$ money question $

[momofboyz3]

Soo we are going the end of May for 7 nights! Myself, twin boys 13 & ds9. We are on DDP w/table service. We have WP&more & 4 day pArk passes. Staying @ POR. I wanted to bring 1000$ spending (tips, gifts, xtras etc). But, messed up on my pay week. And won't be getting paid till a few days prior to checkout. Wondering what some of you budget for a family such as mine for your 7 days???? Never been to WDW before w/kids. Do you think $500-$600 would be cutting it close? Any other hidden costs that might pop up?? Thanks all!!!!!!!

 

[mousiemom]

i think it is doable, just remember about those tips @ your ts ressies. buy a lot of your disney tees @ penneys, targets, walmart before you go. ask if you can get your check earlier too, we've done this before for our trip.

 

[momofboyz3]

i think it is doable, just remember about those tips @ your ts ressies. buy a lot of your disney tees @ penneys, targets, walmart before you go. ask if you can get your check earlier too, we've done this before for our trip.

There is an idea that I didn't think of. And yes, TS, mousekeeping & bell service tipping is a priority. Thank you!

 

[lajspeech]

you could also just charge everything to your room and then pay off the room charge once you get paid (assuming you have direct deposit?)

 

[sharadoc]

At moderates, you can charge up to $1,000 to your room before they will charge your credit or debit card, if you have one on file. We've used that technique to get us to payday. So, you can bring $500 and charge another $500 that will be charged to your card when you checkout.

Hope that makes sense - I've done it so many times that it all makes sense to me, but not sure if I can articulate it clearly to someone else LOL.

 

[momofboyz3]

you could also just charge everything to your room and then pay off the room charge once you get paid (assuming you have direct deposit?)

I do! And that was an idea I thought of. Although, I get nervous... What if... My check has not messed up in 7 yrs what if that week they forget to pay me... What if... What if. Thanks for your reply!

 

[momofkids]

We charged everything to our room except tips of course. We probably only spent about $250 cash and that was all for gratuities. That was for 7 days.

 

[momofboyz3]

We charged everything to our room except tips of course. We probably only spent about $250 cash and that was all for gratuities. That was for 7 days.

That's awesome!!!!!!!!!! Makes me feel that $500 might get me through. thank you!

 

[Z28KatCar]

This happened to us last time we went and $500 is cutting it very close but it is doable. It sucks because you can't buy everything you want but we did it and had a good time.

 

[momofboyz3]

At moderates, you can charge up to $1,000 to your room before they will charge your credit or debit card, if you have one on file. We've used that technique to get us to payday. So, you can bring $500 and charge another $500 that will be charged to your card when you checkout.

Hope that makes sense - I've done it so many times that it all makes sense to me, but not sure if I can articulate it clearly to someone else LOL.

Yes, that makes perfect sense to me. I did think of this. I just get nervous spending money I do not yet have. But, it was my first thought. Thanks!!!!!

 

[momofboyz3]

This happened to us last time we went and $500 is cutting it very close but it is doable. It sucks because you can't buy everything you want but we did it and had a good time.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[michelle06]

We did a budget trip a few years back and didn't spend hardly anything extra. We stayed offsite in a place where we didn't have daily cleaning so tipping was not so much an issue there. But, if you are willing to sacrifice, yes, you can get away with much less. Now, I'm not saying it's not more fun to have all that spending money, but on that trip, we spent $50 max on the extras that were not needed. We had daily ice cream (no dining plan either) and bought one stuffed animal. We had a great time because Disney is so much fun just doing everything that is included in the park entry fee. So, my point is, yes, if you prioritize tipping and the essentials and are willing to forgo the extra cokes and goodies that aren't included in the DDP and willing to forgo unneeded souvenirs, I would think $500 would definitely suffice. And if you get paid while there and then have the extra, that would be a bonus as you could go shopping at the end of your trip and not have any impulse purchases!

 

[momofboyz3]

We did a budget trip a few years back and didn't spend hardly anything extra. We stayed offsite in a place where we didn't have daily cleaning so tipping was not so much an issue there. But, if you are willing to sacrifice, yes, you can get away with much less. Now, I'm not saying it's not more fun to have all that spending money, but on that trip, we spent $50 max on the extras that were not needed. We had daily ice cream (no dining plan either) and bought one stuffed animal. We had a great time because Disney is so much fun just doing everything that is included in the park entry fee. So, my point is, yes, if you prioritize tipping and the essentials and are willing to forgo the extra cokes and goodies that aren't included in the DDP and willing to forgo unneeded souvenirs, I would think $500 would definitely suffice. And if you get paid while there and then have the extra, that would be a bonus as you could go shopping at the end of your trip and not have any impulse purchases!

I think it will work out! And you are right- I will get my direct deposit a few day before we leave and can make a few extra purchases then. I'm excited! Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Your kids are old enough to be able to manage their own spending budget for souvenirs. Cod you swing an extra $25 here or there to pick up Disney gift cards (avail. At Target) before your trip? Then u don't have to worry about extra "spending money" for them at each gift shop. Tips at all the TS are the biggest expenses, and I think that could be estimated to some degree.

 

[momofboyz3]

Your kids are old enough to be able to manage their own spending budget for souvenirs. Cod you swing an extra $25 here or there to pick up Disney gift cards (avail. At Target) before your trip? Then u don't have to worry about extra "spending money" for them at each gift shop. Tips at all the TS are the biggest expenses, and I think that could be estimated to some degree.

Actually, my boys each have saved some spending money from their allowance. So they are okay. I was concerned of any hidden expenses other than tips. Maybe boat rentals. But, I think 500$ will get us through for the 5 days as my direct deposit goes in Friday. Also, doing HDDR and I believe gratuity is included. Thanks for your reply!!!

 

[CdnCarrie]

We just charge to the room and pay off the credit card when we get home. I think you should be fine unless you spent a lot on souvenirs.

 

[agavegirl1]

Your plan is totally doable since you will be getting paid prior to the trip ending. If you use direct deposit and you find TS meal tips are adding up to more than you thought, there is always a debit card and ATMs for a little extra cash money.

I tend to do Christmas shopping for my nieces at Disney so I would need more spending money. With the kids handling their own gift items and the DDP...you should be good to go.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

In order to get credit card points/miles we usually set aside money, and then charge to our credit card at check-out, then pay it off when we get home. I don't know if that's an option in your case, but just figured I'd throw that out there, since you get paid when you get home.

To me, $600 would be cutting it close with our family of 4. Money goes fast in WDW!

 

[raven69david]

Wanted to add my experience with cost-related issues for our Disney trips. We go alot and our friends/family always ask us "How much do we need to take?" For us, we're a party of 4, but DS is only 1. For myself, DW and DD8, we use about $400.00 for a 5-7 day trip and that's paying for food OOP (we never do DDP), eating at the signature restaurants (Le Cellier, SciFi, Liberty Tree, Via Napoli, etc) and souvenirs. We don't buy souvenirs outside of the park as that kinda takes the uniqueness of the item you are buying out of it. With what you're taking, you should be fine since you're already on the DDP.

 

[momofboyz3]

Wow thanks everyone for your advice and feedback! I know in my "married" life we would go anywhere and need a few thousand for spending. I didn't think disney would be that way ESP since I pre-paid for our food. You all confirmed that 600$ should be fine for the most part & if I feel like doing any crazy shopping I can wait till my payday... 2 days prior to checkout. I
******* Thanks again EVERYONE ************