Spending money for 20 days

[melybabymely]

My boyfriend and I are staying 8 nights in Orlando, 8 nights in St Petes, and 3 nights in New York.

After theme park tickets, would 900 to 1000 dollars be okay for spending money. We will be budget eating, we dont plan on buying lots of goods maybe a few in New York. We will hardly need much in our second week as we will just laze by the beach.

What do u think? Can it work.

 

[wicket2005]

We spent £1700 between 4 of us. We ate at Ponderosa for breakfast, sometimes bought a meal in the park but mostly got a sandwich from Subway for meals. So $1000 could be a bit tight between two of you.

 

[Soprano]

19 nights on $1000.00?

To be honest, that sounds way too low. I would at least double that amount for the time spending there.

It would be not much fun if I went on holiday and had to watch how much I was spending!

 

[jen_uk]

When Ive been we have only spent about £500 each, I think if you dont eat in expensive restaurents and dont bother doing much shopping you will be fine.

We are going for 16 nights in November and will only take about £1200 between us and we are going to buy some clothes over there, if we werent we would take less. I know some people takes thousands but I couldnt justify spending that kind of money there!

 

[Rain]

I think you would be on a really tight budget trying to manage with 1000 dollars and would have to watch every cent you spent.

New York can be quite expensive too, and you will want to shop a little!

 

[melybabymely]

i dont think we could afford to take anything bigger....

 

[Soprano]

When I've been we have only spent about £500 each, I think if you don't eat in expensive restaurants and don't bother doing much shopping you will be fine.
We are going for 16 nights in November and will only take about £1200 between us and we are going to buy some clothes over there, if we weren't we would take less. I know some people takes thousands but I couldn't justify spending that kind of money there!

I agree with your point not needing thousands, but your November trip does not include 3 nights in NY, you are going for 3 nights less overall and taking 20% more money!

From all posts by the OP, they are not driving, so will need to take into account the travel costs to getting around.

There are options of getting a loan or credit cards, neither may be appealing. Being on a holiday, I want to relax. If I see something I like, I don't want to leave it because I am on a tight budget.

Her itinerary suggests shopping IS on the agenda:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885183

I don't want to put a downer on the OP, but I really think $50 per day falls short of what you need, never mind how much you would like

 

[gilld]

I do think you'll struggle with so little, drinks and even counter service meals, which will get tedious after a few days, are quite expensive - particularly inside the parks and New York. We also found the Gulf Coast much more expensive than Orlando. Is there anyway you could do a few extra hours work/overtime etc to set aside an extra couple of hundred pounds which, will make things easier.

Hope you're able to work something out.

 

[jen_uk]

Looking at your itinerary it does seem very packed, could you maybe cut a couple of things out and save money that way? It would be quite hard to fit all that in anyway, if you trimmed it down a bit you will have more time to see more at the parks you really want and hopefully it will save you on tickets. Could you just do the Disney parks and leave universal and save the money there? Just an idea!

 

[melybabymely]

like eveyone i think when its your first time there you want to do everything... we are more into the thrill ride of things, so not sure whether we should go ahead with Disney or not.

If we just did the 5 park flexi ticket, then all transport is sorted with the hotel on international drive.

We wont be doing broadway in new york, just getting the sights in. We have already booked for a photo trek tour around new york for 4 hours the tour guide will take photos of us, he is a qualified photographer, we get 70 prints in an album & 150 on CD.

oh were not getting engaged after all over there, but will be something to look forward to when we get back.

In St Petes beach, we will more or less just relax.

 

[jen_uk]

If you really like your thrill rides then to be honest I wouldnt bother with Disney and would save the money on the tickets. Maybe next time you go you could spend more time there and do Disney then.

The trip to NY sounds great, I went there in 2003 and loved it! The only money I really spent was on shopping, everything is in walking distance or the subway is very cheap, we didnt use any taxis or buses at all. Most of the sights are either free or cheap as well which is good. A cheap way to see the Statue of liberty is to go on the Statton Island Ferry.

 

[terrynewpack]

20 days on $900 - $1000 spending money to keep you in food and drink. No chance.
Cancel the engagement, sell the ring and have a great time.


Terry

 

[susan1]

hi
it is possible to do it on that amount of money. we take $70 a day for the two of us. the hotel, tickets and car are already paid for. if you are not a foody eat at ponderosa, golden corral, sweet tomtoes and cicis. don't worry about other people and what they spend. do your own thing and you will just enjoy being there. there are lots of free things in disney and orlando that you can do. a google search will find the website which has a hundred thing t0 do i disney world also aite called orlando for free. don't be down hearted you would be surprised how many people outthere work to a ver tight budget. go and enjoy it in your own way

 

[drennan]

If you haven't got it, you can't spend it!!! so it can be done - but i have to admit it's going to be a tight sqeeze - either way have a great time.

ttfn
Sharon

 

[wicket2005]

What we did to save money, was to buy one bottle of water each then refill it at the water fountains throughout the park. Water can be bought more cheaply from supermarkets before you go into the park.

