My DH is afraid...

[momm2four]

that there will be little vendor carts set up around the ship. When we went to WDW, our children were constantly begging for those little toys and trinkets on the vendor carts which seemed to be everywhere, and we would really like to know that we won't have that to contend with (or at least be able to prepare the boys for not getting everything they see)

I told him that I didn't think DCL had these as I have not read or heard anything about them. His response was for me to "get on that Disney board of yours and ask them. I bet they will know for sure"

I know that there is shopping on the ship, but I'm asking about the roving salesmen with the lightup Buzz Lightyear whirly-things and the light sabers.

THanks a bunch!
Lori P.

 

[Roemama1]

I just got off the Wonder last week. They did not have "roving carts" so tell your hubby not to worry. The only place besides the shops that I saw them with trinkets, etc, was one night by the pool and then the day at sea by the pool. Just an FYI but that was the only place I saw them.

 

[lotsofboys]

However, being a Mom of three busy boys 10, 10 & 7 the set up they have by the Mickey pool is annoying enough just like the ones in the parks. I know exactly what you are talking about

We solved the problem by telling them several times before we left and when we got there that no souvenirs would be purchased until the last night. We do this at Disneyland as well since we visit quite often. So they can look all they want and if they bug me about it before the last night they may get nothing! BTW on our first cruise they were 8,8 & 5 and it still worked great. Have a wonderful trip, you will love it

 

[mmouse37]

The only "cart" on the 7 day is set up by the Mickey pool and has toys, sunscreen, lanyards, beach towels, etc. It is there just about everyday. I like the idea of telling the kids they may pick out their goodies on the last night. That way they won't be asking for new things all week long.

MJ

 

[momm2four]

Thanks for the replies.

I like the idea of not buying any souveniers until the last night. Since we'll be on the ship, it's not like those wonderful rolleyes: ) toys won't be there the next day. At WDW, the boys just had to have that Peter Pan sword at Magic Kingdom b/c , Lord forbid, they might not have anymore at the next park.

Lori P.

 

[clh2]

Our DD 9, was very good about her purchases. She had a certain amount of money to spend, and it had to last her the cruise and several days at WDW afterwards. We didn't interfere with her spending, however she knew in advance that...ONCE IT WAS GONE...IT WAS GONE. She managed to sneak in one last trip to the Disney store at the Swan before we left for home to spend her last couple of bucks!

 

[HookdonWDW]

This is what we do... and it works VERY WELL at the parks! We give each child $20.00 at the start of the trip. We then tell them that on the last day, we will buy them a trinket and a shirt or hat. The $20.00 is theirs to spend on any trinkets or junk food they would like during the length of the trip. If they think they need more $$$, they need to save it on their own before hand. We pay for all meals and some snacks and extras (but we choose which snacks and extras we want to provide). There are no loans from the First National Bank of Mom and Dad during vacation. Then, as an added bonus, we offer to double whatever they have left of the $20.00 at the end of the trip.

Maybe we have cheap kids, maybe we have greedy kids, but they don't want every little thing they see, and they always have money left at the end of the trip!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I saw trinket carts with light up toys during the deck party on Nassau night last December. In fact, you can see the cart in this picture I took: http://community.webshots.com/photo/107267476/107274050EKNvnu

 

[WDWLVR]

I've seen both a cart/table set up by the Mickey pool and also the cart the night of the deck party.

The other things they will have set up are the pin trading cart each night in the atrium and a cart selling water as you are leaving the ship in port.

 

[aaronamy]

Our kids have always saved money to take on vacation(we go on several vacations a year so they are always planning for one) We usually buy a shirt or some souvieneer but anything else they buy with thier own money. You would be amazed at how they think about what they will buy when it is their own. They always want something that will last and be a memory. On our last cruise my son bought a Mickey Mouse watch and said he would always remember the cruise when he wore it. He was only 8. I LOVE DISNEY MEMORIES!

 

[CACruiser]

On my last cruise (Wonder 2001) I did not see any carts.

However, I eliminated the "gimmies" by giving each kid a bank book with a set amont. We make the books on the computer.

This way they do not carry actualy money that can not be lost, but they have to keep track of what they spend and on what!

Mom and Dad pay for the item, but once they have maxed out their allowance, they are DONE.


My son has started keeping "wish list" notes in his book of items he is thinking about purchasing.

LisaCA

 

[The4OfUs]

On one of the nights, I think it was Weds/Cozumel? They had a tropical party on deck, and they had carts there, with light up things, like necklaces and balls and those whirly-ma-gigs (yes, that's the technical term!) right next to the dance floor (the Goofy pool all covered up). Other than that one, I saw what others mentioned, carts with little toys in it, of COURSE set up right next to the Goofy pool. Marketing, what can you do?

 

[minniemoms]

HookdonWDW
I love what you said you and your husband do. Doubling the money at the end of the trip. That is so great. And the national back of Mom and Dad. I had to laugh. We have 6 children and it has always been a problem on trips to Disneyland. But I want it now..... but I love the way you handle it. Now our children, are 2 married, 1 off to college, 1 almost at college, and 1 high schooler, and 1 jr. Higher. So, they don't ask for much anymore. I just wanted to compliment you on the way you do it.

 

[tkd lisa]

There is also the souvenier shop on Castaway Cay. It's not an in-your-face kind of thing, but on our 2nd trip, my DD chose to spend her money there.

As far as the stand at the Goofy pool, I had one request from my kids, but that was it. I said "only with your money", and they chose not to buy. Now most of what I saw was beach towel, t-shirt type things, not cool toys, so maybe that's why they didn't push so hard.

 

[denise5374]

That's a great idea for your kids! If you don't mind I just might borrow it for my kids (and my DH, the biggest kid) "But I HAVE TO HAVE IT nowwwww......"

 

[mmouse37]

I completely forgot about those carts at the deck parties....we have older teens so they were not much of an issue, but you were right...they do have them out at the deck parties!!!

On the 2/7 cruise at the adult 60's theme night they handed out glow sticks to everyone in the club...that was the first time I saw Disney handing those out for free!!!

MJ

 

[HookdonWDW]

minniemoms and denise5374 -

Glad you like you like our plan to save ourselves from financial ruin on vacation. I just dislike it when you keep hearing "Can I have this?" I REALLY need that."

A cute story... dd (9 at the time) was looking at all of the goodies outside of Little Mermaid, and saw some little trinket that she just HAD to have. So she asked me if she could have it. I smiled and told her she could feel free to spend her money on whatever she liked. She gave me a look of horror, and informed me that she wasn't going to "waste HER money on that junk!"

That's when we knew that the $20 policy was a good idea.