Will I want to buy souvenirs?

[Smokering]

So, I'm generally not a knick-knacks or "stuff" person. I don't shop for fun and I don't like bringing clutter into the house; and when I do, it has to match my pretty specific decorating ideas (leather, glass, wood, copper, linen, "real" materials, no plastic, slightly steampunk, old-fashioned, yadda yadda).

Given all that I wasn't intending to budget for DL souvenirs - I don't really feel a burning desire to come home with a set of Mickey ears or a Wall-E themed pen or whatever. But a friend of the family went to WDW recently and aid she was really impressed with the quality of the souvenirs. She said they weren't junky at all, and mentioned things like Swiss cuckoo clocks and fancy glassware and so on.

So, what do you think? I'm not averse to buying something if it was the kind of thing I'd buy anyway. I suspect I could be tempted by a hat in the DL hat shop, f'rinstance, if it was a "real" hat and not a cheap costumey-looking one. That kind of thing.

This probably sounds horribly tactless - I'm not dissing people who love bright plastic items, they're just not my style. But I'm not sure what kind of souvenirs DL has, and I don't want to be taken aback by really cool gifts or homewares and nothing in the budget for them. If you're an anti-clutter person, did you find the gift shops horrified you or tempted you? What were your coolest souvenirs?

 

[Mom2Joce]

What a cute post!! I totally feel you on the clutter! In my early years I was always BUY BUY BUY...but now a days I can't stand the clutter and nick knacks.

HOWEVER, that said, they have something for EVERYONE and I ALWAYS find a little something!

My favorite stores are World of Disney and the one right inside and to the left in California Adventure! I literally set aside time where my mom (grandma) takes the kids and I get to walk through at my leisure! It's like HEAVEN!!

One year I got a pair of earrings, one year a necklace. A few years back they had these stands where you could make your own key chains with letters, character shapes, etc. I did this a few years in a row, they were so cute!

Back during the 50th Celebration I got the print of the castle...it's beautiful!

One year I got a nice notebook...OH and my favorite pens, I have 3 at home and I always get one when I go!

There are those who LOVE lanyards and pin trading. I am not obsessed with it but I get a special pin each year and add it to my collection/lanyard.

Down on main street there is a nice store that has the greatest luggage and bags and more sophisticated clothing.

Shirts and sweatshirts are ALWAYS hard to say no to...there are so many...something for everyone!

You are right in that there are household items galore...whimsical AND elegant...loud and subtle.

My favorite section by far...or maybe lately/this time in my life, is the handbag/purse/wallet section. I am currently using a wallet that I've had for two years now and I STILL get compliments despite its wear

You might want to set aside at least a little "just in case $" there are so many treasures...I'd love to hear how you do and if/what you came home with!! Keep us posted!!

 

[skiingfast]

What Mom2Joe said kind of says it all, There is a huge variety of items.

Myself, I let my DS make pressed pennies. They have the machines all over the parks. I just take a roll of quarters $10 and roll of pennies 50c and they usually cost 51c to make one. They don't break so I'm sure he'll have them for ten years.

Other than that I get books and puzzles because I know they'll get used over and over. Better than a plastic tow that will break by the end of the day.

I've bought some shirts too, but I always get them cheap online and then wear them there.

 

[Lesleyluvsdisney]

im kinda the same,

I have simple Disney cutlery, Mickey icon wine glasses, martini glasses, I also bought really nice red wine glasses with the Grand Californian Logo etched on. I got a large metal salad bowl with Mickey feet, with metal Mickey hands for the forks.

I also bought a large trad Mickey statue a few years back, and the black & white Walt Disney Heritage & Vision posters that I framed and are in my dining room.

I dont really like all the character, obvious stuff.

Oh and I got a really quirky 1955 Disneyland laptop bag in a shop in AdventureLand.

hope u have fun, I loved Disneyland! xx

 

[PrincessInOz]

I AM completely anti-clutter and am constantly de-cluttering the house.

BUT...disney souveniers are in a class of their own. There is everything from the tacky to the sublime. (And before I get shot for this last statement - remember that what one person considers tacky is considered sublime by someone else. I'm not saying that Disney souveniers are tacky - just that my taste is different.)

As a consequence, I always find that whatever budget I set for buying souveniers in Disney, I WILL exceed because there are so many sublime things there that I end up just getting them. There is such a huge variety of merchandise that you'll find something that you will just fall in love with and end up wanting to get.

 

[glendalais]

Disney Theme Park Merchandise offers a wide variety of souvenirs that range in style from Traditional (Ear Hats/Character Shirts) to Elegant (Fine Jewlery, Watches, Paintings) to Avant garde and Couture.

I would suggest that you check out some of DTPM's websites and see what is on offer. You can then decide whether or not you would be interested.

The online DisneyParks Store, operated in conjunction with DisneyStore.com, showcases a large variety of Theme Park Merchandise, particularly of the Traditional sort.

In addition, Art of Disney showcases some of the more elegant and trendy pieces that are available at the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The rest of the family buys sweatshirts, jackets, etc. I always pick up 1 collectable that fits in with the rest of the Disney themed rooms in the house.

Jack

 

[DisneyFairytale]

You know what it really depends. I used to always get excited and worry about spending money there. As it turns out, I rarely buy anything there anymore. I used to all the time but now I don't.
As you posted, there just isn't much that I really would actually want and you know what, if there is something that you do want, you can get online from the disney store! Not all items are on there, but a lot of the Disneyland sold ONLY items are on the site online. You can go ahead and see what's on the site and get an idea of some of the things you might see in the park.

