How much spending money?

[merdie]

I know this will vary, but I’m just wanting to get an idea if what I’m estimating is even close. Everything is paid in full and we have DDP. We have meals planned at five table service restaurants which will need tips. If we plan an additional $500 will that be enough for tips and souvenirs (we are not big souvenir people but want to say yes to our girls for most reasonable requests? DH and I get an ornament from most places we visit as our only souvenir. I’m thinking $200 for tips and $300 for everything else?

 

[Marionnette]

I know this will vary, but I’m just wanting to get an idea if what I’m estimating is even close. Everything is paid in full and we have DDP. We have meals planned at five table service restaurants which will need tips. If we plan an additional $500 will that be enough for tips and souvenirs (we are not big souvenir people but want to say yes to our girls for most reasonable requests? DH and I get an ornament from most places we visit as our only souvenir. I’m thinking $200 for tips and $300 for everything else?

That depends. How many people total? Are the girls below the age of 10 or above (children 10 and over may choose from the adult menu,thereby raising the tips). Will you order alcoholic drinks on the plan? Even more tip money needed. Are you flying? You'll want money to tip the skycaps who check your luggage through. Will you take DME? Tip money for the driver, more if he has to handle any of your carry on luggage, strollers, etc. If you are driving, you will need money for tolls and gas. You may also need to pay for parking your car if you made your reservation after 3/21/18. And how long are you staying? $200 for tips for a couple of nights for two people is good. $200 for 7-10 nights for 6 people would be too little.

So, yeah, there's no way to answer your question without more info.

 

[merdie]

2 girls, under 9. 4 of us total. We are driving and booked before 3/21. Not counting tolls/gas in spending, just thinking what we’ll actually need once there. Staying 7 nights, only doing 5 table service meals and declining housekeeping.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

When I've done 7 nights as a family of four with the DDP our bill at the end of the week was about $600. Our kids were under 10. This included souvenirs, buying DS an entire outfit at AK after he got soaked on Kali and was freezing, an extra ADR and any extra snacks (when they only had 1 snack on DDP). We would always buy a frame and photo album. I think you'll be fine with $500.

 

[Darcy03231]

When my children were younger we gave each child a set amount to spend on souvenirs and when it was gone, that was it. We also waited until the end of our trip to shop, which helped cut back on the impulse buys. We took a picture of the item, where it was and how much. Most everything in the parks can be purchased in Disney Springs. We shopped on the second to last day so that if there was a park exclusive we had time to go back and get it. If each child has $50 that would be an ample souvenir budget and still leave plenty of money for tips, or something extra at the end of the trip.