6 Souvenir Mistakes That Scream "This Is My First Trip to Disney World"

Every year, millions of people visit Walt Disney World for the first time. Often, these guests blend in with everyone else. BUT there are ways you can tell a first-time guest… starting with their souvenirs.

Zootopia bubble wand

Seeing these souvenirs missteps is a pretty good indication that someone is making their inaugural visit to the “Most Magical Place on Earth”.

DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means when you click a link and make a purchase, we receive a commission.

They Buy Disney’s Ponchos

From the bright yellow ones that ‘90s kids remember to the clear variant of today, Disney has sold ponchos for decades. However, the in-park brands pale in comparison to our personal favorite: Frogg Toggs!

This poncho — available on Amazon in multiple colors, striking hot pink — had several features that we simply adored. The material allowed the rain to slip right off, and between that and the lack of sleeves, we didn’t feel steamed or hot underneath. On top of that, the poncho was large enough that our backpack was able to fit underneath it comfortably, while still keeping the bag and our backs completely covered from the rain. If all that wasn’t enough, the poncho even comes with a waterproof storage bag, meaning we were able to quickly pack it up and throw it in our backpack as soon as the storm ended without worrying about anything in there getting wet.

SHOP HERE

They Keep Buying Bottled Water

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to do on a Walt Disney World Vacation is one of the most important things one can do. However, buying bottles of water can get very expensive very quickly. That’s where an Owala Water Bottle comes in.

The bottle is made from an insulated stainless-steel body, and features a FreeSip spout designed for either sipping upright through the built-in straw or tilting back to swig from the spout opening, a protective push-to-open lid that keeps the spout clean, a convenient carry loop that doubles as a lock, and double-wall insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, a wide-opening for cleaning and adding ice, and a cup holder-friendly base.

SHOP HERE

They Overpay for Kids’ Items

SHOP HERE

Standard Disney World souvenirs like Autograph Books and Bubble Wands…

… can be found beforehand on Amazon for far less than their in-park prices.

SHOP HERE

They Forget Sun Protection.

Right up there with drinking water, sun protection is key to a Walt Disney World vacation. And trust us, you’re not going to want to purchase sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat in the parks for significantly more than they cost on Amazon.

They Try Buying or Trading for Counterfeit Pins.

While Disney Pin Collecting is a huge hobby that first-time visitors may find very appealing, they need to be careful to buy and trade from the right sources, as there are countless counterfeit pins from unofficial sources online.

SHOP HERE

They Stick to the Larger Gift Shops.

While it can be tempting for visitors to get sucked into Disney’s largest gift shops, it’s sometimes the resort’s smaller, more out-of-the-way shops that carry more unique merchandise pieces.

If you notice guests making these souvenir mistakes, keep in mind it may be their first visit. And if you’re making your first visit, be sure to keep them in mind.