DD (4) bought a little suitcase filled with tiny princess figurines (they are about 3 inches tall each). They go with us EVERYWHERE - they are great for restaurants - small enough to play with at the table while she waits for her meal.
Another favorite are the magnets that look like tiny plush toys of the Disney characters. The magnets are in the hands and feet of the animals and you can connect them together in all sorts of fun ways. They are continually climbing the sides of the fridge. The whole family plays with these and they make great inexpensive items to buy for friends and family at home.
This time, I want to pick up the potato head toys. They sound great I have seen the light chasers every time we have gone and I have always thought .. "What a waste of money" But now that I have read how many people bought them and how much their children have used them - maybe I'll break down this trip and finally buy one
ooh .. and I agree with whoever posted before about the home movies. DD (16) STILL watches home movies of past trips to WDW and DL - especially the ones we took when she was 4-6 years old!
Little Brother who is 8yrs old loves his Potato Head from EPCOT and my goddaughters love their light up Minnie Ears (pink plastic with puffy stuff around the minnie heads).
I loved my Mickey Hat light up thingy for my cell phone until after a few trips it got lost somewhere between the monorail and the turnstiles at MK.... So sad...