PDA

View Full Version : Ten Disney Deals! Bargains Abound at Walt Disney World Resort


debi
07-15-2007, 12:45 PM
Disney Press Release

Mouse ears and plush toys and T-shirts, oh my! How oh how to decide what to buy?

It's easy for guests to have the urge to splurge at Walt Disney World Resort, with exclusive Disney merchandise at every turn.

And while guests can indeed go for the extravagant including an antique carnival bumper car, Italian leather handbags, Winnie the Pooh cuckoo clocks or a set of Armani-crafted Seven Dwarf figures unique bargains abound for the budget-minded.

Among a treasure trove of finds:


For guests who love vacation photos, but hate lugging around a camera, Disney's PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout all four Walt Disney World theme parks, ready to point and shoot. Photos are stored on a digital card and uploaded to the exclusive PhotoPass Web site where guests can crop, edit and add fun do-dads like character signatures and themed borders. The whole process viewing the photos, editing and even e-mailing to friends and family is free! (Guests who wish to order photo prints can do so for a fee, with many different packages and options available.)
If sweet saltwater taffy brings back memories of afternoons by the boardwalk, the taffy station at Magic Kingdom Confectionary is sure to satisfy. Here, the flavors really have "character" like "Mickey Cherry," "Goofy Lime" and "Donald Lemon" (there are a total of 11) and guests can create a delectable mix with something for everyone. Taffy is sold by the size of the bag not the weight and with a small bag holding approximately 80 pieces of taffy ($2.95) it would be a "stretch" for guests to find a sweeter bargain anywhere.
Looking for a meal on a budget, but don't want to sacrifice taste? Take a trip to Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace, where delicious tossed salads, wraps and gourmet sandwiches are all under $6 a pop. The specialties: the All-American a hot, roasted turkey sandwich with buttermilk ranch, cranberries, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato ($5.75) and The Earl's Cobb Salad Swiss and cheddar cheeses, applewood smoked bacon, cranberries, grilled chicken and buttermilk ranch dressing on a bed of lettuce ($5.95). "The Earl" also serves up freshly baked cookies, brownies and muffin crowns, plus fruit, yogurt parfaits and side dishes, all at value prices.
Disney pin trading is hotter than ever, but many guests might not realize they can start a collection of these souvenirs at under $7. There are thousands of unique designs including favorite Disney characters, theme park attractions, resort destinations and more meaning there's a pin for every magical Walt Disney World memory. Pin lanyards, used to both store a collection and show it off to passers-by, come in a variety of colors and are just $5. Even better? Many pins are released in limited or special-edition quantities, which mean the keepsakes might become a valuable, collectible piece.
There's a gem of a store tucked quietly between Disney Tails and Goofy's Candy Co. at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The Everything Under $10 store sells literally that a huge assortment of Disney products including plush toys, picture albums, electronic games, mugs, hats, ornaments and mouse ears all for less than $10.
Make a favorite Disney souvenir even more personal with custom embroidery from Adrian & Edith's Head to Toe at Disney-MGM Studios. Guests are invited to bring any Disney Parks-purchased item to the store and watch through the glass as specialists customize with a name, phrase or favorite Disney character. Almost all embroidery, including designs on mouse ears, towels and T-shirts, is $10 or less.

Most Walt Disney World resort hotels offer length-of-stay refillable drinking mugs for $11.99, good for unlimited free refills of coffee, soda, iced tea and hot chocolate at the resorts' food-court areas. A practical purchase, the mugs also double as souvenirs with colorful resort logos and matching colored lids.
Interactive, sci-fi fun flourishes at the new Build Your Own Lightsaber area at the Once Upon a Toy store at Downtown Disney Marketplace. The Star Wars-themed kiosk gives guests of all ages step-by-step instructions to build an electronic lightsaber from their own imagination or they can replicate designs used by Star Wars characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The toys come complete with lights, sounds and vibrations, and no matter how elaborate the completed creation, the cost is just $19.95 (which includes batteries). As an added bonus, guests also receive a store-exclusive Jedi or Sith-themed collector pin with their purchase.
At Island Mercantile at Disney's Animal Kingdom, guests can find the Disney Dream Book, an all-in-one autograph book, sticker book, photo album, journal and pocket keeper for mementos of the trip priced at just $22.95. The book, valued at more than $50 if items are purchased individually, also comes with an exclusive pin.
"Magical makeovers" reign at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the World of Disney Princess Room at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Here, Fairy Godmothers-in-Training are on-hand to pamper little princesses and "cool dudes." Girls can receive a hair makeover with choice of colorful clips, rhinestone pins or a tiara, plus a makeup kit, pink princess sash, deluxe princess bag to cart around their goodies and a special photo shoot. Salon services start at $35 with several packages available. The pixie-dusted Downtown Disney salon also rolls out the welcome mat for boys with its Cool Dude treatment. For $10, boys as young as four get their hair spiked with colored gel, glitter and a "hidden Mickey" in the back of their head. Guests can call 407/WDW-STYLE for reservations or more information.

mickeyspal
07-15-2007, 08:02 PM
Geeze, Debi, you get the best info for us. I think we'll definitely eat at 'Earl of sandwich' when we go to DTD MP. I definitely want to go to the $10.00 and under store there and I want to check out the embroidery place in MGM. I never heard of that. Thanks for the good tips.:yes: - Mickey's Pal:Mickeywalk: :Mickeyear:

debi
07-16-2007, 06:50 AM
I want to check out the embroidery place in MGM. I never heard of that. Thanks for the good tips.:yes: - Mickey's Pal:Mickeywalk: :Mickeyear:

They do embroidery at Downtown Disney and near the Liberty Tree too. :yes:

Nebsky
07-16-2007, 12:46 PM
I've eaten at Earl of Sandwhich before. It was ok, but I much prefer the Ghiradelli shop. Ive gone in there and had a huge sundae for lunch.

