Let your thoughts wander from the drudgery of back-to-school shopping to a more pleasant topic: shopping at Disney World! Staff writer Chris Barry shares this reader mail in response to his article, “Top 5 Places to Get Cool Disney Stuff in Walt Disney World.” (July 9, 2010)
Bob T. writes:
With the Hummel store closing does Germany still make your top 5? I agree with you about the store inside the castle. I’ve got a great memory from that store involving my then 5 year old daughter, Cinderella’s slipper and nearly missing a plane, but it would take too long to write.
It is a shame to lose the Hummels, not to say I’m not looking forward to some delicious caramel. We love the atmosphere and the architecture. Our kids love the toy shop. So, I think it would stay on my list.
That sounds like the makings of a great story. Did you leave a glass slipper behind?
Bob decides to share his story after all:
Okay, I’m in the mood for some Disney magic so I’ll share one of my favorite Disney moments with you, but it is a better story when told face to face. This happened way back in December 1997.
We were at Disney World for the week following Thanksgiving that year. We had our three daughters, 7, 5 and 1 (and my wife was 4 months pregnant with #4) and my parents were also there. Each of the kids had been given Disney dollars before leaving home that they could spend as they wanted at Disney. My oldest daughter tried to spend hers at Newark airport but turned away she proceeded to spend all of them at the first Disney store we entered in Walt Disney World. My youngest daughter tried to eat hers (only kidding!). My 5 year old, however, was more patient. She was a huge Cinderella fan, maybe her biggest, and she was determined to find the perfect Cinderella souvenir. For seven days she hunted and searched but it was something she saw on the very first day she kept thinking about. A pink crystal Cinderella slipper she found in The King’s Gallery. They had three sizes, small that could fit in the palm of even a 5 year old hand, medium that would fit in an adult’s hand, and large that was about the size of a petite woman’s foot. My daughter loved the medium size as it was the perfect size for a 5 year old and although it was a little bit more than she had we told her we would cover her. Still, she persevered for the remainder of the trip looking for something better.
In our last day we were at the Magic Kingdom again and she once again visited the store but again she held out. As the day wore on we were getting closer and closer to our point of no return. We had to leave the Magic Kingdom at 2 to make our flight and even at that time my mother thought we were leaving late. At right around 2 we are heading out and my daughter had never made her purchase. As we get to City Hall I can see she has tears in her eyes and I knew what the answer to my question was before I asked.
I looked at her and said, “You want that slipper don’t you?” She mumbled yes as tears started to fall and I knew what I had to do. Without taking her Disney dollars I told my family to meet me at the exit turnstiles and I turned and bolted back down Main Street. Dodging people left and right I made my way back to the store only to encounter a very crowded store. I managed to grab a cast member’s attention and blurted out, “I need a pink slipper, medium sized and I’m late for a plane.” The cast member sensed my urgency and proceeded to go into a back room where she emerged with the slipper for my inspection. It was in perfect condition and she wrapped it quickly. I paid for the slipper and raced back down Main Street.
It was now 2:30. I found my family sitting on a bench and my Mom was giving me the evil eye. But my daughter was giving me a look that only a father with a daughter could understand. Suddenly I was Prince Charming, her very own hero. My mom, however, barely spoke to me as we raced out of the park and told me I was insane and we were going to miss our plane. My dad seemed to have a little smile on his face the entire time. All’s well that end’s well; we made our plane and we have a story that gets brought up every time we go back to Walt Disney World. And yes I also miss that store but for a different reason.
My little 5-year-old is now 18, and in six weeks I’m driving to Washington D.C. and dropping her off at college. When we go I’ll make sure that the pink slipper (which occupies a prominent spot in her room) makes the trip with us. Why? To remind her that her Dad (and Mom) love her more than anything and that we will always go out of our way to make sure she is safe and happy and that sometimes when you love someone you do things that other people might consider impractical. If she’s ever in trouble or frightened she need only look at the slipper and know she can always come to us and we will be there for her. See, Cinderella’s slipper really is magical, just like I told her when she was 5.
