I am one of those annoying people who buy a load of logo’d stationary from the places they visit whilst Calum loves to get a good glass/shot glass/unusual shaped cup with the name of a city, country or attraction on it. So it made sense we share with you the best Disney souvenirs to nab on your next Disney World trip.
Before we start sharing these must have Disney souvenirs, I thought I would share some Creative tips that I learnt during our visits to Disney world!
- Firstly, if you are staying at a hotel on-site then you can get your purchases sent back to your hotel for free! No matter where you are staying, you can also use the Package Pickup Program, where your purchases are sent to a location near the front of the park for you to pick up before you leave.
- I had read a lot of advice before our trip about not buying merchandise until the end of your day at the park which is true but if it is something themed to certain lands or areas of a park and it’s easy to slip into your bag then buy it! You may not see it in the general Disney stores near the front of the park or at Disney Springs.
- If you forget to buy something during your visit, you can also check the Shop Disney Parks app which sells most of the items from the parks. Plus, the Orlando International Airport has not one but TWO Disney stores for you get those last minute purchases.
- We didn’t manage to get to all the parks on our first trip to Orlando but we did head to the World of Disney, a store in Disney Springs that sells most items that you’ll find in all the Disney Parks in Walt Disney World.
For some PRO tips from a former cast member, check out Lia’s guide to Disneyland and her awesome Disneyland Scavenger hunt!
Ok so let’s get stuck into the best things to buy at Disneyland!
1
Mickey Ears
A must for all newbies at Disney, I always remember watching Disney adverts as a kid with people walking around in these hat ears! I love these and this was the first Disneyland souvenir I bought on our first trip!
2
Personalised Christmas Ornaments!
I am a big lover of all things christmassy so these are perfect! You can personalise the ornaments with you name or choose from your favourite characters to hang on your tree.
If you aren’t at the park during the Christmas period but want this Disney World souvenir, then you can pick up a range of ornaments available on Amazon.
3
Pennies
Most attractions across the world offer a Penny Presser and Disney is no exception. For unique Disney souvenirs, these Disney World Pressed Pennies are probably the cheapest Disney souvenirs you can get and one of the best in my opinion.
4
Mr Potato Head parts
In the Once Upon A Toy store in Disney Springs, you can fill up a box with a load of Mr Potato Head body parts, all for a set price. Buy the Mr Potato Head at home or separately and fill the box with the Disney specific and themed items. Cast Members help you pack the box to make the most of your purchase and they also offer the same system with Lego Cups, Jewellery cups and Pirate Treasure Chests. This joins the list of best souvenirs from Disney World because of the fun experience and enjoyment it brings, picking out your favourite pieces.
5
Resort Merchandise
As with most attractions and theme parks around the world, Disney has certain merchandise that is specific to that theme park or resort. If you are a fan of a particular park then get the merchandise for that resort, I personally love the Disney Resort T-shirts! Disney Souvenirs in Orlando are also available at the Disney Character Warehouse in the Premium Outlet Mall.
6
Personalised Chinese Parasol
One of my favourite Disney world souvenirs is from the China section in Epcot. You can choose a beautiful parasol and the cast members will write your name on it, in Calligraphy! Get these nearer the end of your visit to avoid getting it ruined when your racing around on rides.
7
Disney Autographs
Growing up I had a best friend who went to Disney every year with his family. He always brought back an autograph book full of signatures and made me desperately want to go even more (I was like 11 years old guys, don’t judge). Anyways, Disney Autographs are perhaps one of the best Disney world souvenirs you can get, they may take time to get but apart from the book, it is a free and fun souvenir, plus you get all the memories of meeting your favourite characters.
8
Delicious Disney Cookbook
From Mickey’s Pantry in Disney Springs, you can pick up a variety of cookbooks of food found across the different parks. We love cooking so any cookbook is great but these are extra magical.
9
Photographs!
Of course you can take pictures of the park yourself but when you meet characters there is always a Disney PhotoPass photographer hanging around to take your picture. You don’t need to buy these photos, instead have your personal camera ready and ask them to use that camera instead.
10
Animation drawings
At California Adventure and Hollywood Studios WDW, you can take a free animation class, where you are taught how to draw your favourite characters. Your own masterpiece is the perfect souvenir!
11
Disney Pins
I never quite understood the popularity of this one, but you can purchase different Disney Pins from all over Disney and trade pins with other visitors and cast members to expand your Disney Pin collection.
12
Design a Tee
At Disney Springs, you will find a store named ‘Design a Tee’ which allows you to do exactly that. You can choose the colour, size and style then choose from over 400 pieces of character art and phrases to choose from. This place wasn’t open on our visit but I will definitely be heading here on our next trip! Tees cost around $25.
13
Antenna Topper
Ever wanted to be one of those awesomely cool people with a Mickey head sticking out of their cars antenna? At Disney, you can choose from a load of character and themes to personalise your car. This is on my shopping list for our next trip!
