Kids at WDW and souvenirs...

[jharvey]

I am curious how parents handle the purchase of souvenirs with their kids while at the parks. While I am only recently a father, I had always thought of giving them a WDW specific allowance. We would cover food, but whatever souvenirs they wanted would be up to them with their WDW allowance, and once the set amount was gone they were out of luck. I like the idea because it illustrates the value of money and would make them really think about their purchase rather than getting a bunch of random garbage.

I am curious what others think about this concept and what others have tried or want to try. I can see many different things working. I can see giving them a time frame to work for their WDW allowance versus a set amount. I can see limiting the number of items in general, or one from each park etc.

Excited to hear ideas and stories.

we base it on behavior and school performance. Whatever they are given ($60 gift card each this past trip) is theirs and can be used for anything they want. But, once the card hits $0, that is it. They are not entitled to anything, besides meals of course, beyond that.

We have had minor success with that. The biggest victory in this method is the pre-trip behavior and performance in school. This is the portion of the post where I tell you non parents to go fly a kite. I know bribing your kids is far from ideal. But if you don't, good luck in keeping them on budget. Also, my generation was the last that could be spanked, so bribery is now trendy.

Biggest issue with this method? You try to slow a 8 year old and a 5 year old down when they walk in to the Kingdom with a GC burning a hole in their pocket.

 

[Figments Friend]

As others have already mentioned, using a Disney Gift Card is a great way to keep the spending in check. It also allows kids to be aware of the consequences if they spend it all in one day.

I find using the Gift Card tactic also works well for adults!
It is a great way to save up some spending money for a WDW visit. Whenever you have some extra money, buy a Disney Gift Card from your local shop, or better yet, online ( LOTS of card choices and customized options at www.DisneyGiftCard.com ).
You then do not have to worry so much about having some extra spending money. It also makes it easier ( and a great debt-free way ) to shop at the Parks!

Kids can save up allowance/spare jobs money and convert it into Disney Gift Cards as well. It makes a great saving incentive for them throughout the year, and also helps get them pumped for the upcoming visit.

Shoot...i do this myself ( and i do not have any kids! )

 

[71dsp]

We're going to try the Disney gift card this year. However, my son has very little (i.e. no) spending discipline. He's only 8, so we can't expect too much, but he has to be reminded that if he spends $XX today, he can't buy toy Y tomorrow because he won't have money. I have to give him credit, though, once reminded, he'll usually decided to look around more and come back if he doesn't find anythign else that he wants. The main problem is that he wants everything he sees! I was that way too, so I'm trying to lead him down a better path for financial responsibility.

 

[71dsp]

I know bribing your kids is far from ideal. But if you don't, good luck in keeping them on budget. Also, my generation was the last that could be spanked, so bribery is now trendy.

I don't look at it as bribery. To me, my son's "job" is to keep his stuff in order (in his room, living room, and play room), make good grades, behave well at home, school, karate, etc., and do his chores (minor stuff like getting the mail, feeding the dog, etc). If he sucessfully performs his "job" he gets rewarded with money, toys, etc. whatever we happen to agree upon. The way I look at it is that this is the way the world works. I don't work because I like sitting at a desk 12 hours a day...

 

[mousebymarriage]

We have always used the envelope system with our kids (DD16 and DS11). Each child has their own envelope with a set amount of money, sometimes they also have gift cards that they received for birthdays or holidays. They know that they can purchase what ever they want with their money but they have also learned to spend wisely because when it's gone, it's gone. We started this when they were very young and it has helped them learn to budget their money. They are also allowed to keep whatever they don't spend in Disney.

 

[woody98]

I give my kids each $200 to spend for a fourteen day trip. They can buy whatever they want no questions asked but once it's gone to bad. They will also get money from their grandparents which varies from every trip.

 

[awoogala]

When we went as kids, we got $10 a day. If you were smart and planned, you could have $70 at the end of the week, so we planned well.
My kids honestly don't ask for anything, so we haven't had to do it yet..
Last time they each bought one thing, when we asked a dozen times if they wanted anything.

