Need a little advice...

[belleandthebeast]

regarding money spending.

My mom, sister(17), niece(9), and I are going to WDW in October. This is an unplanned trip as my mom and I were just there in May. My parents are having financial difficulties so I am picking up the cost of my Mom's portion of the trip (hey, she's done a lot for me, just a nice way to pay her back). My Mom is paying for her own meals and souveniers. My sister works part time, is paying for herself, and saving money for souveniers and food. My niece's mom is paying for her cost of the trip and sending her w/ money. My niece's b-day is in September and is asking for Disney dollars for spending the world as well.

Here's the situation. My Mom, sister, and I are going w/ just a little spending money. My niece, however, will be going w/ quite a bit of money. I don't want to limit my niece from spending too much as this is techinically her 1st time there, but at the same time, I don't want my Mom and sister to be uncomfortablly waiting @ the stores why my niece buys up the place. I am not splitting up with them because if I know my Mom, I'll never find them!

I was thinking that I would take her to the gift shop @ POP and let her loose there which I think is the best solution. But, if she finds something she likes at a store in the parks, what to do?

Anybody run into this situation, when traveling w/ extended family or friends? Or even your childrens friends who have more money to spend they you do?

 

[cjsmom5]

You can always do "shopping" at the end of the evening and then everyone else can go catch the bus back to the hotel. It will be more crowded then as that is when everyone else shops but then you wouldn't have to worry about meeting up.

You can also go to Downtown Disney and let her shop there. That way when everyone else gets tired they can catch the bus back to the hotel. Plus there are a lots of things to look at DTD and that is where the biggest Disney store is located.

 

[cleo]

We just had this situation with our 3 boys. The oldest had saved a significant bit of money while the two younger boys were relying on our 'generosity'. We couldn't give them money without giving the same to the oldest, so he was way ahead of the game from the start.

In our case, it worked out that he was happy with what we gave him and decided to save what he had earned for a computer game or something else after the holiday. I would think your mother is probably of the same mind....very grateful for your generosity and not at all worried about who gets more. Do you think she'll just enjoy watching your neice have fun shopping?

We also place a time limit on shopping. Half the fun is browsing around seeing what's on offer while the children choose a few special items. Could you budget, say, half an hour per day (or something like that) for shopping (maybe at the end of the day in the park while other guests are rushing to the exit)? That way no-one has to 'wait' while others shop, taking time out of your touring, and (as it would be with our boys!) you aren't stopping in shops all day long, then having to carry around bags while you're touring.

 

[swilshire]

A trip to the Belz outlet mall might be appropriate for you and the neice while the rest of the group does something else. She could get some great bargains and have fun shopping at the Disney stores and the other outlets as well. If you don't have a car, you can take the public buses.

I wouldn't worry too much about the neice spending more than the adults (I'm including the 17yo). If it were another child, it would be hurtful, but I would think your group is old enough not to worry about it.

Sheila

 

[kareneast]

Are you planning on seeing any parades and staking seats out for them in advance? If you are, maybe your mom & sis can save the seats on the curb while you take your niece into a shop or 2.