What would you splurge on?

[Charon]

the tax gods have smiled on us this year- want to surprise the family with a splurge while there in June. Even though we go almost every year I am usually pretty frugal while we’re there. Suggestions? Food/experience/show. Any idea welcome but remember it’s a tax return, ,we didn’t win the lottery

 

[Bethany10]

room upgrade? additional park time? tickets to blue man group or other non universal outing?

Just depends on what your family would prefer. For us, the room overlooking the parking lot is fine if it means we have tickets to Volcano Bay. For others, that room with a view is everything. My family would turn their nose up at a nicer meal (though I wouldn't) but it's not worth the cost to us. Then again, not having to share a snack in the parks? priceless. Just depends on how your family flows.

 

[Sue M]

Where are you staying? If you aren’t booked at an onsite hotel I’d spend the money to do that. One of the 3 hotels that include Express Passes. In June it’s a good thing to have.
If you give some details of your plans it would be easier to give suggestions.

 

[imprint]

Splurge by taking a second trip to USO in the fall for Halloween Horror Nights

 

[Kit Jackson]

A list in no particular order:
stay at a hotel that includes express pass
increase souvenir budget

 

[ForMyBoys]

I'd give each kid a spending budget for snacks, memorabilia and what not.

Schedule a midday lunch at Mythos.

Spring for EP if not in a resort that include it.

Move to club level at your resort.

 

[Disxuni]

Since you state you're pretty frugal, I'm going to assume that means you usually don't stay on an on-site hotel room. If that is the case, I vote for an on-site hotel room which includes EP, especially due to it being the summer and the fact that you state you have a family. I do not know how many children you have, but staying at a resort with the bonus of EP really pays for itself, especially if you have more than one child, as unlimited EP (purchased via ticket) is $99 for both parks, for one park it's $89. So, even if you stay at a resort for $300-400 and you have a family of three, or four, it's as if you're paying for three unlimited EP and not the room itself. Which will be useful during June. Also, it's nice to be able to walk, take a bus, or get on the boat to get to the City Walk, or one of the theme parks.

However, if you plan on doing that anyway, tell yourself what are you normally the most frugal about? Is it souvenirs, food, drinks? Whatever it may be, do not think about the price. Let yourself, or others have that souvenir they're eyeing, or have that extra snack, or drink. Go to that restaurant your family always been curious about. Purchase a ticket to that experience you've always wanted to try, but didn't want to purchase an additional ticket for, whether it's Volcano Bay, or something else on the resort, or Orlando area.

Personally, to me I always like to stay on property, but when I have the moment to splurge and I do not stay on property, or don't have the ability to, I always do the things I want to do, or have the things I've wanted that I've always held back on.

 

[greg9x]

Being a stick in the mud I know.... but it's not magic money from the 'tax gods' (most likely, unless you are in that special low income with child credit zone, but you shouldn't be spending money on trips if in that zone). You overpaid your taxes and are getting back what you overpaid. If your normally 'frugal' why the sudden need to spend more ?

It IS your money to spend how you like.. but would look at it as you are spending more on your vacation out of your pocket, rather than free money that has to be spent. In other words, would you spend that much more if it didn't come back to you from tax return.

 

[Blue32]

Our splurges this trip are Blue Man Group and adding a day at Seaworld.