How much do you spend on your vacation with kids

[lustergirl]

last september we went for 7 days on the free dining plan and only spent 300 dollars- thank god that my 2 sons are old enough (ages 13 and 17) to not want everything that they lay their eyes on. On the last night we were there at Disney I told that they could 2 souvies each and bought themselves stuff out of the gift shop at our resort. This year I have a little over 600 dollars saved up in disney dollars but I will probably bring some of that home. I think the free dining plan pretty much covers the most part of anyone's savings, thank god we are going back this september to experience it once again- Boy DO I LOVE DISNEY!!!!!!!

 

[Caitsmama]

The other "trick" i did last yr with my dd was, if she was a "good girl" (which she was..lol) each day she got to pick out something small (Say under 10.00), then on the last day, i took her out alone,and bought her one bigger item. Which turned out to be a Mulan doll - for 20.00. So, she was happy and i wasn't broke!

 

[badblackpug]

I always give each child a set amount FOR THE TRIP and then plan a special "shopping day" at the end of the trip where they can buy the things they want. I always tell them to look around during the trip and write down or remember the things they like or want, then on shopping day they can buy those things with their $$$. This limits them to the things they REALLY REALLY want not just "impulse spending." (of course there are always little special things we purchase for them out of our $$$ along the way)

I don't know how this would work for kids with autism, but this has always worked with us.

 

[Diehl2229]

I always give each child a set amount FOR THE TRIP and then plan a special "shopping day" at the end of the trip where they can buy the things they want. I always tell them to look around during the trip and write down or remember the things they like or want, then on shopping day they can buy those things with their $$$. This limits them to the things they REALLY REALLY want not just "impulse spending." (of course there are always little special things we purchase for them out of our $$$ along the way)

I don't know how this would work for kids with autism, but this has always worked with us.

I wish it was that easy. My DD usually gets something small. My son is the spoiled one which is my fault if you ask my DW But I'm going to try and tell him that "you will only get two DVD's a day" and see if that works

 

[Hannathy]

Wow We don't plan on spending 2,000 dollars for our week including tours, food off the plan and 2 extra nights not at Disney. I can't imagine having 2,000 to spend on "stuff" My kids usually get one thing around 25 ish and then a small thing or 2. I have never spent more than 75 even on a 10 day trip. One thing is I won't carry anything they buy and they don't want to carry it all day either so they usually wait till the end of the trip! Also gives them time to compare and be sure. Even with being autistic I think you need to set a limit like 1 thing a day or we are not buying anything until we are on our way out of the park. Surely at home you don't buy them everything they see. possibly you could set the example and not buy anything till the end.

 

[lyzziesmom]

Wow We don't plan on spending 2,000 dollars for our week including tours, food off the plan and 2 extra nights not at Disney. I can't imagine having 2,000 to spend on "stuff"

I completely agree. I'm not spending $2,000 on the whole 10-day trip, including hotel, dining plan, and airfare! In fact, my entire vacation budget for the YEAR was $3,000 and I managed to stretch that into a 10-day WDW trip, a 5-day WDW trip, and a 5-day Universal/Sea World trip. That $3,000 covered food, hotel, airfare, rental car, souvenirs, and recreation for me and two kids for three vacations.

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Throughout the year our kidlets are given Disney Dollars in their stockings, x-mas gifts from other's, b-day presents, Easter basket fillers, etc... So, by the time our vacations come around each year they have about $30 per day to spend. I give them their $30 each morning before we set off for the parks. The kidlets realize that's all they have each day and take their time in picking out what they really want instead of just blowing money away. Some days they'll spend their $30 and some days they won't. If they have money left over at the end of the night that stays in their wallets for the next day plus their $30 for that following day. If they have money left over by the end of the trip and they have been saving their money I'll ask them if they saw something they really wanted but didn't purchas then I'll take them to get it. They sure do manage their money well when they realize it's their money and that's all they are getting.

 

[lexmelinda]

I can't imagine having 2,000 to spend on "stuff"

I can't imagine WANTING $2000 worth of "stuff". IMHO allowing any child to make excessive purchases sets a precedent that's hard to break whether you're at Disney World or not. Just my opinion.

 

[Diehl2229]

I can't imagine WANTING $2000 worth of "stuff". IMHO allowing any child to make excessive purchases sets a precedent that's hard to break whether you're at Disney World or not. Just my opinion.

