldn't limit what they wanted (and they didn't want much) because the kids saw us spend $200.00 on one souvenir alone...a BIG FIG. So we would have felt silly saying, "No, you can't have that $10.00 souvenir".

[froggi]

We gave our dd(9) $75 Disney Dollars to spend.

[Hannathy]

We don't give a set amount because we always talk about things when we go places like that is really over priced or junkie etc. My kids rarely ask for anything junkie and prefer to pick one or two nice things. THe last trip my DS picked out a really nice well made wooden rifle from the shop by Indiana Jones $20. Still plays with it almost daily 2 1/2 yrs later. and a few Star Wars people. and my DD got the princess charm bracelet getting a charm at each park and the princesses probably around $30.-35 total. We did buy the replica Buzz gun from the ride which we normally wouldn't have but my DS loved the ride so much and ended up in the highest point range category that we couldn't resist!
I would think if you planned on about 50 per chld they could get a nice souv. or 2.

[VAN]

This is what we used to do. Each child got a set amount (I think $30) for the entire trip. If they chose to purchase a clothing item (t-shirt, hat), I would pay for half and they paid for half from their amount. Toys and other useless things they paid for completely out of their own money.

This accomplished a couple of things: We did not have useless, expensive things laying around our house. I did not have to hear "Buy me this, buy me that". They were very careful about what they purchased. I didn't mind paying for part of clothing as that is something practical.

My children, now 20 and 21, still have some of the things displayed in their room that they so carefully picked out. It seems to mean much more to them because the purchase was made with much care and thought.

Fortunately, it was easier to budget for the trips as well. We have been able to keep expenses down and so have been able to go to WDW more often.

[Sherrypooh]

My boys are 14 and 15. Still too young to work. They have no other family besides myself (paying for trip) and my ex who never helps with spending money. Each morning they get an envelope with 10.00 each per day. I pay for all meals and such. I have done this for years. They rarely ask for anything as we have been so many times and they have all they really want. I have found this works well for us. Ten is not much, but honestly, what do they have to buy except a few little things for their friends etc. FWIW it has worked well for the last 5 or 6 trips we have made.

sherry

[Laurajean1014]

Counting airfare, accomodations, AP passes, **** dining and eating, WDW tours, cabs, souvies, snacks - everything. $1,000 a day.


Ooooops. Sorry, I didn't read the kids part.

We give our son $0. He's 10 and I like to manage his souvies.

[Caitsmama]

I don't give her a set amt. (she is five), But, she is saving and bringing some of her own money.. she has been saving change and then got Disney dollars from the Easter Bunny, and i have 10.00 more put away, that she will get probably for halloween before we go. But she probably has about 20.00 saved right now, and she knows what she wants with it ( a sourcerer mickey hat from MGM) , but i like to shop myself, and i like to take a night alone and go to DD and buy stuff for her as a surprise.
But how we worked it last yr, was each day she could get something small (say $10 or under - usally around $5) and then if she was good for the trip, on the last day, i took her out to pick out something special. We went to the boardwalk and she picked out a mulan doll (about $18) and was thrilled with it.

[Mariposa]

Last trip, I just managed what DD bought- she didn't really have her own money. This year she's got about $50 saved up and will probably have about $80 by the time the trip rolls around. That gives her right about $10 a day which I think will be about perfect. I may pick her up a couple of things- but they'll be things I want to buy her, not things she's begged for.

[pbharris4]

Our first trip we went waaay overboard on souveniers so after that we decided to limit it. DD takes between $100-$150. (we don't do this this yet with our 3 yo DD) We buy a tshirt and 1 souvenier and then anything else she has to buy. Two years ago she took $110 and came back with $70! When it's her own money..she's much more conservative. She saves money she gets from good report cards and her and I go kids online surveys throughout the year.

[PRINCESSMOMX3]

My 6 year old princess: is getting 20.00 a day for 8 days. She saved most of it herself from chores. She is also getting the crown package at Bippity Boppity Boutique. Mom and dad buy all food and snacks. But since they are free this year we will have more money to spend on her and her sisters. After all thats what its all about..............

