how much extra spending cash?

[Dopey420]

Even with the dining plan, we find that we spend $150 per day in cash for snacks, tips, souvenirs, etc. This does not include price of room , tickets or anything else. just pocket spending cash.

 

[bridget]

The last two times we've gone we did the dining plan and spent very little money once we got there. We tipped housekeeping and at restaurants, and we just didn't spend very much time "shopping".

I picked up a $2 autograph book with Minnie on the cover from Wal-mart. My dd loved it. I think they are $8 or $9 in the park, but they are very nice (nicer than the $2 one from walmart).

We were so busy either at the resorts or at the park with rides/attractions, it wasn't hard not to spend money.

 

[ReneeA]

Last time we went, for a family of four for 8 nights on the DDP, we spent $250.00 OOP. That incuded a couple of souveniers for the kids.

 

[demac9196]

I am actually going in 11 days. I try to buy fun stuff at home and bring with us. Glow necklaces, flashing pins. I also bought ponchos at a local discount store for .69. I just made tshirts for kids that I got at a craft store for 2.50. I enlarged a picture of mickey icon, cut it out using sponge (because I am not good free hand although with the template underneath you can't mess up) and stamped it on the shirt using glitter fabric paint. They came out awesome and my girlfriend is borrowing to do for her kids. I am bringing sharpies so the characters can autograph on. I think we will make into pillows when we get back. Also, (my daughters are 7 and 8 and I have been meaning to introduce them to scrapbooking as a mom/daughters activity) I bought each a water camera and regular disposable camera. I also just got plain index cards for them to get autographs. When we get home, I will have a pic with each child and character, they will have autograph and we will use stickers to enhance the page. This way scrapbooking isn't overwelming and they have a great memory opposed to some crazy priced item at disney. I know you have the plan, but did you know the airlines will let you pack a box full of food. We are taking things like nutrigrain bars, trail mix, etc for snacks. We aren't big lunch eaters so this works out great.

One more thing, now is a great time to for discounts in the stores for hair glitter, sparkle tattoos. They are all discounted after halloween and the kids really get into the festivities when they feel sparkly.

Hope this helps.

 

[AEGault]

Jeez, I feel TOTALLY cheap!

We just returned from a 6day/6night trip with me, dh, ds5, and dd1. We spent about $220 the whole time at the parks- that inclued a $45 snowglobe (which you can't carry on the airplane btw ) and a $20 dino-mountain toy and a $20 taxi ride. Son got one nighttime lightup toy, two lightup ice cubes, about $10-15 on toys each day, the kids got 3 stuffed animals total. Now we didn't get any tees or clothes- just ran out of time and shopping was low on the list.

The other secret? We ordered food from GardenGrocer (about $80 worth) and that was the rest of the $$ we spent. We ate bfast in the room except for two individual meals.

 

[kimberh]

I bought light up pins for the autograph books at Big Lots for $.99. They have been used on 2 trips. One mom came up and asked us where we bought them at. They are Disney characters and when you sign the book the head of the pin lights up.
Go the the dollar store and buy some necklaces and braclets that light up at night. That stuff really comes out when it get dark and it is expensive.
The Princess Dresses are everywhere and they are over $60.00. Go to Walmart and get her a dress and let her be a princess. We saw girls with them on in the parks but diffently in the restaurants. She will need one for the tea party and the accessories. Disney has everything in the world to buy but it is high. We have just returned home and it is so hard to say no to those sweet eyes.
We did the DDP and I took Oatmeal and Cereal and that is all they needed. We brought our leftovers home. We did some non buffet TS meals so we had leftovers. There is a ton of food. We could not eat it all. Take a book bag or husbands hunting napsack. That is what we used. Carry extra drinks in it. That will save you a lot of money each day. A coke is $2.50. Take pleanty of juice boxes and things like that. You will have a fridge.

I hope the Disney Magic takes hold of your family, what a sweet sister you have to pay for such a trip. Take a Great attitude and it will be the trip of a lifetime.

It is the year of a Million Dream,
Enjoy,

 

[GoofyBaby]

Best friend and I are bringing $2,000 for a 15-day trip next May, but this is a one-in-a-lifetime shopping spree for us!

 

[sydprincess]

We have to go to Disney with a lot of cash. I hate the thought of spending a ton of money on airfare, tickets and hotel, but then having to be frugal when it comes to food and souvenirs. I can save my pennies in every day life-but not when I'm at Disney! For our upcoming trip in June '07, I have a little over $1,500 set aside for food (doing the Sleeping Beauty tea at the Floridian, which will be around $400 for my two daughters and husband, so that takes up a big chunk), and then $1,500 for each child for whatever they want. I simply refuse to tell them no while on vacation there. There are too many temptations for little ones, and I want them to come home and see Disney as a truly magical place- not only for what it is in itself, but for the fact that it is the only place where they can have whatever their hearts desires. Doing that for them leaves my husband and I with such an indescribable feeling. What a dream come true for a small child!

Everyone is different, though, so budget for yourself what is within your means and however much you want to meet yours or your children's desires.

 

[Chester's Mum]

I know that everyone will think I am a cheapskate but I went with my dd 17 and ds 11 in January for 10 days. Did not have the dining plan. Ate breakfast in the room (took a toaster and some bagels with me). Bought refillable mugs, and we got by on about $125 a day. Granted we ate counter service meals, except for the one meal at Crystal Palace. Did not buy a lot of souvenirs but my son came home with a lanyard and 2 sets of pins, my daughter got a t-shirt. I bought 2 huge beachtowels for my neice and nephew at home. I also tipped mousekeeping, bell services, and the magic express driver and staff at the magic express check in desk when I left my luggage. It can be done on not much money, once your package is paid for, and you have the dining plan, so I don't think you will need all that much.

I did rent a car for 3 days in the middle so we could buy snacks at Walmart, but I charged the car rental.

 

[Lucky82061]

I feel kinda bad now lol... last time I went I spent almost $1,600 in souvenears alone... well I didn't but DW had to buy something for her friends, friends daughters, friends daughters sons, friends daughters sons dog... and so on I think I ended up with some chocolates that melted before I got back to the hotel and some Mickey ice cube trays... speaking of which I wonder where those went

Realistically with the DDP.. you are all set. Just bring some cash for small souveniers here and there and some tips.... unless you want to buy that $60,000 crystal cinderella's castle

But uhh one word of advice... that room key is so... soo easy to charge things on... That gets dangerous

 

[drag n' fly]

We have three kids. Each kid is getting a 50 dollar gift card from Grandma to spend at the parks. Then HOHO from up north is giving the older kids 10 and 12 a 100 dollar gift card and the younger one who is turning 4 a 50 dollar one. That's it that is their spending money! As for the family budget we are still working on that. Everything is paid for when we arrive so it is any souveniers, oop food, alcohol, tips etc. We figured 1000.00US and then hopefully come home with some money leftover. We are not like some people who go to the parks once a month. This is our first trip ever and our next...who knows?

 

[jpell123]

We're only taking about $120 cash for a 4 day trip. We have about $130 in Disney Rewards for snacks and souveniers, and we'll be on the DDP and using Magical Express, so I don't see the need to bring a wad of cash. Besides, I use my credit card 99% of the time anyway in order to avoid having to carry a ton of cash.