DD has liked smashing pennies other places we've been, and I'd like to bring pre-shined pennies and the right amount of payment for the machines. How much do they cost each? How many machines are there in all the parks?
50 cents per penny and there are a bazillion machines (OK, not really, but well over 100)
Here's a reference list. Almost scary how much detail there is....and how many machines/designs there are!
http://www.presscoins.com/Listings/WDWMaster.pdf
We use a mini M&Ms container (or two) and layer it up....two quarters, one pretty penny. There are quarter pressing machines too, but we just consider those completely off limitsMy DSs spot a machine and yell "Smashing money! Get the tube!!" You can get a pressed penny portfolio too to display them in. My kids have fun adding their new pressed pennies to it at the end of each day or before heading for the parks the next day. A lot of fun for something so simple, but if you get addicted, the $$ can add up!
There are 502 pressed penny designs. Most machines have 3 designs so there are approximately 160 machines for just pennies. There are some quarter machines which need 5 quarters (4 quarters plus 1 that gets pressed). There is also a dime machine in Magic Kingdom by Space Mountain. Not sure of the cost of that machine.
A tip we learned was if you have one of those cylindrical Mini M&M containers, they fit quarters perfectly and neatly as opposed to a ziplock. Have fun!
Getting the Mentos Gum "tubes" is a good way to store the pennies after they've been pressed. They are kinda oval shaped. I had one for each of the parks. Made "filing" them easier when I got home.
we also do the M&M holders. i usually do fill one up with quarters for the quarter press, but it's not as important to us because those really add up!
right now, we have three of the WDW pressed penny books full. it's starting to get harder to find ones that we don't already have.