The Dollar store
When you’re heading out on a Disney trip, the Dollar Store is your friend. Here are some great inexpensive things to pick up:- Glow bracelets, necklaces and wands: The night-time parades (Main Street Electrical Parade), shows (like Fantasmic) and nightly fireworks at WDW are amazing. You will invariable see Disney cast members selling all sorts of glow-in-the-dark paraphernalia at inflated prices. Do yourself a favor, buy packs of glow stuff ahead of time and put a few in your purse/backpack for these nightly extravaganzas. We did this when we took Katie in 2007 and she had a blast. Better yet, she had fun sharing with those around us, getting into the spirit and spreading the Disney magic. Since they were from the dollar, we didn’t mind giving them away and if they got lost, so what? I think I’ve spent $10 or $11 for our upcoming trip and I should have enough for our whole trip. You might get one or two items if you wait to pay Disney prices.
- Rain Ponchos: At WDW, it isn’t a question if it will rain but when. You always want to carry a rain poncho for each member of your party. because you don’t want to have to pay Disney prices for the ponchos they pull out as soon as the rain starts. Melanie and I forgot ponchos on our last trip and ended up paying $5-$7 each for ponchos (the actually Mickey mouse ones are more). I just bought 4 for $4. That’s a $6-$8 savings.
- Another tip for ponchos: Take a few Ziploc bags to stick your wet ponchos in after the rain stops.
- Games and toys: Depending when you go, you may spend a fair amount of time waiting in lines. Pick up some of the little pocket games and toys, stuff them in you purse or pack and pull them out when the kiddos get antsy. Again, if they get lost… Who cares?
- Trial –sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc.
Wait, why would you go to Disney Store before going to WDW? Don’t they have enough stores? Yeah, WDW has tons of souvenir shops with some really great and often pretty expensive items. Do yourself a favor and go to your local Disney store ahead of time and save some serious cash.
- Princess Costumes: If you have a young daughter(s), you’re pretty much guaranteed she is going to want to dress like one of the princesses while she’s at WDW. Do yourself a favor and buy one before you go. I was at the my local Disney Store over the weekend and the fancy princess costume were averaging about $45. This isn’t cheap, but if you buy similar costumes in the parks or at Downtown Disney’s World of Disney store, you can expect to pay over $80. Also, if you get on the DisneyStore.com mailing list, you can often get sales and deals on shipping.
- If you are planning on taking your little princess to Bibidi Bobidi Boutique, I would encourage doing this even more. You can get either the Coach Package (hair, makeup, sash & tote for $54.95) or the Crown Package (hair, makeup, nails, sash & tote for $59.95) and bring your own costume. To get the Castle Package (hair, makeup, nails, complete costume and a small picture package), you’ll need to shell out $189.95. (I think if you have PhotoPass you get these shots anyway. I’ll let you know after our trip.)
- T-shirts: Everyone one wants to wear Disney shirts at WDW, right? It’s what the cool kids do. If you buy them in the parks, expect to pay anywhere from $14.95 to $24.95 for kids tees, $21.95 to $24.95 for men’s tees and $24.95 to $39.95 for women’s tees (yes ladies, they really nail you!) Disney Store puts their shirts on sale several times a year and you can get some great deals. The deal over this past weekend was kid’s for $8 and adults for $12. Even their normal prices are usually better than the parks – two adult t-shirts for $30.
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