Sometimes, when you hear “We’re going to Disney World”, all you see are dollar signs. As with everything at Disney, great planning can help you to save money and stay right on budget! One of my favorite, not-so-little secrets, is to save some serious cash and go shopping for souvenirs at Disney’s Character Warehouse. When park merchandise isn’t sold, some of it is shipped to one of the two Character Warehouse outlet stores to be sold at heavily discounted prices. You can find anything from keychains, stuffed animals and shirts, to name brand designer bags.
Both stores are located at a premium outlet mall, a short off-property drive. The mall names are very similar, but they are in different locations around Orlando. The nearest to Disney’s property is just to the east at Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet and the other location is northeast and closer to Universals property at Orlando International Premium Outlet.
Each store has different items and change frequently, sometimes daily! If you can make the trip at the beginning and end of your vacation, you might just find that perfect souvenir. Just like with in-park shopping, I recommend purchasing your must-haves because it might not be there when you return the next time. Because of the great prices, the stores are very popular with tourists and locals. Unlike the parks, however, fastpasses are not available to get you to the front of the line quickly so be sure to block off plenty of time as the line to the check-out registers can sometimes wrap all the way around the store.
On my last trip to Character Warehouse, I was amazed with the selection of items for sale and the low prices that came with it all. If you’re in the Orlando area and want to bring home some awesome Disney souvenirs for the kids or yourself at an unbelievable price, take a short drive over to Character Warehouse, you’ll be glad you did!
Monica Zucol
Travel Specialist