First off, when I started the thread I included recreation, spa and such which we will be doing. Not $2k on toys alone

 

[lexmelinda]

Not $2k on toys alone

No offense intended but even $500 on souvenirs seems excessive IMO. How much are we taking? Probably around $500 for the week of which the kids will get $25 each.

 

[patsal]

Wow $2000 for 7 days--can I come with you? Seriously that should be plenty unless you never say no to anything and in that case bring extra empty suitcases.
We spent $20 plus tax on mini golf for four at Fantasia Gardens with the AP discount.

We spent about $100 on tshirts and or hats from HOB store--We all just happened to find a few things we loved and used the DVC discount here as well.

DD and I spent about $20 at Basin on a few bath bombs and a bar soap again with DVC discount

DH and DS spent about $25.00 at Girarhdelli again with discount.

Ds and DD had their allowance for whatever they wanted and could afford--both ended up with about $75 saved up each. DD got lots of charms and some earrings, a bracelet and carved wooden animals DS couldn't resist those pirates action figures.

About $50 was spent by all at the gift ship at AKL--a tshirt, a couple of carved eggs, a necklace, and a ring.

I spent about $100 on OOP alcohol at meals. One Lapulapu at 'Ohana, One screaming Yellow Diva at Concourse, and a beer or two as well a margarita and a pint at Epcot.

We had two OOP dinners and one lunch--I broke up my ressie and didn't add the DDP to the weekends. LTT lunch was about $65.00, Dinner with many drinks at HOB was around $100 (thanks to that 20% off food w DVC). Rainforest Cafe Dinner was about $66.

Just an aside, but my sister didn't have much $$ when we went in December and she told her girls that they could have three things total and to choose wisely. This did not include anything that my parents wished to purchase them or if I gave them a treat. It really made them think about what they wanted and to make purchases wisely. My nieces did not throw a fit or carry on about anything they just had to stop and think and remember that they had "three wishes" once gone they couldn't get them back. They were 4 and 2 at the time and it went very well. My parents always take the kids individually to the gift shop near the end of the trip and let them each pick out something special. If I see the kids looking at the less expensive things and putting it back--a hairclip a lollipop, etc. I usually pick it up and surprise them with it just before a parade or something.

As far as the spa goes well that can get pricey, but a few hundred dollars each should cover it--I can't find my reciept from last year but I think my spa visit was around $250.

 

[Williamsfamily7]

I can't imagine spending an additional $2,000 on "extras" on vacation! Our trip for 5 people, 2 rooms (free dining) is costing about $3,400. WIth the free dining I'm kinda of looking at this Disney trip as "all inclusive!" In all seriousness, I'm not planning on bringing more than a few hundred dollars ($400?) for extra spending money - whether it be on souveniers, recreation, extra food, etc. I just don't have that type of discretionary income!

 

[Williamsfamily7]

I can't imagine spending an additional $2,000 on "extras" on vacation! Our trip for 5 people, 2 rooms (free dining) is costing about $3,400. WIth the free dining I'm kinda of looking at this Disney trip as "all inclusive!" In all seriousness, I'm not planning on bringing more than a few hundred dollars ($400?) for extra spending money - whether it be on souveniers, recreation, extra food, etc. I just don't have that type of discretionary income!

 

[anneofgreengables]

I posted earlier answering the question, but I just wanted to add that, like the other posters, that I was surprised, too. $2,000 for vacation extras is a lot of money for us. Our entire vacation costs a little over $2,000 (okay, we have frequent flyer miles). Let's see when we went to Hawaii last year, we spent money on things like a snorkeling trip, which ran no more than a few hundred dollars. And for souvenirs, all the kids got was a conch shell that you blow on like a horn. On our wine country trip this fall, I am spending at most a couple of hundred dollars on spa treatments. I wish I had $2,000 to spend on extras...

 

[BlindTyldak]

Like I said, whether 2k is a lot of money for extras really depends on what your family expects out of the trip, how often they can do it, what's available nearby, etc.

For us, for example, we have NOTHING similar, or even within a days drive, or even TWO days drive, for us out here, so we get just one chance to do many of the things available at the World. Nor do we have a Disney store within a days travel, (or even a decent ANYTHING store!) so if we want to see something before we buy it, disney it is. How can we blow 2k? Easy:

Star Wars items only available at the World, that we are aware of: about $200 (cups, mugs, shirts, limited edition items, we're huge SW nuts and can never get to a convention, this is the next best thing)

One framed autograph of a voice actor/character in a Disney movie, with plaque that matches the others we have: approx $400 depending on the character. This is our big, special thing every trip.

