What Souvenirs Are Worth The Money At A Disney Park? article on the DIS

[tlmadden73]

My answer is different now that I have a child.

My answer:
Whatever he wants ...

Kidding ... he is too young to know the concept of money .. but getting old enough to be in the "I want" stage .. this next trip could be ... interesting. *gulp*

Honestly I find the toys to be a decent price (not overpriced) ... we bought a flashlight TickTock croc and it wasn't any more expensive then you'd find online.

 

[rlthomas7]

Kidding ... he is too young to know the concept of money .. but getting old enough to be in the "I want" stage .. this next trip could be ... interesting. *gulp*

The best advice I got before our first trip with our son, who was four at the time, was to have him save his money for awhile (we made it easy to earn...) and then once we were at the parks, to tell him that we would buy ears and one stuffed animal the first day. Anything beyond that, we had him tell us to add it to the list. We made a list of each item, price and location. On our last night, we sat down with his money and his list and figured out what he REALLY wanted. It worked perfectly and we'll do it for this upcoming trip too. He's obsessed with toys and has always a bad case of the "I wants" so this method really helped.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

The best advice I got before our first trip with our son, who was four at the time, was to have him save his money for awhile (we made it easy to earn...) and then once we were at the parks, to tell him that we would buy ears and one stuffed animal the first day. Anything beyond that, we had him tell us to add it to the list. We made a list of each item, price and location. On our last night, we sat down with his money and his list and figured out what he REALLY wanted. It worked perfectly and we'll do it for this upcoming trip too. He's obsessed with toys and has always a bad case of the "I wants" so this method really helped.

I need to do this for myself. DH did not have fun trying to strategically fit all of my souvenirs into our bags. I'm going to give this a shot!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Several years ago, I bought a big plastic push-button that said (in Mickey's voice) "Oh, Boy!" Every now and then, one of us randomly goes over and pushes the button-it always brings a smile to our face. Hope it never breaks-I can't find those buttons in the parks any more-I remember there used to be one with a picture of Scar that said "I'm surrounded by idiots!"

 

[JimmyBean42]

We get a Dated photo album every year, that way we actually print out all those digital pics we take and then before each trip we can look back at pics of past trips. And you can throw some other things in the books as well (I have unused FP tickets, park maps, etc.).

We do get Christmas ornaments as well.

 

[LokiHoodoo]

We LOVE our castle mug( I swear hot chocolate is a bit sweeter in this mug) and we usually get a pin and a piece of art from the resort we stay at. The Art is a painting of the resort. We have one from POR and CSR. Next trip will be at the Poly most likely. We also keep the ink pens from the room and swizzle sticks. I even have a shot glass from Epcot, the F&W festival was happening. We never used it for a drink, but it's part of our collection.

 

[ariane37]

We've done the Christmas ornaments for years. The kids each pick one out every trip, and DH and I get one every trip with our names and the year on it. We get lots of other stuff too but now my favorite is my Larry Dotson art. I have 2 castle pictures framed in the living room, one is at night with the Christlmas lights on it and one is daytime without; in both, Mickey and Walt are holding hands in the doorway. Then last Aug. I was searching for a picture of the HM with the hitchhiking ghosts in front, but I could only find a 5x7 and wanted bigger. One day DH and older DS went to DTD while younger DS and I swam; they came back with a nice big print signed by Larry and inscribed to our family Hoping to get a new print each trip. I'd like one of the Boardwalk next since that's our favorite resort.

 

[Dizlvr]

Resort art prints and jewelry/watches.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We have a pool, so we have many Disney beach towels. Our family and guests love them, and they have lasted many years, still look like new.

The rest of my list is pretty standard, as we look for utility in souvies: mugs (drink my morning coffee in a WDW mug every day), tee shirts and sweat shirts are our other most common purchases. We rarely buy toys now that our children are teens.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Several years ago, I bought a big plastic push-button that said (in Mickey's voice) "Oh, Boy!" Every now and then, one of us randomly goes over and pushes the button-it always brings a smile to our face. Hope it never breaks-I can't find those buttons in the parks any more-I remember there used to be one with a picture of Scar that said "I'm surrounded by idiots!"

Hahahahahaha, there are two types of people in this world. . .I have the Scar button. He does indeed say "I'm surrounded by idiots" Its in my office at work. Where it gets used every now and again.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

No one was more excited about Disney teaming up with Pandora more than me. I get a bead with each visit now.

 

[ariane37]

I like the beach towels. We have a pool, also so might have to start buying them, too!

 

[danny1649]

Fellow Dis members I do not want to come across as mean spirited.I have let this thread continue even though I think it would be better fit for TP'S CB.Many have posted and are saying the basically the same things.If were about best priced,where to obtain, which park offers best selection.I do not want to over moderate and so many enjoy this topic,I will not move it.Hoping all understand my reasoning it's a thin line sometimes but I try to give you all the freedom of expression I can. Thanks Danny

 

[4under4]

We also have a pool and a large collection of towels. They really do hold up so well!

A Christmas ornament (or 2 or 3 or ) come home each trip.

We have over the years, out of necessity, bought a number of hats. I got a great safari hat at the store in the poly after losing mine on primeval whirl earlier in the day... dd got hers in ak after leaving the resort without one one by mistake on a very very hot day, and dh9 left his regular hat in the frozen sing along last year and even though we went back, it was gone... so a new bucket hat from wilderness lodge it was. They are all really great quality and since they are wdw, the kids (and I) are extra careful not to lose them

And the kids get to pick out one "whatever" souvenir on the last day in dtd.
As others have said, making them think about it for the duration usually results in a very good choice.

 

[britterbell]

I love my Minnie ears and my pin collection! Every trip I be sure to get one of the year/season specific pins!

 

[Chrelaine]

I bought a Mickey head silver trivet. I love it and smile every time I have to set something hot on it

 

[ttintagel]

I love the glass mugs from the Liberty Tree Tavern. Sturdy as heck. I've used them almost every day for years, and the logos haven't worn off at all.

Mind you, I do love my classic embroidered Mickey ears. But I don't keep them out on display because the felt attracts dust.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Truly, we used to love the WDW stuff much more in the past, when each place had more unique stuff. Part of the fun, was going the one special place that had that item.

Two favorites are plants.

One is a plumeria. Used to be sold year round in the Land. Now I think just during Garden Fest.

Silly thing is...I've had it about 10 years, and it only bloomed ONCE. It finally bloomed last year! I didn't even know what color it was. It goes dormant in winter, then regrows every spring. Healthy again this year, just no blooms.

 

[margot31]

I get new mickey head for my christmas tree every time I go.

 

[DisneyHardin]

DH and I don't have any kids and we tend to buy a lot of stuff when we are at Disney. I think the "need" for lots of Disney things comes from when I was a kid and went to Disney with my super cheap mom who wouldn't let us buy anything at Disney and made us get our "goodies" at the junky tourist shop out in Orlando.