Souvenir Tips??

[moray26]

Anybody got any good souvenir tips? What do you consider a "good" souvenir? What souvenirs aren't worth wasting money on? How do you deal with the urge to buy everything you see and want?

[MichelleinMaine]

A disclaimer I'm not a huge souvenir person. Pictures are my main thing- I take ALOT. Anything else I get has to be something that will be used (such as a ball cap) or a toy I know they will play with (DD got the My Little Pony princess dressups this year and plays with them constantly.) Stuffed animals, knickknacks or huge furry hats don't come home with us, lol.

The 2 things we get consistantly (and this is true of everywhere, not just WDW) are a themed photo frame for a family picture (these are all over our living room) and a keychain for our backpack.

My kids do pressed pennies (I think they each did 7 or 8 over the course of the week.) Again, it's something they do for any trip. They're small, easily collected (and stored). Beats 101 assorted junkie trinkets from different places.

As for not buying anything, I've gotten good at "where the heck am I going to put it?", "do I really need another Tshirt?" and "I don't need to be spending money on that to prove I had a nice vacation..."

[amyy]

Christmas ornaments because they are the one thing I keep and use year after year. We have a couple of picture frames. Of course I have the usual snowglobe, t-shirts etc but how many of them can I have. I would like to buy a couple of the cook books but keep putting it off because you can't find a lot of the info on the net. Oh, the photo pass! That is the best thing we have ever bought.

[FigaroFries]

We picked these up last year and had each one personalized with our first names (just like the real mickey ears). It brought back lots of vacation memories from our May trip when we took them out in Dec to hang on our christmas tree. This year I am hoping to start collecting the "Its a small world" ornaments (saw these at the DD Christmas Shop last year and fell in love with them):lovestruc

[PrincessToozie]

No matter where we go on vacation we always get an ornament. Its something to remember our trip by. I also take alot of pics and end up buying some photo frames and scrapbook to put the pics in.

[Canadamom]

We've purchased some of the CD's that have the park music on them. When our kids listen to them, they can remember what attraction the music was from and relive it a bit.

[coolbeans]

hats! That is the first thing we look for. DH is folically challenged and requires head coverage.

[kelmor98]

I was so excited when I found out that I was going to Disney World that I looked for pre trip souvenirs to offset their cost and I found the cutest thing!! There is a company that makes personalized Mickey CDs and Princess CDs. I bought the Mickey Mouse CD and by the time my 4 year old got to Disney World, she knew the words to most of the songs they play in the park. The coolest thing is that her name is in the song! The website is:

giftittogether.com

if anyone wants to see it.

[Chedstro]

Yes! The Disney Parks music CD's are the best ever. You can relive your vacation whenever you want:thumbsup2

[Aliceacc]

How about Beach Towels? They're incredibly practical, and they'll serve as a nice memento.

[DisneyShannon]

Buy your stuff at the end of the day so you will not have to carry the things around all day. I bought the cutest animal dishes at ak my cat eats and drinks out of them everyday.

[Aliceacc]

Or stay on site and have them shipped back to your resort gift shop; you can shop during the hottest part of the day and still not have to schlepp your stuff around.

But it does take a day, so obviously this won't work on your last day.

[Mainyard]

I collected pins. Whenever I finished an attraction I bought a pin. I filled up 2 lanyards and they are a great way to re-live my trip.

Oh, and they don't take up much luggage space :)

[karters*mom]

Anybody got any good souvenir tips? What do you consider a "good" souvenir? What souvenirs aren't worth wasting money on? How do you deal with the urge to buy everything you see and want?

IF you have a car go to one of the 2 disney outlets. I bought t-shirts for $2.99-$4.99..adult zip up embroidered hoodies for $17.99!! good deals

[happy2go2wdwmom]

This should probably be on the budget boards, but I shop the Disney Store online and at our local mall l before I go to WDW---I give these as souveniers for friends---I buy towels and pj's usually.

I also buy anything Disney at Dollar Stores as well as light up fans, and glo-sticks...and I pack a stash of these items along with my snack bag to surprise my DS with every day---I am the last one out of the door and I just place some Disney stuff out as the surprise---this takes away some of the "Gimmies" we experience in the shops.

Son loves legos and our next trip will be a visit to DDT lego shop.

