Countdown to Disney....souvenirs

 Souvenirs are a big deal in Walt Disney World. So many options to choice from and so many places to purchase and so many high prices! Do we pick ears, Loungeflys, shirts, pins!? Which parks? Which Stores? All of them!? 

Each child usually gets a couple of souvenirs of their choosing. Pretty wide open, as long as it isn't too pricey. No Light Sabers that cost $300 over here !Typically, we use leftover Dining Credits at the end of our trip and get snacks that double as souvenirs. I love that we are able to do so. It let's the magic take use home, to school, wherever we go for a little while longer. The kids love a Mickey shaped snack from the trip to pop up in their lunchbox at school! So again, I really miss Disney Dining Plans! 

Another new adventure for this trip leaves me thinking about what to do on the last day before we leave the parks. Our tradition of trading in snack credits isn't an option. How do we cap off the trip and make sure we bring a little magic home? For one thing, I have decided to pick souvenirs very carefully. 

When I think back on my favorite souvenir, it is from our second family trip to disney. Our youngest was 4 years old and fell in love with "Chip & Dip"  while we were there. She would get so excited every time that we saw them. She had never so much as mentioned them before that trip. We searched and searched and finally found a Mickey hat with a little Chip & Dale plush set. It documented the year on the ears and had Chip & Dip to help us remember those moments. It was a little tough to find but was the perfect represenation of that memory. Every time we clean the playroom and I see it, it makes my heart happy. I can see her sweet little 4 year old smile and her that cute litte voice, "It's Chip  & Dip!" 

I can't wait to see what we experience this year that becomes our favorite memory. And, I look forward to searching stores for that 'just right' souvenir to help us remember that moment for years to come. This is what Disney Magic is all about. 

I also have done a lot of thinking about ways to keep the magic flowing. I love the idea of a Disney puzzle to put together as a family after we return home. Maybe a Disney cookbook so we can recreate some of our favorite meals and snacks. I have also considered stopping by one of the local antique malls and bringing home a legitiate piece of Disney! I really hope that time allows for that option. A pillow from the Grand Floridian or a Lamp from the Polynesian. Wouldn't that just be the coolest!?

What's your favorite Disney Souvenir?

Countdown to Disney.....shopping

 Shopping....ugh. I am not a big fan of shopping but I have been doing a lot of it for this trip. It has been a few years since our last trip in 2018 so kids have outgrown Disney gear. Plus, with the lack of Disney Dining Plan, we are taking Breakfast foods to have breakfast in the room and we won't have our refillable mugs. I feel like there are so many extra things that we need for this visit. I may overthink things a little but I have been shopping around for months. Shirts, ears, water bottles, backpacks, chargers, etc. 'Save for Later' has been my friend lately.  I am so indecisive about the silliest things, like shirts and always think I can find something better or cheaper. I worry about whether the kids will like them or my husband will think they are silly. The majority of things I place in the cart, usually end up in save for later. I did that this time and then ended up ordering it all at once. I actually think I prefer this method. It gave me time to look around and order with no regrets because I knew I had really searched the ends of the interwebs! I even have some items saved for the next trip. I orignally planned to share my purchases with you now but ultimately, I think the better option is to wait until our trip is over. I will be able to give great reviews and feedback on lots of great new Disney themed merch. Glad I can do all of the overthinking for you! 😂

Up next....souvenirs.....