4. Alex & Ani bangles

Locker tokens were once the cheapest keepsakes in the Parks; apart from post cards. If you are under the age of twenty you may not even know what they are. For you youngsters, then, the lockers of the Disney Resorts used to take tokens. Before that they probably took quarters, but for the first half of my life it was these shiny gold tokens. There was an excellent rendition of the castle on one side, and if you got a new one out of the dispenser, it was a thing of beauty. For a few years they were only a dollar, and I usually kept at least one.

Around the turn of the Century, Disney instituted the numeric-code system, and locker tokens disappeared. Wish I’d paid more attention, I could have horded a few more. They sell for a pretty penny on Ebay. Perhaps that’s why Disney did away with them, people like me kept taking them all. Wouldn’t have done me any good to horde, though, I can’t find the ones I have.

Enter the “Disney Collection by Alex and Ani.” A number of the finer shops throughout each resort, Heritage Manor Gifts, Elias & Co., etc., and the World of Disney Stores offer this essentially exquisite charm jewelry. But, for those of a more sentimental inclination, you will instantly recognize the bangle with the castle as a spot on match for the locker tokens. If you’re not charmed by a locker token (you should be) the collection includes Mickey, Ariel and a number of additional characters and landmarks. The price of a keepsake has gone up slightly, as you might imagine, though these are not much more than the current cost of a locker, now that I think about it.

5. Attraction posters

Upon entering Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom, passing within sight of the authentic attractions posters, if you are not struck with combative forces of peace—as though you have arrived safely home after a troubling journey—and unease—as if from loss, and the recognition that these treasures are part of a world just beyond your reach—then your Disney experience is not as finely tuned as it could be.

Who among us has not stood facing the beautiful artist renditions of the Space Mountain, Disneyland Railroad, even the kids from “it’s a small world” and not yearned for their own? Who then hasn’t attempted the frustrating feat of taking your own photos of the posters, only to be foiled by dicey lighting, reflections and an unceasing throng of passing guests?

You can buy one. Full-size, in color, and a little bit less than a thousand dollars. Or, if you take the time to go into the Emporium or World of Disney gift shops, which you have sworn off because it is a misuse of going-on-rides time, you can purchase smaller versions of many of your favorites. Those pictured above are from an available set of twelve, 12” x 18” reproductions. They’re unframed, but sell for about $20, and are a stretch better than trying to print blurry, photo-bombed copies of your own. If you believe you are beyond the point in your life where you can put such things on your walls, the larger shops have attractions-poster mugs and t-shirts, and even a jigsaw puzzle.

6. Eeyore Tsum Tsum minis

Disney Merchandise Communications Manager, Steven Miller, put it best when he said, “Last summer, my son (and the rest of the world) discovered Disney Tsum Tsum.” And yes, Eeyore is the biggest Disney cult character this side of Steamboat Willie, and, for the moment, Oswald. So an Eeyore Tsum Tsum souvenir is hardly unique. But, do you know about the mini 3 1/2” plush? If you do it’s a credit to your Disney dedication, because it hasn’t been available forever, and they’re sold in that section of the Emporium that is bristling with plush toys. Between the kids and the chaos it could be overlooked.

Disney merchandisers have outdone themselves concocting anything as cute as the Tsum Tsum Pooh pillows, but then came those adoreable ball-shaped plush toys (pictured above). They’ve gone one step further, cuter, with the 3 1/2” minis. Eventually, they will offer a keychain-sized Tsum Tsum that will be so precious it will break just from you’re looking at it (some of the Disney keychains are fragile, perhaps you’ve noticed), but for now the mini is the cutest Eeyore in the land.

Eeyore, Pooh and pals are, of course, available at Hundred Acre Goods, Magic Kingdom and Pooh Corner, Disneyland. If you can plan and stand to do your souvenir shopping before making your final way down Main Street with everyone else, the above shops lend themselves to a more relaxing experience.