What are the hottest items at Walt Disney World right now? Some souvenirs have become very popular among guests, and since Disney has taken notice of social media, they’re becoming very good at perpetuating trends involving their most popular merchandise. Disney’s obscure men’s fashion line Twenty Eight and Main has floundered, while Cherry Tree Lane dresses and Dooney and Bourke designer purses fly off the shelves. Pineapple Dole Whips can be found on nearly every form of merchandise due to their status as a Walt Disney World icon (now I’m craving one!). To give you some ideas on the current favs, here are 5 Trending Walt Disney World Souvenirs to look for on your next vacation.

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Banshees

Ever since these became available at Pandora Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, people have loved being able to ‘adopt’ their own Banshee. My boys saved up for many months before our trip to get one to share, and love it! They can roar, flap their wings and turn their head according to your controls. With all the various colors and patterns, it’s fun visiting the little Banshee nursery at the shop in Pandora to pick out your very own.

Spirit Jerseys

Spirit Jerseys have been a trend for a while, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. They’ve been popular at least as far back as the rose gold hysteria, but where rose is now staying on the rack with the rest of the merchandise, the jerseys are remaining relevant with new colors and character designs coming out all the time. This is a hot clothing item that continues to sell.

Festival and Party Merchandise

No matter when you go to Disney World, there’s a festival. It used to be a way to get more guests in during the slow season, but festivals at Epcot are so popular, they keep adding new ones throughout the year. After Hours parties are also increasingly popular, with new dates added to seasonal parties at Magic Kingdom every year. These festivals and parties are also big merchandising events with exclusive souvenirs unique to your time of stay. They’re some of the biggest trending Disney World souvenirs you’ll find! Personally, we loved the glow cubes and fun cups we got during the Food & Wine Festival.

Haunted Mansion

Attractions based merchandise isn’t a rarity in the parks – all the best rides have exits that spill directly into a gift shop. There has been a fair amount of homogenization over the last several years though, and a lot of the shops have similar product. Interestingly, the hottest trending attraction merchandise isn’t actually from one of these stores. Yes, Haunted Mansion, does have it’s own themed gift shop, Memento Mori, but it isn’t at the exit of the ride. It is, however, exclusively Haunted Mansion themed and there is a wide range of product to choose from. The popular attraction is also featured in the World of Disney Store and other general Disney themed stores.

Ears

Mickey and Minnie Ears have always been a pretty solid seller at the Disney Parks, and Minnie Ears in particular have exploded as one of the top trending Disney World souvenirs. Rose gold might be out, but guests are still flocking to pick up the newest models. Now there’s a mix and match option that makes these iconic accessories even more irresistible! The collectibility and interchangeability has them nearly approaching pin status.

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Souvenir mugs

Souvenir mugs have been a thing for as far back as I can remember, but never have they been more pervasive or more collectible – you can get different themes everywhere you go! They’re not just for kids either, as adults go crazy for the collectible souvenir cups at places like Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, or even the big mug at Gaston’s Tavern.

Which Disney World souvenir is your favorite?

Staying at a Disney World resort comes with a variety of benefits. These advantages all but guarantee you won’t slip off to somewhere else during your trip. If you plan on leaving for other parks in Orlando, then you may not want to stay at a Disney resort – but the ease of staying on property will deter you from doing anything else! For the all encompassing Disney experience you can’t get anywhere else, it’s got to be a Disney World resort hotel. Here are 5 Perks to Disney World Resorts that can really make your vacation extra magical.

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Magical Express

Right out the arrivals gate, you have an immediate benefit to staying at a Disney World resort – you don’t have to go to baggage claim to pick up your luggage. It’s automatically taken to your hotel for you! You just need to go straight to the Magical Express area and check in, then they will assign you a coach that takes you straight to Disney World and drops you off at your resort free of charge. When it’s time to leave, the Magical Express coach picks you up to take you back to the airport.

Complimentary Magic Band

You will be sent a complimentary Magic Band for use during vacation. The Magic Band is like a skeleton key, used for everything from getting into your room, to park admission, to buying virtually anything on property. Every purchase you make with a magic band gets charged to your room. Those unfamiliar with magic bands express concern about how easy it is to spend money. It always comes up in conversations as a negative – however, I love the convenience, and can tell you that every time I’ve used the magic band to charge to my room throughout a trip, I wound up spending less than I thought I was. Magic bands are also used for Fastpasses and personalized greetings, which are sure to become more developed in the near future.

