This Disney Princess loves to shop, and I make sure to save a separate budget for souvenirs during any and all trips to Walt Disney World. Yes, some items can be on the pricey side, and it might be hard justifying $30 for a stuffed animal, but the memories that go along with them can last forever! From pins to autograph books to t-shirts, I hold many special memories with each souvenir that I know I'll remember and share for years to come. Take a look at some of my favorite merchandise I've picked up on visits over time, and what I think every Disney fan should have: 1. Disney pins I was hesitant at first to jump on the bandwagon when Disney Pin Trading first came out, but now I've become a fanatic! Disney Pins come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and costs, with pins for every character you can think of, favorite attractions, seasonal events, and more. I've accumulated enough pins to now fill three lanyards (with a few left over that I like to carry with me as everyday accessories), and I still like to peruse new offerings on each trip for something new. In the photo above, you'll see I have a lanyard entirely filled with Princess pins, a "theme park" lanyard with attraction and resort pins, and a Disney Cruise Line lanyard that still needs some work! Some pins are sold individually, some in packs, and some in "mystery sets" (my favorite!), so you can build up a collection rather quickly once you get started. Plus, most Cast Members are required to wear/carry pins for trading with guests, so be on the look out for some unique ones as you walk through the parks! I personally don't like to trade, but it's fun to see just how many pins Disney has available. 2. Mickey Mouse ear hats/headbands You can see in a previous post just how much I love my mouse ear headbands! It's a given that anyone who visits Walt Disney World should own at least one pair of ears, no matter their personality. There are hats and headbands for Princess fans, Pixar lovers, Villian appreciators, those who like to keep things "classic," and more. I've created a tradition of purchasing a new pair of ears every time I visit, so now I have enough to wear something different for each park day! These are great too as conversation starters with characters, and like I mentioned, really show off your Disney personality. And you can forget about personalization too! Definitely a must-buy! 3. Plush stuffed animals You might be thinking, "Okay, you're in your 20s and still buy Disney stuffed animals?!" Yes, of course; I don't think you can have enough stuffed animals! Disney carries plush friends from most of their franchises, and in many sizes and themes. Some plush also have interchangeable outfits to dress them in, which can be extra special fun! I love the recent additions of Pillow Pets to the plush world, including classic characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Dumbo alongside newer friends like Sulley, Simba, and Stitch. Even if you're a big kid (I don't like the term "adult"), it's definitely still worth picking up a new plush on your next trip. Who doesn't want to bring home a new cuddly buddy?! 4. Mickey & Minnie Holiday plush Going along with the plush theme, I'm a big fan of the Holiday/seasonal versions of Mickey & Minnie that are released throughout the year. I now have a 9" set of the famous couple for Christmas, Halloween, Easter (purchased during my most recent trip), Summer, and a special set from "The Year of a Million Dreams" back a couple of years ago. These guys are great to remember specific trips from, and can even be set out as decorations during their associated time of year. I love to put mine out on the sofa or atop a shelf! While each plush might cost you upwards to $18, they really are a great alternative to the classic versions you may already have at home. And who could pass up those adorable outfits? 5. Antenna toppers Another set of collectibles I've become addicted to! Disney makes a ton of themed antenna toppers to adorn your vehicle that can really show off your Disney personality back at home. There are Holiday/seasonal toppers, character-specific toppers, attraction-specific toppers, and more! I'm a big fan of the different varieties for Christmas (including Santa Mickey, Mickey with reindeer antlers, and a Mickey-shaped ornament), Mickey in a yellow rain poncho, and a pink Minnie with a gold princess crown. But it's so hard to decide which is my favorite! These are very reasonably priced items, usually offered at two for $8, so they're great souvenirs if you're traveling on a limited budget. Plus, they can help you find your car quickly in busy parking lots - an added bonus! 