Florida spending money advice please

L09

I realise this is all relative and opinions will differ greatly but I'd like some advice from the more experienced please.

We have booked a holiday to Florida in August 2012 and I want to know how much you'd recommend taking as spending money?

Two adults, two children for two weeks in a villa. We'll be both eating in and dining out so that's something to take into consideration (no idea at all the average cost of groceries etc). Disney tickets are already paid for, and Universal will be too before we leave.

All help welcomed!

badskindollheart

We are a family of three and we usually work on £80 - 100 per day, this means that we can eat/buy what we want without worrying. You can really save money if you 'smuggle' your lunch in, I know Disney turn a blind eye to this (not sure about Universal).

It really is so subjective, that no-one could give you a definitive answer - only you know what you like to spend money on x

Tarzan

Check out the Dibb, this question is asked nearly every day and there are loads of replies from people describing how much they spend. There is, of course, no definitive answer though.

neilbond007

One major thing. If you like a beer / glass of wine buy it from the grocery store as prices for alcohol at most restaurants is ridiculous. You can get a 24 pack of domestic beers for around $18. One beer in a bar maybe $6+

claire16c

Groceries can tend to be more expensive than in the UK - $4 or more for a loaf of bread for example. But I find eating out can sometimes be cheaper in the US.

But like the others have said it really can be very different for each family. I would work out what it would cost you to do the same at home for 2 weeks as it could be pretty similar to that.

Then there will be the obligatory souvenirs your kids (and maybe you) will want , trips to outlet malls, water parks etc. Or they may spend the whole time in the pool. Its really very subjective.

But its not like you need to take a load of cash with you, just use your card to pay for stuff.

jazzypinkpuppet

Hello, We went in Feb for two weeks, 2 adults and 2 kids.
We took £2000 with us. We ate all meals out as we were in a hotel, breakfasts were mainly in a buffet style restaurants, these filled us up and we rarely had lunch just ice cream or crisps etc. Dinners were in various places about four times we ate in the parks, but mostly just in places like sizzlers and cicis pizza because the kids loved the buffets. We had two character breakfasts, bought quite a lot of shopping kids clothes, a couple of pairs of trainers, converse etc. As well as souvenirs, Disney bits and bobs Etc. We bought petrol and a family ticket to Seaworld and we came back with about £300. It's really easy to stick to a budget you can afford.
Have an amazing time, I am very jealous:D

L09

Thank you for your responses.

I was thinking of taking around $2500 - $3000 but to be honest that's more a case of what I'll be able to save up than what I think we'd need. I'll check out that website for more help. :-)

neilbond007

claire16c wrote: »

Groceries can tend to be more expensive than in the UK - $4 or more for a loaf of bread for example.

Holy cow. Where have you been shopping? There are fancy loaves that are that much. But the norm is less than $2.
Most stores have offers on bread too. My local grocery store (Kroger) has $1 loaves virtually every time you go in.
PS - If grocery shopping sign up for the store card. Can do it immediately and saves you big time
They also have Aldi here. $1.50 for a loaf. $3 for 1lb of honey roast ham. $3 for 1 1lb bag of grated cheese cheese etc etc... It's where I get my lunch supplies from!
milk is $1.89 for a gallon. Should last a week for cereal Yoghurts are about 35c

Eating out - Go between 4 and 6 if possible. Most chain restaurants will have happy hours. You can get 1/2 price appetizers (easily big enough to fill 1 person) as well as daily specials for about $5 each.
Fast food - Order off the $1 menu. Have a couple of items and you'll be good for lunch.

Oh, and something that goes on a lot here and not back in the UK is to order water to drink when eating out. It's free and don't worry about feeling like you're penny pinching, most people do it!

ferf1223

neilbond007 wrote: »

Oh, and something that goes on a lot here and not back in the UK is to order water to drink when eating out. It's free and don't worry about feeling like you're penny pinching, most people do it!

Also if you are a fizzy drink person - the free refills are awesome...I still remember being shocked at paying for a second Diet Coke in a restaurant in London when I was visiting before I moved here. Pretty much with us if you keep our drinks topped up you're getting a good tip.