Things that you wouldn't think of getting at the dollar store

[MOMOFMNM]

can someone help me with my ticker?? I went to the site and made my tickers but I don't know how to get them on my signature...any advice?

 

[Mel6197]

Well They just opened a Dollar Tree in Farmindale, and one in Babylon on Montauk Hwy!!!

Grand Opening!!!

I went in.. and my jaw hit the FLOOR.. How Could I have lived all my life with out a Dollar Tree!!!

 

[shellby]

It will be our first trip to wdw in june, these stores sound great, are thay easy to find

 

[leebee]

I just found a "holder" on a suction cup. It's about the size of a coffee mug, only flatter, and has small cutouts to allow water to drip through. I'm going to stick it to the mirror and put our toothbrushes in it when we travel. I HATE to leave my toothbrush lying on the side of the sink or countertop and if we put them in a plastic cup it always seems to tip over.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Okay I went to one of the Dollar Tree stores here last night with a friend and was able to find two different types of water bottle holders. One is neoprene and had a drawstring top and clip so it could easuly be clipped on to a belt or backpack (they also had ones that would fit beer bottles/wine coolers/etc). The other bottle holder was a little larger and it had a zipper on it and it has a shoulder strap attached to it. It wasn't neoprene it is plastic, but willl accomodate larger bottles of water than the other. I fit a 24 oz (maybe it was 20 can't remember) bottle easily into both the neoprene one had about 3 inches sticking out top so I ended up buying both.

The other thing I got there was a set of 3 mesh laundry bags with zippers. I figured I could use them to wash delicates (bras) and then on the way home I could just put all of my dirty delicates in them.

I saw lots of Disney stationary stuff at my dollar store in princess and Mickey themes (pencils, sharpners, tablets, etc). I also saw some Disney window clings too (not at Dollar Tree though another Dollar Store) they had nemo little mermaid, hunchabck, 101 dalmations...those might be fun for kid's to play with on Windows at resorts especially with the windows at moderates and values because of the exterior walk-ways everyone could see them.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

FUNNY you should post this, I was looking at the exact same thing last night...I can't decide between the clip or strap but I am going to get those Mickey or Princess notepads(they were a larger size) for autographs while at WDW I also saw some Disney stuff at Big Lots I am going to buy to be the "Mickey Fairy" while at WDW to save some $$ on souviners (sp??) and place them on their beds so they find them when we get back from the parks in the evenings, looking forward to this very much

 

[shakespeare]

Great ideas! Good to know about the Glow sticks because I have already bought some from the Dollar Store. I guess if the don't work I will buy some at the park.

 

[disney1860@ntlworld.]

Where is this Dollar Tree? We are from the U.K. and we go to Orlando every year but I have never seen this Dollar Tree that everyone raves about???
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell e the nearest to Disney???
Nettie
x

 

[disney1860@ntlworld.]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHERE IS THIS DOLLAR TREE THAT EVERYONE RAVES ABOUT??? IS IT NEAR DISNEYWORLD??? WHERE IS THE NEAREST TO DISNEY???
YOU HAVE SOME BRILLIANT IDEAS ...NETTIE X from the U.K.

I just wanted to start a list of things you might need for your trip that you wouldn't think of getting at the dollar store- it saves a ton of money. I don't have much to start with, but as we all add on we'll have a good thing going!

1. Stroller cover- We got our rain cover at the dollar store instead of spending $15 on one! They are perfect for a smaller stroller, and if your kids are wearing shorts/sandles they would work for a larger stroller too but their feet would get wet. They also have mosquito nets...

2. Ponchos- I know most of you know about this, but we found two packs at our dollar store, so keep your eyes open!

3. Beach toys for the resorts- they have really cute pail/ shovel sets, with sand sifters and molds included- the smaller size is great to pack in a suitcase.

4. Toys- some dollar stores actually have good toys, especially for little ones- lots of boardbooks, puzzles, etc... and if you lose them, you're not out a ton of cash or a favorite toy.

5. Disposable bibs- we got ten for a dollar at our store, and they're great. Cheaper than Bibsters, they are a decent plastic and have a food catcher. They can even be used over and over again because they wipe up so easily. They also have disposable sippy cups.

6. Cute autograph pens- they have lots to choose from.

7. Disney stickers- tons of 'em!

8. Comet- if you clean the bathrooms when you get there.

9. Shoe organizers- great for hanging toiletries on the door at value resorts and on cruises. (Here's a non-Disney tip: they're also great for keeping track of winter hats, gloves, etc)

10. Swim masks/flipper sets (they have cute ones for younger kids like sharks and frogs too) and goggles- be sure to wipe them down first, they've been known to leave marks from the coating.