Because of where you are located, it might not be worth ordering online because the shipping would be ridiculous, but know that it's not a lost cause, that once you do leave, you CAN get things through the mail.

Good luck!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I can not even begin to tell you (nor do I want to add up) how much money we have spent at Disneyana on Main Street on gorgeous artwork, very classy figurine collectibles, wood carved Disney pieces that are works of art, and other items that fall into the "handle with care" and "for display" categories.

And then there's the Crystal Shop.

Oh, and the artwork and collectibles in the Gallery.

And, and, and.....

There are some really truly classy "souvenirs" if you want to by some classy (and classic) Disney items.

And then, of course, there is always the $200+ Dooney Bourke handbag that has Disney all over it that I am still trying to figure out a way to justify buying. Soooooo cute - and practical - and classy. -sigh-

Yeah, there's things for you to buy at DLR. I'd plan on a souvenir budget.

- Dreams

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We don't purchase souveniers... is what I would tell you... however... I do buy 1 ornament each time we go, and let my daughter buy something... usually its a stuffed character of some sort. I also have a tink sweatshirt, and so does dd--thanks to the morning it rained, and we weren't prepared, and dh has a pirates tee, unless you look at his t closely, you don't realize its a disney t, it just looks like a guys graphic t. That said, everytime we go, I drool over the prints and crystal... and other pretty stuff that I am too cheap to spend $$ on, but love anyway!

 

[rentayenta]

I am also not a nick-nacky type of person but I always find great stuff to buy at Disney- coffee, treats for home, and plain frames. We also have 3 children and they love it all!

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

I am not big on clutter! But LOVE disney souviners! They have everything! I have bought great prints, ornaments, and even measuring cups! My kids usually get the shirts and toys, and again love them!! Oh and the sillouette shop! I could go on and on LOL..

 

[bumbershoot]

From one of the things you mentioned, you might be VERY interested in this.

That seems to talk mainly about pins.

And this isn't really helpful, b/c the only way to get something specific is to buy the *entire* lot (otherwise the items are in sealed unmarked boxes), but the urban #3 series of Vinylmation contains something you might find amusing.


There's the nicer art store in DCA...Off the Page, I believe is what it's called.


I would budget *some* amount for souvenirs, just in case you get caught up. Or, like I once did, in case you didn't bring (from the hotel) your jacket, and you don't want to go all the way back, so you end up buying a sweatshirt against the chill in the air that happens when night falls!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

I love this pin set:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/03/the-mechanical-kingdom/

I know how you feel though. I go to the parks so often, and one of my favorite things to do is walk around the stores. I rarely buy anything because frankly our space is small and it's very easy for money to slip away like sand through a sieve.

Even though I love to look, pictures are the best souvenirs, and I always try to remind myself of that!

 

[letitsnow]

I would personally recommend a silohuette. It's fun to see the end result And it says Disneyland on it..no funky colors..just black and white..

It's not too expensive either...around $20 with the frame and if prices haven't gone up it's like $10 for the silhoutte.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I love this pin set:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/03/the-mechanical-kingdom/

Ooohhhhh ~ I love it too! Might need to pick that set up!

 

[limace]

I'm with you. Total Disney fanatic but not at all into the knickknacks.

I usually buy a Christmas ornament at every visit, and have bought a couple Halloween decorations. I like these because I can stow them away most the year, then when I bring them out I'm happy to see them , I can remember each trip, and then put em away without having to dust or decorate around them.

We do buy some pins, though that's mainly my girls. I also have bought a couple t-shirts-love some of the retro looking ones they had a couple years back.

Oh, and did buy 2 Mickey silhouette acrylic wine glasses; I needed plastic glasses for our picnic set, and thought I might as well get Mickey cause they were pretty cute.

 

[plutorules]

Funny-- I tend to buy things like sweatshirts, tshirts and clothing. Once we buy them, my kids and I wear them out! I bought one sweatshirt on my daughters first trip 8 years ago, and it *just* got a hole in it. And I wear it ALL THE TIME. I'll be sad to put that thing in the rag bag.

I also on that same trip kept admiring this jacket, but it was $150. At the end of the trip, my husband was like "Would you just buy that thing already?" It's my favorite spring/fall jacket, and I usually get "Where did you get that jacket?"

Thanks to some posters on here, I'm eye-ing up those Dooney purses. I emailed my neice who is in love with D&B (she's 19) and she was like "you'd better hook it up with a sweet wallet too. Just sayin"

I'm sure you'll find something you like while you're there. There are so many of us that don't want "stuff" anymore. But I'm pretty sure you'll want something to commemorate your trip-- even if it's Photopass pictures!


Shawn in AK

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I tend not to buy "stuff," but like everyone else has been saying, Disney is different. Every souvenir (even the Lucky stuffed dog that I got as a child and have since lost) means something to me, whether it's the groom ears I wear every time I go now, or the wedding Cinderella I got at the Magic Kingdom and will use as my wedding cake topper if I ever get married. What's really nice is that most of the stuff is made to be durable and with the intention of being a keepsake (even the plain black mouse ears).

 

[darph nader]

You do know that as you exit rides and enter the shops,the back-ground music they play has a subliminal message,,,,,,buy stuff,,,buy stuff.