The best shops at Disney World

[PrincessDaisyDuck]

I think my absolute favorite shop is MouseGear at Epcot. Also at Epcot I love the Japan pavilion shop, it's humongous and I always find gifts for my brother who loves anime.

At Magic Kingdom I like Merchant of Venus because it has Stitch merchandise which my DS loves. I also like looking at the kitchen stuff at Yankee Trader in Liberty Square and Sir Mickey's always seems to have a good t-shirt selection.

For Animal Kingdom I like Chester & Hester's although I've never actually bought anything there, I just think it's neat looking.

At Downtown Disney my favorite is definitely Goofy's Candy Co.!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I love MouseGears at Epcot! But I don't think there is anything unique there in comparison to The World of Disney in DTD.

I dunno if it's still true, but there used to be a section of retro Epcot merch at MouseGears...It's been years since I've been in there though.

 

[Dreams0308]

Are most of the shops at Disney carrying pretty much the exact same items and such? Is there anything special and unique in some stores that you can't just get any where else? We will be going to the MK, EP and AK. Also will be doing Downtown Disney as well. Just wanting to know which are the best shops to hit up.

Are there any of the shops in some of the resorts better than others? I mean, I would guess the only place I would be able to find a Yacht Club t-shirt would be at the Yacht Club gift shop, right?

I LOVE shopping at WDW and I always like finding items that don't necessarily have characters all over them. I'm more of a fan of things that reference theme park exclusives (like a specific ride or hotel)

Magic Kingdom:
The MK in my opinion doesn't really have the best selection of "unique" merchandise. Most of the item that you can get in the MK you can get at other generic shops or at DTD

EPCOT:
EPCOT has lots of unique items because of World Showcase. My favorites are -
China - House of Good Fortune - I like exploring in this shop because it's so big and they also have some cheaper jewelry options. They also have some dishes type items (we got little sauce dishes there for when we have Chinese food)

Germany (I have a hard time with the store names there) - I really am obsessed with Christmas so I LOVE visiting the Christmas store. They have all sorts of ornaments FROM Germany that you can't find at the other Christmas stores on property. I got some of the most beautiful bird ornaments with feathers there.

Also in Germany in one of the other stores is an area where you can buy Clocks! We had one in our house when I was growing up and I always assumed my parents just got it somewhere around where we lived until one day I asked and they told me it was from EPCOT! (inconspicuous Disney souvenir)

Japan - Mitsukoshi - I like this store because there's also TONS to look at. You can do the pick a pearl here which is always fun. Also, they have lots of dishes and tea items. Lots of plates and bowls that are all reasonably priced.

ImageWorks - I like this store, and I consider it "unique" because Figment is a parks character. Tons of Figment merchandise here!

Animal Kingdom:
Africa - Mombasa Marketplace - They sell wire sculpted animals here, wooden giraffes, and other cool African items. Outside this shop there is a wood carver that carves items right in front of you. We picked up a really nice carving of an eagle.

Downtown Disney:
Basin - Grab some really good smelling soaps and some even have the mickey icons inside of them (CUTE!)

Tren-D - I love this store for all of it's funky and girly items. They def have items that somewhat scream DISNEY with all the mickey silhouettes and such, but I still love it. It's more of a fashionista's Disney clothes store.

Resorts:
Go explore some of the resorts. A lot of them are coming back with resort specific merchandise which is AWESOME Last time, we found some Grand Floridian T's on sale while we were meandering through the lobby. We weren't staying there, but we like the resort and that def an exclusive Disney type thing. I think they were in the downstairs shop that has all kinds of designer overpriced clothes, but also had some cute GF shirts.

The contemporary has a lot of MONORAIL merchandise which is always something I HAVE TO BUY! I just love it. We also spotted over Thanksgiving people sporting the Turkey Leg sweatshirts! I got one and I'm sooooo wearing it this Thanksgiving at home (and my family will think I'm weird but that's ok)

WOW this became a long reply. I guess when I'm shopping at WDW I try to look for the cool things that remind me of the experience, and not necessarily the standard mickey item that says the year I went.

 

[si-am]

Sadly, most of the stores sell the same merchandise these days, so of you've seen one, you've seen 'me all. Some exceptions would be the World Showcase shops, of course.

Mouse Gears has retro Epcot stuff and a few unique souvenirs. The store in Africa at AK also has a lot of interesting offerings.

I haven't seen any unique stores in Hollywood Studios or MK in years.

 

[tryplm]

Villains in Vogue, Once Upon A Christmas, and HM cart.

I also love Mouse Gears and Uptown Jewelers when I'm looking for a new Disney Dooney.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Does the Christmas shop at HS sell the same merchandise as the one in Liberty Square at MK?

 

[debelfish]

Big Top Souvenirs in Storybook Circus is my new favorite shop. Love the dumbo themed merchandise and they have a treat shop inside as well.

 

[Micca]

Does the Christmas shop at HS sell the same merchandise as the one in Liberty Square at MK?

The HS shop is tiny, there's a lot more stuff at Liberty Square. If you're looking for Christmas stuff, the shop at DTD is a must see.

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

I love Mouse Gear and World of Disney. I also really enjoy all of the stores in the world showcase (especially the one in Japan).

 

[glvsav37]

They could make Art of Disney @DTD a ticketed entry and I would gladly pay and stay the day there.

 

[MinnieTink]

I love shopping in Japan and Morrocco in Epcot

Also love the Emporium for WDW gear.

 

[sephorachick]

I love:

Mouse Gear
Japan gift shop
Emporium
WOD
Art of Disney