how much to bring?

[smhwalker2011]

I've asked before, but never really detailed it lol!

not sure how much extra to save up for spending money.

info: going with 2 teens, 1 adult, 1 senior (senior will be taking care of his own)
teen 1: usually isn't interested in buying anything, the extra meal here and there, or something sporty at DTD, but thats it.
teen 2: our foodie lol, sweets & likes to shop around the world @EP to try new foods. usually grabs an everyday clothing item & some earnings. she shops only for what she will actually use when she's home.
adult: I usually grab something from one of the pavilions at EP..last time a bowl & tea set, that's about it.

we're on the regular DP, & also are flying (round-trip).

just not sure how much to put aside. help? lol

 

[MulingAround]

If you get any advice, share it with me girllllll.
Like you, I have no idea how much to take for shopping money and it's just me and The Mr. But I don't want to feel restricted from buying a plushie or tshirt so I'm budgeting (what I consider) a big amount. Haha when DMIL found this out she looked at me like I was crazy!
She's probably right, but I thought to myself whatever we don't spend, we can put to our next vacation

 

[tvguy]

Depends on a couple things in my opinion. How long are you going? How are you getting there?
I figure $200 a day for my family of 4. Some folks live a whole lot closer to their credit limits than I do, so I would also mention having several thousand dollars of available credit for any emergency car repairs if you are driving, or full fare one way air fare for everyone in your party in case there is some sort of flight issue.

 

[LJSquishy]

It sounds like you already know what items your party will want to purchase so I'd think you'd be the best person to come up with an estimate. I don't know how much clothing, accessories, and knickknacks or dishes cost because we don't buy any souvenirs but since you've purchased that kind of stuff before you'd know how much to budget for it. I'm sure a t-shirt costs less than a hoodie so it's really going to depend on specific items you will want to purchase.

 

[Marionnette]

I've asked before, but never really detailed it lol!

not sure how much extra to save up for spending money.

info: going with 2 teens, 1 adult, 1 senior (senior will be taking care of his own)
teen 1: usually isn't interested in buying anything, the extra meal here and there, or something sporty at DTD, but thats it.
teen 2: our foodie lol, sweets & likes to shop around the world @EP to try new foods. usually grabs an everyday clothing item & some earnings. she shops only for what she will actually use when she's home.
adult: I usually grab something from one of the pavilions at EP..last time a bowl & tea set, that's about it.

just not sure how much to put aside. help? lol

Sorry, but answering that question is like trying to answer "How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?"

As detailed as you got with your description, spending money is still a very subjective topic. So, while tvguy might bring enough to cover every emergency conceivable to mankind, and another poster might drive from Boston to Orlando in beater with $300 in her pocket and a maxed out credit card, there's a wide area in between the two where most of us fall.

I have a set amount that I'm willing to spend on "stuff". I tend to take some cash, some GCs, a CC with a really high spending limit and a debit card to my secondary checking account. The CC and debit cards are for emergencies but the cash and GCs are intended to cover the "stuff". When I run out of cash and GCs, I don't purchase any more "stuff".

 

[CdnCarrie]

I don't take cash with us except some $1s for tipping Bell Services. We just charge everything to the room.
As for limit to spending money I keep a running total of what has been spent. As the kids get older the rarely want stuff anymore. As much as they love Disney it isn't as cool to wear Mickey on your shirt to middle school as it use to be in elementary school. And they don't want toys anymore. So I found our souvenir budget has gone way done.

I only use our CC for vacations. Not debit cards, cash or gc We earn points on our cc so its worth it to charge everything on there. Plus I like having it all on one statement.

 

[msmama]

My suggestion is that whatever number you come up with - double it!!

 

[DaughteroftheKing]

Well if you want some more concrete numbers, I'll throw some out for you.

teen 1: usually isn't interested in buying anything, the extra meal here and there, or something sporty at DTD, but thats it.
Sounds like $50 would cover it. Take $100 if you want some extra cushion and in case the sporty thing she wants is a $55 sweatshirt.

teen 2: our foodie lol, sweets & likes to shop around the world @EP to try new foods. usually grabs an everyday clothing item & some earnings. she shops only for what she will actually use when she's home.
I think around $75 would cover earrings and a clothing item (money left over if item is a basic tshirt).

adult: I usually grab something from one of the pavilions at EP..last time a bowl & tea set, that's about it.

I don't spend a lot on souvenirs either. I will want an ornament and maybe something else for the home. I'll take probably $100 and come back home with most of it.

All in all, I think $300 would more than cover all of you. But that's based on what you told me and my own experiences. Other people easily spend that much in a day and there's nothing wrong with that if that's how you roll.

 

[worm761]

You seem to have a pretty set plan. With DS, when he was still traveling with us, I gave him a set amount and he was free to use any money he had saved from his allowance also. DD is only 5 so I just buy what she wants. She hasn't started school yet so has no concept of money at the moment. Something we are changing tomorrow.

Personally, I love to shop. It makes me happy. Which is why I don't do it in every day life. But on vacation I budget in $1000 usually for souvenirs and extras. It could be an experience, a dining reservation I didn't make but decided to do anyway, whatever. I buy a new hoodie each trip. I love my hoodies and get lots of use out of them. Even living in Florida because I hate cold and anything less than 80 generally feels cold to me. I know this upcoming trip I want to do the Pick A Pearl with DD so that will cost. DH wants a new hat if he can find one in England. And of course needs to get a Strongbow on tap at the Pub in UK. Little bits here and there but they all add up.

 

[dbramer]

We're taking about 1400 in spending/gas money. We are driving from Baltimore for 8 days with two kids and two adults....

 

[smhwalker2011]

thanks everyone!!! sounds good to me! I'm thinking $400 feels safe to me! basically everything's covered once we get there other than some souvenirs and extra disney snacks to take home hah! thanks again!

 

[fabfemmeboy]

We usually figure about $25 extra per person per day for incidentals, which includes non-DP food/snacks/drinks and souvenirs. Some trips that's right on, some trips that's well more than we need, but I don't think we've ever gone over it. For a 5-day trip that means each person gets $125 to spend on whatever souvenirs or extra food, which should cover sporty things, foodie snacks and accessories, or really pretty tea sets.

 

[gljvd]

My gf and I bring $50 a day and then we have an extra $200 in case we see a must buy item (lady and the tramp stuff)

The dinning plan takes care of most stuff.