[Wazowski]

I bought a Grumpy hat which even though I never used to wear hats, I take it everywhere with me. I also HAD to get sunglasses because mine got lost somewhere in Epcot. My wife got a Mickey coffee mug and an antenna topper ($4..bleh). We of course got our picture taken going down Splash Mountain as well. The only thing I regret not getting now that I see it mentioned was a Christmas ornament.

[GrammyJudy]

It must say Walt Disney World as there are so many Disney things available everwhere. We always do the ornament with the year, fridge magnet, keychain, T shirts with the year. I also collect Disneyana so I buy myself something special for my collection.Kids always got a stuffed animal. Now go with grandkids so the cycle repeats itself.

[truedisneyfan]

We buy Christmas ornaments anywhere we go one vacation. We each get an ornament every year. When we have a new baby we get a family ornament with all of our names on it.

DS and I do the pin trading. Well, most times he will not wear it. I'm going to save them until he gets older and will actually do it. I think we started him to early he just a few months past 3.

DS just started with the pressed pennies last month. He knows what to do and it's cheaper than the pins.

[of2dbeach]

I like to buy the plastic dishes with the mickey mouse ears on them. My kids actualy fight over who is going to use my cup. Only sucky part is you cant put them in the dishwasher because there like a hard clear plastic. We usualy go on I-$ for things or the Walmart right before the park entraces. My kids like the disney pressed pennies. I like them because there easy to carry and dont cost much.. they like them because they can remember the rides :) We did the towel too a bit pricy but well made.. plus i love the fact it was practical and made me feel special when I used it :)

[tinkakittymom]

Usually ours are the Coffee Mugs, Pix Frames & at least one or two Snow Globes...Then of course we always end up with a new Beach Towel because we inevitably get hit in the Rain Storm - my DD6 won't wear the Poncho.

[tina_la]

hats! That is the first thing we look for. DH is folically challenged and requires head coverage.:lmao: just had to say that is funny!

We do the ornament thing and I buy the kids 1 pin for their collection. Anything else they are earning thier money now and they have to purchase themselves.

[mickeymaker2003]

My daughter is still using the black Mickey-ear plates that the kids meals are served in. We took them and and she uses them at almost every meal. She loves to put her food into the ears and they wash well in the dishwasher. The best part, they were free (or at least they came with the food we were buying anyway).

[suzimar57]

i'd say if you see something specific to a theme park (and you're not planning on going back there) and you really really really love it, buy it - it will save you the trouble of either going back there, or otherwise buying it online (or thru WDW merchandising) once you get home (provided you have the ISBN#) - we like pins and souvenir booklets - and the yearly t-shirt

[disfan07]

i usulaly dont have a problem deciding what to get when we go

last december i bought thing that would last me a while....
i bought a dumbo stuffed animal ( i always get a stuffed animal when i go)
2 photo albums
a mickey mouse figurine( i collect those)
and a crystal figurine from arribas brothers

thats what i usually buy on every trip (just a differnt stuffed animal)

we usually go to world of disney after we have gone to all the parks so i do most of my shopping there

[05MM08MM]

Unlike many on here we don't travel to WDW often. Actually it will be my DD & DH first visit ever and only my second. Most likely will be a few years before we are able to go back. I started a souvenir list in word that I plan to sync to my handheld (better than having a bunch of paper print-outs to keep up with). Here is what I have so far:

- 2008 Christmas Ornament
- 2008 4x6 or 5x7 picture frame
- 2008 scrapbook accessories
- pins (have a want list set up in word to sync)
- Pal Mickey for my DD
- a little something for my neighbor
- a little something for 2 other sweet girls I know
- Ears Hat, probably the "create your own"
- something for the new baby

I also prepurchased my photopass CD and we plan to do the pressend coins too. I will be taking pictures with my personal camera as well.

We have $272 worth of gift/rewards cards to use for the trip so none of our own money will be wasted for sure. I plan to set a budget for my DD so she doesn't go too crazy.

If you have a planned trip coming up in the next year or so I would recommend putting Disney Gift Cards on your Christmas or birthday list as they can be used not only at the Disney Store but most anywhere in WDW or DLR, even for food or to pay down your balance for your trip :thumbsup2

[justplaingoofy]

i like to get photo mats autographed....

I go to our local craft store and purchase a mat that would go around a picture.. (if you use 4x6's or 5x7) etc. I bring it with us and a couple of sharpies to have the characters sign. Then we put our favorite photo in it and frame it.:lovestruc

[kyhardy]

i like to get photo mats autographed....

