Vacation Budget ?????

[wasabi girl]

I'm planning a 2006 vacation for myself, my Mom and My DDs (college age in 2006). I'd like to know what is a reasonable budget for a weeklong trip (7 nights)? I'm taking my first trip in Dec 2005 and going on the gold plan. This is the easy way because practically everything is included.
But for the 2006 trip in the early autumn-early winter timespan...If we did one sit down meal in the evening and counter service lunch and bkfst just whatever (I'm not a morning person!!!). I know all of you guys are pros at this, I keep reading about "codes", what are they? How do you get them and how do they work? other than airfare, resort and ticket costs how much else do I need to figure in a budget? Can you tell that I've never done this before? But I am cheap so it sounds like a fun challenge to figure a way to take my Mom (who has Never stayed onsite...me neither actually) and have a great girls trip....Thanks in advance!

 

[Carrieberry]

Hi! This is how I figure money and it has never let me down!
$10 per adult for breakfast counter service ($20 for character meal breakfasts)
$15 per adult for lunch counter service
$25 per adult dinner ($30 for character or buffets/family style)

All of these prices include tax. At the counter service places it includes a meal plus a drink and tax. At the full service places it inlcudes tax and tip. If you are going to order an appitizer add $10, and if you will order a drink each then addr $10 per drink. This has always worked for us. I sit down and make my PS and figure how much I will spend, rounding up to the next $5 increment. Like I said, it has always worked for us! The expceptions will be restaurants that are pricier than normal like Coral Reff and of course Vistoria and Alberts. For those i would look at the menus and get a better idea of what everyting costs. www.allears.net under the dining section listed under menus.

 

[msudawgs30]

I agree with the previous post. We look at the menus for the places we plan to eat at and know about how much we'll be spending. I also allow about $100.00 per day for snacks and little souveniers that we might find along the way. This may seem like a big allowance but it accumulates FAST. I also use the envelope system. Take one envelope with your meal money inside and one with your snack/souvenier money inside. When you return to the hotel room that night any money left over rolls into tomorrows envelopes. You'd be suprised at what you might end up with at the end of the week. We plan to reward ourselves with a night at a hotel on the beach on the way home (if we behave and have enough left over). We pay for the hotel and tickets ahead of time so we don't have that to worry with. As far as any other expenses to budget in we allow about $20.00 per day for valet tips and such. The envelope system is the best way to go (I think) because you only spend what you have. There's no back up credit card or extra cash to tempt you.

Hope this helps some.

MSU_MOM

 

[Carrieberry]

Yes, we also do what msudawgs30 does. Have a daily budget anf whatever is left over rolls to the next day. It might seem wierd but I add up all the receipts before bed, keep them in my Passporter and then I know exactly how much rolls over. I also have something to compare to the room charges so there are no mistakes or suprises.