How much cash should we take?

Question

Vacation time for us is a month away ... how much spending money should we take on our trip to Florida... we will be there a week. We are Canadians.

Our vacation package includes lodging, flights and rental car..... we just need to know how much spending money for tips, food and a few t-shirts.
how much is gas down there?

Answer 1

Personally I would just go to bank machines and withdraw cash from your account (Intera/Plus...) when you get there.
It will dispense in US$ and do the conversion at the going rate but hit you a couple bucks for a service charge.
Still I think it's better to pay a few bucks in service charge than to carry a big wad of cash that you could lose.

Answer 2

Gas right now is near $3 per gallon. You can do most everything with a credit card so in principle you don't need much cash. BUT, Orlando is very expensive!!! The major highways in Orlando are all toll roads and they want cash. Be sure you have American change when you leave the airport. Also, be warned that money exchange in the US is much harder to to than in Canada. You may be OK at the airport, but most banks will not be able to exchange money for you. To give you an idea, a seafood buffet in the evening is around $30 each. Attractions are also very expensive. Be careful, because there are a lot of places that sell cheap tickets that are tied to a timeshare condo presentation. These things are very high pressure presentations so be sure you know what you are getting into. I own timeshare in Quebec. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

To answer that a few things to keep in mind if you already secured your park tickets. I would suggest about $500.00 cash $5.00 & $1.00 bills for tips small items. The rest either in travvelers checks in the amount of $1500.00 each. So that works out to about $2000.00 each for your trip if you play it smart you'll come home with change.

Your used to high gas prices so when you rent a car keep the size in mind. The major amusement parks are not that far away from each other and resteraunt chains are not that far away either.

I would realy suggets you get online to the DW and Universal websights if you have not already purchaced your park tickets and see what deals they are offering. Also, check with a DW travel planning consultant either online or their toll free number, they really go the extra mile to help you out.

Just keep in mind that all though it is not a cheap vacation, DW and Universal realy have something for everyone, if your like most (me included) you'll appreciate more after you leave, when everything has chance to sink in.

Oh' to save a buck, eat your major meals outside the parks. You'll save some money there!

Answer 4

if you are traveling for the purpose of going to disney, i would highly suggest you use credit cards instead of carrying cash. if you don't have or use credit cards, i would check into united states traveler's checks or some type of prepaid credit card. it's not really wise to carry cash. you can lose it or be robbed. credit cards and traveler's checks can be replaced almost immediately. also, if you are doing a disney package, i would highly suggest you do the "magic your way with dining" plan. we just came back from there and kept a detailed account of what we would have spent and just for our family of four (two daughters ages 4 and 6) we saved almost U. S. $500.00.
whether going to disney or not, orlando is EXPENSIVE. i would carry your snacks (chips, cookies, trail mix, etc) and bring soda cans and bottles and/or bottled water that you can REFILL so you don't have to keep buying drinks. that is what will be the most expensive, junk food and drinks. it's still hot out and you will need plenty of drinks so try to definately use those refillable water bottles. gas is anywhere from U. S. 2.95 to 3.25 from what we've seen.
take the number of miles you will be driving both ways and divide how many miles per gallon your car gets. take that answer and multiply it by at least 3.00 per gallon and that will tell you how much money you will spend. always figure higher so you don't short yourself. you will be charged surcharges at ATM's so if you plan to use them, don't just withdraw out say $100, withdraw the maximum amount you can which is usually $300.00 per day. otherwise, you will have to withdraw $100.00 three times instead of just $300.00 once. it will save you some money.
just be cautious and try not to carry cash. carry a list of your medications whether prescribed or not and their dosages in the event of sickness/accident. i have AAA, there is a canadian version of that and i would highly suggest you get it if you don't have it because it gives discounts on car repair and includes free towing for the car in the event of a break down. carry more medication than you need in case you a held up for some reason. take a first aid kit. if you scratch your knee or trip you should bandage up and at convenience stores, it will cost you a fortune just for a band aid. carry extra blankets in the car in case of an accident. take tylenol/advil, immodium AD, and pepto bismol, just in case. you will be traveling a very far distance, your tires should be rotated before you leave and get an oil change and carry at least a gallon of oil, antifreeze, and a bottle of water in case the car overheats. as well as jumper cables.
have a great trip!!!

Answer 5

A hotel should average $100 American Dollars a day.

Disney World is about $65 per person (I assume your going there) - plus you'll need another $50 per person on food and stuff. Car rental about $75 a day, then other things.

Answer 6

I just got back from WDW on Saturday and the gas prices were $2.97 a gallon, about the same price it is on the entire East coast, I assume. Gas prices were the same in New Hampshire, where I'm from. You'll definitely need a couple thousand dollars for everything.

Answer 7

figure $100 a person a day for food (it can be pricey) and what you're wiling to spend on souveniers (i usually take $200 for whatever i want to buy when i go on vacation). then factor in any gifts you'll want to get for anyone. have a list of those people and how much you're willing to spend on each. gas, i would estamate $3.50 a gallon, just to be safe. depending on how much you're driving and WHAT you're driving, $100 for gas for a week would seem reasonable (a little more for SUV)

Answer 8

Depends on where you plan on staying and what you plan on doing while there. Basically I always figure on $400.00 to $500.00 per day. This usually covers our meals, lodging, activities and unknown events that come up. But some lodging can run as much as $200.00 per night.

Answer 9

Gas is about 3.oo per gallon and I would say for a weeks stay , depending on what you are going to be doing I would allow at least 200.00 dollars per day.

Answer 10

A couple of hundred. Then rely on Credit Cards and ATM machines, or even Travelers Checks.