If you have ever saved money for or during a vacation to Walt Disney World, you might be a Cheapskate Princesss!
Shop Disney recently collaborated with fashion influencer Chiara Ferragni to create a luxury collection of Italian-made shoes inspired by Minnie Mouse. If you thought the new resort parking fee was going to hurt your wallet, wait until you see the price for these shoes!
In addition to theme park tickets, a hotel room, and food, almost a guaranteed part of the overall expenses for a Disney vacation is souvenir shopping. You will stand in too many gift shops not to bring something home, so then the million dollar questions becomes how much will you spend?
Are you going to bargain souvenir shop or shoot for the stars with a full-out princess extravagance?
There are certainly no shortage of both moderately-low to high-end gift shop merchandise available these days, but when looking for a splurge, the name Lilly Pulitzer is becoming synonymous with Disney Vacation extravagance.
Are you ready for a Lilly?!
Let’s talk a little bit about souvenir shopping. The word “bargain” is really a relative term; what you call a bargain, I may call insanely expensive. While jewelry may not generally be regarded as cheap, I really believe it’s one of the best souvenirs you can bring home from a Disney vacation. You’re buying a quality item, often produced using high-class metals like sterling silver and gold, which can last for generations if you take proper care.
Some of these styles are no longer for sale in 2018, but you can get an idea regarding how much you’ll pay for high quality jewelry. And if you are heart broken you will be unable to make a purchase, I would definitely try eBay to see if someone has a gently used version for sale.
See, this $4,000 diamond necklace could be the un-doing of someone’s vacation budget… [Read more…]
Updated for 2017!
My son bought a beach towel years ago on a Disney vacation. I thought he was crazy, and two years after the purchase, he brought it to me, deciding he was too old to use it. Ah, the trials of pre-teen boys. But now I was the owner of a Disney towel, with a cute Mickey Mouse front and center.
I’ve been using it for at least three years now, off and on for special swimming occasions, and it’s still in great shape. The vidid colors have hardly faded, and the towel is still a quality item.
I wouldn’t describe this as a cheap item. Should you purchase a beach towel on your next Orlando vacation? [Read more…]
Updated for 2017!
For those who have been searching for years to find THE perfect Disney World vacation souvenir, one amazing item that hit the LEGO store in 2016 is an authentically detailed replica of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort, and the tiny details are amazing.
Let’s be real here; the price is just as amazing as the details. How much will the LEGO Cinderella Castle set you back?! You cheapskates might want to have a seat…
Before we talk money, let’s talk details. This LEGO set is appropriate for ages 12 and over, although the box says ages 16+. The Disney Castle measures over 29” high, 17” wide and 12” deep and contains 4,080 LEGO pieces. Highlights include:
Five mini-figures are included:
Both the main four-story building and the five-story, golden-spired main tower contain rooms with assorted Disney-inspired features and elements.
Disney fans, to aid with this purchase, it may be time to sell your Dooney & Bourke purse on eBay or sell your beloved Arribas Brothers princess crown to your neighbor.
Or maybe it’s time to write Santa a letter and tell him you just have one simple item on your list. Better yet, just forward him this article.
Shipping will not be an issue for you at this price.
Another bonus about LEGO is their rewards program. You could earn $15 in VIP rewards by purchasing this set.
And there are several ways to become a LEGO VIP.
You can use this link for more information.
So will you buy another handbag this year or clean off space in the dining room to display your mini home away from home?
Decisions, Deci$ion$…
Thanks for stopping by, and maybe we’ll see you opening up that big box, a big smile on your face?
To see more of our Cheapskating Guides, use this link.
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Use this link for a free no obligation vacation quote from Mike Ellis, our Disney Vacation Planner with Pixie Vacations.
Amanda Major is the creator of cheapskateprincess.com. She remembers her first visit to Magic Kingdom like it was yesterday, because she had a ham sandwich tucked in her shorts pocket. The whole family snuck in their lunch; you can’t make that kinda stuff up. 40 years worth of trips to Orlando later, she is still trying to save money on vacations.
Amanda is a Disney Vacation Club Member and Annual Pass holder. Her amazing husband, band director Carl Major, plus three teen children and two dogs keep her busy. Amanda teaches Leadership to high school seniors in the almost-coastal town of Foley, Alabama. Read about her cheapskating local vacations with this link. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, walking somewhere, or paddling a kayak. Life is indeed a blast.
We hope we can help save you some money too. Use this link for a free no obligation vacation quote from our Travel Consultant with Pixie Vacations, Mike Ellis. You can also e-mail him at mike@pixievacations.com.
Every vacation budget has that one important line item…souvenirs. How much should you spend? What will we buy? What is the one (or two) perfect vacation souvenir to take home that could carry all your magical memories home with it? [Read more…]
Updated for 2018!
Disney vacation souvenirs are expensive, but do you always have to pay retail?
We have some tips on saving money for your next Disney vacation, plus ideas on how to save money on souvenirs and activities. So put your Visa card away, hide your checkbook, and let’s see how the cheapskates do Disney!
Updated for 2016!
