Souvenir Shopping Tips for Walt Disney World
Shopping - we do it every day at home, but somehow, on vacation it turns into a marathon activity in a league of its own. I love finding just the right souvenir on my gift list and Walt Disney World offers a little something special for a wide range of people. While the three largest shopping sites are the Magic Kingdom's Emporium, Epcot's Mouse Gear, and Downtown Disney's World of Disney - I highly encourage visitors to take their time and visit the smaller stores as well. Throughout the resort special treasures and trinkets can be found at specialty shops that have just the right touch.
When it rains, many Guests head for the cover of Disney shops, but for folks that want to keep right on touring - plastic ponchos seem to magically appear out of nowhere. While many folks keep a couple of dollar store ponchos in their day bags, the ponchos sold by Walt Disney World cost considerably more, they really are a higher quality product, that will keep you dry. We've used the same set for several vacations now and ours are still going strong. And while those thin $1 ponchos can rip and tear quickly, if you rip one of the Disney purchased ponchos, they'll replace it at any store selling them no questions asked.
When spending the day at the Magic Kingdom, try to avoid end of the night purchases on Main Street U.S.A. when the stores are most crowded with guests headed home. Mid-afternoon is the ideal time to take a stroll through these shops full of classic Disney gear from stuffed animals to exclusive jewelry, and everything in between. You'll be able to take a leisurely stroll through the specialty shops and watch artisans making hand-blown glass at Crystal Arts, or creating Character caramel apples and assorted sweets at the Main Street Confectionary. Time this perfectly on your way back to the hotel room for an afternoon break.
Walls Full of Magical Ornaments at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
But - if you can't handle the thought of lugging shopping bags through the Park, or don't have room in your suitcase to get it home? Let Disney deliver your purchases. Three options are available to make shopping at Walt Disney World a little bit easier on your back, if not your wallet. Ask any friendly Disney cashier about what options they think would be best for your shopping and shipping needs.
All Disney guests can have their purchases sent to Package Pick-up at the front of each Disney Park for later retrieval. It does take about three hours for it to get there, so it's best to shop early in the day when you plan on using this option. Guests staying at Disney Resort Hotels have the option to send their purchased back to their resort gift shop for next day pick-up. Folks that don't care to see the purchase again until they get home, can use Disney's shipping service and mail it directly to its final destination.
Magic Kingdom Package Pick Up
Once in a while we all come home from Disney with regrets about not buying that perfect item. If you know where you saw it, and can describe it, chances are Disney's Merchandise Services can help you out. Send them and email at - to see if they can help you bring that souvenir you just can't live without home.
Disney likes to make paying for your purchases easy too! While the big push recently has been to encourage Guests to use their MagicBand to charge purchases back to Walt Disney World Resort Hotel rooms; Disney still accepts cash, travelers checks, American Express, Apple Pay, MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card, Disney Visa, Diner's Club, JCB Card, Disney Dollars, and Disney Gift Cards as well. If you're going the route of charging back to your room, make sure you stop by the front desk at the end of the night to check out a copy of your bill. MagicBands make it super convenient to keep shopping and lose track of how much you've spent.
Epcot's The Tea Caddy Shop
Want to know more about shopping at Walt Disney World? Check out these articles about finding the perfect souvenirs:
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Bob P wrote on Fri, 06/12/2015 - 14:15:
Don't forget the Disney Outlet Store in the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet mall, just the other side of I-4 from Downtown Disney. It makes for a great last-taste of WDW as you're beginning the long drive home!
Loretta wrote on Fri, 06/12/2015 - 14:16:
Here's another tip on those purchases too, buy Disney gift cards at a place that offers a discount on them. I saved about 4% on both our room and purchases buy doing this, plus I didn't have to give my Travel Agent a credit card because I gave her the gift card numbers to use when making the booking!
Sue Heerema wrote on Sat, 06/13/2015 - 04:43:
Must see
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