Spending money for a first-timer?

[on stranger tides]

Hello all,
I figured since I got such helpful advice about DHS during Star Wars weekends last time, I would ask you all about spending money during a trip.

My boyfriend and I are going May 20-25, so close! It will be his first time at WDW and we are both wondering how much money he should set aside for souvenirs and food and that sort. I know he wants mouse ears and probably a few more cliched Disney things (obviously), but nothing too outrageous or insanely expensive. I've been there three times before so I know the range I'm looking at.

However, I have a credit card that I can always use if I run out of cash or money on my debit card. He doesn't have this luxury, just cash and whatever he can put on his debit. My income is a bit more...stable let's say (he gets paid biweekly and has to deduct phone bills and stuff from every paycheck, my parents cover mine, and I get a weekly check), so we're both wondering what would be a good range of money for him to have during the week.

We are not on the dining plan, but my mother will probably take us out to eat a handful of times, so we're looking at a handful of meals in the parks, snacks, some late night food at the Waffle House near our hotel, and souvenirs. Originally he was thinking $100 would cover it but I told him he was crazy. I'm thinking more in the $200-$300 range. Any opinions?

 

[disneymegs]

I'd say around $300 would be good. You never know what you might find or need it for!

 

[tony609]

Hello all,
I figured since I got such helpful advice about DHS during Star Wars weekends last time, I would ask you all about spending money during a trip.

My boyfriend and I are going May 20-25, so close! It will be his first time at WDW and we are both wondering how much money he should set aside for souvenirs and food and that sort. I know he wants mouse ears and probably a few more cliched Disney things (obviously), but nothing too outrageous or insanely expensive. I've been there three times before so I know the range I'm looking at.

However, I have a credit card that I can always use if I run out of cash or money on my debit card. He doesn't have this luxury, just cash and whatever he can put on his debit. My income is a bit more...stable let's say (he gets paid biweekly and has to deduct phone bills and stuff from every paycheck, my parents cover mine, and I get a weekly check), so we're both wondering what would be a good range of money for him to have during the week.

We are not on the dining plan, but my mother will probably take us out to eat a handful of times, so we're looking at a handful of meals in the parks, snacks, some late night food at the Waffle House near our hotel, and souvenirs. Originally he was thinking $100 would cover it but I told him he was crazy. I'm thinking more in the $200-$300 range. Any opinions?

I will assume hotel/park entry is already paid and covered......

I also OVER BUDGET with my prices....but probably pretty close

The average counter service/quick service meal at the park will run about $9-$13 (guesing, I cannot remember exactly-prob closer to $13.00). Even Waffle house is about the same I would guess, plus there you need to tip. Counter service no need to tip.

Snacks from a bottle of water to popcorn about $3.00-$8 depending on how elaborate the snack.

Mickey ears I believe are about $15 plus the tax
Key chains $6,T-shirts $30-$40 depending on style design, i think larger sizes also cost a bit more, lke the 2xxl-4xxl sizes)

If it were me I would plan on two oop (out of pocket) meals a day at $15.00 each so that is $180.00. If your Mom picks up a few then it will be less..BUT one should always assume your buying your own... LOL.

Shopping-ears,misc Disney stuff like mentioned...$80 on the low end..$125 on the high end. If you can you can shop Walmart etc around orlando and find great deals on FLorida shirts with the characters on them..they probably won't say Walt Disney World BUT you can find Mickey etc...

I know it sounds lame BUT, again if I were him I would do the ears,maybe a shirt and maybe an autograph book (bought at the parks first thing). Character pics and WDW pics in general are the best FREE souvie one can get, i assume he has a digital camera. Character moments can really add PIXIE dust to your trip regardless of age.

So $180 for counter/quick service meals
$125 for souvies (can be MUCH lower)
Total $305....to be safe I would aim for $350.00 BUT thats me.

HAVE A GREAT AND MAGICAL TIME!!!!!

 

[on stranger tides]

I will assume hotel/park entry is already paid and covered......

