Surprise Bag

[candyland]

I wasn't sure where to post this question so I figured this is as good of place as any. We are surprise three of our girls with a trip the end of April.
They are 10 year old twins and a 17 year old.
Here is my question.
I am not telling them that we are going to Disney until we are at our layover in Chicago (they think we are going somewhere else). I have purchased each of them a canvas bag with Mickey Mouse on it, a different Disney World Book for each of them to read while on the plane), sunscreen, a disposable camera, some sun screen, a Disney autograph book and some snacks.

Can anyone think of anything else to add to this bag? Something that will be used at Disney that I can purchase ahead of time, etc. You've all had such GREAT ideas I'm sure you'll think of things I might never have.

Thank you!

Candy

[wdwgrandma]

I do a similar thing when we take our grandchildren to WDW. I give it to them as soon as we reach our resort room. I usually include an autograph book, a wide barreled pen, a book to hold their squashed pennies, some pennies to squash and some quarters to pay for them, an Epcot passport, and things like that. Of course, some of those things can't be bought until you reach WDW.

[Breeze]

I want a goody bag like that Grandma :D

[candyland]

I barely remember the squashing pennies thing. I had completely forgotten that.
Where do they do that again?

Thank you..those are some excellent ideas. I might have forgotten a pen.

[Figment]

Where do they do that again?



Any where and every where! :rotfl:

[miraclemoments]

I made one for my younger sister in law this past December, one of the things I included, almost as an afterthought, but that she was VERY thankful for was a couple of packages of chewing gum...it can't be bought on property, so she was glad to have a few packs on hand.

[Kitten]

you have all just given me a great idea of somthing to do for my little sister, although we're not going to Disney till August, it gives me a chance to get things sorted.

[psdjmem]

candy,
I am doing little bags for our kids too! I have found lots of things cheap on ebay! I got canvas bags with mickey on them to put some treats in, (I did not know they did not sell gum at WDW) some disney key chains (dollar store had those) you can find the pins you trade on ebay, maybe get one for each of them with thier favorite character on it. The books are a great idea. Target has some new DVDs with disney cartoons on them (we are driving so we need something to keep busy). I am putting in some disney dollars and some home made coupons like "one PS at CRT on such and such a day" "one golf cart ride around FW" "Epcot ice cream social" you can make ones for your family with the things you have planned for them. I have seen beanie babies only they are disney characters if there is a disney store near you i am sure they have lots of fun things!! HAve a great trip I am sure you kids will be delighted

[Mouselander]

That surprise bag is making me want to pack right now!!! :D (We are not going back :blush: until Nov.)

How about adding sunglasses and/or rain gear?

Something else you might want to add for the girls is a disney night shirt or PJ's! My DD always looks forward to getting one on our disney trips! Have a wonderful trip and make lots of fun memories!

[wdwgrandma]

Ponchos are a great addition! You will probably need them at least once on the trip!

Coloring books and crayons or stickers and sticker books are great.

[candyland]

I wish I could buy ponchos BEFORE the trip because we won't have a rental car to go to 7-11 where I hear they are much cheaper. I'd LOVE to get them and include them in the bags.
The coloring books are a great idea, my kids might be kind of big for them BUT you did give me the idea to put some stamps in there so they can send their friends a postcard or two! (and maybe some stationary!)
THANKYOU!

[wdwgrandma]

Make up address labels on your computer for the people the kids will be sending postcards to so that they don't have to address the cards themselves! Makes it a lot easier!

[candyland]

Great idea!
OK, here are some question that might belong in a different thread but I got the idea here so I'll post them here. (someone tell me if there is somewhere better)

Disney Dollars (thanks a billion for THAT idea). Anybody know anywhere I can buy them BEFORE the trip? (besides ebay).
Also, I'd love more info about swapping pins. Like, how many would you suggest they start with AND do you think that would be more of a second trip thing to do? Also, I read that you can buy books for the pennies..I'm wondering if that's a good idea or if my kids are too old. I'm wondering if it would just be more to haul around. My kids are 10, 10 and 7 (all girls).

I'd appreciate any opinions or suggestions I can get.
I'm also getting together with a friend this weekend that has a trip planned in June and is so Disney challenged she didn't even know there were different parks. She has small children so I'm also trying to help her plan. This site has been so incredibly helpful I can't imagine planning a trip without it! I hope you guys all know how much you are appreciated!!!!!

[wdwgrandma]

Do they still sell them at the Disney Store? That's where we bought the ones we put in our DGDs goodie bags. Disney Dollars, I mean!

Both of our DGDs were 9 when we took them, and they totally fell in love with smushed pennies! One of the girls even had some from an amusement park near where she lives, so she knew what they were!

[Larua]

This is a great idea. Can you buy Disney autograph books anywhere besides at Disney? I didn't find them at the Disneystore, can you buy them online?

[psdjmem]

I earn disney dollars thru my disney VISA and plan to get them cashed out in time to have them sent to me and put in their goodie bag. I have earned $93 so far YEAH! But I think I need to spend more to earn more :whistle: makes sense right? Sadly we don't have a disney store here anymore they took it out of the mall several years ago :(

We actually have rain ponchos from when we went to disney in 1989 :rotfl: and we have some from AK from 2003 trip. I really like to save things! Rain ponchos are always a great item to have. they sell them cheap at walmart and many dollar stores and they are so small they do not take up alot of room!

candyland - your disney friend did not know there were different parks :eek: whew good thing you are coming to her rescue!!

