Need gift ideas for MIL going to Orlando...Quickly please!

[rnorwo1]

Hi! My MIL's birthday is Friday and it kind of snuck up on me here! She is pretty difficult to buy for, already has everything. We are all going to Orlando for Thanksgiving and we will be going to Universal, SeaWorld, Lego Land, Kennedy Space Center, and one non-park Disney day. She loves the rides and activities, but isn't into all the WDW merchandise/character stuff.

So I was trying to think of something that she could use on the trip instead, and the only thing that I can think of is a hipster bag? But I've read how strict Universal is about bags on rides so I don't know if that would be allowed? We have 7 day tickets there so it would be most needed at Universal.

Any ideas on anything else that she could use for the trip? Practical or unique/frivolous is fine. My budget would be $35-$50, if there's a great idea I can ask my SIL to go in with us, and we can probably go up to $100. If there was photopass or something like that there that would be a good idea... does Universal have something similar? I will be making her a scrapbook of this trip for her Christmas present though!

Thanks!!!!!

 

[shoney]

I would go with the bag if that is what she needs and can use. There are only a few rides at universal that require the use of the free lockers.

 

[tink20]

Does she need a new stylish suitcase?
How about a nice pair of sunglasses?
Or a small thin digital camera?
If you are staying onsite at Universal and using Express pass, a lanyard is very useful. (you have to show your card at every ride) Vera Bradley has some cute ones.
Does she like to read, maybe a Kindle or nook? to read while traveling.

 

[rnorwo1]

Does she need a new stylish suitcase?
How about a nice pair of sunglasses?
Or a small thin digital camera?
If you are staying onsite at Universal and using Express pass, a lanyard is very useful. (you have to show your card at every ride) Vera Bradley has some cute ones.
Does she like to read, maybe a Kindle or nook? to read while traveling.

She does have all of those things, except for the lanyard which is a very cute idea (we are staying at universal so we will need it), just need something else to go with it. Still considering the hipster so that would work well as a combo. The frugal part of me is balking about a $50 purse that she would likely only use on trips, b/c they don't travel often.

I was also trying to think of things she could do in the car, so maybe a gift card or something for her e-reader... she has a Sony so I'll have to look up where she would purchase books for that? Any other car activities? She has subscriptions to every magazine possible so can't do that stuff....

Please keep the ideas coming!

 

[tink20]

hey, i was going to let you know, they do sell lanyards with the holder for your card at Universal, that's the ones we bought, just in case you can't find anything at home.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

She does have all of those things, except for the lanyard which is a very cute idea (we are staying at universal so we will need it), just need something else to go with it. Still considering the hipster so that would work well as a combo. The frugal part of me is balking about a $50 purse that she would likely only use on trips, b/c they don't travel often.

I was also trying to think of things she could do in the car, so maybe a gift card or something for her e-reader... she has a Sony so I'll have to look up where she would purchase books for that? Any other car activities? She has subscriptions to every magazine possible so can't do that stuff....

Please keep the ideas coming!

Target used to have the Sony reader gift cards. I usually just go to the Sony Reader Store online to purchase my books.

 

[Mickey527]

I had a problem with Universal and their rules about bags on rides. I am not going to leave my wallet in a locker, no matter what they tell me. Why do they let guys walk onto rides with wallets and junk stuffed in their pants but women have to find a locker.
So this trip I found a small over the shoulder bag. It fit my wallet, a folding brush and my sunglasses. That is all I really need at Universal. I put it under my blouse when I was going onto rides and it was comfortable and no one stopped me.
I would look for a small bag that she can wear under her blouse or sweater. She is probably around my age (57) and we are tied to our purses and can't go without one.
Oh, and I go on all the rides, the faster and scarier the better.

 

[rnorwo1]

I had a problem with Universal and their rules about bags on rides. I am not going to leave my wallet in a locker, no matter what they tell me. Why do they let guys walk onto rides with wallets and junk stuffed in their pants but women have to find a locker.
So this trip I found a small over the shoulder bag. It fit my wallet, a folding brush and my sunglasses. That is all I really need at Universal. I put it under my blouse when I was going onto rides and it was comfortable and no one stopped me.
I would look for a small bag that she can wear under her blouse or sweater. She is probably around my age (57) and we are tied to our purses and can't go without one.
Oh, and I go on all the rides, the faster and scarier the better.

So, you think the mini-hipster from Vera Bradley would be too big to be allowed on the rides? It looks pretty tiny.

