Some of the best souvenirs from a Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation are those that reflect the experiences of individual Disney guests. These souvenirs are even better if they can be personalized or customized.
Some Disney souvenirs are personalized by their presence in a collection. Things like Disney trading pins, pressed pennies, and autographs fall in this category.
Other items, which may be part of a collection or stand on their own, become personalized in the design process – in which guests get involved in hands-on activities. An update to buying the classic Mickey Mouse ears is one example. Other include two of Disney’s current, popular collectibles: Vinylmation® figures and Ridemakerz® cars. With these Disney souvenirs, more than half the fun in collecting them is in making them.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World Vacation Classics – Mickey Mouse Ears and T-Shirts
Owning a pair of Mickey Mouse ears is almost a rite of passage for Disney guests who travel to the theme parks. At the most basic level, Mickey ears are easily personalized by adding embroidery on the back. There’s something nostalgic about owning a classic set of ears with one’s name in gold script.
Disney offers additional options than just Mickey ears. Mickey headgear comes in all colors, from basic black that goes with everything to bright pink and lime green. Options include Minnie Ears, princess ears, a Goofy hat and a matching bride and groom set.
In the most personal of personalized options, guests can design their own custom Mickey ears. Choices include hat and ear colors or styles, patches, decals and special themes. Custom ears are available at Disneyland at Main Street Mat Hatter on Main Street or at Mickey’s Toontown’s Gag Factory. At Walt Disney World, guests can customize ears at Magic Kingdom’s Chapeau on Main Street or at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
For guests who prefer t-shirts, Walt Disney World offers a create-your-own t-shirt option at the Disney Design-A-Tee shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Guests can combine Disney characters or animation with different shirt colors, fonts and custom messages. The shirts are made while guests wait. The shirts make fun souvenirs and gifts, and many guests create matching ones to wear during their family trip,
Disney’s Vinylmation Figures
Vinylmation figures are small collectibles shaped like Mickey Mouse and customized by Disney artists. They are produced in 1.5”, 3” and 9” figures, as well as spin-off merchandise. Sold in limited editions and some open runs, Vinylmation figures are released in themes: cutesters, holiday, park attractions, and so on.
These portable and inexpensive items are popular Disney souvenirs for casual and serious collectors. As such, Disney guests can quickly create a personalized collection, by purchasing Vinylmation and by trading with other Disney guest at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
At Walt Disney World’s D-Street, Vinymation is also customizable. The new Downtown Disney Marketplace store offers a “Vinylmation Creation Station.” Disney guests of all ages can create their own figures, starting with a blank figure that comes in various colors. Guests draw designs on their figure, and can add eyes, mouths, gems and stickers. To complete the custom look, guests may sign their masterpieces.
D-Street’s collection of finished Vinylmation can serve as inspiration. Two-dimensional templates are also offered on the “Fun Page” of Disney's Vinylmation website, which enable guests to experiment with different designs before committing to one.
(At this point, there are no definite plans to offer a Vinylmation Creation Station at Disneyland, although Steven Miller, the project manager of Disney trading, states Disney is reviewing options.)
Ridemakerz Toy and Remote-Control Cars
Ridemakerz®, with stores at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, allows children and adults guests to customize toy and radio control (RC) cars. The Ridermakerz experience provides more than 649 million combinations, which can offer a truly customized souvenir.
To design their vehicles, guests start with a basic car, including versions of vintage and contemporary autos, race cars and service vehicles. Guests may build a car based around themed packages or choose separate elements. Guests choose a body style, wheels, accessories, lights and sounds, as well as decide whether to add a radio-control option.
Ridermakerz stores are set up at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District area and Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney West Side. While the former is a permanent store, the Walt Disney World location is temporary – at least officially, with a limited engagement through fall 2010. Disney has expressed an interest in finding a permanent home for Ridermakerz.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland have scores of souvenirs Disney guests can collect, personalize and even customize. Such items are fun to collect, and offer their own interactive theme-park experience for Disney guests.
See related articles:
- Collecting Disney Souvenirs as Interactive Theme Park Fun
- Free Walt Disney World Souvenirs for Family Theme Park Travel
Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
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