Welcome back to My Disney Top 5. Thanks for all your responses. I’ve been enjoying your reactions to my lists and I’ve certainly been enjoying all of your lists. Please, keep them coming.
Two things have been going on in my household over the past few rainy weeks we’ve been having here in New York: cleaning and planning. We’ve been trying to clear out clutter, and we’re in the planning stages for our next Walt Disney World trip. The two go together in a way because when we attempt to sort through all of our stuff, we realize how much of it has come from a certain magical vacation destination in Central Florida.
This is the perfect forum for us, because we are a family of 5 and each of us have certain things that always seem to make it into our suitcases. I asked each member of the family for their input, even though I was pretty sure what their answers would be. That said, here are the Top 5 Things My Family Brings Home From Walt Disney World.
5 – “Guys”
I have 6-year-old twin boys, and nothing makes them happier than playing with small, predominantly plastic or PVC figures. They probably have hundreds of them. There are games, cars, Playdoh sets, balls, video games, and everything else in the toy closet but 99% of the time they are playing with what they refer to as “guys.” When they’re at Disney and they’re looking for something on the Emporium shelves, they will almost certainly head towards the boxes of “guys.” Most of the time there are collections of 5-6 per box and themed to a particular film. They’re relatively inexpensive, don’t take up much room and it gives them something to play with during meals, at the pool, and back in the room before bed. There are “guys” in their book bags, in the car, on their night tables, and usually in their hands most of the time. There will always be one or two “guys” with us wherever we go.
Just a sampling of my son's collection of “guys.” Photo by Chris Barry.
4 – “Little Guys”
More specifically the Disney Theme Park Collector Packs. These don’t fall in the same category as the previous “guys,” because my 10-year-old daughter and I collect them. While the boys play with theirs, we display ours. They come in a small bag, are around $5, and you don’t know what you’re going to get. You can find them in most big park stores, World of Disney, occasionally on merchandise carts, and sometimes hotel gift shops. There have been several series, including Disney characters, park icons, and ride vehicles. Most recently we’ve gotten special Pixar, Star Wars, and holiday collections. Once again, they’re small, inexpensive and a fun collectible or plaything for big and little Disney fans alike.
Some of the “little guys” from the Theme Park Collector Packs. Photo by Chris Barry.
3 – Disney Plush
This was my daughter’s choice. I was fairly sure she would choose pins. She’s been doing quite well with her pin collecting over the years, but her immediate response was, “Stuffed animals!” True, each trip she returns home with at least 2 new plush animals. I try to persuade her to look for the more unusual ones, rare characters, limited editions, special seasonal or ones marking a celebration, something she can’t get at the local Disney Store. The choices are usually quite overwhelming, but she puts a lot of thought into it and I think she brings back some special finds that will remind her of our trips in years to come.
Happiest Celebration on Earth Minnie, Eddie the elk from Norway, and Epcot Flower and Garden Mickey. Photo by Chris Barry.
2 – German Blue Crystal
And then there’s my wife. She has more expensive tastes. Staying true to her heritage, she has made one big purchase each year, usually in Epcot’s Germany. There is a particular German blue crystal that she fell in love with on our first trip together. It’s available from the Arribas Brothers Crystal shops in Epcot, on Main Street and at Downtown Disney. Some of it can only be found at the Arribas Brothers shops in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, so it truly is something she can only get from our trips to Disney. It’s pricey, but it’s beautiful, it’s unique and she works harder than anyone I know, so she deserves to treat herself to a piece each year.
My lovely wife's lovely German crystal. Photo by Chris Barry.
1 – Free Stuff!
Yes. I used the word free when discussing what I bring home from Walt Disney World. Now, I buy plenty of stuff when I’m there. I have my classic character pins, t-shirts, hats, die-cast cars and ride vehicles, but nothing makes me happier than finding little bits and pieces of free stuff to line the collectible shelf at home with. They may be little and some may feel insignificant, but I feel they are all memories that help me stay in touch with the magic all year long. I like to bring home the foam coffee cups they give you in Disney resort hotels. There’s a stack of them in the pantry. Same goes for the Mickey coasters, the Mickey soaps and the Mickey shampoos. I’ve got some great cocktail stirrers with the resort and park names on them, “It’s My Birthday” pins, free postcards from Port Orleans-French Quarter, and much, much more. Some of this stuff is used all the time and some of it is for display. All of it makes me happy and when I see it, I'm reminded that sometime, hopefully soon, I’ll probably be going back for more.
A sampling of some cool freebies. Photo by Chris Barry.
That’s my list. How about yours? Do you have certain items that always seem to find their way home with you from the World? I'd love to hear from you.
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