Souvenirs can quickly become one of the biggest expenses of a Disney World trip, but so much of it can end up forgotten in a closet. After plenty of trips, here are five souvenirs my kids actually use.
Not every Disney World souvenir is a winner. We’ve all been there, handing over way too much money for a light-up toy that breaks before you even make it back to the hotel, or a stuffed animal that gets shoved in a closet the second you’re home. After plenty of trips (and plenty of souvenir regrets), I’ve learned a thing or two about souvenirs that are worth it.
These five Disney World souvenirs aren’t just things my kids wanted in the moment. They’re the ones they still reach for long after our vacation, and the keepsakes that bring a little of the magic home. If you’re trying to avoid the impulse-buy regret on your next trip, these are the souvenirs I’d buy for my kids again in a heartbeat.
Board Games
If you have a board game-obsessed family, then the Disney versions of popular board games are an easy win when you buy them as a souvenir on your trip. From Life to Clue to other popular games (and even some Disney-exclusive ones!), you can usually find a good selection of games at Disney World’s larger souvenir shops, including The Emporium at Magic Kingdom and World of Disney at Disney Springs. The great thing about this souvenir is that it can keep your kids busy in the hotel room, and the excitement of it won’t wear off by the time you’re home because you can play these games over and over again!
Princess Dresses
If you have a little girl (or a princess-obsessed boy), the Disney princess dresses are another souvenir that keeps on giving long past your vacation. The dresses are easy to fit into your suitcase, and wash pretty well, so your kiddo can be their favorite princess at Disney World, at the grocery store, and really anywhere else!
Photo by Laurie Sapp
One thing to note is that these dresses can be pretty pricey when you buy them at Disney World. If you know that your little one is going to want to dress up as their favorite princess in the parks, you can purchase the dresses at Target for cheaper than you’ll find them in the parks, thanks to their Disney Store partnership. You may also want to size up so that your child will be able to wear it longer to get your money’s worth.
Disney LEGO Sets
The great thing about Disney LEGO sets is that they’re both an activity for the kids and a keepsake. Building a new set can keep kids busy and happy for an entire afternoon (or even on the plane ride home), and once it’s built, it turns into something you can display from your trip or keep playing with for years.
The best place to get these on your trip is the LEGO Store at Disney Springs. Here you’ll find Disney-themed sets, a Pick-A-Brick wall where your kids can fill a cup with whatever bricks they want, and the Minifigure Factory, where they can build a custom minifigure to take home. Even if you skip the big sets, those build-your-own options make for a fun (and more affordable) souvenir.
Bubble Wands
Pull up any “worst Disney souvenirs” list, and you’ll probably find bubble wands on the list. But–hear me out–they’re not necessarily as bad as they seem! The key to making this souvenir really worth it is to wait until you get home to open it. While it’s fun for kids to have an endless bubble stream as they walk around the parks, the wands can be hard to get home without any sticky bubble juice leaking in your suitcase on the way home. However, if you pack them away and wait to open them until you’re home, you won’t have a problem!
Photo by Laurie Sapp
The bubble wands I bought for my four and two-year-olds have ended up being one of the most used Disney souvenirs ever. They play with them nearly every single day, and since they’re refillable, you can get some cheap bubble juice from Amazon or the Dollar Store and keep using them!
Toys Based on Their Interest
The biggest thing to remember when you’re deciding what to buy for your kids at Disney World is that the souvenirs that don’t get forgotten about once you’re home are the ones that match what your kids are already obsessed with! Every kid has their thing. Maybe it’s cars, dinosaurs, princesses, a specific movie, or a character they quote on a loop. When you buy a souvenir that leans into that, you likely won’t be throwing it into the donate pile the second you’re home because they’ll actually want to play with it.
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
So, don’t waste your money on the flashiest things your kids see on the shelf. Find the souvenirs that match your kids’ interests, even if it means buying a character plush or yet another toy car. It may seem like a waste to you since you can find all of that at the stores near your house, but seeing your kids play with something you got for them on vacation long after that trip has ended is well worth the up-charge, especially when the alternative is buying something that never gets used.
