Read All About It: How We Became Disney’s Newsies for Less Than $50

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So picture this: the Cornelious crew, standing on the deck of a Disney cruise, wind in our hair, looking like we just walked out of 1899 New York shouting “Extra! Extra! Get your papes!” Yep—that’s us, full-on Newsies mode, and the kicker? We pulled it off for under fifty bucks.

That’s right—for less than the price of a family fast-food run, we served up full-on Broadway-level costume magic.

The Spark

The lightbulb moment didn’t come from Pinterest or TikTok—it came straight from the stage. My daughter was playing Medda in the Newsies Jr. production, and let me tell you, after days of watching her and the rest of the cast singing, dancing, and belting out “Seize the Day,” I was hooked. Somewhere between the suspenders, the scrappy underdog spirit, and the pure joy of the show, I realized: Wait… this is the vibe for our Halloween on the High Seas cruise. And not just that—it would work for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash too.

So the plan was sealed. We weren’t just going on a cruise—we were marching in as a full-on newsboy strike force.

The Breakdown

Now, we’re not about to blow a whole paycheck on suspenders. So we hit up the thrift store, raided our closets, and pieced together the perfect mix of vintage vibes and Disney magic. Here’s how it broke down:

  • Flat caps & hats: Thrift store finds, $3–$5 each. The classic topper for that “get your papes” look.

  • Vests: Some thrifted, $10 for two and some already living in our closet. Nothing says Newsies like a good vest.

  • Button-ups: Closet staples but did have to get one for $4.

  • Pants: Rolled-up khakis and trousers—no new purchases here.

  • Shoes & socks: Black boots, oxfords, and patterned socks = already owned.

  • Newsies bags: Canvas totes sourced from Amazon. I designed the “NEWSIES” logo as a Cricut vinyl stencil and added it myself for that custom Broadway flair. Total $20. Want to try it for your crew? You can grab the SVG file [Click the form below to download].


Grand total: $48.00. Honestly, that’s less than what we usually spend on Mickey-shaped snacks on a park day.

Why It Works for Disney Halloween

  • Cruise-approved: Some of the pieces doubled as dinner wear! I reused my shoes and pants for our Palo brunch and some dinner nights—fashion and function all in one.

  • Comfort first: You can dance, run, eat churros, and rope drop Space Mountain without a single sequin stabbing you. This look can be as dressed up or down as you want.

  • Squad-friendly: Works for families, friend groups, or even a big crew.

  • Disney but different: Sure, villains and princesses are everywhere. But roll up as a pack of scrappy Newsies? Instant crowd pleaser.

  • Built-in candy bag: Those custom Newsies totes weren’t just props—they were perfect for hauling all the Halloween trick-or-treat candy on board.

Tips for Pulling off the Budget Look

  1. Check your closet first – You’d be shocked at how many “costume” pieces are just… clothes.

  2. Thrift with a vision – Hats and vests are hiding in plain sight at thrift stores. Just be open and always know a good wash or dry clean works magic.

  3. DIY the little things – Grab those Amazon bags, add a Cricut vinyl stencil (SVG file link above 👆), and suddenly your prop game is Broadway-level.

  4. Lean into the vibe – Group costumes don’t need to be screen-perfect. If you’re giving Newsies energy, you nailed it.

When all was said and done, we had four full costumes, a Disney-deep-cut theme, and enough leftover change to grab some gifts. Our family friends who were traveling with us also jumped on board. Suddenly, it wasn’t just us—it was a whole Newsie gang storming the ship, ready to “Seize the Day” as one big crew.

So next time you’re stressing costumes for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary, Oogie Boogie Bash, or Halloween on the High Seas… remember this headline: “Family Rocks Disney Halloween as Newsies—All for Under $50.”

And trust us, that’s a story worth selling.