I go to our local craft store and purchase a mat that would go around a picture.. (if you use 4x6's or 5x7) etc. I bring it with us and a couple of sharpies to have the characters sign. Then we put our favorite photo in it and frame it.:lovestruc

Ooooooo! This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[Lorettainny]

I'm not big on trinkets but my husband is. I buy one big thing when I go on trips. Last time we were at Disney, I bought a Mickey Mouse cookie jar. I love it and use it every day.

[buggyfam4]

This will be my 2nd time going and this infomation is very helpful.

Renee

[justplaingoofy]

I've also gone to our local pottery store... (one of those places where kids can paint things)..

I get a peice of pottery (i use it plain) and have them fire it. Then I bring a couple of porcelin pens (Michaels crafts) for autographs...

Last year I brought a coffee mug & small plate.. every morning when I have my coffee and toast I think of Disney...

Past years I've brought platters etc... found this works best to bring to a character meal so you don't have to tote it around the parks..:lovestruc

[blondinkaya]

We really got our kids into pressed pennies. Inexpensive to do, and they enjoyed the hunt (although I did have the locations put onto cards--they didn't know that, lol). It really saved us from the "I want that. Pleeeeeze?" badgering. They didn't ask for a single thing while we were there. We gave them each an M&M minis container of quarters and pennies, and they were set! The first day, we bought each of them a pressed penny book to put them in.

We did do the build-your-own-lightsaber thing for the boys (dh's decision, they didn't notice it until he brought it up :lmao:). I did the pick-a-pearl in Japan (it was my Mother's Day gift), we bought mil a bracelet, and we bought a scrapbook album and some papers to put our pictures and memories in.

That's the extent of what we bought. It was much, much less than what we were expecting. I had even brought an extra suitcase for souvvies, and we didn't even need it ...

[hjssk8]

I collect postcards. I buy them individually and in the sets. I have started a shot glass collection. Though the last time I was at Disney I didn't buy any. :headache:

[tooh8ful]

Unfortunately, we usually buy one of everything :lovestruc ! But without a doubt, the BEST souvenirs we bought were the 2008 calendar from WDW. I LOVE looking at that everyday. And a set of 4 plastic princess cups I found at the Splash Mt. shop. My dd ONLY drinks out of those cups and they were completely an afterthought!

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

One of the best souveniers we got for my DS was a Buzz Lightyear claw thing.
Oh my gosh, he played with it for years. He's 12 and still has it and every once in a while pulls it out and teases his friends with it.

I go with a list of things I want to get.
For example, this year I want a dog dish, Halloween pins, wine from Italy and Germany, different teas for my Mom, a picture frame with the year on it plus a few other things. I usually buy a pair of fun earrings too. I love those!

For the kids, we review each item they want together and look at it really close. If it's something that looks like it won't handle rough and tumble, it won't be good for my kids. They are so used to me reviewing toys that they usually agree with me when I point stuff out to them.

I have found that over the years I curb my spending by just thinking of where the item will go in the house or how often would I wear it?. Can something I already own go if there's no space for the new item? I hate clutter so that question works really well for me.

[haveitall]

I always get a charm for my bracelet. I have been doing this sinse I was litt.e
I find that I can also by a cheap charm bracelet with a lot of charms on it.

Last time DH and I went we got a soft blanket from DHS's and had out names embroder under the Mickey and Minnie.

I also buy a new scrapbook and any emblishments that I can't get at home.

Sylvia in MN

<a href="http://www.********************/timers/"><img src="http://www.********************/timers/tickers/vyau5zbpx6khv0lm.png" alt="******************** Ticker" border="0"/></a><br> <a href="http://www.********************/timers/"> <font size="-1">Free Disney Tickers</font></a>

[ldadar]

My kids already have more stuff than I can keep organized so I really try to limit souvies. We stay out of the stores.

[GinCar]

We ALWAYS get a Christmas ornament and I love putting them on the tree to remind me of Disney. I get something for my kitchen, as well. I use my Mickey wisk, hand towels and Pooh salt/pepper shakers almost everyday.

One year they had wind-breaker jackets marked down, so I use that often.
For the 2yr old I bought a light jacket that can be worn almost year round in the climate we live in. Come to think of it, all of my family has bought sweatshirts or jackets at one time or another. (We go in Sept. so winter is starting for us.)

