Dealing with small kids that want LOTS of souvenirs??

[Misskitty3]

Until our last trip to DLR with our 3 yr old I had NEVER noticed how every ride pretty much has a gift shop attached onto the exit (Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise etc). How do you handle these types of places with small children? Do you allow your kids x amound of $$ a day for souvenirs, do they get one souvenir for the whole trip or ????

Looking for some helpful and creative suggestions - thanks!

P.S. This year we will be bringing the Mickey ears and Buzz Lightyear lazer that we already have so we won't be buying those again. Of course, the lazer has been hidden for months in my closed because I HATE the sound of that thing but DS had to have it (like every other kid at DL).

 

[mom2ian]

I'd like some advice too! I will be leaving in a few days for DL and will have my almost 2-year old ds and 5year old nephew.

I decided two things. One: we must have a toy budget. For the 5 year old, this may be easier to understand. For the 2 year old, he's pretty easy to distract so I'm hoping by having a balloon at-the-ready we can sidestep any problems.

Two: Buy some toys ahead of time. I just went to the DisneyStore and bought a few surprise toys. I'm packing these for each child and then I will 'surprise' them at opportune moments in the park.

 

[Lori00789]

My kids are not use to getting things when we go to stores at home so they usually don't ask for things when we are on vacation. We travel about 3-4 weeks per year and spend a lot of money on our vacations. I have let the kids pick out one thing at the end of vacation. I don't like to make a big deal about it. I don't want my kids to be greedy, they are in disneyland(or disneyworld) and if they can't be happy here with out a bag full of stuff I would feel bad. I don't like to spend a lot of my vacation time shopping but we can look for a few minutes here and there. It is easy to get caught up in all the excitement of disney but you don't want to create greedy kids along the way.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Ohhh, so sorry you bought one of those lasers, too!

Ours has gotten buried under all the other toys they have, thank goodness. I will NOT be bringing it to DL, it drove me NUTS!

I bought a few things on clearance at the Disney Store and online before our trip last year, but the kids really didn't play with toys in the hotel room like I expected. So this trip I think we'll bring a stuffed Disney character toy, another stuffed animal/toy that each sleeps with, and probably a few Mr. Potato Head potatoes. They did like the sticker books and books on the flight, but the rest went untouched.

Last year DS6 was suddenly saying, "Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee" at every vendor we passed. I finally reminded him that he had X Disney dollars, and he could buy whatever he wanted with it, but once it was gone, he was not getting anything else, so choose wisely. (I still intended to get him a Disney sweatshirt or t-shirt as a souvenir.) I made him wait a day, but he begged so much for the Buzz Lightyear laser that we did let him get it on the 2nd day. I think halfway into our stay he blew the rest on a talking Woody doll.

So this time I'm going to:

1. Tell him that his choice must be OK'd by his parents. (Had I known the laser was so annoying, I never would have let him get it. My fault!)

2. Tell him he can't buy anything until the 3rd day. I had intended to do this last time, but the begging wore me down within 12 hours, LOL! I'd like him to see more of what's available before he chooses instead of getting the first thing he sees.

 

[godalejunior]

We usually do something like one stuffed animal either in the park or at BAB and one toy. We usually look the duration of the trip and he decides what he wants on the last day. I also usually pick out one shirt or clothing item for him as well. This year he will be brining his allowance in Disney dollars and once those are spent he is done!

 

[tinkerbelt]

You can get past some of the shops at the exits. Buzz Lightyear has an exit that doesn't go through the shop, and you can avoid the one at the IASW exit too. I don't think you have a choice for Star Tours though.

I'd just give your DS some Disney Dollars and tell him that he can use those to buy souvenirs, and once they're gone, no more. You might have to guide him a bit, because he is a little young to understand, but I've found that it generally works with my 3 year old. I will tell her, I know you want this, but remember you also wanted something else at the other shop, and there is still more to see. And usually she will hang on to her money until we leave, and then get something.

