I know everyone has things that they just "have" to do at Disneyland. But let's say for this trip, there are 4 of you (2 parents/2kids, 4 adults, family, who knows) and your budget allots for Hojo's Entertainment Rate for the room and "standard" eating (Carnation Cafe, Cafe Orleans, Pizza Port... No BB.) You are staying 4 nights.

Suddenly, you find an extra $1000 in your budget. How do you spend it? Do you spend it all to upgrade to a DLR room (no AP rates, so this will pretty much eat it all up) or do you spend it on other "specials" like Premium seating, tours, dinner at BB?

OK, I have to do some type of planning since I don't have a trip in the works yet!

My standard Disneyland trip includes my sister who lives in California - who's married to a muggle (we blame the fact that he grew up too close to DL). If I found an extra $1000 it would go towards a nice meal one evening, with wine. For that much, we'd probably do Napa Rose (only ever had drinks there) - which would leave some leftover - so we'd likely do Walk in Walt's Footsteps, or another tour (do they have another one aimed at adults?).

And I'd upgrade my flight to first class.

I would definitely spend it on staying at the DLH. My kids are 4.5 and 7 and they would love the pool and the theming at the hotel. I wish I could do this for them for our trip in May because they are the perfect age for that. I am diligently entering the Dreams sweepstakes this month on the off chance we win and get an upgrade for our vacation - I don't really even care about the Dream Suite, I just want the trip to DL!

Where did you say you found the extra $1000? (I am assuming this is a hypothetical question - yes?) Perhaps I should start looking under matresses, in old shoe boxes, etc. It will be neat to see what others would do with the money. Everyone's priorities are so differrent. Did you say what you would do Malcon10t?

I'd have a longer trip. Stay an extra day! Or, I would upgrade my Deluxe AP to a Premium.

More time in Disneyland, that's what I'd want!

I'd stay with the inexpensive hotel and extend the trip by a day and add a 'magical moment' ala premium seating or upscale meal.

If I didn't already have my entire family (grown kids and grandkids) coming with me I would use the newly found $1000 :D to book an extra room and see if I couldn't swing having them all come.

If that didn't work out, I would use the $$$ for Fantasmic! riverside seating and such . . . just extra shopping without any guilt would be fun too. :D

This is what I, personally, would spend it on:

- extra character meals
- more pins, more pins, more pins (for me) and more Potatohead parts (for my son)
- upgrade to a Disney hotel - we've only stayed at PPH, but it sure was nice! I can imagine the other two are just as wonderful, if not more so!
- and I wouldn't have to worry so much about buying camera batteries, extra memory cards and getting my photos printed after the trip (and all the scrapbooking supplies I would need). I take a TON of photos! I wear through my batteries like that =snap!=

What ever you end up doing, I have no doubt you'll have fun!!!

I think I would stay an extra day or two. And maybe a nice dinner somewhere we have never gone before.

My first thought was buy 500 of the cookies that are in Crazy4DL avatar picture!

My next thought is to plan nothing with it. Just have the extra money on hand incase the perfect situation presents itself, a great item you want to buy, and chance to go on an adventure...just knowing you have the extra money so you don't have to worry about your budget at every meal and shopping spree.

That is if you are completely happy with the trip plan so far. If not I would put it towards the one things about your trip that was making you the most uncomfortable, be it hotel, food budget, whatever. If you are comfortable, keep it as it is, and just know you don’t have to worry if you find that extraordinary item, adventure or splurge during your trip.

Or 500 heart shaped cookies…it is really hard to decide!

That is if you are completely happy with the trip plan so far. If not I would put it towards the one things about your trip that was making you the most uncomfortable, be it hotel, food budget, whatever. If you are comfortable, keep it as it is, and just know you don’t have to worry if you find that extraordinary item, adventure or splurge during your trip.

I think that is an excellent idea.

I'd spend it on "upgraded" meals and buy a nice piece of classic Disney art.

I would add an extra day and take my little sister along with me. She is 12 perfect for babysitting; going on rides with; entertaining the kids in line. . . I really want to take her with me (us) this time, but my budget just wouldn't allow it. Our 2010 trip she is going with us, she is earning her ticket and food money by babysitting for me from now till then, and she is in charge of her own spending money.

