disney dollars for kids.

[DebMcDonald]

For those of us giving disney dollars to our kids before the trip, as allowance, etc. How much do you allot your kids per park, or how much do you think is reasonable for the kids to have for 7 days at WDW. Is $30 a park reasonable? This money is strictly for the kids, no food, drinks, icecream, etc.

 

[Disney Ella]

I give them $30 for the whole trip, plus we buy them a tee shirt and autograph book.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

My kids (ages 3,5) earn tokens at home (allowance) then I let them trade 10 tokens for 1 disney dollar. The amount they have to spend depends on how much they save. DS has a tougher time saving because he likes to spend his $$. This is a great life lesson. Last trip, they each saved around $40 prior to our departure.

In addition, I give them $5 a day to spend on anything they want--candy from the candy shop or little souvies. DH and I also buy them something from DTD on the last day. If they want something really big-- then they have to put their money together with the money we give them. DD always wants a new princess dress complete with accessories and DS LOVES the Lego store.

They are already saving for our October trip!

 

[Chelle]

When we went in '98 (My mom, sister, nephew, and daughter) we saved our loose change for over a year. Before the trip we divided it and purchased Disney Dollars for the kids to use as their spending money. I don't remember how much it was but we are doing it again. This time we only have 9 months before we go. And I don't think the 1 year old will need spending money. Actually my daughter already has a piggy bank that she has filled since our '98 trip. We counted it the other day and she has $45 dollars. She would have had more but it's not a very big pig. LOL

 

[shakespeare]

I told the kids that all the change we save will be theirs for spending. For the past 3 months we have thrown in $210.00 in change. They are so excited and I hope they continue to save change for something else in the future.

 

[gary4jenn]

Each of my 3 kids will have over $150 by the time we go. They use that money to buy their $65 dress at the world of disney, and whatever else they want. My kids get DD for their birthdays, lost teeth, chores and Christmas. They even came home from our last trip with money leftover that we just put away for our next trip.

I also ship down a box of Disney gifts that are left in our room each day while we are at the park (gotta get in on the Dsiney magic) and they kids kinda know to expect something when we get back each night. Well, that really cuts down on the asking/begging.

I usually get gifts that they can play with (barbie dolls, color books, a little disney candy, disney jewelry, disney velvet posters, disney polly pockets).

I got a lot of stuff at the dollar stores and I secretly pack it away and I ship it down about a week before we get there.

 

[Chelle]

I also ship down a box of Disney gifts that are left in our room each day while we are at the park (gotta get in on the Dsiney magic) and they kids kinda know to expect something when we get back each night. Well, that really cuts down on the asking/begging.

That's a great idea! How are the left in your room each day? Does someone do it for you or are you super sneaky?

 

[gary4jenn]

I have to admit I'm kinda anal about stuff before I go so I can completely relax when I'm there so here's what I do.

This upcoming trip in Jan is my 3 kids (DD8,DD5 and DS 3) and my niece aged 5. I make a little chart on my computer with each child's name and the day of the week.

Then I but little things that:
a. aren't heavy
b. don't cost a whole lot
c. give them something to play with in the room
d. aren't messy-like non-washable markers and playdoh

e.g. those velvet posters w/markers (Michaels), Buzz and disney dolls at DS
little polly pockets from the disney store, etc.

Ok-so I ship the box to the hotel 1 week prior to arrival with "hold for Jennifer...arriving....." all over it. I ship UPS since the post office pkgs go somewhere else (at least that was what I was told).

Then I get it after checking in. I always make sure one of the adults is the last one out of the room and leave them for the kids. I also print off cards with Disney charcters on them with things that say- "I saw you waving at me at the parade yesterday" or I'm glad I had breakfast with you" etc. and leave one for them each day.

Sometimes Tinkerbelle has visited at night too. I have some fine glitter that I "drizzled" on the floor by their beds and across the threshold of our room and out the door and over the balcony. My almost 8 year old has no idea- or least she hasn't led on that she knows.

I love doing these things because I am creating the magic, it makes the trip seem a little closer whenever I buy something and the kids really ask for a whole lot less in souveniers.

It also was a good way to get them out of the park since they figure out by the 2nd night that there is a gift waiting for them.

PM if you have more questions!
Jenn

 

[gary4jenn]

I also ship in the same box- dry cereal, plastic bowls, fruit snacks,etc. so I get the most out of my box and shipping charge.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Everyone in our families know to give the kids disney dollars for presents. So they are able to save about $150 is Disney dollars before each trip. They can buy whatever they want with that money - it is their presents. We buy the girls each one princess dress and all the snacks and stuff so its just for their souveniers.

I too am packing up our "tinkerbelle" gifts to be shipped. I buy all year at Dollar Store, CLaire's, Walmat, Disney store for little gifts to be left each night by Tinkerbelle. The kids just love this.