Should we be buying anything now to save?

[castoral]

I overheard a co worker talking about buying all those glow in the dark necklaces and wands and such for their Disney trip in September and it got me thinking...what else should I be buying now that'll save us money? Our trips is schedule for Feb 4-12th. I'm assuming we won't really need sunscreen or those water bottle spray fan things at that point....but anything else thats in season now we should stock up on?

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I would take sunscreen. The sun is still so much stronger than we are used to in Ohio. I always bought some special outfits to put back for our non-summer trips. A hooded sweatshirt was great for the cool morning and evening.

 

[Kellydelly]

You absolutely will need sunscreen in February .

 

[Mommy Of 3]

Sunscreen is an absolute MUST year-round in Florida. Even if in doubt, put it on- better safe than sorry.

 

[donaldandpirates]

Sunscreen and glow sticks are a great start. Start looking for sales at the Disney store (B&M or online depending on where you live) for t-shirts, autograph books, plush, etc., if you are into those type of souvenirs. If you are into pin/vinylmation trading, try finding a reputable pin/vinylmation seller on eBay. Anything beats having to pay full price in the parks!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Jumping on the sunscreen bandwagon.

 

[tiawolfe]

I am going Feb 13-19 and have already started stocking up.

Here are the items I have purchased in advance the past few years:

1. Glow wants/sticks/necklaces, etc. from either Dollar Tree or the dollar spot at Target.

2. Disney notebooks and pen sets from the dollar spot at Target.

3. Disney coloring books from Dollar Tree. When the back-to-school sales start I will buy crayons.

4. Disney t-shirts and stuffed animals from the Disney Store outlet. Last year they had a BOGO sale on the stuffed animals, and they always have a cute selection for shirts for $4.

5. Flip flops and bathing suits for the kids. They will outgrow their summer ones by the time we go on our trip, or they will be totally trashed from the summer. Many stores, like Children's Place and Old Navy, have flip flops for $1.

Have fun stocking up!!!!!!!!!

 

[tzeitel]

I am going Feb 13-19 and have already started stocking up.

Here are the items I have purchased in advance the past few years:

1. Glow wants/sticks/necklaces, etc. from either Dollar Tree or the dollar spot at Target.

2. Disney notebooks and pen sets from the dollar spot at Target.

3. Disney coloring books from Dollar Tree. When the back-to-school sales start I will buy crayons.

4. Disney t-shirts and stuffed animals from the Disney Store outlet. Last year they had a BOGO sale on the stuffed animals, and they always have a cute selection for shirts for $4.

5. Flip flops and bathing suits for the kids. They will outgrow their summer ones by the time we go on our trip, or they will be totally trashed from the summer. Many stores, like Children's Place and Old Navy, have flip flops for $1.

Have fun stocking up!!!!!!!!!

That looks like my list! I also picked up bubble blowers for DD and DN at WM for $4 each- they are $15 at WDW and DD always wants one. And also at WM they have Disney shirts -I always look in the kids clearance rack and find tons for $3.

Target also had Disney themed packs with small coloring pages couple of crayons and stickers in the dollar spot - those I carry in my bag for when we go to restaurants.

 

[AntePrincess]

This time of year is a good time to pick up waterproof bathing suit bags, bug repellent bracelets (some of which glow in the dark), cover ups, sunglasses, and cheap watershoes at Five Below. I also like to get car organizing accessories if I'm going to be driving a long ways anywhere, if you don't have one, now would be a good time to get a cooler for traveling or for your room, if you will be going by car or not have a fridge in the room.

 

[Lilliputian]

I always keep my eyes open for fun things to do on the drive down. (You still may need some stuff if you fly.) It's not necessarily "seasonal," but if it's on clearance, I buy it.

 

[LONES]

I usually stock up on matching Disney themed t-shirts for my girls before the trip. That way they don't even think to ask for them in the parks.

I also try to get princess dresses from the disney store website after halloween. They are about 1/3 what you would pay at the parks.

 

[ashmarie06]

Dollar store Ponchos!

 

[Happiest mommy]

bumping-great list someone here mentioned bug repellant bracelets do those things work? mosquitos love my DD's thanks

 

[reginaastralis]

bumping-great list someone here mentioned bug repellant bracelets do those things work? mosquitos love my DD's thanks

While we rarely have any issues with mosquitos at Disney, I really like the bug spray wipes that are available are a pretty good idea. I hate spraying bug spray, but maybe that's a personal choice.

To the pp, you've heard it a million times already ...but as a Floridian, I think I get burned more during the spring months than the summer ... I'm more apt to forget the need for sunscreen. I'm trying to make it part of my daily use, but it's hard.

 

[AntePrincess]

bumping-great list someone here mentioned bug repellant bracelets do those things work? mosquitos love my DD's thanks

I haven't taken them camping, but they seemed to work great in WDW (not that I've had a big problem with mosquitoes there before). Ours also glowed in the dark.

 

[Andrea464]

Sunscreen is a must. I thought I had forgot ours and ended up paying almost $15 to buy a new bottle at the hotel (Pop). Ends up in was in a nook in the trunk.

 

[quentina]

Yes- to sunscreen

For glow sticks, I always by mine on Amazon. You can buy a large roll for less than what you would spend at the $1.00 store. Also- they come packed for shipping which is great....just tuck in suitcase.

You may want to consider buying some poncho's (take it from someone who has $7000.00 worth the Mickey poncho's). Little gifts for the room for the kids to come back too. I also take a small bag of odds and ends....rubberbands, shout wipes, bandaids, advil etc.

 

[ginerjenny]

I made goodie bags for the kids to keep them entertained on the airplane. are you driving or flying?

 

[jkearson]

I'd buy a couple pair of shorts for your kids a size bigger than they wear now. When I was packing for our January trip I realized my kids couldn't wear any of their shorts from the summer. Both had been through growth spurts. I had a hard time finding shorts in NC in January. I really didn't expect us to wear shorts often on the trip, but it was unseasonably hot and we wore shorts everyday.

 

[clintswifeymomof4]

I would start buying anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that doesn't have an expiration date before your trip.

I give this suggestion because during our last trip, I spent about $20 just to outfit my first aid kit with bandaids, tylenol, a mini sewing kit, etc. Also gallon sized ziplocks, sandwich bags, a roll of pennies if you plan on pressing them, quarters for the laundry if you plan on washing, flashlights (we stayed at the FW cabins so they were needed), ponchos... I'm sure I can come up with a huge list.

I say to start collecting this stuff now because even though these items are relatively inexpensive, it all adds up if you're having to buy it all at once right before your trip.

I keep a basket in the closet and as I find things on sale/clearance or have a good coupon for... I buy and toss in the basket so I'm ready!