How much $$$ for the extras?

[Laney's Mom]

I think I know how much I want to bring for food and everything else is ready but how much should I budget for souvinirs? Are the prices on Disney t-shirts,etc inflated like the food prices? How much would an average t-shirt be? How about the autograph books? Any other can't live with out things we won't be able to leave there? I am taking my 13 year old daughter and 8 year old son and my husband. We are leaving on Wednesday!!!!! I am so excited!!!

 

[tinaluis]

If I remember correctly, the autograph books ran about $8.95 and the t-shirts anywhere from $13.95 up, depending on how fancy you want them. If you have access to a car, you may want to take a drive to the Belz Outlet Mall. They have two Disney outlet stores there and the deals are usually very good. In fact, we start every vacation there and have our girls pick out a few souveniers which really cuts down on the whining at the parks. Another alternative, if you're so inclined, is to get tshirts at the Disney store before you go -- they usually run about $7.00 on sale for the kids. We usually get one or two and save them for vacation and the kids don't know the difference. It may be a little harder to pull off since one of yours is 13, but, depending on how budget-minded you need to be for this trip, it may be worth it for you. Have fun!!!!

 

[Rpsemont]

There are also a couple disney outlet stores closer than Belz. One is less than 2 miles from DTD. check out www.wdwig.com. I think she's got the locations and directions posted. If they do have the autograph books at the outlet store, they have never been discounted when I've been there. If you have the car and think you have the time, spend a couple days at the parks and hit the outlet store mid vacation. Then you'll know that's really outlet priced and what isn't. Last Nov, I had to get a Food and Wine 2002 t-shirt at Epcot when we were there at WDW. I think it was $18!. I saw it this last feb at the outlet for Under $10. LOL.

As far as budgeting for souvenirs, the autograph book, the passport in Epcot, Pins (You might be well advised to stay away from these if you're trying to save money,LOL) Plus figure that every ride ends in a gift shop. Plus there's hair wraps, tatoos, and face painting I would set a budget for the kids and let them make their decisions. As far as your budget, probably plan on a few of those $17.00 pictures they'll take of you as you enter the park, and one of my personal favorites is the RNR picture. When you go on that, wait for the front and two sit in the first row and two in second. We buy one from here almost every year!

 

[Lory]

We were there for 11 days last year and I budgeted $1000.00 for souveniers. Made sure I spent every penny too!! This was our first trip and I always spend way too much on the kids but thats just me. We really got into the pin collecting so each of the kids got their first 20 pins. Each got t-shirts, umbrellas, ponchos, autograph books and pens, about 15 keychains for my daughter because she collects them. My son got the model (plastic cars and such with like pooh in the honeypot, the splash mountain log etc). We also had a family picture done with Mickey Mouse and we bought our photo on our first ride on Splash Mountain. Got some candy and fudge from the candy store. I think that's about it.
We only did one character breakfast ( Chef Mickey's which was really fun) and the rest of the time we ate McDonalds for breakfast and counter service for a late lunch in the parks. Usually grabbed some cold sandwiches at a gas station or ordered a pizza for supper. We budgeted $1600 for food because that was $100.00 a day (we drove 30 hours from Wisconsin), but only ended up spending like $900.00. We did the parks the whole time and really never wanted to stop and eat. We really didn't get hungry just thirsty.
I guess just budget what you can for souveniers and when it's gone it's gone. I would definitely buy some of the pictures though, they are priceless.

