Disney World has so many options for souvenirs!
Taking home something to remember during your magical vacation is one of the BEST parts of visiting Disney World. Well, at least it’s exciting for those of us who can’t resist shopping. Maybe you want to bring home a mug that you can use in the mornings to remind you of your trip. Or maybe you want to bring home a blanket to keep out on your couch. I also love to buy souvenirs, but I have been to Disney World 50 times, and there are some things I just don’t buy anymore. I’m here to share with you five souvenirs that I would never buy at Disney World!
Sometimes when you buy a souvenir you don’t think about what you are going to do with it after your trip. They end up being useless, gathering dust, or discarded entirely. Save your money and DON’T grab these souvenirs!
Mickey Balloons
Mickey balloons are a staple of the Disney Parks. Have you really gone to Disney World if you did not snap a photo of them while on your trip? While they are cute and Mickey- shaped, they cost a small fortune.
I think that $14 for a balloon is very expensive, even if it is Mickey-shaped! And trust me, I love all Mickey-shaped things! Once you buy the balloon you might take a few pictures with it, but then you are stuck carrying it around all day. Not to mention, what are you supposed to do with it when you go home?
If you do want to try and bring it home, you can get it deflated at the Magic of Disney store at MCO. This is not something I would personally do since I think this souvenir is too expensive to be so short-lived. But, this is a good option if you can’t resist purchasing one!
Popcorn Buckets and Sippers
This one might shock some people, and if you love to collect popcorn buckets and sippers, go for it! Do not let me stop you!
Popcorn buckets and sippers just are not for me. I agree that there have been so many cute designs of popcorn buckets and sippers around the parks in recent years. Sometimes they are so cute that I wonder if I will actually break down and buy one. If you are not a major popcorn bucket or sipper collector, I would recommend skipping out on these souvenirs.
While you can get $2 refills during your visit with a popcorn bucket, you have to carry it with you all day. I am all for saving money since I know a trip to Disney World is not cheap! But some of these buckets are bulky and can get in your way. While some buckets do come with a strap for carrying, I do not want to have to carry around a popcorn bucket or sipper while I am in the parks.
Spirit Jerseys
This may come to some as a surprise since Spirit Jerseys are a super popular Disney souvenir. When Disney releases a new collection, there is a good chance that it will also include a Spirit Jersey. Some designs are super cute, and I understand that some people might need to add it to their closet right away!
I won’t lie, I do own two of these shirts! I got one for each of the Disney Cruise ships that I have been on, the Disney Dream and the Disney Wish. Sometimes I can’t even resist buying a souvenir that I would not normally purchase!
Other than buying Spirit Jerseys on the other Disney ships, I do not recommend buying them as a souvenir.
Why? I live in Texas and it gets hot in Texas just like it does in Florida. Since I live in such a warm state, I do not find myself having time to wear it. If I am going to purchase a souvenir, I want to be able to get use out of it! If you live in a colder climate, this souvenir might be for you, but since I cannot wear a Spirit Jersey the majority of the year, I usually pass on buying them.
Bubble Wands
Bubble wands are a super popular souvenir for younger kids. They light up, play music, and blow bubbles — three things that children love!
As for me and other adults, we can find them to be somewhat annoying. To start, they are pricey and they are not always made well. A lot of the time the bubble solution will start to leak and make a mess. No one wants to deal with this while in the parks! This souvenir seems to break easily and that is not something you want after you just dished out $20+ to purchase it.
If your wand makes it back home, what are you supposed to do with it? Like I said, I want to be able to use my souvenir after my trip! Sure, you might be able to bring it back to the parks (if it is not broken by then) but it is just another bulky thing to have to pack and carry around. It is just something that I do not want to deal with!
While I totally agree that there are cute designs for the wands and it can be adorable to see a child so happy playing with it, I never buy these for myself since they are expensive and tend to break easily. If your child does want to play with bubbles at the parks, an easy solution is to buy bubbles before your trip and bring them to the parks. That way your child can still play with bubbles for a fraction of the price.
Pandora Charms
Now I know this one might shock some people, but personally, Pandora Charms are not my thing.
Disney has seemingly opened more and more Pandora locations around the parks. This can be super nice for those who seek out new charms to add to their collection! You can even find a case of charms in some hotel gift shops. It can be fun to collect charms to add to your bracelet.
For me though, Pandora charms have never really been my thing. I think that there are some super cute designs and I understand why people love to add to their collection! I am in no way telling you that you cannot purchase them, but for me I find them to be a little expensive, and I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
While these are five souvenirs I tend not to buy, there are a TON of souvenirs that I do recommend! You can never go wrong with having too many Minnie ears! I think having a collection to match your park outfits is super fun! Minnie ears also can make cute decorations after you come home from your trip. They can also be brought back trip after trip.
If you are looking to bring home a personalized keepsake, I highly recommend getting your silhouette done! This souvenir is super cute and a great memory of your trip. You can get these done on Main Street and in Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom. If you want to save a little bit of money, you can also get your silhouette done cheaper at Arribas Brothers in Disney Springs!
If you are looking to upgrade a Disney button, I love to go to Ye Old Christmas Shop and get my button personalized. While this does cost extra, it is a super cute keepsake and it makes your button stand out when you are wearing it in the parks!
Souvenir preferences are different for everyone! For me, though, I tend to stay away from these five and look for souvenirs that are going to last me a long time.
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What are souvenirs that you won’t buy at Disney World? Let me know in the comments!
I will admit that I purchased the “evil” bubble wand on my last trip to Disney World. I admit it wholeheartedly. What’s worse (maybe not worse) is that I am a Disney Adult and I bought it for myself. I enjoyed being a part of the unwanted dish soap floating incautiously through the air. Perhaps landing on your bare shoulder, on your newly purchased hot dog from Casey’s, or directly in the eye of some toddler who has already alerted the world that his nap was overlooked three hours ago. This was not my feeling when I bought it. I wanted to be a part of what was already there – MAGIC. Even if it was overpriced and spontaneously started to leak in my backpack while at Steakhouse 71. It was a beautiful day, a slight breeze was in the air, and I was on Main Street experiencing the magic and happiness that one experiences there. So, I got caught up in the moment, big deal. I purchased a Mickey head that shoots bubbles, lights up, and makes cool designs on the ceiling. Go on and live a little, until you get the credit card bill, and then think was it worth the second mortgage?
Thanks for finally answering my query on spirit jerseys – why do people buy them if they live in warm places? I can never imagine wearing one in Florida during the warmer months, but I know people do. However, I live in a cold climate so these are perfect for wearing back home, sometimes with layers underneath because it really IS cold!
As a Floridian, I can wholeheartedly say that while it’s super hot outside in the summer, the a/c is blasting on high most places inside and I’m always carrying a sweatshirt or jacket to put on because it’s way too cold inside, haha.
I still have the silhouette that my late wife and I had done at Disney World in 1981. A great memory.