Part 3 Time to Shop things I purchased ahead of time…
Below is a long list of items that I purchased thru Amazon, our local bi-annual consignment pop up shop; Be Green Sale or from local stores. I took my time, and enjoyed the hunting and gathering of all these fun little items. I started long before our trip which allowed me to find the best deals, or be picky on colors.
Disney theme sweatshirt for each kid (lived in them. Plane rides, am & pm chill. It was still 78-85 degrees but cool at night). Consider that these might become the uniform of your photos so get ones that you like and perhaps coordinate a bit. I’m not saying matching unless you’re into that. My kids wore a pink one with Minnie ears and a blue one with Mickey on it. Of course the characters reacted so well to seeing my kids in them.
Ponchos– one for each person including the toddler. They are small light and already packed. We were super lucky and never had to use ours. It only rained one night after we were back in our rooms. Those Florida rains come in quick and heavy and leave just as quickly so better to be prepared.
Lanyards to hold all those trading pins. A fun Disney pattern is cool but they do fill up fast and plain colors work just as fine. I found a 3 pack for $11.42 blue, pink and red. I loved ours they came with a little pouch so we could tuck those pins that slid off in until we got more backs. And I could slip a I’m lost card with info in the back clear pouch. I also bought a 12 pack of extra backs. They are small and easy to loose plus they are unique so not all fit properly.
Starter pins for trading (found on Amazon 25 pins for $30 the 6 & 17 year olds were into it more than the 2.5 year old. Honestly I put some pins I knew my daughter would like on my sons lanyard so she’d have to practice trading.
Spinning night time light up toys. The pirate one was $7.99 off Amazon and the Frozen one was from a local consignment sale and cost $5.00 (According to a friend it was $25 at Disney on Ice). Best time to buy these is right after Halloween.
Stroller Lights– Nothing like coming off a ride to a dark sea of strollers. Well worth the money. Also as you’re trying to navigate a double stroller towards the exit with 1,000’s of the others it’s nice for them to see you coming and not try to step across while you’re rolling a monster truck with you’re two kiddos sound asleep at 10:30pm. Clip on bike lights work well too. Please be considerate and turn them off during the firework displays.
Line Buster Games– 6 pack of wedding bubbles, Disney games and Heads Up game loaded on phone. A Hidden Mickey app or book. He’s all over the place in carvings, tapestries, Cast member’s uniforms. Wikki Stix weird name cool toy.
Coloring pads– small little ones, you’re caring around sharpie markers why not get use out of them. (of course if they can handle a sharpie) lollypops for poping ears on the airplane or again line busters.
I made a sign to identify our stroller in the sea of matching and rental strollers. I also spotted some other very creative people. Had to snap and share a picture of theirs too.
Amazing. Super talented, I wanted to wait and meet this person.
Clip on Purelle to attach to stroller. Oh so handy
Individual packaged wet wipes
Disney signature book– These are so expensive in the park and I doubt the first thing you want to do upon entering is hit the store for a signature book. Also one zip lock bag that could cover the book in a Florida rain storm. Nothing more disappointing than a smeared keepsake.
Click sharpie markers multi colors (my daughter loved picking colors to match the character’s outfits). According a secret source the characters like the click sharpies more too. Easier to use if you’re wearing gloves and easy to close so after they hand it back to your kid they won’t accidentally rub it all over their costume.
Anything Mickey/Minnie was loaded into their backpacks ie lipsmackers, coloring books, dried apple snacks, stickers, hats etc. I had found these crocks at a consignment sale a year prior it just happen to be perfect timing
Stuffed animal Mickey and Minnie, not the monster size but something manageable.
Disney add-ons Princess crowns, wands, pirate hats; really anything to make your and your kids feel special. I am known to rock a good tiara.
Disney World is a safe place, but I always recommend having your contact information located somewhere on your kids. Write it on the back of their button which is likely to be attached to them or their lanyard full of trading pins. I also packed the Kids ID bracelets that are simple and available thru my Etsy store. For those days at the water park or are super sweaty use a ball point pen with Liquid Band-aid over it. You can also order custom temporary tattoos that work well too.
Zip-ties– I know sounds weird but so helpful. Our stroller sign kept falling off day one and zip-ties to the rescue. The strap on my over the shoulder purse broke day 3 zip-ties to the rescue. You don’t need a lot just a few in a few sizes.
All of the items were packed and brought down. Yes it takes up room in suitcases going down but they take up just as much room upon your return. Might as well save a few bucks. I ended up spending about $270.00 before our trip and $40 in the park for souvenirs we just had to have. My daughter and I bought new charms for our charm bracelets, twirly lolly pop a new pin for the lanyard, etc.
Duck tape can be so helpful for identifying so many things. Cut a long strip Put a piece off old rag or paper in the middle and wrap it around a luggage handle trim cloth or paper to size makes a custom bag tag. Our stroller sign was made with duck tape and ribbon and a pre-made wooden frame from Michael’s Craft stores.
Have so much fun. Remember don’t go overboard, as it is easy to do, and give yourself time so you can enjoy the shopping. Happy Hunting.
P.S. Don’t forget where you squirrel it away.
Additional blog posts and more coming soon…
Part 1: Research & Booking
Part 2: Time to Plan & Book your Fun
Bonus: Special Adventures
Part 3: Time to Shop things I purchased ahead of time…
Part 4 Time to pack/hunt; things I brought from home…
Part 5: Final Countdown
Part 6: Here We GO!
Part 7: Playing in the Park
Part 8: Memories & Lessons Learned
In addition to the cookie booths that she hosted with her troop we loaded our wagon and headed out to the streets to finish off the last of our stash. Remember don’t underestimate the power of pig tails. Cute scouts sell cookies!
Granted all this party fun happens on the weekends and on no school days, so on your actually birthday I have to send a special lunch into school and a visit to a real fire truck. 
The Pirate’s League is for Captain Jack and his trusted mates are scouring the 7 seas in search of treasure—and new recruits! At The Pirates League, select a pirate style and receive a makeover and training from the League’s veteran pirates. Get a new name, learn some swashbuckling maneuvers and, after taking the official Pirate League Oath be prepared to march in the Parade of Pirates in Adventureland (Parade of Pirates is part of Walt Disney World® experience only).
My daughter fell in love with the outdoor show of the Jedi Training Academy participants. We just so happen to have lunch next door at 50’s Prime Time Cafe and she spend her whole lunch time watching this 20 min show that starts with a new group every half hour. (P.S. the cafe serves the coolest cupcakes, and they have special to go boxes if you can’t finish it, just ask)
Additional Equipment for specialty camps
Creatively Dunn 