Best way to get merchandise?

[kccne]

What is the best way to go about getting disney stuff for the kids? I really dont want to spend 12 dollars a piece on the ears at the park, what is the cheapest way to get the boys the good toys and such without dropping a boatload of cash?

 

[pocomom]

What is the best way to go about getting disney stuff for the kids? I really dont want to spend 12 dollars a piece on the ears at the park, what is the cheapest way to get the boys the good toys and such without dropping a boatload of cash?

What are the ages of your kids? My kids have never been interested in the ears. I gave them each their own money this time and they could get what they wanted with it but no extra. Worked great! Walmart near the park has some things like t-shirts, plus the dollar store and your local walmart/target will have some toys/stickers etc. you could prepurchase. For this trip I also went through our house beforehand, found a couple mickey mouse storybooks, toys, lots of stuffed animals and figures etc. and brought them along (we have an rv) I made some t-shirts and a pluto travel pillow for each of the kids. The kids got in the spirit and decided to use their old autograph books to save a little. And I brought snacks to the park including candy which they never have- but because it was a treat they didn't really feel the need to buy as much of the snacks and candy at disney.

 

[tchrrx]

When DD was younger, I would always hit the Dollar Tree before we left home and wrap up little gifts. Then, one drawer in the hotel became the 'gift drawer.' Each day she got to open a gift. It totally cut out the 'I Wants" at the park.

ETA: The first night's gift was always new Disney p.j.'s that I had bought in advance.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Set limits. The ears my boys picked out (lightning McQueen) were 17.00 not 12.00. They became dust collectors the minute we got home. That said those are about the only things that have become dust collectors. They like getting the action figures or die cast cars more. We set a limit on what they can have and then enforce that limit. They each also have their own gift card to use through the week for souvinears and when it is gone it is gone.

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[Marionnette]

What is the best way to go about getting disney stuff for the kids? I really dont want to spend 12 dollars a piece on the ears at the park, what is the cheapest way to get the boys the good toys and such without dropping a boatload of cash?

There are outlet stores in the Disney area where you can shop for park merchandise. It will be the clearance merchandise and not the newer stuff that you see in the parks. I don't think that the regular mouse ears ever end up there.

You can order from the disneystore.com. Sometimes they have discount codes for 20% or more off, including Park Exclusives. And there's usually free shipping for orders that total a certain dollar amount.

 

[jgreco]

If they will really want mouse ears, look on Ebay. A lot of time they are sold in "family lots". I see sets of 4 etc. I can tell you those ears are dust collectors and they are better off choosing things they will use outside of Disney.

I also used to buy things in advance from Dollar Tree or Walmart and Mickey or Minnie would leave as a treat in our room. We live in Florida so most if not all of our Walmarts have a whole Disney section with inexpensive T-shirts, sunglasses, hats, light-up toys for parades etc.

 

[Jenny3]

Sometimes Disney Store will have a sale on their parks merchandise. You can get ears then and bring them with you. We had a full bag packed of nothing but souvenirs I bought ahead of time. Clearance t-shirts, sweatshirts, light-up Mickeys for parades ($1 ea at thrift store), stuffed characters ($.25 at thrift store), decks of cards, etc. I gave them one surprise a day and they loved it! DS3 still sleeps with his authentic WDW Mickey that I got for a quarter and washed

We also designated the last day of our trip as the kids' shopping day. They could browse all week, then we spent our last day on Main St in MK so they could finally spend their money.