Everyone has their favorite Disney World souvenir, and I’m not here to judge anyone for them!
Personally, I’m a huge stuffed animal collector and got dozens of pressed pennies on my first big trip to Disney World as an adult, and I don’t regret a thing. I know many of you may love to grab a new pair of ears, a Loungefly bag, or maybe a Spirit Jersey when you go on vacation. And while I’m not judging, I am here to tell you that if one of these is a souvenir you choose to grab…well, there are better choices out there.
Anything That’s NOT Disney World Specific
What do I mean by this? Well, there’s a lot of merchandise in Disney World that you can actually find online (Amazon or the Disney Store), oftentimes for much cheaper. Or, you can find some souvenirs at your local Target.
Hear me out on this; I have the perfect example! I love to collect the mystery Disney Munchlings — you know, the little stuffed animals that are Disney characters as different foods? The mystery packs are my favorite, and you can buy them in the parks. However, you can also buy the same mystery packs at Target, where I could use a deal to save money on them or grab them on Amazon or Disney Store when there’s a sale going on. And since it’s not Disney World specific…why would I spend MORE money just to buy it in the park?
The only exception to this rule in my book is anything in EPCOT’s World Showcase, because a lot of the countries have traditional souvenirs you would also find in that country, but a lot of us will never get to travel there! So being able to say that you grabbed a souvenir from EPCOT’s World Showcase is pretty darn cool!
Ponchos
Y’all, don’t get me STARTED on the official Disney World ponchos in the parks. Those things are like Easy Bake Ovens, I swear — they don’t work the way they’re supposed to, they break easily, and yet somehow they get SO HOT.
Now, I’m not saying you should go through Disney World with no rain gear; that’s actually the opposite of what I’m saying (although I always seem to forget mine, oops). I’m just saying it’s NOT worth the money to pay for a poncho that’s gonna make you feel like a wrapped hot burrito. Instead, I recommend you grab one of these Frogg Togg Ponchos online before your trip that Emma has raved about.
And when I say she LOVES them, I really mean it. This isn’t just something she tried once and then said “meh.” And if you’ve been following us for a while, you know a rave review from Emma is a pretty big deal.
Blind Boxes
I know I just said that I love the mystery boxes of the Munchlings, but I also said I don’t buy them in the parks, and that’s true! While blind bags may seem like a lot of fun, when you’re spending THAT much money in Disney World, you’ll be pretty bummed if you get a duplicate.
Now, if you haven’t actually started your collection and they’ll be your first pins or item from that set, it’s a bit of a different story…but then the only way to COMPLETE the set is by buying more blind bags. You could always trade them if you’re into pin trading, yes, but if that’s not your thing, I recommend staying away. These souvenirs get expensive — and fast!
Instead, there are tons of pins that aren’t a total mystery, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting! Again, if you’re not into pin trading, this is especially the route I suggest going because you might wind up frustrated you just dropped a WILD amount of money on one or two boxes and either got duplicates or are now tempted to buy more boxes to complete the set. (Ask me how I know…just ask me.)
AllEars is always here to help you prepare to have the best day in Disney World you can, so stay tuned to our website and YouTube channel!
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What’s your favorite souvenir to get? Tell me in the comments!
We planned to go to Disneyworld in Florida in May 2023 so I purchased several items in the sale at Disney Store London beforehand, as well as shopping in Primark and Asda. I packed it all in my suitcase and pulled them out over the week I was there. Minnie Mouse ears, toy story light up necklace and a Disney Store princess Dress for me all in a Primark Mickey Mouse bag that carried all our park snacks and supplies. It saved a ton of money, we still purchased souvenirs but taking our own meant we had unique items that we didn’t see on anyone else. My only regret is not eating more dolewhip as it was delicious.
Even in the countries you have to be mindful. Norway’s cologne and perfume is sold cheaper online by reputable venders. Anything Ferrari from Italy can usually be gotten cheaper elsewhere.
Rules for us that I recommend for everyone is…
Take a picture of what you want and wait an hour or two if possible. If you still want it then look at the Disney Store online, they are usually discounted or offer some discount. Check Amazon or Target. We can usually find it cheaper. Best part, you don’t have to carry it back to your resort, the airport, the plan etc.