Souvenir Shopping Hack: Buy Swag BEFORE Your Trip

I love staying on property when we go to Walt Disney World. I really loved how everything is themed and having Mickey’s silhouette omnipresent adds to the overall magic for me. I do not, however, like spending tons of time in the souvenir shops.

Buy most of your Disney items before you go. I read this tip before our first trip to Disney, and it has been great (and fun) advice. I love to surprise the kids with Disney themed items before our travels, and then I leave them a gift each morning when they awake.

I start a few months before we go, and I find fun items at a variety of stores. I have found items at The Dollar Tree, Five and Below, Marshalls, Target, Walmart, Kohls, and even Hot Topic in the mall.

I usually start with a new t-shirt or outfit for everyone. Target has some good men’s sizes, and my husband loves a good Disney t-shirt. Don’t forget, since Star Wars is now also a part of Disney, you can keep an eye out for those items as well. (I saw a giant display at Kohl’s the last time I went.)

You can also make custom t-shirts using a die cut machine, iron-ons, or even using a freezer paper technique. Here is our latest creation:

If you like to buy items ahead to surprise your little one throughout your trip, I recommend checking out the Dollar Store to start. Here is a sampling of what I found, just today.

Don’t forget the glow sticks for the Evening Parades!

I used these paper decorations in Mickey Colors (red, yellow & black) to decorate the room before the kids walked in. I also used Mickey Party décor from Party City to complete the look.Go to GAP.com or HotTopic.com and search Disney. You’ll find some great clothing items. When I go into Hot Topic, I am generally out of place being a 44-year-old mom. It is worth it, however, as they have very unique Disney items.