DH thinks I'm going overboard

[PrincessNana]

I love taking my grandchildren to WDW and I think your going to have a great time. You didn't budget too much money---your just being prepared. You probably won't spend that much, but better to have too much instead of not enough. We budgeted 100 a day over and above normal food etc. and never spent that much. Have the best magical time ever!!

 

[karibritt01]

We budgeted $1300 for our trip last June - 9 days including travel time. With that we paid gas, hotel, and food coming and going, and anything we bought in WDW. We found we had more than enough money without having to be overly careful. I took the money in cash, and DH and I would stick a few $20s in our pocket for the day, and it was plenty.

For spending money, we got each kid (9 & 4) a Disney gift card, which they loaded with money they had saved for the trip. Each kid could use their gift card however they wanted, and when it was gone, they were done shopping. Amazing how carefully they spend that money when they worked for 9 months saving it!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I don't think it can hurt to go with that amount of money for spending. Nothing says you have to use it all. Many times we came home with plenty of cash left over from our trips to Disney and we don't deny ourselves. It really comes down to what your comfortable spending and what your able to do. Everyone's ideas of what is the right amount to bring with you will be be vasty different. Just have fun and enjoy the time with your family.

 

[Lori2816]

Hey, neighbor! I'm sticking my 2 cents in from over here in Scranton! If the $1,000 is not a hardship for your family then why not?!?!?!? It's vacation. We all eat too much, and spend too much! We indulge in the things we normally would not. I say budget the money and if you don't spend all of it on this vacation, you'll be that much closer to your spending money for your next vacation.

Sounds to me as though you and your family have been through the wringer lately. Go on vacation with your $1,000 and have a wonderful, magical time!!

 

[magickingdommom]

Hello NEPA neighbors! Hawley PA checking in here...I've been taking my 2 DDs to WDW since they were 7-8 months old and must say that at the toddler stage those plush characters are THE gift they end up wanting most. You might want to have you DGS pick one early on in the trip so he can "share" his experiences with the character; bring him on rides, sit at the table for meals, snuggle up with at night, etc. Best of all the real characters get a kick out of the stuffed ones so you may be lucky enough to create a classic Kodak moment or even a chuckle or two that the grown-ups "get" while the little tike just enjoys the moment. Don't focus on the $$$ being too much, it's best not to get caught short. If anything is left over, put it in a cookie jar (or 'The Disney Fund' jar at our house) for the next trip!

 

[workinmomof2]

If you can afford it, do it. I am budgeting at least $1,000 spending money. We do not go on vacation very often. If we want to buy something or do something, I do not want to have to say we cannot afford. I am not saying we will use it all, but if we do so be it. I really think that you should do what you feel in your heart will work for your family and give you piece of mind. There is nothing wrong with doing a little spoiling, even of your daughter. It sounds like she has had a rough time as well. Enjoy and be happy.

 

[snowman1035]

See that is my thing, if we want to do something extra I don't want to have to say "NO". If we couldn't afford it then my budget would be different of course. I just want to be prepared and not have to worry. I am sure we will be coming home with money.

Hello to my Scranton and Hawley neighbors!!

 

[RllngRckBrw]

we are budgeting $1000 for our trip. It is me my DW, and DS5. We will be meeting my parents there as well and they are the "we will pick up the check", "let me buy that for my grandson" type of grandparents. Of course this money will be used for tips (we are on the DDP), the occasional app, drinks, a few souveniers and other misc expenses.

I dont expect to spend all of that money, but I dont want to be on vacation and be kicking myself for not saving enough. I could always spend it on something when I get home if I dont use it all.

 

[Wendybird55]

You have may reasons to want to make this a magical trip for your DGS and entire family - and it will be.

I suggest you take whatever is comfortable for you to spend. if it's $1,000 - then go for it! I am a Disney collecter and there were many trips I took over $1,000 just to spend on collectables -but it was $1,000 I saved and enjoyed spending and when I came back from my trip I had no regrets spending it.

Vacations are great and I usually like to pay for mine upfront so that when I'm there I thoroughly enjoy myself and don't worry about what I'm spending (because you never know what comes up) and when I get back I'm not regretting spending the money because I now have credit card bills and such to pay.

You have 4 months before August (April-July) and if you're leaving late August you can count it as 5. If you save $250 a month for the 4 months, that's your $1,000.

Regardless of how much you spend, your DGS will have a wonderful time just being with his very loving family and his very special Grandparents.

We'll be taking my son the first week of Sept for his first time. He will almost be 2 then. As a 2-year old there's probably not much in the way of toys and souveniers he'll be asking for or wanting. And chances are most of the souvenier things he'll want will be smaller less expensive items. I think the money I'll be spending on him for special treats will be more for me to see his reaction to them then for him wanting them. But I went through alot to have my little boy (5 losses) and I think being able to do these special things with him like going to Disney mean that much more to me because I never thought I would have him.
Just as spending this time with your grandchild is so special to you because of what he went through. Experiences such as yours, I think, makes you want even more every moment of his life to be special and happy.

Enjoy your magical trip in August.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I wont tell you what we took for spending money for our trip, you'd be horrified. Admittedly it was for 4 weeks but we did everything. I don't think $1000 is too much. I couldn't imagine going with less especially for several people. It goes quickly. And if you come home with some, thats a bonus.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We spent well over $1000 on shopping when we went on our honeymoon to WDW. If you have the money and wouldn't mind spending it there, go for it!