Spending Money Question

[chrissyc]

Since this is our first time doing Universal I am trying to figure out how much money we will need. We are going for 6 days and staying on property. There are 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 kids, 9 and 11. Already purchased park tickets. Any of you have a set amount of money that you bring. Or maybe someone who has already been kept a tally of what they spent and could just give me an idea. I know everyone is different but I am still curious. Thanks!

 

[tlinus]

Since this is our first time doing Universal I am trying to figure out how much money we will need. We are going for 6 days and staying on property. There are 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 kids, 9 and 11. Already purchased park tickets. Any of you have a set amount of money that you bring. Or maybe someone who has already been kept a tally of what they spent and could just give me an idea. I know everyone is different but I am still curious. Thanks!

This may be different for everyone, however, each park day the kids each get 20.00 to spend (they save money/change/scratch off lottery tickets from me and DH all year in a container and we cash it in right before we go). They do not have to buy their meals with this money, just souveniers, a snack or whatever. They do really well with it and do not go over that. We provide their meal and drink refills for them (aren't we wonderful parents ) We stay club level at the HRH so that takes care of their breakfast and dinner. We eat lunch at the parks which can run from 20 for all of us to 125 for all of us - just depends where/what we eat.

Between DH and myself, we may spend $50 a day on ourselves. Maybe less sometimes. We save the souvenier purchases until the last day - then all bets are off

I would say @70 or so a day would be good for spending money and add 40-50 for a good mid day meal. That may seem like alot - but there are days where a hot dog will do for lunch. So it all kind of evens out as we spend less on days like that.

Have I totally confused you yet?

Hope this helps you out.

 

[ky07]

This may be different for everyone, however, each park day the kids each get 20.00 to spend (they save money/change/scratch off lottery tickets from me and DH all year in a container and we cash it in right before we go). They do not have to buy their meals with this money, just souveniers, a snack or whatever. They do really well with it and do not go over that. We provide their meal and drink refills for them (aren't we wonderful parents ) We stay club level at the HRH so that takes care of their breakfast and dinner. We eat lunch at the parks which can run from 20 for all of us to 125 for all of us - just depends where/what we eat.

Between DH and myself, we may spend $50 a day on ourselves. Maybe less sometimes. We save the souvenier purchases until the last day - then all bets are off

I would say @70 or so a day would be good for spending money and add 40-50 for a good mid day meal. That may seem like alot - but there are days where a hot dog will do for lunch. So it all kind of evens out as we spend less on days like that.

Have I totally confused you yet?

Hope this helps you out.

Thats about what we do and there are 4 of us we figure about $150.00 a day for food and usually take anywhere from $500 to $1000 for spending money

 

[chrissyc]

Wow Thanks! That sounds great to me! What do you mean by club level so you don't worry about breakfast or dinner? What am I missing. We are staying at the Portofino so is that something I might be able to do?

 

[tlinus]

Wow Thanks! That sounds great to me! What do you mean by club level so you don't worry about breakfast or dinner? What am I missing. We are staying at the Portofino so is that something I might be able to do?

Portifino has the club level as well. It is a continental breakfast (cereals, bagels, fruit) not too sure what else they have as we stay at the Hard Rock. At dinner time they have appetizers which are plentiful enough to make a light dinner out of (not to mention free beer and wine 5-7). Free water bottles, soda, coffe, tea all day long - some sort of light snack in the afternoon (pretzels, fruit) and at 9ish they have desserts.....build your own sundae night, brownies/blondies night, cookies

You may want to call and see how much of a difference in price you get.

Any other ?? I am happy to help!!

 

[TCWEST09]

Since this is our first time doing Universal I am trying to figure out how much money we will need. We are going for 6 days and staying on property. There are 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 kids, 9 and 11. Already purchased park tickets. Any of you have a set amount of money that you bring. Or maybe someone who has already been kept a tally of what they spent and could just give me an idea. I know everyone is different but I am still curious. Thanks!

To save money you may want to get the meal plan that is good for the entire day. It is about $20.00 a day per person, but it will save you alot of money.

 

[donaldduck352]

To save money you may want to get the meal plan that is good for the entire day. It is about $20.00 a day per person, but it will save you alot of money.

You have to ask yourselves how much do you really eat on this 1 too get your moneys worth?
Most of your choices are counter services(with exception of Monsters Cafe' which has really good Rottis chicken).
But you do get to upgrade to CW dinner for a another 6 bucks(but again limited selection)Just checkout the US website @ this might be your best deal.

 

[macraven]

i'm the last person to ask on how much to take for spending.

each year i buy more and more pins at universal and the hard rock cafe.


don't faint.
last year i dropped 500$ on pins.



but, its my only true love for souvies.


you don't want to hear how much pizza i eat during hhn evenings.

 

[Akdar]

I'm with Mac, I am the 2nd to last worst person to ask

I put as much as I can on my debit card, less cash to carry.

We spent a lot on food at HHN as well.

It seems as if you got good advice, except from Mac and I!

 

[macraven]

I'm with Mac, I am the 2nd to last worst person to ask

I put as much as I can on my debit card, less cash to carry.

We spent a lot on food at HHN as well.

It seems as if you got good advice, except from Mac and I!

yup, we do enjoy ourselves at the darkside..



seriously, if you want an idea of money per day, you can figure out a budget.


go to the menu boards on debs website or the UK website.
they are up to date for the most part.
you can see what each restuarant has on the menu and the charge.
also, it will be a guide on knowing in advance what food your kids will eat.

if you do the meal deal, do it for one park as it is cheaper.
for the studios i think it is mels, louies, monster cafe. international film and festival was on the list last year and a good place to use.
you need to check the universalorando.com site for which cs places are participating. with the meal deal, the counter service places open at 11 each day for lunch. they all close 30 minute before the park closes.

you have a band to wear to verify you purchased the meal deal.
you can go back for seconds as much as you want. just have to go to the end of the ordering line and wait your turn.

the beverages are not included in the meal deal.

one thing many are not aware of:
buy any mug at universal or ioa and you can get refills at a cheaper price.

i do that and use my AAA card to get the 10% discount off the refill charge.
i think i pay about 1.22 $ for it.
and, the mugs are valid as long as you own them.
no questions asked.

i take mine every year with me to the parks.


you can buy script money at guest services.

the universal money can be used anywhere in the park.
if you don't spend it all, you can get it changed back to real money before you leave the park.

the meal deal is great if you like the foods the places serve.
check out the menus and places that are in the program.

i like it for the studios side.
i never get tired of pizza


but, i only do it for one day out of the 5 i am there.
i don't want pizza and burgers everyday........