whats the little things you need to budget for?

[newholiday]

not talking resort, airfare, food, etc

but things like photos, pins, presents, ?
what else?

 

[GEM]

tips

film and film developing (if you use a regular camera)

airport parking

snacks and drinks (separate from meals))

extra recreation expenses (like mini golf, boat and bike rentals, etc.)

 

[DiznEeyore]

I always budget $$ for the photos they take when you enter the parks or on some of the rides -- I usually buy 2 or 3 per trip.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Things you forgot to bring: ? sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella, ponchos, hairgel, tampons, sweatshirt (all things I've had to buy).

 

[hockey mom]

Tolls, tipping, lockers, snacks and more snacks, ride pictures, pins, and anything cute that becomes a "must have"

 

[AMaloy314]

kennel or pet boarding fees

parking at parks

airport lot parking

tips for anyone who handles your bags (including shuttle drivers to off-site rental cars)

stroller rental

unexpected medical (allergies, scrapes, coughs, etc.)

 

[janskin]

Pins for my girls




Jan

 

[simonmunro]

Lots of tipping

Laundry (bring your own soap) & quarters?

 

[MissingMickey]

at least one CD - some choices: Four 4 a Dollar, Park Music, Off Kilter, Voices of Liberty, American Vybe, etc.

for me - feeding the dolphins at SeaWorld can really add up

at least one mickey bar and one popcorn - I also like ice cream on Main Street and chocolate covered strawberries at the Villain confectionary.

balloons and glow jewelry for kids

refillable mugs (always forget to add these to our spreadsheet)

 

[crisi]

For us, taxi's. We don't rent a car, but resort to resort transportation via bus takes forever! So we usually end up taking a few taxi rides.

Don't forget airport expenses. Parking, tips, FOOD and entertainment while you fly - I think the other two were covered, but we always end up eating at the airport and buying a book or coloring book or something.

Change for pressed penny machines (we don't, but others do) or arcades or the shootin gallery in Frontierland, etc.

Change for wishing wells. If my kids see change dropped in water somewhere, I'd better have two pennies in my pocket, or we will be dropping in quarters.

Maybe a night out at Pleasure Island - wouldn't put those Long Island Iced Teas as a food expense. And with kids, that means a kids club or childcare line item.

 

[Chicago526]

A lot of good answers above, I just wanted to add...

Tips. In fact, keep a wad of singles handy. Maids, valets, bell hops, bribes to keep the kids quiet...

"Anybody have room for desert?" I never remember to budget for deserts or special drinks.

"Oooohhh, look at that! I want one!" and remember, you may be saying this yourself, it's not just the kids that want to buy every thing they see in a store....or on a snack cart!

"oops, I forgot to pack..." You always forget something...well, I do, anyway.

...and money to buy an extra suitcase to carry home the 900 pounds of stuff you bought (or is that just me?).

...and money to pay the airline when your checked bags are over weight (me again?)

 

[threeboysmom]

For us, it's always snacks. I NEVER budget enough money for snacks. I'm always right on the money when it comes to our meal budget, but always always underestimate the $$ we spend each day on snacks for the 5 of us!

 

[HenDuck]

I often forget to bring reading material with me. Then I go to the newstand at the airport and buy magazines, gum, and whatever else looks good and worthless to me at the time.

I also usually buy a mocha at the airport to kick off the vacation.

 

[Trixiezzz]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
I always budget $$ for the photos they take when you enter the parks or on some of the rides -- I usually buy 2 or 3 per trip.

Can anyone tell me what the price is for these photos?
I don't know how much to plan for.

Thanks!

 

[captJack88]

Prescritption medication/medical problems! We were there in April and both my DD's came down with a case of pink eye. We took them to a propt care service near WDW with on onsite pharmacy, which took our insurance for the doctor visit, but would not honor my prescription plan. We were able to find on offsite Walgreens that did take it, but I know offsite isn't an option for everyone. Had we not found that Walgreens it would've been $75 for the anti-biotics, lucky for us it was only $2! Oh yeah, and Hair wraps...those dang things are EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[captJack88]

Prescription medication/medical problems! We were there in April and both my DD's came down with a case of pink eye. We took them to a prompt care service near WDW with on onsite pharmacy, which took our insurance for the doctor visit, but would not honor my prescription plan. We were able to find on offsite Walgreens that did take it, but I know offsite isn't an option for everyone. Had we not found that Walgreens it would've been $75 for the antibiotics, lucky for us it was only $2! Oh yeah, and Hair wraps...those dang things are EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!