Help with wdw spending budget

[stephanie23]

Ok I am NOT good at the whole budget thing. In the beginning I had planned on taking $1500 for spending money for my family of 4 . Then I got a little short on the money to pay off disney so I needed $500 of that money. So not I have $1000 for spending money for the 7.5 days (our plan gets there at 2:50pm) we will be in Disney. Out of those 7.5 days we have 5 days on the dining plan(2 different ressies). So 2 days will be out of pocket, I plan to do some snacks in the room and CS meals only those 2 days. Also out of the $1000 we have a ressie for BBB for my daughter that will cost about $50ish. I also need to order a couple things from Garden Grocer(about $75). SOOOO my question is will $1000 be enough for BBB, GG, souvenirs, and food for 2 days?

PS.. sorry this is our 1st time and I know nothing

 

[Castle crazy]

Just curious, but how did you get the dining plan for only part of your stay. We were told we had to do it for every day.

Now, yes, you can do it. Pack snacks like the Ritz peanut butter and crackers, little boxes of cereal, plastic spoons, snack bars even cereal snack bars. You can buy little bottles of milk in the shops at your resort. You'll just have to watch what you spend on souvenirs, they can add up in a hurry. If your souvenirs are for your children you might purchase ahead of time, pack, and surprise the kids with them. They are much cheaper before you leave home.

 

[stephanie23]

Just curious, but how did you get the dining plan for only part of your stay. We were told we had to do it for every day.
.

I have 2 ressies. The first one with the DDP is 8/11-8/16 then the second is without from 8/16-8/18. They didnt have my code avail. for my whole stay in the savannah view so I have to switch rooms the last 2 days. And to me it wasnt worth buy 1 day of tickets just to get to DDP the last 2 days. I just got 7 day hoppers with the first ressie

 

[tzolkin]

we spent about $500 for our 9 day trip with a family of 5 (not including room, tickets, and getting there of course). we spent under $150 for groceries for the room and snacks to carry into the parks for the kids and ate about one CS meal per day or got a pizza for the room. i had budgeted about $50 per day for CS meals, but we wound up spending less. the kids got one souvineer around $20, we got the mr. potato head pieces at DTD to share, and a few little things, so about $100 on souvineers total. my kids really weren't interested in shopping and didnt ask for anything throughout the trip. i had bought items on clearance at the disney store and walmart before we left that i brought with us as surprises (stuffed toys, washcloths, glowsticks, etc). the kids all got haircuts/styles at the barbershop on main st.-- under $50.

 

[stephanie23]

we spent about $500 for our 9 day trip with a family of 5 (not including room, tickets, and getting there of course). we spent under $150 for groceries for the room and snacks to carry into the parks for the kids and ate about one CS meal per day or got a pizza for the room. i had budgeted about $50 per day for CS meals, but we wound up spending less. the kids got one souvineer around $20, we got the mr. potato head pieces at DTD to share, and a few little things, so about $100 on souvineers total. my kids really weren't interested in shopping and didnt ask for anything throughout the trip. i had bought items on clearance at the disney store and walmart before we left that i brought with us as surprises (stuffed toys, washcloths, glowsticks, etc). the kids all got haircuts/styles at the barbershop on main st.-- under $50.

Ohh now I am starting to feel better. I was reading another post where people were saying that they take $2000 for a 5 day stay and 4 people . I got kinda stressed but now I feel confident we will be just fine
Thanks alot!

 

[JulieNMM]

Your kids are little and I bet the 1yo won't be asking for souveniers. So it's really just the 4yo. Give her a budget (say $100 for the whole trip or something) and make her stick to it. Buy as much as possible before you get there, either at home or on a stop outside the world before you check in. Since you'll have a stroller, you can easily carry lots of water and snacks with you.

We just came back and were 8 people for 10 days and we spent $3000? on "other". But we just spent freely.

You'll be fine! Besides, if all you have to spend is $1000, then that's all you have to spend! Once that runs out, that's it. No more spending!

JULIE

 

[imthatgirl]

now we are somewhat free spenders. we will spend about $2,000 for our family of 5. but of course you could spend less.
you need to make a list of all the things you think you might need cash for. dont forget things like tips and snacks at the airport or even gas to get to and from the airport, most if the 1,000 is all you have then it will need to get you through the minute you leave your house to the minute you get back.
ok so back to the list after you write down every single thing write down next to it what byou think it might cost, and be generous, because everything os inflating quickly.
then add it all up. if you go over the budget dont get discourage just go back and see where you can cut things out. there will be somehting that you cant cut out, but there will be many you can cut back.
if you dont go over, yay!!

 

[JulieNMM]

I agree. Make a list and then double it. That's how much you will need. There are so many things that you forget about and the prices are way more than you think for the things that you do remember!!!

For example, does your DD already have a princess dress, crown, shoes, wand, etc? If not, she's gonna be asking for them at BBB. Don't forget you need to tip the fairy godmother in training (FGIT) at the BBB. You need to tip the guy who brings you your luggage at the hotel, etc etc.

JULIE

 

[Sundariel]

I was worrying about the budget for my first WDW holiday without my parents.

It's just my BF and I. The room, plane tickets, insurance, park tickets and transport from and to the resort are sorted.

We are a little unsure about how much to bring with us for food, souveniors, tipping and taxis to Universal from All Star Movies.

Is $3000 excessive? Any advice would be brilliant.

 

[imthatgirl]

I was worrying about the budget for my first WDW holiday without my parents.

It's just my BF and I. The room, plane tickets, insurance, park tickets and transport from and to the resort are sorted.

