Help with Souvenirs

[Kell-Bell]

I need some help please!!!

OK let me explain first. I'll be having my birthday while I'm in the world, and have been giving some money to take with me and would like to buy something really 'special'. But because I've never been before I was wondering if you could give me a 'heads up' of what there is on offer. I just really don't want to buy something on the first day and then go to one of the other parks and see something better!!! I'll have about $150 to spend, and I'll have to get it back to England in one piece so nothing huge!!

I was just wondering what kind of special souvenirs you have all bought back, so that I can get a rough idea of what I can get.

Thanks

Kell-bell

 

[ASFCurly]

it really just depends on what you are looking for, jewelry, snowglobes, clothes, things for the house...

 

[jx3smom]

The World of Disney in Downtown Disney has a huge selection. You might want to look in there. Some of my really special keepsakes are snowglobes and a few pieces of jewelry. They have really nice watches. DH got one for about $95.00 last time we were there. You can also have the store ship your purchase to your home if you don't want to carry it in your luggage.

 

[scrump]

Hi Kell Bell,

wow, there really is so much out there... You should get something that isn't available online or in the Disney Stores, unless of course, you truly love the item and would like to commemorate your trip with it.

though I've never done it, there's a nice watch shop where you can choose your favorite character for the face of your watch. I think you can even choose between colorized or sketch style, which is very unique. I've read posts where people have asked for very obscure Disney characters, and have been able to make them into watches. I've never seen this offered at any of the US Disney Stores, so it really will be a unique item for purchase.

Other than that, there is a Villain Store at MGM, and I always like going there. Recent posts I've read have indicated that the selection is not all that great anymore.

I don't know what you could get for $150 but a lot of the Disney Gallery items are very nice, and not always available elsewhere.

That's so great that you'll be able to spend your birthday at wdw! Happy B-Day in advance!

 

[Kell-Bell]

I'm not sure!! I won't want anything for the house cause I don't own one!! (I live with my parents!)

I honestly don't know! I was mostly wondering the kind of one-off special things you have all bought!
Is/was there something that you would have liked or did buy?

 

[Baloo]

What I saw when I was there 2 weeks ago, that I really liked ,but didn't purchase this trip,was an awesome snowglobe of Epcot in MouseGears in Epcot.It has icons from all the WS countries with SE inside the globe...I can't remember if it was a music box or not though.I think it sold for about $40.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Picture frames from any of the Disney stores are a great way to keep your memories! I see different ones offered at Downtown Disney/parks all of the time. My favorite (which I actually bought this past weekend off of the Disney Wonder...I *think* it's available at Downtown Disney) is this huge black frame with Mickey Mouse heads etched into the corners...has a bunch of different areas to put pictures, and Mickey exclaiming at different ones

 

[2MuchOhana]

Are you staying onsite? Trading pins are in most cases quite inexpensive. They have them for the various different resorts, as well as, Characters. They are highly collectible and fairly inexpensive. It is a nice little keepsake of your trip. Another good idea is a picture fram or small photo album to put you favorite picture(s) in.

There are so many wonderful things to choose from! You won't have any problems finding something you like. Take a notebook with you and keep track of all the things you see along with thier prices. If it is a "MUST" have get it right away when you see it. Otherwise, leave enough time towards the end of your trip to go back and get them.

 

[Kell-Bell]

Thanks for the replies.

I like Soltwisch Family's idea of taking a notebook to write down what and where I saw things. Very handy seeing as I have a memory like a sieve!!

I did think about a snowglobe I have a few already, but was worried about the weight of it and it being so fragil, but if they can ship it home for me thats great!

I have a really nice Eeyore watch already!! But thanks Scrump, I may have to go and see this watch shop.

I like the sound of that photo frame Stepharoonie! May have to hunt that out!!

Again thanks for all your responses. Its given me an idea of whats out there!!