Thanks i*heart*minniemouse on the tip for the sony cards, I had no clue where to get them! And we'll definitely check out the universal lanyards tink20... my kids have Disney themed ones that I put their "if lost call..." cards in, so just a few of us adults will need them.

 

[rnorwo1]

Ok, I jumped over to the Universal boards and there are many threads about the bags, the hipster would definitely NOT be allowed. So back to the drawing board...does anyone have any other ideas? I can still do a gift card for the e-reader and the lanyard, any other ideas to add to that or something larger/nicer instead?

 

[AnjieNet]

So, you think the mini-hipster from Vera Bradley would be too big to be allowed on the rides? It looks pretty tiny.

Thanks i*heart*minniemouse on the tip for the sony cards, I had no clue where to get them! And we'll definitely check out the universal lanyards tink20... my kids have Disney themed ones that I put their "if lost call..." cards in, so just a few of us adults will need them.

The VB hipster, mini or no, is NOT allowed on the 3 rides that require lockers. Your bag must have a three prong clasp and go around your waste.

If your MIL likes VB, try the travel belt bag. Yes, it's small. Fits a cell, small camera and your ID, CC, and park ticket
http://www.verabradley.com/product/Sale/Travel/Travel-Belt-Bag/1001229/defaultColor/Deco+Daisy/pc/785/c/0/sc/879/p/1001229.uts


If you are looking for something bigger, try this convertible bag from Kipling. Goes from shoulder bag to fanny pack and is fairly good sized.
http://www.ebags.com/product/kipling/multiple-convertible-waist-bag/60241?productid=685198

Both of these bags are allowed on all the Universal rides so you can skip the locker lines.

 

[ToddyLu]

I bought my MIL a cute Halloween necklace with Boo and a cat on it. Not a tacky one, something very nice on a cord. Maybe a pretty pin. On our last Dec trip my MIL did pick a pearl and we bought the pearl and the setting. What about the VB ID case with a gift card inside or money to buy something once she gets there? The ID case would probably hold her cards for days at the park.

Gift certificate for photo print out after the trip--or maybe a gc for her Christmas photo cards and take a pic of the whole group for it one day. Then she could order and send them when she got ready for the holidays. I also bring snacks and put them in Mickey gift bags and just pass them out the first day we are there. I also get her flat small holiday decorations for her room when we go to WDW. She looks at me and laughs but loves hanging those things aroudn the room.

 

[ToddyLu]

For my Mom and Dad's Anniversary one year I gave them a scrapbook (empty) with papers and stickers as a gift and told them I would put together a scrapbook when they got back from their cruise to Alaska. Just finished it and it turned out awesome!! I also try to buy at least one special ticket event or meal as a special gift when we travel to Orlando. This year it is their first trip to MNSSHP--so they are getting those tickets for their B-day and Anniversary.

 

[Mickey527]

If you are looking for something bigger, try this convertible bag from Kipling. Goes from shoulder bag to fanny pack and is fairly good sized.
http://www.ebags.com/product/kipling/multiple-convertible-waist-bag/60241?productid=685198

Both of these bags are allowed on all the Universal rides so you can skip the locker lines.[/QUOTE]

I was at Universal in July of this past summer and have a very small waist bag. I was told on the first day I couldn't bring it on any of the rides. Luckily we did parent swap with my grandson that day so whoever didn't ride held the bag.
On the next day I went with my grandson alone and had a small bag that I put under my blouse when I went on rides. I had a loose blouse on and no one saw the bag (or perhaps they thought it was bad bra stuffing or maybe a medical bag.

 

[AnjieNet]

I was at Universal in July of this past summer and have a very small waist bag. I was told on the first day I couldn't bring it on any of the rides. Luckily we did parent swap with my grandson that day so whoever didn't ride held the bag.
On the next day I went with my grandson alone and had a small bag that I put under my blouse when I went on rides. I had a loose blouse on and no one saw the bag (or perhaps they thought it was bad bra stuffing or maybe a medical bag.

First I've heard of anyone being turned down with a fanny pack on the rides unless it didn't have a 3 prong clasp. The 3 prong clasp is key. I have heard of people hiding their bags under their clothes but if the strap or bag is noticed, it goes to the lockers. With the problems they've had at Dueling Dragons of people getting hurt by a flying object, I'd adhere to the rules and put any non-waist packs in the lockers, for your and other's safety.