How much to budget for snacks at circus?

[Atotty]

Hey,

I'm taking my Girl Scout troop to the circus and need to know how much to budget for snacks. Has anyone gone to Ringling Brothers circus or Disney on Ice in the last six months and remember what you paid for snowcones in the fancy mug or cotton candy? It's usually about the same at either of the shows.

Thanks!

 

[micheleq]

We were at Disney on Ice a few weeks ago and I think Cotton Candy was $6 and the shaved ice in a cup was $9? We didn't buy any, so I can't remember exactly. I bought snacks from our arena's own consessions which was cheaper.

I think you'd need to budget at least $10 per girl to be safe -- a snack and a drink.

 

[briannesmom]

We went to Ringling Brothers last year and the prices were more than Disney on Ice. I think the cotton candy was $12 and the snow cones started at $9 depending on the cup.

 

[TupperMom7]

I'd bet that the snack will cost as much as the ticket to the circus! Can't you go to McDonald's or another fast food restaurant after the circus? Bring in some juice bags and fruit snacks. If you buy drinks there you will not only be paying $5.00 or more, but you'll be running to the bathroom because it will be a much larger drink.

Have fun!

 

[ArielsMommy]

We just went a few weeks ago. We paid $9.00 for lemonade in a sports bottle, $12.00 for cotton candy with a sorcerer's hat and $12.00 for a snowcone in a flashing cup. HTH

 

[ceecee]

I limited my girls to a snack or drink when we went. They all got the icee with the collectible mug. We stopped at McD's for lunch. Some of the girls brought extra $ which always causes problems!

 

[mickeylove2]

Be careful with bringing in snacks and drinks. We went to the RB Circus in Baltimore and my DDs had a ziplock baggie of goldfish that they were eating and when we got in line to go in the door I had them close the bags and put in my purse so they could get in without having a bag of opened food in their hands, KWIM? Anyway, when we got to the turnstile I had to open my purse and the lady rummaged thru and told me that they didn't allow outside food or drinks in that I had to either throw them out or take them back to my car. Geez, it's not like we hadn't planned on spending at least $50 on their crap anyway, that just really bugged me!

Know their policy!

 

[jessily]

I went to the Ringling Bro. last year in Philly and couldn't believe the concession prices! I wanted a snowcone, but they are only sold in the huge collectible cups. $12 for a snow cone? I don't think so! I didn't even pay that much for my ticket. The prices from the facility's concession stands are a little lower. If you're getting Circus themed snacks I would budget about $12-15 per child. Maybe bring snack bags so that a popcorn like snack can be shared between a few girls.

 

[Neesy228]

I went to the Ringling Bro. last year in Philly and couldn't believe the concession prices! I wanted a snowcone, but they are only sold in the huge collectible cups. $12 for a snow cone? I don't think so! I didn't even pay that much for my ticket. The prices from the facility's concession stands are a little lower. If you're getting Circus themed snacks I would budget about $12-15 per child. Maybe bring snack bags so that a popcorn like snack can be shared between a few girls.

Ditto for us. We ended up spending $15 for a snow cone in a cup, some insane amount of money for cotton candy with a stupid hat, and another $10 for a sword. It suddenly made sense why our tickets were so cheap!!

 

[summerrluvv]

$10 here for the cotton candy with a "Dash" mask (Disney on Ice). $20 for a talking arm. I can't remember any other prices.

 

[mom2threecuties]

I haven't taken my kids to the Ringling Bros circus in the last couple of years just because of the ridiculous concession prices. If I recall correctly, a snow cone and cotton candy set me back about $25 per kid (you had to buy the snow cones in fancy animal cups, and the cotton candy was only sold in a silly hat). The kids didn't understand what a rip off it was, and then I got mad at them for being ungrateful that we went to the circus in the first place. Whoo, sorry to vent!

 

[Atotty]

Thanks everyone. The girls get to pick one: either the cotton candy *or* the snowcone. Y'all gave me the info I needed.

 

[brenalexacamp]

we just went to disney on ice- could not bring outside food in-which kills me because they don't sell milk.
anyway- we paid 12.00 for a program- needed it as my child is nonverbal and will use the book to "talk" about being there.
Thank goodness he asks for nothing- regular concession-popcorn and bottled water were 7.50.
but the prices i saw:
12.00 for a cotton candy
9.00 for snowcone
didn't want to know how much the lightup swords were-lots of plush dolls

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We went to Dis On Ice 2 weeks ago. Snowcones were $10 and $12 depending on the cups and we got cotton candy with crown Mickey ears for $10. Popocorn in a bucket was $8.

 

[trinchick]

I know you have your answer, and this doesn't really apply to kids of scouting age, but I wanted to share something I do when I bring DD (4) to any of these events. I let her bring a toy from home related to the event. At Disney on Ice in December, she brought her new Tinker Bell doll from Santa. Once we're there, she has NO interest in any of the toys. She's content with what she brought. We've done this for several shows (Barney Live, Sesame Street Live, Circus, Disney on Ice, etc.) and she's never asked to purchase any of the toys.

We do usually buy her a program or coloring book. Also, as a tip, at least in Boston, they usually sell a less expensive coloring book as you LEAVE the event. This book is not available before or during the show, but there are hawkers selling them as you exit the arena. These are usually $5 as opposed to $12 - $20 and are official merchandise. They just don't want people to buy the cheaper book instead of the pricier program, and they want to grab your last $$ as you exit.

 

[lecach]

We're going to the circus next week. Since it's not far from our house we'll eat before we go. We may let DS get one treat since we got the tickets for free. But after paying $10 to park I think I might just tell him he can have popcorn or a snow cone or a toy - but only one. He's pretty good about not expecting too much stuff. We went to Disney on Ice in December and managed to not buy anything. I just couldn't justify $10 for popcorn.

 

[Ephany]

We went to the circus this weekend. It was $16 for a lemonade and a popcorn. The program was $10, and they threw out DH's bottle of water, didn't even give him the option to go back to the car and leave it there.