Would this be wrong..

[Donnainnj]

How about you buy some trading pins, and when you go down you can trade them for pins at the park, that way you are getting them something from WDW, but not paying the inflated prices.
Donna

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I'd buy a mickey mouse cookie cutter and give it to them with a package of sugar cookie mix!

actually, if you go to disney often, I'd go to Michaels Arts and Crafts and get them each a Disney Lanyard. Then on each trip, I'd get them a pin to put on it- something relating to them.

 

[horseshowmom]

Here's another option for you if you have transportation. The big Walmart on 535 (a little south of the Crossroads) has lots of Disney stuff. Someone else mentioned the Disney Outlets. There are two nearby that have some great deals!

FWIW, I personally think the stuff inside Disney World is overpriced, and I won't spend money on it that I think could be better spent otherwise. JMHO though!

 

[catgirl]

I still don't think it's wrong. The kids are just happy to get something, they really don't care what store it came from. They are Disney themed items that I truly believe they will enjoy. I don't decieve the parents, they are aware I have bought items from the Disney Store or Wal-mart before my trips. I buy Valentine clearance items, remove the packaging and put them in their Easter baskets as well, does this make me tackey too? Last year I gave them Littlest Pet Shop pets that had hearts on their paws or in their eyes, they loved them. I enjoy giving the kids gifts for all occassions, but feel I am only able to if I find ways to be frugal.

 

[hipchickie]

I think this is wrong! If you can't afford to buy them gifts, just say so! Or buy them something small. Put passing off a gift as coming from Disney World when it didn't is just tacky. And sad. It is one thing to be thrifty. And another to be cheap!

you simply can not be serious. You just can't. I refuse to believe it.

 

[traveljunkie2]

We just took our first trip to WDW. I wanted to pick up a few souveneirs for my kids. After pricing them at the parks vs. WalMart, I bought at WalMart for sometimes 50% less. All items were labeled as "Disney." No, they were not labeled "Walt Disney World." Do kids even care? Please. They should just be happy to get stuff. If they aren't, then I would definitley stop buying them anything! If you feel you must buy something, I would present the item as "something I got for you while on vacation."

I'd also like to second the idea for putting an end to the expectation of gifts. I really don't understand why people feel the need to buy people things from a vacation they didn't go on. I feel it's almost like rubbing it in - "Look where we went and you didn't." My MIL does this all the time. We have crap from all over the world. Why do I need a T shirt from Aruba when I've never been there? So I can wear it and people can ask me about a trip I didn't take? (Yes, I have had this happen!) But my MIL feels she HAS to buy us tons of stuff whenever she travels. But then again she's all about the "show" of having been on vacation. I would prefer she just get us a postcard, then give us the money she would have spent on us so we can save up to take our OWN vacation!

 

[maxiesmom]

you simply can not be serious. You just can't. I refuse to believe it.

I am totally serious. Passing off a gift as something it is not is wrong. I wouldn't be happy if someone got me something that was supposedly from a vacation destination and I found out it came from a store that I could get to myself. That is the whole idea, to bring back a little of your trip for friends and family, not getting something the family could pick up for themselves at Walmart.

No where is it written that you have to bring something back from your trip for everyone you know. If you can't afford to bring something back, then be and adult and say so. Or if you do pick up something from the nearest major retailer, then don't try to pass it off as something from Disney World. Say, "I got this for you from Florida". But don't lie and say it came from Disney World.

 

[torinsmom]

There's a $10 or less store in DTD, over by Rainforest Cafe. They have some pretty neat stuff. Or go to the Disney outlet. That place has lots of great deals!

Marsha

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I'd also like to second the idea for putting an end to the expectation of gifts. I really don't understand why people feel the need to buy people things from a vacation they didn't go on. I feel it's almost like rubbing it in - "Look where we went and you didn't." My MIL does this all the time. We have crap from all over the world. Why do I need a T shirt from Aruba when I've never been there? So I can wear it and people can ask me about a trip I didn't take? (Yes, I have had this happen!)

I agree 100%. I have never understood the need to bring stuff back. I have 4 kids and while they appreciate people thinking of them, they also dont understand the gift giving. My kids dont care if the gifts come from the outlet or Disney property. It is the thought that counts. We do not bring back gifts for family everytime either. If we see something that reminds us of a certain person we do pick that up, but we dont feel like we have to buy for everyone. I have wondered where this habit started. The world is filled with so much stuff. I am just sick of the stuff and I think lots of other families are too.

 

[mdsouth]

We just took our first trip to WDW. I wanted to pick up a few souveneirs for my kids. After pricing them at the parks vs. WalMart, I bought at WalMart for sometimes 50% less. All items were labeled as "Disney." No, they were not labeled "Walt Disney World." Do kids even care? Please. They should just be happy to get stuff. If they aren't, then I would definitley stop buying them anything! If you feel you must buy something, I would present the item as "something I got for you while on vacation."

I'd also like to second the idea for putting an end to the expectation of gifts. I really don't understand why people feel the need to buy people things from a vacation they didn't go on. I feel it's almost like rubbing it in - "Look where we went and you didn't." My MIL does this all the time. We have crap from all over the world. Why do I need a T shirt from Aruba when I've never been there? So I can wear it and people can ask me about a trip I didn't take? (Yes, I have had this happen!) But my MIL feels she HAS to buy us tons of stuff whenever she travels. But then again she's all about the "show" of having been on vacation. I would prefer she just get us a postcard, then give us the money she would have spent on us so we can save up to take our OWN vacation!

I agree 100%. I have never understood the need to bring stuff back. I have 4 kids and while they appreciate people thinking of them, they also dont understand the gift giving. My kids dont care if the gifts come from the outlet or Disney property. It is the thought that counts. We do not bring back gifts for family everytime either. If we see something that reminds us of a certain person we do pick that up, but we dont feel like we have to buy for everyone. I have wondered where this habit started. The world is filled with so much stuff. I am just sick of the stuff and I think lots of other families are too.

I just have to say I agree with the two poster above 100% It does seem to be to be rubbing it in that you went on vacation and they didn't. Also, Disney merchandise is Disney merchandise! Disney company makes money on the merchandise, so if someone wants to give a gift, then it is there decision where to buy it. I agree you can just say, I thought of you when I bought this gift - which is 100% true.

It is fine to buy gifts for people just because - year round. You do not have to have to celebrate something special or go on a vacation to do it. I would not bring a "gift" to the kids because they "expect" it. I my opinion this implies the kids are a bit materialistic and should be reminded what it means to be appreciative of kind things people do for them everyday which does not relate to material things.

 

[poohfriend]

is the only one who expects a gift. On our last trip, she TOLD us what she wanted!

don't get me started....

 

[jodim]

I didn't mean they expect us to get them gifts as in they expect one... just that out of the 5, 4 will be hoping for something. (the baby has no clue either way, but I wouldn't bring for them and not for him)

I can buy them gifts in the park but I just think it's ridiculous to pay their inflated prices for something I can get somewhere else for half that cost. After all Disney Store is Disney merchandise.


We plan on getting them something small from WDW, but wanted to add to it by buying something bigger (t-shirt, plush, etc.) from the Disney Store. I didn't realize they had outlets close by, I will definitely have to stop there... and the under $10.00 store.

I never planned on telling the kids that I got them the items from WDW.. I just planned on telling them that we thought of them while we were on our trip... although, after reading the comments above, I'm wondering if we will bother. It never occurred to me that we would be 'rubbing it in'.

 

[kellia]

My goodness, they are kids, they will LOVE whatever you bring them, from where ever you got it! If they are NOT grateful, then never buy them another thing!