[TAKitty]

I gave each boy (12 & 8) $30.00 on a Disney gift card to spend however they wish. Because they are boys they usually don't see that much that they want. There seems to be a lot more princess stuff. Also, we will pay for some additional stuff like tee shirts or small gifts like pens etc.

[natenapril]

My kids have only been on one vacation so far. Next year will be there 2nd vacation (my oldest will be 10) so we are splurging a little. We are buying a house the following year in PA so we probably won't get another vacation for 2 years!! I plan on each child( I have 3) having about $300 to buy what they want. But that will need to last all 5 days at WDW, 1 @ Universal, 1 @ IOA, and 1 @ Sea World.

[hollyb]

We were going to give them a set amount at first. Then DH and I agreed this being thier first visit, let them get what they want. We are bringing $500 just for fun spending. Thats for the 4 of us. :banana:

[Garden Stater]

Counting airfare, accomodations, AP passes, **** dining and eating, WDW tours, cabs, souvies, snacks - everything. $1,000 a day.


Ooooops. Sorry, I didn't read the kids part.

We give our son $0. He's 10 and I like to manage his souvies.


well said.

[ladyelle]

My kids get to pick one gift each day we visit a park. They spend alot of time trying to find the perfect item. Sometimes it is $2.00 per item and others it may be $10.00. I try to set the limit at $10.00 or so unless it something special. Overall they seem to spend about $50.00 each.

[Angela&Kayla]

My DD8 won't get any money from me, but we have already pre-planned several purchases and events (including My Disney Girl Princess Tea, Wishes & Illuminations Cruises, BBB for hair and nails, Cirque, Pal Mickey, a princess costume), not to mention everything we have bought at the Disney Store just to prepare for the trip (swim suits, hats, small toys, backpack) and the glow sticks for Disney and the autograph books we are making.

We did talk about the fact that she could bring her own money to buy other things she wants, as she is always allowed to do, but at her age - we need to discuss every purchase. Otherwise, she would spend $100 on gum or something equally ridiculous!

[LuluLovesDisney]

I think it depends on what you want the child to buy- ie. will they be expected to purchase: will you take care of- ice cream, autograph books, drinks, candy, souvenirs for friends, t shirts, etc.? It also depends on your own budget and what you plan on buying. I think someone alluded to this before, but if you buy a lot more than you allow the child to, they will probably have a tantrum. I think it also depends how often you go. If you go once every five years or more, I would probably allow a higher amount than if you go once a year or more, you know?

[golden1]

I really like the OPs idea of setting up a chore chart. I think I might do that for my four year old. She has 5.5 months to go so two disney dollars a day is about $50 which I think will be fine.

[kaw1218]

My kids are saving their allowances and have been doing chores for my mom and dad, so by the time we go in sept they will each have about $200 each.
I don't really worry about what they buy. My kids are really into the pins.... so almost their entire spending money goes to that. But on previous trips they have had between $50-$80 each.

[MinMouse]

Our DDs have always used their own money to go but first trip with both DDs they were 4 and 7 and we went in January (gave it to the family for Christmas). Some extended family knew the plan and gave them Disney Dollars for Christmas. Don't remember exactly how much they had but I would say about $75 each.

Since then we've become Disney fanatics and joined DVC. Kids now have a disney account which they place some money in each week at allowance time (at least .50 but as much as they want to put in). Right before we go to Disney we tally up their money and then double it (No putting in all the money that you can find the week before it must be put in when allowance is given --- got caught on that one the first time!) It may seem like too much but it's our way of rewarding them for saving and putting some of our money into the mix. Very rarely do we add anything after this point. They pretty much make their own purchase decisions along with a little advice from Mom and Dad. On recent WDW/DCL trip they each had about $200 with them. DD8 came home with over $60! DD11 was in the hole! (lost track of how much she had left and charged to DCL room! Fortunately only a few bucks though!)

