This might be a weird question...

[All Disney All The Time]

We go once a year, either late Spring or mid-Fall. And we go "all out", at least as we define it. But our "all out" is an all out park experience. We hit them as early as they open and stay in them as long as they are open at nite. We buy whatever souvies we want. We don't do ADRs anymore, except for 1 nite at the BC buffet. There obviously are very nice restaurants thruout WDW and we've hit most of them at sometime or another, but we don't like being beholden to an ADR every nite anymore while on vacation. We've never bought a Dining Plan. We get the ParkHoppers. I fish a lot, so going to WDW to do that doesn't interest me. We have our own fish/ski boat and Jet Skis so renting watercraft is not something we do and neither of us are golfers. Now that the kids are grown we don't have much desire to do BB or TL and we don't go to WDW to swim in the hotel pool. We like DTD, primarily for the wife to shop and will often eat at the bar in Rainforest and Planet Hollywood on the day when her shopping gene kicks in. We've never gone to a movie or gone bowling at DTD.

For us it's the parks, rides, shows, parades, fireworks, and shopping for the souvies that make the wife happy. She truly loves her home Disney decorating and decor. When we're gone I picture the kids in the house going, "What in the heck are we going to do with all this Disney stuff?"

 

[DaddyDisneyMan]

We are leaving in 3 days and this thread got me thinking...what does all out really mean? Its going to be myself, wifey and 2 boys (6 & 2). We are not on the DDP, we are staying at Pop. We are not big on TS meals as it just doesn't work well with 2 little ones. We may do one meal at the Crystal Palace, but besides that its going to be QS meals at Pop and in the parks. With that being said, I have roughly $1800 in spending cash for food and souvenirs for a 7 day trip. I've been told by some people that's more than enough and some say its not going to cut it.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

We are leaving in 3 days and this thread got me thinking...what does all out really mean? Its going to be myself, wifey and 2 boys (6 & 2). We are not on the DDP, we are staying at Pop. We are not big on TS meals as it just doesn't work well with 2 little ones. We may do one meal at the Crystal Palace, but besides that its going to be QS meals at Pop and in the parks. With that being said, I have roughly $1800 in spending cash for food and souvenirs for a 7 day trip. I've been told by some people that's more than enough and some say its not going to cut it.

It could be either. You can spend $1800 in 9 seconds at WDW or divide it by 7 days which is $257/day. Obviously you're not going to be able to eat every 10 min. and buy every souvie that you lay eyes on but I believe that if your transportation, hotel and park tickets are already paid for that you and your family can have one heckuva AWESOME time on $257/day. ENJOY!!

 

[graphite1326]

The two of us usually stay at a Value resort. If the free dining is available we get that. Sometimes we plan our trip around when free dining is available. HOWEVER, we love staying at FQ and if we have the extra money (that's rare but it has happened), we will stay there.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

The two of us usually stay at a Value resort. If the free dining is available we get that. Sometimes we plan our trip around when free dining is available. HOWEVER, we love staying at FQ and if we have the extra money (that's rare but it has happened), we will stay there.

Extra money is getting harder and harder to come by.

 

[graphite1326]

Extra money is getting harder and harder to come by.

It sure is. More now than ever.

 

[Missymoe4]

I may not be much help, but I would like to contribute. I travel with a few single adults, each paying our own way (we share a room and break down the amount).

We usually plan a reasonable vacation: moderate accommodations and a dining plan (we find dining to be a big help), and focus on 7-10 days. As the planning unfolds, we make switches (sometimes too many times) and end up in a deluxe with dining. We love the MK hotels and end up booking there. We also feel that since we are on vacation, why not go all out?! If we could get down to wdw multiple times a year (having the time to travel) we would probably tailor our trips. However, since we truly only have August for vacation, we make the most of it and treat ourselves.

Lately, we've been going for 10-14 days, with 10 day park hoppers and spend our 'off' days in the pool, shopping and bumming around. I have done deluxe dining before and it was way too much. I usually get pin codes and book the 30 percent discount--which saves us big on deluxe accommodations. I have used free dining before, and instead of sticking with the quick service option, we 'upped' our package to regular dining and/or deluxe (paying the extra 15-25 bucks/night). Although eating quick service is good and fast, we all like to sit down and take the time for at least one nice meal per day. If I went for 5 days, I'd probably stick with the quick service and not waste my time sitting down. However, over a 14 day period, there's only so many burgers one is willing to eat.

