(Article last updated: April 20, 2017)
One way to add extra magic during your Disney World trip is by doing Tinker Bell gifts for your children.
Here's how it works and some ideas for providing surprise Tinker Bell gifts at Disney World...
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What are Tinker Bell gifts at Disney World?
Tinker Bell gifts at Disney World are like presents from Santa Claus during your Disney World trip. They are provided by you (not Disney World!) and can be a fun way to pre-purchase souvenir type of items and/or a way to encourage good behavior.
Tinker Bell rules
If you want to find a way to encourage good behavior during trips, you can provide a short list of rules that are tied to the gifts.
Here's an example of some rules that were made at home and snuck it into a suitcase.
The rules can be set out on the first day. To provide something to do while you're en route to Disney World, you could have kids decorate gifts bags to use for daily deliveries.
Daily routine
The gift bags can be set out each night and then each morning, a new gift for the day appears in the bag. This is a great way to get kids out of bed each morning (because you are arriving to the parks early, right?) and it's a fun way to start the day.
You might instead choose to have Tinker Bell gifts in the room for when they return to the room later.
Tinker Bell gift ideas
There are lots of different gift ideas you could use, but you might consider having gifts that are tied to whatever activity you have planned for the day. It's fun to leave the last day unplanned and see what your child is interested in throughout your trip, and then get that item as a grand finale at the end of your trip.
Here are some ideas for Tinker Bell gifts at Disney World based on where you're going to be each day.
General gift ideas
Pressed coin books
One of the least expensive souvenirs you can get at Disney World are the pressed coins found throughout the parks and resorts. Having a place to organize them helps keep them all in one spot and makes them harder to misplace.
The Shop Parks app has a couple of options (search "coin press wallet"), and while this won't save you money compared to what you buy in the parks (since they're the same price), it can save you time tracking them down in gift shops.
New Disney PJs
New PJs are a fun way to kick of a Disney World trip. Target always has a nice selection for little kids, big kids, and adults.
Costume for character meals
Headed to a character meal? Or maybe just to meet a favorite character? Have your child wear a costume to make it even more fun.
Snag a costume from the Disney Store ahead of time to have it ready to go during your trip. (Always check for Disney Store coupon codes on RetailMeNot.com before purchasing.)
Glow sticks/glow toys
Things that glow are fun to have at night at Disney World, but if you buy them after you arrive, you'll pay a lot for them. Bring some from home to save money without skimping on fun.
You can pick glow things up at lots of places, but you can get 20 glow sticks for $1 at Dollar Tree which is hard to beat.
Disney sunglasses
Once again, Target to the rescue for affordable Disney stuff. Some Disney sunglasses at Target even come with a matching case, which makes them even cuter to give as gifts.
Magic Kingdom ideas
Vintage style shirts
Need cute shirts to pose for pics in front of the castle? Ebay always has a good selection of vintage (or vintage-looking) shirts, many of which are relatively inexpensive and sometimes cuter than ones you find in the parks.
Epcot ideas
World Showcase passports
One of the best ways to get kids interested in the World Showcase is by having them get a passport stamped by the Cast Members in each pavilion.
The Shop Parks app has Disney's version available (also for sale in Epcot gift shops)...
But there are also lots of other cute styles you can get, like this one from Etsy seller Studio1955...
Hollywood Studios ideas
Hollywood Studios is where everything Star Wars is happening (and by 2019, it'll be way more when Star Wars Land opens). ThinkGeek.com has so many fantastic Star Wars items that would be perfect for a Hollywood Studios day.
Animal Kingdom ideas
Poncho to wear on Kali River Rapids
If you plan to ride Kali River Rapids, there's about a 98.6% chance you'll end up wet. Bring a poncho with you if you'd like to avoid having soaked clothes all day. Amazon has a good selection of Disney ponchos, many of which are relatively inexpensive.
Water park or swimming days
Water toys
The water parks and many of the resorts have beachy areas. How about some Disney sand/water toys for a water park/swimming/beach day....
Beach towel
Having a beach towel that is new for your trip can be fun, especially if they're personalized like many of the styles available on DisneyStore.com. (Always check for Disney Store coupon codes on RetailMeNot.com before purchasing.)
Extra pixie dust
Sprinkle your gifts (or a note, gift bag, etc.) with fine glitter for an extra pixie dust effect. Highly recommend Martha Stewart Crafts Fine Glitter for all glitter projects.
I never knew what I was doing was actually a thing called Tinkerbell Gifts. We always bring enough presents to ward off the whining as we pass every gift shop. I’ve also found light up toys and cups at Walgreens and autograph books at Target Dollar Spot. One year we bought official WDW autograph books but I found we liked the Target ones better.
I have a 4 year old daughter who this will work great for! I also have a 17 year old son, that I would like to do something for as well. I really dont want to leave him out. Any suggestions???
Shannon,
My son will be 13 and my daughter 10 when we go in May. I have lots of ideas for her but I’m struggling for him. I know your son is just a little older. Do you still do this for him? Any ideas?
I used tinkerbell money a different way. Rather than being begged to buy me this all day long, my daughter knew she would receive so much tinker bell money per day. When asked for something, the reply was, use your tinker bell money. It was amazing what she suddenly didn’t want as she was saving for that bigger item.
I’ve done this in the past – but ours were from Mickey. Printed notes at home with the characters and messages then left it out each night. My son was 6 at the time. He’s 11 now so it’s really taking some extra thought on my part. We may not do gifts everyday, but there will be a couple extra goodies there when he wakes up.
Thank you soooooo much. You have such great ideas and advice for Disney! I will for sure use this! Thanks for all your hard work!
I love this idea! I’m going to modify slightly and mail my daughter a letter from Tink (with the gift bag and the rules.) I bought her some Cinderella earphones for our plane ride so I am going to fill her bag the night before we leave with those. I found great Disney trinkets at TJMaxx. Items include: Doc McStuffin bubble set, Sophia jewelry/hair set, Minnie Lipgloss with mini lunchbox carrier, Minnie socks & a huge princess sticker set w/album. Most items were 3.99 or under. I also found a really cute Minnie Snorkel set at Tuesday Morning. Other items… Read more »
Great ideas! thank you so much.
The glitter is a great idea! The Martha Stewart one is discontinued on this link, but you can find it on Amazon.com. Also, Walmart has something similar!
So, if the children are good for the day they are told that tink will leave them a surprise in the morning? I like the idea of a little token gift to get them pumped up for the day. Good idea 🙂
I have been picking up Disney items for the past 9months or so as I catch them on clearance! I have only spent about $20 so far and have snagged t-shirts, water bottles, sun glasses, stuffed animals, and pj’s. I usually find the best deals at Meijer, Target, and the Disney Store!!! I love the idea of using them as incentive for good behavior each day!
Excelente tips! Love them!
Can´t wait to our trip!!
Could you give more details on the disney dollars? Thanks so much! 🙂