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Disney Souvenirs & Collectibles – Epcot Zippered Hoodie
What is it? My favorite Disney souvenir ever is my zippered hoodie from Walt Disney World’s Epcot.
Why is it so special? I got my Epcot hoodie on our first trip to the World in 2006. We had road tripped to Florida in our rockin’ new minivan, and I discovered that although it was sunny, hot September, the A/C in the van blasts like an arctic freeze. I needed a jacket for the trip home. Each subsequent trip has required an updated look and so began my collection. I now have a zippered hoodie for each Park visit, plus one from the Disney DREAM Christening Cruise, and one Disneyland jacket I got at the Disney Store outlet (ssh! Don’t tell it’s not really from the Park).
Where did you get it? I got my Epcot hoodie at Mouse Gear.
How much did it cost? I think it was close to $50.
Related articles
- New and Improved: MouseGear at Epcot (chipandco.com)
- Best Bathrooms in Walt Disney World – Epcot (chipandco.com)
You Don’t Know Until You Go
It’s not always easy being an adult Walt Disney World lover. When I tell people I am headed to WDW on my next vacation, I get that weird look, that one that says “really? What a weirdo”…usually it only lasts a second, and they say something like “Oh, that’s nice” when what they really mean is “that’s for kids…I wouldn’t want to go there”. In these situations, I usually try and be a Disney cheerleader, rallying for Team WDW, and i have come up with this list of things that are so unique, that you can only get them at Walt Disney World:
The Service: The employees of WDW (they call them Cast Members) provide the highest level of service I have ever experienced. They are friendly, polite, helpful, and most of all, they actually seem to really like their jobs. They will bend over backwards to make sure you have an amazing time, and that is truly special, and something you don’t see much of these days.
The Food: Most theme parks keep it simple with burgers, fries, and other fried items. Not Walt Disney World, where you can sample authentic cuisine from 11 different countries at Epcot’s World Showcase, feast on a AAA 5 diamond rated meal at Victoria and Albert’s, or grab a giant turkey leg in the Magic Kingdom. Everything they sell tastes fresh and is prepared with meticulous attention to flavors and the result is out of this world! Oh, and in case you’re in the mood, WDW has those burgers and fries too, and they taste amazing.
The Accommodations: Disney has many different choices of places to stay, all with their own theme. From the Polynesian Resort that’s like living in a luau, to the Port Orleans Resort where they serve up gumbo and beignets with a true Louisiana flair, to the Boardwalk Resort-where they have a real wooden boardwalk reminiscent of Old Atlantic City (this one is my personal favorite, and is breathtaking at night!)
The Detail: WDW pays people to create all the experiences in it’s parks and resorts, down to the chair fabrics and napkin designs (they call them Imagineers, which might just be the coolest job ever!). The themes are carried out in every ride, restaurant, hotel room, and swimming pool, and are breathtaking. My favorite example of Imagineering is the Haunted Mansion ride, where you get to ride in a “Doom Buggy” through a truly creepy haunted house (where I still find something new and scary every time I ride it!)
The Experience: This one is a bit harder to put into words, but its that feeling you get when you walk into any of the parks, for me it hits me hardest in the Magic Kingdom, when you gaze down Main Street USA and see Cinderella’s Castle up ahead…and you know that you can have a real vacation, an escape from the pressures of the real world, in a place where you can feel like a carefree kid again.
So next time a non-Disney lover gives you that weird look, let them know about what they are missing. You never know, you might actually convince them to visit the happiest place on earth, and the truth is, they won’t really know until they go.
Related articles
- The “Comforts of Home” are never far away at Disney World (chipandco.com)
- Top 5 Things to Know When Visiting WDW at the Holidays (chipandco.com)
Shop like a Diva – Downtown Disney
We can’t forget Downtown Disney! Even though we’ve already talked about where to shop in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, you obviously STILL WANT MORE. Well, I’m not going to disappoint!
Downtown Disney
Obviously, Downtown Disney is the mother-load for Disney Shopping, but it just doesn’t have the same feel to me as shopping in parks. However, If I’m buying its probably at one of these stores:
For anything that I looked at multiple times in the park and never bought – World of Disney. This is LITERALLY the largest Disney character store ON EARTH, and it feels that way. If you are looking for it, and its Disney-fied, then you will find it here. Common purchase for the Divas include kitchen accessories (oven mitts, coffee cups), scarves (best selection of cute, discreet, mickey mouse dresses/scarves where the pattern is cleverly woven-in). I wear my scarves all winter long and people rarely seem to recognize the pattern, costume jewelry – at least one watch, ring, or pair of earrings will always be bought here (unless I already got them at Mouse Gears in Epcot). *Warning, this store is always packed, EXTREMELY EASY TO GET LOST/ SEPEAREATED FROM YOUR FAMILY IN, AND JUST GENERALLY OVERWHELMING* Like I said, different feel from shopping in park. I normally feel more rushed and frantic in World of Disney (so more impulse buys maybe?)
