This article about the best place to shop in Disney World discusses souvenir shops, resort shops and more.
One of the joys of a Walt Disney World vacation for couples is how much shopping you can do.
During out first trip to Disney World together, Mike and I came home with new dishware from the Mitsukoshi Department Store in fake Japan, brand new Mickey ears, far too many souvenirs for my niece and, like, a lot of Mickey’s Really Swell Coffee.
We drove down to Florida for that first trip, and the car was so packed with what we’d bought in Walt Disney World that if we had even one more T-shirt, there’s no way it would’ve fit.
But with all of the shops located throughout Walt Disney World — including those at the parks, resorts and Disney Springs — which one is the best? Or, at the very least, which ones are the best?
Let’s get into it.
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Where Is the No. 1 Best Place to Shop in Disney World?
Short on time during your Disney couples vacation? Maybe you’re only in WDW for a long weekend or you want to maximize your time and limit the number of shops you go to. In that case, you’re probably wondering where the best place to shop in Disney World is if you had to pick just one.
The World of Disney at Disney Springs is the place to go if you want to get all your shopping done in one shot.
Why You Should Shop at World of Disney in Disney Springs
World of Disney has just about every basic souvenir you’ll find in the other Disney gift shops throughout the parks.
What do we mean by “basic”? Not specialty.
At World of Disney, you can find the same items that are in the Emporium in Magic Kingdom, Creations in Epcot, and similar stores, including many of the smaller shops that carry the same items you’ll find in the bigger shops.
👉 Insider Tip: World of Disney is great for picking up an item you saw in one of the parks but didn’t buy either because you weren’t ready to make the purchase or didn’t feel like carrying it around the park with you.
There’s so much in this store, including:
- Clothing
- Coffee mugs
- Home decor
- Jewelry
- Mickey ears
- Puzzles
- Snacks
- Stuffed animals
- Toys
You’ll also find seasonal decor in World of Disney, as well as whatever the latest collection is that’s being promoted.
What Isn’t Available at World of Disney?
There are a good number of stores throughout Disney World that have more unique items, and it’s unlikely that you’ll find those at World of Disney. If you’re looking for a more out-of-the-box souvenir to take back home, here are a few places to visit:
Arribas Brothers Shops
There are three Arribas Brothers crystal shops in Walt Disney World:
✨ Crystal Arts on Main Street in Magic Kingdom
✨ Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs
✨ La Princesa de Cristal inside the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase in Epcot
We love these shops. They’re not technically Disney, and we’ve found that a lot of the souvenirs here have better prices than other Disney World shops. Also, there are Disney items unique to Arribas Bros. shops, so you won’t be able to find them anywhere else.
Art of Disney
There are two Art of Disney stores on Disney World property:
✨ One is in the Marketplace section of Disney Springs, not far from World of Disney.
✨ The other is in the America section of the World Showcase in Epcot.
Both of these shops will have hard-to-find items that pretty much only exist here, at least when it comes to on-property stores.
Disney Resort Shops
Each one of the Disney resorts has its own gift shop, and some even have multiple shops. There are items at these shops that are specifically themed to the resort, and you won’t be able to find them anywhere else. If you’re staying at a Disney resort or have a crush on one (lookin’ at you, Polynesian), head to the gift shop to pick up a themed souvenir.
Marketplace Co-Op
The Marketplace Co-Op in Disney Springs is practically next door to World of Disney. While there’s a lot of crossover here in terms of the merch that’s sold, there are also items that are much harder to find anywhere else.
Think of the Marketplace Co-Op as a more artistic version of World of Disney. We’ve found pet items, art pieces, jewelry and more here that we didn’t spot anywhere else.
World Showcase Shops
In my opinion, the World Showcase souvenir shops are super underrated. There are Disney-themed items in these shops that you won’t find anywhere else on Disney property. Like, nowhere else at all.
Plus, these souvenir shops also have tons of items from the countries they represent.
The main gift shops in the Italy, France and UK pavilions seem to have the broadest selections of Disney- and character-themed items, so if that’s what you’re after, don’t skip them.
Shopping in Disney World FAQ
What is the best way to carry stuff around Disney?
The best way to carry stuff around Disney is with a park backpack that will fit all your necessities. You can also rent a locker for the day if you want to stash the bag away or if you buy souvenirs that you don’t feel like carrying.
✨ Download our free park bag checklist here.
We like to carry as little as possible in the parks, which is why we save as much shopping as possible for a trip to Disney Springs.
Does Disney World have a Disney Store?
No, Disney World doesn’t have a Disney Store like the ones you may have visited in malls before they closed. However, World of Disney is the most comprehensive gift shop on Disney World property, and it has much, much more than the Disney Stores of the past had.
What is the biggest store in Disney World?
World of Disney at Disney Springs is the largest shop in Walt Disney World. It has 12 different sections dedicated to specific items. It’s so big that you may not have the energy to see every area in one shot!
Is Disney Springs part of Disney World?
Yes, Disney Springs is on Walt Disney World property, which means it’s part of the greater Walt Disney World Resort.
Is Disney Springs free to enter?
Yes, Disney Springs is free to enter, and parking at Disney Springs is free, too. You don’t need any sort of ticket or pass to visit Disney Springs. However, note that you will have to pass through a security check before going into Disney Springs.
Final Thoughts About the Best Place to Shop in Disney World
We like to save most of our couples vacation shopping for a Disney Springs day, and we often make a trip back to the car to offload the bags at some point, too.
If you have your eye on gifts in any of the main shops in Disney World, save your shopping (and bag carrying) for Disney Springs.
Otherwise, don’t pass up an item you really love if it’s at a Disney resort or World Showcase shop.
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