Spending Money?

[Erin13178]

We will be at Disney for 5 days, how much money do I take?

Yes I know this is very subjective to how much each person wants to spend, but I need help since I'm not big on buying souveniers etc. But I know my dd4 will want stuff.

Now keep in mind I'm a single Mom doing it all on my own, we get no help from anyone, and I don't make tons of money. We are on the dining plan so food is covered. I'm also taking snacks and some Disney stuff to give her that I've bought from here to help hold her over so hopefully she won't want everything under the sun.

I'm hoping to take at least $300, and I've already saved over half of that.

Also we are going with my Mom and Step-Dad, and I know they will get my dd a few things, and help out a little with stuff.

Do you think $300 is enough, too much? Opinions please, or tell me how much you take and allow per day. Thanks!

 

[Pumbaa_]

There is this great little store in DTD where everything is $10 and under. Lots of little things that are inexpensive, but the kids love.

Also, many find that setting specific limits on shopping and planning a specific time cuts down on the 'wants' while in the parks.

IMHO, you can get by with $100 for souveneirs easily, especially since snacks are on the DDP.

Don't forget about Goofy's for snacks, you can get some yummy things to take home.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I think 300 is enough for souvies. I second Goofy's. We were there in Dec and my kids got many items that are covered on the dining plan as a snack credit.

 

[starbox]

We've never had trouble with the kids wanting stuff and in annual trips from age 2 to age 12 - we've never had a meltdown over wanting something.

Here's what we did:

1. Trading pins (starter lanyards) saved us when the kids were little because when they started to want something, we just re-directed them towards a cast member with a lanyard and encouraged them to do a trade. It seemed to satisfy the immediate desire for something new.

2. We let the kids get one small stuffed animal (10-15$ range) per trip when they were little. They knew they'd only get one - and agin, we steered them towards their favorite character.

3. One "special" thing. DD always got a princess dress when she was little. I still have them all and they still hang in her closet even though they're way too little now.

4. They got monogrammed Mickey Ears on their first trip.

You could do all that for under 200$


Other than that, we just stayed out of gift shops. We also avoided impulse buys - we'd say "Let's eat first, or ride something, or use the potty - and then we'll come back if you still want to." 9x out of ten they forgot what they wanted as soon as they were distracted.

Kids can't love or even process too much stuff at once - and our goal was always to keep it special.

 

[tina_la]

I spent $500 on souvies and snacks last year (and BBB and haircuts for 3 kids). Like I said that was for 3 children so I think $300 for one that would be fine.

 

[caroline1851]

DS6 will have about $100 or $150 (his own money that he's been saving, i'm not giving him any) for 7 days, dd2 will have..not sure...i'll just let her get a few things...i'm guessing no more than $75 but we'll see. I don't plan on buying souvenirs for dh or me. And even though we're on the ddp, i'm planning $100-150 for extra little food items, etc. $300..you should be fine. Give her a limit. When i was a kid, we got to pick out one thing to get and that was it. It made it pretty fun to have to searchand find the one thing i wanted more than anything.

 

[stopher1]

We're a family of 5, typically stay for 7 or 8 nights, and 7 of 8 trips to WDW we've been able to keep our souvenir / discretionary spending to $300 for the 5 of us (the one trip not under $300 got up to about $375). We usually spend $30 per person on whatever we'd individually enjoy, and then spend $100 on a new picture frame or two and scrap book supplies - and the other $50 is for OOP meals not included on the DDP (like McDonald's or a meal at the airport before flying home). Personally I believe $300 will definitely cover your time there.

 

[tripplanner]

I think $300 is plenty since your food is covered. We are a family of 4. We ususally get the kids each something that they want. Usually it's no more than $30 each. If we go to a night parade, we'll usually shell out the bucks for each of them to have a spinny light up toy. My husband also usually lets the kids pick out a new pin for their lanyards on some days. He generally ends up buying about $40 in new pins for each kid over the week. So all totalled, we end up spending about $200 total on extra stuff for all four of us.

 

[stsomewhere]

We allow our kids to purchase mouse ears. 1 t-shirt each and 1 christmas ornament.

Even thought, the dining plan is included. You may want to purchase something that is not included.

I think that $300 is fine.

 

[squirrel]

My sister is sending my niece with $200 so far. She has to use some of that money to buy something for her little sister and her grandparents.

I think we have already decided what the grandparents are getting this year-car toppers.

She's buying one dress. Maybe one or two charms to add to her necklace. Might do the My Little Pony.

She ends up with more spending money than I have.

It's easier if you can guess what she might want and then budget.

 

[Erin13178]

Thank you for all the responses.

I'm guessing that the $300 will cover me too, lol. I just totally forgot about myself, so we will just have to make do.

Since I'm already picking up some little things to give her at the hotel each morning, I'm hoping that will help hold her over. Last week at walmart I found a High School Musical mini backpack, which will be GREAT for in the parks for her, for $5 on sale. Woo hoo! And yes my almost 4 year old just loves Troy and Gabriella.

 

[Crisgw]

I think you'll be fine We're giving the boys b/w approx. $150 (maybe slightly more) for souvenirs and they are really excited about that

I'd say don't tell her how much you're taking and you may even come back with some!

 

[Blessed99]

My DD was 6 when we went in 2005, she saved Christmas and birthday money for a while before we went and ended up with about $360, since it was her money, she considered every purchase very carefully and came back with almost half her money!!

Kelly