A Disney vacation is a magical family memory. It’s so special to see the wonder on your kids’ faces as their favorite characters and stories come to life. But taking the whole family to Disney can be expensive, especially when you add in the cost of souvenirs!
Souvenirs can be tricky when you have children, especially on a Disney vacation. There are so many incredible shops with Disney toys and memorabilia that you don’t see anywhere else. Many rides and attractions have adjoining gift shops, and you may find yourself fighting your kids after every attraction when you have to say no to another souvenir or toy they want. So, what can you do to make the process easier? We have some tips that might help!
- Talk about souvenirs before you leave. Kids always do better when you prepare them. Before leaving for your trip, chat with your kids and explain that there will be a lot of gift shop options when you go. Explain your budget and why you can’t buy everything you see. Talk about focusing on purchasing souvenirs of your kid’s favorite character or franchises or saving up for a big ticket item. If your kids are old enough, set a budget for them on how much they can spend on a souvenir so they can decide when to spend their money.
- Take pictures as you go, and buy at the end. One method that can help, especially with younger kids who may not understand the concept of a budget, is to take a photo of a particular item they want instead of buying it. Then, close to the end of your stay, go through the pictures and pick which souvenir would be best to buy.
- Use gift cards for souvenir purchases. If you’re worried about going over your budget on souvenirs, buy gift cards before your trip and use them to pay. This way, you know exactly how much you are spending, and you don’t have to worry about going over.
- Keep your freebies. When you travel with Disney, there are a lot of fun free items, like maps, stickers, pens, notebooks, etc. These items are great for memorializing a trip when you get back home. You can frame and display these items when you get home to remember your trip!
- Skip the gift shops. What is the best method for avoiding spending too much on souvenirs? Skip the gift shops. Stick to a tight schedule so you don’t leave time for shopping once you get off a ride or exit an attraction. Instead, get everyone moving to the next attraction!
Souvenirs are part of the fun of Disney travel, and we encourage you to buy ones that are meaningful. But overspending on souvenirs can make your trip stressful and unpleasant (especially if you drag them with you from attraction to attraction). These tips can help you enjoy your trip, buy meaningful souvenirs, and stay within your travel budget! Try them on your next Disney trip.
