Souvenirs

[goofysgirl80]

Hey gang: I just wanted to share a tip that I learned the hard way in terms of souvenirs. Now, we can all agree that there are LOADS of great WDW (and Disney items, in general) souvenirs that every fan, young and old, want. And it's very easy to get carried away with the gifts (I know, my dad took away my credit card when I overdid it iwith the souvenirs), so I have a few tips to help all of you keep your budget in check and to bring some great gifts home!

1. Use gift cards: I know Commerce bank will give you a gift card. All you do is tell the banker how much you want the card for and provide the corresponding cash. Now, you have a set amount for the souvenirs.

2. If you use a credit cards, have a budget. Tell yourself that you will charge no more than X amount of money. And when you reach that limit DO NO GO OVER IT.

3. If you do go over your budget with the credit card, make sure it isn't a large amount and the gift you buy is very special and you know you'll never find another gift like that.

4. Buy stuff you will use. For example, I love pajamas, so when I go to Disney, I buy pajamas.

5. Buy stuff that's authentic to WDW. Shirts that say "Walt Disney World" on them, for example.

Hope this helps!! Have a great time!! God bless and Happy Mickey!!!

 

[imthatgirl]

sounds like maybe you spent too much on your last trip?

 

[goofysgirl80]

sounds like maybe you spent too much on your last trip?

Actually, I spent too much on my 2005 trip. But I learned my lesson and was much wiser with my spending in the last few trips. But it's tough when there's a store in every hotel and every attraction and every resturant and so many cool things!!!

 

[imthatgirl]

i was there in 2005 and we too bought way too much! but going back in 2006 i found the quality was lacking. i was very dissapointed and really didnt spend too much money. that was the year they started combining the 2 parks on the same label. they labels were reading disneyland/disneyworld.
i dont know if that had anything to do with it, but its seemed like a huge coincidence.
so anyway, the merge has been very succsesfull in keeping my money in my pocket

 

[goofysgirl80]

i was there in 2005 and we too bought way too much! but going back in 2006 i found the quality was lacking. i was very dissapointed and really didnt spend too much money. that was the year they started combining the 2 parks on the same label. they labels were reading disneyland/disneyworld.
i dont know if that had anything to do with it, but its seemed like a huge coincidence.
so anyway, the merge has been very succsesfull in keeping my money in my pocket

Hopefully, for your sake and the sake of your pocket, the merge will continue to be successful! God bless and happy mickey!!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Those are great tips! Thanks for posting!!

My favourite souvenir - fridge magets clips with the year on it - holds stuff up, clips stuff up, inexpensive and is always there to remind me !

 

[goofysgirl80]

I've never seen those magnets before. Where did you get them? And you're welcome for the tips. God bless and Happy Mickey!

 

[magchavez]

I would love to find those magnets too.

One other suggestion is to get Disney Dollars at the Disney Store. Same idea as a gift card, and good at all Disney Parks.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I have four - three I bought on each of our trips and one a friend brought home from me. You can get them any where in WDW or DL - any of the stroes where magnets are sold!

 

[julezdisney]

I like the idea of gift cards. Do you mean visa gift cards? I think I'll try something like that on our trip.

We no longer have a Disney store near us though- can I re-load the Disney gift cards I have to add funds?

 

[yellowcrayon]

I swear by Disney Gift Cards to save for spending money on my trip. They are reloadable, so when I'm planning a trip I try to add a set amount to the card each week for a couple months leading up to my vacation. I usually scour the World Showcase to buy souvies, as my family members have so many Disney T-shirts, keychains, antenna toppers, etc. at this point, we could probably open up a roadside souvenir shop of our own!
I also always definitely remember myself on vacations. I decided a few years ago to start purchasing Christmas ornaments on any vacation I take. It gives me a specific souvenir to search for on vacation and allows me to relive vacation memories every year when putting up my Christmas tree.

 

[MidgeD79]

I have been collecting refrigerator magnets for years, especially the ones you can put a photo in. I went to magnets when pennents phased out. You cannot reload Visa/Mastercard gift cards. It costs around $5 to get a new one. I think there is a limit on how much can go on those cards.

 

[julezdisney]

Another idea is to ebay your souvies. LOL. Not necessarily souvenirs I guess, since they don't come from the actual trip- but more like items to remind you of the trip at a discounted price. For example, on my ebay 'watch' list, I have saved a '08 fridge magnet & frame. I'm always on the search for 2008 sweatshirts to buy before we even go. Much cheaper than the parks! I'm also planning on making Character Warehouse one of our first stops!

 

[MiMi2Three]

where can you purchase Disney gift cards?

 

[zoie101]

I buy my gift gard thru the script program at school
but the disney store or on line you can get cards

I frequent the magnet store at DTD each year to get a
magnet as well, what a great store all magnets of sizes and shapes!

I collect shot glasses cheap small and just a little reminder