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Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

We are BACK at Magic Kingdom for the first time in MONTHS! From checking out some of our favorite rides to admiring Cinderella Castle’s new glow-up from close up, it has been A DAY!

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Magic Kingdom

And after seeing which shops would be reopening in Magic Kingdom (as well as EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom!) we started prepping our lists of must-buy items!

We popped into a couple Magic Kingdom shops today to scope out the scene and see how our retail-therapy session compared to the ones we’ve previously experienced at Disney Springs as well as the select Disney World resorts that have recently reopened!

Crowds and Waiting to Shop

One of our biggest questions was whether we would have to wait in a virtual queue like we did at World of Disney on its first day back in operation! The process was relatively smooth but still a change from what we’ve been used to in Disney World!

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Main Street Confectionery

We were told by Magic Kingdom Cast Members that just like the Disney-owned Disney Springs stores, some theme park gift shops may activate a virtual queue system if a crowd forms. You’ll check in at the front of the store and give your phone number to a Cast Member. Then, when it’s your turn to shop, they’ll contact you to return.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Magic Kingdom

We noticed that none of the stores (at lease when we were there), including the Emporium, had activated their virtual queues today so we were able to walk right into any shop without waiting. At Uptown Jewelers, there’s a separate virtual queue just to view the Pandora jewelry case.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Designated Exit

Most stores now have a designated entrance and exit too to help control the flow of foot traffic.

Shopping

Once we got inside, our shopping experience was pretty similar to what we’ve seen elsewhere in Disney World so far. We saw some familiar signage throughout the store, reminding guests to maintain physical distancing and to handle the products as little as possible.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Signage Inside the Store

Dressing rooms are also unavailable at most locations.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Fitting Rooms Are Closed

There’s still plenty of merchandise on the sales floor, but some of the product displays have been reoriented to allow for easier social distancing.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Sales Floor

Checking Out and Payment

Once we selected our treasures to bring home with us, it was time to hop in line! Physical distancing floor markers are present at the checkouts much like they are at other shopping locations throughout Disney World. New plexiglass barriers have also been installed at the cash registers.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Emporium’s Check-Out

For payment, Disney is encouraging all guests to utilize contactless payments, such as Apple Pay or your MagicBand.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Emporium

And just like that, our first Magic Kingdom shopping excursion is complete! Keep in mind, anything you purchase at ANY Disney World theme park gift shop will not be available for front-of-park package pick-up or hotel delivery for the time being. They CAN, however, still ship your items home for you for an additional shipping fee!

What is your favorite store in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, closed fitting rooms, contactless payment, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world shopping, emporium, merchandise, no front of park delivery, no ship to hotel, shopping, social distancing markers, virtual queue

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Where To Find The Most UNIQUE Shopping in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Whenever we see a new piece of Disney merchandise, it’s pretty hard to have self-control (it’s just all so cute!!).

Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Space Mountain Ears

While you’re shopping your way through Disney World, it’s easy to get distracted by all the merchandise everywhere! Minnie Ears here, Loungefly backpacks there, Glow Spinners everywhere!

Although it may seem like a challenge to decide what to buy first and which gift shops to visit, not all gift shops are created equal. Gone are the days of finding the same ol’ same ol’ in every gift shop. If you want to know the BEST shops in Magic Kingdom to find the most unique merch, we’ve got you covered!

Memento Mori

We’re BIG fans of all things spooky (we might even love Halloween more than Christmas), so Memento Mori is where it’s AT for us. First of all, the gift shop next to the Haunted Mansion looks like another run-down house which 999 more happy haunts probably inhabit (so A+ for theming, Disney).

Memento Mori

Memento Mori carries exclusive merchandise from the attraction, like glassware with the Haunted Mansion logo, placemats with the famous purple wallpaper, spirit jerseys, and more. But, some real spooky stuff happens over at the gift shop during Halloween time and the Haunted Mansion’s anniversary.

