Leaving Walt Disney World for home is hard to do but you can always bring home a piece of Disney with you. Families are always ask just how much to budget for souvenirs on Disney vacation. Happily, Disney souvenirs can range from absolutely free, to thousands of dollars so anyone’s budget can be worked into your vacation. For a fun and free souvenir be sure to stop by Animation Academy at Hollywood Studios to learn how to draw one of your favorite Disney characters to bring home and show off in your home. For those wishing to splurge on their vacation mementos, framed artwork or custom jewelry will allow you to bring some of the magic to adorn your walls or yourself. Determine what dollar your family is most comfortable with for souvenir shopping and stick with it. If you wish to purchase something in addition to your general souvenirs that can count towards a Christmas or birthday present, consider expanding your budget to include future gifts. With so many choices through the parks and resorts, it is very easy to overspend and by making everyone aware of their limits, they can make the best choices with wise guidance.
Some of the most popular Disney souvenirs are Mickey Mouse Ears, t-shirts, and toys but there are so many more options that bring home some of that Disney magic. For those that want to have mementos around their home, check out Disney’s kitchen items – a spatula with Mickey’s hand on the end or maybe an ice cube tray in the shape of Mickey ears. For more unique ideas, look in the shops in Epcot’s World Showcase. World Showcase has a lot of subtle souvenirs that allow you to remember your vacation without shouting Disney to those that see them. Fashionistas may wish to look at the name brand purses that are exclusive to the Disney parks and music lovers may consider purchasing CDs of music from around the parks.
When you see that perfect Disney souvenir, purchase it right away. With thousands of people in the park each day, the stock may sell out and not be replenished immediately. It takes away from time enjoying the parks when you have to walk around to all the stores looking for the right size of a t-shirt you saw earlier in the day and didn’t buy immediately. When you purchase it, be sure to ask the cast member at the register to have the item sent back to your resort so that you don’t need to carry it around all day. If it’s your last day at the parks, have the cast member send your package to the front of the parks to be picked up at the end of your day.
An absolute favorite souvenir for many families is the Memory Maker package. With digital downloads of the photos from your vacation, this is one souvenir you can look at again and again in the years to come and remember all the fun you had as a family. Simply ask your travel agent to add Memory Maker to your vacation package at least 3 days before you leave for maximum savings.
If you get home and you find that you left something at Disney that you can’t live without, don’t fret. Disney merchandise has a toll free number and email address where many items can be mail ordered. To reach Disney merchandise call 877-560-6477 or email merchandise.guest.services@disneyparks.com.
Michelle Browne
Travel Specialist