We are a little unsure about how much to bring with us for food, souveniors, tipping and taxis to Universal from All Star Movies.

Is $3000 excessive? Any advice would be brilliant.

whats excessive? i guess thats subjective isnt it? if you are comfortable bring that much, than bring it and you dont have to spend it. the way i feel i could never bring too much, but i also dont feel the need to spend the whole thing.
it also depends on what kind of extras you want to do. i hate these posts because i think people spend so much time judging others spending habits, but they dont even know that persons situation.

 

[Sundariel]

Well myself and my bf do have a habit of over-spending and seen as it is my BF's first trip to WDW he will probably want to do and see as much as possible, such as the Segway Tour of Epcot.

I also have a little list of gifts i'm bringing back for my friends. Plus he'll probably find things he wants to spend his money on.

Then there's food. We don't have a dining plan or anything so we're basically paying cash for everything food-wise.

We also not renting a car so we'll have to pay for taxis/shuttle bus to Universal and Seaworld, which i have heard can be quite expensive.

However this is my first WDW trip. My parents paid for a lot of stuff on their credit cards last time so couldn't give a lot of help with their budget. They also rented a car.

 

[stephanie23]

now we are somewhat free spenders. we will spend about $2,000 for our family of 5. but of course you could spend less.
you need to make a list of all the things you think you might need cash for. dont forget things like tips and snacks at the airport or even gas to get to and from the airport, most if the 1,000 is all you have then it will need to get you through the minute you leave your house to the minute you get back.
ok so back to the list after you write down every single thing write down next to it what byou think it might cost, and be generous, because everything os inflating quickly.
then add it all up. if you go over the budget dont get discourage just go back and see where you can cut things out. there will be somehting that you cant cut out, but there will be many you can cut back.
if you dont go over, yay!!

See thats the thing.. I am a free spender, I like to get the kids what they want when we are on vacation, I dont like to really "budget" when we are on vacation. But things are tight right now and thats why I was posting this to see if I bring $1000 am I going to be counting pennys? I really want thing to be a great trip and not have to worry about "do we have enough for this" you know what I mean?

Ohh and I wasnt judging you in my post, It just got me a little scared because I only have 1/2 of that $2000. But hey I guess that is why they make credit cards I will be sure to bring mine just for some back up

 

[imthatgirl]

See thats the thing.. I am a free spender, I like to get the kids what they want when we are on vacation, I dont like to really "budget" when we are on vacation. But things are tight right now and thats why I was posting this to see if I bring $1000 am I going to be counting pennys? I really want thing to be a great trip and not have to worry about "do we have enough for this" you know what I mean?

Ohh and I wasnt judging you in my post, It just got me a little scared because I only have 1/2 of that $2000. But hey I guess that is why they make credit cards I will be sure to bring mine just for some back up

im sorry im quite confused. i thought that my response to your question was a helpful one, i dont really understand why you qouted it and thought i said you were judging me? i was just giving you tips on how to write out and look at a budget. i guess i thought thats what you were looking for.

 

[stephanie23]

whats excessive? i guess thats subjective isnt it? if you are comfortable bring that much, than bring it and you dont have to spend it. the way i feel i could never bring too much, but i also dont feel the need to spend the whole thing.
it also depends on what kind of extras you want to do. i hate these posts because i think people spend so much time judging others spending habits, but they dont even know that persons situation.

im sorry im quite confused. i thought that my response to your question was a helpful one, i dont really understand why you qouted it and thought i said you were judging me? i was just giving you tips on how to write out and look at a budget. i guess i thought thats what you were looking for.

I am sorry I thought I did the multi quote thing on my last post. Thank you for your help. I didnt mean you where judging me, I didnt want you thinking I was judging you by my post .. i donno now i am confusing myslef...lol But I didnt think you were judging me. And thanks alot for your help!!

 

[golittleperson]

You can do it! Just limit the souveniers. Remember the DP does not include tips so there goes a couple of hundred. Use park transportation. Eat your out of pocket meals at counter service locations or pack something for the room. That's about all I plan for a family of 4 for 8 days in Aug. We only have one meal (sit down) out of pocket because the kids wanted to go to Rainforest. Tips and each person has a budget for souveniers, which must be approved. No $20. flashing lights, we'll pack those from times past. Carry a cc for emergencies or just gotta have its. Don't feel quilty if like us, especially our first nice trip down, you want a special something to take home - or in our case have shipped home for safety.
Read the tips board and carry the little things that can add up quickly at Disney such as batteries, meds, film etc.
Most of all - Have fun - That's already included in your plan!

22 Days and counting!

 

[ToddyLu]

Disney dollars in small increments might be fun for your 4 year old. Heck I like them You can control the amount and he will fell like a big boy. DH and I (no children)do not really have a budget per se. This year we have DDP so meals will be paid for for the most part. We always do Fulton's and Rain Forrest which are not included in the plan. But we know the cost and go with it. Last Dec. We did not have DDP and spent $1000 on food, again we are talking CA Grill and Fulton's-10 day trip. He and I usually have favorite collectable that we get each trip and we have bought artwok for our home. Each year the souvenirs are less important.

I find that the counter service meal portions are really good and many times 2 people can eat--1/2 hamburger, 1/2 fries and then a snack. I have seen people serve kids PB&J out of a knap sack--cool with me and I completely understand the need for budgets. It sounds like you already have a good plan. Have a great time

 

[noahdove]

I am going to bring "goofy snacks" from DTD for my souveniers(spelled wrong) I can get each person something little, they don't have to find a place to put it, each will be different for each individual and I will still save lots of money...That way too, I will know how much room I will need in my suitcase