Free Transportation

This might be the one thing above everything else that you will absolutely love. You can get anywhere in Disney World for free by bus, boat, or monorail. The variety of options depends on where you stay, but you don’t have to rent a car, deal with traffic, or pay for parking. The bus network is extensive and very convenient. There are a lot of lakes in Disney World, so boats are quite useful in getting around in certain parts. The two monorail systems and the upcoming Skyliner system add to the convenience of getting around the most heavily trafficked areas.

Advance Reservations

When you’re a guest at a Disney World resort, you have privileges in the form of advanced reservations. You get to select Fastpasses 30 days sooner than non resort guests – meaning you have a much better chance of securing your top choices in each of the parks! You also get a 180 day advance window for dining reservations. If you are dying to eat at one of the most popular restaurants, this window can make or break your chances of getting a table.

In Room Celebrations

You can add a little magic to your stay at a Disney World resort that you could not do otherwise. Disney offers a variety of packages called ‘in room celebrations’. They come in the forms of different packages and baskets containing a variety of themed treats depending on what you want to celebrate. This is a really fun indulgence on special occasions and you can only do it at one of the Disney World resort hotels. Keep in mind they do cost extra, but can really sprinkle a bit of extra pixie dust on your trip.

Which Disney Resort is your favorite?

After nearly 5 years after it was initially introduced, there are still common misconceptions about Fastpass+. There is more to know now than ever before when it comes to planning a Disney World vacation, and a lot of work has to go into planning a Disney trip in order to have that seamless experience that a lot of the technology provides. It’s important to have the right information – to help, here are Disney World FastPass+ Myths People Still Believe.

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You have to pay extra for FastPass+

I can speculate where this comes from. Disneyland now has something called Maxpass that you do pay a premium for. Perhaps there is just the general assumption that the plus implies a premium? In any case, it’s not true. FastPass+ is free and any park guest can use it. Its called Fastpass+ because it is a ‘plussed up’ version of the original Fastpass concept.

FastPass+ takes away flexibility

People believe that scheduling windows of time in advance to be at a specific attraction is too inflexible. I understand the logic behind it, but when so much planning goes into a Disney World trip, there isn’t much room for that kind of flexibility – at least not the entire time. To be factual, FastPass+ offers more flexibility than Fastpass did. Under the old system you couldn’t choose when to return to the Fastpass queue. Now, you still have complete control over planning your day, you just need to plan well. If you decide not to use a FastPass, you can cancel it and make another selection (of ones that are still available), so flexibility is not a problem.

You are limited to 3 FastPasses per day

It’s true that in making your initial Fastpass selections you are allowed only three. However, after using those three, you can keep grabbing FastPasses (one at a time) to your heart’s content – or until they’ve run out for the day. You just have to use one or cancel it, before you can select a new one. The second half of your day can feel like a wild scavenger hunt as you find new attractions with availability. Otherwise, you can just take it easy and see what plays into your plans.

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Fastpass+ doesn’t allow park hopping

This myth may be tied to the belief that you only get three per day. The three you are allowed to select in advance DO have to be at one park. However, you can still park hop and you can use Fastpass+ at the other parks for your selections after those first 3 are used. It just follows the case by case system. It’s no different than if you had stayed in your original park.

You have to wear a MagicBand to use Fastpass+

This might be another reason some people think you have to pay for Fastpass+. Because MagicBand makes Fastpass+ (among other things) so convenient, people sometimes confuse the two as being the same thing. Since MagicBands are only free to Disney resort guests, park guests who stay off property might think they’ve missed out, unless they buy the band. The truth is that MagicBands aren’t the only way to use Fastpass+. If you have a park ticket, you can use that for your Fastpasses instead. If you are staying off property, you have less advance opportunity to select Fastpasses, but you do still have that capability.

What ride is your top choice for FastPass+?

Want to load up on the most important meal of the day AND get a head start on enjoying the most popular Disney attractions before the crowds hit? You gain early entry into the parks by booking a dining reservation for early character meals. Some restaurants in Disney World even allow you to book reservation times for before the park opens. This is the best Secret to Early Entry at Walt Disney World, and here’s how to do it!

