DH and I are trying to set a budget for on the ship that is realistic, but bare minimum since we splurged and got a verandah. Outside of tips, we're hoping to spend $100. Figure $10 for palos + $22 of babysitting (2 kids/2 hrs) + $30 for one bottle of wine at dinner + $28 for drinks (each of us gets $14 to spend as we please) and $10 for one photo. We're not big drinkers, DH swears he will order diet Coke only with meals and with kids being only 2 1/2 and 9 months, shore excursions aren't in the picture. Are we kidding ourselves?
Am I crazy to think I can spend only $100 on the Magic?
- Thread starter dijid
- Start date
Tay N Evie's Mom
DIS Veteran
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I have to be honest and say that is a little unrealistic. But, if you're going to try to keep your costs low don't go into any of the gift shops, don't go near any of the photo ops and avoid any type of window shopping on the islands. Also, take your own pop.
"Ginger"
Sailing, sailing away is where I want to be....
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Dijid it sounds like a good plan and I hope you can stick to it. Once aboard your going to find it very hard to hold back.
You could save a little and take your own bottle of wine to enjoy on that verandah. Ask for 2 wine glasses to keep in your stateroom, any bar located inside the ship will have them. You can keep your wine chilled in the cooling boxes in your stateroom.
Please post after your cruise and tell us if you were able to stick to your budget.
Remember a tip is included in the price of drinks so you don't have to tip for it.
You could save a little and take your own bottle of wine to enjoy on that verandah. Ask for 2 wine glasses to keep in your stateroom, any bar located inside the ship will have them. You can keep your wine chilled in the cooling boxes in your stateroom.
Please post after your cruise and tell us if you were able to stick to your budget.
Remember a tip is included in the price of drinks so you don't have to tip for it.
callahanjulie10
DIS Veteran
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The family portraits are $20- the ones with the characters and the shots out and about are $10.
What I have done to save $ for the cruise is to put $100 per week (once the cruise was paid for) back- I have estimated that we will have about $1000- and thank goodness for that $200. I have that counted as the majority of my tips!
I also prepaid my excursion in Cozumel.
I don't know if this will apply to you but if you, hubby, or any of the children have birthdays you could always suggest Disney Dollars or an on-board credit from Magical Treasures as a gift.
These are just come suggestions- it is so much more enjoyable to go on vacation and not have to tally everything.
Also- bring sodas, liquor, and wine- save $50 and pick up another picture or 2- these are my families favorite souvie- hands down. Well worth it- but be selective. Also- if you have childrens pics taken by photographer with character- take the same shot with your camera.
Enjoy- this is a vacation of a lifetime
What I have done to save $ for the cruise is to put $100 per week (once the cruise was paid for) back- I have estimated that we will have about $1000- and thank goodness for that $200. I have that counted as the majority of my tips!
I also prepaid my excursion in Cozumel.
I don't know if this will apply to you but if you, hubby, or any of the children have birthdays you could always suggest Disney Dollars or an on-board credit from Magical Treasures as a gift.
These are just come suggestions- it is so much more enjoyable to go on vacation and not have to tally everything.
Also- bring sodas, liquor, and wine- save $50 and pick up another picture or 2- these are my families favorite souvie- hands down. Well worth it- but be selective. Also- if you have childrens pics taken by photographer with character- take the same shot with your camera.
Enjoy- this is a vacation of a lifetime
I also hope you are able to stick to your budget. You may save some money by getting the refillable drink mug which DCL offers. My son and I are doing that. If it is any comfort I am also on a very tight budget. Since I am a single parent it was tough just trying to pay for the cruise so I know how you feel. I plan on trying to stick to around $250.00 not counting tips. My son is 11 and will probably want to hang out at the arcade. Although you hope to have extra money to spend it just never seems to work out that way if you have kids. I agree that it is the trip of a lifetime so my plans are to enjoy everything I can that's included relax and just have fun. Concerning the post that read just get over it you made it sound like they just did not want to spend any extra money. I think the point was they are short on spending money. You can't just get over it and spend money you don't have even if it is vacation. Believe it or not some people do struggle and for many of us this will probably be the only Disney cruise we ever get to take. I will get off of my soap box now.
We went on a 3 day cruise and we didn't spend a fortune. We had our 4 year old with us, so we didn't go into any of the bars and just enjoyed the ships entertainment. We are not big drinkers. We had the soft drinks during the day and had a cocktail in the evening. We were to full of food to want anything else! We didn't go out of our way not to spend, but didn't feel the need to. I did buy some duty free perfume, very cheap compared to the UK. We loved our cruise and hope to go again in 2004.
I am a single mom so i have to be somewhat frugal ,with that said my one area of entertainment is travel .Last Nov. I did go alone on the RCI Explorer and my tab after a week was $27 and change . Now I don't drink alcohol ,I did not gamble drank soda only at meals , Did not do any ship excursions . I got 1 milkshake ,2 t-shirts for $20.00 and a few postcards.I also had a great time did not feel like I missed a thing .
