With all of the attractions, shows, and experiences to enjoy at Walt Disney World, shopping might not be part of your initial vacation plans. But you should probably reconsider that! Every store offers up a different theme and story, and some have merchandise you can only find at WDW. Whether you want to walk the shops at night to wind down after a long day, beat the afternoon heat indoors, or take time to hunt down a specific souvenir to bring home, there are plenty of stores to peruse at all of the theme parks and resort hotels. Not sure which shops to visit during your vacation? Take a look at my top 10 favorite places to shop at Walt Disney World and consider making a few stops there. Shopping is always a part of my Disney vacation plans! 1. World of Disney, Downtown Disney Marketplace The largest Disney character store in the world, this is the Mecca for all things Disney. If you only have time to visit one gift store during your vacation, this would be the one to check out for your special souvenirs. You can find everything from stuffed animals to collectibles, apparel to accessories, and even fine home goods to car accessories. All of the merchandise is separated into different rooms, making everything fairly easy to find, and there are plenty of Cast Members around to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Plus, there's a special Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location for little princesses to get made over if the Cinderalla Castle location is booked. Just watch out for Stitch above the front door - He might have a little gift for you! 2. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, Magic Kingdom It's Christmas all year long in Liberty Square! This store is the perfect location to pick up special ornaments for your tree, stockings for your mantle, and Nutcrackers for your shelves. It's small, quaint, and there's always Christmas music playing. Plus, they offer personalization services so you can get your family name, vacation date, or special message printed on select items. The merchandise selection isn't as large as what's offered at the Christmas store at Downtown Disney (we'll get there in a minute), but I love the homy, colonial setting. 3. Once Upon a Toy, Downtown Disney Marketplace A toy and game-lover's dream come true, this store is the perfect place to let your inner child out. You can find all kinds of toys, board games, video games, and books alongside interactive play stations to try out some toys before you buy! There are even some toys you can customize yourself as well, like your own Mr. Potato Head and light saber. I especially love the book selection at Once Upon a Toy, because they have a ton of titles on Disney Parks history, behind-the-scenes looks at attractions, and classic stories everyone loves. Just be prepared if you take little ones in with you - It will be hard to get them out! 4. Castle Couture, Magic Kingdom A princess' heaven! This little boutique found behind Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland is a cute spot to find princess accessories, dolls, books, and collectibles. It's here you can also find Princess Aurora's color-changing dress and get free wishing pixie dust from the shop's Cast Members. This location doesn't have the largest merchandise selection, but it's another quaint, intricately themed area that makes you feel like a part of the Fantasyland stories. Be sure to look out for Tinkerbell too! She flies through the store periodically. 5. Animation Gallery, Disney's Hollywood Studios While this shop doesn't offer as inexpensive or lower-priced merchandise compared to others, I always make sure to stop in to take a look at all of the beautiful artwork and collectibles. Nestled in the back of Animation Courtyard, it's a quiet spot where you can find framed artwork, prints, porcelain collectibles, and figurines, among other items. You more than likely won't walk out of the store with a purchase, but window shopping is just as fun, right? 6. Big Top Souvenirs, Magic Kingdom Take a trip to the circus at this new souvenir store in the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. Here you'll find classic theme park souvenirs like stuffed animals, t-shirts, and hats, and plenty of merchandise featuring Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I love all of the detail found in this location, and there are a lot of unique items to the store you cannot find anywhere else. Definitely a fun place for kids to pick out a special souvenir just for them! 7. Disney's Days of Christmas, Downtown Disney Marketplace Another store that celebrates Christmas year-round! One of the largest shopping areas at the Downtown Disney Marketplace, you can find hundreds of ornaments, unique stockings, tree toppers, and other Christmas figures. It certainly offers more merchandise than Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe at the Magic Kingdom, including a unique section entirely dedicated to the classic film, The Nightmare a Before Christmas. You can also get items personalized at this location, but be aware that crowds and lines are usually longer here, and all year long at that. Head there in the morning hours to do your shopping before the evening rush! 8. Tren-D, Downtown Disney Marketplace My favorite place at Walt Disney World for women's clothes and accessories, this boutique sells a variety of items for women and girls at both high and low price points. You can find couture princess-themed tanks, beach cover ups and sundresses, sunglasses, jewelry, and even some of the Disney Parks Dooney and Bourke printed handbags. Plus, the decor of the space is unlike any other store on property and is so much fun! 9. Emporium, Magic Kingdom A WDW vacation must-do, everyone has to make a stop in the Emporium on Main St. USA at some point. It's the largest souvenir store in the Magic Kingdom and sells classic theme parks gifts, apparel, home goods, collectibles, tech gear, and more. I recommend visiting the Emporium during parade and show times, as you'll encounter smaller crowds and lines, and definitely avoid going in to shop before the park closes. Everyone wants to buy last-minute souvenirs before they leave the park for the day at the same time, so save yourself a headache by shopping in the afternoon and utilize Disney's package pickup service if you're staying at an on-property resort hotel. 10. Mickey's Pantry, Downtown Disney Marketplace Bring some pixie dust home from your vacation with the kitchen goods offered at this speciality store. You can pick up character mugs, tumblers, dishes, and more; even Mickey-shaped pasta and ice cube trays! It's a location that normally doesn't bring in large crowds, so you can browse at your own pace and not feel rushed to make your purchases. We've gotten many unique gifts from Mickey's Pantry for a ton of occasions, as well as items for our own home, so I definitely recommend stopping by during your time at Downtown Disney. Even if you're traveling to Walt Disney World on a budget, be sure to take along some money for a few souvenirs to remember your trip by. There are countless shops to visit all around WDW, each telling their own story, so take some time to look around! All of the available merchandise can be a bit overwhelming, but you don't want to make it back home saying "I wish I would have bought that!" Visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/ for a comprehensive list of all the shops, stores, and kiosks at Walt Disney World's theme parks and resorts to out together your shopping game plan. Do you have a favorite place to get a souvenir? Let me know in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
Categories
All
|