How Much $pending Money?

[Luv4Disney]

For my boyfriend and I, I think the grand total comes around $4500 the most. We got AP's this year and the DDE card ($1150.00), room ($800.00 for 10 nights), $1200.00 for food (LTT, HDDR, Tony's, H&V, Crystal Palace, CRT, Fulton's, Concourse, 1900, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Le Cellier (x2), Alfredo's, Teppanyaki, 50's, Sci-Fi, plus the CS to make up for the other meals), Keys to the Kingdom Tour ($80) and the Segway Tour ($136.00) and spending money ($1100.00). Pretty good, right?

 

[nataliesdaddy]

For my boyfriend and I, I think the grand total comes around $4500 the most. We got AP's this year and the DDE card ($1150.00), room ($800.00 for 10 nights), $1200.00 for food (LTT, HDDR, Tony's, H&V, Crystal Palace, CRT, Fulton's, Concourse, 1900, Chef Mickey's, Plaza, Le Cellier (x2), Alfredo's, Teppanyaki, 50's, Sci-Fi, plus the CS to make up for the other meals), Keys to the Kingdom Tour ($80) and the Segway Tour ($136.00) and spending money ($1100.00). Pretty good, right?

wow - very envious I am ... you have a better meal itinerary then moi. Excellent array of choices. I would say after what you lined out 1100 spending money should be about right. That is 100 per day and you have your tours paid for already. And I don't see mention of any little ones to help rack up the bill.... that is why our daily spending money is so high - I spoil the crap out of my daughter.. Where are you staying 10 nights for $800?

 

[Luv4Disney]

wow - very envious I am ... you have a better meal itinerary then moi. Excellent array of choices. I would say after what you lined out 1100 spending money should be about right. That is 100 per day and you have your tours paid for already. And I don't see mention of any little ones to help rack up the bill.... that is why our daily spending money is so high - I spoil the crap out of my daughter.. Where are you staying 10 nights for $800?

I'm not married and still in college, I better not have a little one - LoL! We're staying at the Pop (We stayed at POR last year which was beautiful, but all we did was sleep there. Never even went to the pool! We were too busy with PI and EMH that by the time we got back, we crashed! $145 is a lot a night just to use the bed and bathroom.). Since we bought AP's, we got the discount for our trip, which saved us a good $300.

 

[pezpam]

It just depends on what's important to you - and how many are in your group. We (DD7 and I) save a lot of money because the hotel room isn't at all important to us and I usually hunt out a good airfare.

This time, the airfare will be just under $600 and I didn't do as well as usual. We did a package this time - usually don't - because it worked out to be cheaper for the trip I wanted to do this time around...... and because I planned this later in the game than last year. Just under $1700 covers 8 nights as a Value resort, 7 day Hoppers for each of us, the Dining Plan for each of us, and $150 in DD that were part of the deal.

We usually eat at whichever CS looks good, but went for the Dining Plan since I could afford it and that way we can try a bunch of new places we wouldn't spend money on normally. It also covers the character meals we wanted.

So, not too much left to spend. $30 plus gas for a one-day car rental to go see family in Tampa. A discounted ticket to Disney Quest. Family Magic Tour. $30 for our share of a shared fireworks cruise. A few breakfasts. Last time, DD7 had earned about $50 in DD that she could spend on whatever souvies she wanted and I'm sure we'll do that again. I spent probably $200-300 on other souvenirs (mostly for her, some for me) - I may or may not up this by a little bit this time.

After all that, DD7 goes home having had the time of her life and I have a ball as well.

Not that if money wasn't an issue we *couldn't* or wouldn't spend more, but we have a wonderful Disney vacation at this level, so no complaints.

 

[lilyprincess]

Did you say you got like bonus DD's through a package? If you don't mind me asking, how and where did you aquire this package at this price?

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

If it is spending money only, you should have enough. Happy spending!!!!

 

[pezpam]

Did you say you got like bonus DD's through a package? If you don't mind me asking, how and where did you aquire this package at this price?

I was lucky enough this time to get an email with a PIN code in it - still had to hang up on a couple of CMs who couldn't handle the system before I got one who could book it - I got the feeling that noone had booked that package yet.