Disney on the Magic in Jan with my 8 year old DD the bill was just over$300.00 and I did not buy every photo I wished I could have . I think you better come up with some more money somehow .If you are spending all the money for the room to make this the best vacation but then will have to watch every penny else where I don't think you will enjoy it as much .Read this board toget all the info to save and cut corners where you can .But I really think you need more money to really enjoy yourself .. Good luck
Disney on the Magic in Jan with my 8 year old DD the bill was just over$300.00 and I did not buy every photo I wished I could have . I think you better come up with some more money somehow .If you are spending all the money for the room to make this the best vacation but then will have to watch every penny else where I don't think you will enjoy it as much .Read this board toget all the info to save and cut corners where you can .But I really think you need more money to really enjoy yourself .. Good luck
A
aprilgail2
Guest
Good luck.....I am a single mom and on somewhat of a "budget" but I booked this trip a year in advance and paid it off before it was due and have been putting aside about 100 a week to take for travel and fun...I am bringing my 2 year old and I want to make sure I have enough to buy every picture that is good of her and just to relax and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about a budget....I was supposed to be bringing my 14 year old godson with us but he passed away last Monday...I think being around a child who has been sick many years changes your point of view about some things...He and I took many trips and did splurge on alot because you never know what can happen....saying "it cost to much lets do it next time" didn't work because there may NOT be a next time. He had really wanted to parasail and last year we drove 5 hours from here so he could go and do that.....I am going to keep this way of thinking with my daughter....I am going to enjoy her while I can, never put off things that she would enjoy doing and heck..just cut loose and spluge on fun things even if it means going in a little over my head at times but I never want to say "gee I wish I would have done this" I have no regrets with my godson, he had a great life and we experienced so many different things together before he died and I want to make sure I do the same with my daughter....
I know this was kind of off the topic but I just felt the need to write...
I know this was kind of off the topic but I just felt the need to write...
I Luv Disney Cruise
DIS Veteran & DVC Owner
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with some previous posts, it is a bit unrealistic. I have been on 2 of their 4 day cruises and 1 of the 7 day cruises and have always spent between $500 - $1000. DH and I have save $200 - $400/ month since making the rese and will be going in with roughly $2000 on the Western 7 day cruise. If you are truly trying to not spend too much I agree you shouldn't even set foot in any of the stores on board or on the islands. There is just a lot of nice things that you will want to buy, or at least that is the way I am. If you can do it with $100 I admire you! 
aprilgail - first I want to say I am sorry to hear about your godson. I've seen your posts and know how much you wanted to take him. I am sure he will be watching over you to make sure that you have a good trip.
No, the $100 does not include tips. I've budgeted accordingly for those. I realized I did forget room service tips - so that will have to be added. We collect Christmas ornaments (<$10 each) from each vacation and will plan on buying one on one of the islands. This will in all likelihood be the only souvenier we purchase. We're this way on every vacation we take.
I will much more enjoy the challenge of sticking to a budget than spending money that should go elsewhere (like next year's vacation fund). One of our mottos is "never overlook the free souvenier" - we bring back pictures and ticket stubs and things that fit in a scrapbook. We don't collect a lot of "things". If we did, I never would have left my $80,000 a year job last summer to become a SAHM. Is that what I'm supposed to "get over"? Rest assured I am "over it" and am enjoying all the additional family time we have more than I could ever enjoy a tropical drink on my vacation.
No, the $100 does not include tips. I've budgeted accordingly for those. I realized I did forget room service tips - so that will have to be added. We collect Christmas ornaments (<$10 each) from each vacation and will plan on buying one on one of the islands. This will in all likelihood be the only souvenier we purchase. We're this way on every vacation we take.
I will much more enjoy the challenge of sticking to a budget than spending money that should go elsewhere (like next year's vacation fund). One of our mottos is "never overlook the free souvenier" - we bring back pictures and ticket stubs and things that fit in a scrapbook. We don't collect a lot of "things". If we did, I never would have left my $80,000 a year job last summer to become a SAHM. Is that what I'm supposed to "get over"? Rest assured I am "over it" and am enjoying all the additional family time we have more than I could ever enjoy a tropical drink on my vacation.
ennazus
DIS Veteran
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aprilgail-My sincere sympathies sent to you for your Godson. ((hugs))
dijid- We also try to collect the 'free' souveniers! One of the most cherished things my ds has collected was some confetti mickies outside of Cinderella's castle. We've found them two times and he scurries around to gather these magical treasures that were waiting just for him.
I really have no idea how much we are going to bring or spend. I'm really torn about doing the excursions because we did spend so much money already...
I Luv Disney Cruise-You said you would be bring $2000.00
Could you give me a little idea of how you plan on spending this? What will you be doing that will cost that much?
dijid- We also try to collect the 'free' souveniers! One of the most cherished things my ds has collected was some confetti mickies outside of Cinderella's castle. We've found them two times and he scurries around to gather these magical treasures that were waiting just for him.
