The Best Disney World Souvenirs

You can Find Disney World souvenirs to fit any budget

You might want to rethink the Goofy hat. Don’t let a moment of smellitizer-induced shopping frenzy result in a purchase that you will regret. You’ll get as much use from that Goofy hat as you will from that bruise-colored bridesmaid dress you had to buy last year for your niece’s wedding.

Look instead for those things that will bring a smile to your face long after the trip is over.

Not every souvenir comes with a huge price tag. There are fun souvenirs that are free or so cheap you won’t mind paying full price.

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Free Souvenirs

There are plenty of opportunities to find Disney World Souvenirs that are absolutely free. I know that a Disney trip is expensive. Look for ways to save money but still have a magical visit.

Wilderness Explorer Challenge

 “An explorer is a friend to all, be it plants, or fish, or tiny mole”

The Wilderness Explorer challenge at Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite activities at Disney World. The Wilderness Explorer Handbook can be picked up at any of the 30 WE stations throughout the park. Badges (in the form stickers) are earned when a mission is completed. When your handbook is filled you become a Senior Wilderness Explorer.

The activities are geared to elementary-aged kids, but that didn’t stop me. Get the whole family involved in the challenge.

Pick up your handbook, earn badges, and take them home along with the sense of accomplishment at becoming a Senior Wilderness Explorer.

Kidcot Fun Stops

There are 11 Kidcot Fun Stops at Epcot, one at each country in the World Showcase. Your child will get a Ziploc “suitcase” to collect a travelers card and stamp from each country. The Kidcot stations are stocked with craft supplies to decorate the card. Collect all 11 traveler’s cards and receive a World Showcase postcard from Mickey Mouse.

Check your Epcot guide map for all of the Kidcot Fun Stops.

Commemorative pins for First-Time Visits or Celebrations

When checking in at your resort hotel let the cast member know if this is a first-time visit or if anybody in your party is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. You will get a pin to wear to let everybody know that this is a special day.

Souvenirs under $10

Pressed pennies

Pressed coins are such a good souvenir for kids of any age. A pressed penny souvenir costs just .51¢. The pressed quarter costs $1.25. You’ll find over 80 pressed coin locations scattered around Walt Disney World and each press offers 4 different patterns. Collect a different pattern from each theme park.

Don’t fall for the “no penny, no problem” machines that charge $1.00 for a pressed penny. Keep a baggie full of new-ish pennies and quarters to make the best, cheap souvenir in all of Disney World.

Pins

Keep it under control and pin trading/collecting can be a fantastic way to get affordable souvenirs.

The rule in our house for pin collecting is that the pin has to be for a ride, attraction, event or resort we have actually experienced. We still have an embarrassing number of pins.

If there are no boundaries, pin collecting might one day be considered a behavioral disorder with its own 12-step treatment program.

Pretzels

While I would scoff and harumph at an $8 bag of pretzels at my grocery store, Mickey pretzels are a fun souvenir to bring home to friends and family. Add nuts, Mickey goldfish, dried fruit and m&m’s for a trail mix that will be a big hit.

I use my large Mickey cookie cutter to cut bread for toast or sandwiches. Chicken and waffles become a special treat with a Mickey waffle maker.

Use pressed coins, maps, and celebration pins in a scrapbook to tell the story of your Disney trip.

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Souvenirs under $20

Gifts for the home

Look for fun items that you will use every day. A coffee scoop or oven mitt will make kitchen chores more fun. Disney snack coasters and bottle stoppers are a sweet reminder of your trip. You can find Castle ice trays, Mickey cookie jars, measuring cups and spoons for your kitchen.

Holiday Ornaments

Shop at the Christmas Shop at Disney Springs for an ornament that will remind your family for years to come of your trip to Walt Disney World. Find your favorite character dressed up for the holidays. Have your ornament personalized to create a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

For a unique ornament that will add to your family holiday traditions pick up a PICKLE ornament from Germany in the World Showcase in Epcot. The last ornament placed on the tree is the pickle, according to German tradition. The child who finds the ornament gets an extra present.

Souvenirs under $30

Teeshirts

You can justify one more Teeshirt if they are part of your “day off” uniform or if they are allowed on Casual Friday. Tell the world you went to Disney. Or tell your friends that you went to Disney and all they got was this stupid teeshirt.

Souvenirs that are under $50

Toys for all ages

Choose from themed toys from Disney movies, plush toys, Disney Theme Park editions of your family’s favorite games. How about a Pirate’s of the Caribbean Monopoly game to play on family game night?

Souvenirs that are Way over budget

Dooney & Bourke

The bags created by Dooney & Bourke for Disney just might make you blow the budget entirely. There are designs for each park, designs for specific events, and seasonal designs. If you have a weakness for Dooney & Bourke bags you’ve come to the right/wrong place.

You will want to pick up something special from Disney. There’s no way around that. But check out Target, Amazon, and shopDisney to find authentic Disney merchandise at a lower price.