Souvenir Budget Questions

[JillyBean77]

As I plan our first Disney trip, the most unknown budget item for me is the souvenir category. Personally, I cannot stand kitschy stuff, so I'm not worried that I'll be tempted by too many Disney apparel/decor items that I can only imagine are available. It's the kiddos that I'm most concerned about. I don't want the whole vacation to be "no, no no...", but at the same time, it can't be "yes, yes, yes...", either
Our three sons, ages 8, 7, and 4, are no strangers to saving money for their own special purchases (the oldest two spent a year saving up for their own DS game systems recently). We have read some good tips about putting kids in charge of their own portion of souvenir money and allowing them to choose how to spend it. We are encouraging them to save their money (earned through an allowance/chore system) for our upcoming trip, but this vacation was a bit of a last-minute plan, so they don't have much time to save up a significant amount.
My question is, how much souvenir money is "enough"? I realize the answer is probably different for everyone. I'm wondering whether the money they will be able to save before our trip at the end of Nov (probably about $15-$20 each) will be enough to realistically get something that will delight their little hearts, or if we should budget a bit (or a lot!) more to subsidize their purchases.
It's easy to sit at home and say that we're not going to spend money on any of that silly stuff, but I can only imagine that once inside the park, the power of persuasion will tip the scales the other way....
I would categorize our budget as not necessarily shoestring, but "tight". Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We let each child spend about $20 on a souvenir. They usually pick a toy which we dont need more of so this helps limit them. We do let them get a new pin for their lanyard if they want on top of this. If they saved $15-20 then maybe let them know if they find something a little more expensive than they've saved, you'd subsidize up to $10-15.

 

[skiingfast]

From knick knacks to fine art there is plenty to choose from in the $5 to $5,000 range.

 

[JillyBean77]

Agrh, I can edit the text of my thread, but not the title! Sorry about the double 'r' in Souvenir

Thanks for the advice!

 

[skiingfast]

Agrh, I can edit the text of my thread, but not the title! Sorry about the double 'r' in Souvenir

Thanks for the advice!

If you are really worried, I'm not. You can go to "Edit" and then to "Go Advanced". You can change the title there.

 

[JillyBean77]

From knick knacks to fine art there is plenty to choose from in the $5 to $5,000 range.

I'll be sure to tell them to keep it in the $5 range!!!

We're going to be there either 3 or 4 days (still can't decide -- splurge for 4 Day PH and go for a few hours on our arrival day, or get a 3 day and start fresh the morning after our late arrival)? Too many decisions! ) Anyhow, I was kinda hoping that their cash would last the whole trip....

 

[JillyBean77]

If you are really worried, I'm not. You can go to "Edit" and then to "Go Advanced". You can change the title there.

Done & Done!!

 

[kailuagirl]

They can also get some of the "free" ones.

Buttons
Map of the Jungle Cruise (ask the CM at the end of the ride for one)
Animation Academy drawing lesson

what else am I missing, I know there is more

As for how much to give them, that's a hard one, as there could be some really cool things or there couldn't be much at all. You have to figure out what it is and go from there.

 

[skiingfast]

I'll be sure to tell them to keep it in the $5 range!!!

We're going to be there either 3 or 4 days (still can't decide -- splurge for 4 Day PH and go for a few hours on our arrival day, or get a 3 day and start fresh the morning after our late arrival)? Too many decisions! ) Anyhow, I was kinda hoping that their cash would last the whole trip....

Hmmm the 94 dollar question(the ticket price difference). Is this around Thanksgiving when it will be crowded and more time will be nice, or a weekend when it will give another chance at F! or Fireworks? Or some of these slow November days?

 

[GenGen22]

They can also get some of the "free" ones.

Buttons
Map of the Jungle Cruise (ask the CM at the end of the ride for one)
Animation Academy drawing lesson

what else am I missing, I know there is more

As for how much to give them, that's a hard one, as there could be some really cool things or there couldn't be much at all. You have to figure out what it is and go from there.

Don't forget pressed penny's. My daughter has collected them from all over from every place we have gone.

 

[GenGen22]

We have been giving our kids $60 each to spend on what they want but they know when it's gone it's gone. We also buy them pins for trading and pressed pennies but that's it. We started doing this when our kids were 8, 10 & 13 and it has worked well every time since then. It sure helps with them bugging every minute can I have this or that as we refer back to do you have money left?

 

[JillyBean77]

Hmmm the 94 dollar question(the ticket price difference). Is this around Thanksgiving when it will be crowded and more time will be nice, or a weekend when it will give another chance at F! or Fireworks? Or some of these slow November days?