I really have no idea how much we are going to bring or spend. I'm really torn about doing the excursions because we did spend so much money already...
I Luv Disney Cruise-You said you would be bring $2000.00
Could you give me a little idea of how you plan on spending this? What will you be doing that will cost that much?
I don't think you are crazy, but it will be a challenge. I hope you will post after your cruise to let us know if you were successful.
I am right with you on that free souvenir idea! Don't overlook the trading cards that they hand out at various places. I found that if we asked, sometimes we would get them in unexpected places or extra copies (great if you scrapbook!). I also kept all of the children's menus, which have a picture to color on one side and the menu on the other. I would ask for extras of those so I could keep their art work and a copy of the menu.
Unless you are a big photographer and really sure you are getting some great pictures, I think your biggest temptation may be Shutters. Even though my DSs were older (8&10) and I didn't see any candids of them, we did buy a few of the posed shots with the characters. From what I've read on these boards, I get the impression that the photographers take a lot more candids of the little ones.
While I agree it's nice to be able to vacation without worrying too much about spending limits, I don't think it will make your vacation any less special to concentrate on enjoying all of the great stuff you are already paying for! While we spent over $100 on our 4-day cruise, it wasn't excessively so, and I think we could have easily cut out a few of those things (Bingo, arcade card, a drink or two) if our budget necessitated it.
Good luck and have a great time!
I am right with you on that free souvenir idea! Don't overlook the trading cards that they hand out at various places. I found that if we asked, sometimes we would get them in unexpected places or extra copies (great if you scrapbook!). I also kept all of the children's menus, which have a picture to color on one side and the menu on the other. I would ask for extras of those so I could keep their art work and a copy of the menu.
Unless you are a big photographer and really sure you are getting some great pictures, I think your biggest temptation may be Shutters. Even though my DSs were older (8&10) and I didn't see any candids of them, we did buy a few of the posed shots with the characters. From what I've read on these boards, I get the impression that the photographers take a lot more candids of the little ones.
While I agree it's nice to be able to vacation without worrying too much about spending limits, I don't think it will make your vacation any less special to concentrate on enjoying all of the great stuff you are already paying for! While we spent over $100 on our 4-day cruise, it wasn't excessively so, and I think we could have easily cut out a few of those things (Bingo, arcade card, a drink or two) if our budget necessitated it.
Good luck and have a great time!
I Luv Disney Cruise
DIS Veteran & DVC Owner
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I know that is a lot of money...I didn't mean to offend anyone, just trying to answer the question honestly. 
We are just very fortunate to be able to save up that much over the past 1 1/2 years and our goal was to be able to do whatever we want with no worries of money. Plus, we are planning on trying to have a child w/in the next 1 1/2 to 2 years and we know that we probably won't be able to afford to do much after that, due to my wanting to be an at home mom.
But, to answer your question, we are staying at one of the resorts for 4 days/3 nights before the 7 day cruise. We plan on getting souvenirs from the resort, gift shops on ship and from all the islands, cruise tips, parking cost at Port, getting plenty of massages from the SPA on board (they are expensive), shore excursions, food at resort, drinks at resort and on cruise, pictures, arcade, and what ever we see that we might want or do. We are not planning on spending it all but if we do than that is ok too.
We are just very fortunate to be able to save up that much over the past 1 1/2 years and our goal was to be able to do whatever we want with no worries of money. Plus, we are planning on trying to have a child w/in the next 1 1/2 to 2 years and we know that we probably won't be able to afford to do much after that, due to my wanting to be an at home mom.
But, to answer your question, we are staying at one of the resorts for 4 days/3 nights before the 7 day cruise. We plan on getting souvenirs from the resort, gift shops on ship and from all the islands, cruise tips, parking cost at Port, getting plenty of massages from the SPA on board (they are expensive), shore excursions, food at resort, drinks at resort and on cruise, pictures, arcade, and what ever we see that we might want or do. We are not planning on spending it all but if we do than that is ok too.
4nana
God Bless America, Land of the Free and Brave
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Sounds like you have your priorities in order. I think one can do whatever they put their mind too! Personally I think just being on the cruise making special memories with your family is a lifetime treasure.
ENJOY !
ENJOY !
wishiwasgolfing
Git R Done
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2002
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- 179
I don't see any way possible to do that. $100 dollars can be spent at a blink of the eye. Let us know if you can pull it off.
Good Luck!!!!
Good Luck!!!!
ennazus
DIS Veteran
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- 856
I Luv Disney Cruise-I wasn't offended by your answer... just curious. From what you are planning to do, that really makes sense to me.
My dh & I took a wonderful, long vacation just prior to conceiving our first child.
I guess there is no single answer that will fit everyone.
From what you are planning to do, that really makes sense to me.My dh & I took a wonderful, long vacation just prior to conceiving our first child.
I guess there is no single answer that will fit everyone.
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