Disney souvenirs have come a long way. The days when felt pennants and huge posters were just about the only things you could buy at the parks are over, and now there’s a huge variety of items that vie for your attention when you step into a Disney store. There are so many different things to choose from that it can be overwhelming, and in that last-minute rush to World of Disney on the final night of your trip you could find yourself buying a ton of stuff that isn’t normally your style. Fortunately, there are some items that that offer just a subtle Disney touch, and just about any Disney fan would be proud to display them. These items would likely even be appreciated by your guests who aren’t Disney fans (if such people exist!). So here’s a list of Disney parks merchandise that’s definitely worth a trip home, and some DIY ideas for adding a touch of Disney to your home as well:
1. For the kitchen
To Buy: Haunted Mansion Blueprint Dishes
Fans of this beloved attraction have lots of recently released items to choose from, and one of the most intriguing is the new line of Haunted Mansion Blueprint Dishes. The ceramic dinner plates feature the mansion’s preliminary first floor plans and you can see the outlines for the portrait gallery, the rooms surrounding it and even the gardens and family plot. The dessert plates show you where Master Gracey’s bed chamber and seance room are, and the appetizer plates continue the party to the third floor, with the bridal boudoir, hidden room and secret passage spelled out. Each plate is sold separately and make fun conversation pieces that are also useful.
DIY: Disney Map Magnets
Ever wonder what to do with all of the park maps you’ve saved? Just grab one of them along with some flatback glass stones, small round magnets, strong glue, a foam brush and some Mod Podge. Cut parts of the map into small circles the same size or a little smaller than the stones, use the foam brush to apply Mod Podge to the back of a stone, put a circle with your desired illustration face down on the Mod Podge and allow it to dry for around 15 minutes. Apply more Mod Podge to seal the paper and keep it from getting bubbly, let that dry again, and then use the strong glue to attach a magnet to the back. Allow the glue to dry before using the magnet and then you’ll have a little colorful reminder of your Disney trip!
2. For the bedroom
Buy: Mickey Mouse Icon Indigo Pillow
When you think of Disney pillows, you might think of one of those character plush pillows that are found everywhere at Disney parks and come in the form of just about every character imaginable. But there’s a line of pillows that have an ikat design and beautifully incorporate some familiar ears. Other items in the Indigo Home Decor Collection include throws, trinket boxes and frames, and they all manage to look elegant and fun at the same time.
DIY: “Be Our Guest” sign
Greet visitors with “be our guest” spelled out in wooden letters on the wall above your guest bed. You can paint the letters any shade you want, even the blues, golds or reds that the design of the Walt Disney World restaurant incorporates. The message will be a welcome sight, even if your guest doesn’t immediately start singing “put our service to the test” after seeing it!
3. For the bathroom
Buy: Mickey Mouse Icon Soap Dish
We’ve all seen pictures of Mickey Mouse-themed bathrooms that are a mix of bright red and yellow with black and white accents, but if you’re looking for a more peaceful room, Disney has some neutral pieces that would match any bathroom. This ceramic soap dish could even hold some H20 Aquatics products saved from your last vacation. Disney’s other bathroom items include a matching liquid soap dispenser and Mickey icon towels in colors like light blue, light green and beige.
DIY: Snowgies
A few Snowgies — those mischievous little snowmen from “Frozen” — would fit right in next to the cotton ball jar in your bathroom. To make one, take two 2-inch pompoms and glue them together, then glue two 1-inch pompoms to the bottom of that (to make the feet). Cut two eyes and a smile out of a sheet of black sticky felt and put them on the Snowgie’s head. Let the glue dry and then display your new creation!
4. For the home office/library
Buy: Haunted Mansion Bookends
Another must-have Haunted Mansion item is the bookends that will keep a watchful eye on your tomes. Their design is based on busts found in the ride, and they even come with their own “books” — the male bookend is next to “Spells” and “Tales of a Rat,” and the female one is perched next to “Ghost Stories” and “Gracey.” They’d fit into any library, whether it’s haunted or not.
DIY: Belle’s Paper Rose
For a less frightening decor piece, try making Belle’s beautiful rose. All you need is red paper, tape, scissors, a glue gun, a glue stick and a green pipe cleaner. Cut a circle from the paper, then keep cutting the circle from the outside in order to make a spiral. Roll up the spiral from the outside in, making sure it’s tight, then tape the end of it to the side and the bottom to the bud’s base. Glue the slightly bent pipe cleaner to the base with your glue gun. You can complete the look by tying a piece of clear string to the rose and suspending it with tape in a glass jar on top of a couple of books.
5. For the living room
Buy: LeFou’s Brew Wood Sign
Rustic, wooden signs are super popular right now, and this one features the logo of the official drink of Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland. The image is actually printed right onto plywood planks, using the most advanced digital printers available. If LeFou isn’t your favorite, signs advertising Nautilus and Squid submarine voyages and under-sea tours inspired by the Disney classic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and the Skull Rock Treasure Hunting Co., inspired by “Peter Pan” are also available. The signs are from Disney’s Twenty Eight & Main Collection.
DIY: Map coasters
Of course you’ll need something to set your brews down on, and these map coasters will do the job quite nicely. Just grab your stack of park maps, some square ceramic tiles, a foam brush, Mod Podge, thin cork, waterproof acrylic sealer and craft glue. Cut out the maps to fit the tiles, then apply Mod Podge to a tile. Center the paper on the tile and immediately press it down from one end to the other to avoid air bubbles and creases. Remember to especially press firmly on the corners. Let this dry for up to 15 minutes, then add another layer of Mod Podge on top. With this one, make sure to brush the Mod Podge in one direction only, since the brushstrokes will show up when it’s dry. Let this dry again before adding another coat. letting that dry and then applying the acrylic sealer. Once that’s also dry, use the craft glue to add a cork square to the back. Let each coaster dry for 24 hours before using them, and there you have yet another use for your park maps!
All of the Disney merchandise mentioned above is available at the parks as well as the Disney Store website, and the items needed to make the DIY projects are available at most craft stores. So it’s very easy to have fun adding some touches of Disney magic at home!
