It’s no secret that Disney souvenirs are an expensive investment. You can spend over $20 on a coffee mug or $30 for a set of four coasters. The spending adds up fast, and it’s easy to fall into a habit of justifying each buy. After all, how often are you in Walt Disney World? You want to take home plenty of pieces that will help you remember your magical escape, but you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it.
Whether you’re a craft maven or something of a newcomer to DIY projects, there’s a handmade souvenir you can attempt. Check out these crafts, ranging from quick and simple pin possibilities to more involved collages, you’ll find something for every type of theme park freebie. Just make sure you know what to grab while you’re in the parks so you can make these smart souvenirs when you get home.
DIY Disney mug
Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)
Do you have an eclectic selection of Disney stickers you’ve grabbed from spots around the park? Perhaps you have a collection of Wilderness Explorer stickers on keepsake pages in your field guide, available free at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Maybe you collected some Disney-branded napkins or cut out the latest logo on the park’s small gift bags.
If you have kids, you’ll have an endless supply of Mickey stickers and DVC stickers on hand that you collected while you were in the park. If you’re particularly dedicated to your keepsake collection, you could save a whole Disney-branded paper cup for this craft.
Collect all your favorite flat keepsakes and arrange them on a piece of scrapbook paper. Cut it down to size and slip this collage into a DIY travel mug, with a clear cover and space for an insert. These are widely available at craft stores and even come in bulk from many online craft sites. Most DIY mugs will come out far cheaper than buying a mug in the parks. Plus, you get the perk of designing a one-of-a-kind keepsake creation.
Celebration button curtain tiebacks
Image: Anna Fox, Flickr (license)
Celebration buttons are an easy freebie that you can get on any Disney vacation. They’re available for birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, and any general celebration that you want to commemorate on your visit. You can get these buttons at the front desk of your Disney hotel or from Guest Services in any theme park and at Disney Springs.
Snag a couple matching celebration buttons and take them home to dress up your window hangings. Secure your curtains on each side of the window with a well-placed button. If you prefer to avoid holes in the fabric, you can also pin these buttons to a ribbon or swath of cloth holding your curtains back. There’s no easier way to add a little Disney décor to your home.
Park map coasters
Instead of spending a fortune on licensed theme park coasters for your home, try making your own with park maps saves from your vacation. The Disney Parks Blog offers a smart tutorial that shows how easy this quick craft is. Just decoupage cutouts from your park maps onto ceramic tiles.
Customize yours to highlight your favorite features of the theme park. Center your cutouts on your family’s favorite attractions or restaurants. Consider adding a few stickers to personalize them with arrows, stars, circles, or your favorite Disney characters. Was hugging Belle the highlight of your daughter’s trip? Pop a sticker of Belle on the spot where you met her in Epcot and you’ll recall your fondest memories every time you use these.
Kidcot Duffy “bouquets”
Image: Sam Howzit, Flickr (license)
Kidcot Fun Stops are child-centered craft stations located throughout Epcot. Pick up a cardstock Duffy bear on a stick on at your first stop, and you can get a new stamp and signature for the back at each subsequent location. Each Kidcot Fun Stop also has a selection of markers so your child can decorate the front of his bear.
You’ll find these Fun Stops in:
- Mexico
- Norway
- China
- Germany
- Italy
- American Adventure
- Japan
- Morocco
- France
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Have each child color and collect stamps for his own Duffy bear. If you visit often, you might even want to collect a new Duffy on each visit to see how your kids’ coloring skills progress over the years. Stash these in a safe spot for the journey home and put them up as a special keepsake from your time in Epcot. Just fill a small flowerpot or can with tissue, yarn, or Styrofoam and pop your Duffy bears in for a colorful “bouquet” that will never wilt.
With a few well-preserved freebies, you can craft any number of souvenirs when you get home. These crafty Disney keepsakes will brighten up your home and make it easy to look back on trip every day.