I touch everything on vacation. How better to totally immerse yourself in the experience than by getting your hands a little dirty? The problem with dirty vacation hands is that they harbor nasty germs and viruses. And if you’ve ever traveled with children, you know those touch-feely hands will wind up in their mouths at some point during the day. We have always recommended packing and using hand sanitizer in case you can’t get to a sink to wash your hands with soap.
Decorative Disney-themed hand sanitizers are now for sale in the parks and resorts, and they are really adorable.
Each hand sanitizer comes with a specially designed one fluid ounce bottle and a key chain split ring with lobster claw clasp.
About 20 hand sanitizers will feature popular Disney characters and iconic locations including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Anna, Elsa, Sleeping Beauty Castle and Cinderella Castle.
Hand sanitizers retail for $8.95 not including tax.
Right now, refill bottles will not be offered. As if they read my cheapskate mind, Steven Miller, Disney Merchandise Communications Manager, said, “yet you can refill the bottle with your favorite hand sanitizer once empty.” Hello half used bottles of Bath & Body Works hand sanitizers, I’ll be coming to find you and put you to good use, only this time better dressed.
The Disney Parks Blog offered a reminder, “Please note that retails are subject to change without notice.” I took this to mean if they are über popular, the price may go up, which can happen with any product, and there is no guarantee they will be available for any certain amount of time.
Disney merchandise is expensive, and priced at $8.95 including the actual sanitizer, that’s on par with one of my other favorite and less expensive souvenirs, key chains. These would be great stocking stuffers come Christmas time, excellent souvenirs for neighbors and friends, and a somewhat inexpensive way for you to hold onto that Disney magic after your vacation.
Did I forget hand sanitizer can help prevent you and the kids from getting sick, which can keep your vacation on track? You pay a lot for vacations, so that may be the best reason of all.
Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you touching the stone walls in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and then passing out the hand sanitizer.
To see more of our Cheapskating Guides, use this link.
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Mike Ellis
Use this link for a free no obligation vacation quote from Mike Ellis, our Disney Vacation Planner with Pixie Vacations.
Updated for 2018!
If the word “cheapskate” is a part of your vacation vocabulary, well, then perhaps the words “Dooney & Bourke” are not. Their handbags are simply fabulous, but the prices are unfortunately out of many souvenir budgets. If you just can’t set aside $200-$300 for a real Disney Dooney, then perhaps the handbag designer name “Loungefly” should become a word you are familiar with.
Because Loungefly can deliver really adorable handbags with a Disney World flare at a fraction of the cost of a Dooney.
While these styles are no longer for sale in 2018, you can get an idea regarding how much you’ll pay for Disney handbags that are less expensive than Dooney & Bourke Handbags. And if you are heart broken you will be unable to make a purchase, I would definitely try eBay to see if someone has a gently used version for sale.
You’ll be the epitome of Disney Princess style when you tote this spacious faux leather bag, part of the Disney Boutique Collection, where Minnie stars among a trendy mix of polka dots and florals. 10 1/2” H x 16” W x 5 1/2” D. The details:
This spacious faux leather cross body bag, part of the Disney Boutique Collection, stars Minnie among a trendy mix of stripes and florals. 8” H x 14 1/2” W x 3 1/2” D. The details:
A faux leather bag spacious for your essentials, this sturdy handbag is effortlessly on-trend while embossed with the face of fashion icon Minnie. 9” H x 11” W x 5” D. The details:
Wear the many faces of fashion with our stylish faux leather crossbody bag starring Minnie Mouse. This bag has plenty of room for all your beauty and work essentials. 8” H x 10 1/2” W x 6” D. The details:
Minnie Mouse lends her classic silhouette to our must-have faux leather crossbody bag. With quilted front and metal studded Mickey icons, this designer bag is crafted especially for a leading lady of trends. 8 1/2” H x 8 1/2” W (at ears) x 2” D. The details:
Thanks for stopping by, and we’ll see you in the gift shops, comparing handbag prices and doing some mental math!
To see more of our Cheapskating Guides, use this link.
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Now let our vacation planner help you plan your trip, totally for FREE!Use this link for a free no obligation vacation quote from Mike Ellis, our Disney Vacation Planner with Pixie Vacations.
Updated for 2018!
Love to save money on Disney World souvenirs? With child size Disney t-shirts almost above the $30 mark and key chains sliding over $10, you’re going to have a hard time finding most anything under $5, much less $1. In what may be the absolute cheapest Disney World souvenir EVER, let’s talk about the pressed penny, and why, if you have children, this may be a great way to bring home souvenirs from the parks without breaking their little piggy banks.
You just might like it for yourself, with or without any kids tagging along… [Read more…]
Getting to and from a vacation seems to be the worst part of the whole deal, and don’t get me started on the depression that can set in once you are back home. Either flying or driving to Walt Disney World Disney, chances are you will over-pack, especially if you are traveling by car. You know Disney Princesses – we over pack for everything! My husband commented for years that we looked like the Clampetts from the Beverly Hillbillies as we pulled into our hotel. Well, it’s tough to pack light with a family of five. But as our children have grown older, we have tried to take along just the necessities. He swears on the next trip, we can make it in just two large suitcases. The number one thing we always over-pack? [Read more…]