We’ve spotted strange and unusual items like the Host-a-Ghost Jars that will give you hot and cold running chills whenever you turn off the lights (AHHHH!!).

Host a Ghost Jars

Plus, Memento Mori is the only place you can get Haunted Mansion themed snacks year-round, like gummy spiders, bat chocolate pops, and tombstone cookies. They take shop ’til you drop pretty literally over in Liberty Square!

Tombstone Cookies

If you’re a big Haunted Mansion fan, you won’t find most of this gear ANYWHERE else in Disney World, so stop in before a trip to the Mansion to see if you find anything you’re dying to have!

Click here to see some of the latest goodies we found in Memento Mori

Hundred Acre Goods

Okay, nobody can tell us we’re too old for stuffed animals, especially when they’re as cute as Winnie the Pooh! After you exit The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Fantasyland, you can look around the Hundred Acre Goods store with ALL things Winnie and friends.

Winnie the Pooh at The Crystal Palace

While it’s one of the only places you can get unique merchandise with the original book character designs (other than Epcot’s UK Pavilion), you can also find fluffy oversized Pooh toys and the sweetest baby clothes. It’s the perfect stop for a souvenir or a gift to take home to a loved one — or even an outfit to commemorate your little one’s first trip to Disney World!

The Chapeau

Okay Minnie Ears and Mickey Ear Hats, fans! This one is for you! If you’re looking for a spot to look at all the Minnie Ears imaginable (AKA our closet back home), The Chapeau is a great place to try on a new pair or two that will go great with your outfit! If you’re more of a Mickey Ear Hat person, you can also get it personalized with your name while you’re at the shop!

New Briar Rose Gold Minnie Ears

Each of the Mickey Ear Hats run $14.99 to $24.99 depending on what design you choose. However, the additional embroidery costs $3 for a basic font or $7 for a premium font, which is worth it for a memorable keepsake.

Bride and Groom Mickey Ears Hats

While you’re waiting for your ear hat to be finished, you can also find a little secret at The Chapeau. If you pick up the telephone on the wall in the corner of the store, you can listen in on a phone call between two Main Street residents! What’s the hot goss of the day, friends??

Click here to see other secrets you may not know in Disney World

Big Top Souvenirs

Storybook Circus is actually one of the newest (and cutest) parts of Fantasyland, nestled into the back corner with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Casey Jr. Splash Zone, the Barnstormer, and a killer view of the construction on the TRON Coaster.

Big Top Souvenirs

Big Top Souvenirs might also have the most unique gift shop appearance in Magic Kingdom since it’s modeled after a giant circus tent.

While you can find a lot of awesome plushes (still not over that Duchess Cozy Knit) and pins, it has a lot of the merchandise you’d normally find in the Emporium — just in a quieter part of the park.

Big Top Treats

But, the BEST part of Big Top is the store WITHIN a store here! Big Top Treats is a little confectionery housed in the center of the store where you can get some of your favorite Disney treats, like candy apples, rice krispie treats, and more! Plus, you can even get a Goofy’s Glacier Slush so you have something to sip on as you stroll through Fantasyland.

So while the Main Street Confectionery has a line out the door, you can pop back here and get all the same stuff with scarcely a queue!

Big Top Treats

While Big Top closed last year for a carpet refurbishment after some unexpected flooding, the location is back open (well, it will be when Disney World re-opens ;)).

Click here to see more of the changes that came to Big Top Souvenirs!

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Christmas in July is TOTALLY a thing — and this Liberty Square gift shop is the place to celebrate the holidays! Similar to Days of Christmas in Disney Springs, the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe is filled with Christmas decorations and gifts throughout the year (maybe it’s secretly Santa’s remote North Pole location in Magic Kingdom??).

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

You can peruse some of the most beautiful Disney ornaments around and you can even get them personalized for about $4 per word or date! You can add a name, date, or other personal touches to make your Christmas more magical — plus, this is a great gift to bring back to a loved one at home!

Merry Christmas Ornament

This spot is well stocked with everything you need to deck the halls all year. If your family is looking for one-of-a-kind ornaments to commemorate your special trip, this is the place to stop!