I am not much of a knick-knack person, so I buy very practical.:goodvibes

[ThunderMTexpert]

My mom's company does this: Whenever anyone goes anywhere out of state, they bring back a simple postcard from where they've been. This only works for others, mind you. Sometimes, we still manage to send bunches while we're on vacation, but bringing back a special picked, blank postcard is a little tadition they all started. And it's next to nothing in price! This works well for the people in the office, a collection to start for the kids, the grandparents, etc. My husband and I got suckered into starting the magnet tradition: a new one for each vacation we take, and I know that will bite me in the booty one day when I have a million of them! But, shh- it's better than the shot glass, or pressed penny collection!! :lmao:

[auntfrannie]

If you have a Disney Visa or annual pass, make sure you head to World of Disney in DTD to do most of your souvenir shopping. You save 10% there when you show your Disney Visa or annual pass.

[Dopey420]

I go out at night by myself to HWY 192 East and shop at the tacky souvenir shops for things for my kids. I find the best bargains at the Orange World (store looks like a big orange, and sells citrus as well as T-shirts, beach towels, alligator heads, etc. ), and the shop that has the big wizard on top.

These shops will have racks of $5-15 tshirts with Disney characters. Many of them appear to be the same shirts that were sold in the parks previously. There are lots of bargains.

It also is kind of an adventure for me to go outside the "World" at night and get cheap stuff. The kids think we bought it in the park and had it sent back to the room!

[seashellmom]

I also do the Christmas ornaments and a photo album. This year I am telling myself that the photopass cd will be my souvenir and telling the kids that this is Mommy's souvenir so they have to smile pretty for the photographer.

[Minniekins]

We each always get one new beach towel, and have gotten an extra one a few times. Those are cool cause we use them everyday when we take a shower! We have over 30 by now. At least one, maybe 2 new Xmas ornaments, but it doesn't need to have the date on it. We have gotten magnets other yrs but think we forgot last time. And I alway get some new disney pens each time and use them everyday. Oh, and the last 3 yrs I got a pair of new earrings the first night and wore them the whole trip. Also like to get s/p shakers but try to only get if they are great must haves! And, a glass or mug, but again, more particular these days, they have to be great or I wait till next time. :goodvibes

[Chedstro]

:rotfl2:
Dopey420 We live locally and when my kids came out for our wedding they got totally obsessed with what they called, "The Ambivilant Wizard" stores.:rotfl2:

[dizneychik]

I purchase Items before I go! Check out the Disney Outlet store for clearance. Go to Dollar Tree, Target(check out the 1.00 bins). If you hide the items before the princes/princesses see the items it will eliminate the urge to purchase everything they see at Disney.

[kc3394]

We do the Mickey ears ornament with the year.

And a charm for my bracelet


Kathi

[Brandi1leigh]

I've been collecting pressed pennies since I was in high school (I'm now 32). I have over 300 from all over the US (not just Disney). It's like a giant scavenger hunt to find a machine on any vacation or trip I take.

They are cheap and small. Another nice thing is that my friends know I collect them, so it saves them worrying over what to get me asa souvenir when they go places.

[HollVoll]

We picked these up last year and had each one personalized with our first names (just like the real mickey ears). It brought back lots of vacation memories from our May trip when we took them out in Dec to hang on our christmas tree. This year I am hoping to start collecting the "Its a small world" ornaments (saw these at the DD Christmas Shop last year and fell in love with them):lovestruc


Do you happen to remember a price range on these? I'd love to get them for my boys, but I am working on the budget.

Thanks!

[trcckdarby]

My daughter is still using the black Mickey-ear plates that the kids meals are served in. We took them and and she uses them at almost every meal. She loves to put her food into the ears and they wash well in the dishwasher. The best part, they were free (or at least they came with the food we were buying anyway).

I kept the kids meal dishes too. the kids love them have been using them 3 years now.

[626ish]

Most long-term DISers know this already, but for some of you going on your first few trips:

Get an empty M&M Mini container (the little tubes) and stack change in it like this - quarter, quarter, penny, quarter, quarter, penny, etc.

That way, each time you come to a pressed penny machine, you have all the required change right in your fanny pack/backpack/pocket. Each tube will hold about 40 "sets" of change.

$10.40 for a ton of suvenier pressed pennies? Much better than a $40 t-shirt. XD

[scrappinMickey]

Always have to have a shirt, towel, hat and magnet. Love to shop there for the fun of it, not before hand. And I am an avid scrapbooker, so I am constantly looking for items to help scrapbook our trip when we get back; Love the Giant postcards and the car window decals, those go in my albums and not on my car window.::yes:: (Stick them on a transparency)