“Money isn’t real at Disney.” Loving the energy but you’re gonna get the credit card bill at home, y’know?
DISNEY’S GOT ME BY THE PURSE STRINGS
I will be the first to admit that being at a Disney park Does Something to me. I am normally a somewhat frugal person. There’s nothing I love more than a good discount code. I am notorious for filling online shopping carts, editing and mulling over them for weeks as I wait for the moment to feel right, and ultimately buying one thing – or more commonly nothing at all. If you’ve seen me buy an item full price, you have witnessed the equivalent of a fiscal phoenix. Unless you’ve seen me at Disney; then I buy things full price all the time. (Well, minus an AP discount where applicable.)
Mind you, I don’t completely lose my mind; I still attempt to think rationally about a given item’s value, both objectively and subjectively. But if I see it, like it, and can justify it, then at Disney I just might buy it right then and there. Even in non-Disney stores – I have been known to tear it up in Disney Springs. Kind of. Comparatively speaking, anyway.
THE DISNEY BUDGET CONUNDRUM
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that in the parks community, this behavior is celebrated! I am among friends. Ask anyone: “Should I buy it?” Resounding yes every time. Treat yo’ self.
And I think that’s beautiful… up to a point. Step on Disney property and the budget goes out the window? Absolutely! … up to a point. You’ve already spent this much; why worry about spending even more? That’s a good point! … up to a point.
Because as much as it pains us to admit, Disney trips are already quite expensive. (Not to mention runDisney trips.) As an enthusiast, it’s probably not your trip-of-a-lifetime, either. You will be back, and you will give Disney more money.
I am not judging anyone – obviously! I’m right there with you. But I also think that sometimes this “no budget at Disney” thing can go a little too far. Lemme start by explaining what I mean by Disney deinfluencing.
WHAT IS DISNEY DEINFLUENCING?
In a world where Disney and its collaborators have a new line of merch out every day, I think it behooves us to take a step back from the onslaught and consider the wider implications. Is this latest and greatest thing a good value for your money? Something you’ll really use? How long will it last? Do you have a place to put it? Do you actually want it?
These may seem like stupid questions, but modern marketing and pervasive advertising through social media influencers can sweep you up in hype. Next thing you know, the site is processing your credit card information before your brain has had a chance to process what’s happened. Even if the monetary expenditure doesn’t worry you, your living space is finite and the environmental impact is more than zero.
WHY BOTHER WITH A DISNEY BUDGET?
In that spirit, I think it would be wise to toss a few guardrails on the ol’ “no budget at Disney” mentality. To be clear, I’m not here to try to tell you NOT to buy things EVER; that’s no fun. Instead, I hope to encourage everyone (including me!) to make their purchases thoughtfully, without succumbing to tactics like scarcity marketing that encourage impulsive spending and compulsive hoarding. The goal is to avoid buyer’s remorse, whatever that looks like for you.
One of the easiest places to dial it back a bit is in the realm of souvenirs. Ya gotta eat; ya gotta sleep. Restaurants, hotels, transportation, etc. are all requirements. But ya don’t gotta buy every single thing that catches your eye.
Nevertheless, I acknowledge that getting your hands on a Disney souvenir feels good. Yet what if I told you there was an easy way to ensure you don’t regret what you get? You’re never gonna believe this, but Disney hands out rather more free stuff than you might expect!
I polled my Instagram followers to find out their favorite free Disney items, as well as high value and high reward to cost ratios, in our ultimate souvenir quest. Thusly, and by our powers combined, I give you:
WHAT DISNEY WILL GIVE YOU FOR FREE
There are quite a few Disney souvenirs that will run you zero dollars. Many of these are well known, such as the celebration pins. You can pick those up at guest services centers, as well as find Cast Members handing them out at various surprise locations across the resort. For example, I frequently see little tables of pins set up by the bus stops during runDisney race weekends. You don’t have to accept any old pin message, though; you can write down anything you want if a permanent marker is on hand – which one often is for precisely these purposes.
And there are other secret pins! I got this super cute armadillo in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I’ve also run across stickers at all sorts of unexpected places across the World. Many of them are generic Mickey Mouse stickers, but some of them are in fact more bespoke. I got a Junior Jammitor sticker once in Epcot, as well as a San Fransokyo sticker in Disney’s California Adventure. Keep your eyes peeled!
Similarly, specific locales, dates, and activities may come with bonus tchotchkes. One of my poll respondents told me he received a Jr. Fireman badge from the Main Street firehouse. Similarly, on Animal Kingdom’s birthday I got some cute little animal cutout squares. During the Festival of the Arts, anyone who works on the Paint by Numbers mural receives a bookmark-sized reproduction of the finished painting. Transportation Cast Members sometimes have transpo trading cards displaying their conveyance, such as a bus or the Skyliner. Ask around and receive!
Haircuts at the salon on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom cost money, but you can wander in any time for a sprinkling of glitter in your hair.
