What to get my students ??

[buzzz1]

I am a kindergarten teachers aide, and I am going to Disney at the end of January ......
I would love to get my 24 sweet children something, but what ??

That could get rather expensive if I bought something AT Disney.
Where else could I get it ???
Need some good suggestions please .... TIA !!

 

[jekjones1558]

I am a first grade teacher and always bring back the lollipops shaped like Mickey's head. They come in bundles of about 5 for about $3.00, I think. You can get them at DTD and many general stores in the resorts. I also take a photo on the first day, preferably with one of the characters, get multiples made (often at Walgreens), add a postcard backing and send them in the mail. (I bring pre-addressed labels and postcard stamps with me). The kids love getting the postcards! Stickers and pencils are a standby. Walmart sells the big round multi-colored lollipops with cellophane that has a Disney character on it. They are about $1.00, I think. Happy shopping!

 

[MinnieGi]

How about a small Mickey lollipop for each. They sell them in long strips of I think about 12 a piece. Or how about a box of Disney character cookies to share at snack time. DD brought back two boxes of these for her class to share during snack and the kids raved about them!! They all had fun naming the characters. DD is in preschool, but I think kindergartners would like them too. Kids like even the smallest gifts and mementos. You do not have to go overboard to please them they will love anything you bring back to share with them. There are many small food related items that are inexpensive all over WDW.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[DianeV]

The Disney outlets usually have sections with lots of small little toys, pins, etc. pretty cheap.

 

[sln88]

how about picking something up at your local dollar store before you go? I bought my kids souveniers before we left.

I think the postcard idea is neat. Maybe you could have one of the characters mail it(forge!)

If you mail it from one of the downtown disney stores(Can't remember the name), it will have the Disney postmark. I think kids like getting mail. Just remember that it takes postcards a longer time than regular mail.

 

[ceecee]

We got Mickey shaped lollypops at the dollar tree one year for DD's class, she took Mickey shaped pretzels to share one time, cookies another and last year we got stickers at DTD, I spent around $200.00 and she threw in 20 of them so we had just enough!

 

[Parkinkenjilll]

I teach first grade and every Feb. when I go down to WDW I bring back pencils (pkg of 8 for about $5 ) and a Mickey lolipop. I also send each child a post card. Also, at the hotel I usually go to the front check in and tell them I'm a first grade teacher. Each and every year I've been given enough stickers for my class. Really nice Mickey and Minnie stickers about the size of silver dollar. They are complimentary. I'm sure they are for children who check in, but guest relations has always been gracious and provided me with enough for my class.

 

[crisi]

That's a sweet thought, but the best present you could get for my kids is to save your money and get yourself something. I never know what to buy my kids teachers for Christmas, etc., think they are paid far too little, I'd hate to have you spend your hard earned money on my kids - knowing you had a great vacation would be enough. My kids eat way too much candy (I have Mickey suckers from our last vacation), we have pencils, stickers, etc. And my kids don't need to learn they "get" something every time someone they know takes a trip.

If you HAD to do something - if you can get a CM to give you enough "free" stickers, that would be ok (I can't get them to give me more than one per child I have with me, but maybe you'll have better luck). Or, how about a book or something else for the classroom?

 

[hellow]

When my kids were in Kindergarten they would have loved to get a postcard from the teacher with a WDW postmark.

 

[4mickeyfans]

Our last trip (this past June) was during the height of my decorating my new classroom - I just returned to teaching after a 10 year hiatus! I teach 1st grade and being the WDW nut that I am, decided to turn the entire room into WDW!!! Not just Disney "stuff" but all of the parks represented in their glory! It is, if I say so, a labor of love, and quite magnificient! You should see the large plywood Cinderella's castle that DH built for my "Magic Kingdom Library"!

Anyway, during our trip, I'd mention to any CM who would listen what my plans were and the freebies started coming. One hostess at Beach Club Character Breakfast gave me 30 full color kids activity menus - those have been a huge hit with my students. I also received tons of the large stickers, and several coloring books.

Finally, I learned to ask at each park for the free birthday button that Guest Relations gives out - I was honest, told them what I was doing and they couldn't wait to help. Now I have one from each park and when my student celebrates a b-day, he or she gets to choose which button to wear!

Now, we're going on the Wonder cruise in February and I'm trying to think of a great souvenir as well. I agree with the poster who said that teachers are underpaid and shouldn't be spending their $ on souvenirs, BUT, I've never met a teacher who was in it for the $

The kids in my class LOVE my Disney stories and always bring me souvenirs when they go...so far 4 this year! I want them to know that they were there with me in spirit

 

[m.pots]

I'm a Kindergarten teacher and every time I go to Disney I do bring back a piece of the "magic" to share. Most of my children won't ever have the opportunity to go as a child. Here's the list:
Mickey straws (about $.50)
FREE coloring books from All Stars (given to the kids at check in time-yes I beg a bit)
FREE stickers from all the parks (the half-dollar size) just ask any CM they usually will slip you a few extras.
FREE autographs (I get a wide variety of autographs and photocopy them to give out to the class-they love reading them)
FREE pictures (I take tons of pictures to make little books to keep in the classroom for the kids to get out over and over)
Mickey pretzels (downtown dis-for snack time)
Mickey suckers (as a special reward)
FREE Maps of all the parks (they love trying to read these)
FREE Chef Hats (from the Nestle exhibit in the land)
FREE from Downtown Dis - small bags from purchases (the ones they use for tiny purchases with the char. on them. These are their gift bags)
I try to get as many things for free. Kindergarteners will love anything (especially you coming back!).



Steph

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, crisi, for the kind words about teachers! My students are all living in poverty, so my trips to WDW always involve a certain amount of guilt that I can go and my first graders are worrying about getting meals when school is not in session. I have considered whether I should even tell them about my trips, for fear that they may feel badly. But I soon discovered that they have no resentment and are always happy for me. I tell them that it is important to work hard in school so that someday the money from their jobs can take them to WDW also. I have dreamed about winning the lottery and having a REALLY "Magical Gathering" with all of the families of my students. Can't think of how lottery money could make me happier!