 

[Britt]

We never buy anything at the parks, because I can buy it online, with coupon codes for much cheaper! Buuuuut, I do like the idea of the gift cards with a preset limit for them. Thats a pretty cute idea : )

 

[Figgy1]

I am curious how parents handle the purchase of souvenirs with their kids while at the parks. While I am only recently a father, I had always thought of giving them a WDW specific allowance. We would cover food, but whatever souvenirs they wanted would be up to them with their WDW allowance, and once the set amount was gone they were out of luck. I like the idea because it illustrates the value of money and would make them really think about their purchase rather than getting a bunch of random garbage.

I am curious what others think about this concept and what others have tried or want to try. I can see many different things working. I can see giving them a time frame to work for their WDW allowance versus a set amount. I can see limiting the number of items in general, or one from each park etc.

Excited to hear ideas and stories.

My boys are older so we set a budget for the entire trip souveniers gifts etc. They earn money by doing chores, snow removal (they have a good gig in the neighborhood) ,and seeing we book months in advance they hit grandmas up for Disney dollars for Christmas and birthdays. They are pretty good with money and usually do Christmas shopping and go home with a shirt or two. Not too much stuff any more.

 

[71dsp]

Wanted to report back that we gave our son a (very) generous gift card on our last trip (Dec 7 through 16). While he had a hole burning in his pocket from day one, we would remind him that once his money was gone, it was gone. Plus we were visiting most places more than once, so he'd get another opportunity to buy something at the same store, unless there was only a couple of them left on the shelf. Anyway, I'm pleased to report that he made (mostly) good decisions, although we probably provided more "assistance" than we should have. He left WDW with nearly $50 left on his gift card, and he even offered to buy lunch! His spending was probably curtailed due to my wife's illness the last couple of days we were there, but nevertheless, he spent wisely.

 

[copcarguyp71]

We usually have our DD save money from chores and that is her spending money for souvenirs/chachkies Etc. We will foot the bill for a T-shirt or sweatshirt but other than that she has to make the call as to what she would like to bring home with her for the shelf.

 

[bethymouse]

The trip is our "gift". We generally allow our boys (age 8 now) one choice for a gift/souvenir. They like "shopping" and "deciding" which one to get. They usually have an idea of what they'd like before we go. We don't do balloons, light up things, or tiny toys. It's usually something the boys can keep/use/play with forever and pass it on to their children. We have a collection of Disney cars, and that's pretty cool. We shop on our last day there, not while enjoying the parks unless "Mommy" is looking for something specific at Mouse Gear or The Emporium. We normally avoid DD, unless there's something at the World of Disney "Mommy" wants. Yes- "Mommy" is the shopper! I usually do the shopping myself for a collectible that has the year on it. Fun times.

 

[Meredith]

I am curious how parents handle the purchase of souvenirs with their kids while at the parks. While I am only recently a father, I had always thought of giving them a WDW specific allowance. We would cover food, but whatever souvenirs they wanted would be up to them with their WDW allowance, and once the set amount was gone they were out of luck. I like the idea because it illustrates the value of money and would make them really think about their purchase rather than getting a bunch of random garbage.

I am curious what others think about this concept and what others have tried or want to try. I can see many different things working. I can see giving them a time frame to work for their WDW allowance versus a set amount. I can see limiting the number of items in general, or one from each park etc.

Excited to hear ideas and stories.

When I was at Disney for my 5 b day my uncle got me a 100 dollar gift card so my parents gave my bro 100 dollars and that was what we would spend. 7 years later that's what we do, they give me around 75 dollars to spend. When I was younger to get along with my bro my parents would start me off with 50 dollars and if we behaved 3 days later they would give us 25 dollars more. Lets just say we would behave.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We were always told to make a list of what catches our eye. At the end of the trip we could go back and buy a certain $ amount. That way we didn't spend everything the first day when the money was burning a hole in our pocket. I plan on doing the same with my kids. They will be 4 and 2 on the next the next trip so I know the 4 year old at least will be old enough to start to understand.

I still do it as an adult. I take a picture of what I like and the price at the end of the week I pick out a few things to go home with.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I admit I'm a shopaholic and do like to but a lot of goodies at Disney World. However, the next time I go, I must try to restrain myself. For the most part, I'll buy my own souvenirs. Last year for my birthday, I got two Disney gift cards for $25 each. I spent part of one and have some money let on it. I'm hoping to reload it before I go. Last year, my siblings and I got $200 from my Dad for that purpose. I am going to give my Mom some money for our trip next May. I'm in my late 20's and want to contribute financially. I think for Christmas, I'll buy everyone in my family Disney gift cards.