Christmas shopping for family for the next few years: approx $500. The only stores we have within a days drive are Wal Mart and Target, so it is our big chance to get unique gifts. That $500 covers extended family for a VERY long time.

T-shirts, embroidered hats, and other incidental souveniers that most people would buy: approx. $150

More clothes for school, work, etc since the selection out here is awful: $200

Tours and spur of the moment special things (pony rides, hay rides, etc): about $200

Shipping for packages (since we can't take most stuff on the plane due to weight restrictions) and leftovers for emergencies (stuck at a park and need a cab, etc).

Next time we will be able to go to Disney due to work schedule. taking DD out of school, and expected DH doctor trips and physical therapy: about 6 years from now. So yeah, 2k spending money for some people is WELL worth it.

 

[daisyduck123]

During our 9 day trip in May we spent $1500 on souvenirs & activities like renting a Surrey bike, then a boat at CBR. I think you'll do great with $2000.00.

 

[Plantlady]

We spent about $500 on 8 days, for extras. Each kid got mickey ears on day one, and then were told that they would get to spend $20 on the last day.

We ended up treating them to lanyards, and some trading pins (we got a little hooked). But, that system worked well for us, and the boys (4, 7, 9) never HAD to have things they saw, because they knew they had to wait until the last day.

 

[100 acre wood]

As far as the kids not understanding how hard money is to make and wanting things "NOW", I have found that avoidance in addition to the bums rush thru the dump shops at the end of rides has worked wonders for our family! we hurridly rush them thru the shops telling them of the next ride or thing we are going to do and try to not even give them a chance to look!! Good luck, we also told them one thing per day, and as the day would progress, even with all the avoidance , they would spot various things, and we would ask them if they were sure that was the ONE thing they wanted for the day, usually met with "NO" and some days we would even get back to the resort sans souvenier!

 

[anneofgreengables]

Like I said, whether 2k is a lot of money for extras really depends on what your family expects out of the trip, how often they can do it, what's available nearby, etc.

For us, for example, we have NOTHING similar, or even within a days drive, or even TWO days drive, for us out here, so we get just one chance to do many of the things available at the World. Nor do we have a Disney store within a days travel, (or even a decent ANYTHING store!) so if we want to see something before we buy it, disney it is. How can we blow 2k? Easy:

Star Wars items only available at the World, that we are aware of: about $200 (cups, mugs, shirts, limited edition items, we're huge SW nuts and can never get to a convention, this is the next best thing)

One framed autograph of a voice actor/character in a Disney movie, with plaque that matches the others we have: approx $400 depending on the character. This is our big, special thing every trip.

Christmas shopping for family for the next few years: approx $500. The only stores we have within a days drive are Wal Mart and Target, so it is our big chance to get unique gifts. That $500 covers extended family for a VERY long time.

T-shirts, embroidered hats, and other incidental souveniers that most people would buy: approx. $150

More clothes for school, work, etc since the selection out here is awful: $200

Tours and spur of the moment special things (pony rides, hay rides, etc): about $200

Shipping for packages (since we can't take most stuff on the plane due to weight restrictions) and leftovers for emergencies (stuck at a park and need a cab, etc).

Next time we will be able to go to Disney due to work schedule. taking DD out of school, and expected DH doctor trips and physical therapy: about 6 years from now. So yeah, 2k spending money for some people is WELL worth it.

That's a good point--if you live far away from decent shopping, you would probably want to stock up on Christmas gifts and clothes while at WDW.

We live in the suburbs of a large metropolitan area in California, so no need to go shopping for us on vacation (got Disney stores here, too). Years back, I spent my internship in another state, which I shall not name, and the one mall they had in their capital had lame stores. I understand it's changed now and they have better shopping opportunites.

 

[disneyfan61]

When we went in April my 2 DS's had $25 in Disney dollars. My sons are older-17 & 13 but my 17 year old really didn't want to buy anything!!! He finally bought
a mug on our last night there. I'm the one that could buy up everything I see!! I have no problem spending $$$ at Disney but would never
spend $2,000 in one trip-that's about 1/2 the cost of our trip!!