Please share what the "extras" cost during your trip

[My2Cinderellas]

Are you planning on being a park commando and being there at opening? if so, consider eating breakfast in the room. You can save TIME, lots of TIME, as well as $$. with 6 people to feed for breakfast, I would seriously consider renting a fridge for $10 a day. Being able to store milk and have cold drinks waiting in the room is wonderful. You can buy quarts of milk ($1.75) and loaves of bread ($3) at the gift shop. I shipped a box of breakfast stuff ahead of time and felt it was well worth it. ($17 for a 22 pound box, via UPS ground at Staples) YOu could pack it in an extra suitcase instead. We were also on the meal plan, so breakfast didn't have to be huge, but we all need to eat something first thing in the morning. we ate enough snacks and sweet treats throughout the day that we didn't feel like we missed a big breakfast.

I shipped plastic bowls (4 for a $1 at the dollar tree) we washed them out every morning, bring 'em home only if you have room, we didn't. It was cheaper and took less space in the box than bringing disposable. I had a small box of Cheerios, a small jar of peanut butter, granola bars and poptarts (a huge treat for DDs). We had a bowl of cereal or PB sandwich, and then something sweet. I also shipped individual servings of applesauce for DD7.

If you like the tap water at WDW, great! I couldn't drink it. We added the individual packets of crystal light to it and that worked well. In the parks we just bought a new cold water, but had 2 or 3 bottles we reused with crystal light in the room. We'd refill before leaving the room and they'd be cold when we got back.

the mornings we had planned a later start, we did treat ourselves to breakfast in the food court. the Dining plan does not allow a dessert with breakfast, so it's just a breakfast plate and a beverage. You can use a snack credit for fruit or a sweet roll. We did use CS credits for breakfast, because we ended up sharing counter service meals for lunch. usually 3 for the 4 of us was plenty of food, so we had extra CS credits to splurge on breakfast a couple of times.

have a great time!

 

[kcrew]

Are you planning on being a park commando and being there at opening? if so, consider eating breakfast in the room. You can save TIME, lots of TIME, as well as $$. with 6 people to feed for breakfast, I would seriously consider renting a fridge for $10 a day. Being able to store milk and have cold drinks waiting in the room is wonderful. You can buy quarts of milk ($1.75) and loaves of bread ($3) at the gift shop. I shipped a box of breakfast stuff ahead of time and felt it was well worth it. ($17 for a 22 pound box, via UPS ground at Staples) YOu could pack it in an extra suitcase instead. We were also on the meal plan, so breakfast didn't have to be huge, but we all need to eat something first thing in the morning. we ate enough snacks and sweet treats throughout the day that we didn't feel like we missed a big breakfast.

I shipped plastic bowls (4 for a $1 at the dollar tree) we washed them out every morning, bring 'em home only if you have room, we didn't. It was cheaper and took less space in the box than bringing disposable. I had a small box of Cheerios, a small jar of peanut butter, granola bars and poptarts (a huge treat for DDs). We had a bowl of cereal or PB sandwich, and then something sweet. I also shipped individual servings of applesauce for DD7.

If you like the tap water at WDW, great! I couldn't drink it. We added the individual packets of crystal light to it and that worked well. In the parks we just bought a new cold water, but had 2 or 3 bottles we reused with crystal light in the room. We'd refill before leaving the room and they'd be cold when we got back.

the mornings we had planned a later start, we did treat ourselves to breakfast in the food court. the Dining plan does not allow a dessert with breakfast, so it's just a breakfast plate and a beverage. You can use a snack credit for fruit or a sweet roll. We did use CS credits for breakfast, because we ended up sharing counter service meals for lunch. usually 3 for the 4 of us was plenty of food, so we had extra CS credits to splurge on breakfast a couple of times.

have a great time!

Yes, we will be "park commandos" so that's why all CS breakfasts(well, price too). I've kind of ruled out the fridge because 70.00 can buy a lot of food. I am a bit concerned that the POP food court will be time consuming with early crowds, so maybe I should think more about eating in the room, but I'm just not sure what we could have. The adults aren't really regimented breakfast eaters, but my kids roll out of bed and want to eat. I've joked that we are skipping BF at WDW and they panic!

I am trying to understand the early park situation. Are the parks open before they are officially open (while you are waiting at the ropes or whatever)and are there places to grab BF items ? Is this a good approach??????