Oh, and if you’re here as a family or around Christmastime, don’t forget that a lucky family gets to decorate the tree here each day! And you can send letters to Santa!

Send Letters to Santa at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe!

Uptown Jewelers

We are BIG fans of The Dress Shop dresses — like enough to the point out that our closet has started to get filled with them. That’s why Uptown Jewelers is the perfect spot to shop ’til ya drop and pick up a few dressy things to feel like your own version of a Disney Princess!

The Main Street store not only sells dresses, but it’s one of the few locations in Magic Kingdom that you can find Pandora jewelry, Dooney & Bourke bags, and Alex and Ani jewelry.

The Minnie Dress

Plus, there are even different special mementos (like those sweet Precious Moments dolls) and artwork available for sale throughout the store. Uptown Jewelers has also been known to host different events and merch, like the Citizens Watch event or the Annual Passholder Pandora charms, so you can keep your eye out for new and exciting things the next time you’re visiting!

Tomorrowland Light and Power Co.

Although this is one of the few spots that you can get Space Mountain themed merchandise after exiting the attraction, this is Magic Kingdom’s hub for personalized items too!

If you head to the Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. in Magic Kingdom, you can make your own custom tees (so you can REALLY remember how awesome that family vacation was when you wear it).

Space Mountain

After you pick what color tee you want to put your design on, you can get creative with it and add phrases, names, dates, images, and more! Then, you send it off to be printed in-store. And, if you order it by 5 PM, you can typically get your design back the same day you submit for $29.99 for adult tees, $39.99 for women’s tees, and $24.99 for kids’ tees.

Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.

There is a kiosk to customize your own MagicBands and phone cases with your name and design of your choice! After you’ve sent your awesome new MagicBand or case off to be made (we know it’s gonna look so good), you can pick them up for $32.99 per band and $44.95 per phone case!

D-Tech Princess MagicBands

Oh, and make sure to add the code on back of the MagicBand to your My Disney Experience account to link it and use it in the parks.

Want a new MagicBand without the work? Check these out you can buy NOW!

The Emporium

We couldn’t have a Magic Kingdom shopping post without the Emporium, you know!  This spot has been hailed one of the best places in all of DISNEY WORLD to get souvenirs.

The huge store practically takes up one whole side of Main Street with different sections of merchandise — we’re talkin’ a men’s section, kids’ section, plush section, and so on! If you can dream it, you can probably find it at the Emporium!

Main Street Emporium

There are Minnie Ears, clothing, houseware items, toys, and even items for your pets (and gadgets and gizmos a-plenty)! It could honestly even be your one-stop shop for souvenirs to take back home for yourself or loved ones since there’s a little bit of something for everyone!

Plus, we highly recommend perusing the store after fireworks to avoid the crowds and maybe even catch that “Kiss Goodnight” in Magic Kingdom.

Main Street Emporium Display

Magic Kingdom’s definitely the place to use those Disney gift cards grandma and grandpa keep sending you!  Just make sure not to spend it all in one place (get one thing in each of THESE unique gift shops instead, duh)! If you look around, you’ll find some really unique and cool goodies sold in shops you might not expect, so keep your eyes (and wallets) ready!

Check out the top ten things you can personalize with your name in Disney World here!

What is your favorite gift shop to visit in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. What’s New at Magic Kingdom: A Missing Fan-Favorite Snack, TONS of Mulan Merchandise, and a NEW Cake Pop!
  2. Pretty In Pink! A New Minnie Mouse Dress Has Twirled Into Disney World!
  3. What’s New at Magic Kingdom — Valentine’s Day Treats, Lunar New Year Plushes, and SPACE Everything!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Big Top Souvenirs, big top treats, Disney, disney gift shops, Disney merch, Disney merchandise, Disney World, emporium, hundred acre goods, Memento Mori, the chapeau, The Emporium, tomorrowland light and power co, uptown jewelers, Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe