Disney World and Dollar Tree? Yep. I know, we've heard all the complaints about dollar stores - how they can be a little dirty and messy, and how sometimes it is impossible to find what you are looking for.
But have you been to Dollar Tree? It's like the Neiman Marcus of the dollar stores. They're usually clean, organized, and they have lots of great stuff to pick up before your Disney World trip.
Here are some ideas...
Before your trip
Whether your vacation is just a few weeks away or a few months (or more!), you can find lots of stuff at Dollar Tree to help build anticipation for your trip.
Countdowns
Things like stickers and construction paper can be used to make countdown calendars and chains. Or, if you have a child working towards earning something special for a trip (like souvenir money), stickers can also be handy to use on homemade behavior or chore charts.
One of our favorite countdown calendars is quick and easy to make and uses a frame like these...
Take a frame, add some Disney flair (we used a piece of Disney-themed scrapbook paper), and then use a dry erase marker to easily keep track of how many days left until your trip. Here's an example of a finished version...
Want more countdown ideas? Make sure you're following the WDW Prep School Counting Down to Disney World board on Pinterest.
Disney-themed movie nights
Another fun thing to do before your trip is to have Disney-themed movie nights, and you can find all sorts of cute things at Dollar Tree that you could use for that, like these items in the party section...
Even something as simple as adding a themed napkin or a $1 color-coordinating tablecloth can make it feel more festive, and if you want to go all out, try theming a meal or snack around the movie (for example, you could serve spaghetti and watch Lady and the Tramp or serve something with apples and watch Snow White).
Disney-fy your PB&J
These little bags are super cute to put some snacks into or maybe some crayons to throw into a backpack for the plane. There's a space to write on the bag ("personalize your bag" the box says), and they come in several different varieties and in both snack and sandwich size. These are perfect for lunches or snacks or to hold crayons, etc. As an added treat, if you're using these cute bags for lunches consider adding in one of these fun Disney trivia lunchbox notes, too.
These little cups are cute, too, and could be used for lots of different things like drinking incredibly small amounts of liquid. Or you could use them for...hmm. Ok, maybe they can't be used for lots of different things but they ARE cute.
Keeping kids occupied on the journey
Whether you are driving or flying, when it comes to Disney World and Dollar Tree, you'll find lots to keep your kids occupied.
Travel friendly craft supplies
Depending on your child's age, pipe cleaners can be fun and will keep kids occupied while they twist and shape the fuzzy wires into shapes.
Activity books & coloring books
Activity books and coloring books are another great find at Dollar Tree.
Crayons aren't always car-friendly (speaking from experience of having to clean up melted wax more than once), but if you're flying, they usually don't cause much of a problem.
Stickers
StickersStickers and things like these activity packs would be good options for both cars and planes. Never underestimate the amount of time a toddler can be kept occupied with a simple notebook and a pack of stickers.
Movie theater-sized boxes of candy
Fun to put in a backpack to enjoy on the trip to Disney World.
Tinker Bell Gift ideas
Looking for items to use as Tinker Bell Gifts? Look no further!
Gift bags
If you want something to put your little gifts in, you can find all sorts of gift bags in a variety of sizes and colors...
Figurines
These little figurines are cute and would be great for kids 3+...
Stickers, activity books & crayons
Stickers and activity books, crayons - they all make great Tinker Bell Gifts.
Flashcards
These flashcards are fun!
Beach toys
Most of the resorts have areas where kids can play in the sand. Beach toys like this are great because you can bring a couple to play with, but if you don't have room to bring them home you aren't out a bunch of money.
Magic towels
Magic Towels are always a lot of fun. It's a towel. That's magic.
Pirate gear
How about some pirate gear? Perfect for both Disney World trips AND for cruises on Disney Cruise Line!
GLOW STICKS!
Kids love them. Buying glow toys at Disney World costs about a bajillion times as much (rough estimate).
Is this where people shop before going to a rave?
Are raves still a thing?
Puzzles
Maybe not the smartest for when traveling, but at $1 each if you lose a piece (or 3) it isn't a huge financial loss.
Fun twist: if you have older kids that find these puzzles too easy, to make it more challenging try buying several puzzles and mixing up the pieces. This is also a fun activity to do while at home and watching Disney movies in preparation for your trip!
