Photo Copyright Disney

Apologies for not updating sooner. After avoiding covid for so many years, well, it's paid a call. This will be a short post, but we are all doing well, and trying to recover and get caught up! 

Are you a pressed penny collector? My boys are! I'm a HUGE fan of the medallions though! It shouldn't be any surprise that Disney will make sure there are special things ONLY available during the 50th! Places are sharing that the final machines are in and ready for your pressed coin purchases! 

Here's the official Disney Parks Blog Post. Now, just how many pressed pennies are they? Holy mouse, guys! There are SO MANY! Check out these photos! 

                                                             Photo Copyright Disney

Which are you most excited about? Those tags are pretty fun looking! 

Now, these are scattered all throughout Disney property...that means all four parks, the reports, and Disney Springs. Are you the ambitious sort who wants to collect them all? I know myself...I can be the sort who would want them all, but to be honest, the only ones I want are the generic, 50th anniversary ones. I can't wait to get them in a few months!

Remember...the machines have changed! Very few actually take your pennies and quarters now. Most are credit card. Sure, that's fast and easy...but is it as much fun? While I'm not sure how many of the old locations have the new machines, here's a fantastic list of locations to get you started! 

Who remembers the old Disney Stores? The ones in mall that made you feel as if you were stepping into a Disney Park? Between the huge sculptures, endless toys and Mickey Merch, and those amazing displays that often moved running along the near ceiling of the store? I loved those. 

But slowly they vanished. Soon, the Disney Store was a memory of the past. It's gotten worse as over the last few years, Disney has done a massive closing of their stores. As of a September 2021 article by USA TODAY, only around 2 dozen stores exist outside of the parks!  

If you are lucky enough to stumble across one of these stores, what can you expect? Is there as much Disney magic as at a park store? What will you see for sale? Are the prices cheaper? Is everything retail? Why are some of the tags not in English? 

I'm going to give you a quick visual of what you can expect, as well as answer those questions! 

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While the front of a Disney Store looks pretty blah, the insides are great! Stepping inside, you're greeted with Disney music, smiling faces, and Disney loot everywhere! Toys, clothes, plush friends, and even some park essentials like pins, lanyards, and other trinkets. There's also a big section of light up toys, in case you want to buy now and save. 

Just like on ShopDisney, you'll find stuffed animals, but the great thing is getting to pick them out and hold them first, to make sure it's what you want!

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Depending on the time of year, you'll also find seasonal merchandise. Right now, expect to see ornaments. 
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Now, the question is there as much Disney magic as at a park store? Sort of. Expect a greeting and a magical goodbye. But there's no pixie dust being sprinkled around, no one jumping in with a sticker for a crying kiddo. 

You will find some unusual items you WON'T find in the park stores. Like, adult size Spiderman PJs. (I tried...my 14 year old wouldn't get them)

When you look at the clothing tags, you will often find that some aren't in English. These are items that come from Tokyo Disney, and Shanghai Disney and Hong Kong Disney, so watch those sizes! We've bought a few things we thought would fit, but were tight in the chest and long in the torso. 

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On the racks, you'll find lots of clothes. There is something for everyone from baby to adult.
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This is a pretty great place to get gifts! But your next question... Are the prices cheaper? Is everything retail? The Disney Outlets participate in the same sales that ShopDisney does.
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So if it's 30% off online, and the store has it, it's 30% off there too. 

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You are going to find favorites like Disney Princess gear, but also the latest kid show goodies! 
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​There's also my favorite section...the clearance! Usually you'll find several shelves and a clothing rack with items marked down. It can vary as to how much. Usually 30-50% is common, but sometimes you'll really luck out! You'll find both Disney Store and Disney Park merchandise here. 
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It varries from visit to visit. We live around 3 1/2 hours away from our closes Disney Outlet, so we don't visit too often. In the summer, we bought a TON. We must have hit it just right. Our recent visit, we got almost nothing. 
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While pins are for sale, there is NO pin trading in the store. 
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You will be able to purchase the deal of the day though, like you can on ShopDisney. 

One great thing about the Disney Store Outlets, is if you have a Disney Visa card, you get 10% off! And you are earning points to spend at Disney! 
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Hopefully this little tour of the largest Disney Store Outlet I've ever been in tides you over til the day you can get back to your favorite place on Earth!

I love games, and there isn't anything I can think of that's better than a Disney game, but one thing I don't love? How much space they take up! We have a skinny little hallway closet that is for board games and towels for one bathroom. And the games are always spilled out. 

The ones that never get lost, are easily portable, and we seem to reach for time and time again? The card games! And Disney is just killing it as of late with new games, but card and board. 

If you've got the trouble we do, with wanting games but no more space, and you hate trying to pick up all those little pieces, this might be for you! A lot of these even work if a few cards wander off! Best of all? They don't cost much! If you click the photo, it will take you to Amazon.

There are just so many Disney card games, but I want to share my top 5! 

My favorite one, first! 
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I love this game! I liked the older cover better, but this one is cute too! Everyone starts with cards, and searches their hand to find the item. First player to discard their hand by finding those items wins! It's a short game but so fun! 

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UNO is a classic, and Disney has a TON of different UNO sets! Mix and match or play as it. Cars, Princess, Pixar and more! 

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I've never played these...but they are pretty inexpensive, there are tons of the sets, come with a cute figure, and supposedly, the sets can be combined! Click on Toy Story for the link!

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This series of games might have the neatest case I've ever seen! If you like Disney and trivia, this is for you! 

Munchkin makes such a high quality game. For the longest time, they were THE card game company. 

As I said, there are so many more Disney card games out there! Do you have a favorite? 

​While strolling the streets of Batuu, like many other travelers we were thirsty. Wanting a beverage for then, and to take home, we tried to buy a total of 8 of the above drinks, only to be told there was a limit of 4. 

What, a family of 5 would do, I don't know. I left while the Cast Member was again, refusing to sell more than 4 drinks to the family of five behind us. That particular day, there were only two beverage stands open selling these specially shaped drinks, so yes, I moved on to the next stand which was just out of sight and bought 4 more. 

A word of warning. We didn't buy these drinks during the day on our first day at Hollywood Studios, fully intending to return to the park that evening. We didn't end up returning. Our second day there, I decided to get the drnks, and luckily, it was our last trip with the stroller so the stroller lugged them. Luckily I did, because 30 minutes later the skies opened, and even once the rain cleared out, and we stayed til partk close, the drink sellers never returned. 

If you are wanting to get enough drinks for everyone in your party, or some extras to take home, I'd suggest splitting up if you are a large group, and remember, Bright Suns, only. They don't seem to sell when it's cloudy. 

If you are mourning the loss of the Halloween Party, we have a small DIY for you. No, it's not quite as fun as enjoying the real thing, but if you have kiddos or someone else who is heartbroken about not attending, this might be just the ticket! 

Right now, Target has these awesome small treat bags in their dollar spot. There's a cute pumpkin, an awesome teal allergy friendly bag and some others. I only bought these two. They are only $1 and will go fast, which is why I'm sharing this now! 

Buy a few bags, fill them with your favorite treats, and either keep for yourself, or boo your neighbors and coworkers! These are the perfect size to hold small toys or plush as well with sturdy little handles! 

I want to see what you've put in yours!