Some money saving tips I learned here and used on our 3/1-3/9 trip

[strawberryblonde]

I bought our 7dayplus hopper tickets w/ breakfast vouchers through paramount, worked great!

Bought glow necklaces/bracelets at the dollar store to use at night on the kids and adults. Lots of fun, no one got lost and we got alot of attention. Riding the boat ride in Mexico, everyone eating would wave to us - kids loved that So many Mom's asked me "where did you get those" and would slap their foreheads when I told them the dollar store.

Bought the Disney Fun Seeker tshirts on clearance at the DS for $8 and $4 for our group of 11. Wonderful pictures and we got lots of attention. Also bought the matching autograph books for $5 each for the kids, nice with places for photos.

Bought about 150 pins at the DS on clearance (ranging in price from .62 - 1.25). Also bought the trading lanyards that came with four pins for $2 each for each person thanks to a tip on this board. We used up all of the pins and enjoyed ourselves so much. My Mom and BIL ended up buying quite a few pins at the end because we ran out of traders (they all had told me I had bought too many ). I also passed out a trader bag ($5 marked down from $20) to each family at the end of the trip to display their pins. They appreciated them so much and would have laughed at the big bags at the beggining of the trip

Bought big mickey mouse suckers at the dollar store for each child (the nice kind with the wooden stick). Bought ponchos there as well.

Bought souvenir toys on clearance at the DS for each child. Between this and pins, no begging for things. My DD did ask for a princess ball (which she got) and my DS did ask for a TowerofTerror key chain because all of his cousins got one (he spent his allowance on it).

Used vouchers for character breakfasts for the adults, the savings added up. Used Q+C vouchers at B+C and we had a great time

Bought 5 cases of bottled water at Sam's Club (under $5 for 32 bottles a case) to use for all 11 of us. Also at SC bought single serving Pringles, PB crackers, rice krispy treats, breakfast bars, ect. Not only did this save $$ but time in line as 6 kids get the munchies at different times.

Took our portable fridge for two rooms to share (saved them $80) and brought along milk, cheese slices, bread , cereal, fruit ect. We had our plug in cooler for our room.

Thanks for all of the good money saving tips folks . Only down side is I made it look too easy, lol!

 

[bobcat]

Great job! You deserve another trip to WDW.

 

[NancyIL]

Congratulations on a job well done!

 

[Kallison]

I always pack the big lollipops too, my DH laughs at me. When we go to MK the kids see them on Main St. I pull them out for $1. I remember one year we spent $15 on lollipops because they kept dropping and breaking. I hate those stupid lollies!!

 

[strawberryblonde]

LOL! I hate them as well. They "worked" all week long though, I kept them on a plate and they could take a few licks whenever the mood struck. I left them in the trash can when we checked out and the kids haven't missed them

I enjoy splurging on character meals and the occasional sit down meal. I let the kids pick out a frozen treat while waiting for a parade and make sure to buy them popcorn at least once. Saving money in other areas allows for these treats, not once did we feel we were pinching pennies.

 

[Muffy]

Wonderful money saving tips! You did a great job!

 

[AAAQUEEN]

just wanted to ask strawberryblonde what dollar store you bought the glow in the dark necklaces from?

 

[Tetonman]

While I'm not a blonde, I found these at both Target and Walmart in the party section of the store. This is such a good idea. I can't wait to see my boys faces when they get them...

 

[strawberryblonde]

I found mine at Dollar Tree. I've read of others finding a tube of 10 or more necklaces for a $1! at their dollar stores but I wasn't that lucky. Mine came packaged 2 necklaces and 2 bracelets all together for the $1. The bracelets worked really well around ankles

 

[strawberryblonde]

Not this last trip but in Dec. I bought the Beauty and the Beast Happy meal toys at McDonalds for $1 each. I would toss a couple in the diaper bag each day and pull them out for the 2 kids while waiting in line or for a parade. McDonalds has Disney related toys every so often, I went through the drive through when the kids were sleeping so they didn't know to fuss for the toys (nor for the junk food, lol.

 

[timbud1]

Well, we're headed down May 3rd...YAY!!! Anyway, I just checked my girls "savings envelopes" and found they each have $95.00!!! I spread the word last fall and they have been receiving Disney Dollars from everyone as part of their Christmas/B'day gifts. All those 5's and 10's really add up! Santa joined in the fun and I've given a hint to the Easter Buny too. They loved getting the dollars and now that the trip is near, they are thrilled!

We've also been members of Kidzeyes.com for about five months. The girls have been completing surveys and getting cash! My younger one has earned more, but they each have $30+ from that! I plan to cash it in in a few weeks and let them add some of that to their stash for goodies. If you're interested, go to Kidzeyes.com and sign your kids up - I've been quite pleased.

I am so happy to have that expense out of the way - they are already budgeting and planning. I feel they will have plenty for a shirt, EPCOT passport, an animal or two and plenty of JUNK!!

Just wanted to share with you - God bless America!

 

[AAAQUEEN]

well timbud1 i am just so excited for you!!! i wish we could go sooner that nov but i am such a chicken when it comes to heat. what a great idea to have everyone pitch in for the kids spending money. I bet it is sooooo expensive over there.

will you be using backpacks to take water and snacks into the park with you? the kids are going to have such a good time. what hotel are you staying at? did you find a good deal? i myself dont plan on joining the others to all the parks maybe 2, but i want to find a hotel that has alot to offer in the way of entertaining me plus i am sure that there are alot of attractions outside of wdw. will only be there 5 nights.

i sent my daughter when she was 18 along with the rest of my family and she actually called me from the park at night, crying, about how beautiful and awesome the fireworks were. i just couldnt get over this. she is just not that type of person so i have to go myself to see what she is talking about.

I also want to see why alot of people i have seen on the web go so often. like once and sometimes twice a year?

well good luck and enjoy!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

well, strawberry, I for one know how much effort and work and trouble you went to for your family to have a fun, yet frugal trip. I hope they appreciated all that you did. I am the one that does this kind of thing for my family and friends and for once I would like for someone to do it for me. Wonder if I could ever let go of control over the situation. Probably not is the answer.

You are to be comended, there are ways to save money on a Disney trip, but a lot of people are not willing to put in the time and effort involved to do it.

I hope that they showed their appreciation for all that you did.

 

[jenjie]

You did a great job! We also bought a case of water. My parents wanted to know where we were going to use it all? We ended up running out on the last day. Probably saved about $50 buying water!

I bought glow in the dark necklaces from Dollar Tree too. Too bad they didn't work. I don't know if they were old but my kids were pretty disappointed.

 

[ceecee]

I got some at Dollar Tree too. Also got some for 75% off after Halloween. They do sell them in the party supply areas and there's an online place if you need a lot. My daughter still likes the excitement of "buying" a Disney light up thing for the parade and illuminations.

 

[polkadotminnie]

Timbud- We are heading down there May 2nd. I have had my DD's do lots of easy chores for their Disney Dollars. My oldest age 6 has saved about $50. My 4 year old has saved about $30(she has had to give some back due to behavior). Note: They can earn and lose money. This has really helped with behavior at my house. We are staying at POFQ May 4-8 and offsite May 3-4 and May 8-9. Maybe we will see you there.

 

[lilallybean]

Just a little side note about those light up thingys. When you get back to your hotel or campsite, place them in the freezer or in ice! They should still be good the following night! We have frozen them and then used them days later. You can go online to a place called "oriental trading" it is a party supply place, and buy lots of them cheap!

 

[Chris2597]

You can also find the glow in the dark thingees of all kinds at the oriental trading company website. They are so inexpensive.