How much spending money should I bring?

[OThopeful35]

For our May 2014 trip (6 days/5 nights) we brought a little over $600 in Dis gift cards, 2 full tubes of quarters and pennies (for penny presses and emergency laundry), and our debit cards. We had the dining plan and charged a few misc items in parks to bands/room. Was charged less than $150 upon check-out, and came back with almost $200 in cards. We really didn't hold back, but DD(6) didn't really want anything...crazy, I know!!!

My DS12 is the same way. He doesn't really want anything at the parks. As a matter of fact, he doesn't really like to go in the gift shops. He says to me, "Mom, this gift shop has the same things the last 5 gift shops we went into."

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

I agree with a million dollars!!!! I give my 6 year old a $50 gift card and tell her food is on me, but she must buy her own "stuff". I don't argue with her when she wants to buy something I think is trash or overpriced, I just explain what she has left and how much the thing is and let her decide. I will also buy her something while she isn't looking to spring on her on the way home. Next trip will be our first without the dining plan, so I am planning the price of the dining plan for food to see how well we do! I take cash for room tips and ME tips and baggage handling tips and a little mad money. The rest goes on the Disney Visa for discounts or magic band if no discount is offered, then paid off when we get home with the money I've saved up and set aside. If any cash is left it goes straight into an envelope for the next trip....