10 Theme Park Souvenirs You Should Never Buy

Ah, the delicate art of buying souvenirs in theme parks. You want to find a lasting keepsake to help you remember your experience. Which is a great idea. But theme park gift shops are wrought with danger. Bad values lurk around every corner. How can you even begin to tell the difference between the souvenirs that are worth it and the total wastes of cash? Rest easy, I'll help you save your money. Here are the top ten souvenirs you should never spring for in a theme park.

1.) Anything that glows. You know what I'm talking about. Glow sticks, glow necklaces, glow bracelets, etc. They cost a pretty penny in the parks, and their irresistable to kiddos. But you can get them for, drumroll please...a dollar. That's right, local dollar stores often sell multiple glow necklaces in one package for a dollar. Buy them in advance, pack them in a suitcase, and hand them out at the hotel or stick them in your purse before you head to the park.

2.) Stuffed Animals. These are always overpriced and marked up at theme parks, because parents are typically more willing to spring for things that their kids ask for on vacation. But you can get them anywhere else cheaper, and chances are you can find a bigger selection outside of the parks as well.

3.) Shoes. The hot item these days are Crocs in gift shops. Parks are hoping you'll give into your aching feet and spring for a pair. But again, buy these in advance, buy them generic and you'll save even more money. They are typically overpriced by at least 20% in gift shops.

4.) Coats. Again, the mark-up simply isn't worth it. There are all kinds of specialty jackets and coats for sale at theme parks, usually emblazoned with a park logo. But these are always a bad value, unless they're on clearance. There are other park-specific merchandise options that are a far better value.

5.) Fine jewelry. Lots of parks sell fairly high-end jewelry. Some is safe to buy, like silver earrings. But beware anything with jewels. Again, the mark-up...it'll get ya'. The only exception you could make here would be if you planned ahead to buy a special item for someone, such as a specialty watch.

6.) Sporting goods. Some parks, mostly Disney, sell sporting equipment. A theme park is not the place to get a good value on a set of golf clubs. If you see something in a sports-themed store that strikes your or your spouse's fancy, take note of it and look for it as a surprise when you're home from vacation. Often times, people browse items in theme parks freely, knowing they can't afford them. So they're more likely to point out things they really want or really like, because they're not afraid that they're making you feel pressured or hinting at you. So it's a good time to pay attention. The only exception? If someone is just drooling over a collector's edition or special edition of a basketball or golf balls or something similar.

7.) Vending Machine Items - Okay, so this is less of a souvenir, but it's still something you should never buy. Vending machine prices are ridiculous at theme parks. So in order to prevent having to pay 200% to 300% over what you should for a beverage, bring a water bottle! This may seem like a petty worry, but two or three vending machine drinks per person, per day can really add up. So come prepared to stay hydrated via water fountains and water bottles all day long.

8.) DVDs and CDs - You could buy these anywhere else. Even some of these that are park-specific that may look like a good deal, (for example, the "Fantasmic" soundtrack) but can be purchased on Amazon.com or other discount websites for cheaper than in-park prices.

9.) Posters - Aside from the fact that you can get these at just about any store, do you really want to carry a poster around with you all day? No way. The chance that it will get smashed in transit during the day or on your way home is pretty high. Skip this one.

10.) Clothing that won't last. Typically, you can immediately tell the difference between quality clothing and chincy items. Look for t-shirts that have writing or logos woven into the fabric instead of simply painted on top. Avoid anything with insignia on it that looks like it might peel, crack, or fade. Clothing is okay to buy, just make sure you have the same standards that you would if you were buying clothing for yourself or your children back at home. Also, adult sizes are a better value, they'll be able to stay in the family for years to come vs. children's clothing that they'll grow out of quickly.

The main question to ask yourself in the park is, "Can I get this when I get home?" or, "Can I get this for a better price somewhere else?". Sometimes the answer to that question is "no" and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with springing for unique souvenirs. The trick is to get the best value out of these keepsakes.

Also, if you're going on vacation to a park and will be there for multiple days, wait until the end of the trip to buy souvenirs when you've had the chance to see everything they have to offer and can decide what you really want. Also, bring an empty suitcase with you on your trip just for souvenirs. You know how hard it can be to pack for your trip home with all your new purchases, this will allow you all the room you need.