I have been knee deep in Disney preparations, and one of the common things asked on Disney forums is what items to buy and bring ahead of time. The logic behind that is simple: while you can find most items at Disney, the markup is much higher. Bring some stuff ahead of time saves you time and money. On the off chance you don’t have space or forget something it isn’t a big deal, but anything you can save on (especially like throw away ponchos) is worth trying to get ahead of time.
1) Souvenirs– I do plan on letting Drake and Juliet pick out something on their trip. They are both young and will probably be fine with only one item. But I have read a lot of people stocking up when Disney stores have sales and then giving their child the gifts at Disney. I have also heard of little gifts called “Tinkerbell Gifts” that she leaves in the room each day.
2) Snacks– Disney lets you bring some outside food and let’s face it — food in the parks for a family can really add up. We will still eat in the park but I plan on bringing some cereal, granola bars, and Goldfish along to keep in the room and to take to the park for when the munchies come along. I am also thinking of bringing some sunflower butter and jelly to keep in the fridge in case Drake gets picky at dinner. Since we are driving and will have a mini fridge in the hotel room, I think it’s a good idea to have some back up food.
3) Disney Pins & Lanyards– If you plan on pin trading at Disney, it’s recommended you buy the pins and lanyard to keep them ahead of time as you can get them fairly cheap online, but in Disney they average around $8-$10 a piece, if not more. Since you are planning on trading away the pins you have for other ones from cast members, it’s better to get the ones you are going to be trading away for less rather than purchasing them in the parks.
4) Glowsticks– You can purchase these at most of the night shows. I was debating on this one but the dollar store also carries these so I might get a few.
5) Autograph Book– I’m not sure how excited Drake is going to be about autographs but if I can find a cute little notepad ahead of time to bring in, I will. They are a fun thing to search and do for little kids and when they are older, it’ll be nice to have a memory to look back on.
6) Ponchos– I remember standing in Disneyworld as a child when it started to pour out of nowhere. Storms blow through Florida on a daily basis and nothing is worse than being soaking wet far away from your hotel room and dry clothes. I remember my parents buying ponchos for us. Ponchos in the parks were close to $10 back then so I have no idea what they would cost now. Since these are going to be disposed of I don’t want to spend a ton on them, and this 4 pack works perfectly to stash and pull out when needed.
7) Sunscreen– Between 3 adults and 2 kids, I think we will be going through quite a bit of sunscreen in the hot Florida sun. I’ve made the mistake of forgetting to buy it on trips in the past with just Mr. Chocolate, and paying a huge markup for it at our destinations. So this time I am stocking up ahead of time!
8) Spray fans– I have read you can pick up these spray fans at the dollar store (I need to check), which is of course much cheaper than the prices Disney sells them for.
9) Water bottles– Water is a necessity in Florida heat. Disney allows you to bring in your own water bottles and often times you can ask for a glass of water from counter stations to refill it. Saves on buying sugary drinks and keeps everyone hydrated to last the day.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
I had an autograph book as a kid and loved it! I don’t think I really appreciated it until I was 7 though… I would love to go around getting autographs with my kids once they’re older.
What about adding Mickey Mouse ears to this list?? I imagine it’d be so much fun, and cute, to have the whole family walking around Disney World with Mickey ears on. They have so many cute styles too!
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
It’ll be a while yet before we make a trip to Disney Land or World – until the kids are a little older – but I learned a lot from this post. I didn’t know that characters would trade pins! How cool! I love pins.
guest
We have passes to Disney. I always bring fruit (strawberries and blueberries usually) in a plastic container with ice packs in a lunch bag for us. My Daughter loves snacking on it and so do my husband and I. They’ll let you bring drinks in too
apple seed / 1 posts
We are annual pass holders, and we love Disney!! If you’ve been doing a bunch of research, you probably know about the magic bands and fast passes, but if not, make sure you’re up to speed! It will save you a ton of time and hassle. Also, download the Disney app for info on where characters are located, quick restaurant reservations, current ride wait times, and more. Have fun!!!
guest
The tap water is nasty to bring your own or get it from any quick service place.
