How much money do you take?

[tchrrx]

We'll be gone for 10 days. We're on the DDP and most things will be charged back to our room. The main times we'll need money is at the airports & to tip bell services. Do you think that beginning the trip with about $30 in $1s & $5s (for luggage tips) and then taking about $200 in traveler's checks would be plenty?

 

[disneydiva06]

I think it really depends on what you plan on buying. We personally are taking way more than that, but we won't be using credit cards hardly at all during our trip.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would not use traveler checks, typically more hassle than they are worth.

I usually bring $100 in singles, $200 in 20's, bringing $25-45 or so back of the singles, maybe $100 of the 20's. I use my debit/credit for most things.

 

[Taja]

You'll need to tip for the TS on the DDP, as well. It can be charged to your KTTW (room key), if you have a card on file (I think you also can prepay with cash, but that can be a pain if you don't use it all and they have to issue a check for a refund after your departure), or a credit or debit card or you can pay cash.

You'll also want a bit of cash to purchase additional drinks in the park, particularly in warmer weather. You'll receive a drink with you CS and TS credits, and your snack credit can be used for food or beverage, as you choose.

If you're taking a back-up debit or credit card, $200 TC plus a bit of cash should be fine. I probably would take about $500 in TC if you don't have a deibt/credit back-up. But that's me. My mother taught me to always carry a dime for a pay phone--just in case! *LOL* I still apply that to many situations in life.

 

[neonurse]

Just wanted to let you know that I always bring travellers chqs to disney and have never had a problem. I rather bring too much money and have some let over vs having a large visa bill when I get back home. Have a great trip!!

 

[kimberh]

We charge everything back to the room, bring just enough to pay tips, minor things, a few waters. I think $300-400 is pleanty, if you have a good credit card. Remember the Dining plan tips, how do you plan on paying them? Can you pay the tip on the KTTW card? I have not had the DDP since the changes.

 

[bsjs0708]

We are going for 8 days and we also are on the DDP. Just to play it safe in case we need extra for souveniers or snacks, tipping, adult beverages, etc.. we are planning on 100.00 /day. We will also have extra in the bank "just in case"

 

[DonaldTDuck]

The best travel advise I ever got was pack half as many clothes and take twice as much money. At Disney, it's never enough.

 

[pjwelch]

Do the fast food stops take debit cards like McDonalds does now? This will impact how much cash I will need? Thanks to any one that knows!!!

 

[REL1203]

I am leaving on Friday for 10day trip, not on DDP, and I just took out $510, and I have a $41 Disney Gift Card. I know this wotn cover 9nights of TS restaurants, but it will cover all CS lunches, gifts, drinks, and a few TS. I usually HATE having cash, but for some reason, i took more than my normal $200 out this trip (not sure why, just felt like 5bills would be a good amount.

 

[bubba73]

I try to take whatever I can save. I have taken as little as $500 and as much as $1300 for a 7 day stay. But I also have kids and family members that I always have to get a gift for.

 

[katybugsmom]

We always take TC's with us when we go to Disney and we've never had a problem. I have had problems with debit cards in the past and don't want that to happen while we are at WDW. We also take a couple of hundred in cash. Our DD9 had $90 that she can spend and we will certainly buy our DS3 something as well. We did the DDP and will probably only need money for tips. We plan on taking a few snacks into the parks with us each day. Our biggest expense is the hotel rooms going and coming back from WDW and the food and gas while we are on the road. We are lucky that our car is good on gas and I just had it serviced so it's good to go next Saturday!
I wish you the best of luck!!!!

 

[twoeeyy]

We always go for 10 days ( 3 disney adults ) and for the last 3 years have been on the DDP.

We shoot for 6-7 hundread and always seem to spend most of it, I am not sure on what since we do not buy souveniers

 

[Cool-Beans]

No matter how much I take, it is never enough.

I tip the airport guys $10-$20. Bellmen get the same. The maids get $5 a day (more if they're nice) and I do almost their entire job for them. The valet guys get $2 at drop-off and $3 for bringing the car around - more if it is raining or the car beats me to the valet stand. Room service gets 15-20% depending on how nice they are and if the food is still hot (yup, I check.)

I try to tip restaurant servers in cash, but sometimes I forget to bring it so it goes on the card.

The tipping is just never-ending. I do appreciate that all the tipped people are extra super-nice and they do get things done quickly and correctly. But it's a pain to be always remembering the tip money.

 

[Charleyann]

Just wanted to let you know that I always bring travellers chqs to disney and have never had a problem. I rather bring too much money and have some let over vs having a large visa bill when I get back home. Have a great trip!!

I use travellers cheques all the time in FLorida. Never have a problem. Infact I paid our limo driver with them! I wouldn't leave home without them!!!!

Charleyann

 

[jennytablina]

I took $500ish last year and going for $700ish this year. Just waiting for paycheck next week to get the last $200 (oh I love the Pound to Dollar exchange right now~)

Though lots of money is always good in Florida. I always end up shopping during the trip and I know I'll end up buying pins, DVD's and books. Stuff that isnt quite so available over here and stuff. Generally take as much as you can without breaking the bank

 

[Charleyann]

We are on Vacation for a month. Trip paid off, tickets bought. No dining plan. Just Dining experience card. This is not soley Disney.

I am thinking $100 a day? Or prehaps $500 a week? Does this sound about right?

We are taking a cruise for 5 days so food is included. Excrusions will be paid for....

Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale(3 nights before cruise) and in kissimee (11 nights after Disney) has free breakfast and on in kissimee, Kids eat free. That will save some money.

We have 14 days in Disney (Our biggest expense!) So does $100 sound right or too much? $500 weekly sound better?

Charleyann

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

I would have a little more cash on hand for the airport as you never know when you are going to have a delay. On our last trip we had a weather delay and didn't get out for another day. We had to take a cab to a hotel and pay and tip for those services. We used CC for the bill and meals but glad we had some extra cash. Also, you never know what you might need at the airport. Coffee, soda, water, meal(not much on planes anymore). I don't like using my CC at the airport. HTH

 

[nicoleakr]

We are going for 8 days no ddp. There will be six of us. 3adults and 3children. I am taking $2200 for the week for everything. Is that enough?

 

[neonurse]

A friend of mine told me $100 a day. With that, I have always returned home with money even though I do a bit of shopping (more than a bit according to DH) . But I think its because we don't eat at disney very much. We usually eat breakfast at home, pack a lunch and eat dinners out of the park. You can blow alot of money in the parks on food considering bottle water is $2 or $2.50. That not to say we don't indulge in a mickey bar, popcorn and dole whip floats!!! We just try to save money where we can so that we can take a longer vacation. Instead of a week we usually stay 12-14 days. Its a great trade off for us. I never cook dinner though!!! I am on vacation, after all!!

Find out what works for you and your family!! Everyone is different.