Why get non Disney souvenirs at Disney?

[big_red_s]

This is just something I was wondering about for a long time and not WDW specific but since this board is open for “chatter” I figured I’ll ask.

Why do people buy souvenirs from WDW which are not WDW specific?

For example, why buy the Canada t-shirt from the pavilion if you went to Orlando?

I’ve seen that in other places we’ve been to (we love to travel) and I could never understand it.

Thanks and please don’t take offence, I’m just trying to understand the thought behind the purchase which might help me dissuade my beloved wife from making impulse purchases on our vacation, LOL.

[scoot241]

One example I thought of is at DLR where there is a Dept. 56 store and a collector would want a new house for their village.

[KevinCG316]

More than likely the only time i will ever go to another country is when i go to EPCOT. So why not buy the souvenirs.

[MagiKitty]

On my last trip, I had the greatest time at the store in Japan. Like the PP, I won't get to Japan anytime soon, so better to pick up some souvies that I like when I see them.

That being said, I do buy a lot of Disney souvies too!

[KellyNY]

Originally Posted by big_red_s

This is just something I was wondering about for a long time and not WDW specific but since this board is open for “chatter” I figured I’ll ask.

Why do people buy souvenirs from WDW which are not WDW specific?

For example, why buy the Canada t-shirt from the pavilion if you went to Orlando?

I’ve seen that in other places we’ve been to (we love to travel) and I could never understand it.

Thanks and please don’t take offence, I’m just trying to understand the thought behind the purchase which might help me dissuade my beloved wife from making impulse purchases on our vacation, LOL.

Hi, my name is Kelly and I am a shopoholic(sp?)

1. I love to shop at Epcot because some items can be found only there and because french parfume store has new selections which is usually first presented only in Orlando for couple of months and then allowed anywhere else in US(as per shop sales person).

2. It is also great to have a break from all Disney items as well.

3. I have so much Disney items already I can open my own Disney store.

[Tinkerbell3014]

My kids wanted to buy Webkinz at AK. They are now special to them because those particular Webkinz remind them of our last Disaney trip.

[Leshaface]

Originally Posted by KevinCG316

More than likely the only time i will ever go to another country is when i go to EPCOT. So why not buy the souvenirs.

I LOVE shopping around Epcot! Looking for Steins in Germany, the fabulous china in the UK, and the crazy knick-nacks in Japan!

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I like to get Maple Syrup from Canada

[KSDisneyDad]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell3014

My kids wanted to buy Webkinz at AK. They are now special to them because those particular Webkinz remind them of our last Disaney trip.

My youngest has purchased a webkins at Disneyland, California Adventure, Disney Cruise Line and at Animal Kingdom. He remembers where he purchased each one and it has something to do with that particular park. He would rather have those than a Disney plush.

My middle son loves Indiana Jones and has purchased Indiana Jones shirts and hats from DL and DHS that don't have anything Disney related on them.

All three boys collect legos and have purchased lego sets from both DTD stores in DLR and WDW.

All three boys have also purchased different Star Wars toys that aren't specifically Disney related.

I visited Japan while in college and love to buy candies and other small items that remind me of my trip to Japan. I also enjoy certain snack items to bring home from Norway.

[Bagheera23608]

Like most of the previous posters, I doubt I will ever get to Japan, China, etc. So I can't wait to shop there. ALTHO! I WILL be checking to make sure the item I am buying, in say, Germany, was actually made in Germany.

I'm particularly on the lookout for some buddha items and maybe some fortune cats in Japan!

[Beauty & the Best]

I do like the Roxy products at the CBR....we don't have a huge selection where I live, so sometimes I get them there.

We've bought ornaments in Germany too because they are hard to find elsewhere.

I think there are two reasons why people buy non-disney on vacation:

1. They can't find that stuff anywhere else
2. Shopping is part of the fun of being on vacation

[CJN]

The little red glass bottle now sitting on my bedroom dresser was a surprise gift my sister purchased for me in the Moroccan pavilion. It was her first trip with us. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of a perfectly glorious evening we spent together in world showcase - the food, the music, the sights and sounds, the wonderful company. Fabulous! That itty, bitty bottle is just as much a souvenir of our trip as any other item we purchased that might have had "WDW" stamped on it. I'm kind of glad to not have Mickey's ears plastered all over everything.

I think we'll try for pearls in Japan this next trip...

[d_lairson]

My wife and I have gone to WDW every year since we have been married (1997), I have been many times with my family before that. Now that we live on hour and a half from WDW and have our Annual Passes we go 2-3 times a month.
Having said all this you can only buy so many Disney Themed items and we have many. We still buy some, but it is the non-traditional non disney items that we love now. World Showcase is our fav, a good place to get some exotic merchandise, which is kind of the point.

[merryweather20]

Well if you are on that train of thought, why buy souvenirs at all. You can buy stuff with the Mouse or the castle anywhere including the local Wal-Mart.

There are lots of items in the World Showcase that are difficult to purchase elsewhere, or if they are available the selection isn't anything like that at Disney.

That goes for everywhere really, I bought a slinky at Epcot when I was little because at the time none of the local stores carried slinkies, the store was actually full of things I couldn't buy at home. I had a couple bucks and preferred the slinky over a pen with Mouse ears.

[hgoff79]

I don't need another T-shirt, but that beautiful Holli Yashi necklace that I got at Pop Gallery at DTD? Total need. Anastasia that works there spent half an hour with me, entertained my kids (4, 2, and 1), spoke Russian with me (I'm learning), and helped me decide on a gift for a friend. It was one of my best memories of this trip, and it wasn't a story a Christmas ornament could tell.