Best resort souvenir shops?

[Mandipandi]

Heading to wdw for the first time on Monday. Will get in early so plenty of time to go to DS and shop. After lunch I'd like to go and visit 1-2 other resorts specifically for unique gift shops. I am not interested in AKL and its art, that is the exception.

What resorts do you recommend for generally unique souvenirs?

 

[Marthasor]

I would recommend the Polynesian, Contemporary and Boardwalk. They all have larger gift shops and tend to have more unique items.

 

[Best Aunt]

I like the BoardWalk resort area because you can walk around the lake to 5 different gift shops (BoardWalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Dolphin, Swan).

But what are your plans for transportation? These days, the guards at the resort entrances might not let you in (if driving or if taking Uber/Lyft/cab) unless you are staying at that resort or having a dining reservation. If you will be using Uber/Lyft/cab, there are no guards preventing people from getting out at Swan or Dolphin.

 

[elvispursley]

If they OP is leaving from DS, they can easily hop a resort bus to any resort without driving and worrying about "security." And if they're staying onsite at another WDW resort, when they're done shopping at the other resort gift shops, they can either head to the nearest park and take transportation back to their resort or ride share/taxi to their resort where security is not an issue because they already are a guest. And if they did drive and left car at DS, take the DS bus from resort where shopping back to DS to get car.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Poly is my favorite resort gift shop. They sell unique Hawaiian items like Honolulu cookies and Kona coffee, plus some Aulani merchandise like Olu (Duffy and Friends).

 

[holden]

Poly is my favorite.

 

[Karalee402]

The monorail resorts have my favorite gift shops for sure! Poly is definitely my favorite, but you can't go wrong with Contemporary or GF, either! Plus, you'll have the fun of seeing those beautiful resorts while shopping.

 

[Eastern]

Poly, Contemporary, GF!

 

[DeeBee3]

I thought OKW had a nice shop and not too far from your start at DS!

 

[shu24]

If you have small kids, Pop Century and Art of Animation have great gift shops. But, for sure, Poly and Contemporary are the best shops and have the most merchandise in my opinion.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Wilderness Lodge has my favorite gift shop. It has a lot of themed merchandise. You can spend time touring the resort, checking out the geyser, and maybe stopping at Geyser Point Bar and Grill for a drink.

From there you can take the boat to MK and jump on the monorail for those resorts. Contemporary has some good gift shops, too. Art of Animation has a cute gift shop with plenty of things that kids love.

 

[DL1WDW2]

If you have children… I would probably choose the Contemporary … because the gift shops are an Experience with a monorail and arcade …
Be sure to check out their activities guide or sneak over tothe BLT for their DVC community center . They always have unique crafts on display to choose from. Some are really but others pay for supplies.
The ultimate would be making a tie dye shirt or pillowcase while at POP Century .
I think different schedules per resort on calendars. It’s fascinating to see the way they organize this messy idea to no problem wrapped so tightly in plastic to packin suitcase ! Apparently the longer you keep it wrapped in plastic, the better the color lasts for wearing.
Also would be very tempted to visit the Riviera Gift Shop .
The Grand Floridian is a good choice too.
Polynesian too .
Walking the entire length of Disney Springs is amazing too for your day.
Hope your weather & trip is fun !
Let us know what you discover for your chosen day .
Sounds like fun

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Zawadi at AKL is absolutely the most unique and interesting store for us - but that's clearly not on the OPs list. Next would be Poly.

 

[DisneyHardin]

The Boutiki and The Poly and Bay View Gifts at the Contemporary are my favorite resort shops.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

My favorites in order

1. BouTiki (Polynesian)
2. Meadow Trading Post (Ft. Wilderness)
3. Mercantile (Wilderness Lodge)
4. Zawadi (AKL - Jambo)