5 things you need to buy before your Disney World Vacation to save MONEY!
- Esperanza Brock
- Sep 10, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 14, 2023
Disney World is a magical place, in fact some might say it's the most magical place on earth. While others call it the most expensive place on earth! I can't argue with either of those points. Disney truly is as magical as it is expensive, therefore buying these items beforehand from Amazon or your local retailer will save you money and stress in the long run!
As somebody who has spent countless hours roaming the parks and resorts of Walt Disney World, I know a thing or two about what you should buy BEFORE you get to the parks to avoid paying those hefty Disney upcharges.
Today we will be covering the 5 most important things I feel you have to bring to enhance your vacation.
Rechargeable Fans
If you don't listen to anything else, I say listen to this. BUY RECHARGEABLE FANS from amazon, target, etc! Do NOT wait to buy your fans at Disney World because not only will you pay $25 for a Mickey Fan, but it will also be the worst fan you can spend your money on. I love Disney merch as much as the next gal, but when I say those oversized, heavy, noisy & weak Mickey fans will not do your child any justice in the Florida heat, I mean it. Those fans blow, and not in the way you want them to!
Instead, consider buying your family fans ahead of time! See below for some good examples.
For children in strollers
For Adults & older kids
Ponchos
Here in Florida, it rains, a lot, all year long. So, whether you find yourself visiting Disney World during hurricane season or the dead of winter make sure to bring your own ponchos. Those Florida storms vary from sprinkle to torrential downpour and Disney is ready for it! They begin putting out their $25 ponchos when the skies begin turning gray, and if you are not prepared you can find yourself spending an extra $100 you didn't budget into your trip!
Ponchos don't take up tons of room in your bag and the reusable ones even come with a storage bag to keep your stuff dry on the inside once the storm has passed, otherwise you can opt for disposable ones as well.
Note: If you are traveling with children, it is crucial to have a rain cover for your stroller as well!
Save yourself the hassle and buy them before your trip! Here are some of the best poncho options for your family.
Ponchos for the family
Rain Cover for Strollers
"Believe in your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem." - Walt Disney
Fuel Rod
Fuel rods are amazing because they help to eliminate one more thing off your never-ending to-do list: charge the battery banks for your phone! Disney has these amazing kiosks spread around the parks that you use as your recharge station. Buy a FuelRod and swap it out for a fully charged one at any time! You can buy these charging banks ahead of time for almost half price than the parks have them!
As of this post in 2023 you can rent one Fuel Rod for $30 whereas online you can get two for half the price!
Here is a rundown of FuelRod and everything you need to know before your trip! (Disclaimer - this is NOT my website)
Autograph Books, Lanyards, Penny Collector Books & Sharpies!
This is a rather long one so hang with me.
When you enter the Disney Bubble you will notice right away that there are plenty of things to collect around the parks and resorts. This includes Pin Trading, Character Autographs and Penny Press Collectibles. If you wait until you get to the Disney parks to purchase these items, you will be hit with a hefty bill! The mark ups on these items are insane, and sometimes the options are pretty limited!
These unique souvenirs are completed at the park, and they make for unforgettable memories, but we are preparing with the basics. Here is a slight rundown on each activity and some good starting points you can buy before the trip to be as prepared as you can be with gear you truly love!
Pin Trading
Pin trading is done around all 4 parks, all of the resorts & Disney Springs. When you enter basically any Disney gift shop you will find various pins and lanyards, sometimes the selections are quite small, and you can't find the lanyard of your dreams. Buying a lanyard and a few pins that you love ahead of time will give you a leg up as well as save you some dough!
Note: While the lanyard you wear or the book you carry does not have to be authentic - the Pins you trade must be authentic Disney Pins! Always verify the source and legitimacy of the pins you are purchasing! If you plan on collecting and NOT trading in the parks, then feel free to buy whatever brand you desire but we are talking strictly Disney Official Pins today for trading purposes. For a more thorough understanding of Pin Trading in Disney click here. (Disclaimer - this is not my link but another online resource)
Here are a few Lanyards, Pin Bags and starter pins for all sorts of Disney fans!
Character Autographs
Character meetings are a huge part of the Disney culture, and did you know that you can get an autograph from almost every Disney character you meet? That's right, when meeting a character at Disney World or any of the other parks you can hand them anything (safe) to sign! No, they can't sign your baby's head, but they can sign your baby's onesie (off their body of course)
Character autograph books are a very common item used for these interactions and act as amazing and unique souvenirs! The possibilities are endless when it comes to your choice of autograph keepsakes. A few more examples of what to have the characters sign are water bottles, t-shirts, photo frames, the list goes on and on. Below you can find a few examples of autograph books and some more not so common items they characters can sign as well!
Don't forget the sharpies!
Penny Press Collectibles
The penny presses located around Disney World are another very inexpensive, fun and unique idea for a souvenir! All you do is pay the price and pick your pattern and a unique pressed design will be on the now flattened penny and you get to keep it and display it! One popular option of Penny Press Display is the books! Below are some options of penny press books you can purchase for cheaper before your trip!
Disney Merchandise
This alone might be the biggest money saver I could offer you, especially those traveling with younger children! Buy some bubble wands, plushies & accessories beforehand from Amazon, Walmart, Target, outlet stores or even Dollar Tree!
Buying these items and bringing them out periodically throughout your trip will more than likely make your kids happy and save you some money! As long as the bubble wand lights up, has a picture of a character on it and makes bubbles then usually they're happy and you don't have to spend $40 when the sun starts to set!
A few other things you can think about snagging before your trip accessories, clothing and toys. Accessories think princess jewelry for the girls, cars hat for the boys, character watches, slap bands. Clothing think about princess dresses, star wars shirts, anything mickey! Toys is a big one and you have to think about what your kid will see in the parks and instantly want so maybe a lightsaber or stitch plushy!
There is a little bit of strategy and planning that goes into this hack, but if you think about your kids and what they like you can potentially save hundreds of dollars using this idea! Timing is crucial when giving your kids the items, don't give them everything at the start of the trip. Instead, trying waiting until they start asking and then give them the pre-bought item and BAM win-win all around!
Below are some examples of dupe items for the Disney Parks that are sure to satisfy your little on your vacation!
Are you ready for your vacation?
Do not be intimidated by the sheer amount of information that goes into planning a Disney vacation. Stick around and I will help show you the way!
Keep this in mind as you prepare for the best trip ever, it's not fun if you don't HAVE fun. Take time to stop and appreciate the magic of Disney, don't over plan and ruin all the surprises. Discover Disney for yourself!
Love ya Beasties, till next time
xoxo
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