How much do you bring?

[Katy Belle]

I budget about $60 per kid, for the whole 8 day trip...so that is $180. If they want more, they bring their own $. DH and I usually each buy a shirt, and perhaps a little something else. I'd say among the whole family we get by for under $300. We aren't really "stuff" people.

 

[tvguy]

That would be a very generous budget. We usually figure on $20 a person per trip. However, having just cleaned out my house for a remodel, and having thrown out most of the junk I brought back from vacations over the last 31 years and put in the closet, I think my future budget is going to be zero.

 

[PrncessA]

I think you're getting such varied answers because it all really comes down to personal preference and spending habits.

For example:
For our first trip, we brought $300 in cash for random stuff. Well, we had never been to WDW before and were very frugal with our money. We bought beer some nights, but usually split one when we got back to the hotel. We weren't buying snacks that weren't on DDP, because we were trying to "spend" those included in the plan to get the most bang for our buck. We each only got 1 or 2 souvies, and they were very well thought out. Most of our TS meals were buffets that already had gratuity included. With the $300 in cash that we brought, we brought about $150 of it back home with us. That trip, we were very budget conscious, as we were in our lives at that point.

Our 2nd trip - we spent willy nilly, and didn't keep tabs. I will tell you that about 4 or 5 days into our 10 day trip, DH and I did a loose tabulation of what we'd spent so far, and we joked that it was already over the $300 that we had brought on our first trip. We reigned it in after that and probably spent between $450-500 in spending money on the whole trip. But that trip, we were drinking alcoholic beverages at every meal, stopping in for a drink in Epcot's Mexico, or saying things like "yeah, go ahead and do the Pick a pearl for DD. It's not just a pearl, it's an experience!" We went to DTD and bought (severely overpriced) cigars to smoke as we walked, we bought DD a smoothie or something while we were having beers with our cigars... we just let loose. We weren't budget conscious at all, and we NEEDED that vacation as stress relief after some very demanding projects. We were glad to be in a relaxing place and were willing to spend the $ for creature comforts.

I can so see that being us this year! On our first trip we budgeted only about $250, we didn't drink a lot of booze or order off of the DxDDP. We realized on the last day that we had only bought one thing for "us" the entire trip , a Christmas ornament, and the kid's only 2 or 3 small items. We ended up buying coffee cups, which we still love, but we only spent maybe $100-$150 the entire time, 7 days.

For our next trip we are staying 10 days and the kids are older and want more now. We plan on giving DS a budget, he is very picky and good with money, and keeping DD within that range. DH is planning to drink around the world... or at least halfway around the world and I have my eye on the kitchen store in DTD, I believe that will spend quite a bit this year but not $1300.

 

[Canooknic]

Last year we had no budget, it was our boy's first trip (and our first as a family) to WDW so if they really wanted something they could have it (I took photos in the park stores and we shopped at DTD on our last day - the photos helped them remember what they'd asked for but they both ended up only choosing 2 things!!

This year we have saved their birthday and Christmas money so they will both have just over $200, which will undoubtably be spent at the Lego store and on building a lightsabre. I don't let them buy 'junk' like parade light ups etc.

Hubby and I will probably spend $20-30 a day for a beer or 2 for us and ice creams for the boys. The only souvenirs we'll get will be a christmas tree ornament and a silhouette of the boys from Main Street.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Our kids are older now 16, 12 and 8 so they really don't require or want anything from Disney Gift Shops. They bring about $30 each and last time had a hard time spending it. My middle asked if he could spend it on a small Lego set at DTD.

I want/need/have to have a Christmas ornament from every trip we take! Other than that, I've spent a fortune on fantastic photography equipment and take pictures! LOL.

 

[roflclaw]

If you have the $1300 and you're not breaking the bank, you might as well bring it along for goodies! There may be something you HAVE to have that you see that's on the expensive side, and you'll have the funds for it. Or if you don't spend it all, hey that's some extra money when you get home since it was already budgeted and accounted for prior to the trip.

I'm not big on souvenirs (I'd rather have a ton of sweets from Pooh's Corner!) but I think I budgeted about $50 for myself on our trip this February And then anywhere between 100-150 for my dbf, mom & aunt, each.

My mom HAS to have a big coffee mug, and I know she wants some earsies since she's the only one who doesn't have any... and I'm sure she'll probably want a shirt or something along with it. Now that my boyfriend "has" money to spend after his raise, he'll probably be spending more than I estimated for him, since he's never really had money to spend freely.

 

[HookdonWDW]

DH and I don't really "budget" for extras on vacation. If there is something we want, we'll usually get it, but there have definitely been trips where we didn't buy anything extra.

When the kids were younger (starting around 4-5), we would give each of them $25.00 on the first day of the trip. Anything they wanted had to come from that $25, although if we asked them if they wanted something (Mickey Bar, Dole Whip, Popcorn, etc...) it was free to them. On the last day of the trip, we would go to DTD, and buy them a t-shirt and a toy (or the equivalent). When we got home from the trip, they had the option to put any unspent money in their bank accounts, and we would match it. By the time they hit 10 or so, we were routinely adding $50 to their savings accounts after the trip.

We knew we were on to something when dd was 9 or so. We got out of the Little Mermaid, and were dumped in the gift shop. She found some little doo dad she just had to have. When I reminded her she could buy it with her money she just looked at me like I was insane and huffed, "I'm not going to spend my money on that junk!" Great life lesson as a parent. If she thought it was too junky for her $$$, it's too junky for mine, lol

 

[Darcy03231]

This is such a subjective question. It really depends on your spending habits and what you like to buy. I've been there for a week and spent less than $20 on souvenirs (a pin and a mug). Another time I spent over $500 (Disney Dooney handbag, a watch, Chamilia charms, etc.).

On average I plan $100/pp per day for food and souvenirs and most times I come home with money.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My dh loved the shop in Africa, right outside of the Kilomanjero safari ride. Use to always pick up a nick nack for the house.

I have to admit, that place would have been really dangerous for me with some cash in hand

 

[Kellydelly]

Why not just use a credit or debit card? My husband usually only brings around $400 cash with him for our family of 6 for 10-14 days. I would not want to carry much more than that around during a vacation. I love plastic!

 

[mslhb]

Cash... we bring about $100-200 in various bills. Use it for tips, cabs, cash vendors, etc. I hate carrying cash. Vacations are about the only time I have actual bills on me. We don't buy a lot of souvenirs. I think for our upcoming trip in June I budgeted $25/day and that is probably too much. I credit card EVERYTHING (we always pay it off).

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My next trip I'm saving up for one of those ski sweaters in Norway. Love, love love them but those suckers are pricey!!

I love those sweaters! I always say I could probably buy them online for way cheaper, but then it wouldn't be a *Disney World* sweater I love window shopping those sweaters, but the price tags certainly make my eyes get bigger!

 

[crazelion]

I budget for snacks instead little nic knacks. We popcorn like going out style. I budget about 50 bucks a day for all us.

 

[LuvGoofy6]

We spent more when our kids were younger because it seems the younger ones still want to wear Disney clothing. My husband always gets a sweatshirt that isn't "over the top Disney" but Disney nonetheless. With myself, my husband and an 18 year old and 14 year old we budget $300 for 5 days. If we buy a Starbuck coffee at the airport it comes from that money. If we buy a sweatshirt, pin or sweets we use that money. Basically, anything not on the dining plan is out of this fund. We always do fine with that amount.

 

[pamtaro]

Thank you for all the replies! Keep them coming! ^^

Personally, I'm a clothing/apparel/art/trading pin person. I love things that are exclusive to Disney, like the Dooney and Bourke purses, or the dresses they have in DD.... when I was there last in February 2013, I got a Bambi infinity scarf, along with several pins. I also have a soft side for soft and cuddly things. I also collect Thumper plushies, just because he was one of my favorites growing up. (n_n) Every time I visit the World or a Disney Store, I get one.

I work a job where most of my income is in tips, so I don't really like putting my money into banks (even though I report all of my earning to the IRS). Most of my transactions are in cash, and personally I can keep better tabs of it that way.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Why not just use a credit or debit card? My husband usually only brings around $400 cash with him for our family of 6 for 10-14 days. I would not want to carry much more than that around during a vacation. I love plastic!

I charge everything to the room. But mentally I know I only want to spend 300-400 on souvenirs for the trip.

We probably have $100 in cash on us and come back with almost all of it. That's for our mouse keeping tips and any of the carts that don't take cards. During the parade DD likes a light up toy and they only accept cash.

 

[tcherjen]

I budget 500 a week for extra and stuff. What helps me is that I buy little Disney items from Walgreen's, Walmart, Target ect before we go. I then give youngest dd these things throughout the trip. She really doesn't want for much. I also give her a 50.00 gift card to use on whatever she wants.