Newbie Here!

[DFSquare]

Hello all you wonderful posters!

I have been snooping on your posts for about a week or so now and decided I like it so much, I'll join in. Seems only fair I acknowlege all the wonderful tips and advice I've read about so far.

I will have many questions for you all, but I hope to gleen most of my answers by going back thru the posts so I don't wear you all out with repeated questions.

This will be our first trip to WDW. My DH and I will take our 2 boys (7 & 5) and joining w/my parents! If the Army cooperates, our oldest (21) will join us as well. We're all very excited.

DH and I both grew up in Souther California so we each have about 30 years of DL and can't wait for the ultimate Disney adventure.

We have our rooms already paid for via a military benefit and are pleased to be staying for 2 full weeks!

My first question to you all is about souveniers. I took the advice and went to my local Disney Store. I only saw maybe 3 items my boys might be interested in as a souvenier (character shaped box w/candy inside and 12x12 face cloths with character imprint).

What are the current types of souveniers at WDW and any clue as to average prices? We will all be getting the mandatory ears (tho the men don't know it yet) and will be purchasing the glow sticks for necklaces at the local dollar store this week.

Ok, this has gotten waaaaay too long! Guess my excitement overtook my fingers.

**Just applied for the Disney Visa as we will be going the end of October, so plenty of time to rack a few dollars. And I used one fo the codes from a post here**

Thank you for all your posts and advice!

Dawn

 

[mad4themouse]

Hi DFSquare! I'm glad that you decided to come out of lurkdom.

My children were almost the same ages as your 2 youngest when they made their first visit to WDW. Now they're totally hooked! Even though she's approaching 14 YO, DD still listens to Disney Tunes and we have to buy every DVD when it comes out! And DS12 wants to know why we have to go to Italy next year when WDW would be more fun.

As far as pre-purchasing souvenirs go, try getting some of the following to pack and take with you:

• Keychains are very popular among the elementary school kids in our area
• Autograph books and fat pens
• Disney t-shirts
• Light Spinners
• small character beanies and plushes
• any kind of Disney candy or snack item
• Disney fanny packs
• Bendable characters (like the ones in cereal boxes or from Keebler's mail-in offer)
• Lanyards and tradeable pins
• Guest of Honor badges with their names on them
• "Passport" to be stamped at all the World Showcase countries in EPCOT
• Small, plastic binoculars for spying animals while in Animal Kingdom
• Disposable cameras --make sure to bring in your carry-on luggage
• Sunglasses and/or hat with a wide brim to shade eyes from strong Florida sun
• "Fun" sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen

I'm not sure of the current costs for the ears, autograph book or pens. I hope this gives you some ideas of what you can buy at home ahead of time. Have fun planning!

 

[dizagain]

Hi!! My girls were 7 and 9 last year on their first trip. They got Disney Dollars for b'day, Christmas, and Easter from relatives. This added up and they had a nice stash that they could choose how to spend. I didn't find the souvenirs at the parks to be too outrageous. You are already handling the worst in my opinion by bringing along glowsticks from home! My girls were fine with the glow necklaces from the dollar store.

The Guest of Honor badges were our favorite souvenir of all and they were only $5.99 at the Christmas Store in DTD last May. We also still love to look at pressed pennies and autograph books - neither one was more than $7. My girls chose to buy one shirt each and a few of the small stuffed animals. I think the stuff you buy at the parks is extra special, and as I said, I didn't find it too "out there" in cost. We were on a budget and didn't go crazy at all, but the girls had a most special vacation.

Have fun, and I HOPE your older son gets to join you!!!

 

[powellrj]

If you have a car, we usually get ours at the Outlet Malls. There are several located around Orlando and you can get some really great buys. We like the one the Beltz Outlet Mall the best. At one time someone posted a map of the locations, but I can't find it now.

 

[DFSquare]

I'm making notes on everything and I'm sure we'll have a blast.

Dawn

 

[Pembo]

We took our 7 & 5 yo boys in early December.

They loved the PINS! I had no idea they would become such pin heads. If I had known, I would have picked up a lanyard and some pins for trading before we went. Just a word of caution ~ pins cost $6.00 and up. But they really liked looking at them and my 7 yo was always looking to trade with a CM. (5 yo was keeping what he got. )

They also loved their Guest of Honor Badges and autograph books. I took a picture of them with each character, then made a copy on the computer and glued it in their book.

And pressed pennies! We took lots of quarters and pennies with us. Carried them in film canisters. One with quarters/one with pennies ~ one set for each boy.(have to be equal). We bought a Pressed Penny Book for each boy as well.

They each had their own spending money. The 7 yo spent his in the first 2 days (bought a Sorceror Mickey hat). My 5 yo was trying to find something to buy the night before we came home. His brother was very willing to spend it for him.

We bought them light-up swords at MK. They were 6.99 I think. A big hit. I have great pictures of them in a swordfight at Epcot while waiting for Dad to ride Mission Space.

Have a great time.