 

[frannn]

I always bring at least 1000. (and a credit card, just in case) for souveniers, because I usually buy a ton. I try to buy as much as I can at the outlets, especially when I am bringing stuff home for family and friends. We can usually get something for everyone, and get much nicer things at a much better price when buying at the outlets. At WDW, snowglobes (65-120), tshirts for adults (19)., Mickey ears, beanies, magnets, mugs, postcards, key chains, pens, sweatshirts, pins, Halloween party pins & tshirts, DVDs, CDs, Mr Potato Head, scrapbooking supplies, and Pal Mickey (50) are probably some of the things we will come home with in Oct. At the outlets, I will try to find some of the same, as well as toys & clothes for DD1, a new disney watch, a disney statue or collectible, new disney tote, clothes for me, and souveniers for two older DDs (14 and 10) who will stay home with their dad.
I made a spreadsheet and listed all my meals at DW and how much each would cost. I figured in several character buffets and estimated three meals/day. We probably won't spend as much as I figured, but the total came to about 750 for DH, me, and DD1 (won't have to pay for her) for 10-11 days.
Have fun!

 

[Mickey527]

Definately go to the Outlet malls for any souvenieers you might want. I wear something Disney every day and I have found tons of nice things at the Outlet stores.
My favorite is the Premier Outlet because their things seem to be newer and I see alot of things there that are still on sale at the parks for a much higher price.
For autograph books you might want to try what I did for my niece and nephew last May.
I went to Michaels and bought little 4x6" photo albums for $.99 each. They were made from light colored clear plastic. I bougth Sara a pink one and Danny got green.
I also picked up 4x6" file cards. I looked on the internet for Disney character clipart and bought the sticker paper and printed the clipart on the sticker paper.
I cut out each character and stuck them on the blank side of the 4x6" card. Then put each card into the photo album.
The kids arranged the album the way they wanted, in the order of their favorite characters. Then as we waited in line to get the autograph of each character I pulled the correct card out of the book. The characters were thrilled to see their picture on the card and they interacted with the kids more, especially the ones without the big costume heads. If they could talk they spent alot of time talking about how they remembered when they had that picture taken etc... It was really cute.
My niece loves Cinderella so I made sure to get a few extra of those such as Cindy alone, Prince Charming alone, and the two dancing together. They danced for Sara at the Princess breakfast just like they did on the sticker she had of them. Peggie

 

[vhoffman]

I understand the outlet stores are much cheaper for Disney souveniers, but why would anyone want to spend precious vacation time away from the parks just to buy some souveniers? After all, my best souveniers are my memories, and they are of the good times I had at the parks, not battling traffic to get to an outlet store to spend half the day buying some worthless junk. $1000 for souveniers?!! I didn't spend that much on souveniers on our trip-of-a-lifetime to Europe. To each their own, but I'd rather spend that kind of money on upgrades to a nice Disney resort and spend the time there, not in a glorified WalMart!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by vhoffman
I understand the outlet stores are much cheaper for Disney souveniers, but why would anyone want to spend precious vacation time away from the parks just to buy some souveniers? After all, my best souveniers are my memories, and they are of the good times I had at the parks, not battling traffic to get to an outlet store to spend half the day buying some worthless junk. $1000 for souveniers?!! I didn't spend that much on souveniers on our trip-of-a-lifetime to Europe. To each their own, but I'd rather spend that kind of money on upgrades to a nice Disney resort and spend the time there, not in a glorified WalMart!

That's the great thing about disney, they have something for everyone.


I think the deluxe resorts are nice, but I'm not at the point where I'm willing to spend the money it takes to stay in one. Disney is still very new to my son and I. I'd rather stay in a value resort, have a longer trip, and spend as much as I can on souveniers and meals.

I'm sure once we have a few trips under our belt, we'll slow down and enjoy the resorts and other things disney has to offer.

To the OP, be sure you budget for the ride pictures! My goal is to get one of DS and I on Splash Mountain, RNR, Test Track and Tower of Terror. I also want one of us in front of each park's icon.

 

[frannn]

They usually don't go with us (don't really care that much), but they do request I bring home lots of presents! We also usually bring a little something home for everyone-MIL, BIL, SIL, Mom & Dad, etc. I personally love to shop, and I work hard, so the outlets are actually part of my excitement for the trip. It doesn't hurt that 3/4 of DD1 and my wardrobes are of Disney! I may be the exception rather than the norm, but I feel the snowglobes, monorail, etc I bring back with me brings a little bit of Disney to my home, and helps me "deal" in between vacations. With three kids, a F/T job, and only 1 vacation/year (due to my time constraints), you need all the magic you can get!