I will say that if you watch for codes and such, you can do as well - I am actually paying more for my room than last year because of the season, for example.... and that's a big item. Last year, I did really well using Small World Vacations - my agent actually contacted me to let me know about a change that saved me money on top of what we had originally booked! I would have used them again if not for this email PIN.......

So, this board, mousesavers.com , and maybe a travel agent will do well for you. If you get an email, that's gravy, but if you like to hunt down bargains, you'll have to see if the email is better than you can do or if you're better off without it - a lot depends on your idea of what a WDW vacation is.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I'm about to fall over in shock! People seriously spend 2 grand on just merchandise!? Wowzers...

On our last 2 trips DH and I took around $400 for spending money (AKA Fun/shopping money) and we didn't even spend all of it either time. I think we only spent $200 both times. This trip were bringing about $1000 b/c its our honeymoon and were decorating our bedroom in Stitch memorabilia so we plan on looking around for some decorative items. I seriously doubt well spent all of that, but then again neither of us really like shopping. On our last day this is usually what happens.

Me: "OH NO! We need souvenirs for the family!"
DH: "OMG YOUR RIGHT! I promised my little brother an Aerosmith coaster T-shirt!"
*commences mad rush to Aerosmith shop*
Me: "What about the parents!?"
DH: "Hark! Theres a shop!"
Me: "Why of course! A kiddie princess shop! Surely well find something for the folks in there!"
*10 minutes late emerges with ridiculously amusing goofy plush in a tutu*
DH: "Your dad will love it!"
Me: "Why of course! Were surely brilliant!"
DH: "Awesome! Now lets get a picture of Stitch eating Pleakleys head and well call it quits!"
Me: "Right on!"

Yeah...so perhaps were not the best gage. But if we see something that catches our eye well get it. That just doesn't happen too often. That being said if your getting watches put aside "watch money" and seperate "Spending money." THat will let you know how much you have for each.

 

[BraveMom3]

For my three children and I, we allow $150/day for food/misc. (14 days), AP's at $1100, and each of them have $100 spending money for their own purchases. Total = $3500 for 2 weeks. We stay on DVC points so the resort is not a factor. I don't buy souveniers for people, except maybe one or two items for my husband, pajamas for myself, and a photo album.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

My thoughts would be NEVER ENOUGH! Especially with a shopaholic son.
Luckily, though my DH and I get paid alternate weekends, so we just used our checkcard some as well when we went. The kids had their own allowance money, though last time, and won't have as much this upcoming trip. I just know my son will be trying (note I said TRYING) to hit me up for stuff.
I just buy traveler's check, though, set aside enough for our planned sitdown meals, about $100.00 each, guess how much they might eat morning and night, and keep extra for non essentials. (hopefully no unplanned medicines this time)!
Kim

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

It just depends on what's important to you - and how many are in your group.

Absolutely!!

There are just the two of us and we spend about $300-350/day on food/drink alone. We're big time "Foodies" and we eat at least 2 sitdown meal/day, always breakfast and dinner. Of course, Bloody Mary's or Mimosas for breakfast and cocktails with a bottle of wine for dinner (c'mon, we're on vacation, right?!?!). It can add up really quickly. We might get a massage or take in a round of golf as well. We don't buy a lot of souveniers, maybe something for our nephews or friend's kids, but it won't cost us more than $200 for a 10 day trip. IMO, with $750, you'll have plenty for souveniers, popcorn and ice cream treats! Have fun!!

 

[disneyaggie]

Here's what I do and it certainly takes the "bite" out of spending. Once I return from WDW, I start planning for my next trip. If I have my next trip planned 9 or 10 months away, I pay for something each month.

The first month I purchase my air tickets. They are usually very reasonable this far out. I also make my reservations through WDW Travel. They get me great air rates, the same as I would find online, and sometimes at a better rate. I also book my hotel room (not pay for). I am a AAA member so, going during value season, I can get a Disney value hotel room (Pop Century) for around $65-70 a night, tax included.

The next month I pay off my hotel bill.

The months following I put aside a few hundred dollars so by the time the trip comes, everything, including spending money is in place. I budget for around $1500 for a 4-day trip. I usually spend quite a bit in souvenirs so that is where the majority of it goes.

 

[tinkerbee]

We usually plan for $100 a day. If I have money left over I will splurge on myself at the end of my trip and buy something really nice.