14
Kitchenware
This is a big category and we often spend far too long in the kitchenware sections of merchandise stores but so what? Buy yourself a mug or toast printer or waffle iron or apron or cutlery set… the list goes on but these things are all items you will actually use – making them the best type of Souvenir. Unfortunately, we have yet to find any Disney shot glasses (but Universal does sell character ones!).
15
Jewellery
I always thought that jewellery at Disney would be that tacky plastic kind that 5 year olds wear, so I was more than surprised when I came across Pandora Charms! Check the Jewellery stores and treat yourself.
These are just a few of the best Disney souvenirs you can take away from your trip to Walt Disney World or other Disney parks around the world. If you are in Orlando, don’t forget to head to a Disney’s Character Warehouse Store (one is found in Vineland Premium Outlet and the other in the International Premium Outlet), here you will find amazing discounts on older items; expect to find lots of Christmas stuff along with the usual kits costumes, accessories and kitchen items.
Have you brought something awesome at Disney? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Helpful resources
Heading to Orlando? We have plenty of resources to help you plan your visit:
- A quick guide to Orlando
- Is Orlando expensive?
- A day at the Magic Kingdom
- A day at Universal Studios and Island of Adventures
- 20 things to do on Orlando’s International Drive
- Surviving the Theme Parks
- Things to do in Orlando besides the Theme Parks
- What to Pack: Disney Checklist
- The Best Christmas Disney Souvenirs
Disclosure: All the items mentioned above are theme park favourites and are available from the parks directly. Some of these items can be purchased online as well. The links to these items are affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission if you purchase something directly via the link without any extra cost to yourself. Thank you for reading.
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I’ve never really bought any Disney souvenir but will definitely have this list next time!
Wow nice summary of all you can get! However, the prices are sometimes not as appealing and you need to make a choice 🙁
I still have my Mickey ears with “Pirates of the Caribbean” 😀 it shows how long ago it was! I was there for a bride fun day with my friends, and my friend had the white ears with a veil – so cute! 😀 I had so much fun there, thanks for bringing back the memories! 🙂
Ioanna
My pleasure! Sounds like a great girlie weekend!
I’m not big on theme souvenirs but for someone who is then there’s a whole lot of choice! I can’t believe those Mickey ears (with a cap) still exist! I remember owning a pair when I was about 7 years old – this was about 40 years ago….lol! What did you buy when you went to Disney?
Far too much! We went to Universal the first say and spent a lot of random kitchenware (shots, teatowels, glasses, even a knife and fork set with The Simpsons heads on them!) so had to be a bit more careful at Disney! Love the mouse ears though and started my pin collection! We want to head to the Shanghai Disneyland this year so will pick up a few more souvenirs there!
Wow, I’m impressed! I had no idea there were so many Disney souvenirs available. I can’t wait to get some. The kitchenware looks very cool.
A Disney souvenir looks like a great idea. A cute way to remember the trip.
I absolutely love the idea of the christmas ornaments! I actually try to buy a christmas ornament from everywhere I travel so that every year as I’m decorating my tree I remember all the wonderful places I’ve been. That and they are small, light and easy to carry home!
I always love to get Christmas ornaments , however, on my last trip, I got a hoodie with Minnie ears!
Oh sounds cute! 🙂 I spend far too much on Christmas ornaments!
I’ve only been to Disney once and had brought a water bottle/fan/mister. Loved it for walking around on humid days! Still trying to convince my sister that my nephew needs a Euro Disney trip since he is obsessed with Mickey Mouse. I see some gifts on your list that he would love, like the waffle maker.
My nephew is obsessed with all things Mickey. He would love the waffle maker. Still trying to convince my sister to plan a trip to Euro Disney. Thanks for sharing this fun post!
I am a fully grown adult and would love the waffle maker too! 🙂
Ugh, if only they’re not that expensive, but yeah whenever I go to Disneyland it seems like all souvenirs are calling me waiting to be bought hahaha. But yeah, most souvenirs are amazing!!!
This is the list everyone needs when visiting Disney! I love the pennies, I would definitely do that and there is so much variety in what you can buy, you could seriously spend a fortune here! #feetdotravel
I haven’t been to Disney yet but I would definitely buy the pennies and loads of postcards. You could spend loads of money in places like this or you could just try to buy it cheaper online. Thanks for sharing.
I love those coin machine things! I always wanted to do them when I was a kid but my parents never let me!! haha. I’ve never been to Disney land but now I feel like I HAVE to! awesome post.
I think at some point my daughter has had all of these! The Christmas ornaments are great as they have the year on too so it’s a nice reminder when we unpack the box every year! She also had a fantastic pink Minnie hoodie!
Haven’t been to Disney world since I was a teenager but I remember I had lots of fun. Not sure I brought any souvenirs but I love the roller coasters and rides.
I love the Disney pins! I used to collect the pennies from everywhere I visited and had a designated Disney journal for all the autographs. I’m sure I still have it around somewhere.
Thats an interesting list. I would love to collect all of tbem thanks for sharing
I truly love collecting beach towels. As well as ornaments from every vacation place we travel to (Disney/Disney Resorts).
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I love, love, love to collect pins &;put on pretty lanyards. Etc!
So do we! Favourite souvenir at Disney!