Preparing for Your Disney Trip at the Dollar Store

With resorts, tickets, meals, and souvenirs a Walt Disney World vacation can add up quickly so keep watching for 5 items you can get at the Dollar Store before your trip to save you money in the parks.

Hi! My name is Christina and I am the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency dedicated to helping overwhelmed moms take a break from the busy and enjoy a hassle-free vacation you don’t have to plan. I have helped hundreds of families plan perfectly personalized vacations – and part of that is helping to make sure they get the best value for their money.

I have no problem spending a little more on amenities that are going to save me time or add convenience, where I don’t like spending is on things I know I can get cheaper somewhere else – like the following items I purchase at the Dollar Store before I leave.

Tinker Bell Gifts 

Souvenirs can be expensive, that is why I recommend families use dollar store finds as “Tinker Bell Gifts.” These are little items that everyone’s favorite pixie leaves in the hotel room for children to find when you get back from the park for the day. With this you can usually get their minds off an expensive item they see in the park by shifting the focus to what they think tinker bell might bring. The Dollar Store carries licensed items like figurines, puzzles, stickers, and magic washcloths.

Activity Books

Another great item to grab on your Dollar Store trip are activity and coloring books for the way there. Whether you are flying or driving you can get some great activities to entertain your kids for $1. On my most recent trip, I picked up some letter tracing books for my toddler. They have plenty of Disney coloring books and even some character crayons.

Glow Sticks 

One of the most uselessly expensive items is the glow toys that they have cast members peddling before the nighttime spectaculars. It is brilliant marketing because every kid wants one. To prevent the begging, I bring a bunch of glow bracelets and my daughter has fun making different jewelry from them. We also usually give them to people waiting nearby and make new friends. 

Room Enhancements 

Kids thrive on a routine and a vacation is anything but routine. You can make the transition a little easier by making the hotel room as much like home as possible. If you have a nightlight at home pick one up at the dollar store and leave it there when you leave. 

I also like to buy a few things to help keep the room organized. Mesh laundry bags help organize the clean and dirty clothes in my suitcase and over-the-door shoe racks keep all the little things that can clutter the room contained. 

Planning a Disney vacation can be stressful. I know you are worried you may forget something, that is why I created the ultimate Walt Disney World Planning Bundle. It includes a step-by-step planning workbook, attraction cheat sheets to save time in line, and a packing list to ensure nothing gets left behind… or forgotten. You can purchase yours here. 

First Aid 

One of the few things I dislike about theme parks and other touristy areas is that they always mark up over-the-counter medicines because they know you need them, and don’t know where else to get them. That is why I love getting them at the dollar store, they carry brand names but in smaller packaging so it slips easily into your park bag. They are even a huge savings on getting the travel size from the pharmacy. 

Ponchos 

My husband loves his bulky Disney poncho we got on our first trip together in 2012. He pulls it out of storage and packs it every trip, he even carries it around all sopping wet after the afternoon rainstorm. I absolutely hate putting a wet poncho back on or into my bag. I love how compact the disposable ponchos are so I stock up before I go.  I usually buy one poncho per person per day and still save what it would cost to buy everyone a poncho in the parks. I throw 2 per person in my park bag, recycle it when I enter a building, and don another one. They are so much more useful than just keeping you dry – use them to sit on the ground before the fireworks, or as stroller covers. 

Discover more: