What should you never buy at Disney World?

I am answering another Quora question.  You may wonder why I answer this question and make them into whole posts for you to read?  It is simple, to answer your most burning questions.  You have the same questions as some of the people who are looking at planning for a vacation, and I may have the answer to that question.  To that end here is my answer and the in-depth look into why I said what I said. 

“I am really not sure. I say that to tell you that everyone is different with different tastes. To tell you what not to buy is like telling you not to breathe. I have some guidelines on your purchases that will help you with your purchases (you did not think I would leave you hanging with that answer, did you?). Keep in mind the following tips:

1. As much as the souvenirs are as a whole, never purchase anything that you think is not worth the money. This includes edible souvenirs. Not every cupcake is the same at WDW, nor worth the price you pay
2. Keep in mind your budget. Yes, it is your vacation, but you have to eat the rest of the time you are there, and you have to get home, and you need some money in case of emergencies (Hospital costs, rental car/own car needing immediate repairs, child drawing on the wall of the resort room, and bail money are examples that come to mind) So sorry, a Michael Kors bag from a Disney Springs boutique is a no go, unless you can get it with a credit or debit card, and you have plenty of money to get home.
3. Speaking of which, never buy anything that you cannot do a return on BEFORE you go home. There are many ways of returning something, and if shipping back something is a problem (such as you live outside of the United States, Japan, France, or Asian countries that have a Disney Park in them) do not purchase.
4. Do not purchase something just for the heck of it. I learned this the hard way. Back in 2004, I thought I might have a Disney pin collection. I do not like pins, but I bought a Mulan pin because I was advised to start off with one, and every time you come back to Disney World, I can trade for something better and build on my collection. I do not know where that pin is, and I feel like I wasted my money. For my next vacation there, I will not buy a pin, no matter how cute it is.”

Keep in mind I am using souvenirs in my example. think about this when you purchase a vacation package, using a travel agent, or a paid event at Disney. You know what your family likes, and you know what you like. This is also a perfect way to be budget-friendly even on vacation.

Souvenir Prices and your Budget

Souvenirs and Returns

Way back when Disney was an exclusive company, you could get away with purchasing anything at the park.  Some of the things I have purchased in the past were:

1)       Stickers (because I was a crafter)

2)      Autograph books

3)     Towel (for my sister who was a teen with no money-who goes to Disney with no money, LOL).  She loves Tigger, and I thought that she would love it, along with the

4)     Big Stuffed Tigger. Hey, that’s what big sisters are for.

5)     Pin (see above)

6)     Mug (the airline broke it on the flight home)

There is nothing wrong with these purchases, except the pin at the time of purchase, but since that time, Disney has loosened up a bit, and now you can go to Target, Walmart, and your local Dollar Tree to get some of this stuff.  Only save your money for the exclusives, and only if it is worth the money. 

Please, do not purchase something because someone has one.  It may not be in your best taste, style, or budget.  Please teach your little ones especially if they are using their own money. 

Discount tickets:  Now this one has an exception:  If it is bought through your travel agent, go ahead and buy them.  I do not go through these holes in the walls type of places in Orlando.  Here is the reason why you do not buy discount tickets.  If you buy them, you are running the risk of not getting into the parks.  Sometimes, these so-called ticket centers may have bought tickets from someone with a day left on the ticket itself.  They then sell to you what may be a ticket the center says is a ticket that is the length of your stay.  They also may be stolen. 

Buy from a reliable travel agent, who buys only from Disney.  This goes for package deals as well.

These are the items that you should never buy at Disney and any place.