Buying Souvenirs at Disney Store vs. in WDW

[tbrenk]

We are trying to save money for our upcoming trip. I was wondering if people can tell if you bought a souvenir at a local Disney Store rather than in a store at WDW. I would be buying fo rmy niece and nephew.

 

[tearawayface]

Maybe you should checkout the Character Warehouse, it is a Disney outlet store at the Premium Outlets near I-4, prices are pretty good.

 

[mmessler]

I have bought a few tshirts for myself on sale with Mickey Mouse or POTC on them.

I don't have kids, but if I did, I would no doubt take advantage of sales there to pick up a few toys to keep them busy, and hopefully keep them from wanting everything while we were touring the parks.

Above poster mentioned the Character Warehouse, there's also a bargain store in DTD that you could probably find some good items for the smaller kids traveling with you. All sorts of little trinkets and grab bag type things.

 

[momsoftwins]

i have done this very same thing. i buy onething for each night we are there. so everynight my girls get one thing out of the "surprise bag" i can get the same thing from my disney store and if i am lucky i cam get if for a fraction of the cost. this way i will not hear all day i want this i want that. i just remind them about the bag and they are slient.

 

[Kies99]

We've been doing this for the better part of a year.

We are taking our two daughters for the first time in about 4 weeks. We've been planning the trip for close to two years. We've been hitting the Disney Store frequently and picking up stuff on clearance that we've held in closet. They'll each have a little bit of Disney Dollars to spend when down there, but each day we'll put out something different for them as a souvenier. We don't care if people "know it's from Disney World" or not, as the kids won't care.

We even made sure to pick up some of those light-up spinner things as well as we got them for $4 and won't have to spend $15 and up at the parks.

 

[disneyfan2]

we also went to the Walmart near by, and purchased some tshirts, frames etc that were alot cheaper especially if like me, you have many to buy for

 

[tbrenk]

We've been doing this for the better part of a year.

We are taking our two daughters for the first time in about 4 weeks. We've been planning the trip for close to two years. We've been hitting the Disney Store frequently and picking up stuff on clearance that we've held in closet. They'll each have a little bit of Disney Dollars to spend when down there, but each day we'll put out something different for them as a souvenier. We don't care if people "know it's from Disney World" or not, as the kids won't care.

We even made sure to pick up some of those light-up spinner things as well as we got them for $4 and won't have to spend $15 and up at the parks.

I know the kids won't care, I just dont' want to look cheap since I am buying for someone else. My son wouldn't know or care.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

We are trying to save money for our upcoming trip. I was wondering if people can tell if you bought a souvenir at a local Disney Store rather than in a store at WDW. I would be buying fo rmy niece and nephew.

I have been told that items sold at the parks are not the same items sold in Disney stores and vice versa.

 

[LMCT88]

Hi all, just wanted to add that the things bought in the store say the disney store on them, or have the logo. (I work in one so I know this), however if you buy like the magic face cloths and some other things they don't have the disney store or logo on them, hope that helps.

 

[Dopey420]

We are trying to save money for our upcoming trip. I was wondering if people can tell if you bought a souvenir at a local Disney Store rather than in a store at WDW. I would be buying fo rmy niece and nephew.

I found Disney light up toys like they sell at night at big Lots yesterday. They had light up fans and light up pens with characters on them. They may have had more but I saw these as I was checking out.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

The merch at the Disney Stores are different from at WDW. I can't say that the WDW stuff is better, just different. It is true that the store merch says "Disney Store" on it and the WDW stuff says WDW. I guess it depends how detail oriented your family is! I'm sure the kids won't notice, but you never know abt the parents. You CAN get cute things at WDW for a decent price. The little movie character playsets are adorable and only $12 a piece. We got my DD3 the Sleeping Beauty set. It came with little plastic figurines of Aurora, the Prince, Malificent, the fairies and the spinning wheel. They had sets for just abt every Disney movie you can imagine. I wish I had picked up a couple more for Easter/bday gifts. ANd the smaller stuffed plush toys are not too bad. I think abt $9-$12 each. The Minnie Mouse plush toys dressed as the princesses that they have now are adorable! They also have Mickeys dressed as different characters (jedi, Jack SParrow, etc.). I think I would go with the WDW merch in case the parents are nitpicky, but get each kid a smaller gift to save on $$. HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

 

[stitchlovestink]

How about checking out Mickey Mart at DTD? Everything's $10 or less and it's all authentic WDW merch.
Sometimes we've found some great deals there. It might be worth checking out before buying something in the parks. Also, if you want a really cute WDW souvie and can afford $20, the my little pony or potato head fill a box w/ as many pieces as you can are really neat. And they have lots of pieces that are exclusive to WDW. The best selection is at Once Upon a Toy at DTD. They are $18 + tax. Good luck w/ you decision.

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

My personal opinion,
The Disney Store is cheaper, but WDW holds more magic

 

[snickerboo]

Maybe you should checkout the Character Warehouse, it is a Disney outlet store at the Premium Outlets near I-4, prices are pretty good.

This is the place to get your Disney souvenirs! It's clearance merchandise from the parks and my, oh my, are there soem deals there. (Beware that the one at Orlando premium outlets is not the same as this one.)There's also a big new Walmart near WDW that has tons of Disney gear in it (much, much cheaper than at the parks). Pretty much everywhere down there has Disney stuff. To buy fromt he Disney store, the tag will say "The Disney Store" whereas the Premium Outlet near I-4 has "Walt Disney World" tags and you get the same bags as they use at WDW.

 

[tbrenk]

The merch at the Disney Stores are different from at WDW. I can't say that the WDW stuff is better, just different. It is true that the store merch says "Disney Store" on it and the WDW stuff says WDW. I guess it depends how detail oriented your family is! I'm sure the kids won't notice, but you never know abt the parents. You CAN get cute things at WDW for a decent price. The little movie character playsets are adorable and only $12 a piece. We got my DD3 the Sleeping Beauty set. It came with little plastic figurines of Aurora, the Prince, Malificent, the fairies and the spinning wheel. They had sets for just abt every Disney movie you can imagine. I wish I had picked up a couple more for Easter/bday gifts. ANd the smaller stuffed plush toys are not too bad. I think abt $9-$12 each. The Minnie Mouse plush toys dressed as the princesses that they have now are adorable! They also have Mickeys dressed as different characters (jedi, Jack SParrow, etc.). I think I would go with the WDW merch in case the parents are nitpicky, but get each kid a smaller gift to save on $$. HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

I know the kids won't notice, but I dont' want to look cheap 9 even though I am). We are going to DTD on Easter Sunday afternoon for a few hours, so I will chck out the Mickey Mart. Thanks!