How much spending money would you bring?

[Ashy]

Hi everyone! I'm planning my first life long dream trip to Walt Disney World from Australia, and was just wondering how much spending money is recommended? Im' not much of a rides person more of just a watcher of things. just wanted to know what people have roughly spent. My boyfriend and I are in our mid early 20's and it is just me and him we are going around roughly 18 May 2017 and staying for 6 days. (enough time for him to propose to me in front of the Castle) We will be visiting MK for most days and the other parks besides the water parks. Thanks everyone

 

[Nancyg56]

My spending money averages $100 per day. This does not include my food budget.

My DH always plans $100 for himself as well. We tuck more away JIC< but have never used that.

 

[wench]

I bring my Disney Visa card with as much room as possible available on it. My son & I both are big collectors of Disney merchandise. We go more conservative throughout the year, so that we can go crazy on vacation.

 

[Klayfish]

That will completely depend on how much shopping you want to do, and what your personal tastes are. You can spend as much money as you'd like...they have a model of the castle that's covered in jewels that sells for something like $30,000. So the sky is the limit. Personally, my wife and I aren't big shoppers. For a 2 week trip, we may spend $50-$75 total during the entire trip, probably less. The kids will spend about $150 over those two weeks.

But if this is your first trip and you're halfway across the world, I'd bring as much spending money as you can realistically afford (which means without putting yourself into a bad financial spot). It's an awesome trip and you should enjoy it as much as possible. I'd rather have the money and not need it than not have it and want it.

 

[Disney2017]

My spending money averages $100 per day. This does not include my food budget.

My DH always plans $100 for himself as well. We tuck more away JIC< but have never used that.

Hi! Do you mind me asking what you use your $100 per day for? Is it for souvenirs?

I am working on my budget for our first trip and honestly wasn't really budgeting anything for my husband or I.....just the kids for souvenirs! We have the dining plan so was only budgeting for tips and housekeeping.

Just wondering if I am missing/don't know about something we will need more money for!

Thank you!

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi! Do you mind me asking what you use your $100 per day for? Is it for souvenirs?

I am working on my budget for our first trip and honestly wasn't really budgeting anything for my husband or I.....just the kids for souvenirs! We have the dining plan so was only budgeting for tips and housekeeping.

Just wondering if I am missing/don't know about something we will need more money for!

Thank you!

I do buy souvenirs, but mostly for gifts for the family left at home. I figure about $50 per person, and a little more for the three kids.

I buy one hoodie and sometimes a tee shirt for me.

I like to have wine or a few cocktails, and use my "spending" money on beverages, snacks.

I use taxies on occasion so that comes out of my spending cash.

I like to have a little more than less, JIC.

 

[Disney2017]

Thanks Nancyg56!!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks Nancyg56!!

Honestly, the $100 was a guideline that DH and I have used forever, so we keep to it still. I think that spending is individual, and as I travel I tend to spend less on myself, but if I see a cup or mug, or a hoodie, I like to get one. I will always put my tips aside so they are covered, and if I need more, that comes out of my spending. Meals are usually separate as well.

A cocktail at the pool, or a glass or two of wine adds up quick though, so even if meals are paid, I like to know I do not need to skimp.

We tend to travel with family, so my DH will tuck more away than his $100 but that is becuase he will often pay for any extras at meals, etc for the family.

 

[richmo]

A lot depends upon how your vacation is set up, your souvenir habits and how you're going to dine.

If you're staying onsite at a Disney resort, your transportation within Disney property is free. If you are staying offsite, you'll either be relying on hotel shuttles (in general, not recommended) or factor in $20/day just to park a car + the cost of the rental. Souvenirs/merchandise expense can go anywhere from $0 to a lot more than that. Only you can predict what you'll pick up. If you have a smartphone, you might want to download the 'Shop Parks' app to get an idea of some of what's available and the cost. To me, dining is where you can get huge swings in cost. If you're staying onsite and have a dining plan, that cost is paid up front and predictable. Otherwise, if you're planning on eating at Disney restaurants, the cost can be surprising. A typical lunch at a Disney quick serve seems to run about $14-$16 for a typical entree and a drink. At least double that for a sit down dinner at a table service. If you're staying offsite, you can knock out a lot of that cost by eating at least some meals off property.

 

[angierae]

It really depends. I've had trips where I spent $150 (my first trip) and trips where I spent almost $1000 (Husband couldn't go last minute and we got a ton of money refunded when we took him off the package and dropped the dining down, so I spent it on the girls.)

If you like having alcohol, budget that in. My last trip (short one, for MNSSHP) I only bought a set of four plastic tumblers, which cost me about $30.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

Agreed with everyone else here. There have been trips where we (me and DW) probably spent $200 total. There have also been trips where we spent around $1000 once our DDs came along and/or the one trip where we bought a couple of prints from the Art of Disney store.

Being that you are so far away and this is a big trip, I echo the sentiment that says you should bring as much as you can comfortably afford to. You never know what might catch your eye!

 

[SaintsManiac]

I don't limit myself. I find I spend much less without a budget. Reverse psychology!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I hope you do get a proposal! We have $100 for food a day for both of us and $50 each for spending ( souvenirs )

 

[bizeemom4]

You just don't know what you will want until you get there. They have $65 sweatshirts, $200 Dooney purses, coffee mugs, water tervis, photo frames...you can redo your entire kitchen in mickey decor.

 

[UKDisneyJoe]

When we went in 2014 we took around £3000 in dollars which included buying food and shopping trip to the malls. It all depends on your tastes really and how many souveniers you buy. We enjoyed buying a fair few pins on our trip which added up a bit. My wife likes her bags so spent a bit on that. We ended up with a bit left and wasted some in the last 1-2 days with things we didnt need. I would say if you are buying food as well you would need £1500-2000 for a fortnight but can easily be done with less then that too

 

[sarahcgfr]

I watch hauls on Youtube! I get to see what's currently in the parks and most of the youtubers will let you know the price of the items they're showing. It helps me create a budget for souvenirs. If your boyfriend is anything like mine, he doesn't. stop. eating. He has his own budget when it comes to food and thankfully you can find prices for almost every restaurant at Disney.

Like everyone else stated, bring as much as you can as this is a big trip for you.

 

[addiln]

I tend to budget about $100 per person per day for food and drink. As for other expenses we tend to not spend much on. Maybe about another $200 in total for the two of us. It really depends on if we buy stuff for the kids or not.

 

[kyomagi]

Depends on how long we go. Normally on a 6 night trip i bring 1500 and on a 3 night trip i bright 750. Usually covers food and a large amount of merch. most times we come back with 2-300 bucks.

 

[hswillia07]

Just something to consider - if you are doing any shopping, touring, etc. OFF Disney property, you might want to budget a bit more than you originally thought. We're from Canada and every time we go to Orlando, I end up spending a fortune in Target (I love Target!) and other stores that we don't have here. Have fun

 

[Ambehnke]

You can spend whatever you want. We went plenty of days just spending 10-20 on snacks. We've also spent 100s in a day. I'd say decide what is comfortable to you and try to stick to it. Definitely save in case there are things you want to splurge for.