college students.....I need your advice!

[mulderxcoltrane]

Hi everyone,

I need your help/advice:
We'll be traveling to the World with a couple of college kids in October and wanted to surprise them by having something waiting in their rooms when they arrive. There will be 2 males and 2 females. Some have been to WDW before, others have not.

So - we're open to ANYTHING (that doesn't break the bank).

I've already thought of mouse ears, but didn't know if those were to "cheesy" for your age group.

I've also thought about getting each one of them a Hidden Mickeys Guide.


Any help?

 

[mollay]

Honestly, when I went to WDW for my high school's senior class trip last Spring, everyone in the group I was with bought + wore mouse ears the whole time. And I'll certainly be wearing mine the next time I go, hehe. So I don't think that sounds cheesy at all.

The Hidden Mickey guide also is a really fun idea.

Sorry I'm not much help as for other ideas, but I think your own ideas are really good! I'd certainly be excited, at least.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Your ideas are really great- No matter what age, everyone wants to wear Mouse Ears at WDW. And the Hidden Mickey's Guide is a great way to pass time in line.

Think about even just putting snacks in their room along with that stuff. I know I always get hungry later at night. And when you've been running around a theme park all day you're going to be even more hungry. I think they'll appreciate having some chips, cookies, etc in their room when they get back from a long day.

 

[tink774]

Think about even just putting snacks in their room along with that stuff. I know I always get hungry later at night. And when you've been running around a theme park all day you're going to be even more hungry. I think they'll appreciate having some chips, cookies, etc in their room when they get back from a long day.

I second this idea! The Hidden Mickeys idea is also great!

Do you think they might like special shirts to wear on their trip? My sister and her friend (both college age, too) went to Disney last year with my parents, and I was able to get some help on the DISigns board in the Creative forum and put together some really cute (if I do say so myself) t-shirts for them to wear! Since your trip is in October, you could try hooded sweatshirts if the weather might be cool. You can find shirts at most craft stores or on jiffyshirts.com and the iron-on transfers are not very expensive. As I said, the DISigns board has lots of information on this!

ETA: Or if you don't think they'd want something to wear, you could make them some bags to carry? I did this for our quick MNSSHP trip in October. I got some drawstring backpacks at a Joann store, and ironed special designs that I made onto them for each of us.

 

[disgirl4life]

I like the Hidden Mickey book. I forget mine a lot when I go, but having it is a fun way to pass the time in some lines and it helps to see little things that maybe wouldn't have been seen before.
I think the shirts/sweatshirts are a good idea too.
I don't know what would be "breaking the bank" to you( but I guess it would be about the same as the shirts), if they are interested in starting pin trading, you could get them a starter set with their favorite character(s) and let them buy any extras they want. Pins are my favorite A starter set is about $25 each. I guess it just all depends on what they are into, but I'm sure anything would be fun!

 

[brittanyherndon]

I know just for fun Mike and I will be wering mouse ears even if I have to brib him. Or I will wear I tirara seens I always feel like a princess when I am there. Thanks to the CM and my Dfi

 

[mmsisme4ever]

hidden mickeys are such a fun thing to do while waiting in lines and downtime! My boyfriend and I had a HUGE competition with the hidden mickey's!
Also another fun thing is like disney character water bottles and snacks in like a disney themed bag. (you could probally find that at like the dollar store)
OOOO! and glow light stuff for the parades and fireworks! (dollar store) or disposable cameras that you all can decorate!

Honestly anything with disney is always something good!

 

[mdoll4]

You could get them autograph books, and/or some disposable cameras to document their trip.

It does kind of stink to wait in line to meet the characters, but it's a really fun memory to have!

And I have to say, I also like the ear thing. I really want to get my boyfriend and me some before we head there in May!

 

[Eraina]

It really depends on what type of person they are. I know that as a college student, I like to go to Disney World for the "adult" stuff--enjoying the landscaping and design, the art of Disney, and people-watching. So let me chime in with a dissenting opinion--sorry to bellaDisneydncr--and say that if you got me an autograph book and a set of Mickey ears and expected me to go and meet the characters, I would not be at all thrilled. Other college-age students might be. (Keep in mind, OP, you're on boards with people who love Disney a lot more than the average person! ) How much do you know about these college students' personalities?

As some people have stated, though, every college student appreciates food (Mickey-themed or not!). Blankets, clothes, and decorations--provided they're associated with characters or themes that the student likes--are nice because they're reusable and useful, and you can probably find some pretty good generic "Walt Disney World" theme ones if you don't know their specific likes and dislikes. I collect pins myself. The glowsticks idea someone mentioned is nice too--who doesn't like a little extra light after Wishes?

Basically, I think your best bet is to talk with them about the trip and Disney and find out what Disney-related stuff--characters, mostly--they like that way. Then you can be sure that the gifts you give them will be right up their alley.

 

[mdoll4]

I kind of agree with Eraina, in that, I know I like some of the childish aspects of going to Disney world, but if someone else handed me an autograph book and told me to go play, or handed me the ears and told me to put them on and pose for the camera, I'd be extremely less inclined to do so.

You should probably just ask them, it really depends on the person.

Or here's another idea. Instead of a souvenir that might be misconstrued as "cheesy" or childish, you could try getting them something that would actually be useful on the trip. A backpack, or water bottle, for example.

 

[hurdlertwin]

As a college student I think you have some really great ideas up there. Depending on how many times they've been to WDW will really be the biggest factor with the hidden mickey book. If it's their first time then they'll be so overcome by everything that looking for hidden mickeys will be on the back of their mind. The snack/food idea would be a great idea though. Everyone knows how expensive the food is at the parks and being able to have some quick snacks with them could really save some money.
The hoodie sweatshirt idea is pretty cool. I know all of my friends along with myself wear sweatshirts all the time, especially to classes. I'm sure whatever you give them they will be very happy with.

 

[teamlouise]

Everybody I know, even if they don't love Disney, gets the mouseketeer ears when they go to Disneyland -- and for college students, it kind of hurts to spend money on them -- so I think that's a good gift!

As far as other souvenirs go, I think you'll have to judge the personality of the kids you're going with for yourself. Do they *love* Disney? Or are they excited to go to Disneyland, but obsessed? Or in between?

For instance, I love Disney. But I don't like to come home and have my room/wardrobe looking like it belongs to a 5 year old. So, I don't buy shirts and sweatshirts with characters on them and things like that.

But, my boyfriend and I (I'm 21 and he's 23) did buy t-shirts this time around. I bought a Jungle Cruise t-shirt and he got a Space Mountain one, they were both like... old poster art, rather than the goofy ones with characters riding on rides, and that's what we really liked about them. So, maybe that's something to think about too.

Also, I like small accessories and Disney art. So like, key chains, pins, art books, antenna balls, and ornaments are good a good way to remember the trip.

FOOD is always a great gift too. Or Disney Dollars for food. & I like the disposable camera idea someone posted too.

 

[cuethemusic]

disneyflorist.com has some welcome packages they will put in your resort room for you- the snack ones might be nice!