[scardeecat]

So I was just wondering if anyone could give me a guessamate of what I can expect to spend for 7 days at the parks. Just spending cash and meals. I know this can depend on many factors but I'm just looking for a ballpark figure. I have saved what I think I'll need but I want to see if I'm close.

This figure should be based on 2 adults and 1 child (5).

Thanks in advance for any information.

[WishUponAStar]

Well if this is any help, before the Disney Dining Plan my husband and I would spend $150.00/day on food at WDW. Keep in mind this was based on a LIGHT breakfast (piece of fruit, oj, maybe toast), a "quick service" lunch (about $10-$12/pp), and a moderate sit down dinner (anywhere from $50-$100 for 2 adults), and a small snack or water during the day. This is also without a 5 year old. I guess I would add on an additional $30 to that a day for the child? I don't children's meal are that expensive.

As far as spending money, that is TOTALLY subjective. Sometimes I go and don't buy a lot, this time I came back with a piece of art from the Dis. Gallery and a lot of "50th" merch. It depends how much you want to budget for your child's spending money. There are DEFINATELY souvenieres in ALL price ranges. They even have this new cute little store in the Disney Marketplace where everything is $10 and under.

[Caroline's Mom]

I would say between $100 and $130/ day. You could get away with less, but you would have to really plan. Good luck!

[Cavey]

2 Adult Counter Service meals + Drinks + 1 kids meal runs between $25-40!!!!!

You can figure a full service meal will run you at least $60.

If it's not too late to add the dining plan to your package, you should go for it.

[Kippage]

Really subjective here.

BF and I can easily get by on about $100/day, sometimes less. We're not big eaters during the day, so a light breakfast and snacks are fine. (I get majorly sick if I eat a lot during the day, such a weirdo.) And yes, we're cheaters - we bring snacks into the parks. The only big meal we have is dinner. So that could average anywhere from $10-whatever. Your meals really depend on how much you eat, how often, and how expensive your tastes are (are you OK with sandwiches or do you need leg of lamb and steamed veggies?). I wouldn't buy a 5 yr old a meal - just give them some of yours. AllEars has menus with prices, so if you haven't already, check that out and see if you can plan out your meal budget from those.

As for souvenier spending... we average about $50/person per day. But I spend more than he does.

[Cavey]

BTW, if you're not doing the dining plan, the lunch menu at full service restaurants is generally cheaper than the dinner menu.

Character breakfasts are cheaper than character lunches & dinners. My family has booked a character breakfasts for the last seating of the morning (usually 11:30). We treat it as an early lunch to save some $$.

[scardeecat]

Thanks for all the good ideas, I think I have saved enough for spending. I always second guess myself about money. Keep the great ideas coming

[robinmouse]

If it wasn't for the free dining plan, we normally wouldn't eat at a lot of sit-down dinners. They're expensive, plus they use up a lot of time that you could be spending enjoying other parts of the parks. So for us it normally be 2 counter services a day, plus snacks in the room for breakfast.

[jedijson]

I'd expect about $100 a day, as has been suggested. I'm assuming we are only talking about two people.

Still, if you can get away with it, go for the meal plan. Will save a lot of money, and give you some extra money for other things. I mean, you're going to WDW. Things are more expensive there. There's a running joke between me and a DL fanatic I work with when we're talking Disney merchandise. "That's not baaaAAAD!" for things like $25 for a CD, or $19 for a box of Mr. Potato Head Disney parts.

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by jedijson

I'd expect about $100 a day, as has been suggested. I'm assuming we are only talking about two people.

Still, if you can get away with it, go for the meal plan. Will save a lot of money, and give you some extra money for other things. I mean, you're going to WDW. Things are more expensive there. There's a running joke between me and a DL fanatic I work with when we're talking Disney merchandise. "That's not baaaAAAD!" for things like $25 for a CD, or $19 for a box of Mr. Potato Head Disney parts.

LOL - so, so true - I would never pay "Disney" prices at home but when I am on vaca I am like a different person, monetarily speaking. I picture you saying "baaaAAAD" with a kind of goat-voice!

[jedijson]

Goat voice? You're confusing me with Erin. She's the goat person.

In my case, the sentence starts normal ("that's"), then the pitch goes up to high ("not"), and then drops low ("baaaa") and shoots back up high again ("AAAAD!")

ROFLMBO!

[Erin]

ROFL! Alice is funny!

[alicefan]

I can't for the life of me figure out ROFL...maybe it's because it's 2:55 am in NJ

[jedijson]

Roll On Floor Laughing.

You can also add MBO to the end of it (My Butt Off).

[alicefan]

Originally Posted by Erin

ROFL! Alice is funny!

Thanks Erin! jedijson says you are a "Goat Person", but I don't believe that for a second!!