Freebie Friday - Part 2!

Have you heard of Disney Story Central?  It's a fun new educational website for kids.  It allows you to add Disney books based on your child's reading level and customize your page based on your child's favorite characters.  You can have the story read out loud or have your child read it themselves.  There is also a free iPad app.

It keeps track of how many pages, books and days your child has read and awards them trophies based on their progress.  A great way to "trick" your kids into practicing their reading!  

Best of all when you sign up today you get 4 FREE BOOKS!  Enter code MOTHERSDAYLOVE and you'll receive a 5th free book!  Join by clicking here.

Freebie Friday - Kids Travel Journal

This week we bring you a fun printable freebie.   A travel journal is a great idea to keep your kids busy during travel and down time at the resort, and to help them remember your trip for years to come.

You can choose from Disney World or Disneyland and also customize your pages based on your kids favorite characters!  You'll need the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader to print your pages.  

To download click here.

Thanks to The Mouse for Less! 

Mother's Day Gift Ideas - Disney Style

Mother's Day is right around the corner and we've got some great gift ideas for the Disney Mom in your life.    <My boys - are you reading this?  Hint, hint!>

Jewelry

Sterling Silver Mickey earrings.  Originally $129.99 on sale for $32.49!  Plus add code MOM20 at checkout for an additional 20% off.  They even come in this cute gift box.

If Mom isn't the earring type, we also found this cute Minnie watch for only $15!

For the Gardening Mom

How cute are these garden statues?  Many more options, including solar lights, water fountains and more can be found here.  Prices start at $15.

Apparel

What Mom doesn't love new clothes?  Combine that with her love for Disney and you're sure to have a gift she'll love.  

Disney Mom t-shirt or tank top, $14.  Available here.

New PJ's!  These adorable pajama sets are only $14.97 each and come in Minnie, Mickey, Ariel, Frozen, Marie and Eeyore.  Check them out here.

Disney, Dooney and Vera, oh my!

Mom has 20 purses, but who cares...no big deal...she waaaaaaaaaants mooooooore!

Many choices available here.  The Disney Store is also running a Mother's Day promotion on their Vera Bradley designs.  See details below.

Home Decor

If you can't be at Disney, bring touches of Disney into your home!  Here are some ideas for the Domestic Diva in your life.

At just $19.95 for twelve 12"x18" posters, this set of classic Disney attractions artwork is a great bargain!

Is Mom a great cook?  These fun items and many more will make her job much more fun!

Gift Cards

Last, but certainly not least - gift cards.  Mom can go on a shopping spree at The Disney Store or save them up for her next Disney trip.  The only thing better than money is Disney money!  Purchase special Mother's Day theme ones here.

Happy Mother's Day!

Disney on a Dime - Target Dollar Spot

As we all know, a trip to Disney can be expensive.  As if travel expenses, lodging, tickets, and food isn't enough add in souvenirs and all the treats your kids (or husband) are begging you for and it's hard to stay on budget.  We will be bringing you a weekly series titled "Disney on a Dime" that will offer tips and tricks to help you save money both before you leave home and while at the parks.

This week we visited the Target Dollar Spot.  If you aren't familiar, most Target locations have an area set up (usually at the front of the store) with most items being $1 and some larger items being $3.  This is a great place to keep an eye out for not only travel needs such as toiletries, extra chargers, and snacks for the trip but they often also have many Disney themed items as well.  

We've hand picked some of the current best Disney related bargains and will detail them below.

Glow Sticks

Come dusk every Disney park has carts out peddling glorified versions of glow sticks.  They aren't cheap and usually aren't even Disney themed, so save your self some time standing in line and money by stocking up on these ahead of time.  Inevitably your kids are going to want them.  All items pictured were $1.

Art Kits

You can almost always find one type of art kit or another in the Target Dollar Spot.  These are great to keep kids busy on the car or plane trip, or take the smaller ones into the parks with you to keep them entertained in the stroller or while at a table service restaurant.  All items pictures were $1.

Reusable Tote Bags

If you're like us, then you can never have enough tote bags.  These are great for packing last minute things in, for pool towels and sunscreen, to throw all your snacks in for the car or assign a different design to each kid so they know where all their must need items are.  Don't forget to pack a few extra empty ones to haul home all those souvenirs in!  All items pictured were $1.

Snack Containers

Whether you pick up some cute snack containers like these or just use zip top baggies, I highly recommend you take some sort of food storage items.  Disney allows you to bring your own food and drink into the parks, which can be a HUGE savings.  Even if you don't want the hassle of packing every meal, I do recommend taking in some snacks for your kids.  Things like lollipops, cheerios and other finger foods are life savers for keeping your kids happy (and distracted) while waiting in lines.  These containers also come in handy when your kids (or you - Disney gives large portions) can't finish all of their meal.  Throw the grapes or carrots etc that come with the kids meal into a snack container and you'll have an easy snack for later on.  All items pictured were $1.

Hats

I was super excited to find these cute hats in the Target Dollar Spot.  I recently saw a similar Mickey Mouse hat in Epcot selling for $21.95, so even at $3 these were a huge bargain!  They are youth sized but the back has a velcro adjustable tab so you may find they will even fit some adults (they fit me fine).  Hats are great to have at Disney to keep the sun out of your eyes and off of your face.  (Not to mention they hide a bad hair day - who wants to spend time fixing their hair while at Disney?!?!?)

Princess Goodies

If you have a little princess, you'll love the great deals I found on these items.  There was everything from tiaras to pens and notebooks, to water bottles and purses and cosmetic bags.  Pick a few extra and hide them away to present your little princess with while at Disney, it will save you tons off the souvenir prices in the parks.  Everything pictured was $1, with the exception of the purses which were $3.

That concludes this week haul.  Keep in mind that not all items will be available at all Target locations and selection may vary.  Hope you found some useful tips!  What do you like to buy ahead of time for your Disney trips?