How do you not spend a FORTUNE?

[Enderikari]

Or request one: http://disney.store.go.com/DSCatalogRequestPage.process

The only things I collect are smushed pennies (cheap) and shot glasses. I usually only come home with 3-4 shot glasses per trip (except that Cedar Point Trip last August: 10-12). This past trip my GF and I got matching Mickey and Minnie 2005 shirts. I've never gotten into the whole Pin thing though.

Quick note: Disney doesn't sell shot glasses on property, however, they do sell curiously-shaped toothpick holders. (Ask a CM to ring it up for you, it will ring up as Toothpick Holder)

 

[Raven66]

You are a freak, because I think the same way too. I like to duck into the shops for curiosity, to cool down or kill a few minutes before a show, but it's not why I am at Disney World.

I'm with you and coffeejedi. First trip we each got a t-shirt and my daughter got Brer Rabbit. This time I promised her a Figment, but we don't actually buy anything. She was into the pins for awhile but she doesn't ask for them anymore. I guess reading some posts that's a good thing! :lol: I don't remember getting anything on the last trip. :lookaroun

 

[bigorangeandy]

I bought a tee shirt last year, that was about it (if you don't count the ice cream bars

). I'm not much of a buyer ( I tend to walk around and look but don't seem to want to let go of the money), but my wife can be at times. I would like to get a coffee mug this next trip, and maybe a pin or magnet.

 

[SpenceMan01]

Quick note: Disney doesn't sell shot glasses on property, however, they do sell curiously-shaped toothpick holders. (Ask a CM to ring it up for you, it will ring up as Toothpick Holder)

I'm pretty sure they're called shot glasses. You might have had a "fluke" item. I will check the tags on the bottoms of my glasses when I am home next week because I can't find any receipts right now.

 

[DanStat]

Here's my solution. I save my money for our trips. My parents usually supplement me with $300, and then I will bring my own. That way, I don't feel guilty or impulsive.

I also try to limit my spending at home inbetween WDW trips. While my sister is buying hordes of stuff at the mall, I stop and think "oh, well, there's another 10 pins I can buy,"

Everyone has something they like to spend their money on. Mine happens to be clothes and WDW souvenirs. Everyone should find a niche, however. Buy what you like and have no regrets.

 

[surfsupdon]

To limit my spending, I do not buy things "on the spot." I will only make purchases on the last 2 days of my vacation. That way, if it's something I really want, I have to first remember what it was that I wnated, and then find it. If it wasn't worth it, I won't get it.

It works for me.

 

[tirian]

Since I don't have an AP, I plan ahead, save a portion of my money as "WDW expenses," and adhere to the budget. True, it's hard, but it helps me not to overspend. If I purchase anything from Disney Direct, that comes out of my "WDW expenses," too. Obviously, I give myself time to think things over before I make a purchase. Because I have retail experience, I'm pretty familiar with the markup on various items, too; and if it's way too high over a comparable item's cost (within reasonable Disney limits), I won't buy it.

Of course, I visit WDW for the atmosphere, not the shopping.

 

[stingrock23]

I bring my own food, and that really cuts down. And I don't really do too much shopping, maybe something from each park and that's about it. I don't usually end up spending too much.

 

[626]

Well for the last 7 years or so I have avoided spending a fortune by being married to a Disney Store Cast Member. Now that they don't get a discount in the parks anymore... Hmmm, probably buy alot less stuff. I must be much more selective now that buying a $19 + tax tee shirt will cost me the same as everyone else

 

[Buzzes Dad]

When I go I usually get a couple of polo type shirts and a medium-size stuffed Disney Character and 1 ride t-shirt. Cost about $150 but it is worth it because they bring back lots of memories.

My wife on the other hand collects everything Pooh and let me tell you that can get real expensive real quick, she now limits herself to $250/trip.

My son always buys the small dated stuffed Mickey plus lots of junk/trinckets, but what the hey, it was his money that he earned throughout the year.

 

[gboiler1]

Budget, budget, budget. Get an idea of a per day limit and whatever you don't spend goes into the next day, so if you stay with it, you'll be in great shape.

We basically allot $100 per day, although we never average that much, partly because we stick with counter service for meals and share snacks because the cost is so much and the portions are big. Usually spend $60-$70 per day on food and limit those impulse buys. Have an idea before you go of souvineers you'd like. I usually like to get a nice polo shirt my wife a nicer tshirt and maybe a couple smaller things for our daughter like the various light up toys they sell, we've also usually got a Christmas ornament too.

 

[Journey]

I usually have to have the tee shirt of that year, a mug, and a couple pins! I am much more generous with my little girl! LOL... To a point that is!!

I am somewhat of a thrifty person, the one who brings frozen water, snacks, and other goodies with me into the parks, so I can save a couple of dollars.

 

[awalkinthepark]

My husband collects the monorail stuff , villians and pins....I used to collect christmas ornaments and mugs...my collecting stopped when he discoved pins..lol...we are fortunate enough to visit a few times a year(usually) and to be quite honest after awhile all the merchandise looks the same. I get sick of seeing the same things over and over again...the same grumpy t-shirts, the same tinkerbell ornaments, the same mickey mouse plates, etc etc...trip after trip after trip....I usually will plan ahead on what I want to buy usually just a t-shirt and a beach towel and I'm done.


Stay away from the pin carts...so easy to spend so much in a short amount of time. We went to the pin place at down town disney a few years back and some of those guys wheel in suitcases full of pins to trade...my husband was talking to a man who was about to lose his house because he spent all of his money on pins...instead of taking a second job to save his house he was at DTD still trading pins...yikes!

 

[daveemtdave]

We are tightwades when it comes to Disney. After our second trip, we just decided what we really had room for at home - the trip is our rememberance - we take a family picture in each park and we make a new photo collection for the wall when we get home. Everyone picks a picture they like and they go around our family shots - this way, our dirty walls are covered by the beautiy of Disney and my dust bunnies have more room to grow.

 

[figmentmom]

Stay. Away. From. The. Pins.

Best piece of advice you'll ever hear... :lol:

For real... I always say I'm not going to get any... and then I *have* to go look... and before I know it, I've bought all these pins... so now I don't even go anywhere near a pin cart!

You are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO right... :lol:

We have always avoided spending a lot of money on food in the parks by eating breakfast in our hotel room (we rent a 'frig, and it works for us), having a counter service lunch, and eating supper outside the parks. The kids always had packs that they filled with packages of crackers, granola bars, etc., and we drink a LOT of water.

 

[Woody13]

Common sense.

 

[figmentmom]

Common sense.

Yep. :lol:

 

[weluvtink]

Since they took away my CM discount, I've spent much less. Also during my last trip I've noticed that most of the stores just had the same stuff over and over again and that stopped me from even going in. I really only took my time looking In MGM and the World Showcase.