Atypical Souvenir ideas?

[egesicki]

Hello everyone, we are starting to plan a split stay, AOA and AKL, and MK, Epcot, AK. First timers all of us. Hard to believe, I know, but our family is not super into licensed merchandise. So I have been wondering, what are some ideas for souvenirs, besides photos or food, that we might look for? TIA, really appreciate these boards as a resource!

 

[henry72]

My DD and I are trying this on our June trip - we are going to do the Pick A Pearl at the store in Japan/Epcot. I think it for about $18, you get to pick an oyster. They do a little ceremony about opening it for you to reveal your pearl. You can either have it set there or take it home in a little bag. (There is a super long thread on the theme park board about it. You can search for it and see some of the settings. They are priced from $10 on up...)

 

[SEA333]

Anywhere in the World Showcases at Epcot! We also found great non-licensed merchandise at the Resort giftshops - especially AKL. We bought MIL a beautiful set of wooden windchimes there....no mickey or disney logo anywhere on it!!

 

[MandiC]

Yep, lots of things at Epcot! Personalized parasols are one I have heard. We did the pick a pearl in Japan for our two daughters. I love that #1 it is not licensed, but they have the memory of the opening ceremony and it is something they can wear for as long as they have them, they are not to juvenile that they won't want to wear them in a few years (we got necklaces, the setting was $22 each, $17 each pick a pearl and if you want the chain necklace for the setting it is an additional $16+ depending on length). Japan also has sake, which is yummy
Germany has beer steins you can personalize.
There is a shop on Main Street in Magic Kingdom that had a lot of things you could personalize too, not all of it Disney themed.
After that depends on the age. I know it is 'licensed' but my kids love their new pressed penny collections, which was a pretty inexpensive souvenir for them.

 

[squirrel]

Some of the food courts have Mickey Head straws. They were around .50 each a few years ago. We always picked up a bunch for my nieces classmates and my daycare children each time we went. They also are great to add to a goodie bag for birthdays.

Still have a few extras for giving out this year.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Two favorites for us are the mister potato head fill a box at DTD, perfect for the little one, and the fill a container of legos at the lego store for both. Our 7 year old loves anything at the Star Wars store at HS and really loves tbe build a light saber. Both of our boys liked to get cool pens and the older one always likes the disney version of the altoid mints. There are some shops in DTD that sale understated disney clothing items that might be good for you. DH, oldest DS and I rarely buy much for ourselves but the little guys always wants a few things.

 

[egesicki]

Yep, lots of things at Epcot! Personalized parasols are one I have heard. We did the pick a pearl in Japan for our two daughters. I love that #1 it is not licensed, but they have the memory of the opening ceremony and it is something they can wear for as long as they have them, they are not to juvenile that they won't want to wear them in a few years (we got necklaces, the setting was $22 each, $17 each pick a pearl and if you want the chain necklace for the setting it is an additional $16+ depending on length). Japan also has sake, which is yummy
Germany has beer steins you can personalize.
There is a shop on Main Street in Magic Kingdom that had a lot of things you could personalize too, not all of it Disney themed.
After that depends on the age. I know it is 'licensed' but my kids love their new pressed penny collections, which was a pretty inexpensive souvenir for them.

Love the beer stein idea for DH, thanks!

 

[hethry6207]

Second the mr potato head! We loved it! Our first trio there when my husband and I had just got married, we went with my parents and younger sister, my dad bought my mom a crystal carriage and a small one for my sister and for myself. We knew the theme behind it but it was very classy, and not at all classic disney. I can't remember the shop name but it was in MK on Main Street USA.

 

[BeckFam08]

My vote is also for Potato Head. But my tip is to just fill the box with pieces... Not a head! You can get a head at home if you don't already have one and can fit tons of pieces in the box.

 

[GMS]

Glass slipper from castle
Tshirts from fav rides
Star Wars stuff

 

[Maggie at the Fort]

If you are looking for an experience, you can get a haircut in the magic kingdom to take home with you! They will add glitter and make it fun for little ones!

 

[mrsp1030]

We always find unique christmas ornaments...my favorite are the ear ornaments that are licensed editions.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I collect shot glasses (Disney doesn't call them that, but I can't remember the "Disney-speak" name). They are harder to find now, but when I do find them, they often have interesting or intricate designs, and they don't break easily.

Other collectibles I look for are Christmas tree ornaments.

Travel friends of mine collect magnets.

Many families on these boards collected "pressed pennies".

 

[GrtWtNorth]

deleted duplicate post

 

[smitch425]

The Bead Outpost is a must for us. The biggest selection is in the World Showcase, and assuming it hasn't moved, there is a smaller kiosk near RnRC at DHS.

 

[scrapbooksellman]

Another vote for pick a pearl in Japan. I got the cinderella carriage necklace to hole the pearl on ebay before our trip. They put our pearl inside for us.

Also we did silohlettes (sp?) in MK by the christmas store. Beautiful, hand cut images of our kids. Something we will keep for a lifetime.

 

[JillianLeigh]

I second the silhouette idea!! It's really cool to watch them cut out each member of your family so quickly. Something we started when my son was 5 months, and plan on doing each trip.

 

[egesicki]

I second the silhouette idea!! It's really cool to watch them cut out each member of your family so quickly. Something we started when my son was 5 months, and plan on doing each trip.

Neat, I plan to find those!

 

[ltl engine]

DTD sports store has baseball bats that they engrave your signature on. We got I for my oldest DS when he first learned cursive. Hoping DS #2 can write his name good enough by May. Only thing is.....have a plan to get it home. We ended up wrapping it in towels & putting it in a duffle bag to check at the airport. Good luck