Budget for Trip?

[MouseEarsJenny]

My Disney trip is fast approaching, and I wanted a bit of advice on budgeting for the "extras".

We're taking the Auto Train, so our meals/accomodations on the way down and back are pre-paid.

For the first week, we've pre-paid for our party of 11 (3 rooms), along with the basic dining plan. We'll pack breakfast foods from home for our hotel rooms.

For the second week, sister's family has pre-paid their condo (they own a timeshare) and is insisting on paying for our meals and Universal park tickets. (Although we won a few tickets free in the Super Bowl promo - one per household).

Here's what I'm thinking we'll still need cash for:

Dining Tips -
Since we're a party of 11, we have an automatic gratuity of 18%. I did the math with our most expensive restaurant, LeCellier, and figured that if each adult (7, by Disney standards) ordered the most expensive menu items, it would cost $45.47 each. Then, if each child (3, our smallest is an infant) ordered their most expensive item, it would be $9.59 each. That would be a total bill of $347.06. An 18% tip would be $62.47. Multiply that by 7 table service meals and we're talking $437.29 for tips, assuming we tip the minimum.

Mousekeeping Tips -
$5 a night, 7 nights, 3 rooms = $105

Souvenirs -
Our kids have been saving their allowance (by giving it to us to hold for them) since Christmas, and each of them will have $130 of their own money by the time of the trip. We will probably give them each $150, and call it "interest" to encourage saving. That's $40 for them. We will probably budget another $300 for us to spoil our guests and get ourselves some souvenirs, although I don't see us spending that much. Still, call it $340.

Total so far would be $882.29 in extra money.

Here's the question. What am I missing? We have rooms, park passes, food, play money, tips.... what else will we need cash for?

TIA!

 

[pigget74]

How are you getting around once you are off the train? I would also budget extra money for snacks and such while at the park. The dining does come with one snack, but unless you are going to carry drinks for that many people in the park each day --you will need to purchase some.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

How are you getting around once you are off the train? I would also budget extra money for snacks and such while at the park. The dining does come with one snack, but unless you are going to carry drinks for that many people in the park each day --you will need to purchase some.

We're going to be driving our car, which comes with us on the train. Since we'd pay for gas at home, I didn't include that in the budget, as that's in our regular household budget. I'll add some extra for drinks though - we'll probably get water bottles with lunch and carry the leftovers, but that might not be enough in July's heat! Thanks for the tip!

 

[disneymarie]

We're going to be driving our car, which comes with us on the train. Since we'd pay for gas at home, I didn't include that in the budget, as that's in our regular household budget. I'll add some extra for drinks though - we'll probably get water bottles with lunch and carry the leftovers, but that might not be enough in July's heat! Thanks for the tip!

We flew down a week ago Thursday, the 15, but ds, dil and dgs went by auto train. did you get a room to sleep in. It is extremly difficult even in the room to sleep.

They arrived after breakfast and had the car very early. The train gives you sea legs a day. Keep feeling motion all day. The one thing I can suggest is to leave the cars and take the bus if you can. Very difficult to get around, mostly MK in your own car. The others are OK.

Gas is about $2.35 a gal. We used extra cash for the little stops in shops. ordering a pizza from Popa Johns. there is a coupon on the Internet for $2 off. Disney pizza is small and 18% gratuity to deliver to the room.

In Norway they have this thing like a soft pretzel snitzel of something with almonds on it YUMMO.

I don't know where the cash goes but it does,
di

 

[FlightlessDuck]

The one thing I can suggest is to leave the cars and take the bus if you can. Very difficult to get around, mostly MK in your own car. The others are OK.

Yeah, the car is mostly to get us from Sanford to our resort, and then to get us around Orlando for the second week. No way in heck am I driving the car around WDW. I love me some buses.

 

[pigget74]

Been a couple of times in July and make sure you have plenty of sunscreen--it is costly there. Also, make sure you have the right batteries for your camera--either they won't have them or the cost will be outrageous. Photopass or pictures--have you thought about that? Those special pictures will add up. It is very hot---especially if you are not use to the humidity. I can not restate the need to stay hydrated enough.