when to buy???

[DisneyClay]

Hi everyone, I am starting to plan a Disney World vacation for the first week of December. I have seen some things like ponchos and stuff at the dollar stores that I know I will need for the trip. If you were me would you start buying these things or wait.

 

[jennynoel]

I would definitely buy anything that is remotely seasonal now. We went to Disneyland last October and I had a hard time finding some things even as early as August. I was able to get ponchos but the selection was smaller than what I saw this year shopping in July.

I don't have any dollar store experience though, so I'll let others address that specifically!

 

[KelleyGirl]

If you have the space to store it, why not buy it? I usually make a list and then cross things off as I get them. It makes that last week before the trip much easier! I put everything that I get in 1 box in a spare room and just keep adding to it! I think planning and preparing is half the fun, so why not start as soon as you can!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I don't know about where you live, but the dollar stores around here change inventory frequently. I suggest that if you have some place to store it, buy it now.

*Brian*

 

[disney6family]

We always buy what we can when we see it also if you wait and go back they almost never have it when you want it. This way too it spreads out your $ output, so the week before you don't need as much.

 

[jagafen]

I agree....it's better to spread out the expense and buy seasonal items during the season, (or at the end....clearance sales!) as much as possible. We have 2 small laundry baskets that are holding the things we've picked up so far...ponchos, misting fans, pre-measured packets of laundry detergent, travel sized hard to find items (e.g. gold bond powder, saline solution, etc.) If you make a list as you read the goards, you'll come up with some good ideas!

 

[Minnie_me]

Just want to add that our Dollar Store ponchos were so incredibly thin and useless. We ended up buying Disney ponchos. They were so nice and thick. Worth the $7.

 

[louey]

Just want to add that our Dollar Store ponchos were so incredibly thin and useless. We ended up buying Disney ponchos. They were so nice and thick. Worth the $7.

Same here we bought (3) paks of the dollar store ponchos and ended up buying the Disney ones. I will pack them when we go June.

 

[coolbeans]

I have a Disney box in my laundry room that I add to from time to time. So far it has things like hangers, clothespins, nightlight, mister fan, new autograph books, lanyards and pins, m&m containers (for quarters and pennies), rain ponchos, zip lock bags, stickers, bubbles and a few other things.

 

[daisyduck123]

I buy stuff as I see it.
That way, no rushing around right before my trip.

I have a large Rubbermaid container, our "Disney bin" that I keep in the corner of our bedroom...I keep all of our stuff in there. Whenever we get home from one trip, much of the stuff goes right back in the bin so that I know where it is for our next trip.

 

[kathie859]

I have a small book that I keep in my purse that has an abbreviated travel plan, plus reservation #'s, etc., along with a running list of things I need/want to take with me. As I find things, I mark them off my list and as I think of things <G>...I add them. It makes planning and buying a little easier by doing it a little at a time.

 

[DisneyClay]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I bought ponchos today, but the dollar tree was out of little fans. I am going in December and hope not to need a fan. I hope it will be cool weather.

 

[ZoZo]

I buy stuff as I see it.
That way, no rushing around right before my trip.

I have a large Rubbermaid container, our "Disney bin" that I keep in the corner of our bedroom...I keep all of our stuff in there. Whenever we get home from one trip, much of the stuff goes right back in the bin so that I know where it is for our next trip.

I do exactly the same thing. I like spreading the expense for things over several months, too - it really helps. I like to pick up things like batteries, seasonal items when they're on sale or clearance (like mister fans, sunscreen, etc.), bug spray, tons of things. I also like to shop the clothing clearances at summer's end for things like swimsuits, shorts, sandals, etc. - you can save a ton of money. As others have said, you just need the storage space to hold this stuff.

 

[momamy]

i buy stuff all year and throw it in a container in a spare closet!

 

[juligrl]

Pick them up now and start a Disney stuff box in your closet so they'll all be there together when you go to pack.

 

[kelliebelly]

We are going around the same time and I have been buying stuff a little at a time. Not only does it spread the expense out, but it helps keep my excitement in check! We have been planning this trip for so long that if I didn't have something to do (or buy), I would drive everyone crazy!

 

[portia9]

I am going to start buying stuff and putting it away after reading this thread

Yvette

 

[amcjeep4life]

We are heading out for our first trip in September, and have been doing exactly what you said. We are bringing our nieces as well, FIRST TRIP! We have been buying T-shirts from Disney store and disneyshopping.com, as well as new luggage, bathing suits, beach towels, and other stuff. Also bought DH and myself new Hawaiian shirts for Spirit of Aloha, with Mickey Aloha dresses for the girls. Have bought clothes pins, laundry bags, spot remover pens, rechargable batteries, sunscreen, bug spray and just a ton of other junk as well. We were originally storing it in out spare room, but recently had to move it. We were absolutely amazed at how much stuff was there! It's nice, because some of that stuff is a bit more expensive than a $1 bag of clothespins, but we haven't noticed being short on money, since we're buying it a little at a time. Which means all the money in the Disney Fund will be able to be used at Disney, not buying incidentals for the trip! And BTW, I started buying stuff when we booked the trip in January!

 

[bearybubba]

My MIL and I have been sharing a list of what to take with us. Each time one of us goes to the Dollar Store or Walmart, we pick stuff up for our trip in December. I just recently started putting into a box that we will ship to POP before we leave.
Question, are the ponchos from Walmart any better than the ponchos from the Dollar Store???? I'm in charge of getting ponchos for everyone!