How much should I save up between now and my trip?

[Pommau]

So I have been very lucky enough to be invited on my first Disney World trip in 8 years! I am also fortunate enough to have the majority of my trip paid for (Room, Dinning, Park Tickets), so I am in the midst of figuring out how much I should save up for things like souvenirs, experiences, etc. I am going to have a separate budget for flights and transportation to and from MCO but I want to use the Target RedCard technique to purchase the Disney gift cards needed to buy trinkets in the parks.

Here's what I know so far:
Flight: ~400 USD (AA out of DFW easiest and fastest to MCO)
Cat Boarding: ~150 USD
MCO to WDW and vice versa: ~80 USD (considering using Lyft but if you all recommend something else lmk)

Here's what I would love to buy:
Pins (really enjoy pin trading)
A tee-shirt or two
A new caricature
Orange Bird Magic Band+ (already got that one lined up)
Sweets and treats
Takumi-Tei: Big IF since they are still closed but would love to take bf on a nice date and both do the Omakase

Now, how much should I save up between now and 01/11/2022 with gift card purchases? The cost to get to Disney I already have saved up!

 

[RoseGold]

If you're concerned about money, the Sunshine Flyer or Mears bus will be cheaper for a solo traveler, but not if you are in a group. I hate this and will take a Lyft anyway.

 

[Pommau]

If you're concerned about money, the Sunshine Flyer or Mears bus will be cheaper for a solo traveler, but not if you are in a group. I hate this and will take a Lyft anyway.

I didn't know if it would be good to take the MEARS or Sunshine due to some of the reviews coming in. I am a technically traveling solo as the family I am going to be with are driving in from ATL but they won't be down in Orlando til later than my flight arrives (I am helping to get the rooms and check-in sorted).

 

[DisneyHardin]

I had to read your post twice to realize your trip wasn't in 8 years, but it's been 8 years since your last trip I was like "Wow, she is really planning ahead for a trip that isn't going to happen for 8 years".

 

[lilmc]

Pins (really enjoy pin trading)

Pins to trade or souvenirs? Pinderella has great grab bags with cheaper authentic pins that make good traders.

 

[Pommau]

Pins to trade or souvenirs? Pinderella has great grab bags with cheaper authentic pins that make good traders.

Both actually! I typically will get some pins that I will trade and I will buy pins that I wish to keep! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

Both actually! I typically will get some pins that I will trade and I will buy pins that I wish to keep! Thanks for the suggestion!

I buy my pins off eBay/— saves $$$$

 

[lilmc]

I buy my pins off eBay/— saves $$

Just need to make sure they’re authentic

 

[Pommau]

I buy my pins off eBay/— saves $$$$

I try to steer clear of buying pins off eBay since a good chunk of them are fakes. I don’t want fake pins circulating in the parks where other traders could get one on accident!

 

[NJlauren]

How many pins? I’m going with 5for now

Pins 5 - 75 they usually run 9.99-15.99, assuming you won’t get all 15.99 ones!)
Tshirts - 75 I think they are usually 25.99 but can be up to 40, if your considering a long sleeve or sweatshirt add to this budget.
Caricature - 50 I think they range 20-40 but do you need to tip??
Magic band plus - 60 I think they are 54.99
Sweets and treats - I would budget $20 a day but could spend way more or zero… depends what you mean by sweets and treats
Takumi-Tei - if open this meal will run you 350-400 if no price increase

So by my estimate
$350 before adding the possible meal and daily sweet and treats as I couldn’t figure out how many days your there for.

Also I’m pro Uber or Lyft and have had no issues.

Have a great time!

 

[Pommau]

How many pins? I’m going with 5for now

Pins 5 - 75 they usually run 9.99-15.99, assuming you won’t get all 15.99 ones!)
Tshirts - 75 I think they are usually 25.99 but can be up to 40, if your considering a long sleeve or sweatshirt add to this budget.
Caricature - 50 I think they range 20-40 but do you need to tip??
Magic band plus - 60 I think they are 54.99
Sweets and treats - I would budget $20 a day but could spend way more or zero… depends what you mean by sweets and treats
Takumi-Tei - if open this meal will run you 350-400 if no price increase

So by my estimate
$350 before adding the possible meal and daily sweet and treats as I couldn’t figure out how many days your there for.

Also I’m pro Uber or Lyft and have had no issues.

Have a great time!