Thanks!

 

[sameyeyam]

I give each of my kids $10 per day. They can spend it on whatever they want. Keeps me from hearing "Mom I want!!".

Also, we bring a suitcase with non-perishable foods. We bring individual cereal boxes, disposable bowls & spoons. You can use your 1 snack credit each morning for a fair sized container of milk at the Pop Food Court. It has enough milk for 4 bowls of cereal. Also keep costs down by bringing Cup O Noodles and a small coffeemaker for hot water. They make great filling in between meal snacks when kids are hungry. Also bring fruit snacks, nuts, etc. That keeps you from spending OOP for extra snacks in the parks. Then at the end of the trip you have an extra empty suitcase to take home items you have purchased.

You will stay very full on the Dining Plan. So as long as you can control those impulse items and remember to bring along all necessary items like sunscreen, Tylenol & bandaids you should not need a lot of money. I would read the packing lists and take what you think your family might need.

Have a Great Trip!

 

[princess mom of 4]

We also saved money/dining plan credits on breakfast by eating breakfast in the room - My family thinks breakfast has to be HOT, not cold cereal or granola bars, but I brought packs of instant oatmeal, grits, etc and mixed with hot water, heated in the little coffee pot in the room!

 

[YCFAN]

We always go in the summer and one of our biggest extras always seems to be WATER, bottled water.

 

[Nasus]

kcrew,
I would not drink the tap water in Florida, Yuck! We have the sport Brita water bottle that filters the water and it helped with the taste of the water. I also agree about eating breakfast in the room. Buy the refillable mug (or two) and send one person to get the food very early. We brought a lot of breakfast food with us (we drove down, though). The refrigerator was worth it to us, but we were not on the dining plan for that trip. One morning we wanted a hot breakfast, so my husband got two meals and all five of us were able to eat from that in the room.

You most definitely want to get to the parks before opening. You will be able to get more done and then go back to your room during the hot part of the day for an AC break. If you don't have a PH just go back to the park you went to in the morning and finish what you didn't get to early in the day.

Good luck,
Susan

 

[katlas&kids]

Money to do laundry if you need to.

Washers, dryers, detergent and fabric softener can add up very quickly.

We just take our detergent with us. Get the dry stuff, measure it out in a big baggie and you have it with you~

 

[dakyak]

here's an idea for water, get a bottle, keep refilling it with water, but bring the packets of rlike crystal light on the go...

this is what my mother and i did...it helped hide the taste ofthe water, but we didn't get dehydrated

they were definitely easy to carry (very nice and light) and we will be bringingthem in again this time

 

[Disneynutbsv]

We will be eating breakfast in our room probably every other day. I plan on bringing pop tarts, dunkin' donuts coffee (mmmm), cereal bars and stuff like that. And knowing my dh like I do, he'll be looking for a Krispy Kreme in the area, lol.

 

[ricktib]

Just like many of the other posters, we'll usually buy a picture frame ($20-25) or a coffee mug ($12 or so).

And DW HAS to get one of those incredible caramel apples at the candy cauldron in DTD ($4 or so). (just looking through photos, I can't believe I haven't taken a picture of one of those!)

 

[Ava]

and we are all tap water people so we'll just refill bottles.

We planned to do this as well, but the water from the fountains in the parks tastes horrible, for the most part. The only park that had decent-tasting, cold water from the fountains was Epcot. We ended up buying bottles of water because we just couldn't drink the nasty fountain water at the parks. We did fill up a bottle with water from the beverage island at the hotel each morning, so we had at least 1 "free" bottle a day.

 

[Lora]

We don't spend much on extras either. Don't worry about people saying that they've spent $xxx on stuff. We'll occasionally buy a ride photo, but we don't purchase many souvenirs at all. My girls usually bring about $25 of their own money and spend it at the DTD World of Disney store. They usually buy some character figurines, a book or a doll. They don't ask for anything in the parks - they've never been like that at home either. Last year they decided to spend some of their money on the light-up necklaces during Spectromagic. I've bought one shirt in 7 years. I tend to get a cd or music book for myself that we enjoy throughout the year. We've enjoyed the Happiest Celebration cd and the Illuminations cd.