[mum of two pirates]

My boys will be 7 and 9 when we go at the end of the year. In Sept they started the washington mutal saving program at thier school and started putting all thier chore money in. $5. a week. What ever else they put in I would double it. $40. birthday money. Money from auntie and grandma here and there. DS6 started AR reading program in school after christmass and I told them both that for every 100% AR test they got I would give them $1. That cost me $20 each at the end of the year. I did a lot of research on here and found out what kind of things kids were buying and what they cost. I probly have 50 micky head punch outs with toys and the prices on them. I made a budget game that we play like monoply. They get to buy what they want with how much ever money is in thier real savings account. Right now it is over $370 each. This is just sence sept. They will say things like I would like that but it's to much money. I am a very budget minded stay at home mom. I have tought my kids to be cheep. They will say things like my gosh I would never spend that much for that. Or they will see cloths at the store and say $10 for those shorts that crazy Or that is made so junkie I bet it wouldn't last around the corner. I wanted them to know what kind of things they will see and have an idea of what they would like. The 8 yo want to spend $50 on legos. He wants to pick out the sords ect and fill the boxes up. We are on the DDP. So any other snacks they have to pay for sence they brodened the choices from 10 to 10,000. We will be there 11 days and then on the cruise for 7 and I don't want them to come home with $300 worth of junk, So I have started helping them decide what they would like verses throw away junk when we get home. We are going to mexico and they want the hanging chairs. My DS brought them one two years ago, now they want anoughter one. Have a great trip.

[dean556]

On our first trip this past may my dd 5 had her b-day money plus we gave her 20.00 sp taotl she had 60.00 to spend. I was really suprized at how well she managed her money,of course I brought her the tinkerbell ears. And Tinkerbell came an saw her every night.(I had little gift bags I put together from the dollar tree). I think this took care of any I wants she might have had. She came home with 18.75 so she put that in her piggy for next year.

[DonaldDuckFan]

Thanks for all the replies... Just wanted to say that we are on the DDP, so he will get the snack every day, and I'm sure if he wants anything extra I'll pay for that. I have been getting both DS's little toys and things I've seen at the disney store. We were just in Disney in December 2005 and DS4 (then 3 1/2) didn't really ask for a lot and he isn't really a gotta have that kind of kid. I just thought that it would be nice to let him pick some things out (or one big thing) at the end of the trip to remember it by. I hadn't really planned on going to Disney every year, but it sure is adictive and I'm thinking of surprising oldest DS with a mother/son trip for his 5th birthday. So that would be about 3 trips in 1 1/2 years... We'll see what DH says!!!

Amy

[LuvTinkBell]

On our last visit, we had a lot of rain everyday due to Hurricane Wilma getting ready to arrive in Orlando! Our girls did not spend much but I had allotted $50 each.

This trip I think I will do that again, but I normally buy T-shirts, and my 4 yr. old will pick up a pen, suckers, etc, so sometimes we have to help her spend her money!

My 7 yr. old is learning a lot about spending and money and her math facts, we'll see how she is on this trip.

I am wondering how much Cars stuff they will find??? I am also going to sit w/ them and make a list of things they may think they'd like to look for so I know ahead of time if this will be not enough or too much. I am thinking of allowing them to earn extra money from chores to supplement what they are allowed allready!

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I think the idea of letting your child pick one thing that you will pay for on the last day is a great idea. That way, you teach them to think through their choices, and they (and you) will end up happy at the end.

If your children have been saving up their own money, though, I think that's great! I think my mom did something like this...we didn't have a lot of money, but I remember buying special snacks/ stuffed animals with my own money and then my mom buying me something on the last day. I think it worked pretty well, and if you set the way it is going to be ahead of time, there should be no arguments from the kids. :goodvibes

[mommiepoppins]

I GIVE EACH 25 (4 DD) AND THEY USUALLY SAVE AND EARN MORE. MY DD'S DO NOT NEED MORE JUNK. WE GO YEARLY SO THEY HAVE SUVIES. princess: princess: princess: princess:

[munchkin bunchkin]

My DD's ages( 7 and soon to be 6) have $100 each to spend . It's money they have saved from helping around the house and birthdays , doing good in school and such.They are told each day that they can spend so much and when that days amount is gone thats it till the next day!They are also told that they cannot buy "junk " it must be something useful or a souvie, usually they end up with leftover $ so that is then put into their savigs account! :sunny:

[lizardqueen]

I am running into the same questions. This will be the first trip for DD (3) and technically the first trip for DS (1). I don't want to have feel like I am saying "no" to everything. I was thinking that we would probably give them $50 each, plus whatever Grammy and Pop buy them (DH's parents are going with us). I am not a huge "gotta have it" person, but I do turn into one when we are at WDW, so I know how hard it is going to be for DD.

