| Let's face it; we all want to bring our families on the | | | | of your photo write about your favorite part of that |
| trip of a lifetime without breaking the bank. If you | | | | theme park. |
| have kids bringing them to Walt Disney World can | | | | -Post cards are always a fun inexpensive souvenir to |
| cost a pretty penny. We know how little ones are, | | | | collect. Use your post cards to collect signatures from |
| each shop has the "one toy" that they want. But it's | | | | your favorite characters. A unique idea would be to |
| impossible to buy everything. Below are a few tips to | | | | buy a post card for each of the family members on |
| help you save your money when purchasing | | | | the trip with you. Write down your most favorite |
| souvenirs without really having to skimp on anything. | | | | moment shared with them on your Disney vacation |
| -Purchase Disney items at a local Disney Store, | | | | and mail it home. Have each member in your family |
| websites such as eBay and Amazon, online Disney | | | | do the same. Don't peek at what each person wrote. |
| Store or other Disney merchandise seller without | | | | When you get home there will be a nice surprise |
| your kids knowing. Pack them in your suitcases when | | | | waiting for you. |
| you go to Walt Disney World. Then each day | | | | -Remember that most restaurants' in Disney World |
| surprise your kids with a new Disney themed toy. | | | | gives kids their drinks in plastic cups. They are free |
| They will never know you didn't buy them in Walt | | | | and fun. They are also handy to have around your |
| Disney World and they will even stop bugging you to | | | | hotel room. Try collecting as many as you can. TIP: |
| go into the shops in Walt Disney World and pay | | | | even when you order a cup of water off the menu |
| twice as much for the same or similar item. Another | | | | you still receive a free plastic cup in most places. |
| plus to this is you will already know how much | | | | -If you are a person who loves to scrapbook it's |
| suitcase space you will need, there will be no | | | | very easy to get free and cheap souvenirs. Napkins, |
| surprises when it's time to pack up and go home. | | | | bottle wrappers, pictures, the wrappers of the soaps |
| -You can purchase Disney Dollars or rechargeable | | | | and items that come with your hotel rooms, deflated |
| Disney Gift cards at your local Disney Store or online. | | | | balloons, baggage claim tickets, room keys, brochures |
| Add these to your kids/family wish list for birthdays | | | | from your hotel and theme parks, receipts, parking |
| and other gift-giving holidays. They add up quickly | | | | tickets, basically there are endless little tidbits all |
| and it also teaches kids how to manage their own | | | | throughout Walt Disney World that are free and |
| money. Disney Dollars are fun because each year | | | | most people throw them out. The sad thing is, most |
| they change the characters that appear on each | | | | of the time your room key is more memorable than |
| dollar. If you are planning a trip a few years down | | | | the overpriced key chain you use for a year then |
| the road you can make a fun game out of collecting | | | | throw out. |
| all the different characters. They come in a $1, $5, | | | | -Mickey's Mart. This is a store located in Downtown |
| $10 and $20 dollar bills. They are redeemable at all | | | | Disney. Everything in this store is $10.00 and under. |
| Disney Stores and Walt Disney World. The gift cards | | | | They have items of the week and also offer grab |
| are great because you don't have to hold on to | | | | bags for $6.99. You may find a great deal if you |
| "cash", you can add money to your gift card anytime. | | | | have a certain item in mind. |
| They are easy to keep track of and are redeemable | | | | -The best tip on saving money when purchasing |
| at all Disney Stores and Walt Disney World. | | | | souvenirs in Walt Disney World is to be cautious. It's |
| -Kids love to play games. Sit down with your kids | | | | so easy to fall in love with Disney when you're |
| ahead of time and make a list of some items they | | | | visiting and want to bring it all back home. Everything |
| want to bring home from Walt Disney World. Take | | | | looks fun and cute when you're there and it's easy |
| that list and make it into "Walt Disney World | | | | to think you need it all. When making a purchase ask |
| Scavenger Hunt". Your kids will be so busy looking for | | | | yourself if it is something that will really be a great |
| the items on their list and checking them off they | | | | piece of memorabilia and will last for years or if it's |
| most likely won't notice the other things in the shops. | | | | something that will end up in the back of a closet and |
| If your kids stick to the list of scavenger hunt items | | | | eventually be thrown away. You can have the |
| perhaps a special gift will given. | | | | vacation of a lifetime without paying through the |
| -Pressed pennies. Collect one from each theme park | | | | nose for it. Create a reasonable budget and stick to |
| and add them to your scrapbooks. Remember to | | | | it. When your vacation is all done you will be glad you |
| take a picture of making the penny and on the back | | | | did. |