Best souvenirs from US/IOA? Sending purchases to the front of the parks?

[PHamrick]

We are doing one day at US/IOA before a Disney cruise. I don't want to shortchange my kids on getting souvenirs, but I'm also wondering how much extra packing space I'll need. My daughter for sure wants something from the Magical Menagerie (a unicorn maybe?)

I'd love to hear about some can't miss souvenirs (I'm a sucker for Christmas ornaments) and/or pictures of how big they are.

Also, how does sending purchases to the front of the park work? We will be doing EE and I don't want to carry around HP souvenirs all day. But if there have been problems with it, I'd rather not do it.

Thanks!!!

 

[bchbetha]

An interactive wand would be great! Fun to play with in the park and small to carry.

We stayed on site so I don't how the purchase sending works.

 

[damo]

Yes, you can send stuff to the front of the park.

 

[PHamrick]

Yes, you can send stuff to the front of the park.

Thanks! How does it work? Have you ever done and/or had problems with it?

 

[schumigirl]

When you buy your merchandise you fill out your details,.........they then send it to the front of the parks and you need to give them 3-4 hours at least before you can pick them up. You will have to show your receipt the TM gives you to pick up.

The stores that are adjacent to park exit turnstiles are where you get your purchases.

We have never used this service as we always stay onsite and have anything we buy sent directly to our room........this has always been excellent, no issues and nothing has ever been damaged.

 

[PHamrick]

When you buy your merchandise you fill out your details,.........they then send it to the front of the parks and you need to give them 3-4 hours at least before you can pick them up. You will have to show your receipt the TM gives you to pick up.

The stores that are adjacent to park exit turnstiles are where you get your purchases.

We have never used this service as we always stay onsite and have anything we buy sent directly to our room........this has always been excellent, no issues and nothing has ever been damaged.

Thanks for the report! I wish we could send our stuff directly to the room, but we are leaving the next day. According to the site, you can only send the merchandise back if you are staying at least one more day after you go to the parks. Oh well!

 

[Kivara]

I've sent things to the front of the park many times (especially if we're shopping on our last day and can't wait for it to be sent to the hotel room.)

It's just as they say...let the cashier know you want it sent to the front, they fill out a card, and hang on to that receipt. In a few hours, you can pick everything up from the store at the front of the park with the receipt. It will take a few extra minutes at both stores, but it is a lot easier than carrying things all day.

Never had a bad experience with the service!

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks for the report! I wish we could send our stuff directly to the room, but we are leaving the next day. According to the site, you can only send the merchandise back if you are staying at least one more day after you go to the parks. Oh well!

Yes, they can't guarantee it will arrive before you check out........although all our packages have normally been delivered before 9am the next day, but I understand why they don't let you do it if you check out next day.......just in case you've already gone when they try and deliver if they are a bit later.

 

[phillymummer]

My favorite souvenirs are the plastic mug you get butterbeer in (we now have three) and a glass candy jar that says Honeydukes on it (we now have two of those). I love them because they are functional. We drink out of the butterbeer mug on a regular basis and use the candy jars as banks to put towards our next trip!

 

[Kivara]

Phillymummer, I love the idea of using the Honeydukes jar as a piggy bank! I wish they sold a quality plastic one though...my glass one broke a couple of months after buying it

I get a new ornament every year. I love getting fridge magnets at the different areas of the park too (bonus, the magnets are only a few buck each!)

We also love our reusable Butterbeer and Hog's Head mugs!

 

[SA mom]

Several years ago, my daughters picked out those art pieces that has their name on it, but the first initial is painted like a character. Do they have anything like that at Universal. Legoland had them them, too.