Grannies, Grampies, Memaws, Pawpaws, Opas, Omas…whatever you call them grandparents can be an invaluable asset on your Walt Disney World vacation. In my experience, I’ve found that toddlers and grandparents often like the same rides and attractions…it’s a small world, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Enchanted Tiki Room come to mind. If you can spare the extra expense, why don’t you offer to take them along-your treat? Although, I know many a grandma and grandpa who would be willing to fork over the money for some good quality time with their “grandbabies.” Just don’t forget to show your appreciation and offer Gramps and Grammy a little alone time.
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Little Help Here?
Grannies, Grampies, Memaws, Pawpaws, Opas, Omas…whatever you call them grandparents can be an invaluable asset on your Walt Disney World vacation. In my experience, I’ve found that toddlers and grandparents often like the same rides and attractions…it’s a small world, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Enchanted Tiki Room come to mind. If you can spare the extra expense, why don’t you offer to take them along-your treat? Although, I know many a grandma and grandpa who would be willing to fork over the money for some good quality time with their “grandbabies.” Just don’t forget to show your appreciation and offer Gramps and Grammy a little alone time.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Saving Money on Souvenirs
Or Curing the "I Wants"
Hopefully your child hasn’t hit that stage where they want every little thing they see in a store yet (lucky you), but even if they have there are easy, money-saving solutions that you can plan for before you leave home. I suggest buying several Disney toys, games or little gifts before leaving home. Something you’ve purchased at a national chain store will be much cheaper and just as much of a crowd pleaser. If you have enough planning time, you can hit sales and pick up things when you see them on clearance.
Don’t forget to check on the outlet section of disneyshopping.com! You can often purchase the same items that you can get in the parks for less than half of the cost, especially in the off season. The same goes for t-shirts, bathing suits, and other items that you’ll be tempted to buy at WDW. I recommend buying at least one small gift for each child for each day you’ll be gone. I’ve purchased coloring books, board books, Disney CD’s, Etch-a-Sketches and Magna-Doodles which are all great for the long ride or flight there. Dolls, cars and action figures are other great ideas! At any given time, I have a bin hiding in my closet full of fun gifts that I’ve picked up on the cheap in anticipation of our next trip. (Bonus: If I feel like my daughter’s been really good and deserves a reward, I’m stocked up on some really cool stuff that I pull out as if by magic!)
One “souvenir” I purchased ahead of time on Ebay for much cheaper than in the parks was “Pal Mickey,” an amazing plush doll that plays games, tells jokes and, when taken to WDW, becomes your own personal tour guide! Through Disney “magic” Pal Mickey knows where he is in the parks and what’s going on at any given time! He gives hints like, “Hmm. Somethin’ tells me Belle is over in France about now. Let’s go say hi!” and “”I hear the wait is pretty short at Tower of Terror!”
A fun tip I got from Disney on a Dime by Chris and Kristal Carlson (an indispensable resource if you want to save money on your WDW vacation) is to buy a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head Doll before you leave home and buy Disney-specific accessories at the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney. You can buy a flat-rate box (approx. $18) and cram as many accessories as you can into it; as long as the box closes-you’re good to go! Most people take up a lot of room fitting Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head in there, but you’ve already got ‘em! (Note: Mr. Potato Head is recommended for kids ages 2+, so please save this for your toddler who’s 2 and up!)
If you’re really stretched in the budget department, try some of these FREE souvenir options! Make your own home-made autograph book before you leave home and be sure to bring a few different colored Sharpie pens. Make it your mission to get autographs and pictures with all your kids’ favorite characters. When you get home, you can make this into a scrapbook using park guides, room keys/park tickets, napkins, coloring book pages your child has colored and best of all…all those pictures of your child with their favorite characters!
Souvenirs do not have to be a drain on your budget or your patience. With a little planning you can have some wonderful souvenirs to remember your trip by and best of all you will have a happy toddler…well, at least until the phone rings, or the toilet flushes, or the dog barks…oh no.
Resources:
Carlson, Chris and Kristal. (Disney on a Dime: Money Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation.) Branford: The Intrepid Traveler, 2006.
http://www.disneyonadime.com/
Don’t forget to check on the outlet section of disneyshopping.com! You can often purchase the same items that you can get in the parks for less than half of the cost, especially in the off season. The same goes for t-shirts, bathing suits, and other items that you’ll be tempted to buy at WDW. I recommend buying at least one small gift for each child for each day you’ll be gone. I’ve purchased coloring books, board books, Disney CD’s, Etch-a-Sketches and Magna-Doodles which are all great for the long ride or flight there. Dolls, cars and action figures are other great ideas! At any given time, I have a bin hiding in my closet full of fun gifts that I’ve picked up on the cheap in anticipation of our next trip. (Bonus: If I feel like my daughter’s been really good and deserves a reward, I’m stocked up on some really cool stuff that I pull out as if by magic!)
One “souvenir” I purchased ahead of time on Ebay for much cheaper than in the parks was “Pal Mickey,” an amazing plush doll that plays games, tells jokes and, when taken to WDW, becomes your own personal tour guide! Through Disney “magic” Pal Mickey knows where he is in the parks and what’s going on at any given time! He gives hints like, “Hmm. Somethin’ tells me Belle is over in France about now. Let’s go say hi!” and “”I hear the wait is pretty short at Tower of Terror!”
A fun tip I got from Disney on a Dime by Chris and Kristal Carlson (an indispensable resource if you want to save money on your WDW vacation) is to buy a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head Doll before you leave home and buy Disney-specific accessories at the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney. You can buy a flat-rate box (approx. $18) and cram as many accessories as you can into it; as long as the box closes-you’re good to go! Most people take up a lot of room fitting Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head in there, but you’ve already got ‘em! (Note: Mr. Potato Head is recommended for kids ages 2+, so please save this for your toddler who’s 2 and up!)
If you’re really stretched in the budget department, try some of these FREE souvenir options! Make your own home-made autograph book before you leave home and be sure to bring a few different colored Sharpie pens. Make it your mission to get autographs and pictures with all your kids’ favorite characters. When you get home, you can make this into a scrapbook using park guides, room keys/park tickets, napkins, coloring book pages your child has colored and best of all…all those pictures of your child with their favorite characters!
Souvenirs do not have to be a drain on your budget or your patience. With a little planning you can have some wonderful souvenirs to remember your trip by and best of all you will have a happy toddler…well, at least until the phone rings, or the toilet flushes, or the dog barks…oh no.
Resources:
Carlson, Chris and Kristal. (Disney on a Dime: Money Saving Secrets for Your Walt Disney World Vacation.) Branford: The Intrepid Traveler, 2006.
http://www.disneyonadime.com/
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