Allocating $$ for meals for a large group

[Lee23]

Hi everyone...

I am a chaperon for my DD's school at the dreaded cheerleader championship days

I'm giving suggestions as to the amount of money each girl (ages 14-18) should plan on bringing.

The coach figures we'll be eating 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 5 dinners while at WDW and staying at the All-Star Sports.

There are no scheduled plans for any table-service meals, no ARD's made either.
I suggested this guideline:


Breakfast daily at the End Zone food court should cost no more than $7
Example:
Strawberry pancakes w/ bacon or sausage platter is $6.19
or
Bagel $2.29
Use refillable mug and save +$2 on a drink.


Any counter meal in the Parks will cost about $15.
Example:
Cosmic Ray's
Grilled Chicken Sandwich w/ Fries is $8.39.
Small drink is $2.49.
Mickey Bar $3.50



A meal at All-Star Sports
Example:
Chicken Tenders w/ Fries $7.69
Use refillable mug for drink
Brownie $2.59
Again about $11.

One table service meal:
Example:
Mama Melrose's
Fried Calamari for 2 $12.99 (split cost)
Penne alla Vodka $16.99
Chocolate Canoli Cake $5.39
Soda $2.69
$40 per girl with tax and tip

So...
4 breakfasts at $7 a day is $28
4 lunches at $15 a day is $60
4 dinners at $15 a day is $60
1 "nice" dinner is $40
Refillable Mug $13
---------------------------------------------
Total....$201


Does this seem reasonable?
I am not including any spending/souvenir money in this estimate.

Any suggestions or ideas for budgeting would be greatly appreciated!

 

[stitchlover]

I would suggest this just to make sure everyone is covered:

Breakfast $10
Lunch $20
Dinner $20
One nice dinner $50

I believe refillable mugs have gone up in price. I think they are in the $13.99 plus tax. So I would have them budget $15 for that.

These are just my suggestions. When I run my numbers I always add a little cushion in there.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I believe refillable mugs have gone up in price. I think they are in the $13.99 plus tax. So I would have them budget $15 for that.

That figure is correct. We were at AS-Sports last week and the mugs are now $13.99 plus tax.

 

[Hopefully]

I would suggest this just to make sure everyone is covered:

Breakfast $10
Lunch $20
Dinner $20
One nice dinner $50

I believe refillable mugs have gone up in price. I think they are in the $13.99 plus tax. So I would have them budget $15 for that.

These are just my suggestions. When I run my numbers I always add a little cushion in there.

I agree with these numbers to be safe. I think your estimates are a little low.
If it is less, great, but if they don't have enough money that will be a diasaster.
Enjoy

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

I would suggest this just to make sure everyone is covered:

Breakfast $10
Lunch $20
Dinner $20
One nice dinner $50

I believe refillable mugs have gone up in price. I think they are in the $13.99 plus tax. So I would have them budget $15 for that.

These are just my suggestions. When I run my numbers I always add a little cushion in there.

I agree with this also, if the girls didn't have enough money, then what would happen, it would be a very expensive fiasco. Best to err on the side of caution./

 

[Lee23]

Thank you all for the valuable information.

To be honest, I would have gone much higher if it were my family doing the eating...
We love food!

The cheer coach suggested $120 TOTAL for food.
I knew this was wayyyy off.

And thanks also for the Refillable Mug price update!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

if you're staying on site, would it be possible to do a dining plan for them?? it may be easier than having the young girls budget??

 

[Lee23]

if you're staying on site, would it be possible to do a dining plan for them?? it may be easier than having the young girls budget??

I've considered it, but thought since we had to book it all through the cheerleading organization, we didn't qualify.

It's a package deal; room, 2 counter service meal vouchers, Park Hopper passes, admission to WWofS ESPNZone, special cheerlearder-only night at the MK, Championship party at DHS (as well as DME, transpo to all events, taxes & gratuities).

Parents had to book through this organization.

 

[Lee23]

One more thing to note...
These are high school cheerleaders, not the cute, little Pop-Warner kind!

They aren't going to be happy not being able to buy what they want, when they want, right???

How come *I* know this, but their coach doesn't???

 

[twooley2]

not to be the bearer of bad news but to me it sounds like disaster. My theory is that if I am spending the money to send my child to Disney than I want to go too as does the rest of my family LOL Which is what we do. a teen will need 100 dollars a day food each to eat like they eat. I know we took our 2 teens and my nieces and nephews who are teens with their parents

 

[stitchlover]

I didn't even think when I first responded to you but what about snacks? Teen girls are going to need money for at least two snacks a day. I think I would send my daughter at least $80 a day to eat and drink.

Good luck with helping everyone plan.

 

[Lee23]

not to be the bearer of bad news but to me it sounds like disaster. My theory is that if I am spending the money to send my child to Disney than I want to go too as does the rest of my family LOL Which is what we do. a teen will need 100 dollars a day food each to eat like they eat. I know we took our 2 teens and my nieces and nephews who are teens with their parents

I know... it's not an ideal situation.
And I'm with you. If my child is going to be 2000+ miles from home, I'm going to be with her!
I have to keep reminding myself (and my other kids) that this is NOT a family vacation... It's a cheer competition that happens to be at WDW.

I didn't even think when I first responded to you but what about snacks? Teen girls are going to need money for at least two snacks a day. I think I would send my daughter at least $80 a day to eat and drink.

Good luck with helping everyone plan.

The coach just informed me that we'd be eating at Planet Hollywood one of the nights in a place of a table service meal. :

Thanks for the luck, I'm gonna need it!

Not a family vacation! Not a family vacation! Not a family vacation!

 

[Pumbaa_]

are they bringing cash or putting $$ on a disney gift card to use for food?

 

[Lee23]

are they bringing cash or putting $$ on a disney gift card to use for food?

I assume most of the girls are bringing cash.
We opened up a bank account for my DD with a Debit Card attached so she can access her money without having to carry tons of cash around.

I didn't even consider the gift card idea! Thank you!! I will add that to my suggestions.

 

[jpkkld]

You may want to double-check what can go into the refillable mugs. I swear I've seen some posts stating that milk and juice are no longer options. I glossed over that, since my family doesn't get much value from the mugs. But if the girls have to buy juice every morning, a few extra $ may be neccesary.

And be sure to tell the families that the mugs can only be used at the resort - no free sodas at the parks!