11. Swim toys- rafts, floaties, swim rings, sinking sticks, noodles etc...- last year we got our son a cookie monster swim ring, it's so cute!

12. Glo-sticks for dark rides- lots of options, even sunglasses! Some people have had bad luck with these, and others have found them to work fine.

13. Ring pools (blow up) for infants/toddlers- great for cruises and even at the resort and it hardley takes up any room in the suitcase.

14. Flip flops for the pool areas

15. Little notebooks/ stationary- there are lots available, including Disney ones- great for travel journals and autograph books (use those Disney stickers!). They also have Disney pencils and sharpeners.

16. Mouthwash- you can often find twin packs of the trial size ones, usually name brand.

17. Scrapbooking Items- again, don't forget those Disney stickers. I've seen dollar stores with two aisles dedicated to scrapbooking, they have everything you could imagine!

18. Picture frames- have I mentioned Disney stickers yet? You can often find wood ones that you can paint/ decorate however you like- even the plastic ones can be dressed up!

19. Small bottles of Tide- easy to pack in your suitcase if you plan on doing laundry.

20. Hampers- both collapsable and drawstring were mentioned.

21. Small backpacks- they sling over one shoulder, not both.

22. Plastic cereal bowls (4 packs)- for breakfast in your room (Wal-mart has these too for the spring/summer season, and they are $0.88).

23. Travel games

24. Batteries

25. Disney toys- window clings, kites, paddle and ball, Polly-pocket type things, etc... Also Pooh or Lion King travel checkers, and Pooh and Friends collectable figurines.

26. Water bottles w/ carry strap- they also have water bottle holders in a couple of styles, neoprene being one of them.

27. Night lights- they have some really nice/cute ones too! Dollar Tree has ones featuring Mickey, Minnie, and Mickey and Minnie together and Disney Princess ones!

28. Foot powder- they actually have pretty any type of personal care items from shampoo to shaving cream to "feminine hygiene" and everythig inbetween.

29. Hair ties/ headbands, etc...- they have ton's of really cute hair things, especially for kids.

30. DVD's

31. Containers for toiletries- lots of possibilities from the in shower kind to something to set on the sink, even a mesh one that attaches to the shower curtain to stay out of the way (and out of reach of little hands ).

32. Disney Key-chains

33. Mickey and Minnie suckers

34. Clorox disinfecting wipes- again, for those of you who clean the bathrooms when you get there.

35. Sunglasses

36. Air pumps- very small ones located by the inflatable pool toys.

37. Playing cards- regular size and mini, as well ad Go Fish, Old Maid, etc...

38. Small keychain flashlights- a great alternative to the glo-sticks which may/may not work they are los great for finding dropped items in dark places.

39. Disposable Diaper bags (100 ct)- the box is small and they are great for putting stinky diapers in until you can get rid of them.

40. Lap tables- the beany kind with the hard top, even had crayon storage and page clips.

41. Window Shades- the suction cup kind. Everyone get's caught in the sun some time!

42. Cute plastic bibs- Candy themes like Sugar Daddies, Junior Mints and Blow-pops- they also have a pocket. They have entire walls of baby stuff, you're bound to find something that you need from clothes and diapers to bottles and bibs, and everything inbetween!

43. Suction hooks- for wet bathing suits, bath poofs, etc...

44. Sunblock- you can usually find name brands, just check for an exp. date- they have often have sunburn treatments too.

45. Palmolive dish wipes- for cleaning the refillable mugs! Also great for sippy cups and water bottles.

46. Padlocks- Three in a pack, perfect for suitcases!

I decided not to list some of the more obvious things like hand sanitizer, snacks, bug bit creams, etc... but if you think we should, let's do it! Share your great dollar store finds and I'll put them on the list for easy referance.

ETA- If you have trouble finding things at your dollar stores, let me know, I may be able to pick them up and send them to you- of course if you're only getting one thing, it probably wouldn't justify the shipping cost, but if you get a bunch, especially smaller things, you might still come out on top- especially the stroller cover, it couldn't cost more that a dollar or so to send, so you're still saving a lot of money.

 

[ryan840]

Leaving in ten days so I thought I'd bump this back up to see what else we can think of.

 

[JuneChickie]

THE dollar store is such a FUN place to shop ,,,,,,,, just love it

 

[Breakfast@Tiffany's]

I've always been able to find Mickey graham cracker cookies at our Dollar Tree. They're similar to Teddy Grahams, just in the shape of Mickey's head instead. I packed those for our WDW trip last year and brought them into the park. I had so many people stop me and ask where I found them.