That’s my story. I needed that magic today. You see it was one year ago today that the man who taught me those lessons about love and self sacrifice passed away — My dad. He was there that day and I’m sure he was smiling inside the entire time that day. I don’t have a slipper from him, but his lessons have been passed on to four very special granddaughters. Thanks for listening and letting me relive that happy day.
Sweet story. Your dad taught you well.
I’m sure that I would have done the same for my daughter when she was 5, and I’m sure I’ll keep doing so as she grows and grows. Glad to see my list brought back some magical memories.
Perry H. writes:
Your list is spot on. Mouse Gears has always been my favorite place to get Disney stuff. It has everything and is laid out the best of all the larger stores. Thanks for a great list.
It is the best of the large stores. It is also one of the only stores where I have come across sale items. I’ve always done well at Mouse Gears.
Michelle B. writes:
You asked!
5. Serka Zong Bazaar at exit to Expedition Everest
4. Disney’s Character Carnival, Screen Door General Store, and Thimbles and Threads at the Boardwalk (They count as 1 store!)
3. Zawadi Marketplace at Animal Kingdom Lodge
2. World of Disney (too much merchandise to not go just because you don’t like Downtown Disney)
1. Mouse Gears
Great choices. I bought a great Expedition Everest fleece jacket in the Serka Zong Bazaar. It has expedition patches on the arms and says Expedition Everest on the back. I can’t begin to tell you how many people say to me, “Wow, you climbed Mount Everest?” whenever I wear it. I really bought it because I was there on a trip in December and it was 40 degrees in Sunny Orlando and I wasn’t prepared, but it has turned into quite a conversation piece.
I’m with you on your other choices, but no matter how much merchandise is at The World of Disney, I just don’t enjoy myself there, so I stay away.
Susan S. writes:
One of my favorite places is the Department Store at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot. I always wait until the last day of our trip and treat myself to two oysters and hope for big pearls! The girls that work there make you feel so special. The store is fun to look in and I find many great Christmas presents in here.
Mitsukoshi Department Store is a great place. It’s great because it’s not a theme park store, it’s a branch of the store from Japan. There are other branches in Taiwan, China and Europe, but Epcot is the only one in North America. My boys love the selection of Pokemon stuff. I bought my wife a great watch there, and my daughter loves the lucky cats. It’s a cool store, for sure.
Krystyn writes:
Just wondering how you thought the Port Orleans French Quarter store compares to the Riverside Fulton Store? I stayed at the French Quarter in March and found some great things there, however I will be back on property in two weeks and wonder if I should make a point to go to the Riverside shop.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in Jackson Square Gifts at the French Quarter, but it is a very nice shop. I would, in general, pay a visit to Riverside if you’re staying at French Quarter, especially if you haven’t already seen it. Riverside is a wonderful place and it’s just a boat ride or nice walk away. Maybe eat at Boatwright’s (the jambalaya and the bananas foster are excellent) and swim at the great pool on Ol’ Man Island. Take a horse and carriage ride at night to the French Quarter and back. It was so peaceful it lulled all three of our kids to sleep. Riverside is certainly a busier place. After a visit there, the French Quarter will seem almost deserted.
As far as Fulton’s, it’s certainly worth a stop. It’s a bit bigger, has more selection and is more well-themed. The great thing about staying at Port Orleans has always been that you have all the amenities of two distinct resorts at your disposal. We floated between the two each time we’ve stayed there.
Brian M. writes:
That was a great article about your favorite shops in the world. I agree about Downtown Disney being way too much. In the Magic Kingdom there are a few shops that seem to be tucked away but filled to the brim with collectables. The Briar Patch in Frontierland is unique; usually you’re quite damp after the ride but the shop itself is amazing. Another is the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. If you’re not looking for it you would simply walk by not knowing what a great shop it is. Third would be Sir Mickey’s; it’s not that large but seems to have the odds and ends that you’re looking for. Last are the shops at the All Star Resorts. They are chock full of just about anything you want, especially the articles you wanted at the park but forgot to get.
The Briar Patch and Sir Mickey’s were close calls on my list. You’re right, they are unique and I have often found great things there. While I usually have trouble shopping for Christmas stuff in the summer or the spring, I have enjoyed Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in the fall and certainly in December.
