How much should I bring?

[Alyssa]

My friends and I are going to WDW for our Grad. trip. How much money should we each bring with us to spend on food, souvenirs, etc. Our park tickets will be paid for already. Also we don't really plan to eat at many nicer places, Maybe just 2 or 3. We are also depending on Disney Transportation and stuff. Two of my friends will be paying for alot of it themselves and were wondering what there minimum amount should be?

[JuniorMickey]

I'd take a look at the menus of the places you plan on eating at. That will give you a good general idea of how much you'll spend on food

[Alyssa]

Thanks, I will do that once I know where we are going.

[d_dreamer]

how many days are you going? I'd say bring at least $100 for souveners. I'm not sure about food, I dont normally pay for it

[Alyssa]

I think we are going to be there for 7 day.

[d_dreamer]

yeah, i think $150 would be perfect for souvineers. Meals hmm, if you eat at the budget places, that are under $10 for meals, lets see 10x3=30x7=$210 for meals

[Alyssa]

My parents told me that they can give me $500 for my food/souvenirs, etc. Will this be enough for 7 days. I am always so afraid that I won't have enough money. If it is not enough I have to earn the rest, which is fine I just have to know how much I would need to earn.

[Josette]

500 dollars would probably be enough, just don't cary the whole bundle with you

[tajainaz]

Will your lodging be paid before you arrive?

Don't forget, it will be pretty warm when you're going, so you'll be drinking a lot of water (hopefully). If you buy bottled water in the parks, that adds up quickly!

Unless someone has a very hearty appetite and orders extra food, counter service typically runs about $10 including tax (give or take a dollar or so). Buffets are $25 to $30 (excluding alcohol), may need a bit extra for gratuities. Excluding the most expensive WDW restaurants, full service restaurants will run somewhere in the $25 to $50 range (excluding alcohol).

If you go to the top of this page, second column from the left, second item from the bottom of the column, you can click on Menus and get a better idea of pricing.

I usually budget $35 per day for food, but I purchase bottled water, breakfast (bread rolls and fresh fruit) and snacks (crackers & baby carrots) off site at the grocery store, which helps keep costs down. I generally eat one "good" meal on alternate days, and graze the remainder of the time. My biggest expense tends to be bottled water in the parks, although I take a pre-purchased bottle into the parks each morning. In December, 2004, bottled water at the parks and in the resort food courts was $2.00 per 24 oz. bottle. Since my trip in August, 2003, bottle have changed in size each trip from 16.9 oz. to 20 oz (at $2.50 per bottle), and finally 24 oz at $2.00 per bottle. Not sure what size they'll be while you're there! :unsure:

It's probably safer to budget about $50 per day for food for each person. I'm sure you'll find uses for any extra! :whistle:

If you're able to earn some extra money before your trip, I would go for about $200. Just to give yourself a cushion if something should happen and your flight home is significantly delayed, etc.

I've also ultra-conservative when it comes to money and overly cautious about having adequate funds in emergencies! :rolleyes:

[Johnie]

If your doing mostly counter service eateries, then $500 should be plenty for a week.

Do you like to shop a lot? If so, you might want to earn a bit more before you go. They have lots of shiny things that call my name :rolleyes:

[Josette]

Are you flying down or driving, cause trust me, it's a LONG trip to drive from PA to Fla.

[Alyssa]

Thanks everyone, this is really very helpful! ANother question, are meal vouchers worth it. Both my sister and I ate off of one in May when we went so I figured my friend and I could do the same(4 people using 2 meal vouchers per meal). How much do they cost and where can I purschase them.

[tajainaz]

I believe the meal vouchers have been discontinued with the advent of the new dining plan for WDW resort guests.

That could be reinstated at some point in the future.

If you have two smaller appetites with similar tastes, you can always split meals at WDW, particularly counter service meals. Some people order an extra bun (there's a charge, but I don't know what it is) or side dish and drink (actual cost of the item) with a combo meal. Helps keep the cost down.

My friend, Leu, and I usually split counter service meals, as we graze throughout the day most of the time.

[twink]

can i come with some of you lot lol our last trip for 2 weeks without passes hotel or car hire we spent 4500 UK pounds and loved every second of it. We didnt do a vast amount of shopping either. Most was spent on my kids skateboard stuff

[Alyssa]

Thanks everyone! I booked under the Dream Maker packege so I can't get the dining packages. They sound like such a great deal to, In August we might get that.

[Johnie]

The meal vouchers are not being sold as of now. You might try to see if they have any on Ebay. Be warned that the mark up could be quite high.

[mondo1748]

Call me silly.....I looked into the meal vouchers along time ago when they first started and I couldn't see the benifit. Disney is there to make money so if you get a voucher to eat at Restur. "XYZ" it will cover the highest cost on the menu....Even if you eat only an item 1/2 the cost. Disney isn't going to give you more for nothing.....Maybe this program changed since the last time I looked into it...but thats what I saw then....and I think it has been stopped now to.

[Alyssa]

When I went in May we got some from going on a DVC tour. It included a meal, drink, side dish, and dessert. My sister and I shared everything and had stuff left over. I am not sure how much they cost, so I don't know ig it was a good deal or not. :shrug:

[Alyssa]

Are you flying down or driving, cause trust me, it's a LONG trip to drive from PA to Fla.

We are taking the train, which takes about 20 hrs.I have driven b4, in May from the Lehigh Valley and it didn't seem long at all. We made great time- 15 hrs. to get there. I wish my parents would let us drive, its so much cheaper!

[Johnie]

Call me silly.....I looked into the meal vouchers along time ago when they first started and I couldn't see the benifit. Disney is there to make money so if you get a voucher to eat at Restur. "XYZ" it will cover the highest cost on the menu....Even if you eat only an item 1/2 the cost. Disney isn't going to give you more for nothing.....Maybe this program changed since the last time I looked into it...but thats what I saw then....and I think it has been stopped now to.

The vouchers have been stopped for now. Who knows if they will be brought back.

You obviously didn't do your homework about them because they ARE a tremendous savings at several restaurants.

[Huntermom]

When my kids went with school trips I gave them about $300. for a week but they had meal vouchers for about half thier meals-they came back with money.

Your friends can save money by eating kids meals or splitting meals. We have never finished a counter service adult meal and end up throwing a lot away so we might get one full meal and an extra side. You can also buy larger drinks-there not much more than smalls- and split them.

Also plan your nicer meals for lunch-it's less expensive. Also you can split an entree.

[Alyssa]

Thanks, thats great advice. We want to do the Fantasmic Dinner Package, but other than that I'll make any other PS's for breakfast or lunch.