How much money to bring for day at Rodeo? (Ferris: flat fee, coupons)

[descovy]

Forgive me, but we haven't gone in years. Kids want to go on Wednesday. Just for the day.

Other than the price of a ticket, how much should we expect to spend at the rodeo. 3 kids age 15, 12, 10 may want to do some rides. Ride coupons are 50c, but rides take 4-10 tickets... $2-$10/ ride??? My kids are too old for the kiddie stuff so I'm afraid we'd be paying on the high end.

What's a realistic picture of spending money for kids that age?

Also we are a family of 5, trying to figure out if its more cost effective to park or shuttle the 5 of us.

See, this is why it's been years since we've gone to Rodeo. Even when we'd be gifted with free tickets, we'd still spend a $$$

[kfer]

Not trying to sound rude, but if money is tight like that probably going to to the Rodeo is not a wise choice at this time.

[descovy]

Originally Posted by kfer

Not trying to sound rude, but if money is tight like that probably going to to the Rodeo is not a wise choice at this time.

Geez, never said money was tight!

I was asking for a realistic budget to send my family to the rodeo. I haven't gone in years. What do people tend to spend when taking kids my age?

You may not be trying to sound rude, but you sure managed to pull it off. Congratulations to you!

[tampac66]

Originally Posted by descovy

Forgive me, but we haven't gone in years. Kids want to go on Wednesday. Just for the day.

Other than the price of a ticket, how much should we expect to spend at the rodeo. 3 kids age 15, 12, 10 may want to do some rides. Ride coupons are 50c, but rides take 4-10 tickets... $2-$10/ ride??? My kids are too old for the kiddie stuff so I'm afraid we'd be paying on the high end.

What's a realistic picture of spending money for kids that age?

Also we are a family of 5, trying to figure out if its more cost effective to park or shuttle the 5 of us.

See, this is why it's been years since we've gone to Rodeo. Even when we'd be gifted with free tickets, we'd still spend a $$$

They sell half price carnival tickets up until a certain day (it may be too late). Even with half-priced tickets the rides are overpriced.... but its a lot of fun.

My fiance and I get tent passes for the cook-off through work, but even with the alcohol and food being free we ended up spending around 100$ (30$ grounds tickets + 20$ Parking + 50$ Carnival Ticket Pack + 5$ Funnel Cake).

You can go do a lot at the rodeo for free, but for a good time i'd factor in 20$ Parking, 15$/person for drinks and snacks, and then whatever you want to spend on the carnival.

I'd just tell them that they can spend whatever they want on carnival tickets out of their own allowance money.

[key2thecity]

Originally Posted by descovy

Forgive me, but we haven't gone in years. Kids want to go on Wednesday. Just for the day.

Other than the price of a ticket, how much should we expect to spend at the rodeo. 3 kids age 15, 12, 10 may want to do some rides. Ride coupons are 50c, but rides take 4-10 tickets... $2-$10/ ride??? My kids are too old for the kiddie stuff so I'm afraid we'd be paying on the high end.

What's a realistic picture of spending money for kids that age?

Also we are a family of 5, trying to figure out if its more cost effective to park or shuttle the 5 of us.

See, this is why it's been years since we've gone to Rodeo. Even when we'd be gifted with free tickets, we'd still spend a $$$

Hi there...

As far as budget, it totally depends on how you work your day and the number of activities you plan on doing. Two years ago I was in a group with three kids and three adults. We spent about $250. That was on the low end and I had two half-price carnival packs. Personally, I think you should budget $100 per kid and maybe $50 per adult for food, games, and paraphernalia. If you have an adult that likes rides and games also, budget them for $100 instead. If I remember correctly, you pay per person to shuttle and a flat fee to park. With five people, it's probably better to park, just be ready to sit in traffic.

Unfortunately, you've missed the half-price carnival packs which would have given you 150 tickets for $50. ALWAYS, purchase these in the future. They save you a lot of money on rides and have food/beverage coupons. Unfortunately, I missed these this year because I forgot, lol.