Other well known free items: Disney-branded pens in your hotel room, as well as postcards sometimes. Many people said they like hard ticket media, which any concierge desk or guest services center will be able to issue you without rescinding your digital keys and tickets. Have both!
IF YOU MUST BUY, BUY HIGH VALUE
We all know my rallying cry: value is subjective! So what makes a souvenir high value is somewhat up to you. Still, to think of it as neutrally as possible, a high value item is something that makes you feel like it was worth what you paid for it, and what’s more, you’d do the same again. Such things often have practical use.
If your chosen item is spendy, you may have to buy it at the expense of other things, but you’ll feel good about the purchase in perpetuity. And if it’s a lower cost item, you’ve gotten a bargain and made a good choice! Either way you’re a winner.
Among my Instagram followers, practical dishware was very popular. Mugs got several shout-outs, and I gotta agree: my Disney mugs are staples in my everyday life. I alternate between my Contemporary and runDisney mugs for my morning coffee. Sipper cups also earned a mention, although I myself would rather pick up one of their insulated models.
Clothing was also a recurring theme, primarily in the humble t-shirt. Disney tees aren’t cheap, but they’re not exorbitant, either – plus there are often two-for-less offer signs floating around certain collections.
One of my poll respondents mentioned holiday ornaments, many of which are reasonably priced. I love that idea! You can even have them personalized if you don’t mind goosing the cost just a smidge.
Various bag charms and mini stuffed animals like Nuimos or Cutie Cuffs are acceptably priced. These might be good for kids if you don’t want to deal with the size and expense of a full-sized plush.
Another poll respondent mentioned Memory Maker, Disney’s all-inclusive PhotoPass photography package. This is not cheap, but if you want to be able to download all of your photos, don’t like giving the photographer your cell phone, love Disney’s Magic Shots, etc., this can be a justifiable investment. Very much a your-mileage-may-vary situation, but well worth considering.
HOW ABOUT SOMETHING EDIBLE?
One last category of item I’d like to suggest: snacks! Disney destinations offer a smorgasbord or prepackaged and easily transported foods you can bring home with you. Yes, they can be pricey for what they are, but you’re guaranteed a treat that won’t take up space in your home when it’s gone. Plus eating a Disney snack stretches out that vacation feeling just a tad longer.
You can’t enter a Disney gift shop without coming across some form of packaged snack, although you’ll find the best selection in candy stores like Main Street Confectionery and Goofy’s Candy Kitchen. Poll respondent suggestions include toffee, candy apples, gummy candy, Main Street popcorn, and rice crispy treats. I loved any idea that included World Showcase; you can find all kinds of exciting comestibles in places like Mitsukoshi in Japan or the Tea Caddy in the UK.
If you’re willing to put in a skosh more effort, bakeries are now on the table. I like to bring home a boxful of Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, packed in a gallon bag I brought from home to keep them fresh. (Buy enough to fill a box and you get a trading card too!) I also received votes for anything from Amorette’s or Karamel Kuche, not to mention the famous carrot cake cookie from the Studios.
Finally, as a bonus, a lot of drinks come in a free branded plastic cup! They’re not necessarily the most durable things in the world, but neither are they flimsy. I have cups I’ve had since 2021, and they still look great; just keep them far away from the dishwasher. This is most common from Epcot food festival booths, but I’ve also received one from La Cava del Tequila. I even received a plastic mug with soup once. If you see someone carrying a likely candidate, ask them where they got it!
Similarly, you may find tea or baked goods that come in decorative tins if that could be useful to you.
KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR DEALS
Disney parks are by no means a hotbed of sales. Indeed, they won’t even price match the Disney Store (I asked). But items do go on discount and clearance periodically. Scan each shop for signs indicating deals. I once got a pretty big stuffed animal on clearance for under $10 at the Main Street Emporium!
You may also wish to check and see whether the item you’re after is sold on the Disney Store website. They often offer discount codes that’ll snag you the exact same thing at a much lower price. Don’t forget to factor in shipping when comparing, though – it doesn’t kick in until like $80 or something ridiculous.
Even if you don’t have an Annual Pass or a DVC membership, Disney Visa card holders can sometimes get a discount on merchandise across the resort. Never hurts to ask!
ULTIMATELY YOUR DISNEY BUDGET IS UP TO YOU
Every Disney Deinfluencing post requires a disclaimer: these are some opinions and ideas. Maybe this set didn’t resonate with you – and that’s okay! There is no exact perfect consumption set point for everyone. Yours is different from mine, which is why I’m not here telling you exactly what to do. Rather, I hope that by laying out a framework for thought – an alternative to the “don’t think, just buy” mentality that feels so prevalent – you will have a path to finding the right point for you.
This concludes my latest Disney Deinfluencing post. I have a few more planned, but if you have a particular topic you’d like me to cover, please let me know via the communication channel of your choice!
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!