[psdjmem]

Oh here are one place to get the autograph books -
http://laughingplacestore.com/Product-2932.asp

and the penny books too
http://laughingplacestore.com/Product-3108.asp

those are really fun for kids - and adults too!!

[cmdbuddy]

I earn disney dollars thru my disney VISA and plan to get them cashed out in time to have them sent to me and put in their goodie bag. I have earned $93 so far YEAH! But I think I need to spend more to earn more :whistle: makes sense right? Sadly we don't have a disney store here anymore they took it out of the mall several years ago :(


Those Disney cards are great, aren't they? I love pulling out my sparkly red Disney credit card at places.

As far as ponchos go... buy some at home, but whatever you do, DON'T BUY YELLOW. Go buy hot pink or something. When it rains, and everyone runs into the stores and buys the yellow Mickey ponchos, you'll lose everyone in your party. Stand out with the pink and be proud of being different!

The portable fans that mist water on your might be a good addition to the bag too, if you're going during one of the hot months.

[Nikdimps]

Hi there,


I agree with the fan with the mist. I refused to but one at the park because it was outraeous but broke down one hot and humid day when I was 6 months pregnant walking around the park. LOVED IT.

Also a water bottle with a strap is a good investment before you go. They are also expensive at the park.

Nik :luck:

[d_dreamer]

I want a goodie bag!!!

Yes, misters are v. good idea. I think you should get them at your hometown, because you cant find one for less then 14 in FLA. I wouldnt buy too many souveneers for them though, let them get it themselves, but what needs to b added is disney cds, and cameras.

[candyland]

I have a question about Disney Dollars.
I'm wanting to get them ahead of time to put in my children's suprise bags
but I'm told the only place I can get them is at a Disney Store or at Disney.
I read at allears.com that you can buy them by fax. Has anyone else done this or does anyone else have any suggestions? Our Disney Store has closed so that isn't an option for me. We leave on April 29th so I need to get moving on this!

Candy

[Shanrich96]

I liked the sunglasses idea. Walmart has ones with disney characters on them for younger kids.

[d_dreamer]

Ooooh you can get cute disney watches at Walmart too, they're around 6 dollars and then the kids wont be comstantly asking you what time it is

[Josette]

Adopt me? :D

[d_dreamer]

Adopt me? :D 0.0 me too!! Then Josette and I could be sisters, get cool stuff, AND go to WDW. What could be better?

[psdjmem]

Watches!! Excellent idea!!

[Mickeymac]

Candy, I don't know of anyone who's done that personally, but I have heard of it being done (fax is sent to: 407-566-5645) I've also heard of a Guest calling the WDW Merchandise line, but I don't know the outcome of that call. The number there is 407-363-6200 or you can email them at wdw.mail.order @ disneyworld.com (please remove spaces when sending email)

[candyland]

I have my own update to the Disney Dollar situation. (thanks for the reply Mickeymac).
I did fax and order to the dollars. I think they have made a few changes since the All Ears Newsletter article was written but it was still helpful.
You can order Disney Dollars by fax. There is a $10.00 charge for shipping (through Fed Ex) and it will take a few days to get it. (the article said she received them the next morning, I didn't expect that quick of turn around but in case someone else was thinking of doing it last minute). ALSO, you can only do $50.00 worth per credit card or else they have to treat it as a cash advance. I ordered them yesterday so I'll keep up with the progress for people future reference.

[Mickeymac]

Candy, thank you very much - that is very useful information! :D

[d_dreamer]

Watches!! Excellent idea!!Thank you!

[candyland]

Well, I wasn't sure to post this and I didn't want to start a new thread for it so I'll just put it in the thread where I GOT the idea to add Disney Dollars to my kids surprise bags.

Out trip is fast approaching so this might be a little late but I was wondering if anyone has any Disney Dollar envelopes they would be willing to sell. I really just need one or two. (I'd be happy with ONE). I am making surprise bags for my three girls but when I got my Disney Dollars in the mail it only came with 2 envelopes. I realize tbey are just envelopes but you know how kids are! If anyone has one or two you'd be willing to part with I'd be happy to pay something for them and also for shipping.
We are leaving next Wed (April 27th) so I know it's not alot of time but I thought I'd give it a shot!!

[psdjmem]

candyland
Here is a thought for you .... take the envelope to a printers (kinkos or somewhere like that) and have them carefully open up the envelope so it is flat and make a color copy for you. You can cut them down to make the envelopes. Our printer has an envelope feature where it prints out a regular peice of printer paper and has lines printed on it to show you where to cut and fold. That is the only things I can think of to do???

Or you can just make your own - get some disney stickers - I have seen them at walmart and write the kids name on them and fancy them up with stickers!

The last thing I can think of is to call where you ordered the disney dollars and ask thme to send you out real quick another envelope!

[candyland]

Thank you psdjmem..I will probably end up just using rubber stamps and stamping them, it's not quite the same but it will work. I had thought about contacting them for another one but I'm guessing it would probably end up costing more than it's worth as they ship things via Fed Ex and I had to pay $10.00 for shipping, plus I can only contact them by fax. I'll just use a regular evelope, I just thought I'd give it a shot. THANK YOU!!