Watching your budget is everyone’s least favorite part of a theme park trip, but there are some ways to save some money on your trip. Consider buying or renting these items before your trip to save some serious cash.

Ponchos

Orlando is synonymous with storms and rain, so we always bring ponchos when touring the parks. Ponchos keep your torso drier than an umbrella or from getting soaked on a water ride. Ponchos sold in the theme parks have a thicker plastic than most disposable ponchos, but repackaging the large ponchos to place in a bag is a hassle. Plus, they cost $12 a pop! Instead, buy disposable ponchos online in bulk for your trip. Packs of ponchos range in price from $9 to $15 for a pack of 5 ponchos. We particularly like the ones that are in small packaging when carrying them in the parks.

Savings: $10 per poncho

Water Bottles

Expect to walk several miles in the parks, so you will need water, and that’s not accounting for the harsh sun or sweltering heat. Free drinking fountains and water refill stations are offered throughout the parks, along with the ability to get free cups of water at any stand with a soda fountain. But you’ll want to carry that water around, and that’s where a good water bottle comes into play. Using a refillable water bottle at a refill station or a Coke Freestyle machine saves you $6 for a bottle of water.

Savings: $6 per bottle

Autograph Books

While Disney might get all the meet-and-greet attention, Universal Orlando has its own fair share of characters to meet: Shrek and Donkey, The Simpsons, Donkey Kong, Spider-Man, and the Invisible Man (yes, really). Universal sells autograph books for $15 plus tax, but autograph books on Amazon range from $5 to $10. If you have kids, save yourself some cash and purchase at least one book per child, extras if they are lost or damaged in the rain.

Savings: $5-$10 per book

Harry Potter Wand & Nintendo Power Up Band Rentals

Every kid (and many adults) loves the idea of casting spells in the Wizarding World or playing coin challenges in Super Nintendo World, but then the wallet holder balks at the cost – $85 for a second-generation Harry Potter Wand and $42 for Power-Up Bands is a lot! If you are visiting once and have multiple children, then consider renting or buying second-hand. Sites like Wizard & Plumbers rent bands and wands for a fraction of the price for 15-day increments, while second-hand resale sites like eBay offer discounts on bands and wands.

Savings: Up to $90 if you rent a wand and Power Up Band versus purchasing.

Lanyards

Lanyards are Universal. Seriously, they’re everywhere! Lanyards and a card pouch hold your admission ticket, Express Pass, Horror Nights ticket, room key, and more. Lanyards are available in dozens of styles featuring characters in the parks, Universal rides, or special events like Halloween Horror Nights. While everyone looks like a college freshman on orientation day, don’t be someone who buys a lanyard when you get to the park, instead look on Amazon or Etsy for discounted lanyards! Lanyards online run $5 to $10 in price, and packs of the card holders cost $5 for 5 pouches. Compare this to Universal Orlando, where lanyards run $14-17 and pouches are an additional $8.

Savings: $5-$10 per person

Cooling Towels & Fans

Cooling towels and fans are fantastic ways to stay cool during hot and humid theme park touring. Cooling towels use the power of water and evaporation to cool down your body temperature, and fans that attach to your hip and shirt keep air circulating. Universal Orlando sells their own cooling towels for $24 a pop, but buying multiple online lowers the price to $3.50 per towel, saving you $20 per person. Misting fans are sold around the parks for $22, but skip those and buy a high-performance cooling fan off Amazon for under half that price.

Savings: $30 per person

Do you have items you buy before your trip to save some cash? Leave them in the comments below!