How much is enough?!?

[jimjenkids]

It seems like every trip down we have brought down more $ than the last time......This will be our last trip with all 4 kids in school, as the oldest will go off to college next year. we have tried to plan for that, making a few extras for him....but really, trying to be on top of it all, can you ever have enough spending $ when you are at Disney at xmas?....

so really, what is a good amount to bring? we do have free QS dining and have 2 ADRs......DH is not wanting to bring the cc(may have to sneak it just for emergencies).....I put all the travel cash in its own envelope(gas and hotel down and back-so that is set and not included) the kids will have their own spending money @200 each, if they need more they can save-we do however purchase a shirt for each.....

can you ever have enough? how much is enough? thanks for any input.....

 

[Karabee]

Interesting question! First of all I applaud you on trying to bring cash only! I think it really depends on your travel style. When I go down I only buy food and drinks. Im not a souvenir person at all. I don't buy any clothes or extras so I never need to worry about that. I find that can really eat up money quickly.

If the kids have $200 each spending money that seems like more than enough so you and your husband should really only have to budget for food and your own extras, right? Are you the type to eat at nicer places? Do your kids ever pay for their own meals out of their pocket money?

Last year I spent around $1000 on food and drinks when we were down for a week, but that was 2 adults (and some nicer meals). This year I'm going with my sister and she eats like a bird so I'm thinking we won't crack $300 for 4 nights. It's really all about vacation style.

And I think you're right - have that credit in case of emergencies

 

[MMS1125]

I'd never travel without a credit card. It's one thing to plan on not using it but to not have it in case is such a gamble.

We don't spend a lot on souvenirs but make sure to include tip $$ for your ADRs and any extra food/snacks not covered by the plan. It adds up. I'd think 200/kid is more than enough for spending money if they aren't expected to cover their food and such. The prices are slightly inflated at Christmas so depending on your exact dates expect to pay a few dollars more per person on your TS meals you have planned.

 

[danceintherain]

When my parents took us to Disney, we each had $50 in addition to any of our own money we might have had. That's all we had to spend on souvenirs. It usually got us a shirt or hat and maybe something else.

I don't even spend $200 on souvenirs now that I'm an adult, so I think your kids will be fine.

Bring the credit card. So many things can happen that it's a good idea to have it, even if you don't take it to the parks with you. It's not as if it will take up that much space.

 

[francie57]

It sounds like you are driving and there is no way I would drive and not have a cc with me. What if something happened to the car on the way - even if you never use it the peace of mind would be enough for me.

 

[disney212]

I agree you need to take the cc in case of an emergency. As far as cash, DH and I normally take about $1,500 for a week but we pay for our meals out of pocket using the TIW card. Last year we took $200 for "spending money" and came back with $160 as we only used the cash for food at the the airport and some cokes at the Hess station.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

We have the regular dining plan, $1,200 in gift cards for souvenirs (I purchased the $1,000 gift card with pins making the castle) and will take about $500 in cash. This is for two adults without kids. If I decide to get a special watch, that could be $500 right there.

I posed my question to my husband, and here is his answer (he doesn't love Disney the way I do) bring $1,000 more than you intend to spend.

We are big souvenir people, and when the kids are with us, I see no reason to say no to them.

Also, take your credit card at least for emergencies. What if you luggage gets lost, and you have to purchase clothes? I hope that doesn't happen to you.

 

[jsw1114]

We have three kids, this is third trip year one we spent 1000 on food and 1000 on "stuff" last year we had free dining and spent about 1200 this year I'm taking 850 in gift cards and prob 1000 just in case

 

[Cherinva]

It really depends on your spending style....and if you are big into sourveniers......I am huge into Pins so that's a big expense for me. We are on the QS dining plan, and have booked 3 ADRs for special meals. We don't usually buy a lot of snack type food, mainly just some drinks along the way....I plan for $100.00 per day for me...if I don't spend it, then it goes back into the fund for the next trip.

I would think taking a CC is a good idea also, just in case of an emergency....this year I don't plan on using mine, but I will have it if I do need it.

 

[jimjenkids]

We do plan on the cc but it will be for emergencies....I was told I dont need to over spend in the parks....we will have one attached to the room key, but if we use it I plan to just apply the money to the card.......I have purchased a few pins early off ebay and the kids have few from past trips that they want to trade....

as for the travel, we do drive so I have the AAA card, insurance card(road side assistance too) and then the cc for the just in case.

I love the "stuff" and we tend to bring back different things each trip. I am giving the kids' money half on Disney gift card-this way they have to spend some-I have 1 DS that would save all of it, then again, he is also the one that may try to sell it for his sisters cash.....may need to rethink this a bit.

I guess we will shoot high and hope to bring home some......cant wait, I am planning on paying off the trip tomorrow......

 

[emilyann415]

JimJenKids,

Nothing to really add except I'm from small town IA too and will be at Disney in December 2012 too!!!! We are staying at WL. Have a good trip....weather is pretty much guarenteed to be nicer there than it is at home in December

 

[buzznina]

We put everything on our Disney rewards visa card, but we have never really overspent while at disney. We do buy a couple souvenirs for our girls, but do not consider clothing as a souvenir because we wear them regularly when we get back home. My co-workers try and give me a hard time because of the disney polos I wear We rarely do TS meals, so our food cost is not very high, plus since we drive there we always bring snacks and breakfast food so that we do not have to eat every breakfast out.

 

[willowsnn3]

We take cash & the cc 'just in case'. I can go and spend very little xtra. The kids usually only have $20 or $30 dollars each of spending money & I usually spend another $20 on each (2) of them plus buy some xtra time for them at the resort arcade to go with the little that comes with the package. I can't imagine them spending $200, lol.

 

[jimjenkids]

JimJenKids,

Nothing to really add except I'm from small town IA too and will be at Disney in December 2012 too!!!! We are staying at WL. Have a good trip....weather is pretty much guarenteed to be nicer there than it is at home in December

anything is better than northwest corner of Iowa in December! better vacation when they are all cold here and we can send pictures of the kids in shorts or swimming!

 

[TheRatPack]

We used to do trips for just a couple hundred traveling money (usually a 3-4 day trip). Then we started taking a few hundred (take in to account that the hotel would be paid for and we would usually travel with some snacks, breakfast items...etc). It grew and grew every year. I don't know what is 'enough', that really all depends on what you budget for and what you allow the kids for souvenirs...etc.

I know for us I tallied our souvenir spending from last year and we spent roughly 900.00 OOP for various souvenirs, the wrist gift card thing at Epcot's F&W, extra snacks (make your own treats and stuff not covered by the DDP) and tips or OOP meals.

We spend approximately 350.00 in gas on the trip down and back, and maybe 100.00 on food for the trip down and back.

We've definitely found money for things we used to not indulge in during vacation....and I'm guessing we could cut back if the trip was dependent on souvenir money and not spending more than what the DDP covered for our food/snacks. I feel a spreadsheet coming on LOL

We usually travel with a credit card too, for emergencies. We had a flat one year on the way to Jacksonville, and we didn't want to use our vacation cash for that so it's always nice to have one just in case. Our bank is local to Florida as well, so that makes it easy to just head to a teller if needed or transfer...etc.

 

[hsmamato2]

I would say enough.... I can't imagine giving each of my 2 kids 200.00 to spend, much less if I had 4...wow! We've always taken the kids to disney,and since they've been old enough for allowance,jobs etc- they save and bring their own money.
so I think you're more than set there- and as others said, bring the cc just in case....but your food is covered,and everything else.....