Will I want to buy souvenirs?

[Diznygrl]

Wow, most of you would probably faint if you saw my bedroom. 'Disney Knicknacks' is practically my middle name!

 

[Sherry E]

Wow, most of you would probably faint if you saw my bedroom. 'Disney Knicknacks' is practically my middle name!

I have a feeling you and I would get along, Diznygrl! I don't even want to get into what my apartment looks like and how many mouse icons you might see around here, nor do I care to contemplate how much money I used to spend on all these knick knacks!! I can't spend like that anymore, sadly, so if and when I do get any souvenirs anymore, it is really only a couple of small things and maybe not even that much.

Oh but in the past...in the past.... I was a buying/spending/collecting maniac at DLR.

First there was the watch collection. Oh, DLR used to sell the best watches in the New Century shop (RIP New Century), and I would walk out of a single trip to DLR with 7 of them in my bag. That led to watches from the Disney Store, Cast Member exclusive watches...watches watches watches everywhere.

Then there were the miniature sculptures of all the ToonTown Houses and the Haunted Mansion House - both with and without the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay...

There was the snow globe collection...

The key chain collection...

The mug collection...

The magnet collection (I love the Mickey ice cream bar, Mickey lollipop and Mickey pretzel magnets the best)...

Then there were the little mini hinged sculptures of characters riding various rides in DL, and they opened and closed like a box...

Then there was the Disney Attractions diecast collection - because I wanted little scaled down versions of all the rides in DL, of course!! And, of course, I had to have the ones from WDW too, even though I had never been to WDW!!!

Of course, there have also been many pins, bronze, resin or glass sculptures (love the "Self-Portrait" sculpture and the "Thinker Mickey" bronze sculpture that looks like the famous sculpture, "The Thinker"), ornaments (the Christmas cookie ornaments are the best), candle holders, postcards and notecards (loved the old Disney Gallery in NOS), picture frames, books upon books upon books, stuffed animals, and other little characters-in-vehicles toys (that I got in the Gag Factory) along the way (and the Disney Mr. Potato Head with all the Disney pieces is a great collectible)...and I am sure I am forgetting something!!


Those days are long over...and it's a good thing, too, because I wouldn't have any room to move around at home if I had any more 'stuff'!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Sherry, that is quite a collection of collections you've got going there! I used to love the disney watches too (but clearly not as much as you since I only owned about 3). I also worked at the disney store during Christmas one year and I got to be in charge of holding the key to the watch cabinet! I know, you're probaby green with envy.

 

[Dobie]

I HATE crap. . .I mean knickknacks. I have a couple of lovely wooden picture frames with Mickey silhouettes, and DH buys t shirts to wear to work (he teaches special ed.)

The souveniers that OP's friend mentioned from WDW most likely came from World Showcase at Epcot, where they have a wide range of things, not Disney related, from the countries. There is very little like that at DL.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, that is quite a collection of collections you've got going there! I used to love the disney watches too (but clearly not as much as you since I only owned about 3). I also worked at the disney store during Christmas one year and I got to be in charge of holding the key to the watch cabinet! I know, you're probaby green with envy.

I probably would have been green with envy back in the day!! Fortunately, the bulk of all of this massive collecting on my part was a very, very long time ago, even before this decade. I have really only bought a few items (ormaments and mugs and that type of thing) over the last three years. It's not practical to collect anymore, and I don't have that kind of money to throw around. When I began to realize that watch collecting was not a cost-effective, practical hobby long, long ago, I stopped buying them and actually ended up selling some of my collection at some point, and then I just kind of stopped looking at watches. So I wouldn't even know if there are any cute watches made anymore - I kind of stay away from temptation and don't look for a lot of the things I would have bought in the old days, so I don't have to feel that urge to buy. Plus, once I got older I just burnt out on a lot of buying as the money ran out!! Lack of money will kill the urge to buy souvenirs real quickly!!


