Saving Money on Souvenirs

(Short Excerpts From the Book)

Start an Inexpensive Collection

     Get your children to start a collection of reasonably priced items that will display well at home. The main goal to this strategy is to buy something meaningful that won’t get lost in the mass of toys when you get home. Here are some examples of things kids and adults can collect:

Die cast collectible ride cars
     Collectible ride cars are available in gift shops at ride exits and souvenir shops all around the parks. Collect a car for nearly everything you get to ride. Currently these cost about $6.00 a piece. If money is tight, have your children (or yourself) pick out their favorite ride for the trip. When you go back pick out another. This is a great collection to start and a great way to remember each trip.

Pressed Pennies
     Pressed currency is a favorite among collectors and children, and at 50 cents plus the penny, it is very affordable. There are many, many, many presses all around Disney property with a large variety of characters and themes. Go to the guest relations desk to get a map of the penny press locations and start a “hunt” to find your favorite characters to press into your pennies. There are also pressed quarter machines available for $1.25 total cost (including the quarter you press) Display books to keep them in are available at most gift shops in Disney World. This is a great souvenir idea to spend that piggy bank money on.

Charm Bracelets
     They are fun for girls to start, and each visit to the park a charm could be added to it. Charm bracelet making stations are usually in the major gift shops at Disney. Necklaces are also available to make.  Charms run from about $3 to $30 or more depending on what you choose. The $3 charms are abundant and great for children to collect.

Disney Pins
     Disney pin trading is a great tradition at Disney World. Pins can get very expensive, though, when they start at $8 apiece in the parks. We suggest you go online to www.ebay.com and buy a “lot” of Disney pins. Make sure they have the Disney trademark…then, display them on a lanyard and when you go to the parks, you can trade with any of the Cast Members for whatever pin you desire! It is Disney policy that Cast Members must trade with you. So, if your favorite character doesn’t come in the lot you buy online, make it into a “treasure hunt” to find it on a Cast Member’s lanyard at the parks.

Mouse Ears

     A meaningful souvenir is the classic Disney Mickey Mouse Club mouse ears hat. If you go to The Chapeaux on Main Street in Magic Kingdom, they’ll embroider your name on the back of it for free. The hats are $7- $7.50. There are also a variety of other hats available there and in other shops. Some are just as inexpensive and affordable.

Give Your Children a Budget

     Your children will be more careful with what they choose if they have their own money to spend. They may choose to pool their money over a couple of days to buy something special that costs more. Let the kids know that when their spending budget is gone for the day, it is gone for good! Be diligent about this so you won’t overspend your souvenir budget.

Look for Souvenirs and Sales Before You Go

Shop the sales at the Disney Store and discount stores that carry Disney toys and clothing. Just as some people shop the sales and put back gifts for Christmas and birthday gifts, you can put back Disney stuff to surprise the kids or to give as souvenirs on your vacation. Several times a year the Disney Store will have huge 75% off sales on practically everything in the store. Have surprises for each of your children for every day of your vacation. They will be so excited about what their surprises are going to be, they will never ask for anything!

Want More Souvenir Tips and Secrets? Disney on a Dime, The Book-Available Now!!

Look to Disney on a Dime for the latest and greatest ways to Save money on your Disney World Vacation. Look in the Book for more Souvenir tips on: Choosing the Right Souvenir Unique, Personal Souvenirs Disney Dollars Free Souvenirs Plan Ahead with the Family Cheap Souvenirs Autograph books and photos Scrapbooking Tips Mr. Potato Head Disney Store Secrets

Other Topics That Can Help with Saving Money:

Saving Money For Your Disney Trip