I also OVER BUDGET with my prices....but probably pretty close

The average counter service/quick service meal at the park will run about $9-$13 (guesing, I cannot remember exactly-prob closer to $13.00). Even Waffle house is about the same I would guess, plus there you need to tip. Counter service no need to tip.

Snacks from a bottle of water to popcorn about $3.00-$8 depending on how elaborate the snack.

Mickey ears I believe are about $15 plus the tax
Key chains $6,T-shirts $30-$40 depending on style design, i think larger sizes also cost a bit more, lke the 2xxl-4xxl sizes)

If it were me I would plan on two oop (out of pocket) meals a day at $15.00 each so that is $180.00. If your Mom picks up a few then it will be less..BUT one should always assume your buying your own... LOL.

Shopping-ears,misc Disney stuff like mentioned...$80 on the low end..$125 on the high end. If you can you can shop Walmart etc around orlando and find great deals on FLorida shirts with the characters on them..they probably won't say Walt Disney World BUT you can find Mickey etc...

I know it sounds lame BUT, again if I were him I would do the ears,maybe a shirt and maybe an autograph book (bought at the parks first thing). Character pics and WDW pics in general are the best FREE souvie one can get, i assume he has a digital camera. Character moments can really add PIXIE dust to your trip regardless of age.

So $180 for counter/quick service meals
$125 for souvies (can be MUCH lower)
Total $305....to be safe I would aim for $350.00 BUT thats me.

HAVE A GREAT AND MAGICAL TIME!!!!!

Thanks! Yup, all other trip expenses are covered, we're both paying for airfare and park passes (and he will be paying my mom back for that in the summer so we don't have to worry about it now)

I'll definitely keep the meal price you quoted as realistic. The souvenir one might be around the range we're looking at as well. I know I spent a ton of money last time, probably around $300 so that makes sense. I'll be sure to equip him well. Thanks again!

 

[Kona65]

Hello all,
I figured since I got such helpful advice about DHS during Star Wars weekends last time, I would ask you all about spending money during a trip.

My boyfriend and I are going May 20-25, so close! It will be his first time at WDW and we are both wondering how much money he should set aside for souvenirs and food and that sort. I know he wants mouse ears and probably a few more cliched Disney things (obviously), but nothing too outrageous or insanely expensive. I've been there three times before so I know the range I'm looking at.

However, I have a credit card that I can always use if I run out of cash or money on my debit card. He doesn't have this luxury, just cash and whatever he can put on his debit. My income is a bit more...stable let's say (he gets paid biweekly and has to deduct phone bills and stuff from every paycheck, my parents cover mine, and I get a weekly check), so we're both wondering what would be a good range of money for him to have during the week.

We are not on the dining plan, but my mother will probably take us out to eat a handful of times, so we're looking at a handful of meals in the parks, snacks, some late night food at the Waffle House near our hotel, and souvenirs. Originally he was thinking $100 would cover it but I told him he was crazy. I'm thinking more in the $200-$300 range. Any opinions?

For food, walk up: budget between $10 and $12 each per meal, for snacks about $5 each,and for set down dinners, about $40 to $50 each. Souvenirs just depends on what you want.

 

[nooneshome]

When going to Disney put all the clothes you plan to pack and all the money you plan to bring on your bed. Next, only pack half the clothes and take twice the money!!

I saw this once on the DIS.

 

[dskib]

I'd agree with the $300-$350 range. I'd also make sure that he really considers the souvenirs. Mickey ears are cute, but he'll likely never wear them. Shirts, shorts, mugs, pens, watches - those kinds of things get used all the time. I don't even know where my Mickey ears are.

 

[on stranger tides]

I'd agree with the $300-$350 range. I'd also make sure that he really considers the souvenirs. Mickey ears are cute, but he'll likely never wear them. Shirts, shorts, mugs, pens, watches - those kinds of things get used all the time. I don't even know where my Mickey ears are.

Sounds good to me. I have my Mickey ears on top of my dresser in my room, and like I said it's his first time so I guess he wants to embrace his inner six year old or something So he definitely wants a pair of those, and who knows what else.