Where You Can Score Early Entry

All the parks are doing it. You can get early entry to any of the parks just by scheduling your breakfast reservation at the right place and time. The most popular place to do this is, of course, Magic Kingdom, but early entry to Epcot can be leveraged to gain quick access to Frozen Ever After, and Animal Kingdom has it’s advantages too, with access to Pandora. Not to be outdone, Hollywood Studios has a character dining experience of its own. This one features Disney Junior characters. With so many rides and not a lot for small children, this breakfast makes a more balanced day for the whole family.

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Magic Kingdom: Magic Kingdom has two types of character meals. You can enjoy a multiple course feast at Cinderella’s Royal Table, where princesses will greet you as you dine. Also, you can enjoy a breakfast buffet at Crystal Palace and meet Pooh and his friends from the 100 Acre Wood. My personal favorite pre-park-opening breakfast to do isn’t a character, but still gets you into the park early – Be Our Guest restaurant!

Epcot: Epcot has two early entry dining opportunities as well. Farmer Mickey and his friends will meet with you as you dig in on a family style breakfast in the rotating restaurant Garden Grill over at the Land Pavilion in Future World. Akershus is a princess experience, similar to Cinderella’s Royal Table, but they feature more Scandinavian style cuisine and a buffet format. One of my favorite memories from our recent trip was here…

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If I had to pick my favorite moment from our trip, this was it! He told princess Aurora he knew how to waltz, so she asked him to dance with her. Love it!!! ❤️😍 #WaltDisneyWorld #akershusroyalbanquethall #epcot #princessaurora #bmhtravels #familytravel #waltz #ballroomdance #travel #disneylife

A post shared by Danielle (@busymomshelper) on Sep 20, 2018 at 11:20am PDT

Hollywood Studios: There is only one early entry restaurant available here, and I haven’t tried it myself. Hollywood and Vine is a character buffet that features Disney Junior characters. The food is meh from what I’ve heard, but kids love it for the characters and it gives you a chance to hit up some of the thrills early in the day.

Animal Kingdom: The character experience at Tusker House is headlined by Donald in safari gear, and it’s a must-do every time I visit. You’ll also find Goofy bouncing from table to table. The buffet features traditional breakfast foods for the general audience, plus some African options for a little cultural flare. The juice is AMAZING, too!

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How to Book

Book your reservations as early as possible – as early as 180 days, if you can. Make sure at that time, you have a very solid idea on paper of what parks you plan to visit and when. Securing these meals will be the next step in solidifying the path of your itinerary. By taking this step, you open up opportunities by having access to big attractions during the parks opening hours. You can then structure your day to benefit you as the park becomes busier.

What to Do Then

There will be a specific gate for early entry that you will need to go to. I’ve learned this is often to your LEFT as you face the gates. They will let you in as early as 7:30 so you can be at the restaurant by 8:00. I don’t recommend relying on the bus to get you there at the earliest. Depending on where you are staying it may be best to use Uber or Lyft, just to ensure you don’t arrive late. Save yourself some time by having them take you to the contemporary rather than the Ticket and Transportation Center, if Magic Kingdom is your destination. From there it is just a short walk, rather than waiting for a ferry or monorail.

What’s your favorite Walt Disney World breakfast?

Central Florida is one of the prime vacation spots for theme park lovers. Two titans of the entertainment industry have been bringing in families from around the globe for decades. As each company releases its new developments, the public anxiously awaits the answer of the next. As the two begin following similar trends, there are more comparisons than ever before. How they are the same, and – more interestingly – how they are different can be explored a number of ways. To get the general idea, we should look at their relative size and audience, as well as the type of vacation experiences they provide and their most recent developments. This Comparison Guide to Walt Disney World VS Universal Orlando will help you choose which to visit (or be like us, and try to do both!)

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Disney World VS Universal Orlando Size

When comparing the sizes of the two resorts it’s better to compare Universal Orlando with one of the other Disney destinations. Not only is it a more fair comparison, it’s more accurate. Walt Disney World is a unique vacation spot with certain liberties and a level of control nobody enjoys anywhere else in the world. Size doesn’t always mean better, but do keep in mind that the FOUR theme parks at Disney World have a sheer vastness that Universal can’t compare to.

CityWalk Vs. Disney Springs

Like Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Orlando is a two theme park resort. Like Disneyland they also have a shopping and entertainment district. The Universal CityWalk is like Downtown Disney, or better yet, the original Universal CityWalk at Universal Studios Hollywood. This is a dynamic outdoor shopping mall with a lot of things to do and explore. Walt Disney World has Disney Springs. It used to be Downtown Disney and before that Pleasure Island. Like Pleasure Island before it, Disney Springs came with a re-imagined back story. It can be enjoyed as another outdoor shopping mall, or observed in detail from a story perspective. Both City Walk and Disney Springs have very unique and fun dining experiences.