Subways sell great, healthly and importantly filling sandwiches for about $7. We used them for tea loads of times.

 

[Netty]

also the supermarkets, like walmart winn dixies have made up subs, and sandwiches and also we found packed lunches made up in winns consisting of a bap with a choice of fillings,a drink, massive chocolate cookie and a bag of crisps for around $4.99.

 

[wicket2005]

Didn't know about the packed lunches, they sound good. Thanks.

 

[melybabymely]

thanks guys,

we can squeeze our budget up to about 1500 dollars now. Surely that should be okay. How can we fill out 7 full days with the 5 park flexi ticket (Busch Gardens will be done on our second week in St Petes) so 4 parks in 7 days.
Univeral
IOA
WetnWild
Seaworld

We will have breakfasts in denny's or a cheaper alternative.
Lunch will be at the parks, but not full sit down meals, more like sandwiches, rolls, subways etc that kind of thing, or salads.

We are planning to enter park from start and leaving upon closing.
Dinner again could be on international drive, cheap alternatives....

Our second week in st petes will be just lying on the beach, we will take the suncoast trolley to other beach locations. Will also go to the pier also. Is this walking distance from Tradewinds Sandpiper. If not, any prices on taxis... or buses etc.

We wont be big on buying souvenirs, but DB will be buying Marvel comics and yes yes yes he is very big into Yugioh, so it will be card buying for him.

Most of our spending will be done in New York. Since we will only be spending 3 nights there we wont have alot of time spending.
We are arranging a photo trek tour that will take 4 hours. This way we will get to see all of uptown, central & downtown manhattan with other little villages etc thrown in there, they cool thing with this is we get our photos taken at every site.
Im not a great shopper but can see us going into FAO Swartz, and also discounts places. Not sure what to expect from the big department stores. I know Macy's is around the block from our hotel but again not sure what to expect. I heard people coming back from America saying they bought lots of designer jeans for only 10 dollars etc, but when i search online for the malls and shops etc i get prices of up to 200 dollars etc.

Hopefully i can still have a good time no matter what.

 

[Soprano]

thanks guys,

we can squeeze our budget up to about 1500 dollars now. Surely that should be okay.
3 Days in Disney (1 day Epcot, 1 day MGM, 1 day am AK & pm MK)
1 Day Univeral
1 Day IOA
1 Day WetnWild
1 Day Seaworld
Are these ok?

We will have breakfasts in denny's or a cheaper alternative.
Lunch will be at the parks, but not full sit down meals, more like sandwiches, rolls, subways etc that kind of thing, or salads.

We are planning to enter park from start and leaving upon closing.
Dinner again could be on international drive, cheap alternatives....

Our second week in st petes will be just lying on the beach, we will take the suncoast trolley to other beach locations. Will also go to the pier also. Is this walking distance from Tradewinds Sandpiper. If not, any prices on taxis... or buses etc.

We wont be big on buying souvenirs, but DB will be buying Marvel comics and yes yes yes he is very big into Yugioh, so it will be card buying for him.

Most of our spending will be done in New York. Since we will only be spending 3 nights there we wont have alot of time spending.
We are arranging a photo trek tour that will take 4 hours. This way we will get to see all of uptown, central & downtown manhattan with other little villages etc thrown in there, they cool thing with this is we get our photos taken at every site.
Im not a great shopper but can see us going into FAO Swartz, and also discounts places. Not sure what to expect from the big department stores. I know Macy's is around the block from our hotel but again not sure what to expect. I heard people coming back from America saying they bought lots of designer jeans for only 10 dollars etc, but when i search online for the malls and shops etc i get prices of up to 200 dollars etc.

Hopefully i can still have a good time no matter what.

$1500 is still not much for 20 days which include NY, but its better than the original $1000.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Wet N Wild and go for another Disney day. You won't be able to fit Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom in one day. AK and MGM in one day maybe. but I really think you may miss out on some great attractions by rushing it. I would think you need at least 4 days for the Disney parks, especially it being your first time

Maybe half day SeaWorld/half day WNW?

Ponderosa is cheap and cheerful buffet. You can stock up in the morning enough to last late afternoon. Food in the parks can be a little expensive. Most parks only have burger bars and type or more expensive restaurants. I really cannot remember any places to buy sandwiches or rolls. Perhaps you could have dinner at the Ponderosa every day as well. Like I say, cheap and cheerful.

Premium Outlet can be good for designer clothes, but never have found a pair of jeans for $10! I did get Adidas trainers for $10 once. There are plenty of goods your boyfriend will covet in Islands of Adventure. Not too badly priced. Some great Marvel gear! As for bargains in NY, I'm not too sure NY is cheaper compared to Europe, but still can be expensive.

There is no doubt you will have a great time. The place IS cheap, but you will find the money can go quickly if you are not careful!

 

[melybabymely]

hi there, i edited my post and changed that we wont do disney, but do 5 park flexi tickets instead.

We are not able to up our limit to 1800 dollars. what do you think???