Extra things to budget for

[MOMMY2ANTHONY&SOFIA]

Hotel, tickets, airfare are all covered. We have free dining. So, what else should I be budgeting for?

Thanks.

 

[Legendteri]

Let me think...

Well we had to buy some new clothes for the trip. My summer clothes were a bit on the worn out side and I also wanted the kids to have more Disney themed outfits for the trip. So we went out and got a few new things for that. We also bought new swimsuits and beach towels.

We also bought a new camera for the trip. We were thinking about getting one for a while but the trip was the final push we needed to get one.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Anything else is optional: souvenirs, additional meals or snacks, forgotten stuff - bandaids, sunscreen, batteries, etc., ride photos. Once, DD forgot to pack underwear, and we had to find some during the trip. Those were way more expensive at the theme park than at Walmart. There always seems to be some kind of clothing emergency with us.

 

[mjkacmom]

Tips.

 

[Ava]

If you have TS meals booked, budget for tips as those are not included on the dining plan. Alcohol is also not included, so budget for that if you plan to imbibe at all.

 

[VACamm]

Tips for the free dining table meals.... they are NOT included and can get pretty pricy as we know how much the dinners for a family can be. Plan generously.... especially if you have beer or wine at dinner as that's not included either.

 

[VACamm]

If you have TS meals booked, budget for tips as those are not included on the dining plan. Alcohol is also not included, so budget for that if you plan to imbibe at all.

I am pretty sure we posted at the same exact time!

 

[kathy884]

You are really pretty well covered. Other things can come out of normal non vacation spending probably. Other budget ltems for me are kennel for the dog, airport parking, food on in transit days (food and drink at the airport aren't cheap, but can make travel more pleasant), and incidentals -- luggage fees if you aren't flying Southwest, wifi for the kids if we have travel delays or for entertainment on the plane, spending on things we might have left at home, drug store items, things like maybe renting those little speed boats at one of the resort hotels, or paying to play tennis on the clay courts at the Grand Floridian.

 

[MinnieMama411]

There is always some unexpected expense whenever we travel. On our last trip, we were at the airport on our way to Disney and had a major coffee spill, necessitating a load of laundry before hitting the parks. The first year we went to WDW, we decided to do the wine flights at EPCOT. Another year I forgot to pack my daughter's coat. Then there was the taxi ride as we followed an emergency vehicle transporting our son to a clinic. He had shellfish poisoning. I've made it a habit to budget $5-$10 per person a day for emergencies (or in whatever currency). It's just enough to cover the little stuff.

 

[verleniahall]

Mousekeeping (housekeeping) tips - some people post a dollar a day some people do more - we do $5 a day

 

[brertoad]

Buy some $1 rain ponchos from Walmart, will save you about $8 per poncho vs. Disney prices (roughly $9 each?)

 

[Eureka]

Buy some $1 rain ponchos from Walmart, will save you about $8 per poncho vs. Disney prices (roughly $9 each?)

My Walmart doesn't have them that cheap but about $5. Also if you're going in the summer, use a 20% coupon at Bed, Bath and beyond and pick up a couple of those fans that spray water.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

My Walmart doesn't have them that cheap but about $5. Also if you're going in the summer, use a 20% coupon at Bed, Bath and beyond and pick up a couple of those fans that spray water.

I just found some at The Home Depot. 4-pack for about $3.00. I don't think it's something they normally keep in stock because I found them in a bin in the front aisle of the store near the registers.

 

[Hikergirl]

Alcoholic drinks
Tips
Souvenirs
Extra snack $
I'd just budget an extra couple hundred $ for misc, you never know what could pop up. one year dh and my dses didn't pack any other shoes but their sneakers. We got caught in a down pour and their shoes were soaked and were not drying fast enough. The only thing I could find for them were crocs in the resort gift shop and they were not cheap!

 

[KarenAylwood]

We leave on Tuesday. You didn't mention who you're travelling with but we're going with 2YO DS in tow so I've bought some things ahead of time that many wouldn't...

Airport parking
Mousekeeping (we do $1/person/day) - I already put them all together ahead of time. Rolled some coins we had at home and went to the bank to get some ones.
Souveniers- I bought a bunch of little things ahead of time at the dollar store and on amazon for cheap (our 2 year old won't know the difference)
Tips at restaurants (we have 2 ADRs)
Ponchos- purchased ahead of time, at Target for about $1 in the camping section
Snack money and/or bring snacks/breakfast items with you. We always eat breakfast in the room to save time and money
Alcohol money (last week before trying for baby #2... Mama is having a cocktail or two! )

I make obnoxious packing lists so our missing items are few and far between. Planning well will help!!

 

[mco65]

EARS!

 

[katmatry]

You get what you pay for with the $1 ponchos, splurge on a good poncho.

 

[SGMCO]

You get what you pay for with the $1 ponchos, splurge on a good poncho.

The $1 poncho are perfect they last long enough, plus you don't have to carry around a wet one when it has finished raining.

 

[brertoad]

You get what you pay for with the $1 ponchos, splurge on a good poncho.

"Good" is relative. The Disney ponchos rip around the neck easily, especially if your party members are guys (or boys) who are impatient and yank the ponchos this way or that way. DH has ripped the neck on two Disney ponchos.

 

[MomToOne]

My standard trip budget includes:
- Airport Parking and/or transportation cost to/from the airport
- Pet boarding
- Any extra activities I may want to participate in (some resorts have these)
- Airport meals/snacks (outrageously priced!)
- Depending on the meal plan, you may still need to pay for some meals out of pocket, such as breakfast