How much spending money for Florida?

How much spending money for Florida?

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idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
I am after some advice......

I am off on honeymoon to Florida for 2 weeks. We already have all the tickets, car hire and insurance etc but we need to know how much to to take for everyday expenses such as food etc. Can anyone advise/help??

GreigM

6,733 posts

250 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
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$246.95

Established 1984

1,237 posts

186 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Mcdonalds or A la Carte?

idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Mc D's in the day, beefeater/pizza hut standard for nights with the odd treat to decent resturant

idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Anyone?? We are budgeting £100 per day for the 2 of us.....do you reckon that will be enough??

douglasr

1,092 posts

273 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
idsims said:
Anyone?? We are budgeting £100 per day for the 2 of us.....do you reckon that will be enough??
I assume by "tickets" you mean park entrance tickets, if so then it depends on what food you like and how much you drink. If not, check the prices before you leave, they can be expensive - never pay full price, search out discount agencies here or when you arrive.
I've been to the States 5 times in 18 months. Up until the last trip £100 a day was OK (but we are in our 40's and suffer from hangovers if we drink too much). The last trip to NYC 5 weeks ago we noticed quite a difference due to the change in xrate - down from a high of $1.96 last year to $1.41. You will need to factor in fuel costs (and the extra insuance they try to hit you with when you arrive), but you can eat in Florida for not a lot. I think you should be OK unless you cant stay our of the clubs.

Edited by douglasr on Tuesday 7th April 23:06

idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
We have all the park tickets and will eat at Pizza huts etc. Will probably have a few drinks but not heavy drinkers.

The extra tax they try to hit you with re car insurance - what is it? Heard loads about it and heard that you don't really need it (depending on insuranc eyou have purchased). I don't want to be ripped off!!

redtwin

7,518 posts

183 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Was just there in December and the exchange rate hit was definitely felt though the cheaper than expected petrol prices more than compensated.

Food wise, you can eat very in-expensively and still well enough to not feel as though you are sacrificing anything.

The hotel (only cheap, travelodge standard) did a complimentary brekkie, which was really not much more than toast, cornflakes, muffins etc, but it was good and did the trick until lunch time. If you want a proper cooked breakfast from IHOP, Denny's etc, expect to pay about $10 per person including unlimited coffee and drinks. The chain restaurants often do special deals which can be much cheaper.

Lunch from the many places to eat can be just as cheap if not cheaper. Steak and Shake (burger bar chain with a much better standard than McDs, Burger King etc) had a $4 menu with a good selection, but be mindful that adding extras can get expensive quickly.

So with breakfast and lunch covered with decent change from a $20 note, you can push out the boat come dinner time. You can go cheap again at a number of places or treat yourself a bit and go for steak etc at Outback. I usually go for the larger steaks and those will still come in about $20ish. Lagers and drinks will obviously add to the bill, but you will be very well fed for less than $40 per person, per day.

Fill up before you head to the parks as buying anything to eat or drink in there will be painful. Don't forget that your parking pass allows you to return on the day so no reason why you can't leave the park for lunch/dinner then return later in the evening by which time the ankle biters and their parents have worn themselves out and have left for the day.

redtwin

7,518 posts

183 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Regarding the hire car. Check with whoever you booked the car with, but *usually* car hire booked here will include more than enough insurance so no need to fall for any hard sell from the agents when you get there.

They will try to sell you extra top-up insurance, pre-paid fuel, car upgrade etc etc. If you just outright say no and don't waffle about thinking about what they are pitching they usually take the hint.

idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
We booked through Airtours/thomas cook and got the gold insurance deal : loss damage waiver, Underinsured motorist protection, handling fees, Airport chanrges, taxes and State charges.

I think that should cover everthing???

redtwin

7,518 posts

183 months

Tuesday 7th April 2009
quotequote all
Yes, that covers everything on the legal/insurance front, but you will still get the hard sell on the pre-paid fuel, car upgrade, satnav (which may not be such a bad idea) etc.

The desk staff get commision on any extras they sell you and some have a better work ethic than others so remain firm, but friendly (hard to do after a 9 hour flight) and you will be on your way before too long.

If they don't offer it, ask them for a free map sheet and directions on how best to leave the airport and reach the main motorways. Sanford (SFB) is easy enough to get out of, but Orlando (MCO) can be a bit confusing especially with a travel weary head on.

idsims

Original Poster:

68 posts

256 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
Got the sat nav covered luckily. Staying at the quality inn plaza - looks like a travel ldoge but on a bigger scale - hey its only place to sleep.

I reckon £100 (c $145) should be plenty for 2 people each day. Leavingn the parks for lunch sounds like a plan - a nice break as well as cheaper.


SwanJack

1,912 posts

273 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
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Go here http://www.thedibb.co.uk, everything you need to know. We went last year 2 adults and one 3 yr old. We budgeted for £100 a day, but back then this was $200. It was more than enough and had plenty left over for lots of shopping. If you are the outdoor type, you have to go to the Bass Pro Shop in Orlando.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

210 months

Wednesday 8th April 2009
quotequote all
get a copy of the brit's guide, My wife and I where in Orlando 2 years ago, you can eat really cheap one good trick is an all you can eat buffet breakfast will see you through most of the day so lunch becomes a sandwich a hotdog or similar then all you can eat buffet style for supper, but get recommendations as some of the buffet places are st.