Theme Parks

The parks at Universal are Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. While things are trending more toward the immersive in-world experiences for both parks, Islands of Adventure was first conceived for those types of attractions. The park features several “Islands” where guests can be part of the Marvel Universe or Jurassic Park – among other things. Walt Disney World has four theme parks. Magic Kingdom is the one that resembles Disneyland and – like the other 5 Disneyland parks around the world – Magic Kingdom follows the basic model, but is totally unique. Epcot was Disney’s second park in Disney World, but the parks are much farther away than in other resort destinations. That is because Disney has 30,000 acres of space. Walt Disney was able to buy most of the land in secret when it was cheap. Only a small fraction of the land has been developed to this day. Next to Epcot is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It opened in 1989 just one year before Universal Studios Florida. Disney’s Animal Kingdom was Disney’s last park in Disney World. It opened in 1998, just one year before Islands of Adventure.

Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World also have water parks. Universal’s Volcano Bay is the most recent with some high-tech bands that make waiting in line almost a thing of the past. Walt Disney World has two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach.

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Audience

For the most part the audiences for both resorts are the same. Universal is expected to be more popular with teens due to the number of thrill rides, but Universal has a variety of attractions themed to cartoon characters for whacky mayhem and silly fun kids love. Disney didn’t really start to get into thrills until the 90’s so it’s understandable that they would have a reputation, especially since the main purpose for Disneyland was to create a place where parents can have fun with their children. Universal is able to go further with scares than audiences will allow from Disney. The prompt removal of Alien Encounter at Magic Kingdom is a good example of the impact of such an adverse response.

So, both places are great for adults with or without kids – but guests looking for edgier attractions might find more of what they are looking for at Universal. However, the real difference in audience is what intellectual property is showing up where. Universal, of course has the Universal branded entertainment to work with as well as NBC and licensed property like Dr. Seuss, Marvel, and Harry Potter. Disney has been on a spending spree for the last 20 years, snatching up Marvel, Pixar, Muppets, and Star Wars. Soon, Fox will be entering the arena.

Vacation Type

Because of the way Walt Disney World is set up, guests are really discouraged from ever leaving. Some guests rent a car and will leave Disney World for other attractions like Universal Orlando, but most people just find everything in Disney World so convenient that they don’t want to leave. There is a wide range of free transportation and over two dozen resorts to visit. Plus, sports and recreation. That’s after getting your fill of four theme parks. Walt Disney World is a much larger undertaking from a guest perspective and it can be overwhelming. Universal Orlando is a much more direct and straightforward experience. If you have less time for leisure and can only get away for two or three days, Universal Orlando is the more ideal choice. For a vacation of a week or longer, Walt Disney World is more equipped to support a vacation that size.

If you don’t mind splitting up hotels, two to five nights at Disney and two or three nights at Universal will get you the best of both worlds. I like this solution, because driving in and out of Disney World takes up too much precious vacation time.

Top Attractions

Universal has done something really unique and it’s so exciting to fans who want to see more and are interested in what’s next: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is not only brilliantly and elaborately themed., it’s actually two lands. Hogsmeade was the first one in Islands of Adventure. The new one that opened in 2016 is Diagon Alley and it is even more amazing. The really fun, really fantastic thing is that both Harry Potter worlds are connected by a Hogwarts Express train. So, guests with park hopper passes can board from the Wizarding World in one
park and disembark at the other. Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally opened the long anticipated Pandora addition last year. The Avatar themed world had less fans excited about the lands arrival, but that did nothing to hold back guests from arriving in droves for opening day. The park had to close its gates after just hours. The guests really love the food and the theming, particularly in the queue leading to the ride Flight of Passage, which is one of the most technologically advanced rides to date. Disney Studios also opened a Toy Story Land with two new attractions perfect for kids and plenty of detail to amuse adults. The most anticipated development is the still under construction – Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – which is supposed to take guest immersion to a whole new level.

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We absolutely love BOTH Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, and try to visit both whenever possible – that being said, we do realize that each has their benefits or the areas they excel in, so depending on your vacation situation (budget, age groups, time, etc) may lead to deciding one over the other.

Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World? Give them both a try!