Biggest money savers by bring with instead of buying

[kezug]

Can anyone list items that I should consider bringing with instead of having to buy while staying in Disney for 5 nights/6 days? We are staying at POR.

I have a family of 4 (kids are 7 and 10)

This is our first trip and we have the meal plan.


Thanks.

 

[ziggystardust]

first thing i'd recommend is getting some toys/souvenirs up here that your kids will inevitably be begging for. The disney store usually has those light up toys and if you can get them on sale, its a huge savings.

also make sure to bring any first aid items you might see needing. its always cheaper to buy advil and such at a local store than in a hotel.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Are you going to have a car or are you using disney Trans?

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

1) ponchos--dollar store
2) bottled H2o ---check if there is a surcharge to have delivered to the hotel
3) breakkast nibbles---granola bars, cereal bars, mini muffins--we get hungry early and do not like to use too many credits on breakfast. We will do 1 to 2 character breakfasts late am after touring the parks a while.
4) Light up sticks and toys for the nighttime parade and fireworks
5) mister fans
6) autograph books
7) princess/ mickey clothes and hats. All tees, princees gear, pirate ears or mickey santa hats we bought ahead of time on ebay or on sale at disney store--pins can be bought this way too
8)magazines/gum for the plane bought ahead of time

 

[amyy]

garden grocer for water and snack delivery

 

[Justsyd2]

I know that I'm going against the grain on this one, but I learned from experience -- half of the stuff that's listed to bring with you, you won't ever use.

Think about the items that you really need to travel with, and bring those along. Most other items can be acquired as needed. Disney isn't higher than most other vacation spots, and they are actually quite less than many!

We ended up using only a clear over the door shoe holder to hold loose items, and a pop-up laundry hamper in the room. We were on the meal plan and got 2 beverages for breakfast, so we had 2 waters per day to take to the parks because we also had the refillable mugs. The food items are large enough to share so I'm glad that we didn't fill the room with breakfast items that wouldn't get eaten. It was simple to share a large breakfast and share large lunches, then order two dinners. You'll have snacks on the meal plan, and they also are large enough to share.

There are first-aid centers for band-aids and such, and also the CS places will give you free ice water if you ask. Autograph books can be bought in the parks for less than $5. I would set a budget for the kids to buy souvenirs with because if they don't purchase it on the trip then it's not actually a souvenir, it's a gift.

 

[Anniegirl]

sunscreen
extra batteries for your camera

 

[Malibustyle23]

sunscreen
extra batteries for your camera

Even rechargeable batteries are great. Extra memory cards, scruncies, gum.

 

[dis75ney]

Reusable water bottle and Crystal Light packets. I'd ask for ice water while getting CS meals, then refill my bottle and add the flavor packet. I estimate I saved a good $200 on drinks, and with it being so hot when we went, the water was much better for us than caffienated and carbonated sodas...

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Enough suntan lotion, aloe, and extra batteries.

 

[Sagginit]

bubbles! they sell these bubble guns or at least they did last year...but dont sell refills so if your kid wants more bubbles you have to buy a whole new gun. talk about pricey. so if you may have the urge to buy one bring some bubbles with you.

 

[Zoemakes5]

We completely used the breakfast food in the hotel trick. We brought a cooler as one of our carry on items and was able to keep stuff cold without needing a fridge. I've heard great suggestions of collapsible coolers, too.

We also bring gum, candy, chips/snacks, granola bars, fruit. I also bring/buy Mt. Dew once I get down there, since I can't get it in the parks.

A couple of pens/sharpies.

Tylenol/advil, cold/sinus meds, blister material/mole skin. All things I've had to purchase while there and were more expensive.

I like to buy pins before going. It really doesn't matter which ones you have to start with, since they are for trading.

I bring lots of ziplock bags of different sizes. I agree about the ponchos, and I'd add an umbrella or two.

 

[mamaminnie]

ponchos.

disney ponchos are $7.50 each.

I'd bring 2 or 3 of the dollar store ponchos per family member, you can toss them if you need too and it's still less than 4 wdw ponchos.

 

[hffmnheidi]

All your possible medical needs-dirreaha meds(a must with all the unfamiliar food you may be eating), hand sanitizer, asprin, bandaids, neosporin, anti-itch cream...

I have been every year and have become a master packer/planner. You can find packing lists on the internet and modify them to suit your family's needs. It's also a good idea to find a large plastic cosmetic case to keep all your meds in so you can pull them out in a moment's notice and not have to rifle through your suitcase to find something.

I would also put a mini first aid kit in your fanny pack or backpack that has neosporin, bandaids, hand sanitizer, and alcohol pads.

 

[MissBritt]

Sunscreen
Chapstick
Hand sanitizer
Batteries
Umbrellas/ponchos

 

[patsal]

I do not like to lug a lot of extra stuff, but I always bring:
Ponchos from the dollar tree
big box of cereal and stacking plastic bowls
bandaids, etc. in a ziplock baggie
benadryl, tylenol, any other otc meds we use
sunscreen/after sun gel
lollipops and gum

 

[LisaInNc]

I used to be the uber packer too. I brought everything under the sun. I didn't use most of it.

I now bring

a small first aid kit...we never need a bandaid until we need it immediately!
pen
gum
bottled water
snacks
a few special treats that I don't usually let my daughter have.
food for breakfast in the room
a power strip (with 2 smart phones and one cell phone, a nintendo there is never enough outlets in the room)


my DD is 9 and after 18 trips we don't do light up toys or autograph books or any of that extra stuff...thankfully!

Lisa

 

[NotUrsula]

Sunscreen, batteries, watershoes for waterparks, and if your kid needs them, diapers. Those are the biggies, IMO.

The park markup on sunscreen and batteries is around 200%.

 

[PrinceCharmingsMom]

I second bringing all of your possible medical needs. On our last trip my DS 2 got super sick--fever, coughing etc we ended up making a run to Wal-mart to get his Tylenol and Cool Pads that adhere to their heads to help keep fever down. Now this trip I will make sure I add this to my already long insane list of packing.

I also want to add I am a FL ressie and super over packer, we go to Disney for 2 week long trips a year and every weekend through the holidays, however I would rather take something and not need it as to pay 2 or 3 times more for it when I am on vaca.

 

[santa's surpriz]

A phone charger! Everytime I got to WDW my phone chargers dies. I end up paying a fortune getting to Wal-Mart and wasting valuable park time. Last trip I actually ended up with a defective one and had to make a second trip. Argh.

I bag to take souvenirs home..I end up frantically heading back to DTD on the way to the airport in search of one of the large shoppers. I always forget to pack it! Now, I keep one stored in my luggage so I will not forget.

Here is a great tip I discovered- Save the kids meals toys from McD. BK, etc. They are great and if the get lost it's no big deal. Right now my Wendy's kids meals come with "Family Game Night" toys. Most of them are a little larger than a postcard. I have Pictureka, I-Spy, Clue, Connect Four, and LIfe. They are perfect for travel or in the hotel room in the evening.