 

[Mickey527]

I agree, for a first trip leaving WDW to go shopping does sound like it would take some time, but if you plan for a shopping trip during the middle of the trip it can be done.
Go to the parks on EE, then stay till about 11. Shop during lunch at the Premier Outlets just outside DTD and you can pick up a nice inexpensive lunch at the mall too. They have everntyhing from subs to pizza just like your malls at home.
shopping is really only going to take you about an hour, so count it as a pool break or lunch break and save money at the same time.
I also shop like frannn, everyone who stays home wants a treat, even the dogs. I have never had a problem finding something at the outlets.
Last time I was at the parks in June I found little candles in the shape of Mickey's head for $.25 each. I bought red, white and blue for each of my friends at a cost of less than $1.00. I put them into little Mickey party bags with ribbon and they were thrilled with the gift they thought I bought "as is" at the parks.
The time before that I found little glass candle holders in the shape of Mickey's head for $1.50, with scented gel candle inside. They sell the same at the parks for $3.99 each. I bought 10 of them for myself.
Going to the malls is a great time for the kids to relax for a while and a great time for you to get all the shopping done. You might even want to leave them at the pool with daddy and go yourself. Peggie

 

[mhopset]

I agree with hitting the outlet mall. We did very good there last year.

As far as pin collecting goes. I thought this was the most dumbest thing anybody could ever do. Well, I got my first pin, and thats all I should say about that. DS, DW and I were hooked. It is so fun to search for the pin you "have always wanted". One thing I have found is www.cheappins.com, They have very cheap pins some as low as $2.00. They would be good souveys. Order them and take them with you. Ask for a small bag in one of the gift shops, put in the pin and you have a great surprise for the kiddies.

 

[RickinNYC]

After we've paid for our rooms, passes and airfare, we plan on bringing along about $2250 in cash and travelers checks, plus a credit card for room charging priveledges. I know that's overkill but that would include all food, airport town car service, drinks at PI or the Boardwalk, as well as souvenirs.

FYI, and that's for just two adults.

 

[heart4dis]

wish I could remember WHERE! (too many senior moments these days...)...

...once you make your budget, add 30% (plan to spend 30% more)

 

[kfeuer]

Originally posted by vhoffman
I understand the outlet stores are much cheaper for Disney souveniers, but why would anyone want to spend precious vacation time away from the parks just to buy some souveniers? After all, my best souveniers are my memories, and they are of the good times I had at the parks, not battling traffic to get to an outlet store to spend half the day buying some worthless junk. $1000 for souveniers?!! I didn't spend that much on souveniers on our trip-of-a-lifetime to Europe. To each their own, but I'd rather spend that kind of money on upgrades to a nice Disney resort and spend the time there, not in a glorified WalMart!

Well...this is the BUDGET board

I'm not a major souveneir buyer, but I still plan to check out the outlets. We're going to stop on our way into Disney rather then leaving once we get there. That way, if I see something I like I won't be wondering if I could get it cheaper at the outlets. We have a 2-year old and a 5-month old, and are budgeting about $400 for merchandise purchases (mostly for the kids). Rather then buying t-shirts or the like, I always look for an unusual decorative item I can use in my house to remind us of the trip. That's probably the only thing I'll buy for myself.

 

[m_passi]

Before our first trip, each of our dd's (5 & 7 at the time) saved (with help from Mom & Dad) about $150 each, we allowed them to buy one souvenier a day, and once their money was gone, they were done, they made SUPER choices since it was their money!!!

We bought Mickey ears, sweatshirts and one other thing for them each and a few things for us, that way none of us went overboard on souveniers and we still came home with quite a few things and most of all, the dd's were happy