Super helpful! I think currently I’m budgeting for 500, because I really love getting pins! I am hoping Takumi-Tei reopens, I’ll probably budget an additional 450 towards that meal!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

Just need to make sure they’re authentic

I try to steer clear of buying pins off eBay since a good chunk of them are fakes. I don’t want fake pins circulating in the parks where other traders could get one on accident!

hmm. All of the eBay pins seem to be authentic bc they are all over the parks. They aren’t the nice pins, just the ones in the starter packs,

We buy a few “nice” limited edition pins every time we go but my kids love trading and I’m not made of money….

 

[Pommau]

hmm. All of the eBay pins seem to be authentic bc they are all over the parks. They aren’t the nice pins, just the ones in the starter packs,

We buy a few “nice” limited edition pins every time we go but my kids love trading and I’m not made of money….

I am very passionate about getting fake pins out of circulation especially to help those who are new to the hobby and may not know how to ID authentic vs fakes. A lot of the starter pack, hidden mickey, and mystery pack pins are heavily faked aka "scrappers" and sold in those huge lots for cheap on eBay. Cast members will accept fake pins, but in past they were trained on how to identify scrappers and remove them from circulation. That is happening less and less, cast members who have been the parks for years and years know how to identify fakes, but some of the newer cast members aren't getting the training on it . I had to get a few pins I got years ago trading thrown out because they weren't authentic. There are legitimate 3rd party resellers that I am planning to use for traders this time around on my trip!

EDIT: I misspoke on one thing here: Scrappers and Fakes are different but nonetheless they are not meant to be traded in the parks. Scrappers come from legitimate factories that make Disney pins but failed Disney's quality control standards. These pins are supposed to be trashed/destroyed but often times they slip through the cracks and end up back in the hands of traders. Fakes on the other hand are not made by Disney and they attempt to replicate real pins, they often have incorrect colors, different sizes, and are of significantly lower quality. If you suspect you have fakes/scrappers, best thing to do is alert a CM and they will let you trade for a different pin and they can remove non-authentic pins from circulation!

 

[BaybeeYoda]

I am very passionate about getting fake pins out of circulation especially to help those who are new to the hobby and may not know how to ID authentic vs fakes. A lot of the starter pack, hidden mickey, and mystery pack pins are heavily faked aka "scrappers" and sold in those huge lots for cheap on eBay. Cast members will accept fake pins, but in past they were trained on how to identify scrappers and remove them from circulation. That is happening less and less, cast members who have been the parks for years and years know how to identify fakes, but some of the newer cast members aren't getting the training on it . I had to get a few pins I got years ago trading thrown out because they weren't authentic. There are legitimate 3rd party resellers that I am planning to use for traders this time around on my trip!

Oh my goodness! I did not know…. Thank you for this. I’ll be more careful. I just have grade schoolers who think it’s the best thing to do at Disney….

 

[Pommau]

Oh my goodness! I did not know…. Thank you for this. I’ll be more careful. I just have grade schoolers who think it’s the best thing to do at Disney….

Luckily there are ways to get authentic traders for inexpensive! A person early in the thread recommended Pinderella, they are one of the legit resellers. You can get a lot of pins for around 2.20 per pin. I am planning on getting around 30 or so traders for this trip! I know how expensive pins can be and I think it's why there's a market for the scrappers and fakes (they are different I made that mistake in my earlier comment). There's so many articles online that can help with IDing legit pins so I always check those out to unsure any pins I trade with are legit!

 

[lilmc]

Oh my goodness! I did not know…. Thank you for this. I’ll be more careful. I just have grade schoolers who think it’s the best thing to do at Disney….

She has some great videos on “how to spot fakes”.

 

[starry_solo]

There are a few legitimate pin sellers on social media selling pins for about $3 shipped. If you want to get them straight from Disney, get the Marvel starter packs ones and the jeweled Mickey ears. They are six for $17.99 plus tax in the parks

 

[Trinity524]

How long are you going for?

Here's what I know so far:
Flight: ~400 USD (AA out of DFW easiest and fastest to MCO)
Cat Boarding: ~150 USD
MCO to WDW and vice versa: ~80 USD (considering using Lyft but if you all recommend something else lmk)

Here's what I would love to buy:
Pins (really enjoy pin trading)
A tee-shirt or two
A new caricature
Orange Bird Magic Band+ (already got that one lined up)
Sweets and treats
Takumi-Tei: Big IF since they are still closed but would love to take bf on a nice date and both do the Omakase

Now, how much should I save up between now and 01/11/2022 with gift card purchases? The cost to get to Disney I already have saved up!

 

[Pommau]

How long are you going for?

01/11-01/15 Spending time in the parks 01/12-01/14

 

[HeatherC]

I would literally save as much as you can. Prices are absolutely ridiculous in everything and you will not wish you brought less money.