Taryn,
So when my family comes (me, wife, 2 younger girls), we average about $50 per day, with an added $100 for the week. Let me tell you what that is for us, so you can assess what you need.
The $50 per day covers incidental food and drink on a daily basis. This is after lunch and dinner are paid for (as yours would be via a dining plan, presumably). Where does that $50 go? Here is a list;
- We eat breakfast via food that we bring with us. That means breakfast bars and cereal. Some of that $50 goes to the milk, fresh fruit, and other things we use to complete that breakfast.
- Snacks and treats, like a Mickey Ice Cream bar if the girls have been good.
- Drinks, like the occasional bottle of soda or water in the parks. We bring water bottles for the girls to keep that cost down, but still end up buying some.
- Alcoholic beverages at dinners.
- Tips at the pre-paid meals.
The $100 that we add to the total weekly budget is for general merchandise. This is without a doubt a
very low figure. We already have more trinkets that we need, so we use visits as a way to teach our kids budgeting, limiting them to one t-shirt and one affordable toy for the trip. But you are probably going to want to spend more, so consider prices like the fact that Princess dresses are up to $65/$70 each, Mickey Ear hats are about $15 each, and toys range in prices all over the place.
BOTTOM LINE: I wold recommend that you budget at least $100 per day for food incidentals (dependent upon your dining plan), and at least $100 per person for the trip for souvenirs/shirts.
If you write me back directly with information about your family, I can help you hone down on a more specific figure.
Have a magical vacation!