Budgeting for incidentals...? Help!

[jessey35]

I need help with my budget! We are paid in full on our package (resort, tix & dining) and our trip is May 8- 15.
I'm trying to plan a budget for all of the incidentals that won't be paid ahead. We will have our DD2 with us, who won't be on the dining plan since she's 2. Most nights we have booked dinners that are either family style or buffet so will not need to pay for a kids meal for her. We are also ordering from Garden grocer ahead of time, which will cover all of our breakfasts. I've also thought of souvenirs, and tips.
But what am I forgetting?? I'm sure there are other things I should budgeting for that aren't so obvious.

 

[Mom&RN]

First of all it sounds like you are super organized for a first trip! What I have found is that food won't be much of an issue. Especially if you have garden grocer bringing breakfast stuff for you. What I have found we spend the most money on is souvenirs and cold drinks and tips for sit down dining. You can get free ice water and bring crystal light packets (or something similar) if you are trying to keep the $$ down. We probably spend between 5 and 10 dollars a day for the two of us (myself and my teenage son) on cold drinks. We almost NEVER are hungry at any point during the day for a snack so we use our snack credits for drinks a lot too. Souvenir wise I try to set a budget for both of us and stick to it. We've been pretty successful with only spending about $50 a piece on souvenirs (per trip to Disney) which is enough to feel like you can get more than one thing but not break the bank. Last trip we were there we spent 8 days and had the dining plan. Souvenirs, extra drinks (above the ones we used snack credits for) and tips were all put on our key to the world card and at the end of the 8 days our bill was about $450. We definately could have decreased this by doing less on souvenirs and getting free ice water. Hope you have a magical trip!! We're going for just a quick trip this year from May 19-23.

 

[singleinthe city]

Here is a list of things that people tend to forget at home and then pay thru the nose for in the parks:

• hats
• sunglasses
• sunscreen
• chapstick
• diapers
• wipes
• change of clothes for baby
• extra batteries for camera
• extra flash card for camera

Here is a list of things you may not have budgeted for:

• balloons
• ride photos
• adult drinks at the pool
• extra waters in the parks
• photo pass
• pressed pennies
• autograph book and pen
• taxi to take over tired child back to the hotel when busses are crowded
• ponchos for rain days
• light up/spinny toys at night shows/parades
• alcoholic drinks for adults with dinners
• tips for bell services and mousekeeping
• If driving: tolls and gas
• motorized water craft at resorts
• babysitting if having an adult's night

 

[cepmom]

I always budget for a couple of loads of laundry while on vacation. I don't really like doing laundry while on vacation, but with 5 of us I inevitably end up washing clothes at some point during our trip(especially since we usually go in August which means at least 2 outfits per day)

I believe it's $2 per wash and $2 per dry, so I typically budget $20(extra in case a load needs more than one dry cycle)I also bring small laundry detergents or Purex all in one sheets from home.

Also, refillable mugs; we usually buy 2 each trip and share. Dh and I will use them for coffee in the AM and the kids will use them in the afternoon for drinks.

 

[RangerPooh]

One thing that we often forget are the sippy cups. Beverage cups without lids can be a real pain, so when we forget a sippy cup it's to the closest store (at the parks) that we go. Same with sunscreen.

I was going to say "tips" but saw that you already have this covered.

 

[tms295psu]

Do you mean budget as a guide but not in stone...

Some financial changes is our families life has left us a strickly cash family. We cut up ALL Credit cards, so if we don't have the money (cash or in our bank accounts) we don't use it.

So I make sure that I have enough money available when we travel to cover Co-pays/deductibles for Emergency trips to a doctor. You never know with kids. And I've heard the horror stories of Urgent Care charging you up front and giving you the paperwork to submit to your insurance for reimbursement.