Small toys
Disney-themed yo-yos, tops, paddle balls, stamps...
Chalkboards and paddle balls. People on the plane would LOVE it if you were paddle balling in your seat I bet.
Useful ideas if traveling with babies or toddlers
Pre-soaped disposable dish cloths
If you travel with a supply of sippy cups and child-sized silverware or if you always have your lucky coffee mug with you, then you have probably spent some time washing things out in hotel sinks.
At Disney World, lots of people get the cute reusable mugs, but if you toss yours into a backpack or into the basket on the bottom of a stroller you may wish you had a way to wash the dust and grime (and milk - yuck!) off.
To make it easier on yourself, take some of the towels like the ones below, cut it into smaller pieces (big enough to wash a cup out with, for example. You could also do this with a sponge, if you prefer), and then add some dish detergent to the pieces you've cut and let them dry completely.
Once dry, stick the pre-soaped pieces in a baggie (like one of the Disney ones above!) and you'll have everything you need to wash that sippy cup without having to pack a bottle of soap.
If you can find white disposable towels (white works better so you don't have to worry about colors transferring), you can also make your own stain wipes to use on clothes. Just make sure you use heavily diluted laundry soap or something gentle like Woolite.
Stroller cover
If you have a stroller but you don't have a cover for it, a shower curtain and some heavy clips like the ones below work very well!
Bandanas for strollers
Another great idea for strollers are bandanas like this one. Tying something on your stroller handle can help make yours stand out in a sea of identical strollers.
Post-its for automatic flush toilets
The automatic flush toilets can wreck havoc on the nerves of little ones. Toss a pack of these post-it notes in your purse to cover the sensors on the toilets.
Hotel room organization & everything else
Pop-up hampers
Keeping organized in a hotel room is always a challenge, but things like these pop-up hampers can help keep things neat. Plus, they fold up flat and take up little to no room in a suitcase.
Liquid soap
Liquid soap is a good idea for your hotel room since only bar soap is provided.
Many people asked why this is on the packing list. Bar soap doesn't work well when you wear contacts, plus you can use liquid soap for washing dishes, swimsuits in the sink, etc
Shower puff
Shower puffs are handy to take and at $1 each you can toss it when it is time to come home.
Wet wipes
Wipes. All sorts of wipes. Wipes for your hands. Wipes for the nasty TV remote...
Hooks
When this gigantic packing list was created, some people suggested that these should be on it for hanging up wet things to dry.
Ponchos
The ones from Dollar Tree are fantastic for rides where you might get wet because you can use them once and toss them. If you are going during the summer when it rains a lot, check out our post on how to handle the weather and our recommendations for ponchos to use during the rainy season.
Finally, don't forget to pick up some classy ocean-themed home decor while you're finishing up your Disney World shopping.
Or not.
Dollar Tree also sells even more Disney stuff online. You can have it shipped for cheap plus you can have stuff sent to the store closest to you for free.
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See! We told you Disney World and Dollar Tree go well together! Have you discovered any great finds for Disney World trips at your local Dollar Tree? Tell us about it in the comments.
102 Comments
We got some cute floppy topped wide Mickey pens that were easy for characters to hold to get their signatures and they loved playing with the top, some Dollar generals have cute Disney character frames and notebooks that some kids get signatures in or write notes in about their trip
I see a lot of recommendations to bring ponchos, but how many ponchos do you recommend bringing? 1 per person per park? Or is 1 per person enough for the trip?
Thank you very much for this list! I really appreciated the idea of the post it notes to cover the sensors in the washrooms! My 4 year old has a really hard time with those toilets!
always love this list! Just looked on Dollar Tree’s online Disney selection and the nightlights are a great idea – always good to have one of those in dark hotel rooms/bathrooms. The ponchos are not only good for wet rides like Splash Mountain but also good to sit on for wet pavement for parades, etc.
I don’t go anywhere without my anti bacterial hand gel. Not sure if you can get at Dollar Tree but love the travel size ones (some with clips for backpacks/purses) at Bath and Body Works. Always stock up during their semi-annual clearance sale.
