Disney vets, please help with budget!

[firstWLvisit]

Hello! I am trying to come up with a $/day budget. Here are my circumstances:

1. Myself and DD4
2. 7 days (1/7 - 1/13)
3. Vacation package paid in full/6 night UPH
4. Silver Plan add-on (We have 24 wishes, using 4 for Cirque, 2 for HDD, 2 for character breakfast, 13 wishes for lunch or dinner at sit-down restaurants - I plan to share meals w/DD4 so I will use only one wish per meal, 3 wishes for souvenirs).
5. Plan to send package to resort with snacks and breakfast items
6. Will use towncar grocery stop to pick up styrofoam cooler and some beverages for the room
7. Purchased Britta sports bottles to use in parks.
8. Plan on purchasing refillable mugs at resort.
9. My daughter has $50 for spending/souvenirs.
10. Occasionally, I might buy lunch at a counter service, i.e. AK at Tusker House I was thinking of purchasing the meal deal to share. It seems that sit-downs are more inconvenient at AK????

The big question: Can I make it on $25/day? If this amount is way off base, what's your suggestion?

Thanks in advance!!! Michelle

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Since everything is paid for I think you are in the right ballpark.

One thing to consider is tipping. You will need to figure tipping the towncar driver (both ways), as well as luggage handling at the hotel. Note that when you use a voucher (or Wishes) for a meal a 15% tip IS included for the sever, so an extra tip should obnly be done for exceptional service.

I would question the puchase of refillable mugs. I noticed a few days ago at Pop Century they are currently $11.99, with tax you are looking at close to $13 each. Since you will have a package sent to the resort with snacks and breakfast items, and you will be doing a beverage stop on the way, will you be spending enough time at the food court for thee mugs to be economic?

Since you will be relying on Disney Transportation, it might be worth considering a small reserve for taxicabs, such as to/from Cirque and/r HDD rather than relying on buses.

I think a "reseve for contingencies" of about $400 might be more reasonable than $150. This will allow for potential for clothing or unexpected "must have" purchases.

 

[kilee]

Definetly don't forget about tipping. When using your "wishes" it's included. But you have the airport skycap and the town car driver. That was the one thing I forgot in my last budget. I think you'll be fine as long as you have an "emergency" reserve just in case. Don't forget about snacks and things in the parks. I usually budget $5.00 per person a day for these. Personally I find it awfully hard to convince a child EVERY DAY that their packed from home snacks are as good as those the kids are eating around them. The other thing, is don't plan that EVERY meal can be shared between the 2 of you. It doesn't always work out that way. Disney does give nice size portions on most things. However, there is often times it just doesn't work. I think $25.00 a day should make it as long as you have a cash reserve. Basically I think for 7 days for 2 people $175.00 just may not cut it for all the spending money you have. I would be very, very nervous with that being the bottom line.

 

[firstWLvisit]

I would be willing to use $5/day on the park snacks - Good idea!

As far as taxi is concerned: How much should I budget for the trip from Pop to HDD?

I'm not worried about getting to Cirque because that is our day off from the parks and we will be at Downtown Disney for a late lunch/early dinner at Wolfgang Puck's.

I guess I should have included in the OP that I do have reserves. I just plan on taking $25/day for cash. If there is some major "must have" I have reserves in my account and will charge it to the room. Another thing, Santa is bringing her a Pal Mickey!

DD4 and I have strict rules concerning spending. We practice this every day at stores so she understands that she has to make choices. For example, before our Disney Store closed, I would allow her so much spending money in the store and we would study her choices before purchasing. We do the same thing at the clothing stores and the grocery store for snacks. She thinks of it as game now! She has $50 to spend and she understands that. If grandparents give her cash for Christmas, she can use that too. My mom was shocked the other day when DD asked in the store, "Mommy, can I afford this shirt and pants?" As long as I stick to the plan we should be ok.

Let's not count the tips at the airport in the $25/day. BTW, I should plan on $10 each way for towncar driver tip and $4 each way for skycap? Does that sound reasonable?

My $25/day I plan to use for balloons, trinkets, those must have snacks, a meal deal at AK - this include a snack and beverage later ($12???).

Thanks for the great advice. This my first trip to Disney!

Michelle

 

[ceecee]

Michelle: Sounds like you have it planned out fine. The $10.oo each way is normally what we tip as well. Have fun!

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by firstWLvisit
As far as taxi is concerned: How much should I budget for the trip from Pop to HDD?

If you are staying onsite you won't need a taxi to get anywhere within the entire WDW resort grounds. You'll only need a taxi or towncar from the airport to WDW, otherwise Disney transportation will get you anywhere you want to go on their grounds.