This is taking the original thread off-topic, but I'll take answers to my myriad questions wherever they present themselves . I can never wrap my head around other people's vacation plans, so I don't expect everyone to understand the particulars of mine. In any case, here goes:
Nov 27th (Sunday):
Plan A- drive from Aunt's house in Santee & check into Park Vue sometime in the evening.
Plan B - Drive all the way from Phoenix & check into Park Vue sometime in evening.
Our plan is to activate our 3-Day PH on the following day, Mon Nov 28th (thinking that we will be tired from traveling on Sunday, and won't be able to use the "whole" day anyhow). I believe that fireworks/parade/WOC will be operating each of the three evenings we will be in the park, but not F! If we did the 4-day PH, we could see F! on that Sunday night of our arrival. But, from everything I've read, the agony of waiting forever for F! seating and then seeing a scary dragon that my kids probably won't understand doesn't seem worth it. On the other hand, maybe we could use it as an opportunity to ride some rides without too much of a line while F! is playing?
It's hard to imagine all of this without ever having been there. I'm a visual person -- I need a diagram!

 

[skiingfast]

I would do 4 if you do Plan B. If plan A maybe not.

Yes at the end of the month you will get most entertainment anyway, but only F! on Friday. I would really try to see it. It may be hard to get a good spot but you could wait 30 maybe 45 minutes at the light tower, how to do this trick is in the F! superthread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

 

[Brady's Mom]

You could take into account that you will be driving in the car for quite some time and everyone will be tired - of being in the car!

DLR is open late that night - so maybe a 4 day hopper would be a good choice. You could ride some of the fast loaders - pirates, HMH, maybe BTMRR, or Small World and wait for the later F! showing. (I would consider this plan if your kids tend to snooze in the car.) Then you could start fresh the next morning at opening and hit Fantasyland and whatever else you want to see.

If you go Sunday night - depending on when you arrive - you could get as much as 6 or so hours in the park. It could be well worth the investment. Also, if you decide to add that extra day, you might let your kids in on the cost and explain that what they earn is the spending money they have, since you will have paid for the "extra" time at DLR.

I think if you let your kids know how much it costs they could be pretty reasonable. Also, since you have boys, consider the Lego Store in DTD. My boys would rather spend their money there than almost anywhere else!

 

[rentayenta]

I am a terrible one to ask. I don't like chackis and the only room that is Disney is the kids' bathroom which is all Mickey and adorable. I do have a Mickey spatula, measuring spoons, popcorn buckets, and hidden Mickey menorah but that's it. For myself, I don't buy much at all. Oh wait, I have about 100 ornaments but those don't count as they only come out at Christmas and that's if I decide to a Disney themed tree.

However, when it comes to the kids, I go bananas. If they didn't love it and use it after I wouldn't buy as much but my almost 15 y/o still sets her plush Stitch on her bed after making it every morning. My daughter wore her Mickey Halloween Ears and Yeti (WDW) backpack that we bought 2 years as part of her costume this year. My son still loves Toy Story, Lego mostly, and has them on his desk in his room. He also displays his Vinylmation with pride.

The point of my ramblings is: will your kids get any use out of the souvenirs post trip? If so, I'd increase the budget. If not then $20 sounds appropriate and will enable them to buy a great rememberence of the trip.

I am a sucker tried and true.

 

[JillyBean77]

I just did some quick checking, and it will only be $67.10 more to do 4-day hoppers vs 3-day hoppers (for the whole family!) I'm planning on buying tickets through Entertainment.com using our entertainment card; they offer the best prices I've seen so far. Thanks for the nudge in that direction

 

[cypressmom]

When we brought the kids last June, they each got a $50 Disney gift card that they could spend as they wished.

 

[Susie63]

I think $25 each is a good amount and a set of Mickey ears......because you need ears.

 

[DizMe]

My kids are really good about picking out smaller items. They like charms, wands, books, and things that are relatively small. We usually fly and only bring carry-on so that helps limit it, too!

Of course, they often spend about $10-20 each at build-a-bear so that generally eats up a lot of the souvenir budget. They like to buy special clothes for their animals, which they already own and usually bring along! I think we probably have 4-5 princess outfits. One year, my 6-year-old decided she wanted a book on the history of Disneyland and she has been reading that book for over 2 years. I was very hesitant, thinking she was far too young, but she insisted she wanted it and it was her money so that's what she got. She was right! Her twin sister opted for a sparkly wand with floating gold stars in some sort of gooey yellow stuff, and I figured she would like it for about a day or two and that would be it. But she still has that wand in a place of prominence on her dresser. I think if I'd chosen either of those things FOR them they would not be as cherished, so there's something to be said for letting them decide what it is they really want.

 

[GeneralTso]

It's really easy to get overwhelmed with all the merchandise available. The sheer number of shops and what they specialize in is something else too!
Sounds like you have very financially responsible kids already. Make sure they don't buy the first thing they want. Seeing all the options first will make them feel like they're making the best choice.

Disney is truly a place you find yourself standing there going "do I *really* need a $250 Mickey cashmere sweater?" and realize in fact, no, you don't. I always ask myself if I can see myself wearing it anywhere outside of Disney. I found that my Dooney princess wristlet that I simply had to have, I only use it when I'm on vacation at DL or WDW. Outside of that, it doesn't work for me.