It's incredibly interesting to read how others vacation. Thank you for this post!

 

[Alley7728]

We are leaving in 3 days and this thread got me thinking...what does all out really mean? Its going to be myself, wifey and 2 boys (6 & 2). We are not on the DDP, we are staying at Pop. We are not big on TS meals as it just doesn't work well with 2 little ones. We may do one meal at the Crystal Palace, but besides that its going to be QS meals at Pop and in the parks. With that being said, I have roughly $1800 in spending cash for food and souvenirs for a 7 day trip. I've been told by some people that's more than enough and some say its not going to cut it.

I think that is more then enough, assuming you don't over do the souvenir part your cash can get away from you before you know it. Many times we have gone on much less with 2 teenagers! Assume $40-$50 per QS meals and even that can be done cheaper with little ones. Take snacks and drinks. CP will be great for their ages. I hope ya'll have an amazing time!

 

[pixiesteno]

We have done a variety of different trips styles but have never stayed at a moderate or deluxe resort. Truth be told, I can't see myself spending that kind of money for a room when the values work well for us. Now, there have been a couple of trips where we have bumped up to the ASMu family suite when there have been 4 adults in our party DH, DS, DB, and myself. One anniversary trip DH & I stayed in a suite because there was an AP discount that put it in the $120 dollar range and gave us a kitchenette to use and a livingroom. DH likes to sleep in, I do not.
Since that time we have purchased a travel trailer and have taken it to FWC twice (third trip this sept). We like having a kitchen available. Neither one of us are very social people without coffee in the a.m.! Yes, we drive and have extra gas to haul the RV but we are not eating out most meals while at WDW. We won't eat breakfast out at all, that alone is a $20-30 dollar a day savings. I am planning numerous tasty meals for our stay that involve the use of the grill. We like having our own bedding and space to be without worrying about putting mousekeeping out. For us this allows us longer stays, 10-12 days stays as opposed to 5-6 days. I have been saving for the trip since last fall and I am now $400 short of the entire amount(plus emergency funds) for the trip in Sept. We have a voucher I purchased last summer for an AP and will upgrade the voucher for DHs ticket to an AP when we get there. This will allow us to work towards another trip in that year timeframe so two uses out of the AP, at least. We are going to purchase the Brita water filter bottles for filling in the parks and will have our snack stuff in my purse/backpack for park touring. We're trying to eat more healthy anyway so that will help.
Would I like to do an "all out trip" to WDW -- sure, but probably would not be able to bring myself to spend that kind of cash unless I win the lottery.

 

[Missymoe4]

It could be either. You can spend $1800 in 9 seconds at WDW or divide it by 7 days which is $257/day. Obviously you're not going to be able to eat every 10 min. and buy every souvie that you lay eyes on but I believe that if your transportation, hotel and park tickets are already paid for that you and your family can have one heckuva AWESOME time on $257/day. ENJOY!!

$1800 is more than enough! Especially since your kids are young--how much food will they really eat?! And souvenirs can be limited; although, you may not even have to worry about that with all he characters and rides out there. Don't worry about the money (not that you really were) and enjoy the vacation and I'm sure you'll come home with some left over in your pocket. Have a fantastic time!

 

[coleandrachel]

The two of us usually stay at a Value resort. If the free dining is available we get that. Sometimes we plan our trip around when free dining is available. HOWEVER, we love staying at FQ and if we have the extra money (that's rare but it has happened), we will stay there.

We've stayed at FQ once before and I agree... IT. WAS. AWESOME!!

 

[All Disney All The Time]

$1800 is more than enough! Especially since your kids are young--how much food will they really eat?! And souvenirs can be limited (although, you may not even have to worry about that) with all he characters and rides out there. Don't worry about the money (not that you really were) and enjoy the vacation and I'm sure you'll come home with some left over in your pocket. Have a fantastic time!

Coming home with unspent money is just wrong. LOL!

 

[Missymoe4]

Coming home with unspent money is just wrong. LOL!

Yes and no...depends on how much a person really needs. Not that I plan it that way...but I also know I don't need everything in the world.