Also, three kids at the carnival can get pricey. I like to cart my kids, younger cousins, and their friends around with me, so I'm accustomed to big groups of kids 11 and under. So here's a few suggestions...

First, before you get there, feed them, lol. Take them for a MEAL before you get to the rodeo. It will save you a ton of money. If they carry bags, put snacks in their bags. (Technically, I don't think you're supposed to bring in food, but I don't care. If you care, then just budget a little more for food, lol.) Explain to them that you're only buying a drink and maybe a few rodeo "treats" (fried Snicker's anyone?) when you get there. They should be full from their meals, but if anyone actually get's hungry, purchase heavy foods like the huge BBQ sandwiches, turkey legs, or BBQ plates and make them share. Purchase the commemorative cups so that they get free refills all day. These can be pricey when buying a bunch, but it's worth it.

Second, you should probably budget maybe five or six rides per person. And explain to them that EVERYONE doesn't have to ride EVERY ride. If you have the money for it, ball out of control. But if you don't, work the buddy system. 2 kids can ride the go carts, 2 others can ride the rollercoaster, so on and so forth.

Third, take them to see the animals, mutton busting, Ford truck display, etc. Increased activities decrease the amount of time you spend at the carnival where they will be enticed to spend your money by games, rides, and food. Plus, it takes up a lot of time and curtails a lot of whining. Break the day up into parts but don't let them know you're doing it. A ride here, an activity there, the hours will go by fast and you won't be shelling out money all day.

[kaelti12]

If you only eat once I'd say 15-20 per person for food and a drink, and maybe a snack.

We were there last night for the concert and the rides I saw that would be for older kids were 3 roller coasters, the big slide, the Ferris wheel, 3 rides that just spin you around upside down and a hangguilder type ride. So thats 9 rides, might be a few more I couldn't see. Probably on the higher end of tickets, maybe 6-8 each so thats 80 tickets per kid if you let them all ride everything.

The games tend to run around 4-6 tickets, but they are mostly not worth it. If they want to spend a few tickets on those just for the fun of it add maybe another 10$ for game tickets.

So 100-110 for the kids each and if ya'll don't ride rides around 20-30 for each of you.

Remember that the lightrail takes you straight there if you can find a parking lot. The end of lightrail has the Fannin Park-and-ride and I know the parking lot that is for hospital workers at Old Spanish and Greenbriar is rodeo parking(I believe its 5$) in the evenings then just light rail the one stop(Or there might be a free shuttle). Hotels right across from the rodeo are charging 15$ to park but you are right there, which is cheaper then parking at NRG and getting out is easier.
Don't park in the apartments around NRG, they will tow you, unless you know someone who lives in one with Guest Passes.

Have fun! Me and husband are going Wednesday as well.

[DSL_PWR]

Take about $500 bucks and you'll be good. Especially if the wife wants to shop.

[TexasTony]

they only take cash there?

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by key2thecity

First, before you get there, feed them, lol. Take them for a MEAL before you get to the rodeo. It will save you a ton of money. If they carry bags, put snacks in their bags. (Technically, I don't think you're supposed to bring in food, but I don't care. If you care, then just budget a little more for food, lol.) Explain to them that you're only buying a drink and maybe a few rodeo "treats" (fried Snicker's anyone?) when you get there. They should be full from their meals, but if anyone actually get's hungry, purchase heavy foods like the huge BBQ sandwiches, turkey legs, or BBQ plates and make them share. Purchase the commemorative cups so that they get free refills all day. These can be pricey when buying a bunch, but it's worth it.

Second, you should probably budget maybe five or six rides per person. And explain to them that EVERYONE doesn't have to ride EVERY ride. If you have the money for it, ball out of control. But if you don't, work the buddy system. 2 kids can ride the go carts, 2 others can ride the rollercoaster, so on and so forth.

This is all very sage advice and offers good suggestions.

Whether it stops the kids from asking for everything they see and demanding to ride every ride remains to be seen.......

[Oildog]

A quick stop at McDonald's may fill the kids up a little bit, cheaper than rodeo food. I'd bring $250.