Souvenirs before the trip?

[NvrBnToWDW]

What souvenirs do you get (locally) before your trip to surprise the kids? Where did you get them?

 

[LittleBoPeep]

I usually go to the Disney Store, however, I have found a few things at Target, Wal-mart and a few card stores (like Hallmark). From the Disney store, I talk with the CM's to find out what they have that we will also find at WDW, that way, the kiddos have less of the "I wants" because they already have some of the things they see there! This last Disney trip was our first to WDW, and some of the things I got for them: a deck of Toy Story cards (which worked well for the plane ride and the hotel room), a Mickey battery-operated hand-held fan, a couple of Disney beanies, an autograph book, a little am/fm radio with earphones, and little Mickey and Minnie travel figures (2-1/2" tall). I bought all of these on sale...none of them costing more than $5. All of these went into a backpack so they were handy, some the kiddos had just before we left, others they got as a present each morning before we headed out (which also helped to occupy them while we adults finished getting ready).

 

[Disnutty]

I usually go to the dollar stores and to the local store that sells balloons/party stuff. I buy the glow in the dark necklaces and ears for the girls in the party (including one for mom, the ears are the neckless tubes that attach to a head barrette and really look like Mickey ears) and get the glow in the dark sticks for the boys (Wal-Mart and Target sells them in their sports / camping Dept) but the dollar stores sometimes have them too. Because they are brought from home your kids are the only ones with them on and they get allot of attention as a result. In addition it make it very easy for them to see you and you to find them at Illumination and Wishes and they are even a hit at Fantasmic or just walking around at night. A one or two dollar glow stick sure beats the $10 or $20 battery operated Disney toy sold at the park. Its a real money saver and a big hit with the kids. The glow sticks, ears and neckleces need to be packed so they will not bend intransit as we have had some activated because they were in soft side luggage. If you can get them there without bending them, they are a huge hit at night.

 

[AFMom]

We also bought glow in the dark bracelets, and Wal Mart has light chasers/spinners for about $8.00 - my kids didn't care they weren't actually Disney!

 

[frstimer128]

I've bought tons of stuff too. I hit Kohls, Walmart. Dollar Store, Disney Store. You can get Disney stuff everywhere. Everything I bought was on sale. Tinkerbell is leaving one gift a night for my DD4 so during the day, if the Gimmies arrive, I can just say, "Let's wait to see what Tink will bring you!"

 

[riu girl]

I am quite a drive from a disney store but have fun going to thrift (second hand) stores and yard sales. In the last month I have picked up from our local thrift store (Value Village) 3 new looking kids sweatshirts right from WDW. They were $4 each. At the same store I bought several Disney Store t-shirts for the kids. I think the most expensive one was $4. As well as several Disney new looking books (.49 each). I also bought 2 plush mickeys at value village (originally from WDW) for $3 each.

As well my mother went to some yard sales this summer and bought about 15 Disney items (over the course of the summer), the best being a huge picture frame (it looks brand new and came from one of the theme parks). She paid .50 for it!!!!!

I respect that thrift stores/yard sales aren't for everyone but I have a fun time at them.

I'm not sure how I will present the disney stuff to the kids. But what a great idea about Tink. Thanks for the suggestion, I might try it to.

 

[maleficent1959]

We've never gotten the glow-in-the-dark necklaces before. Are they a one-night kind of deal or is there a way to turn them off and use them again?

 

[sphere99]

The glow in the dark necklaces are a one time use, they run out after about 6 hours or so. But they are only $1 at Target right now.

 

[canwegosoon]

You know, for some people buying Souviners before you go is a great cost savings, (and I do that with my trading pins), but my guys really like picking out one (and I mean one) thing of their own, and that is it. I tell them that on the 2nd day they can start telling me what they would like to pick as their 1 item. We usually purchase it on the 3rd day.

I always round up all the disney items we have before the trip so they see how much we have, and what they would like to bring on the plane.


I know many people rave about their purchases....and that's great. But for me alot of it is just stuff to clutter up the house (I do love Disney). In the past my boys have gotten a Hat and a light spinner and a pack of Japanese cards and a hand held game. I was glad not to be lugging a lot around....

Having said all that, their next trip is a BD trip...I guess there goes all my rules!!!!

 

[HenDuck]

For our trip to DL this past April, I bought for DS (then 3 1/2) a Pooh light chaser from Ebay, t-shirts from TDS, and Disney crayons, books, stickers, etc.

This trip I'm not buying anything in advance.

When we're there, I'm going to let DS pick out what he wants and spend his Disney dollars and birthday money.

What I found in April was that WE (the adults) were more excited about buying DS souvies than he was. There was one dinosaur that my DH bought for DS that he loves, but other than that, all the rest of the "stuff" hasn't really held any real magic for him.

Lesson learned.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Last year I bought a bunch of stuff ahead but DD didn't really care. I will buy the glow bracelets etc. Lots of fun at night and Nemo bubbles @ Wal-mart for waiting in lines.

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by AFMom
We also bought glow in the dark bracelets, and Wal Mart has light chasers/spinners for about $8.00 - my kids didn't care they weren't actually Disney!

Just have to say that the glow bracelets and necklaces are plentiful right now since it's Halloween! Stock up!!!

 

[Lucky4me]

I just picked up a bunch of glow in the dark stuff for MVMCP this year. There will be 10 of us altogether. I will force everyone to wear them that night. hah, This should be good.

I used to buy a lot of things before the trip when dd was younger. Now she saves her own money and buys her own souvenirs. We love the outlet stores in orlando.

I do have my Disney closet upstairs. I stock up each year when TDS has their 75% off sale and when I find great sales on Disney stuff at other stores. Most of it gets given away for birthdays and to charity.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I too buy the inexpensive glowing necklaces and sticks. I like to hang them around our resort room, after using them at the parks, as they really put off quite a bit of light (after your eyes adjust to the dark), and I've had them last up to 3 days!

I agree they are a simple way to find each other in the dark. I always have mine on .

 

[annsteere]

DisNutty or some other smart person-- I'm confused. Did you buy the glow sticks already attached to the hair barrett or is this a simple craft projecct I can't quite understand? It sounds darling. How do I do it???

 

[Disnutty]

The ears come pre packaged, the barrette has four little places to put both of the ends of the (two) glow tub into, the necklace size tube then forms the circle/oval of the ears. You could probably make it yourself if you can't find the prepackaged ears, but stores that sell the glow tubes usually have the ears.

 

[Kevenswife2]

I'm interested in them too...but have never seen them. What store do you buy yours at?

 

[frstimer128]

Kevenswife2, I love your tag. When my DD4 asks that, I just say, "Yes, we're there....I'm just looking for a parking spot"...even if we have hours to go..lol!



I love the glow lights too. I bought a bunch of them for our trip next week. I love the idea about making them into mouse ears.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[PamCo88]

Since we don't have kids yet, our pre souvie shopping is for our some of our nices and nephews (5 under age 6). This year got everyone a tshirt at disney store when they were on sale for $5 and mickey/minnie pez. Only thing I got in the World to add was a 5 pack of Mickey Lollie pops

 

[Paxtrist]

I like to buy a few goodies before our trip. I went to the Disney store and bought pajamas, shirts, bathing suits, small toys and other items.
I cannot believe how excited they were every night when I had new pajamas on the bed.
I really felt that by doing this the kids did not ask to buy as much.
They actually came home with Disney dollars.