Build Your Own Souvenir on Your Disney Vacation
It’s very easy- and very fun- to walk into every and any retailer when you’re on a Walt Disney World vacation and feel the inevitable, undeniable pull of the Parks-exclusive merchandise that is begging to be taken home. Bags, toys, apparel, costumes, home décor, kitchen utensils…the list goes on! While you can easily fill a souvenir quota in practically any store, there are ways to make those take-home gifts and keepsakes that much more magical; by building them yourself!
If you’ve got kids whose creative personalities wont’ be enlivened with out-of-the-box toys, or if you’re looking for a customizable gift to bring home for a loved one, here are the souvenir merchandise options that let you be the Imagineer:
LEGO
Outside of the LEGO store in Disney Springs, you can create your own LEGO vehicle from the giant bins of bricks. Building your own car is only half the fun though, because once your car is complete, you can test your engineering skills against the others’ by challenging a fellow builder to a race! If you’re looking to capture that same fun at home, head inside, where you can mix and match your own bag of LEGO bricks and accessories!
Dinosaurs
At T-Rex Café, daring archeologists are invited to bring the dinosaurs back from extinction- with plenty of cute accessories to celebrate their return! The Build-A-Bear-Inspired experience allows young guests to build their very own plush dinosaurs from the ground up. First, you choose which dino you want to take home, then, a Cast Member leads you and your child through a process of stuffing and sewing that will ensure your new friend will be a ‘forever’ one! Lastly, your dinosaur gets outfitted with whichever outfit your son/daughter deems fit for their new friend from the past, and the rest, as they say, is prehistory!
Droid
The first thing that catches my eye when I disembark Star Tours are the posters advertising the far-off, intergalactic planets that are on the Star Tours list of destinations. The second thing that catches my eye is the build-your-own droid station in Tattooine Traders! Padawan learners and Sith Lords alike are invited to try their hand at building a custom, take-home droid! Just like Anakin in Phantom Menace, fans of the epic space saga will love to create a never-before-seen-on-screen droid! If your design is seen by the right folks, you just might find your droid in the next Star Wars film!
Lightsaber
In order to earn the rank of Jedi Knight, one must not only complete years of rigorous training, but also build their own lightsaber with which to use as a means of protection and, if need be, for battle. Padawans can try their hand at building their own lightsabers in Tattooine Traders. From hilt to the color of the blade, everything on these bad boys is meant for customization- my little cousin has 4, and he hasn’t hit on the same combo yet- the options are endless!
Phone Case
At D-Tech On Demand (Disney Springs), you can customize your very own Disney-themed iPhone or Android case that will both protect your phone and bring back fantastic memories of your epic vacation every time you get a text! D-Tech on Demand ensures that you can maximize your shopping time by categorizing your options and printing your name on your case while you wait to ensure you get the most out of your visit! Fans of Princesses to fans of swashbuckling pirates will find the case, charger, and accessories that are perfectly suited for them, and their device!
From toys to tech, there are so many hand-on, “build-your-own” merchandise options across Walt Disney World Resort that it can be tough to narrow it down! No matter which you choose for your family to partake in during your stay, you can rest easily knowing that each of the above options are completely hands-on and, in my opinion, all classify as ‘experiences’ that the creator will not soon forget.
Plus, there isn’t anything more satisfying than showing off your haul to your friends back home than by prefacing the show with ‘I made this!’. Leave us a comment and let us know which you’ll try your hand at creating on your next trip.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer thrilled to be a part of your Disney vacation planning! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!