Free Dining Oct-Dec Is Here!!! (And a whole lot more) ~ Part 3

[scard192]

Well that gives me a glimmer of hope on a down morning.
I guess what bothers me the most of this is that I am such a planner, and the not-knowing if we will be a part of it, or even what "it" will be by then is making me nervous. And of course, the feeling of being left out always stinks.

I feel the same way, down about it and then I tell myself it's petty to feel that way. We were lucky enough to get the FD PIN so we can stay at the resort we really wanted to.

But I REALLY want to try the MB! I guess there is still some hope that they might add more resorts by October. Sounds like the announcement of the September test resorts came out around August 15th and guests are able to access the MB for October too. Maybe in September there will be more resorts added for October or a more widespread roll out.

MB or no MB we will all be at Disney World in the next few months.

 

[Chela227]

I have a question, if anyone is comfortable to answer...how much do you all spend or plan to take for spending on souvenirs etc-food not included. I knew how much I wanted to take before FD, but idk now. I know we will have a few more snacks than the 1 per person per day so I'm planning* to spend a couple hundred on misc. food. But since the last time I was there was as a teen, and my parents took care of all that I just don't know. It's just me, DH and DS 5...I was thinking just 1000 now? Idk I don't feel like that's enough?

We are going for 8 nights. Planning to have $1000 budgeted. That being said, if the kids see something they " have to have" and we know its at a place we will return to we will play the "if you still want it tomorrow card" just to make sure its not an impulse purchase. Or we might wait till the last day and go to the dtd store and let em go "crazy" (limit 3!). If there is something they have to have at a park we are only planning to be at one day then we might concede. We will have another $500 on another card, just in case.

 

[Nechville]

I have a question, if anyone is comfortable to answer...how much do you all spend or plan to take for spending on souvenirs etc-food not included. I knew how much I wanted to take before FD, but idk now. I know we will have a few more snacks than the 1 per person per day so I'm planning* to spend a couple hundred on misc. food. But since the last time I was there was as a teen, and my parents took care of all that I just don't know. It's just me, DH and DS 5...I was thinking just 1000 now? Idk I don't feel like that's enough?

I plan about $1000 for additional food, tips, and souvenirs for a week. The tips do add up, especially if you eat at the more expensive restaurants. We try to limit the kids to one thing per day but it got kinda hard. Especially when they asked for things I wanted that my parents always said no to -- like the Mickey Balloon or the giant stuffed Figment. Hoping we are more reasonable this time with those purchases!

 

[Nechville]

We are going for 8 nights. Planning to have $1000 budgeted. That being said, if the kids see something they " have to have" and we know its at a place we will return to we will play the "if you still want it tomorrow card" just to make sure its not an impulse purchase. Or we might wait till the last day and go to the dtd store and let em go "crazy" (limit 3!). If there is something they have to have at a park we are only planning to be at one day then we might concede. We will have another $500 on another card, just in case.

Oh! I like the "tomorrow" idea! We tried "let's come back at the end of the day so we don't have to haul it around all day" with limited success.

 

[scard192]

If you get ME tags you can use that # for BOG. You don't have to have an MB or FP+ for that.

Tried that, can access it but no BOG FP for the entire week we are there. Have been trying since April to get a BOG ADR with no luck. Was going to try BOG for lunch but with all the FP users now wondering if that will make the wait for lunch even longer. Maybe we won't be doing BOG at all; too many attractions to spend a long time waiting for lunch,

 

[Nechville]

Tried that, can access it but no BOG FP for the entire week we are there. Have been trying since April to get a BOG ADR with no luck. Was going to try BOG for lunch but with all the FP users now wondering if that will make the wait for lunch even longer. Maybe we won't be doing BOG at all; too many attractions to spend a long time waiting for lunch,

I'm afraid of both of those -- no lunch FPs left by the time I get my ME number, and then even longer lines for standby because of the FPs.

 

[laceyinwonderland]

I have a question, if anyone is comfortable to answer...how much do you all spend or plan to take for spending on souvenirs etc-food not included. I knew how much I wanted to take before FD, but idk now. I know we will have a few more snacks than the 1 per person per day so I'm planning* to spend a couple hundred on misc. food. But since the last time I was there was as a teen, and my parents took care of all that I just don't know. It's just me, DH and DS 5...I was thinking just 1000 now? Idk I don't feel like that's enough?

We bring our girls a little surprise to open each morning. Inexpensive disney things I've picked up through the year. They get so excited and can't wait to see what it is! It helps cut down on the "I wants" while in the park. We each usually only get one souvenir! So far for our nov trip I've got new Cinderella nightgowns (walmart clearance $5), little princess dolls with the clip on dresses, ariel necklaces and tiaras, bubble guns, and I plan to get glow necklaces and a few other things!

IMO also, you may be surprised about your snack credits. Granted last time we were there, you got two per day instead of 1 like now. My poor hubby wanted sodas and things, and I kept urging him to "wait to get better value" for his credits.... yeah we ended up taking home about 8 bags of candy..... I vow, i will not be the snack credit natzi this year!!

So who knows, you may not have to spend as much as you think!

 

[ALD85]

We are going for 8 nights. Planning to have $1000 budgeted. That being said, if the kids see something they " have to have" and we know its at a place we will return to we will play the "if you still want it tomorrow card" just to make sure its not an impulse purchase. Or we might wait till the last day and go to the dtd store and let em go "crazy" (limit 3!). If there is something they have to have at a park we are only planning to be at one day then we might concede. We will have another $500 on another card, just in case.

I plan about $1000 for additional food, tips, and souvenirs for a week. The tips do add up, especially if you eat at the more expensive restaurants. We try to limit the kids to one thing per day but it got kinda hard. Especially when they asked for things I wanted that my parents always said no to -- like the Mickey Balloon or the giant stuffed Figment. Hoping we are more reasonable this time with those purchases!

