Please help

Hey guys, i am planning to do my first contiki tour - the Wild Western that starts June 20. I have a few questions, which i hope can get answered

I am a little confused on how much spending money i will need to take...i have read on different discussions ranges from between $50-$150?

I was also planning on staying in Anaheim 5 nights before the tour started. Is the Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort Area, where people doing a contiki tour usually stay before or after a tour?

And finally, i was hoping to spend a couple of days in New York after the tour had finished. Can someone please shed some light into where would be a good place to stay? I have heard the Hotel Beacon???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.