The new guy here just checking in

[Tatts4Life]

Hey everyone the name's Chris. A friend of mine who has been going to Disney parks forever pointed me to this site. August 2016 will be our first family trip to Disneyworld. I went once a long time ago when I was probably 10. But my wife and two girls have never gone. As soon as the vacation was officially book my wife has been going nuts looking at things to do. We have a great way we will surprise the kids about the vacation too. So far my only question about going to Disney world has to do with how much spending money to bring. I looked at the budget section and that didn't seem to cover my concerns. Anybody know what section I can go to to ask my question?

 

[magicaldisney]

Welcome to the DIS. Hopefully you have already created your MDE because that is the holder of EVERYTHING. As for budget, I can try to help. First how old are your children? Are you looking to figure out how much for food/dining? Extra activities? I'm assuming you already have a resort booked?

 

[Tatts4Life]

I've got a MDE set up.
As for the vacation here is the run down.
10 days at port Orleans with the park hopper deal and the memory maker. It will be my wife, two kids, and me. The kids will be 15 and 11, both girls. We're doing the deluxe plan for meals. As far as extra activities goes we don't have anything planned for now. I wanted to do surfing lessons because it was in a controlled environment but the price is a little much for four.

I was told by the friend who goes every year that you can order groceries to be delivered to your room. I don't think we have a fridge and I know there isn't a kitchen in the royal room we have booked. I guess what I'm wondering is what is a good amount for souvenirs and maybe extra snacks. Are there must get stuff for first timers who might not get to go back for awhile? I'm sure I have other questions about money, I just can't think of it right now.

 

[disneyfrombellaaa]

I would say around $400 depending on how many souvenirs and how expensive. Snacks also tend to cost a lot.

You can hook up your magic band to your credit card as well.

Wish you luck and I hope I helped!
disneyfrombellaaa

 

[magicaldisney]

We personally allow $500 for souvenirs and $50 per day for snacks, but don't you get snack credits with the dining plan? Some visits $50 per day for snacks is ok, others times it's not enough. In August it will be hot so take that into account. You'll probably want more drinks, ice creams, that sort of thing.

I haven't stayed at PO for a long time, before they even had "royal rooms", but I would think you would have a small fridge (college room size). I wouldn't order groceries. If you need/want anything you can get it at your resort's store. I just don't know if you will have enough room for a lot of groceries, plus you are on the dining plan so extra food will probably not be needed.

The ages of your girls means you won't be buying princess dresses and needing to try BBB so you will save on souvenirs in that respect. When my children were that age they were less interested in souvenirs and more interested in the food/snacks. It was and is me that needs the souvenirs more than anyone else in my family.

Extra activities are what you'll want to think about ahead of time if you want to budget for them. You are staying long enough that you might want to try a water park, horseback riding, miniature golf, movie or bowling at DTD, etc. I believe Disney Quest will be closed by then so wouldn't be an extra option.

 

[disneyfrombellaaa]

I stayed in Port Orleans last year and 2 years before thaat

 

[Tatts4Life]

OMG I would never do BBB. My wife was curious and looked up the price and it was way too much, plus they are too old. As far as money for souvenirs that's around what we were planning for all of us. I want my kids to be able to use the magic bands. My wife thought it would be better to just get gift cards and put the money on those.

I forgot about bowling. I'll have to put that on our list of stuff to do. I also saw that the remake of Peter dragon comes out while we are there. I'll have to see where they will be showing it there. I loved the original. I'm pretty sure they will be showing it down there since it is a Disney movie.

 

[disneyfrombellaaa]

For kids using their magic bands, you can allow/ "trust" them and they can charge their food or souvenirs by scanning the band. This definitely save you some valuable time.

If you would like to know additional information about Port Orleans or anything, let me know!
disneyfrombellaaa

 

[Tatts4Life]

I'm gonna try and convince my wife to let the kids experience the magic of getting a souvenir with the magic band. One thing that sucks about the magic bands that get mailed to you is you can't get the fancy ones like an Elsa band or Jack Skelington band mailed to you with your name on it or in the fancy box they mail the others in. I thought it would be cool to have those type of bands but you don't get the fancy box.

 

[Crusader10hky]

May I ask what your great way to surprise the kids is? I'm planning on just flying them down there and not saying a word. They're 5 and <1 so shouldn't be too difficult

 

[Tatts4Life]

So we wanted to say nothing to them until we got on the bus to the resort. BUT we quickly realized that we would have to get the kids involved with picking rides and places to eat ahead of time. Also I found the art of animation place which had suites so we could have our own room. My wife found the port Orleans resort that had an interactive royal room. At that point we realized we would have to figure out how to get their opinion. My wife told them we are only pricing out rooms but it might not happen. Of course once the kids get something in their head it's gonna happen no matter what life says. My youngest is horrible where she plays up this whole sinario where she is gonna do something and when it doesn't happen she gets upset. Of course did she even bother to tell us what she wanted to do? Nope.

Anyways back to what you asked. Even though our trip is in August we are gonna let them know on Christmas since we can make choices starting in February. We saw a video where Mickey can call your family on Christmas Day and give everybody the announcement. But after a bunch of looking I couldn't find anything and I think they don't do it any more. So my wife came up with an idea of having a huge box wrapped with generic wrapping paper. Then inside have two Mickey head balloons that will pop out with a note that obviously won't be needed saying we are going to Disney world. Also in the box will be some kind of Disney ornament for each of them along with an autograph book for each one. I'm not sure if we will have anything else in the box yet.

 

[peanut3697]

Not sure about the rest of you, but it's really exciting to hear about other people's planned excursion to Disney with their families. Even as an adult Disney World still brings out the kid in me every time I go!!