We bring our girls a little surprise to open each morning. Inexpensive disney things I've picked up through the year. They get so excited and can't wait to see what it is! It helps cut down on the "I wants" while in the park. We each usually only get one souvenir! So far for our nov trip I've got new Cinderella nightgowns (walmart clearance $5), little princess dolls with the clip on dresses, ariel necklaces and tiaras, bubble guns, and I plan to get glow necklaces and a few other things! IMO also, you may be surprised about your snack credits. Granted last time we were there, you got two per day instead of 1 like now. My poor hubby wanted sodas and things, and I kept urging him to "wait to get better value" for his credits.... yeah we ended up taking home about 8 bags of candy..... I vow, i will not be the snack credit natzi this year!! So who knows, you may not have to spend as much as you think!

So $1000 sounds like its a good amount! Disney is going to be sort of a "free for all" for us. It's my DS and DH first time and we don't plan to come back for another 5 years or so. But DH and I will only get a hoodie and a coffee mug for ourselves and I can't imagine my DS wanting too too much. He's not a big "I want I want" kid. I think I feel ok with the 1000 but ill plan for a little more just in case. If I don't spend it then I have extra Christmas money! Ha

 

[Nechville]

IMO also, you may be surprised about your snack credits. Granted last time we were there, you got two per day instead of 1 like now. My poor hubby wanted sodas and things, and I kept urging him to "wait to get better value" for his credits.... yeah we ended up taking home about 8 bags of candy..... I vow, i will not be the snack credit natzi this year!!

So who knows, you may not have to spend as much as you think!

I was the same way with snacks last year too! And we were trying to spend them the last night on junk. I've been looking at the snack guide thread so think we'll be better prepared on what counts and what we want, and when we want them.

 

[ALD85]

I was the same way with snacks last year too! And we were trying to spend them the last night on junk. I've been looking at the snack guide thread so think we'll be better prepared on what counts and what we want, and when we want them.

See we will prob use the snack credits for a breakfast item because we aren't big breakfast eaters-especially walking around a park all day.

 

[Chela227]

Tried that, can access it but no BOG FP for the entire week we are there. Have been trying since April to get a BOG ADR with no luck. Was going to try BOG for lunch but with all the FP users now wondering if that will make the wait for lunch even longer. Maybe we won't be doing BOG at all; too many attractions to spend a long time waiting for lunch,

When are you going? Have you looked at that thread? Seems late Sept was only available yesterday. They don't open it up as far out as the FP+ seems to be.

 

[Chela227]

I plan about $1000 for additional food, tips, and souvenirs for a week. The tips do add up, especially if you eat at the more expensive restaurants. We try to limit the kids to one thing per day but it got kinda hard. Especially when they asked for things I wanted that my parents always said no to -- like the Mickey Balloon or the giant stuffed Figment. Hoping we are more reasonable this time with those purchases!

I about died when my DH told me how much the balloons were! And the light up ones! Omgoodness! But did they get them...umm...yes!

 

[ALD85]

I about died when my DH told me how much the balloons were! And the light up ones! Omgoodness! But did they get them...umm...yes!

How much are they???

 

[Nechville]

How much are they???

I think the light up one was $20. And I didn't tell DH. He would have flipped right there on Main Street.

 

[ALD85]

I think the light up one was $20. And I didn't tell DH. He would have flipped right there on Main Street.

Haha! Idk if ill do a balloon because well have to pop it or leave it behind since we're flying.

 

[Chela227]

How much are they???

I think (can't promise) regular is either $10 or $15 for each and light up is $20 each.

 

[Chela227]

I think (can't promise) regular is either $10 or $15 for each and light up is $20 each.

They do last but man!

 

[MomofKatie]

I have a question, if anyone is comfortable to answer...how much do you all spend or plan to take for spending on souvenirs etc-food not included. I knew how much I wanted to take before FD, but idk now. I know we will have a few more snacks than the 1 per person per day so I'm planning* to spend a couple hundred on misc. food. But since the last time I was there was as a teen, and my parents took care of all that I just don't know. It's just me, DH and DS 5...I was thinking just 1000 now? Idk I don't feel like that's enough?

We go often enough that we really don't spend much on souvenirs anymore. For a weeklong trip where we have Free Dining, I'd say we bring an extra $100 for gift shop stuff, and usually bring some $$ back home. This is not including souvenirs for DD- she brings her own $$.

DH likes to get a new coffee mug each trip, and every once in a while, a ball cap. I don't buy expensive stuff- always a new refrigerator magnet, and sometimes a new keychain. That's it for us. We aren't into pins or other collectibles, and don't want jewelry, clothing, or pictures.

 

[Chela227]

Haha! Idk if ill do a balloon because well have to pop it or leave it behind since we're flying.

They have $20 light up toys too! Watch out for those. We ended up with tinkerbell light up spinners x2!

 

[Coconuts]

We go often enough that we really don't spend much on souvenirs anymore. For a weeklong trip where we have Free Dining, I'd say we bring an extra $100 for gift shop stuff, and usually bring some $$ back home. This is not including souvenirs for DD- she brings her own $$.

DH likes to get a new coffee mug each trip, and every once in a while, a ball cap. I don't buy expensive stuff- always a new refrigerator magnet, and sometimes a new keychain. That's it for us. We aren't into pins or other collectibles, and don't want jewelry, clothing, or pictures.

We are the same. We usually let the kids buy one souveneir and usually $25 or under. Don't want to be lugging tons of junk home in suitcases that never gets touched again. I never buy anything for myself except for small stuff like a mug or keychain. Every trip I say I'm going to buy something nice for myself and somehow no shopping time ever happens.