Also, for those of you flying, I found bungie cords there to strap my stroller in the "up" position when I gate check it. If your kids like the penny presses, you can look for the mini M&M containers, the Dollar Tree usually has them after holidays (like Easter). Penny press machines take quarters, and quarters fit into the M&M containers perfectly, along with the pennies.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

What a fantasic thread! Thanks for ressurrecting it ryan840.

I had such an itch to go to Dollar Tree to buy vacation supplies a few days ago. I broke down and spent $21 in less than 20 minutes. I collected the following over the course of a few trips to Dollar Tree:

• Dove, AXE body wash
• Johnson's mini first aid kit w/bandaids
• first aid hot/cold pack(pk of 2)
• Johnson's baby powder
• Crest toothpaste
• 4pk of toothbrushes w/covers
• pantyliners
• 2pk of ponchos
• umbrellas
• dish wipes
• All liquid laundry detergent w/softener (5 loads)
• plastic zipper bags (snack size to gallon)
• shoe organizer (for the door)
• shower organizer (clips on the shower curtain rings)
• autograph books (I recovered with scrapbook paper and stickers)
• collapsible hampers
• 6pk glow bracelets (2 pks)
• Mickey and Minnie Mouse nightlights
• shower curtain (room divider)
• cotton swabs (30 pk for travel)
• Mickey mini notebook
• Mickey and Pals notepad
• Cinderella activity pack (stamps, stickers, paper)
• tote basket to keep everything contained (lime green )

I picked up most of the travel size toiletries at Target, most were about $1 each.

• Caress, Lever, Dove body wash
• body pouf
• Dove, Secret, Speed Stick deodorant sticks
• Skintimate, Edge shave gels
• Rolaids antacid tablets
• Scope mouthwash
• Tide liquid (4 loads)
• Renu contact lens solution (that I have to throw out)

Shampoo and conditioner samples of Finess, Infusium and Dove and Bounce w/Febreze dryer sheets were free samples I requested from various offers.

 

[blackforest]

I used the plastic type of shower stuff holder. Loved it, as there is never enough room in the shower for soap, shampoo etc. After we started to use it, I realized that it would fill up with water, when using the shower. Remedied that by using a hole punch at the bottom of each pocket for drainage.

As a side note; check out Dollar General. They have a similar one that is made out of mesh material. DG is not "just" a $1 store, but everyting ens in an even $$ amount. I think this was $2 or $3.

Happy vacationing!

 

[jessica52877]

GLO Stick Warning - I have had very bad luck with the Glo Sticks/necklaces/etc. from Dollar Tree. Most of them do not work! I have actually had one out of six work before, but for some reason I just keep buying them. I just buy LOTS of them knowing that over half won't work and we need extras so the kids won't be disappointed. So, if you're only buying one package and expecting them to work, you may want to consider getting more!

We have had the opposite! Nothing but GREAT luck with the glo sticks. I have bought the ones 6 in a pack (bracelets) and everyone has worked (we are pack #2). My son takes them to bed and after about 2 hours I go in and get it then stick it in the freezer. They each usually last about 4-5 days! I am so happy I found the at the $1 Tree. It was costing me $.44 for each one and they weren't lasting as long from walmart!

 

[englishteacha]

We're heading to a bigger city tomorrow and I plan on hitting the Dollar Tree there! There's one in the town where I work, but it's small and doesn't have as many of the things in the larger stores. I love Dollar Tree!

 

[Chickysmom]

Don't know about the $ Tree Stores all over but saw in mine today a 12 pack of dishwasher tablets...maybe some vacationers could use them if staying in a condo?

Also saw large Disney suckers there too....

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

I am also on Long Island and not sure where to find one. Is Family Dollar part of the same chain? I have never been but it sounds like Dollar Tree has great stuff, better than the generic dollar stores I have been to around here.

Here is there webpage with locations....
http://www.dollartree.com/

 

[punkin712]

I stopped by our local 99 cents store the other day and was shocked to see pregnancy test kits. I wasn't in the market for one, but even if I was I don't think I would buy it at the 99 cents store! It wasn't a brand I recognized and looked like it might have been from another country (not that there's anything wrong with that).

 

[punkin712]

I live in North/Central NJ, and couldn't find one either.

Not sure how far away this is from you, but I'm pretty sure there's a Dollar Tree on Route 1 (northbound side) just past Lawrence Lexus and Hamilton Jewelers.