Former Disney Cast Members Are Sharing the Souvenirs They Never Buy and Why

You’re only human if you’re constantly tempted to buy every souvenir during a Disney trip, but we’re going to make life a little easier by letting you know which items we often avoid…

The Disney Parks know how to sell a souvenir — there’s no doubt about it. It doesn’t hurt that there are so many cool souvenirs that really put an exclamation point on the perfect Disney trip. While buying souvenirs is inevitable, some former Cast Members on the AllEars team are advising you spend your hard-earned money on better souvenirs by avoiding some popular park souvenirs due to price, practicality, and other factors that aren’t always obvious.

Everyday Essentials

Okay, if you left your chapstick in your hotel room and your lips are burning, sure — paying for one at the parks is an exception you’ll have to make. Otherwise, get ready to pay a needless premium on everyday essentials like Chapstick, deodorant, first-aid kits, portable chargers, sunscreen, medicine, and ponchos.

We 1,000 percent recommend buying your travel essentials before you arrive at a Disney Resort. Heck, this tip pretty much applies to any major vacation you take. These essential items will almost always cost more at hotels and theme parks, so you’re better off finding deals on Amazon or at your local stores ahead of time.

View a Full List of Our Disney World Essentials HERE 

Brand Partnership Products

There’s still a way to give Disney your money without paying full price. While those Loungefly and Disney collabs are usually incredible, you’ll often find them cheaper at your local retailer at some point. You might even find them cheaper online at the Disney Store.

Whether it’s a Loungefly bag or an article of clothing, sometimes showing a bit of restraint can lead to better deals in the future. Disney still gets your money, and you get that great souvenir. It’s a win-win. Of course, it never hurts to make sure the product isn’t a park-exclusive before making a decision.

Bottled Water

Why pay for water when you can bring a reusable (and insulated) water bottle with you to the parks and get FREE water whenever you want?

Best of all, a personal water bottle can double as an autograph “book” and totally become a unique keepsake that is both practical AND a souvenir!

See Our Favorite Water Bottles for Disney World HERE

Stickers

Stickers are a popular Disney souvenir, but did you know you can get them for FREE at the parks?

Cast Members occasionally hand them out to guests (especially kids), so there’s no reason to spend money on them at the stores. Don’t be shy and kindly ask Cast Members for a sticker!

Fragile Gifts

Disney coffee mugs — many of which aren’t dishwasher or microwave-safe — and other breakables like crystal arts may be gorgeous, but they’re also incredibly fragile.

We’re not going to stop you from being these beautiful souvenirs, but you may want to think long and hard before deciding to travel with these items or carry them around all day at a Disney theme park. Fortunately, Disney can be very accommodating if something breaks, even if you break it at home — SO BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!

Bubble Wands

Look, I get that bubble wands are a Disney Parks staple, but they can also be a nuisance. 

Bulky, battery-operated, and sometimes messy, bubble wands can also disturb guests around you — especially if they don’t want bubbles hitting their face while walking in the same direction.

Balloons

This might seem blasphemous, but Disney balloons are a souvenir that can be a real pain in the behind.

For starters, they can bounce around and hit people while being held or tied to a stroller. Then there’s the issue of getting them home. You won’t be able to fly with them fully inflated, so you’ll need to deflate them yourself. If you’re not careful or don’t plan on inflating them later, congrats — that souvenir you just bought had a tragically short shelf-life.

Ultimately, the best advice we can give you is to think before you buy! Is this souvenir something you don’t mind traveling with? Are there better alternatives online? How badly do you want this? And hey, if all of your boxes are checked, have at it and enjoy your new gift!

What are some of your best Disney shopping tips? Let us know in the comments, and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest Disney updates and tricks!

Former Disney World Cast Members Reveal the Scariest Parts of Their Jobs, and We’re Too Stunned to Speak

Which Disney souvenirs do you avoid like the plague? Let us know in the comments!

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