Must buy items at the parks

[Atrain13]

What are some good, fun items that are must haves at the parks? My daughter is 2.5 and I know Mickey ears are a must, but what else? it can be food or items, but just something you hate to miss out on that screams DISNEY.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Have fun with your purchases, but truly beware that most souvenirs are junk made in China that falls apart in three months.
Not trying to put a downer on your fun time, but rather a friendly warning about much (not all) of the merchandise.

MG

 

[Robo]

What are some good, fun items that are must haves at the parks? My daughter is 2.5 and I know Mickey ears are a must, but what else? it can be food or items, but just something you hate to miss out on that screams DISNEY.

Frozen Mickey Bar




Dole Whip

 

[nursejackie]

We always buy a mug and a photo frame to add a picture from that trip. A nice reminder every day of another great trip with our cup of tea.

 

[kay1864]

The silhouette booth just off of Main Street (there's another near the entrance to Liberty Square) make a nice keepsake, and were only $8 last time we did one. Also, you get two for the price of one. You can also get them framed, for about $20 total.

If you're staying onsite (or on Hotel Plaza Blvd) they'll deliver them to your hotel for free.

 

[Klayfish]

Have fun with your purchases, but truly beware that most souvenirs are junk made in China that falls apart in three months.
Not trying to put a downer on your fun time, but rather a friendly warning about much (not all) of the merchandise.

MG

I don't know if it's made in China or not, but I don't agree it's junk and falls apart in three months. We have the opposite experience. Most of the stuff our kids have bought over the past years has lasted just fine...trust me, their rooms are still full of the stuff. And the things that did break were due to hard use by young children.

As for musts, the top of my list is either Memory Maker if you're there long enough to make it worthwhile, or at least buying a few photos. Those are priceless to me. For physical things...Frozen Mickey Bar, it your child likes balloons get a Mickey balloon (I'm saying that but have yet to get one myself, but next trip I will), maybe one pin of your childs' choice, a treat from Goofy's Candy Shop on Main St in MK

 

[Mome Rath]

If you are into Christmas, then picking out at least one ornament when you are there to commemorate your trip, you can also have some ornaments customized. Disney pins are also a neat and small memento, maybe get a lanyard of a favorite character and a pin. Make sure to get pictures in front of the castle. And, I also recommend the silhouettes; make sure to look at the examples and see what you want done.

 

[Canooknic]

I love the silhouettes of my boys from our 1st trip!!! They are fantastic.
We didn't get them done on our last trip because it was less than a year later but we'll get them this time so we can see how different they are now

 

[Xennia]

The chocolate marshmallow on a Mickey straw. I love them. Plus you a straw.
The popcorn bucket then you can use it as a crayon holder or small toy holder or planter. Umbrellas with her name on it. China in Epcot and magic kingdom. Autograph book. Pressed pennies book.

 

[Dismama2boys]

Definitely silhouettes for us. We're not huge snackers, and I have a house full of junky kids toys. My kids also are still young enough to enjoy Disney shirts, but we usually pick them up locally so they are washed and ready to wear when we get to the parks. Other than the silhouettes, we get a Christmas ornament to remember the trip.

 

[thingwithwings]

I'm one of those nerds who always tries to get a pin that's related to whatever seems to have been a big thing on the trip (e.g., a Rapunzel when my BFF and I hit Disneyland and saw Rapunzel there together, Mickey and Minnie kissing when DH and I went to WDW on our honeymoon). They're silly little things, but they have nostalgic value for us.

I'll also second the silhouette from a parental standpoint, the Mickey bar and balloon from a temporary standpoint, and embroidered Mickey ears as a lasting souvenir.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I have to disagree on the balloons, they are hard to deal with in the parks, on transportation, and in restaurants. We do a lot of pressed pennies, ears, and something which goes on a shelf (statue, figurine, picture frame)

 

[Tomh]

Hmm, hard question. Not really in the parks, but every trip I absolutely have to buy sugar free chocolate covered peanuts at Disney Springs. A frankfurter at the Germany pavilion is high on my list. DD and DS have to get Churros from Mexico. Oh, yeah, and there is a pretty good chance that I am going to buy a years supply of tea from the Twinings Tea Shop in the UK every trip lol. We also have to have a new T shirt every year.

 

[Lynzer4]

Christmas ornaments are what I make sure I get every time. I actually have them lined up on my dresser (LOL). I always get the one with the year on it (or have them add the year). I also always get the year dated picture frame.

I started also getting a Pandora bead or Alex and Ani bracelet. Their are park exclusive items that you can only get a Disney Park. Every time I am at the parks, I add to my collection. Its something to remember the trip by and something I will actually use (wear) over and over.

Another really cool keepsake is the umbrella that you can get decorated. They can put mickey heads, princesses, butterflies etc with the child's name and year. There is a stand (cart) at MK in Liberty Square across from the Christmas Store or in Epcot in France (I think).

 

[2pinwheels]

Christmas ornaments.

A hat/cap.

These silhouettes sound great. Thanks for that tip.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

The haunted mansion ghost portraits of yourself. France in world showcase has small paintings of famous French landmarks. A Duffy bear and outfits for him.

 

[busymommy2pink]

Epcot passports signed in each country (alternately, we've had characters also sign their country).

At least one Christmas ornament.

My daughter started a charm bracelet st 3.5 and now at 10.5 still gets one every trip.

Baby Disney character stuffies, wrapped in blankets.

And we have also had zero issues with stuff falling apart minus the pack of three toy buses. My kids aren't Easy on things either. We always are shocked by how reasonably priced the things are for the quality.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Another really cool keepsake is the umbrella that you can get decorated. They can put mickey heads, princesses, butterflies etc with the child's name and year. There is a stand (cart) at MK in Liberty Square across from the Christmas Store or in Epcot in France (I think).

View attachment 204957

I was surprised at how relatively well-priced the parasols were. Daughter loved it! I still need to hang it somehow in her room so we can see it better.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Autograph book or something similar. My daughter loves to sit and read her autograph book and look at the pictures with the characters. I think we have 4 or 5 filled books from several trips. (I think the photos are just as important as the autographs, so I'll also throw in my support for Memory Maker. That's my favorite souvenir each trip!)

 

[wench]

Everything!