We also brought in canned drinks for when would eat quick service.
blogger / kiwi / 675 posts
great ideas! We would love to do a disney trip next year!
honeydew / 7488 posts
You can get those autograph books at a Disney store or outlet beforehand… The Disney ones are really nice because most of them have a photo slot every other page so you can have both a photo and an autograph directly across from the photo! Great souvenirs!
blogger / nectarine / 2687 posts
this is a great list! the first time we took Lil’ CB to Disney, we were so unprepared and I didn’t know any of the tricks and tips! next time, we’ll be prepared!
blogger / pomegranate / 3491 posts
Love the idea of getting “disney” items for cheap/on sale in advance! Genius!
kiwi / 500 posts
We went to Disney in May and at Epcot they were giving out those gogo squeeze pouches that they froze. It quickly defrosts in the hot Florida sun so it’s a nice, snack for the kids to keep cool. I imagine that will be a simple thing to do in the hotel or house before you go. Make sure it’s a big, thick pen you are having the characters sign with as they have huge hands and can’t really grip a small pen.
Have fun! We really really enjoyed it!!
Oh I think I’ve seen those spray fans at target, I think in the $1 bins recently!
blogger / apricot / 335 posts
These are great tips! Definitely will save you some headache to get some of these things beforehand.
apricot / 425 posts
You can order bottled water online (we used Garden Grocer) to be delivered to your hotel room the day you arrive. You can freeze it and bring it in to the parks! You can also order things like bananas, etc that you may want but don’t travel well.
We went to Disney this past October for my daughter’s 3rd birthday and we had an amazing time. My biggest suggestion would be to get out of the room early, hit the parks, plan on doing just a few rides (if you get to more, great, but keep expectations low) and head back to the room after lunch for a nap/rest time. Then go back out for dinner and a few hours. We followed this schedule daily and didn’t have one meltdown the entire trip.
Also, def plan on getting an autograph book! I didn’t think my 3 year old would be into getting autographs, but it was the highlight of her trip. She loved meeting everyone! We also did some pin trading, and she was pretty into that as well. And the pins make great souvenirs.
“The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids” was my bible for the year we planned our trip. I even brought it to the park. And make sure you download the WDW app and set up your FastPasses in advance!
Oh we had such a great time & now I’m really ready to go back
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
There is so much you can do in advance, like buying princess or pirate costumes, pillow presents, etc.
We didn’t do much on our last trip, but I will on our next Disney vacation…childhood is short and Disney magic is just do much fun!
blogger / persimmon / 1220 posts
Never thought of buying souvenirs beforehand!
pomegranate / 3414 posts
We didn’t do an autograph book when we took DD at 18m (she was actually terrified of most characters), however I read on a forum the suggestion of taking blank notecards and have the characters sign those. Then take a picture of the character with your child (or yourself) and put them in a small photo album with the picture and autograph together. The note cards take up less room in your stuff and you get the added bonus of putting the picture with it for long term.
Make use of the babycare centers – great air conditioned place to change diaper or feed and a private area for nursing; they have a little “waiting area” that runs movies for siblings and partners.
blogger / pear / 1563 posts
Great ideas. Disney is SO not on our radar for awhile, but I know those spray tans must be an essential!
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
@Mrs. High Heels: oh Hecka yeah autograph book and Mickey mouse ears! I went several times and i remember comparing th autographs from subsequent visits and didnt understand why they werent the same! Those were the only two things my parents would shell out money for.
Glow bracelets were such a rarity on our Disney trips, what a great idea to get them ahead of time.
olive / 57 posts
Ahhh I can’t wait to take my family to Disney World!! A magical place indeed!
pomelo / 5866 posts
I will get those glow necklaces for this year’s trip-great suggestion.
Our autograph book is a $2 Disney I am a Princess storybook. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2686617539379?r=1&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-Book_Under5-_-Q000000633-_-2686617539379
Each Princess signed on their own page. The others like Mulan and Daisy signed on the inside covers. We got a ton of signatures since we went off peak week and only stood in line for Minnie. For those of you who love to plan, we booked the Princess lunch at the Grotto two months out, which was delicious and easy signatures. Don’t forget your sharpie!
blogger / persimmon / 1398 posts
There is a whole world of Disney I had no idea about! What an informative post! (Including the comments!)
blogger / pomegranate / 3300 posts
My kids love their autograph books. Even Lilly (2.5 years) goes back and looks at hers. Mine love the ones with spots for pictures so they can see their pictures with the characters and their signature.