How much $$ to take to Orlando?

Question

I will be going to Disney World next week, I have purchased the Dinning package. My question is how much money a day, would you suggest I take for extra snacks, tips, and a few knick knacks. I'm a very simple person and don't plan on doing anything fancy. It will be me and my daughter(6). Any reccomendations on Disney World would be great. like Must see and must do. My daughter is a huge Princess fan.

Answer 1

First off the Disney dining package is awesome and definitly the way to go. You don't have to tip your servers with the package because it's already included. Just be sure to try to call ahead to make reservations if theres any place you really want to eat at because they fill up this time of year very quickly, especially the character dining. There is a Princess character breakfast that I hear is relly cool but call in early to make reservations. My son who is the same age really liked character dinner at Goofy's Liberate your appetite over by the Haunted Mansion. They had Goofy, Minnie Mouse, Chip and Dale and Pluto and the food was good. Also we did Cinderellas royal table and that so worth using two sit downs for. It's in the castle and Cinderella is there to take pictures with the kids. The food is in my opinion the best in the Magic Kingdom. It was really a fun experience to sit in the castle and look out over the park.

I think I brought around $500 and ended up only spending $300 and it was mainly on souveiners. With the plan I find if you use it for lunch and dinner you almost have no cost for breakfast. What I usually did was buy a fruit and cheese tray and a couple bananas from the hotel or venders at the park. It was inexpensive and fairly filling. Then we would eat lunch around 10:30/11 am and beat the crowds. Then we would get our snack which you can get on the dining package around 2 and eat dinner around 5/5:30. It worked out well. Also remmber with your counter and sit meals you get a dessert included. Aloy of times I would get a desert and save it for a snack at a later time. You may want to try http://www.mousesavers.com/ and http://www.allearsnet.com/ as they have really good tips and information about where to go and what to do and also on tips to save money. Have a great time, I know you will!

Answer 2

I read that many people have snack credits left over by the time they check out after a week on the dining plan. You will probably pick up a few bottles of water along the way ($3 if you don't use a snack credit). On ride photos are $25, so only pick up really good ones that say something about what a good time you are having. The Bibbidy Bobbidi Boutique princess package at Downtown Disney is an expensive indulgence at over $200. If she wants to buy Disney pins to trade, buy a water bottle strap for $3(ask, they are usually hanging off of a beverage cart that sells bottled drinks, there are differnt designs for each park) instead of a lanyard for $12-$25. To budget, give your daughter a spending limit ($50?) and everytime she sees something she likes you can write it down in a little notebook along with the store/cart location and the price and near the end of the week she can decide what she really loves and you can go back and get it.
Read about character meals- don't miss those since you are on the dining plan! www.allearsnet.com.
I am guessing that $200+ is a good amount to have on hand for the week. Remember to tip your hotel maid!

Answer 3

You have to take her to the Disney Marketplace - near Downtown Disney - they have a place where they do make up and hair - and dress her up like a princess. It is called Bibbidi - Bobbidy - Boutique - or something like that. MY DAUGHTER LOVED IT!!! (You will need a reservation - call ahead). ALSO - make a reservation for breakfast, lunch in Cinderella's Castle - where she can meat some princesses and Cinderella! As for money - Disney has something to buy on every corner - I suggest checking your budget and giving your daughter so much to spend a day - otherwise she will want EVERYTHING - nothing bad against your daughter - but there is a lot to see and want.
Here is a link to the info on the Princess Thing - http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/shoppingDetail?id=BibbidiBobbidiBoutiquePage

Answer 4

Did you make priority seating arrangements for one of the Princess dining experiences (castle, Grand Floridian, etc). If not, call (407) W-DISNEY right now and make them. The princess ones fill up fast.

Your dining plan includes one counter service meal, one table service meal, and one snack every day. If you're on the dining plan, my suggestion would be $50 for each day you're going to be there. You'll find that most of what you eat and do there is already covered, but you'll want spending money to buy stuff, and perhaps do one or two things that your plan doesn't cover.

Remember that tips and gratuitites are already included in any meal that is on your dining plan! :)

Have a magical trip!

Answer 5

It's been a long time since I travelled to WDW with a young child, but the way we did it (inexpensively) was to be there when it opens, see the park (the front section) until about lunchtime. Then, get your hand stamped and go back to your hotel, swim, let everyone rest (nap?) until after the afternoon thundershowers are over (eat lunch and dinner at the hotel area). Then, go back to the park and close it down. When you get back to the park, go to "Main Street" and work your way to the back of the park. That way you'll be towards the back of the park when the parade starts, and while everyone else is packed in like sardines at the front of the Main Street area, you and your kids can ride on the rides time after time in a very short period of time (no lines). Just a suggestion...also, don't forget to pack a light poncho.....storms in Florida in the summertime are predictable (4PMish) and can be intense, but they are also very short, normally (30-45 minutes).

Answer 6

bring cash for small purchases and tips, probably around $300, but I advise to bring credit/debit cards because if you cash gets stolen or lost, it cannot be replaced whereas cards can be replaced. If you plan on doing alot of shopping/dining and if you still need to purchase park tickets, plan on spending around $600-$900, if you are a big spender. If you can cook at your hotel this saves bigtime money. Eating in parks gets very $$$ especially if you have kids. My husband and I go (No kids) and we barely spend $500 between the 2 of us because we only dine out a few times and we dont buy many things

Answer 7

While in disney, you will need at least 60.00, for the lunch, and stuff you buy in the stores. Be prepared to wait a long time for rides. It is also VERY hot and humid, so wear shorts and take hats and drink water!

Have fun!!!

Answer 8

As the first person said, I would budget about $100 a day (assuming your tickets and hotel are already paid for).
If you don't eat or spend that much than you'll be ahead but it's very hard to not eat or shop while on vacation.

Answer 9

Hey there! I know you said your a simple person, but, $500.00 would be the best way to go, if your going to Disney World, the stuff there are expensive and is the food and or snaks! No one is rich but, the way I look at it is, its better to have to much than not enough you just never know what you want to but or what you want to see or do!!! you always think you will have enough money till you get there, then you want to go CRAZY lol lol!! I know $500.00 seems steap and way too much but, it is better to be safe than sorry! But thats me!!

Answer 10

Umm.....I would say more than $25 and less than $100. Its not real cheap there... I'm also going in about a week! I wish you many happy wishes there! Its a great place there! I hope you and your daughter will have a magical stay!