Anyone try to supplement toys with Dollar tree

[billyvmom]

We have been buying little toys at the dollar tree with Disney themes my mom thinks we're cheap but, we are trying to limit meltdowns when we mayy not have 12 dollars for a balloon on the last day we're there

 

[soccermomof3]

We did that!! I have talked to friends that have done that! You are NOT cheap. Enjoy your trip!

 

[james'mommy]

let mom pony up the money for the 12 buck balloons

 

[dogodisney]

let mom pony up the money for the 12 buck balloons

That's what I was thinking.

 

[MJAJmom]

Dollar tree has great disney toys and goodies, also check out Michael's for other disney treats. Sometimes Target has some inexpensive disney items in the dollar racks when you first walk in the store. Don't forget that glow sticks are a HUGE hit with kids. You can get 15 glow sticks in a canister for $1 at Michaels. My boys loved them for evening parades and shows.

Grab whatever you can at home to save money. I call that good planning!!!

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Hannathy]

To me those are just toys not souvenirs, A souvenir is something you pick out from where you are not pre-bought.

My kids never buy junk for a souvenir. they pick out one or two things that have a meaning from the park and are decent quality. They know this. We also don't buy the souvenir the first day they think about what they want and we get it toward the end of the trip.

I would just set my budget and let the kids know how much they can spend and then have them think until later in your stay. It will have a lot more meaning to them if they pick it out from Disney than a toy from the dollar store that they didn't have a say in.

 

[jacksmom]

We bought dd(3)Princess stuff from the dollar store, target and some from Michaels, and the Disney store (on sale) before our trip last July and told her Tink came while she was sleeping and left her one thing each night (8 nights)! It kept her busy in the am while we were getting ready and it really did cut down on her wanting stuff in the parks! We also took glow stuff from the dollar store! We did go to Downtown Disney once and let her pick out 2 things she really wanted (little pony and accessories, and an Ariel doll)! She was happy as a clam and I maintained my budget! I am already picking up stuff for our Easter trip!

 

[ilovejack02]

I hit a huge sale on the Disney store before our first trip, bought a whole load of goodies with us. Of course I let him pick out a cpl of special stuffed animals there and we got an ornament .. get one everytime we go, but I just think having extra goodies add to the magic.

He played with Disney toys the whole trip there and back and had lots to play with in the room. He was pleased as punch and I prob only spent 50.00 at the most and that included some special socks and a cpl of tshirts.
It worked out so well we now bring goodies on all our trips to the world.. but we alway get something special.

Oh and btw those 12.00 balloons last several days.

 

[kimsdreamvacation]

the only way I'd ever pay 12.00 dollars for a balloon is if it was gonna do my dishes and laundry for me after I bought it!!!! I'll be sticking to the Dollar Tree.

 

[emma'smom]

Also---get those spinning light-up toys from Target or Walmart for about 5.99. We brought these and when they saw the carts of light-up toys, I pulled out ours...They were just as happy to wave and spin the ones I had (vs. the ones I would never pay 15.00-20.00 each for).

 

[Keri]

If it will save a meltdown, I don't think it's a bad thing. That said, we keep expectations of toys LOW while we are there and before we go. We have g'parents sending money for the kids to spend there, but it never goes far. We usually do one or two days where we even enter a store and buy one or two things. We don't buy balloons or anything like that, my kids don't even ask! And then on our last night, I usually go pick out an ornament and/or a picture frame or something with the year on it so we have something special to remember THAT trip. Personally, I wouldn't be buying ANYTHING if my kids were pitching a fit over buying something all the time though. It's not like a Disney vacation is cheap! I want them to appreciate that their biggest gift is simply BEING there. Anything else is extra and only for kids who are acting like big kids and being grateful!

Target has a ton of princess/cars stuff in the dollar spot right now - I just picked up a bunch for stocking stuffers.

 

[tchrrx]

I do it not b/c I want to save money on big souveniors (DD picks something out each trip that she wants and DH & I spend plenty ourselves!). I buy at Dollar Tree for two reasons.

1.) I want DD to get a magical gift each morning and/or evening just b/c it makes the day a little more exciting. I fill a drawer with gifts and she knows she can open one each day.

2.) It teaches DD the spirit of giving. I load up on Disney stickers and glow sticks. DD hands them out throughout the day to other children. She also gives them to staff members that are very helpful or make an impact on her. She has really learned that it's not all about her and tries to make someone else's day special.

 

[Magic Mom]

We have been buying little toys at the dollar tree with Disney themes my mom thinks we're cheap but, we are trying to limit meltdowns when we mayy not have 12 dollars for a balloon on the last day we're there

I won't have the popular answer, but here goes. Don't stress over meltdowns too much. Its OK for kids to learn that they don't get something everytime they want it. That's an important lesson. And you are doing them a huge favor if you teach it to them at a young age. You don't have to scramble to give them a toy just because they want it right at that moment.

 

[crisi]

I just say no. There is enough plastic junk in the house (and in the world) without giving into the demands. If they have a tantrum, we head to the bus. Funny how there have been very few Disney tantrums.

 

[Magic Mom]

I just say no. There is enough plastic junk in the house (and in the world) without giving into the demands. If they have a tantrum, we head to the bus. Funny how there have been very few Disney tantrums.

 

[Cinderellabride]

To the two previous posters

I very much agree that meltdowns do not = stuff

I am not perfect at it though and I am working on not giving in to my 20 month old when he has a fit.

 

[billyvmom]

I understand the need to limit plastic junk in the house and teach bounderies. We are letting them buy a few special items to have memories like an ornament. The glow stuff was an excellent idea we will definitely do that!!! Leaving in 10 days WHOO HOO!!!

 

[Bren's Mom]

We allowed ds one souvenir, my mom bought him Mickey ears on the first day of our trip. But to avoid the 'I want's at all of the stores we prepared in advance with 'Mickey' gifts. My sister did the same for her girls with 'Tink' gifts. Pre-purchased and wrapped small things that were appropriate for the trip and/or helpful in the hotel room. We got ds a stuffed $5 Micket at Target for the first day. A Mickey coloring book and crayons for day 2, which kept him busy while we were getting ready or showering, etc. I forget what we got for the other days, oh I know there was a Mickey coloring pad and stencils one day. All small, dollar store things except the Mickey I mentioned above. These gifts were left on the bed as we left the room (he was always out first with my mom) and we asked Mousekeeping to leave them out for us. They were always with the towel animal on our arrival back to the room. When in a store and he asked for something we just said 'Wait, you never know what Mickey might leave you instead!'. It worked great!

 

[diamondpixienc]

I have always done the dollar tree for inexpensive toys to keep my kids interested and/or to prevent a meltdown. I even did it for Disney on Ice where I had pulled out a previously purchased $15 light up spinning thing from a prior year's show along w/ some princess & cars things I found at the dollar store. (seriously) I just left them seated w/ DH and returned w/ some snacks & "toys" they didn't notice a thing all I heard was "cool mom...thanks" I even had some parents ask "Where did you find that?" & "Which both had those souvenirs?"

 

[weheartdisney]

I normally buy things from the Dollar Store and our local Disney Outlet and pack them for our trip. Each night a different character leaves out gifts for our 2 sons and they are thrilled to get them and can't wait to see what arrives next. We normally don't spend more than @ $50.00 on souveniers at Disney itself....and that always includes a Christmas ornament (which is a must). The glow sticks from the Dollar Tree are always a huge hit.