My aunt often brought my kids t-shirts after they went to Disney. They loved them! It wasn't until we went our first time that we realized the Walmart ones say "Florida" on them and the others say "WDW", but I certainly didn't think any less of her remembering my kids and thinking to buy them a gift there, heck, most of our vacation t's come from Walmart, too!

Santa brough the whole family t-shirts from the Disney Store for last year's Jan. Disney trip. Now, there is a whole lot of things in that sentence that I could be "brutally honest" about, but why??

However, my brother went to Disney for the first time this Jan. and brought back great gifts for my kids from the Disney outlet. (Yes, I know it was the outlet, and still am thankful he thought of them! ) He gave my sons some of the BIG WDW pencils that he'd gotten, they said 2009 on them. One of my sons (it was his 7th bday) asked why they said 2009 and my brother got mad! My son wasn't trying to be rude, he was just asking since he knew it had turned 2010 a couple weeks earlier! He would have been just as happy with the gifts if my bro had told them they were on sale because it was now 2010. So, I guess my point is, if it's something like that, just tell the truth if asked and anyone who deserves a gift will still be thankful!

 

[torinsmom]

I don't think of it as "rubbing it in" when you bring back gifts for someone. I always bring my students something small, like pencils or something we can use for an activity. I bought a couple of the mickey head bracelets last trip and took them apart, so each child could make a Mickey head necklace(staws or pasta on either side) The kids loved it!

 

[micheleq]

I think it's absolutely fine to purchase items ahead of time. It sounds like they will appreciate the gifts

 

[rynosmom]

I'll one up you on 'wrong." Last year our souvenirs were Mickey head rice crispy treats purchased with leftover snack credits!

Just did the same thing last week. Even the girl at the check out suggested to the gentleman infront of me who had 20+ snack credits left to do the same.

I'm all for and have bought stuff at the local Disney store if for the simple fact of saving room in my suit case.

 

[formill]

I did not know people still bought souvenirs for so many people! We would only ever bring back something for our own children if we went away without them- and for the people that look after our house when we are gone- and then we tend to be more "practical"- a food gift like coconut spread from Florida. We have WAY too many people in the families and the amount we would have to bring back would be silly and we stopped exchanging gifts in general years ago. I don't think my kids would ever have a clue where the stuff comes from or care one little wee bit but I would never lie and say I bought it at Disney.

 

[SalandJeff]

Is it "wrong"....no. And the kids really should not be expecting a gift.

That being said, I would find them something within your budget at WDW. The whole point of a souvenir is where it is from. We've found some really great buys at the Disney outlets and the merch there is from WDW. Others have had some great suggestions. Also, most of stores will give the kids 2 mickey stickers. Ask for a couple of those at each store you go in. Another little extra to put with the pins or treats for free!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

My cousin has 3 children and I always bring them something. On some trips I have a larger budget and I bring them something really special, other times I have a smaller budget or it is a quick trip, so I just bring them something small.

They love the bag of Mickey Head Pretzels and you can either buy a large bag or small individual bags. At Christmas, one part of their Christmas present was something from WDW.

There are items of all prices and it is really more about the thought. I certainly wouldn't buy them something from the Disney Store and pass it off as being from WDW, it says on the tag whether it is DS or WDW.

Suzanne

 

[beachbunny]

Geez. I didn't know that bringing back gifts from my vacation was "rubbing it in." There are cheaper ways of insulting a person. I think those MIL comments were pretty mean. DH and I travel a lot - and not just to Disney. I enjoy picking out cheaper interesting gifts for my nieces and nephews - they recently got hand carved animals, t-shirts, and beaded bracelets from Africa - from China, they got Great Wall of China t-shirts and jade. By all appearances, they really liked them. In my culture, it is pretty much required that you bring gifts from travels - it's the thought, not the price, that counts.

As far as the OP's question, as long as their parents know the truth, I see no problem with where you purchase your gift. But if you are a shopper, it really is a lot of fun looking for that great gift under $10, or whatever price, at WDW.