[pixiedust247]

Our kids are DD (12) and DS (8). We just returned from our latest trip in June. For the six months prior to the trip we saved our change. Anything from the drier, our pockets, or just found lying around. By the time we left for our trip we had saved $210! Each child was given $105 and the opportunity to take money out of their bank accounts. Both chose to do so...DD really got into the pin collecting so she spent her money on pins and a really nice keepsake bag for the pins. DS didn't buy much...so he came home with most of his!
We are planning to go again in June 2007 and we have already started our change jar savings...since we are further out than this past trip...our goal is $400 in change! :Pinkbounc

[dismom301930]

My two oldest DDs (almost 5 and 6) are earning Disney Dollars for our trip later this year. I think they will each earn about $40-50. (DD2 will be allowed to spend about the same with help from Mom and Dad).
I think this is a good amount for them. They will be able to get one nicer thing or several smaller inexpensive items. I have also already purchased many Disney items on sale that I plan to surprise them with when we are down there. These include T-shirts, socks, PJs, sunglasses, inexpensive jewelry, art supplies, etc.

[jordansmomma]

My kids having been saving their $10 a week allowance since January. They have $100 each from birthday money, and then will each have $200 from their allowance. They have stopped saving their allowance now. It was their choice to save all $10, it told them 1/2 but they chose to save all of it. It gives them roughly $30 a day to spend, i am sure they won't but if they want pressed pennies, trading pins, acrade money, or to buy something for their friends, they have already made a list of 2 things to get for their dad, then they have their own money to spend. When their money is gone for that day they arent allowed to have any more until the following day. so hopefully that will help them budget wisely and spend money on things that they really want, not what they see in the spur of the moment.

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

We don't usually give our kids (DS9 and DS5) an allowance, but wanted them to have their own spending money for our trip in Aug.
DH had brilliant idea for them to start recycling. We go through a lot of soda and water bottles, and the kids must bag them and feed them into the machine at the recycling center. (aunt and grandma started saving cans too) They take the money directly to the Dis Store and exchange for DisDollars. Along with the $10 each that the easter bunny left, they each have about $75 saved, and will likely get a few more dollars before we leave in three weeks.

We have told them that whatever their total is, that is their budget for the week. We made a plan to take notes of what they think they want for the first few days, then review the list to decide what they really want, then buy them the last couple of days.

[TinkerbellMama]

My son is on the "I'm the only grandbaby" plan and therefore gets whatever he wants at WDW (or at any other time)! :bitelip: My mom has already purchased the special edition Pal Mickey for him and I know he'll get anything he really wants while we're there, from one of us. He will be one week shy of 2 when our vacation ends. That said, when he is older, he will get a set (modest) amount as part of our vacation budget and then be offered the option of doing extra "chores" to earn more. He will also probably get birthday/Easter/Christmas money in Disney Dollars from The Grandmas. :rotfl: I really don't think he will ever NOT get something he wants at WDW, unless it's just really outrageously priced or cheaply made. My husband and I both believe very strongly in teaching him the value of money, and he already has a savings account and lots of EE savings bonds (he is also a Disney stockholder...yes, in his own name!)...but we just don't feel vacation is a time to be super strict with spending. If we ever couldn't afford it, or didn't have relatives wanting to buy him things (within reason), he would get less and we would explain why. We don't want to deprive him, but he certainly won't be spoiled. He will know the value of what he has and be taught what gratitude is every step of the way! :grouphug: If we ever get the feeling he is NOT learning that lesson, the gravy train will come to a screeching halt until he figures it out. :rotfl2:

[DisneyMama2H&O]

Our DS5 and DS2 are earning dollars for their spending money. Everytime they do something above and beyond what is expected they receive a dollar towards their funds. This includes chores and being extra kind and helpful. My 5 year old loves this. We've also given them Disney Dollars for special occassions. Of course our 2 year old hasn't earned quite as much as our 5 year old but he's holding his own.