Kell-Bell

 

[Mickey4Me]

If you like jewelry, what about a gold charm? I have a charm necklace which has charms on it from various places we've been. A couple of years ago, I found the cutest 14k charms in a jewelry store at the Comtempory. There was one of Mickey's pants, one of his glove, shoe etc. I have not seen them anywhere else and they are really unique. Other gift shops also had some nice Disney charms as well (TinkerBelle, the castle, etc). I love my necklace because it reminds me of the wonderful places we've visited and everytime I wear it I get a lot of comments about it.
Whatever you decide, I hope you have a magical time!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I went back to Downtown Disney last night, and they have some gorgeous picture frames in stock right now. One of my favorites is a 3 tier frame that "moves" into different positions; it has Mickey heads all around it. I saw it in Disney at Home for $20.

Also, you may want to pick up some nice Christmas ornaments from Disney's Days of Christmas as a nice gift to take home...they have TONS of different characters to choose from....and where else can you get a Pilgram Mickey Mouse antenna topper?!

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

I have two recommendations, one, get yourself a cute Guest Of Honor Badge, they are only around $5 and it's a perfect little souvenier!! Also, first thing, get yourself a birthday button, and wear the GOH badge with it, people will wish you a happy bday by name. I can't help you on the higher priced souvenier, but I had to throw that in!!! And HAPPY EARLY BDAY!!! I celebrated mine last November in the World!!!

Jules

 

[awatt]

I love the snowglobes. We had ours shipped home to us so we didn't have to worry about getting it home on the plane.

 

[dzneelvr]

To make it extra special, get something that you could only get on site. Over the years I've purchased unique t shirts, sweatshirts, a limited number edition watch--all of which can't be found in any other catalog, website, etc.

I usually find them poking around in the boutiques in MGM.

Another keeper each year for us is to get some item from our resort. Those are the gifts that only fellow resorters will ever have, such as logo'd bathrobes, picture frames or hats.

We'll be back in the Parks in June and doing the same thing you are--finding those memory items that keep the Magic alive until the next trip!!

 

[PattiPB]

As you are shopping throughout the week, keep notepaper in your backpack and jot down any items you really like---I mean description, price, store you saw it in, and SKU number.

If you can't get back to purchase your favorite thing by the end of the week, you can call WDW merchandising and they will locate and ship the item for you (the more info the better!). That way you won't have to worry about it being broken, also. I used WDW Merchandising for a gift, and they were WONDERFUL!

Ideas from me would be an everyday thing (meaning something you could enjoy every day instead of wearing only in warm weather, or taking out once a year). A watch was a great idea, piece of artwork for your wall or a snowglobe. I have a mouseears pendant DH bought me at the Contemporary last year, and my dining room table centerpiece is the large Villains snowglobe from 1999!

Patti

 

[InstImpres]

About halfway down Main Street on the right, there is a small table near the back of the store (it's near the watch shop & engraver). There is an amazing man who hand draws character pictures. There is a book over 200-300 to choose from and he seems to take speacial requests as well. You can than get the print framed or unframed. I believe it was about $60 for one character and $100? for two (ie Mickey and Minnie in one pic).

They were so wonderful my DD8 has put it top on her holiday gift list!

You may also want to consider splitting the money between soevenier and a backstage tour. They are fabulous (and will give you a souvenier pin to remember it)

Enjoy
Sandy

 

[Kell-Bell]

Thanks everyone your replies have been a great help. I just can't wait to get there and start shopping!! Definatley taking a notebook with me!
Thanks CdnDisneyFan I'll be getting a badge/pin!

I have thought about getting a snowglobe, but my mother keeps stealing them!! I have had a couple bought for me (boyfriend bought me a lovely winnie the pooh valentines day one!!) but my mum has 'borrowed' it and put it in her display case!!!
SO if I do get myself one I run the risk of losing it!!

I like InstImpres's suggestions. Thanks! Didn't think about a backstage tour.

Again thanks for all your help.

Kell-bell

 

[billygoat]

i am a collector of tea pots i found a beautiful tea pot at downtown disney in 2000 its of winnie the pooh bluster day theme.