Timing the Purchase of Your Child's Disneyland Souvenir

Buying souvenirs while visiting Disneyland is a common practice for most people who visit the park. Souvenirs are a fun way to remember your trip, and there are lots of items at Disneyland that you just can't get anywhere else. Many parents enjoy allowing their children to pick out souvenirs as well. However, there seems to be some debate as to whether it makes more sense to let the kids pick out their souvenirs upon arriving at Disneyland, or to tell the kids they can pick out a souvenir at the end of the trip, just before leaving. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so if you are trying to decide whether to let your kids pick out their Disneyland souvenirs at the beginning or end of your visit, you might want to consider the following information.

A lot of adults can likely remember their own parents making them wait until the end of a trip to pick out a souvenir from a special place that was visited. Waiting until the end of your Disneyland trip to allow your kids to pick out their souvenirs can be a great way to take their minds off of the fact that their time at Disneyland has come to a close. Many kids are sad to leave the park, and having the opportunity to pick out a souvenir before they leave can go a long way in distracting them. After all, we understand their feelings, but don't necessarily want them crying during the entire tram ride back to the parking garage.

Another benefit to choosing to have children wait until the end of their Disneyland visit to pick out souvenirs, is that they can be encouraged to earn the souvenir with good behavior. Many kids behave fine while at Disneyland, however others have personalities that make them a little challenging no matter where they are. The hope of a souvenir before leaving Disneyland can be used as an incentive for reasonable behavior while in the park.

On the other hand, allowing children to pick out their souvenirs as they arrive at the park may work better to your advantage. I remember a friend of mine discussing how her younger brother begged for hours at Disneyland about a particular toy that he really wanted. His mother typically made him wait until the end of the trip to pick out a souvenir, but on this day she went ahead and allowed him to shop earlier in the day. From that moment on, he was on his best behavior all day, so for them it worked. My friend now always buys her own children their souvenirs upon arrival.

The other benefit to allowing children to pick out their souvenirs upon arrival, or early in the trip, is that they get to play with it while in the park. Later, when they play with their toy at home, it will remind them of their time at Disneyland. Additionally, it gives them something to play with while standing in line. Every parent knows how fidgety kids can get while waiting in lines for Disneyland rides, and a souvenir toy that they can play with during these times can make your entire Disneyland experience much more comfortable.

When it comes to deciding whether to allow your children to pick out their souvenirs upon arrival to Disneyland or just before leaving, consider your child's temperament and then decide which choice will make the most sense for your family. If it's possible, you may want to consider purchasing two small souvenirs, one upon arrival and one before leaving the park, instead of one large souvenir at only one of these times. This way, you get the benefits of both strategies.