A couple more thoughts: glow bracelets are good to have kids wear on the dark rides when they are afraid. Also, I love the sandwich containers with the characters on top. I put 4 silicone muffin cups in a sandwich container to make sections and then put different kinds of food in it — usually it’s salami or cubed ham, cut up fruit, goldfish and cut up bell peppers. Just make sure to put a large rubber band (like the kind that comes on a bunch of asparagus from the store) around it so it doesn’t pop open.
A couple of cute things I’ve found at Dollar Tree are crayons that are actually shaped like the characters (they have a primary set with Mickey, Goofy and Donald and a girlie set with Minnie and Daisy. Also 3-packs of little tape dispensers with decorative tape, I’ve seen Frozen and Mickey themed. I’ve also gotten really thick cardboard Sofia stickers there.
I used this post for my family’s 2016 Disney trip and the ideas were great. However, the pop up hamper idea is the Best!!! I still use it on any trip I take! It’s a great tip for those people (like me) who like to stay neat and organized even on vacation!!
I agree. I still use my pop up hamper on all trips where I have access to washer/dryer – so easy to fold up in suitcase!
This is pretty genius!
Great ideas! 🙂
I have read this post over the months/years since you first posted it and I crack up every time. “Are raves still a thing?”
Thanks for the help!
Ziplock baggies for your phone (not to get wet), leftover food, snacks, wet undergarments.
A towel to dry the seat (Fantasmic, Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids) or a spot saver for a parade.
Cheap luggage tags for your park bag (just in case you lose it or you don’t use the American Traveler ones Disney sends you!)
Walmart has an even better deal now on glow sticks. Instead of the 5 packs at DT, you can get a 40 pack for $5. I recently bought a set for my 8 year old’s Star Wars birthday party.
Hey there! Take it from someone who live an hour-ish from The House of Mouse – there are great deals to be had OUTSIDE of the parks. My faves are Walmart and Walgreens, but even the Publix supermarkets nearby have a great Disney section. I found the cutest pajamas at one! Oh, and Publix is a really good supermarket here in FL.
We found Star Wars rain ponchos at Walgreens, I think, and they were cheap. Kid sized, but plain ones for adults.
A good thing to know at all the parks: Any restaurant or kiosk that gives drinks in cups will give you a cup of ice water free. I take little packets of lemonade or whatever to add. Their water actually tastes decent, though. You can bring your own cup with a lid. And for mom and dad – Epcot has a STARBUCKS not too far inside. The other kiosks sell Geoffrey’s coffee, which is roasted in Tampa. Really good.
MY FAVORITE DISNEY TIP: You can bring a cooler!! Yup. We bring a medium sized cooler (I have a super cool collapsible one from 31 with my name on it). We rent a locker, throw in our cooler and our sweaters if it’s fall or winter, and go about our day until time for the parade. We go back to Main Street or the parade route at whatever park, and get our cooler. We park ourselves on the curb pretty early (butt space is at a premium) and eat our lunch while we wait. That way we only purchase snacks (gotta have a Mickey ice cream bar or a Dole Whip!) or one meal – generally quick serve unless it’s a special occasion. Remember, we live close, so we go often, but try to be frugal (Passholders).
We kinda do the same for the fireworks or night time shows. We get ourselves a funnel cake (to share) or if we missed dinner, some yummy Epcot Fish and Chips (get quick serve – it’s the same as inside) and find a spot to watch. We LOVE Illuminations, by the way.
And – no offense – if you have small children, do yourself- and all of us – a favor. Go back to the hotel in the hottest part of the day and take a nap and a swim. Your kids will be much happier if you decide to stay late for fireworks.
Hope this helps!
How does flying with glow sticks work? Do they have to be checked? Or be in your liquids bag in your carry on?
i always bring a mesh pop-up hamper on my trips. I have one that has big handles and pockets (for my soap!) that doubles as my laundry basket. Toss your dirty clothes in (then they don’t make your clean clothes gross) and when you have enough for a load, drag it to the machine. I love it! It also means I can pack less and save baggage fees.
Wow! Great list! I was already planning on making a Dollar Tree run for our trip but there are some great ideas in here that I wouldn’t have thought to get. Thanks Shannon! Love your podcast and website!