Reality Check! How much do I need?

[VintageKnight]

ok had some major budget busters in last few weeks......

Please help me figure out exactly what we need.

May 20th - May 25th POR, 26th we drive to Port Canaveral for 3 day cruise leaving on Sunday 29th.

Food for 2 adults one 5 yr old with an appitite. Adults will share most meals.

I would like 1 castle meal and 1 character meal ( pooh??)

We will be bringing breakfasts with us ( driving).

Fees....

parking fees at Port???

anything else???

souvies??? 200.00?

What am I missing??

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Having been on the Disney cruise twice, I can say that you will need a lot of $$$. There are tips for the restaurant staff, tips for the room steward, bar tabs, photos, excursions (and tips for the guides), tips for the baggage handler who helps you get your luggage from the terminal to your car when the trip is over. It adds up so very quickly and you don't realize it because on the ship, they don't take cash. All expenses go on your cabin card. You can settle your bill at any time during the trip but it is a lot harder to keep track of those costs when you're using plastic.

Parking at the port will cost you about $30 for the 3-night cruise. This must be paid in advance, when you enter the lot. Vehicles over 20 feet pay more. There are also tolls to be paid along the way from WDW to Port Canaveral, but I can't remember how much they were.

A character breakfast alone will cost you about $54 with tax and tip. Character dinners are even more. Regardless of appetite, everyone who attends, pays. There is no sharing plates to save money at character meals. Lunch or dinner in the castle will set you back another $50 or more.

The souvenir budget can be limited to $200. It all depends on what you want to buy and how much willpower you have. Those light-up toys that they sell on deck in the evening can get pretty pricey and it will look like every kid has them except yours. You can bring your own and save a few $$. The cost of dDrink mugs onboard vary depending on the length of the cruise. If you want sodas anytime other than in the dining room, you will have to pay for them. The mugs offer unlimited refills for the entire trip and are worth purchasing if you drink a lot of soda. They aren't cheap but neither are individual sodas.

If you haven't visited the cruise board yet, definitely do it. There are veteran cruisers there who can hekp you figure out your budget a little better.

 

[goofyforlife]

The cost of dDrink mugs onboard vary depending on the length of the cruise. If you want sodas anytime other than in the dining room, you will have to pay for them.

Sodas are now FREE on-board and on the island now. They have drink station on deck 9 with Coke products and by Cookies BBQ. The only time you would pay for a soda is if you order it at a bar or in a can.

As for other things:

If you're staying at POR, then you'll have great food options at the food court. My DD eats alot but we split the entrees a few times. Breakfest vouchers might save you a few dollars with a character meal. Pooh is at the crystal palace at the MK.

Tolls- if you take 417 from POR to PC. There are two $1 tolls on 417. There is a toll when you get on the Bee Line for $1.75.

You'll love the parks and cruise in May....Weather is great...Enjoy