For tweens and/or teens – TrenD Really some super cute and unique things in TrenD. Love some of their Alice-styled things. Mostly has things that my right thigh couldn’t even fit in though, so that’s why I suggested the tweens/teens, but you might just LOVE them!
For SERIOUS Pin Collectors- Disney Pin Traders : If you’re looking for a pin, and its not been retired, you’re likely to find it at the Downtown Disney Pin Traders shop. Its huge huge huge. (I personally don’t do pin trading, but know many people who are obsessed with it. We use them with my son to mark rides he’s been on and collect the ride pins exclusively).
For kitchen accessories – Mickey’s Pantry – I usually get something that can go in my kitchen at Mickey’s Pantry. While our kitchen is in no-way overrun with Disney, there are some things I love like my measuring cups/ spoons, oven mitt, apron, and wine glasses. It’s a good way to bring a little mickey home with you and have something replaced that you “got as a wedding gift 10 years ago”.
For posters/ paintings – The Art of Disney – Each time we leave Magic Kingdom I drool over the vintage ride and movie posters in the exit tunnels. They are simply magnificent and one day I swear I’ll buy one, and when I do I’ll know where I can go to get one – The Art of Disney. They have a touch-screen computer there that allows you to find every kind of Disney art-work you could imagine. If you’d like a beautiful poster or painting, here’s the place to find it.
And there you are Chip & Co. readers, the Disney Diva’s favorite shopping spots at Walt Disney World! Enjoy!
Shop like a Diva – Animal Kingdom
Still shopping? Of course you are, this is Walt Disney World and buying stuff to prove you’ve been there is half the fun! At your time in Animal Kingdom you’ll find some more goodies.
Don’t forget to check out my other articles below.
Animal Kingdom
For Adult clothing- Island Mercantile- Discovery Island: I’m trying to picture the name of the place that has the cool clothes I like and I THINK this is the one. Please forgive me if its not. I don’t shop in AK all that frequently, as I’m busy standing in line for Expedition Everest or enjoying my favorite show at Walt Disney World, Finding Nemo. Island Mercantile has some nice polo-style and Hawaiian style shirts as well as some dresses that were very unique for WDW. Its a nicely laid out store as well.
For all-things DINOSAUR - Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures – Dinoland: If your child is really into dinosaurs, as mine was, then you’ll find many great dino-items at Chester & Hesters. Many different dinosaurs in different sizes and styles are available for you to pick from.
Authentic African Souvenirs Mombasa Marketplace – Africa : As in world showcase, we try not to buy African or Asian souvineers while at WDW because we hope to go to Africa one day and would hate to have a friend see something in our house and say “oh did you get that in Africa?” and we say “nah, we got it at Disney World”, but you might find something you cannot live without as there are many beautiful items in this store.
Still in the mood to shop? Let’s finish this series at Downtown Disney.
Related articles
- Shop like a Diva – Epcot Shopping (chipandco.com)
- Shop like a Diva – Magic Kingdom Shopping (chipandco.com)
- Shop like a Diva – Hollywood Studios (chipandco.com)
Shop like a Diva – Disney’s Hollywood Studios Shopping
Still haven’t satisfied your inner shop-a-holic after reading my posts about where to shop in Magic Kingdom and in Epcot? Here are some Hollywood Studios finds you shouldn’t pass up!
I would recommend you take a pass on Mickey’s of Hollywood. It’s potentially one of the worst laid out stores I’ve ever been in. You can find all of the items there, and more over at Mouse Gears in Epcot or Downtown Disney.
For even more Christmas ornaments: It’s a Wonderful Shop (Streets of America) – If Ye Old Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom was just too crowded for you, but you want to look around and find great holiday items with a splash of Mickey, then It’s a Wonderful Shop is the place for you.
For Star Wars Stuff: Tatooine Traders (Backlot) – Are you a Star Wars junkie? You’ll be able to find many great items to feed your addiction at Tatooine. The building itself is really cool as well.
For high-end Disney items: Sunset Boulevard shops – Hollywood Studios is packed with shopping. You can find just about any item you could imagine in this park. However, for some of the classier items that Divas like myself really go for, you can’t beat the shopping on Sunset Boulevard. Since I’m a giant “fraidy-cat” and rarely ride the Rock n Roller Coaster or Hollywood Tower of Terror I always have plenty of time to shop. You won’t be disappointed (and you wont get motion sickness from it either! +1!!!).
Find out where to shop at Animal Kingdom next!
Related articles
- Shop like a Diva – Epcot Shopping (chipandco.com)
- Shop like a Diva – Magic Kingdom Shopping (chipandco.com)