My choices:

Do a character meal or two
Extend the trip for a few days
Treat myself to a fabulous spa treatment at GCH
Souvenirs, souvenirs and more souvenirs
Splurge on something amazing from Disneyana
Try out a couple of the tours (since we have never done one)
Buy a bunch of autograph books and hand them out to families as they enter the park

If I was already happy with the plans for this trip, I would put the $1000 down on a second trip! LOL!! Can't have too many trips in a year, you know?

In fact, if you really want to make someone smile, you could put the $1000 down on a trip for me... ;) (Just kidding)

I think i would use it to stay for an extra day or two and go to some more expensive restaruants that we've always wanted to try but usually feel too guilty too.

That wouldn't happen to be your economic stimulation money would it ;)? I already told DH that I'd like to use it on a trip.

I actually found about $350 right before our last trip in a purse I don't normally use. It was from a paycheck I'd cashed and then switched purses leaving it in there. I forgot all about it. I ended up getting the kids sillouhetts, framed, my charm bracelet that I've been wanting for a while, and some extra treats. I didn't come anywhere near spending it all, so I still have some for next trip, but I was able to do those things without worrying about the cost. I would rather do some extra things more than upgrading hotels, unless it was just DH and me. )The massage package at the GCH sounds really fun for a couple :).) I would just keep it and see what comes up. But have fun!! :p

I would stay one extra night, do a character meal and get some really nice goodies to take home. I haven't eaten in the Blue Bayou since I was 10 so I think I would go there too.
Any money left over would go in the vacation account for the next trip!

I'd do the Segway tour of DCA and the Walk in Walt's Footsteps in DL.

And wouldn't it be fun to take some of the money and buy small souvenirs (balloons, pins, etc.) and create some "magical moments" for children who are there and showing kindness to others. In other words, become an honorary Cast Member!

Nope, no money found and not the "stimulus refund." A lot of people post about having to stay on property. For me, I prefer tours, staying longer, premium seating, and character meals. I was just seeing what people would splurge on.

For me, its the VIP tour ($300), Fantasmic! seating ($240), and a couple character meals, probably Goofy's.

I think I would do the same ... spend the money on some "special" access stuff and on extra special sit-down meals. That's why I always stay off-property, so I can spend more money on other things :p

I'd have a longer trip. Stay an extra day! Or, I would upgrade my Deluxe AP to a Premium.

More time in Disneyland, that's what I'd want!I do this every year with my kids, already knowing the response. "Kids, you have a choice, 4 days at Disneyland Hotel or 12 days at Residence Inn." I think most know my kids' response.

We would just stay more days. I am sure some of it would go for more treats and souveneirs for the kids. My son has wanted the clone costume for a few years but not in the budget. I can't talk myself into a more expensive hotel.

I would put the money in the bank and start saving for my next trip! I would add a little from each paycheck. Then go again when I can afford it!

I can't think of anything off of the top of my head. I guess we go often enough that we really don't miss anything. Maybe let my kid get some of the expensive stuff he asks for while we are there (that I usually tell him is a waste of money). He likes to go to the Star Wars store and always wants very expensive items.

Heck, we only get to go once or twice a year so we stay at a resort hotel for 4 or 5 nights, eat at all the overpriced restaurants and blow a whole lot of cash out of our savings every time! What the He**! We have three kids, all boys so much to my oh-so cherished wife's chagrin, we have no clue about all the "princess stuff" at DLR! On the plus side, we have a great time on all the scary rides! All three of our boys (including the 3 yo) Love the "Towa a Terra" as well as the Haunted Mansion, Soarin', Space, Splash, Matterhorn and Thunder Mtns! This year, our 5 yo will be tall enough to ride Indy with his 10 yo brother and either mom or dad. I think he will love it!
:confused:BTW, what is with the new and somewhat confusing Splash height requirements?:confused: Anyway, I guess we would spend it on airline tickets and save ourselves the drive, of course then we would have to rent a vehicle to complete the 2 day post nirvana "visit the relatives" portion of the trip!