 

[crasher11]

Our boys do little jobs around the house to earn money before we go to DLR. Of course we still buy them most of the things they want but make them use their own money to buy things we really don't think they need. They learned very quickly how fast their own money goes and we noticed last trip they were very careful how they used the money instead of just blowing it on some of the stuff they really didn't need. ETC Those cheap plastic swords that last about 15 mins and are left behind in the hotel trash can...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

When my kids were small I was on a pretty tight budget. When we would go to Disneyland I would tell them that the trip to Disneyland WAS the gift, and that there would be no toys. My kids really never begged for toys. If they really wanted something they would ask, but for the most part they wouldn't. My dd used to say, "I like "this" but I know the answer is no." lol

It worked for me.

 

[drgalyen]

We have done the limited money but for the older kids. The little ones need a number limit. Age appropriate!
The best advice I can think of though is to get a plan and let the kids know this before you leave! If they know what to expect before you get there then they won't be asking for something at every store, sometimes you have to remind them a few times the first day.
Have fun!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

lol wow
ok i admit my son has became spoiled..manely becouse his dad and me split and i dont think he relly understands it all. I started buying him everything i thought hed like.. i splerge on a vacation when i can i fill like i have to make up for his real dad not being there 24/7, tho he has my fionce now and he has steped in to it like a pro..but he is a greedy kid right now

I just started noticeing the give me, i want and MINE things (6months ago) been going slow been trying to teach him but he dosent seem to get it all, and then i take something away or turn tv off and he screams and i cant handel him crying so i give in..im verry weak. and am working on it, mom in law knows alot..lol

Ok at disney im planing on haveing a card of disny money. like 50 he is 5 and I will have my own alonce for me and fionce to spend on him..and or own.
If i think he relly wants something or i just like this is to cute..then I wil have the alonce. Hes to young for all of it. couse i love buying him things

 

[dizzyami]

This trick has worked great for me, on two different trips. On day one I told both kids (5 and 3) that on our last day, that I would buy them one thing - whatever they wanted. They spent the whole trip looking at windows, getting excited over an item and knowing that it was their favorite. An hour later, it was something else. Their favorite changed the whole time, and they never once asked me to buy something, because they knew they got final pick. Last day, we purchased a $15 Ariel toy for DD and a $10 Buzz toy for DS

 

[Albort]

what i seen people do is that they let the kids EARN money... Like through their school stuff and good behavior at home... Whatever they earn, they can spend it at Disneyland...

To make it interesting, buy Disney Dollar... that way they can use it on the next disney trip.

 

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

We are leaving in approx 2 weeks for our first trip! Great ideas! I think I will be using a few

 

[Leofoenget]

Until our last trip to DLR with our 3 yr old I had NEVER noticed how every ride pretty much has a gift shop attached onto the exit (Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise etc). How do you handle these types of places with small children? Do you allow your kids x amound of $$ a day for souvenirs, do they get one souvenir for the whole trip or ????

Looking for some helpful and creative suggestions - thanks!

P.S. This year we will be bringing the Mickey ears and Buzz Lightyear lazer that we already have so we won't be buying those again. Of course, the lazer has been hidden for months in my closed because I HATE the sound of that thing but DS had to have it (like every other kid at DL).

I usually let them "look" but tell them "decide what you might like and on the LAST DAY if you want THAT we can get it. I usually let them shop and get a few things but tell them on the last day only. ( within reason) sometimes they get small things. THis way hopefully they will only remember their favorites and forget the implulse items they see getting off the rides.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Uh, I bring lots of money! LOL Honestly my son doesn't get things all the time for no reason. Mainly on his Birthday and Christmas, so I don't mind splurging while on vacation.

There have been years where ahead of time I've told him were not going to have a lot of money to buy souvenirs like we usually do, and I'll usually give him an idea of how much he can have/spend. Like 2 nice things, or 4 less expensive things ect..

But I'm bad because I LOVE shopping at DL, which includes all the toys and stuff for kids. So I have a hard time saying no. I need to find a therapy group for those who shop at DL too much. LOL

We also will not buy things unless we are leaving the park, either before going back for a break, or for the night. I hate lugging stuff around. So that helps with impulse buying. Sometimes he'll forget about it even after a while, other times he won't and at least I know it's something he really wants.

