First Timer Freak Out!

[jdyer09]

Ok, we leave in 14 days! (only 6 more work days!!!) Anyways, with my paycheck today we put away the last bit into savings for our "spending money". I am scared though after reading all the posts about spending money that we wont have enough! Is stuff really that expensive out there? What does the average t shirt cost? Christmas ornament or magnet? These are the typical souviners that we buy. My DD will spend a little more of course and thats expected. We have 1600 put away for the trip. That includes gas for my truck from Texas to WDW and that must include 2 nights hotel on both side. So after that is taken out, $500 (generous estimate) for gas, $200 for hotel both ways, that leaves approximately $700. Which I cant fathom spending that much, we only spent a few hundred on a 7 day Bahamas cruise, but I am freaking out because we have never been so I have no idea! Help me out???

We are on the FD as well, and are staying at ASMo. DD is 8, then its me and my DH if that makes any difference in advice!

Thanks for the support guys!

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

I think you have plenty and you are in great shape to bring home some nice souveniors.

T-shirts for kids are below thirty. Ornaments vary by size and if there are multiples in a pack.

There is so much to choose from I don't think you will have any problems finding something you really like.

Have a great time!

 

[bearloch]

are u doing the dining plan? and your hotel, tickets are already bought? make sure that u bring own h2o bottle, keep it and refill they are expensive as is snacks. because ur driving go to walmart and get t-shirts, magnets etc there MUCH cheaper.. then u can spend more on 1 special item!! try and get hotels with free breakfast along road. thatwill help lots!! do u have a credit card as a emergency in case of car trouble?

 

[MSSANDRA]

As long as that is just expendable money, no food, tickets, tips etc....you are good!

Pull out what you have to have for gas and motel and then don't worry. If you spend it all..... it's gone and you have what you need to get home.

We spend nowhere near that once food and tickets and hotel are pain for!

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

When we take my dd 9 yo) anywhere, she wants every stuffed animal in sight. So, we give both kids about $60 and let them spend their own money. They make better choices and there is no bugging us to buy, buy, buy. I do tell them not to spend the money the first day, so we can see everything before they make their decision. I think my kids actually prefer doing it that way....they have more control.

My hubby and I usually buy a coffee cup and maybe a couple of pins. The prices are usually about 10-15 for mugs, if I remember correctly. The stuffed animals are (I think...) about 10-20 (and they really are adorable). We may get a special picture frame, but, again, they are in the 10-15 range. It isn't so bad. And, for me, half the fun is watching my dd look at all the critters and picking out her special animal (or 2). Doesn't quite feel the same in Walmart.

 

[jboysen]

I'm thinking $700 in spending money should be more than fine. I've never done FD before, and it's been a few years since I did a DP, so I'm not sure what you may have out of pocket on that. T-shirts range from $20-25 for kids, sweatshirts are $35-40. Adults are $25-30 and sweatshirts are usually over $50. Magnets are usually around $6 and ornaments can range from $10 to over $20 depending on how much you want to spend. my family of 4 can usually eat out of pocket and get souviners for $850-900.

 

[mjkacmom]

Don't forget to budget for tips! And adult beverages. My family spent less than $150 on souviners the last time - don't need any more "stuff!"

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I would say the average T-Shirt costs approx. $20, keychains in the $5-$10 range, Christmas ornament approx. $10-$15. I'm taking $1,000 for the two of us, $500 for tips (we're on the dining plan, but are doing a lot of TS meals for 11-12 days, plus eating at Sea World and Universal) and any extra snacks/drinks we want and $500 for souvenirs. I'm not a big souvenir fan, but the things I tend to like are more on the expensive side (a carved troll figurine from Norway can cost about $25-$50, the wood hand-painted animals in Mexico can cost $50-$75+, etc.). I definitely don't think we'll spend all of the $500, I'm realistically thinking $300.

On our first trip to WDW I was 11. My Mom gave my brother and I a set amount each day for spending (not much, maybe $10-$15). I blew through mine everyday, but he collected his and never spent any of it .

 

[jdyer09]

Thanks everyone! I really don't see how we could spend that much but I have never seen the prices either! Neither my husband or I drink adult beverages and we have tip money planned. About $100the for five ts meals. 3 of the 5 are buffets.

Thank you for the reassurance. If there is one week I don't want to have to watch every dollar we spend I want it to be this week!

 

[Donnainnj]

Another option if you have the time is to go to the Disney outlets. The prices there are much better, and I can always find something I want. This works best if you can avoid the other outlet stores.
Donna

One is in Orlando Premium Outlets, Vineland Avenue
one in Orlando Premium Outlets - International Drive

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

You should have plenty. We usually buy breakfast when on dining plan since its the cheapest meal and we're a 3 meal a day family, but even that isn't very expensive.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

On our last two trips as a family of 4 we took with us 600.00 for spending money. We were under the first time and 60.00 over the second time but the second time was at Xmas so I did some xmas shopping as well. That money was for spending and tips. It was fine. We do have a mentality of not wanting to collect a bunch of dust collectors so that limited us in spending. We only bought stuff we really thought we would use. We were on free Reg. dining plan for both visits, this upcoming trip will be on Deluxe dining so we will need to take more as there are more tips.

We did have a prepaid order for delivery from Gardengrocer so that cut down on money spent onsite for snacks and breakfast because the food was already paid for and delivered.

Hope that helps. I am sure you will be fine

 

[jdyer09]

Again thank you everyone, I feel a little better! We are going without a touring plan and winging everything but our ADR's! I think were crazy, my DH says we will be fine! Heres to hoping! Thanks again! You guys are the best!

 

[DansBride2009]

I'm sure you will be fine! That sounds like a good amount. If you plan out your purchases (could be something fun to talk about on the car ride down!) then you will be fine. I used to work there and I can tell you there are many different price points for different items. I will warn you about pin trading though lol, if you are into that sort of thing it can get addictive and expensive, so pay close attention to you pin purchases! It can get out of hand quickly (used to work at one of the pin trading carts at the Contemporary resort in 2005).

Most of what everyone has already posted is correct! If you are into kitchen and dish ware, I might suggest some dishes. My mother purhchased some of the dishes ( the real, microwavable kind) and it is so much fun to pull those out and remember our Disney vacations with.

I hope you have so much fun and have a safe trip! Take lots of pictures!

 

[DansBride2009]

Misread your post about ADRs lol sorry!

 

[TinkTock]

You should also take into account, if you haven't already, meals on the drive to and from WDW. You can always pack some food into a cooler for the drive out to save some spending money. Since you're driving, you can also easily bring some breakfast foods (fruit, pop tarts, bagels, granola bars, etc.) with you to conserve a little money.