Navigating the world of Disney souvenirs can be as tricky as finding Cinderella’s lost slipper in a bustling theme park. While the magic of bringing a piece of the enchantment home is undeniable, avoiding the pitfalls of overpriced trinkets and regrettable impulse purchases requires a savvy approach. In this guide, we’ll explore the do’s and don’ts of souvenir hunting at Disney, ensuring that your mementos sparkle with memories without turning your wallet into a pumpkin.
Do’s:
- Consider space – When you are packing it is a good idea to plan ahead for how you will get souvenirs home. If you are driving, there is usually a little more flexibility here than if you are flying, but there are limits even if you drive. I made this mistake on a recent trip. Our suitcases were absolutely packed before buying anything. Even knowing that, I couldn’t resist making a few purchases and I ended up having to buy a new bag just to get everything home. If you’re concerned that this might happen to you or if you just want to have extra space available, you can throw one of these travel duffle bags in your luggage. This bag will fold down to be about 6 x 8″ and relatively flat so that it could easily be slipped into your suitcase.
- Budget ahead of time – Disney is filled with adorable souvenirs and you will quickly discover that you want all the things and so do your kids. Going into your vacation knowing what you can or want to spend on souvenirs will help you know what choices you want to make. A great way to set a budget and save a little is to buy Disney gift cards ahead of time. You can usually save on Disney gift cards at a discount at places like Sams or Costco. If you are a Target Red Card holder, you can purchase gift cards there with your Red Card and get 5% off.
- Talk to your kids about limits – Prepping your kids ahead of time for either how much they can spend or how many things they can buy will hopefully help prevent some in-store meltdowns. If your kids are old enough to understand the concept of spending, it can also be a great way to start teaching them about getting the most for their dollar or making good choices. You can also purchase some of the discounted gift cards mentioned earlier and then give one to each kid. They will know their limit and you won’t be as tempted to go beyond what is on the gift card if you have to take out another form of payment to buy more things.
- Make choices you will use at home – You are sure to be tempted by some souvenirs that will be utterly useless when you get home. When you are contemplating what memento is right for you, give some thought to what you will do with it after you leave the Disney bubble. Some great souvenir choices that will prove useful after you return home are cups/mugs, blankets, and picture frames.
- Ask for gift cards as gifts – If you know you have a Disney trip coming up, it can be a great idea to have family or friends get your kids Disney gifts cards for things like birthdays or Christmas. This will give your kids a bigger budget, not cut into your trip budget and your house won’t be cluttered with all those gifts you might not get a lot of use out of.
- Pro tip: Want to know a souvenir that is affordable, easy to pack and something you’ll use over and over again? Christmas ornaments! These are my favorite souvenirs. Each trip we take I buy an ornament for a special memory from that trip. For example, on our Christmas trip several years ago my youngest son was obsessed with the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin ride at Magic Kingdom. With the low lines at the Christmas party, this ride became basically a walk-on and he and my husband probably rode it 10 times in a row. That trip the ornament I bought was for that ride. Now every year when I decorate the tree and pull out that ornament, I remember how excited he was to get to go on his favorite ride over and over again.
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Don’ts:
- Over pack – If you go to Disney or on a Disney cruise with no room in your luggage, you will have no room to bring anything home. You may even tell yourself that you won’t be buying any souvenirs however it is highly unlikely that will actually happen. Take it from someone who’s made this mistake, don’t do this! Plan ahead for souvenir room or take an extra bag like featured above.
- Skip souvenirs – Please promise me you won’t do this! Disney vacations are frequently one of the most memorable vacations you will take with your family. Please do yourself a favor and buy at least one meaningful souvenir that will bring back the enchanting memories from your trip.
- Buy things you can get anywhere – Before buying that doll, stuffed animal or bubble wand, think about if what you’re picking up is unique to Disney World. If the souvenir is something you could get at home, or you could get something very similar at home it may not be the best choice.
- Buy things you can’t take home – The only popular souvenir that you truly can’t take home if you’re flying is a balloon. These are not allowed on airplanes and so if you’re buying one of these just make sure you’re aware that you’ll have to leave it behind when it’s time to go home. Another popular souvenir that is difficult to travel with is the lightsabers you can make at Savi’s workshop. These sabers are a very unique souvenir and highly popular with Star Wars fans, but they may or may not be accepted as carry-ons by your airline and there is a significant risk of them breaking if you check them. With how popular this experience is, there are obviously lots of people taking these home but just know that it won’t be the easiest souvenir to take with you.
- Fall for the popular but useless souvenirs – So this may be a controversial statement but there are some Disney souvenirs that take up a lot of room and really serve no purpose. The number one item that comes to mind for this is popcorn buckets. Yes, I know they are cute and “collectible” and even popcorn really does taste better at Disney BUT once you’re home what will you be doing with that 16-inch-tall piece of hard plastic that does nothing? At best these become a display piece but unless you’re a collector, will you really be displaying that train engine driven by Mickey Mouse in your home? Even for the special holiday ones that you might display for the holiday, what will you be doing with it for the rest of the year. These will even take up a lot of room in a storage tub. In the end, to each their own and if popcorn buckets are your thing, then go for it but just make sure you pause before you make that purchase and think about what will happen when you get home.
In wrapping up our exploration of the do’s and don’ts of Disney souvenirs, it becomes evident that making the most of your magical vacation involves a thoughtful approach. From embracing the joy of unique finds to being mindful of budgetary limits, the journey of souvenir selection is a blend of excitement and practicality. Remember, the true magic lies not just in the items themselves, but in the memories they represent. So, do indulge in a few Disney keepsakes, but don’t lose sight of the moments that truly matter. With these do’s and don’ts in mind, embark on your next Disney adventure fully equipped to create your collection of treasures that will forever take you back to the most magical place on Earth.
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