 

[fidoprincess]

I have been taking my kids to dl since they were tiny babies and they are 7 & 12 now. Ever since our first trip staying at the DLH, I started packing stuff that I bought from home and at night while they are asleep, Tinkerbell brings them gifts if they are good. Well, they are always good at Disneyland and I save a ton of money! I hit the disneystore and online shopping and almost jump up and down with joy when I see the same stuffed animal at the park for $35 and I got it for $7! My kids NEVER ask for a single thing in the park although we usually do buildabear each trip and that is a quick $100. When they started to get a little older, I did finally tell them that at the end of the trip, they could pick one thing because I wanted to shop-lol. This way, I get to look in all the shops I want while they keep their eyes open for their one big thing. In the end, they usually skip it because they have gotten so much stuff from tink already. I don't just do the Disney stores either because almost every store now has disney branded merchandise, even the dollar store.

I have been doing it so long now that I have a routine of what to put out when. First night I put out new pjs and a stuffed animal, maybe another outfit for them to wear that day if I get great deals. Then everything else is coordinated to what we are doing for example, they get light sticks on the night we are staying late for fireworks, character tshirts for specific rides we are planning that day like riding nemo, new nemo shirts. I also buy the mickey lollipops at the disney store so they always get some small treat to take into the park. They each carry their own fanny packs with gameboys for loooong waits in line, a snack bag of pretzel, goldfish, etc, and a treat like the lollipops or cookies and a small water bottle that we just refill all day that is not too heavy. If you ever see two perfectly happy, patient kids in line eating lollipops and playing gameboys with their little fanny packs, they are mine-lol!!

Sometimes Tink really goes crazy and brings big stuff. Once close to christmas, she brought a tv and a scooter-lol. I can't imagine WHAT she was thinking! Yep, that was my dd riding up and down the hall in the DLH on her scooter, quiet as a mouse but so so happy! So fun to learn on the long carpeted hallway instead of the sidewalk. My only regret is that I did not have Tink bring mommy and daddy surprises too. I know lots of other families that do this too and gifts can be from Mickey, etc. but I picked Tink because she is so elusive and well, a fairy they could see glowing on the wall at the hotel.

This routine is one of MY favorite parts about dl trips. I get to shop ahead of time and take my time picking stuff out I know they will love, not to mention saving money. I put it all in one suitcase and stick it in the closet and it is a thrill each night pulling the stuff out while they sleep, kind of like christmas eve night! I'm practical too so the empty suitcase carries the dirty laundry home. I can assure you that your kids will NEVER ask for anything in the park again if you do this.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

My kids earn disney dollars throughout the year (we do annual trips) and they know they can purchase on the LAST day. We shop around throughout the trip with them knowing they are just looking to find the "bestest thing in all of Disney (my dd's words) and they usually have a good idea of what they want and then we buy just before leaving which gives them something brand new for the long trip home. Its amazing how much more conservative they are about spending a lot when it is their money.

As a side note, I do always buy mickey hats for the kids and get them each a light up toy for the parade. I'm usually happy to spoil them with those ridiculously expensive light up toys because they have been so good about not asking for everything else (and I know people hate them, but I love the smile they give my kids).

 

[CanadianPaco]

I think the root of the problem is the spending we do at the dollar stores and Walmarts. If they learn money smarts there, it makes DL a treat. My DD was older so it was easier!

 

[tlovesdis]

When I take my niece, who is now 8, we have a deal. Each day, so long as she behaves, she gets one thing that is about $10. Then on the last day we go to the World of Disney and she can pick out one thing that is around $25 (or a combo of things). So far it has worked! She knows the deal and whenever we are in a shop she looks at things, but doesn't impulsivley pick something out. It's ususally not until later in the afternoon or evening that she decides.

It seems to work well!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

walmart is my best friend its where i shop for ecveryting, and I will have things like glow sticks and things to give him on the trip. I will buy ears hat and glowing things on the night fantasmic and fireworks..

when we went to dw we only were abel to get him a littel stuffed animan micky germany and a light up thing at fantasmic..the cheapest thing we could find..

this time to dl we are spending more on suviners..