6. Christmas ornaments Definitely a must-purchase on any trip! You can find special Christmas ornaments around almost every corner at WDW, and they're another great way of remembering specific visits. Whether you want to get something with the date of your trip, represent a special event like an engagement, graduation, or new baby, or simply pay tribute to your favorite character, there are tons to choose from! I especially love visiting Disney's Days of Christmas at the Downtown Disney Marketplace to pick up something on each trip and spend extra time looking at the hundreds of offerings. Most locations also offer personalization for your ornaments, which does come at an extra cost, but adds a little extra pixie dust to your purchase. Just be sure to get them wrapped tight for travel and carry them home on the plane rather than packing them away! 7. Dooney & Bourke bags These might be splurge items, but I like to save up a little extra cash before a visit so I can purchase the latest and greatest handbag from Dooney & Bourke for Disney! They've released bags for everything from the Disney Princesses to the parks to the Haunted Mansion, and I fall in love with each new pattern they release. They typically have a variety of styles for each pattern, which have past included a cross-body, bowler, and tote, and sometimes even carry smaller items like wallets and wristlets. These items can usually be found in the jewelry room at World of Disney at Downtown Disney and in Uptown Jewelers at the Magic Kingdom, among other locations (we usually find the biggest selections at these stores). While they definitely will take a large chunk out of your souvenir budget, I promise you'll want to carry them everywhere you go once you're home. 8. Alex & Ani bracelets Disney certainly knows how to capitalize on trends, and partnering with Alex & Ani was a very smart move! These made-in-the-USA, positive energy-touting bangles are the perfect accessories for every girl. They have varieties representing each park at Walt Disney World, the Disney Princesses, the Fab Five classic characters, and famous Disney quotes, among others. They even carry their popular birthstone varieties with an extra little Mickey silhouette hanging from the bangle to signify where you got it from. These pieces start at around $38 each and go up a little from there, and they're easy to get addicted to (if you're like me anyway!). I love to stack a bunch of mine and wear them at once, like the photo recently posted to my Facebook page, but they're also nice to wear one at time for a more delicate look. These can be found at the main retail locations for each park (think Emporium and Mouse Gear-sized stores), and both World of Disney and Tren-D at Downtown Disney. Word of advice though: If you see a style you like, buy it right away! These things sell out quickly at bigger locations, especially if it's a newly-released style! 9. Vera Bradley bags Can you tell I'm a girly-girl?! Much like the Dooney & Bourke bags, I've fallen in love with the few Disney patterns by Vera Bradley that have made their way to the parks within the last year. These can also be on the higher-priced side, but come in a variety of sizes to fit your style and budget. I really like the smaller backpack size, because it's perfect for taking to the parks! The Disney element of the patterns is subtle too, so you can definitely continue to carry your bag when you get home. These can usually be found in the same locations as the Dooney & Bourke bags all around property as well. 10. Animator's Collection dolls These dolls, mostly of the Princess variety, are great sit-on-a-shelf items to bring home if you're a collecting type like I am. Introduced a few years back, these guys share a little information about the animator who designed them on the back of their box, in addition to their cute faces. I really love learning all I can about how Disney's animated classic films were produced, so I enjoy having little pieces of history to bring back home after a visit to WDW. Some of the dolls can be found outside of the parks, but most are only available on-property, or at least offer something a little bit extra (see the little Olaf Anna is holding in the photo below?). I'd recommend using the shipping service Disney offers so you don't have to run the risk of damaging the box en route home, or stock up on your favorites if you're driving home from Walt Disney World in a car. Even if you're visiting Walt Disney World on a budget, be sure to save a little cash for some souvenirs to bring home. You don't want to limit yourself and then make it back saying "Oh, I wish I would have picked up that gift!" After all, you never quite know when you'll be back again. I have many fond, magical memories attached to things I've brought home from Disney vacations, and I'll treasure them forever. Be sure to check out https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/ for comprehensive WDW shopping information to plan your attack. Do you have any favorite souvenirs from past visits? Share them with me in the comments below! I always love to hear your about your magical memories! Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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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
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