Disney may be a magical place to visit, but that magic doesn’t come without a price tag. Disney souvenirs are one of those major expenses every parent must face. Even if you manage to cut corners and find savings here and there, a trip to Disney for a family is going to cost a hefty chunk of change, depending on the length of your visit. Fortunately, there are ways that you can cut costs, and some of those savings can really add up.
When my family travels, we rarely purchase souvenirs. My husband and I never made it a habit to purchase unnecessary items from the many gift shops we’ve entered over the years. If our kids picked up a memento from our trip, it was normally because they had their own spending money.
I buy souvenirs so rarely that when we travel as a family, I don’t even budget for souvenirs. The exception is when we visit Disney. It’s hard to visit the Happiest Place on Earth and not desire some type of trinket to remind you of the trip. If you’re not careful, souvenir photos, t-shirts and princess dresses can wreck havoc on your finances and leave a huge void in your wallet.
We normally don’t spend a great deal of money on Disney souvenirs, with the exception of the year we bought our teens a remote control car from RIDEMAKERZ® in Downtown Disney, which is sadly no longer there.
3 Disney Souvenirs that Won’t Break the Bank
1. Participate in the Pin-Trading Program at Disney
Pin-trading is a big deal at Disney and for good reason. It’s fun, can be relatively inexpensive and allows your child (or yourself) to really think before they act. We learned about pin trading on our first visit to the Disney Parks over ten years ago, but I’m still surprised by the number of people that don’t really know what it is.
Guests at Disney Parks can purchase a lanyard and specially made Disney pins to trade with cast members and other Disney park guests. If you see someone with a lanyard, you can approach them and negotiate a trade. While you can purchase starter sets in the park that consist of a lanyard and several pins to trade, I learned a secret from a cast member AFTER purchasing a starter kit. Visit a Disney outlet store prior to visiting the park, or while taking a break from the park and purchase a discounted lanyard and pins. While they won’t have the selection that the park offers, you won’t pay the prices that the park charges on pins either. Unless you’re a collector, picking up the pins from the previous season to trade isn’t a big deal. This is one of those Disney souvenirs that can also be saved and easily handed down through generations as a valuable memento.
2. Save your Pennies and Press them at the Park
I can’t stand to pass by a penny pressing machine without smashing a penny, but I had to get over it at Disney. There are plenty of machines scattered around- some even press quarters instead of pennies. If you really want to get fancy with your pressed pennies you can purchase a book to store them in but I’ve found that a notebook and packing tape works just as well.
This is by far the most affordable of Disney souvenirs you’ll find in the park, and one of the most fun. I like to get shiny new pennies before visiting the park for the prettiest and best penny press with various designs in the park.
3. Save your Maps, Brochures and Tickets to Create a One-of-a-Kind Wall Decoration
Maps and brochures are free so pick some up and save them until after your trip. You can assemble tickets, post cards, photos and even some pressed pennies in a frame to create a personalized piece of art from your trip. This makes a great shadowbox that can also include a family photo from the park to add to your living room wall!
These tips for saving money while still getting Disney souvenirs for your family to cherish for years to come. Set aside a few dollars to enjoy these 3 top souvenir ideas that everyone will love.
Get your kids excited to save for Disney with this super easy and adorable Disney-themed travel jar.
Is this your first time visiting Disney World? Check out these Disney planning tips for first time visitors.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort– what will your teen think?
© 2013 – 2018, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Thomas Murphy says
I would buy my kids some Disney toys.
Ashley C says
I’d love to get some Lightening McQueen stuff for my son’s room!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
Stephanie mcfarland says
I would buy a Halloween costume 🙂
Daura says
I would use it for stocking stuffers for the grand babies.
Anne Henderson says
I’d buy some cute charms for my daughter’s charm bracelet. I didn’t do that the last time we went to Disney and I swore I’d do it when we went back. Going back in November!
Angela Wilson says
Brunch at Palo!
Ashley says
I would love to buy my daughter a princess dress for Halloween!
D SCHMIDT says
I would use it to purchase some pajamas for my sons
Jean says
A Merida dress for my three year old!
jennifer gibson says
I would love to get christmas gifts for the kids
Dawn Monroe says
My grand daughters love the Disney Princesses so if I won Id buy one or two for Christmas.
Aileen says
We are going to Disney in a week and would use it to buy Christmas ornaments for our tree this year as a Disney momento.
Melissa M says
I would get my 3 year old some Cars Christmas presents.
livivua says
yeah that new hugs me mickey toy would make my son go nuts or we have a disney store outlet an hour away from where we live so i would let them have a little shopping spree to get gifts for themselves and others for christmas
Rachel Young says
We are MAJOR Disney Fans! Using the maps and things as a keepsake is something we do as well! I would use the Gift Card to buy my daughter one of the Animator Dolls for her Birthday! 🙂 Thank you for the chance to win!
Katherine Bartlett says
I’m a press penny freak! I press them everywhere I go!
Robin O says
I would love to use the gift card to buy Mickey Mouse gear for my children for their birthdays!
Kate F. says
I might use it to purchase some Disney clothing.
Elena says
I would get a Mickey Mouse toy for my son
Jessie C. says
I would like to get Mickey toys for kids.
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug says
There are several things I wanted to buy, but didn’t, while at Disney. With this I will! 🙂
Valerie says
I’d love to buy a a cute outfit for the new baby (Maybe a Minnie dress!)
Mary Happymommy says
I would purchase a Little Mermaid doll for my daughter.
Kim @ The Educators' Spin On It says
We would use the gift card to buy the fun fan water bottles, picture frame or magnets. Always fun ways to remember your trip to Disney.