You’ve had the most fantastic holiday ever, and you’ve got those precious memories you’ve made forever. However, it’s also nice to have something tangible which you can take home with you to remind you of those great times.
The good news? There’s no shortage of options for souvenirs that you can treasure forever in Orlando. There are no less than 274 places to shop at Walt Disney World Resort throughout the Disney Parks and Disney Springs, not to mention the stores at Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
If you need some inspiration for a memento from the holiday of a lifetime, then read on. We’ve got the top 10 Orlando souvenirs as voted for by our social media community.
Is Orlando good for shopping?
Well, the answer, of course, is a big fat yes! If shopping is your thing, then Orlando ticks all the boxes when it comes to retail therapy.
Not only do the theme parks and entertainment complexes all have their own shops stacked to the brim with merchandise, there are also various shopping areas throughout the city, including strip malls and outlet stores.
Top tip: If you want to buy quite a bit during your holiday, then we recommend bringing an empty suitcase with you. For example, if you’re travelling as a couple, try packing a little lighter and popping everything into one case. You can then fill up the other suitcase to take home!
Top 10 souvenirs from Orlando
Summary – top 10 souvenirs from Orlando
- Christmas decorations
- Fridge magnets
- Mouse ears
- Souvenir cups
- Attraction photos
- Plushies
- Harry Potter wand
- Pin badges
- Theme park maps
- Character autograph books
1. Christmas decorations
Don’t be a Scrooge! It’s the most wonderful time of the year all year round in Orlando, with Christmas decorations on sale 365 days a year in the theme parks.
The great news about this festive souvenir is that you can really start to build up a collection, too, choosing a different Christmas decoration each time you visit Orlando and reliving the trips each year when you haul the decs down from the loft. Choose ones that have the year on them to keep track of the memories.
2. Fridge magnets
One of the most commonly collected holiday souvenirs is the humble fridge magnet. They don’t often stand alone, and once you get one, you’ll find yourself picking them up wherever you go! And of course, you don’t even need a fridge - any metallic surface will do.
Fridge magnets are widely available throughout the theme parks, and they’re one of the cheapest (and lightest!) souvenirs you can pick up – an excellent choice if you are travelling on a budget.
John Byrom and a team of researchers from the University of Liverpool wanted to learn more about people’s relationships with holiday fridge magnets and so they looked into it.
John says: “It was clear that when people talked through what their magnets meant to them, they were very easily able to generate these memories and responses of very specific events or people, including quite poignant examples of holidays that they’ve had with people who have died or children who have grown up and moved away.” (source: ScienceDirect)
3. Mouse ears
Did you even go to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida if you didn’t get some Mickey or Minnie Mouse ears to wear during your trip? Mouse ears come on a headband and are available in various designs. Choose from the classic black ears, or go for something a little more jazzy.
There are ears based on Disney Characters like Woody from Toy Story, Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, Lady from Lady and the Tramp, and many more. There are even limited-edition mouse ears. These are a little more expensive than the usual designs, but you’ll be one of only a select few to own them.
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort on honeymoon, you’ve got engaged during your holiday, or it’s your wedding anniversary, then be sure to get the bride and groom ears. You’ll find that Cast Members and even other travellers will shout their congratulations to you as you walk by!
Mouse ears can be worn during your time in the Disney Parks and then taken home afterward to display.
Lucys.worldtour says on our social media that she loves hers, “My first ever pair of Minnie Ears (they were the hat style) and I still have them 13 years later!”
4. Souvenir cups
If you want a souvenir that’s not just a keepsake but is practical as well, then a souvenir cup is for you. If you know you’re going to be drinking a lot of fizzy drinks during your time in the theme parks, then it might be worth buying a refillable cup. You buy the cup once, and then you have access to discounted (or free) drinks throughout your visit.
Each theme park has its own version and designs. For example, a Minions cup from Universal Orlando Resort, a design featuring orcas and dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando, or a character design at Walt Disney World Resort. There will also be special designs to celebrate anniversaries or events.
