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Most of the time when we travel to Walt Disney World, we drive. There are a couple reasons for this. My wife doesn’t like to fly, so if we have the time, she’d rather drive. Another reason is the cost to fly from Philadelphia to Orlando. And now that they have started charging to check your second bag, this would cost us a lot more money. The reason for this is because we usually come back from Disney World with at least one more extra bag than we went down with. We, like many Disney visitors get there
and forget that we have a budget and just start buying things. I have souvenirs from every trip to Walt Disney World I have ever taken. Some as small as An E ticket from around 1980, others as large as The Mickey Philharmagic Print that hangs in our hallway. And every time I stop and look at these or think about when they are from, I recreate the Magical Experience that we had when we got it.

Being able to recreate Magical Experiences from souvenirs is an Unknown Magic that many first time visitors and even some Disney veterans don’t think about. So, let me present to you The Unknown Magic of taking a little piece of the park home with you.

20,000 leagues under the sea circ 1979 

The easiest way to take memories home with you is by taking pictures (cameras and video cameras have become so small that carrying one with you through the parks is easier today than ever before). I have Polaroid pictures of Walt Disney World from when I was about 12 years old. Last year, when we went down, we took about 270 pictures (many you have seen here on the blog or will see in the future on the blog). Another very easy way to bring the memories home with you is by keeping free things that they give you when you are in the parks and resorts and restaurants; things like the Guide Maps, stickers, resort information packets or even your room key. We made a scrap book, after our first trip to Walt Disney World as a Family, and besides using many pictures and brochures we used napkins, swizzle sticks, and coasters from all the different places we ate. And, every time I look at the book, I remember exactly when we were there and what we did. It’s wonderful to be able to remember these Magical Experiences.

Besides the free stuff, there are so many different things you can buy while you are in Disney; everything from antennae toppers to toasters. Yes, believe or not you can buy a toaster or any number of other kitchen items. In Downtown Disney, at Mickey’s

Pantry they have anything Disney themed that you could imagine for the kitchen. They actually have Mickey Mouse shaped Waffle Makers and mouse head egg shapers for you to be able to have Mickey Mouse waffles and eggs when you get home from vacation. They also sell dish towels and glasses and dishes and all other kinds of neat Disney related kitchen Items.

There are other specialized shops in Downtown Disney, and of course the World of Disney Store, which is the biggest Disney themed merchandise store in the world. But, you don’t even have to leave your resort to find Souvenirs, because every Resort has a merchandise area. These stores sell everything from food and toiletries to Resort themed goods such as t-shirts.

While you are in each of the parks, you can stop at any number of merchandise stands or stores. The biggest in each park are: The Main Street Emporium, in Magic Kingdom, Mouse Gear in Epcot, Island Mercantile in Animal Kingdom, and Mickey’s of
Hollywood in Disney Hollywood Studios. They all sell Disney Character merchandise, apparel, Trading pins, Souvenirs, Plush items, Food and candy, Mugs, Hats, Sunglasses, and many other park related items.

So, now, you know, when it comes to Disney souvenirs, there are a plethora of ways to bring it home with you. Everything from buying that t-shirt you love, to keeping your room key or your first three day Disney Pass.  And when you do bring these things home and take them out days and weeks and even years later, they will still remind you of the Magical Experiences you had when you were in Walt Disney World.