Top Picks for Disney Souvenirs that Last a Lifetime!

Souvenir choices abound at Walt Disney World Resort! Make no mistake, there are souvenirs to be found all over the parks and in the resorts and you won’t have to look hard to find them. They include everything from trinkets that you’ll never use again to collectibles that can be displayed in your home.  Today, I’ll share my favorite picks for souvenirs that will last a lifetime!

Top Picks for Disney Souvenirs That Last a Lifetime

Over the years, I’ve purchased gadgets and gizmos aplenty. I have whosits and whatsits galore! Both for my kids and for myself. We have golden dinglehoppers, Buzz Lightyear spinners and more lightsabers than I care to count.  Because I’m a “anything-Disney” collector, I have a lot of things boxed up and in the attic for safe keeping. And, while I am glad that I have those things, it’s the souvenirs that last a lifetime that I enjoy the most.

Top Picks for Disney Souvenirs that Last a Lifetime

Silhouettes

One of my favorite souvenirs are the silhouettes that I have of my husband and me, my two children, and my daughter and her husband. These budget-friendly, personalized souvenirs are created by amazing artists.  Silhouette carts can be found in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Springs.

The silhouettes are miniature works of art that are created on the spot and are truly one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Remember the reference to “budget-friendly?”   They really are!  For one low price, you will receive two silhouettes (mirror images of each other).  If you want the silhouette artist to frame the silhouette for you, the sturdy black frames can be purchased at a reasonable cost.

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Our collection of silhouettes is on display on the hutch in my dining room and I’ve received so many compliments on them.  When I tell people that we had them done at Walt Disney World, the reaction is always the same “I didn’t know they did stuff like that at Walt Disney World!”

silhouette – Picture by Lisa McBride

For more information on how the silhouettes are created, where the carts are located, etc., click here to read one of my previous  Magical DIStraction articles.

Pick A Pearl

The Mitsukoshi department store, with its huge array of merchandise and popular Hello Kitty and Pokemon brands, is located to your right when entering the Japan Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.   Mitsukoshi is also home to the “pick a pearl” oyster stand which has, in my opinion, one of the most “bang for your buck” souvenirs on Disney property.  What makes this souvenir even more special is the fact that you take part in every single step of the experience. This is also a souvenir that will last you a lifetime.

At the price of around $17.00, you get the opportunity to choose your very own oyster/pearl. If your budget allows, you can also have your pearl set into either a necklace, ring, pin, or other pieces.  The sterling silver necklace settings that I have purchased range in price from $18 to $30.  There are more expensive settings for you to choose from as well.

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After the ceremony, you can take the pearl with you or you can have it mounted into one of the settings. The selection of settings is quite extensive.  My budget for Pick-a-Pearl is in the $50 range and I have always been able to find a setting for my pearls.  Every time I wear my pearl, I smile and remember my time in Epcot’s World Showcase.

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DIStracted Tip: The pearls make a wonderful piece of jewelry to hand down to your loved ones. My daughter wore one of my pearls as her “something borrowed” in her wedding.

I provided our readers with lots of details on how the pick a pearl process and ceremony works in my Pick-A-Pearl: A Souvenir that’s Easy on the Budget article.

Holiday Decorations

• Resorts, Parks and Disney Springs

Holidays are spent with family and friends! And a time when we pull out our decorations and reflect on our vacation memories. Fortunately for Walt Disney World Resort Guests, every day is Christmas in several of the stores. Many even specialize in Christmas decorations. Disney Days of Christmas in Disney Springs  and Ye Olde Christmas Shop in the Magic Kingdom are two of those. Both have shelves that are overflowing with ornaments, stockings, Disney themed décor and more! Many of the resorts carry Christmas ornaments year round.

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• Die Weihnachts Ecke

It’s Christmas every day at Die Weihnachts Ecke in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot.  At Die Weihnachts Ecke, Guests find Christmas decorations of all shapes, sizes, and colors! There’s even the Christmas Pickle Tree!  It is a German tradition to hide a pickle ornament in the branches of the Christmas tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place.  When the children awoke in the morning, they would search for the pickle and the first to find it would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas.

The Pickle Tree was featured in my Shopping Around the World: World Showcase That Is! article.

When you purchase a Christmas Pickle ornament, you’ll have a souvenir that will start a lifetime of memories!

Pickle Tree in Germany-Photo Credit Lisa McBride

Crystal & Other Collectibles

So far, the souvenirs that I have written about have been pretty easy on the pocketbook. While some of the crystal pieces found in Walt Disney World won’t hit you too hard, some certainly could.

• La Princesa de Cristal – Mexico

At La Princesa de Cristal – Mexico in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion, Guests will delight in the glimmer and shine of Arribas Brothers crystal and glassware. From sparkling jewelry to adorable Disney figurines to personalized glassware that can be engraved while you wait—you’ll find your perfect keepsake.

• Kunstarbeit in Kristall & other Germany shops

In the Germany Pavilion, Guests will marvel over the hand painted eggs and steins.  The adults in the group will want to be sure to visit Kunstarbeit in Kristall where crystal jewelry sparkles in the light.

Steins, steins, everywhere there’s steins. After all, Germany is know for its beer. Toast your visit to Germany with one of the unique steins found in several of the shops, in the Germany Pavilion including Stein Haus. Some of the steins are small and simple. Others are quite elaborate.

• Crystal Arts

Located on Main Street, Crystal Arts shop specializes in glass and crystal items. Guest choose  from cut glass bowls to glasses, bowls plates, vases, and everything in between. The prices range from pleasing to the budget to gorgeous hand blown creations that cost $4,500.00! No matter what you purchase from Crystal Arts, with a little care and a delicate hand, it is sure to be a souvenir that will last a lifetime.

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• Carved figures

Deep in the heart of the Mexico Pavilion, Guests will find artists who create amazing works of art. Each piece is carved from soft copal wood and are hand painted. Every single piece was hand painted down the very smallest of detail.  There were tiny dots, swirls, stars and flowers.  The artwork is truly incredible!  Any of the pieces would make a wonderful addition to your home or office.

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The crystal and carved figures found in Mexico were both covered in my Discovering Something Old But “New” in Mexico article.

Memories!

THE souvenir that will last a lifetime are the memories that you make! As the sayings go: “Dance like no one is watching!” “Reach for the Sky!”  “You only live once!” I mean, think about it, we do not know what the future, tomorrow or even the next hour holds. Take in these precious moments with your loved ones. I can’t express how much we have enjoyed our trips with our kids, my mother and extended family!  These memories will last a lifetime!

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