It's even better when its buy one get on free. Got that by signing up online. Worked like a charm.

Since this is a tip/budget item, Ill toss this one out there too...

When buying lunch, get a double cheeseburger, then get an extra bun (usually .79 or .89 cents). Two people eat a burger for almost the same amount.

Jeff

WDWFan123
07-16-2007, 12:53 PM
Great tips Debi! Have to use some of these that I never knew when I go back down. Thanks!

Jeff
07-16-2007, 02:34 PM
these are perfect tips for my vacation as well. can't wait to get some of that taffy....

debi
07-16-2007, 03:30 PM
It's even better when its buy one get on free. Got that by signing up online. Worked like a charm.


Free ice cream sundae :eek:

Tell more!

imagine
07-16-2007, 04:30 PM
Many great tips, and a lot of stuff I didn't know about. Gonna be trying some of these next month :)

DISmick
07-16-2007, 08:58 PM
$10 dollars and under, My favorite shop...well one of them... :D

Nebsky
07-16-2007, 09:45 PM
Wouldn't it be nice to go there and not spend the Gross National Product of Costa Rica? Even at the Everything under $10 store, you can have problems walking out of there without spending $50.00.

Its almost as bad as walking into Target or Costco. Seems like the cover charge at both of those stores is $75.00

mumbo
07-16-2007, 09:59 PM
that mug is a huge deal. you will never expect how often you use it

DISmick
07-17-2007, 12:13 AM
yeah I love it all of us got one and I bet we each saved 20 bucks at the least!

debi
07-17-2007, 07:38 AM
We stay for two weeks at a time and always buy the refillable mugs....we get our moneys worth many many times over.

Chaelle
07-21-2007, 02:19 PM
I've eaten at Earl of Sandwhich before. It was ok, but I much prefer the Ghiradelli shop. Ive gone in there and had a huge sundae for lunch.


Yummy! But I don't think I could run around the whole park with just eating a sundae :(
~Chaelle

debi
07-22-2007, 01:49 PM
Yummy! But I don't think I could run around the whole park with just eating a sundae :(
~Chaelle

Depends on how big the sundae was I suppose
Probably not a brilliant idea to tackle some of the 'mountains' after eating that though :whu:

Mrs. Peel
07-22-2007, 03:18 PM
These are fantastic tips! Especially the Earl of Sandwich..took the family their last year, food and service was excellent. Also the $10.00 & under a great store for little souvenirs and quick Mickey toys to keep the little ones busy. My son was so excited when I got him the Mickey & Friends pirates with boat. He skipped all the way down to the bus stop that day and still cherishes these toys with his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that Santa brought him. Have a magical day:magic:

xnera
07-24-2007, 09:40 AM
The grab bags at the $10 and Under store are really great. I forget how much each grab bag cost, but I remember thinking the price was very reasonable, especially when I saw how much you got. I bought one for my neice and one for myself (this was in September 2006). Mine had:

A Happiest Celebration on Earth Window Cling
A Mickey & Goofy in a racecar magnet
A package of Tinkerbell erasers
A small Mickey tabbed notebook
A small foam castle (my favorite)


Well worth the money. I think small kids would especially enjoy these grab bags.

edit: According to this quickly googled photo (http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/mickmart6.jpg) the bags were $6.99 each.

d_glass_slipper
07-24-2007, 11:31 AM
I remember one time with the mugs when my other half came to visit me while working WDW and he picked up a mug at All Star Music (where we stayed) and the little yellow seal was off of it. I told the lady at the counter that we had not paid for it and it came like that. She told me not to worry about it and just gave it to us for being honest. So, free mug and free refills. Right on! Shows honesty does pay!

Mrs. Peel
07-24-2007, 12:59 PM
They had grab bags!!! How the heck did I miss those. Have to get a couple next time we go!!:)

mickeyspal
07-24-2007, 03:28 PM
I never buy grab bags-you can get stuck with junk you don't want or need. But, in WDW? YAY, GRAB BAGS!!!! :banana: :StitchBounce: :banana: - Mickey's Pal:Mickeywalk: :Mickeyear:

debi
07-25-2007, 04:25 PM
My eldest daughter bought one last time, just to see what was in them.
From what I can remember she got a plastic Tikki beaker, a postcard, a patch, a miniature set of Mickey playing cards and a few other things.
She was pleased with it.

Noleen
07-29-2007, 05:21 PM
When buying lunch, get a double cheeseburger, then get an extra bun (usually .79 or .89 cents). Two people eat a burger for almost the same amount.

Jeff[/quote]
Jeff, Oh my goodness, have you been hanging around my husband?? That is soooo something he would ask me to do!! Our poor kids, he likes them to split the appetizers to "save" their meals for when we get back to the hotel. I don't always let him get away with it, but when it saves $$, and if it gets me to Disney sooner, I'll do just about anything!!! He will love hearing this tip! Thanks!!:bored: