Spending $ Question

[dsnycrzy]

I'm trying to budget out my money in envelopes and wasn't sure how much I would need for a party of 12?
3 adults, 3 babies and the remainder ages 7- 12.
Also can I bring in my back pack cooler? We will be using it at DW and Universal.

thanks

 

[prncess674]

are you only asking abot souvenir money or are you also trying to budget out food?

A small soft sided cooler should not be a problem. but a big wheeled ice chest is not acceptable. Also don't pack more than you can comfortably carry ALL DAY!

 

[stonesix]

we have 6 in our family, tickets and accomadations were paid for in advance my children each had saved 100 in spending money which was more than enough for them. we did all disney parks, both universal parks and sea world, we packed a cooler each day with water, some juice boxes and some snacks(fruit snacks, granola bars and small bags of chips) we ate all our lunches out, most dinners out, one charachter breakfast we did one dinner show also, we spent a total of $1900 for 12 days, which included us buying a few souviners for each of our 4 children all in all it avereged about 150 a day I want to add that we have never been to Disney and may have splurged a little ,we probably could have done it for 1500. But I tell you it was worth every penny we loved every minute of it! Charlene

 

[LoriZH]

We have 6 in our family too (me, dh, dd, twin sons & niece) we find that what stonesix suggested really does work. you are still going to spend a lot of money on food no matter how you slice it, but packing snacks and juice boxes DEFINITELY cuts down on the cost. Also remember, the babies are not going to cost you on food. If you are trying to budget souveniers, I would just give each of the kids a fixed amount to spend on whatever they want and when it's gone, it's gone. You will see how well a 10 year old can BUDGET when it's their money they are spending! lol

You really need to be more specific on what you are trying to budget in order for us to help you better.

 

[dsnycrzy]

Thanks everyone,
But what I am trying to do isthis for example:
MK $100
AK $100
MGM $100
Epcot $100
US/IOA $250 (b/c I've never been here)
DD $150
Trail's Ends $115
Rainforest Cafe $125
IHOP dinner 2 nights $200
BB $ ?

This is where I need help. I have never been there. I don't know if there are shops in there that have some tempting souvinors. We I not be able to pack my sandwiches and snacks causing me to have to buy food there (which I really don't want to do)? And if so what do they sell at the food stands and what is the price range?

Thanks again

 

[prncess674]

Assuming you are eating 2 meals a day in the park (even just counter service) and buying souvenirs, I think you are going to have a hard time feeding 3 adults and 6 children for $100 a day plus buy souvenirs. You can save money by bringing in water and juice but don't forget that you will probably still need to buy a few snacks in the parks such as Mickey Bars.

 

[prncess674]

USO/IOA counter service food prices are comparable to Disney. A typical combo adult meal will run you $8 - $10.

 

[prncess674]

To check out specific menus in Disney World go to this site to get a better feel for the costs involved.

http://www.wdwig.com/menu/menus.htm

 

[dsnycrzy]

Thanks everyone again,
But I guess I must clarify again.
With the cooler That I got from JCPenny's, I will be packing 2 capri sun's or whatever for each kid, 2 sodas for each adult,1 water bottle for each, 2 very hefty sandwiches for everyone or the squeeze PB&J things with a loaf or 2 of bread and then snacks, like crackers, cookies, fruit oe whatever. We will eat breakfast at our hotel in the morning b/c it's free.
The $100 a park day is just for pluses like my turkey leg or dole whip.
So with that said...
1. Is the procedure the same going into BB as with any other park regarding my cooler bag? People here have posted they used then at WDW with no problem
2. If not, then are the counter serves meals at BB $8- 10 per person?

I have been to WDW many of time with my 2 kids and did it with $50-75 a park day and did fine, but with me taking a whole new family with me, I needed to find out things I'd usaually just go with the flow with, like sticking $50 in the envelope and being done. I have never used the cooler thing before but in order for everyone to go, I had to slim our cost down tremendously (sp).

so thanks again and I hope I've made it a little clearer now sorry I didn't in the 1st place.

 

[prncess674]

I am assuming you will have a car at WDW. Since you will have a car I would suggest packing a picnic lunch and leaving it in the car. Toting around 24 sandwiches and 24 drinks is alot of weight, not including ice to keep it cool.

My suggestion would be to bring in maybe 1 drink for every 2 persons to lighten your park load. Go out to the car and have your big picnic lunch tailgate style. Reload your bag with afternoon drinks and enjoy the rest of the day.

 

[Lewisc]

Coolers and outside food are not (technically) permitted. Smaller coolers and bags are allowed to slide but it sounds like you may be going over the limit. Be prepared to have to put your cooler back in the car. If you're lucky and get through spend the $ for a locker.

Actually you have it backwards. Coolers ARE permitted in the water parks (BB and TL).

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with the other posters that you probably won't be able to get in the parks with all of the food you've mentioned -- post-9/11 all of the parks are doing a pretty thorough search of each bag and while they'll let you in with some drinks and snacks, you'll probably be forced to leave lunch in the car. That said, going back to the car for lunch might be your best option.

Counter service meals tend to run about $8-10 per adult and around $4-5 per child. You could also split portions and order children's meals for adults who don't eat as much.

Also, take in some of your own snacks. Give each child a baggy with a few treats in the morning to take with them all day long.

As far as discretionary spending, I would break it out on a per person/per day basis and let the kids have lots of say on how their portion is spent. Say "Okay, kids you each get $10 (0r $5?) per day to spend however you want. If you spend it all on snacks and then want a toy, you're out of luck!" Also, I'd let them carry-over the leftover money -- if a child spent $5 on Day 1, they'd have $15 on Day 2. Plus, if the child is older and able to handle money, I'd give them the money to hold all day long -- but I'd let them know that it's their responsibility and that I won't replace the money if they lose it.

With my family, we generally hold off buying souvenirs until the end of the trip and don't go in the stores unless we plan on buying something -- cuts down on the "I wannas".

Also, if you've got some time before the trip, let the kids know that they might want to do something to earn some spending money -- mow the neighbors yard? recycle some cans?...

Best of Luck,

Teresa

 

[sln88]

Instead of trying to pack all that stuff in a cooler, why not split it up? Let the kids pack their sandwiches and juice in a fanny pack or small back pack. If you have access to a kitchen, you can freeze the stuff before you go and it will be cool while you are at the parks.

We spent very little at the parks last year. I am not into all the souvenir, and we just bought a few snacks to try. Ate breakfast in the room and did fast food for dinner.

Last year we did not have problems bringing food into Disney- we had sandwiches, fruit, juice, snacks. Universal had it clearly posted that carryins were not allowed and they did look in our backpack, so I did not take much in there(just some pocket candy).

 

[MrsPete]

About food: I don't want to carry anything larger than a fanny pack inside the parks, so I would plan on small snacks like bags of peanuts or granola bars. No need for bottled water -- there are water fountains every 20 feet.

About kids' souvenier money: I do what most people here do -- the kids save their money ahead of time, and they're responsible for it. When it's gone, it's gone. BUT I worried about them losing it, so I handled it with "Mom's credit account." Each child knew how much money she had, and I wrote it on a card. Every time they wanted something, I deducted it from her amount, and I let her see her new total. That way I knew that the money wouldn't be lost, and the children still understood the concept of "this is it."