What souvenirs are worth getting?

I hear people asking how much to budget for souvenirs when they visit Disney and that's an almost impossible question to answer.  Some people WANT IT ALL and other people buy maybe one item as a keepsake of their trip.  We typically fall into the first category, but we can tell you what things are more hassle than they are worth.  Luggage space is limited, so it's hard to bring it all back with you.

​DON'T First of all, Balloons!  They'll either fly away or become deflated before your trip is over.  Starting at $13 a balloon, they are SUPER cute but we all know balloons don't last.  If you have to have one, I get it, but I'd spend that money elsewhere.

​DO Angie and I are collectors, bordering on hoarders.  We each have those thing that we love.  And some of them are closer to investments.  Loungefly Bags and Minnie Ears come out all the time, and some of the exclusive or limited release versions can actually increase in value.  It's hard to know which ones will be a good investment, but I'm of the opinion that if you LOVE that backpack or pair of ears then it's value is up to you.  Angie wears her ears every trip and she loves to alternate what bag she is using all the time.

DON'T ​ Bubble Blowers and Light up toys.  I know the kids instantly fall in love with these, but hear me out.  Bubble wands and blowers are immensely annoying to pack.  They run out of bubbles quickly, are expensive to buy and refill, and you never can tell how dry they are inside before you pack.  The light up wands wow the kids while they are in the park but then are forgotten about in the back of their closet once you get back home.

For these two I recommend finding a more affordable version before you go.  Throw them in your bag and give them to your child at the appropriate time.  The kids often won't even notice the difference.

DO Refillable Popcorn buckets!  If you love popcorn and easy snacking these are for you.  It's only $2.00 for the refill and it'll keep the hunger sated till your next meal.  Plus many of the refillable buckets just look cool.
The holiday buckets can be set out as decorations. We set out our Halloween buckets in September and replace them with Christmas ones in November.  The refills are even given to you in a separate package so you don't even have to get them dirty.

DON'T  Sipper cups.  These may look cool, but they are horribly impractical.  They barely hold a can of soda worth of beverage and are nearly impossible to clean. 
​They will inevitably take up space in the back of your cupboards.  They can make cute decorations, but are terrible for drinking out of.  And they are definitely not dishwasher safe.​

DO  Instead consider buying some of their special drinking cups.  They are all solidly built, most of them look really good, and some are even made by brands like Tervis who are know for their quality Tumblers.
Not all of them a dishwasher safe, but their normal shape makes them a LOT easier to clean than the oddly shaped sipper cups.
I drink my daily water out of these two.

MAYBE  When the heat is absolutely killing you, it may be worth buying one of these misting fans.  In the Florida humidity though you'll often just feel uncomfortably damp.  Plus if the kids get a hold of them, you've now just armed them with a squirt gun.

I recommend buying a battery powered personal fan before your trip.  These little guys usually clip on to your shirt or hang around your neck.  They do an adequate job of keeping you cool for less money.

DO Exclusive clothing choices.  Some shirts and clothing items you will only find at the parks or Disney cruises.  You can always find time wear a shirt or a hoodie, so it won't go to waste.
And many of these are never sold online, so if you don't buy it while you are there you will have a heck of a time trying to find later on.  There's a plethora of cute designs for everybody.

You are welcome to spend your money how you see fit.  These are our experiences with souvenirs and your mileage may vary.  I've probably bought way too much Star Wars merchandise at Galaxy's Edge, but that won't stop me from looking around for more.

There are so many fun things to buy and collect.  From cute little picture holders to full on art prints.  Even your magic bands can make a great souvenir.  I know I'll never forget my lightsaber building experience.  Souvenirs are just keepsakes of your memorable trip.

We help you plan it out and make these memories magical.  Ask us for a quote, any time!
When it's time to plan for Disney:  It's Mouse O'Clock!