As for breakfast, we usually do breakfast bars or bagels. Unless someone can get out to grab stuff for everyone while they're getting ready in the room, it just seems like a waste of time to me to get breakfast before getting on the busses or once you're in the park. That's the best time to make the most of the low crowds.

 

[kcrew]

We planned to do this as well, but the water from the fountains in the parks tastes horrible, for the most part. The only park that had decent-tasting, cold water from the fountains was Epcot. We ended up buying bottles of water because we just couldn't drink the nasty fountain water at the parks. We did fill up a bottle with water from the beverage island at the hotel each morning, so we had at least 1 "free" bottle a day.

Hmmm...that doesn't sound good: this is my 1st time in many years so I'll take everyone's word for it . I HATE buying water.

 

[TAKitty]

I may be the only one who doesn't mind the water at WDW. If it is cold I really didn't notice a bad taste.

Kool aid also has the single serve drink mixes like the crystal light ones. I purchased some for our upcoming trip for the kids.

To the OP--you really don't have to spend much money at all outside of what you have budgeted. However, I look at vacation as a time to enjoy the extras like gift baskets and slipper desserts. It is these things that make the vacation magical for me and my family. Otherwise, I think $100.00 would cover any additional expenses you may have.

 

[slk537]

Our extras are also oopsies (I went through two razors on our last trip...left one at home and left the second at VWL and didn't notice until it was too late ), whims like extra snacks, little toys for DS, any alcohol drinks at restaurants, and tips. We rent a car and love to eat at resort restaurants (saves time driving instead of switching buses) so valet tipping is a big one for us. DH tips a few dollars coming and going (he's asked and they don't pool their tips so we feel that since they are taking the same trip to the car either way, we tip both ways). Tips for Mousekeeping, bell services, airport personnel, etc. take up a lot of dollar bills.

In my opinion, you have a really good budget and a really good plan, and if you bring some extra money for incidentals, you're covered.

ETA: the koolaid packets really do make a big difference in the water. Target has their own brand that are very good and a lot less expensive than Crystal Light.

 

[hrj01]

Our trip in June 5-June 12. Everything has already been paid for and we have the dinning plan and hopper tickets. My husband is "worried" we will not have enough food. This is our first family trip. It is my DH, DD9 and myself. We will be flying and then will use magic express. We will not have a car and will be on property. We have to watch what we pack since flying (I am an over packer). My question is, Do you think $1,500 ish will be enough to take along??? Yes, we plan to shop and stuff but my sister thinks that is way too much money to take or have for Disney. This will be my daughters first trip.

Please give me your opinions. Thanks everyone.

 

[sameyeyam]

My question is, Do you think $1,500 ish will be enough to take along???

We were on the dining plan, I took about $1,200 cash with us this year, we actually bought quite a few souvenirs, I gave each kid $10 each day to spend. I ended up with about $600 left over! So you should have plenty of money!

 

[renessa]

At Staples...24 pk of bottled water is $6.59 for several different brands. If you enroll in the staples rewards program (free) then all your shipping is free. Many people have had to call and get the first order credited for free shipping, but it works like a charm after that. If they do charge you shipping, just call the 800 number and they'll adjust the price to remove the shipping charge. We mailed it to the resort address listed at allearsnet. Our address label looked like this:

RENESSA TROYER ARRIVING 7/01/05
POP CENTURY RESORT
1050 CENTURY DR
LAKE BUENA VISTA FL 32830

At Pop, they had ours ready for pickup at check-in. They loaned us a cart to take to our room. We had to return it then, which was a pain, but not a problem. We took trash can and filled it with ice (in the liner) and always had cold water..day and night... To pack in a backpack I would just wrap a wash cloth around the bottle and secure with my hair tie or rubberband. The cold, damp wash cloth felt good in July and the cold water was great. All this for 55cents a bottle. I place my order so it would arrive the day before check-in. Have a great trip!

 

[penguin087]

I spent much less that I thought I would overall but the 2 things I didn't figure into my budget was the amount of bottled water we bought and arcade money for the 2 boys (both 11 yoa). Since 11 year old boys get ready much quicker than 38 year old women they had plenty of arcade time while waiting for everybody else!

 

[hrj01]

Thanks so much for your reply on my question. I started out with $500 more on that total but had to get a few big items for the trip so I used it out of the trip money. I was very stressed today hoping that I had enough money for our trip even though everything is already paid for.

Thanks for making me feel less stressed.