To suprise gift basket or not?!

[Kriddlet]

I found out a couple weeks ago that I won a 6 day trip to DL and WDW. I was thinking about having some baksets waiting for my 2 DD's (11 and 6) when we arrived at the Yacht Club (3 days into the trip). But I didn't realize how expensive they were. I also wanted to have an Ears hat delivered for DFi with his name on it , because he has never been to DL or WDW.

With such short notice of the trip, and basket costs and delivery fees; I'm finding a hard time justifying spending all that money.

Are there any other options out there, that are a little less expensive? I don't need anything extravegant, just something special.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

First off... Congratulations!!!!!!!
Second.... Don't worry about spending the money on expensive baskets being made and delivered. JUST MAKE THEM UP YOURSELF AND TAKE THEM WITH YOU! Thats the fun of it all! That way not only do you save money, but you get exactly what you want to put in it. Just hide it until you get there. Then set it out when they arent standing "right"there. ORRRRR >>>>>> you could split all of it up throughout your stay. Just put one thing out to find on their bed right before you head out the paks. This way, they find it right when they get back as a surprise. This also works for when they wake up in the morning to find something "Tinkerbell, or Mickey Mouse" must have left for them each night as a gift.

 

[Peanut&Piglet'sMom]

I'm leaving gifts from characters for when my kids wake up each morning. My girls will be almost 8 and 4 and are very much into the "magic".

If we are doing MK....Tinkerbell will have left a gift that morning. A fellower DISer gave me the idea of putting fine glitter on the table and them 'walking' my fingers through it leaving 'tink's' footprints!

Mickey will leave mickey head confetti around his gifts.

Pluto will leave a Dog biscuit and crumbs. (DH thinks I'm a nit to want to bring a dog biscuit! :lol

Anyhow...you get the drift!

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

I made my own baskets at home and shipped them down to our resort. It worked out great and my DS's still talk abou them!!
I found all kinds of Disney stuff at : Dollar Tree, TRU, Michael's, ordered a few things from The Laughing Place, Disney store, and Disney fruit snacks!
I found Mickey notecards at Hallmark and wrote notes from "Mickey & Friends" wishing them a Magical trip!

 

[littlbugmom]

Congratulations! Awesome prize!!


I've done baskets and agree, they are way overpriced.


During our last trip, I also packed a suitcase with nothing but surprise gifts for the kids for each day of our stay. It was easy to keep secret. The extra suitcase didn't cost extra to check for our flight. As we left each morning, I would hang back a little and set out their gifts for that day. When we returned for afternoon breaks, they had something waiting for them. Went over well.


Next year, I'm going to order a large bunch of balloons with a Mickey welcome letter (I priced them and they aren't bad) but will make baskets for the kids once we get there. I noticed the baskets I ordered last time were just open boxes with Disney paper wrapped around them. I can pack the boxes (broken down), paper, cellophane, tape, gifts etc.... and then construct the baskets the first night, after the kids are asleep. It will be a LOT less expensive and I think the items I put in the baskets will be better, overall.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do. The kids will love anything you pick!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Have you tried memoriabybetsy.com We used her out last trip and it was so worth it. The merchandise is the same cost as in the parks and than a fee for shopping and delivery.

http://www.memoriesbybetsy.com/Memories_by_Betsy/Welcome.html

I just noticed my 2 baskets are the 3rd one in her slide show. My basket on the right has the bear toddler toys

 

[kellzkidz]

I also did memories by betsy and she is great! I even sent things down to her and she included them in my basket. Everything she purchased was at cost and she even gave me alternative selections to save $$$. For instance I wanted beach towels and she told me she could get them at Target and they were the same manufacturer as WDW for half the cost!

I can't wait to see my final basket we're leaving in 16 days!

I noticed she also does small ears and things type baskets too. I think the thrill of having it when we check in is totally worth it!