 

[coleandrachel]

We actually came home with more money than expected last time we went (Dec. 2012). Even if we have it to spend, I still have a hard time spending just to spend. lol

 

[Missymoe4]

I hav

We have done a variety of different trips styles but have never stayed at a moderate or deluxe resort. Truth be told, I can't see myself spending that kind of money for a room when the values work well for us. Now, there have been a couple of trips where we have bumped up to the ASMu family suite when there have been 4 adults in our party DH, DS, DB, and myself. One anniversary trip DH & I stayed in a suite because there was an AP discount that put it in the $120 dollar range and gave us a kitchenette to use and a livingroom. DH likes to sleep in, I do not.
Since that time we have purchased a travel trailer and have taken it to FWC twice (third trip this sept). We like having a kitchen available. Neither one of us are very social people without coffee in the a.m.! Yes, we drive and have extra gas to haul the RV but we are not eating out most meals while at WDW. We won't eat breakfast out at all, that alone is a $20-30 dollar a day savings. I am planning numerous tasty meals for our stay that involve the use of the grill. We like having our own bedding and space to be without worrying about putting mousekeeping out. For us this allows us longer stays, 10-12 days stays as opposed to 5-6 days. I have been saving for the trip since last fall and I am now $400 short of the entire amount(plus emergency funds) for the trip in Sept. We have a voucher I purchased last summer for an AP and will upgrade the voucher for DHs ticket to an AP when we get there. This will allow us to work towards another trip in that year timeframe so two uses out of the AP, at least. We are going to purchase the Brita water filter bottles for filling in the parks and will have our snack stuff in my purse/backpack for park touring. We're trying to eat more healthy anyway so that will help.
Would I like to do an "all out trip" to WDW -- sure, but probably would not be able to bring myself to spend that kind of cash unless I win the lottery.

I have always wanted to try FWC. They look fun!

I simply couldn't do the beds and walking to one bus stop at a value. If I had a car, it would be a different story (I'd drive to the parks). That's what gets me at the values. It all comes down to quality of sleep and convenience.

I have stayed at values, and they are great. They have great perks and you cannot go wrong with them.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

Yes and no...depends on how much a person really needs. Not that I plan it that way...but I also know I don't need everything in the world.

Not "the world". The WORLD, as in WDW. The wife says that she most certainly does need everything there!

 

[crispy]

We always tend to do Disney on the cheap. We usually go during the off-season when there is a good discount and stay in a Value or a Moderate (if we get a great deal). My girls love the Value and the Moderate resorts (actually, the will choose a Value over a Moderate any day) so we don't see the point in spend twice as much to stay in a Deluxe. We also don't spend a ton on souvenirs. I am not much of a shopper and hate clutter so I don't really want much stuff. We give our girls a souvenir budget to spend for the week which tend to work well and is hopefully teaching them a little bit about money management.

 

[DaddyDisneyMan]

It could be either. You can spend $1800 in 9 seconds at WDW or divide it by 7 days which is $257/day. Obviously you're not going to be able to eat every 10 min. and buy every souvie that you lay eyes on but I believe that if your transportation, hotel and park tickets are already paid for that you and your family can have one heckuva AWESOME time on $257/day. ENJOY!!

I'm going to have to agree with you here. $257 is going to be perfect for my family. DISNEY HERE WE COME!

 

[Alley7728]

We always tend to do Disney on the cheap. We usually go during the off-season when there is a good discount and stay in a Value or a Moderate (if we get a great deal). My girls love the Value and the Moderate resorts (actually, the will choose a Value over a Moderate any day) so we don't see the point in spend twice as much to stay in a Deluxe. We also don't spend a ton on souvenirs. I am not much of a shopper and hate clutter so I don't really want much stuff. We give our girls a souvenir budget to spend for the week which tend to work well and is hopefully teaching them a little bit about money management.

I still do that with my 14 yr old and who ever she brings as a guest. Up front each get a $100 gift card they can spend on whatever they can afford, but when it's gone it is gone. It is a no brainer now that she is older. It helped with a lot of the pleeeeaaaaaaassseees over the years. Now she saves up from bdays etc. and adds to the gift card.

 

[JillC LI]

Cost is a factor for us (2 adults, 2 kids priced as adults (ages 11 and 13)). The trip is more about the parks than anything else for us, so we stay at a Value (unless we can get the regular DDP for free at a mod). We pretty much just sleep at the resort - and barely at that! Because we always get the DDP, we try to eat at some nice sit-down restaurants without concerning ourselves with the cost of what we order.