Budget for "extras" for children

[Disney with Triplets]

We're traveling with three families onboard the Magic - Western in December 2005. The children's ages at the time of sailing will be 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 13, 13. They are currently earning Disney Dollars to use while onboard for their "extras". Can someone help me with some of the options and costs of these so that we can help them budget before we go?

I'm looking for things like hair braiding, arcade, smoothies, must have souvineers or "gotchas" sold throughout the trip. Parents are paying the way for excursions, photographs, etc. This will be the kids "mad money" to "blow" as they see fit and when it's gone, it's gone.

Thanks for your help!

Edited to clarify: We're not as concerned about technically being able to pay for the items with Disney Dollars - that is our term for consistency - we're trying to give them options and help them plan for the things they would like to do or have in addition to the excursions/photos, etc. Sure you can buy the Buzz Lightyear Saber; however, you will not have an arcade card sort of options. You know, the "Can I have $$ for such and such" followed 5 minutes later, "I need $$ for so and so".

 

[Momeska]

Ummm...I don't think they accept Disney Dollars on the ship. Well...maybe you can use them to pay on your account at the end but otherwise, everything just goes on your account.

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Arcade cards come in $10 increments I think. Hair braiding depends on how much hair and how many braids. I have never had this done, so someone else might be able to help you with this. Smoothies are between $3 and $4, but our kids never wanted one. They liked juice and soda. They really don't need a lot of money, they will be kept busy all day for free!!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Ummm...I don't think they accept Disney Dollars on the ship. Well...maybe you can use them to pay on your account at the end but otherwise, everything just goes on your account.

The kids can ay their accounts with disney dollars, or you can not let them have charging privelages and pay your account with the disney dollars. They accept them like cash.

 

[nittany89]

Disney dollars definetely can not be used on board, although you can apply them to your account.

 

[jrabbit]

THe obvious items that kids want to buy are: Arcade cards (but they have PS2's in the lab and Stack/Aloft for free , Smoothies, snacks (like candy / popcorn) from Preludes outside of the WDT and maybe some toys / souviners (to me there didn't seem to be that much "junky cheep toy" stuff in the onboard shops - but then again I may have just overlooked them and forgot that I saw them). Oh yea, if they discover Room Service (most of which is "FREE" (you've already paid for it in your cruise fare!)) and they decide to get a soda, there's a charge for that (but they can get soda's for free up on deck 9 - drink station)

I understand that the games in the arcades are fairly old - so the kids might not be that interested in them.

Smoothies - some kids really love them, heck there's been times that I've wanted one but after the first full day on the ship - I have a problem "eating" anything extra.

Snacks - most kids love candy, but there is an abundance of "free" food that kids will love including hot dog, hamburgers, pizza, cookies and ice cream! So why pay for snacks when there is an abundance of "free" snacks!!

 

[jel0511]

From what I remember:

Hair Braiding: Varies A LOT!! It goes from about a few dollars for a single braid up to $40 or so (more for longer hair) for a full head. It takes a VERY long time even to get the hairband and HURTS!!!

arcade cards: like mentioned above, only come in increment of $10, but the games are more expensive than your average arcade game, so $10 doesn't get you that much.

smoothies: are the mentioned $3 - $4, I can't remember the actual amount and they really add up!!!

souviners: are also just as expensive as any WDW souviner. A t-shirt usually was around $20, whereas some of the smaller playthings could be gotten for around $10.

I usually give my kids about $100 each to spend at their will for the cruise and in ports, and usually we end spending more than that and they don't get hairbraids or arcade cards. They also don't come home with a TON of stuff either, usually one thing from each port and a couple things from on-board.

 

[challada]

My DD did hairbraiding...half head was $18 and I tipped an extra $4.

DS did not want the arcade as the games in the lab and stacks were better, so no cost there.

Tshirts were $30/each for the embroidered ones, but $10 for the inaugural cheapies.

Warning...stores sells the same stuff you can buy in your local Target...ie, DS wanted to blow his $100 on gameboy games...but was told to wait until Target and got them for about half of what they charged on the boat.

In ports, my kids spent maybe $10 on little stuff.

No one wanted smoothies as ice cream was readily available.