Anyway, to the OP - I can't say it any better than all of my fellow DIS-ers already said it. You can definitely find a whole range of souvenirs at DLR - from the very expensive and classy, almost museum-quality pieces, to the garish, plastic and cheap, and everything in between!! There is something to appeal to everyone with every kind of taste!

 

[Gisele]

I always see things that I like... but then there are certain items that I like to collect, such as pins, and I like jewelry too. But I know what I like, so it cuts down on buying just anything. So in answer to your question, yes... you will see merchandise that will be calling your name. But it will not be overwhelming, unless you are from the school of I must have just about everything. It sounds like you are very particular like myself, which is really very good.

Have a magical day while visiting the land!

 

[queenie82]

Wow, most of you would probably faint if you saw my bedroom. 'Disney Knicknacks' is practically my middle name!

Ahhh....my kind of gal

Something that hasn't been mentioned is that WDW has a much more vast array of 'classier' souvenirs.
You can get African Masks at the Animal Kingdom Lodge shop, you can get Japanese souvenirs in the Japan Pavilion etc
The BEAUTIFUL Art of Disney store at DTD at WDW is just stunning etc.

Almost always Disney Theme Park merchandise is better quality than Disney Store merchandise...so if you are thinking the parks sell the same kind of stuff that isn't really the case.

As for Mickey ear hats...I don't like them at all...except on toddlers as that is just adorable.

Trust me...if you are a fan of Disney...there WILL be something you like at WDW.
It is not so true for Disneyland but I would DEFINITELY budget for getting souvenirs

 

[mystic_path]

Yep Mom2Joe totally had most of it covered. Although there is some tacky tourist stuff, there is some really amazing things too & there really is something for everyone and I too am totally anti clutter. I usually tend to find a t-shirt or hoodie to wear. Or even a picture frame that I can put in my bedroom to put a favorite photo in. Last time I found this incredibly squishy soft/baby blue throw blanket that had a little logo of the castle on it. That is still in very good use at home and my grandpa even discovered it and has asked me to get him another one on my May trip.

I have even got travel mugs that I could just pour the morning coffee in and take as I head out the door. You might even find something for a friend of yours and go OMG so and so would love that. I found these really cute salt and pepper shakers that were in the shape of Snow white kissing Dopey. My friend LOVED them. She still keeps them safe in her cabinet and uses them often.

Remember that you are allowed to try on all the hats you want in the store and take your picture with them. People do it all the time. But I find the best souvenir you can take home with you are your own personal videos and photos. Those will last much longer then a silly T-shirt.

 

[tanyaewa]

I am currently at the end of day 2 of 5 here at DL. I have seen an enormous amount of souvenirs - and souvenir buying!! But I most probably won't buy any souvenirs Much as you pointed out - not really my *style* although I did have a fun pair of Mickey ankle socks for a good number of years. Maybe I could replace those :lol

 

[burne99]

I love the alabaster figurines.

www.arribas.com

Love them!!!!

 

[Brancaneve]

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.

So true...

I love my Fiestaware and my white Pottery Barn dishes BUT I LOVE my Disney mugs. I open the cabinet and choose my mug based on my mood that day. Let's just say that lately I've been picking the Villains mug.

On a Saturday morning I enjoy sipping out of my dainty Belle mug while perusing the paper. Or reconnecting with Pooh on a cold, blustery day.

My DH and I thoroughly enjoy adding to our collection each time we go.

But the best way to avoid clutter is to pick one or two things you love and develop the collection. Random items cannot be grouped and fully enjoyed as much as a hearty collection. have fun!

 

[Brancaneve]

Wow, most of you would probably faint if you saw my bedroom. 'Disney Knicknacks' is practically my middle name!

Can we see pictures? I love Disney rooms!

 

[Smokering]

Thanks people! I had a look at the Disney store. Nothing really leapt out at me (though those Vinylmation steampunk things are cute!), but I'll plan for a moderate souvenir budget just in case. If I don't end up spending it, so much the better!