5. Attraction photos
Photos are a fantastic souvenir. Gone are the days when we used to develop them and put them in albums to look back on and relive those precious memories. With having so many photos on our phones nowadays, it’s rare to have physical copies. Enter attraction photos!
At most of the theme parks, you can choose to get a printed ride photo or a digital copy that you can keep on your phone for your social media channels (new profile pic, anyone?).
Comical expressions, hair standing on end, and hilarious poses – ride photos are guaranteed to get everyone reliving the feelings you had at the theme parks.
Alexanderpbell says a ride photo is their favourite souvenir, “Ride picture of my five year old daughter on Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for the first time. Her face was a picture.”
Top tip: Selected ride photos at Walt Disney World Resort are included with Disney’s Memory Maker. Memory Maker is an unlimited package of photos that includes all the photos you have taken during your trip to Walt Disney World Resort. You can download them to use online or print them out. Memory Maker is included with our 7 and 14-day Walt Disney World Resort tickets.
6. Plushies
For the little – and big – kids amongst us, you can’t go wrong with a plushie or soft toy. Whether it’s for cuddling or for display, there are literally thousands to choose from.
Choose one of the Disney Characters at Walt Disney World Resort, grab a Light Fury from How To Train Your Dragon at Universal Orlando Resort, or select from a range of animal and sea creature plushies at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Louise_ashton from our social media community says the best souvenir she’s ever bought is: “Safari Mickey plush. Whenever I see it at home I am transported back to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in a moment.”
7. Harry Potter wand
Of course, there are plenty of Harry Potter souvenirs to be had at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ at Universal Orlando Resort. From Chocolate Frogs to school house robes, you can take a piece of the magic back with you.
There’s no better Harry Potter souvenir than a wand. Head to Ollivanders Wand Shop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Diagon Alley™️ in Universal Studios Florida, where you’ll find an array of magical implements just waiting to be discovered.
Remember, the wand chooses the wizard, so enjoy a unique interactive experience where one lucky witch or wizard will find the perfect wand for them. There are 13 different types of wood, each with their own attributes. For example, willow is resilient, confident, and strong, whereas rowan is imaginative, resourceful, and therapeutic.
Not just a nice keepsake, if you decide to buy an Interactive Wand, you can also use it throughout the park to cast spells and create magical experiences. Look out for medallions in the pavement, indicating where you should stand to cast your spell, how you need to move your wand, and what words you’ll need to say. Wingardium leviosa!
8. Pin badges
Orlando pins are huge collectors’ items, with some people buying one (or a few!) every time they visit one of the theme parks. They’re a great idea for a souvenir as they don’t take up much room in your case and can easily be displayed when you get home.
You can also purchase a lanyard to display your pins on – an additional souvenir! Some of the parks even have pin trading events, so you can swap with other fanatics.
Top tip: At Walt Disney World Resort, you can trade pins with Cast Members. If you see one with pins on their lanyard, simply ask if they’d like to trade.
9. Theme park maps
Although some of the theme parks no longer print paper maps, others still do, and they make for a lovely little keepsake. If you’re a fan of scrapbooking, you can add the map to one of your scrapbooks and write little notes around it to remember the fun you had in the parks. You could also frame it or use it to plan future trips.
10. Character autograph books
Wherever you’ll find characters in Orlando, you’ll also find autograph books. Buy these at the beginning of your holiday and fill them up with the signatures of the characters you meet throughout your trip.
These are the perfect souvenirs for children who are really excited about meeting the characters. It’s a great way to keep the magic alive for them. Kids will love seeing how many monikers they can collect!
Now you know the best souvenirs to buy in Orlando, it’s time to book the holiday of a lifetime. At AttractionTickets.com, we’ve got everything you need to plan your perfect trip, including hotels and attraction tickets. So, what are you waiting for?
