casey clark posing with a drink at disney world
I worked in merchandising at Disney World, and I have an annual pass.Casey Clark
  • There are a lot of things guests waste money on when visiting Disney World.

  • I can't believe I dropped nearly $4 on a bottle of water.

  • I don't like to buy expensive bubble wands, character socks, or M&M's in the park.

I always bring my own waterbottles.

fridge of water bottles at disney world
Water bottles are pricey at the parks.Casey Clark

You can be my guest if you want to spend $3.50 on a bottle of water. I don't buy water at the park.

It's a waste of money since you can bring your own bottles.

I don't like the taste of that water and the old trick of asking for a water cup at any quick service location is no longer valid. I buy a few cases of water on my way from the airport to the park and carry them with me.

In the Florida heat, it keeps me hydrated and saves me money.

You won't catch me spending over forty dollars on candy.

mickey and minnie m&ms at disney world
There's nothing special about the M&Ms.Casey Clark

I like to spend a lot of money on things that are shaped like mickey mouse. The line is drawn at M&M's.

One day, while walking through the Main Street Confectionery in Magic Kingdom, I found a container of M&M's in a mickey mouse.

They are going to melt in the Florida heat before you can even eat them.

It's better to get some candy at a gas station.

If you want an employee to give you a pen, bring your own.

souvenir autograph pen at disney world
I always have plenty of pens at home.Casey Clark

I bring a pen with me when I want autographs.

I can't justify spending more than $8 on a fancy pen at a park.

The employees stationed with the characters will usually have a pouch filled with markers you can borrow for free.

I bring my ponchos if the rain is going to fall.

panchos and other merchandise on sale at disney world
Everything you can get outside is more expensive in the parks.Casey Clark

Guests flooded the store I worked at for ponchos when there was a storm at Fantasyland.

I won't buy an adult poncho at Disney World because it's $12 at the parks.

I usually go to the dollar store to get a few ponchos or an umbrella before I go.

I won't eat a sugar cookie at Disney World.

I prefer some of the more original treats.Casey Clark

A sugar cookie kit that's been sitting in the Emporium gift shop for days isn't appealing to me because there are tons of delicious treats you can buy at Disney.

I will spend the money on Dole Whip if I buy something sweet.

If you don't want to shell out money, add flip-flops to your packing.

It's not worth the theme-park prices.Casey Clark

I won't spend $20 on flip-flops even if my shoes get wet. I don't usually find my size on the shelves at Disney World.

I usually get a cheap pair from the dollar store or Old Navy before I go.

The parks in Florida are too hot to wear a bear hat.

Disney sells bear hats in Frontierland.Casey Clark

I have never wanted to wear a heavy hat to Disney World because of the heat.

That's why I won't buy a bear hat in Frontierland.

In the Florida heat, a mickey mouse headband or mickey mouse ears are more useful than a headband.

There is a local carnival.

Some people may disagree, but I don't think the bubble wands are worth it.Casey Clark

Maybe I'm biased against this purchase because I'm an adult and the Disney bubble wand costs $30. The toy only distracts the kids for a short time until they see the next light-up wand they want.

They can be annoying to people around you at the park.

Go for a bubble wand if you can spare your child from having their 10th temper tantrum. I'll get through.

I don't think it's a good idea to wear funky character socks outside of the park.

I try not to buy too many things that I'll only use in the parks.Casey Clark

It's cool to have chip 'n' Dale on your socks. I haven't used them in the real world.

I used to own a lot of graphic socks when I was a child. They were left to sit in my luggage.

I would rather spend that money on a shirt or piece of jewelry than on a pair of shoes.

I don't know who is buying the rocks.

They're just rocks, nothing special.Casey Clark

There is a crate filled with rocks inside the Trading Post.

They are $6 each.

I'm not a rock person, but I'm curious who comes to Disney World and spends money on expensive rocks when there are so many other options.

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