View Full Version : Spending Money
canarypam
03-06-2005, 17:19
I was talking to my niece today. She is a single parent with 3 children and would dearly love to take them to Orlando. She asked me how much it would cost all of them in spending money i.e. theme park entry food etc. Does anybody have any idea ?
When we first went to Florida we were on a very tight budget (it took us 2 years to save for this holiday), back in 1995, and we found that we spent, on average, $25 per person per day on food and other things. Park tickets were extra.
We were staying in a hotel because we didn't realise at that time that you could rent a villa privately, so we had to eat all of our meals out in restaurants. We used to go early to one of the buffet places and have a really good breakfast and then just grazed during the day, if/when necessary, and then had a good evening meal. We always took our own water/soft drinks with us into the Parks, so that we didn't need to buy so many drinks etc., just coffee for me on a regular basis!!
If your friend booked a villa then she could save a lot of money by doing the main meals at the villa whenever possible, plus they'd have their own pool and would all have so much more space, with perhaps 3 bedrooms instead of just one small hotel room with 2 double beds in it and a bathroom which you couldn't even swing a cat in!![msneek][msneek]
If your friend also bought the 4 Park Flex Ticket and a Magic Your Way for 3 or 4 days, for each person, then she wouldn't really need anything else for a 14 day vacation for newbies to the Disney area.
Then add on the cost of flights, car hire, and health & travel insurance, and she'll have a good idea of what she needs in order to have a truly wonderful vacation.[msnsmile2][msnsmile2][msnsmile2]
And if she had a villa , perhaps you could go too!!:D
I know extra adults really make a difference to Mum on a holiday like this.
I think a villa is definately the way to go to save money - if it has a private pool in particular. Kids love spending all day splashing & ice lollies bought at a supermarket are so much cheaper than when you are out! Also there is no need to feel that you have to leave the villa every day like you would in a hotel room. If she picked a location with some on site facilities too it would be even better eg tennis, play grounds etc. Food in comparison to the UK is a bargain too - the all you can eat buffets are very reasonable - and again in a villa, she could prepare some of her own food & save too!I'm sure they could have a wonderful time without it breaking the bank [msnsmile2]
Jo made a good point about having extra adults along. When my kids were little, we often had my parents tag along with us on our vacations. What a huge help!! Staying in a villa makes that possible and for no extra cost!
chrizzy100
03-06-2005, 20:28
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by canarypam
I was talking to my niece today. She is a single parent with 3 children and would dearly love to take them to Orlando. She asked me how much it would cost all of them in spending money i.e. theme park entry food etc. Does anybody have any idea ?
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We went to a lot of places where kids eat free.....I'm not sure if they are so common now....my kids have not been kids for a few years.....
But we always had a good breakfast at the hotel....then the biggest amount of money for us after tickets were drinks.....so I would buy a drink to share each time.....I also make a note of how big the meals are in the parks.....sometimes the kids can share......
I know a lot of people cook if they can.......but my family like different foods....so it does workout cheaper for us to eat out......I've used my oven at the villa once in 17 months.......
I budget $100 a day for food and drink for 4.....I now budget $50 a day for me and hubby.......and its rare I use that amount....we eat a lot less in FL......its to hot for food......
Ray&Sarah
03-06-2005, 20:38
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jo
And if she had a villa , perhaps you could go too!!:D
I know extra adults really make a difference to Mum on a holiday like this.
[/quote]
So true Jo. We always take my parents on holiday with us, a couple of extra pairs of hands was great when the kids were little. Even though they are alot older now, my parents still come along, a holiday just wouldn't be the same without them.[msnsmile2]
chrizzy100
03-06-2005, 20:53
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ray&Sarah
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Jo
And if she had a villa , perhaps you could go too!!:D
I know extra adults really make a difference to Mum on a holiday like this.
[/quote]
So true Jo. We always take my parents on holiday with us, a couple of extra pairs of hands was great when the kids were little. Even though they are alot older now, my parents still come along, a holiday just wouldn't be the same without them.[msnsmile2]
[/quote]
Thats really nice.....[msnsmile2]
I've done 2 FL holidays with my mum...never again.....they are coming over next week and I've booked them into an hotel.......we don't really have the room on the Cape anyway....because my son and his girlfriend and baby are staying over at the same time......me and my mum just rub each other up the wrong way.....lucky enough me and my daughter get on fine...and I get on well with my sons girlfriend.....so we can all holiday together fine....the kids are using my villa for spring break next year....and me and hubby are taking the baby down just incase mom does want to take him to disney after all....[msnsmile2]
Ray&Sarah
03-06-2005, 20:59
My parents are usually great to take on holidays Chrizzy, the boys now have only two "must haves" when we go away, a pool and their Nan & Grandad to some along. They some out with the funniest things and this usually has their Grandsons in stitches.[msnsmile2]
I can't say the same for my in-laws though, don't think I could be cooped up for too long with my mother-in-law, she means well I know but she does have a habit of rubbing me up the wrong way.[msnoo][msnsmile2]
Madabouttigger
03-06-2005, 21:02
Dont forget if you are working out prices to include the cost of a hire car, the restaurents and supermarkets are only cheap if you can get too them.[msnsmile2]
They will save money in a villa especially sharing. Food is cheap but when you have every meal out, as you do in an hotel, it soon adds up.
The park tickets are the main cost while there , we went last october and spent Just under £1000 on them. that was for 4 of us but that was doing every major park. This time it's costing under £400 for 14 days entry to Uni/IOA, seaworld and wet'n wild, maybe they could do that and throw in 1 disney day (which one?[msnscared])