We've decided that once we are there they can use their earnings to choose 1 expensive item ($30-$40) and then we'll divide up what's left equally for each day.

[ragamuffinkim]

My kids will both have about $500 each for their upcoming trip. If someone asks them what the want for their birthday or christmas they have been trained to say Disney Dollars. My little guy is turning 3 in a few weeks and Grandma took him to the toy store to see what he liked and wanted for his birthday. He told her over and over Disney money, Disney money. They are well trained. When we get down there they can go nuts and spend spend spend. The plus is that it is mostly gift money and we never have to tell them no to anything they ask for.

[Mom to a Princess]

Oh I am so gald I found this thread! DD(5) and I are going in August and when a friend asked how much spending money would dd have a ($100 - if she earns it) she thought it was too much! I feel so much better now! LOL!

DD has to earn her disney dollars by doing chores and helping out around the house without having to be asked If she continues as she has been she will have earned the full amount. Last year she came home with money so we will see about this year.

Like other posters I cover all food and will get her one thing at the end of the trip!

[Catira]

We will be there this August, in 17 days :woohoo: and we always clean out the kids closets right before school shopping. This year instead of giving it away, we decided to have a garage sale. Well, in one morning we had sold $350.00 This coming weekend we well have a second garage sale, and hope to make at least $200.00. My two children will divide the money between them. I consider this "free money" since it was clothing that we usually give away. My daughter will be 12 August 2 and I'm sure she will get birthday money from friends and family. My son is 7 yrs. and wants a Pirates of the Carribean Party, so I'm sure he will be buying pirates stuff pirate: . Can't wait for the Disney Magic :moped:

[daisyduck123]

My daughter will be 12 August 2 and I'm sure she will get birthday money from friends and family.



Hey!!! My DD11 will be 12 on Aug. 2 also!!!
(and my DS is 8)

[marconat]

My children are 6 an 10... and they get 100.00$ each to spend, money that they got for Birthday and Xmas... they also had that amount last time and my daughter spend around 50.00 (books and little jewelry) my son spent around 75.00$, he wanted the clue game (haunted mansion) that was the most expesive at 40.00 and the rest on books and pictures from rides... They are not very big spender... and usually ask for one big thing and that's it... actually in Disneyland (August trip) they spent 100.00 between them and we did Disneyland 3 days...Universal Studios, San Diego zoo and Sea World... they were happy with photos and my daughter got a big Shamu for 24.99 good deal ha! ha! I don't think I could find a big plush toy for that price at Disney ha!

[LSUmom4kids]

Since this will be our first trip and each kid (10, 7, 5 - oops, he just turned 6!) received about $175 for their birthday presents (most of that is in Disney Dollars), what would you recommend for the "best spending method"? We will be spending 8 nights at the Swan.

Naturally, they will want to buy everything they see - the first time they see it! DD7 is the type that likes to buy stuff for everyone! I know I need to sit them down and have the "big talk about spending money at WDW", but I don't know what to say!!!!!! (I like to spend money too!) :blush:

Do you tell them to wait until the last day to buy the "big" thing they want? What about the souveniers in the different parks? We have 7 day park hoppers, so we will be going to the parks several times throughout our trip. Since I will be carrying the "daypack", I don't want to be lugging stuff around all day long - or until we go back to our room.

They will each have their "waist packs" to carry their Culligan water bottles and their misc. stuff. (Unfortunately, the autograph books are too big to fit into their "waist packs", so I'll be carrying them with the Sharpies in a gallon ziplock bag.)

I will be carrying everyone's park passes and everyone's MONEY. HOW DO I MAKE THIS WORK SMOOTHLY AND STRESS-FREE??? :grouphug:

We pull out of our driveway in exactly ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!!! :hourglass :crazy: