Tsum Tsum

Tower of Tsum Tsum
Image: Sam Howzit, Flickr (license)

Tsum Tsum is Japanese for “stack stack” and provides an accurate description for how these characters sit. Tsum Tsums are cylindrical plush toys that take on the face of dozens of different characters. Tsum Tsums come in several different sizes. You’ll find the 3.5-inch mini character, 11-inch medium, and 17-inch large. If you sign up for a Tsum Tsum subscription box, you can also get the rare 7.5-inch “small” size. A 2.5-inch micro size was recently introduced as well.

Tsum Tsums are released in collections, typically themed around a particular movie. For example, the Lion King Collection includes Simba, Nala, Mufasa, Scar, Zazu, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, and a hyena, each purchased separately. A new collection comes out on the first Tuesday of every month. While some are easy to find on store shelves, others inevitably become hot items that are instantly impossible to track down.

If you sign up for Disney’s Tsum Tsum subscription, you’ll get a monthly box that includes one small and one mini plush that coordinate, a three-piece set of mini plushes, a plush movie moment, and a six-piece micro plush set. While Tsum Tsums are widely available in Disney theme parks and Disney stores, they’re also available on other store shelves, like Target, so this is one item you can collect right in your hometown.

Pressed pennies

Penny Press Reels
Image: QuesterMark, Flickr (license)

If you’re looking for a collectible that’s affordable, pressed pennies are a great pick, with the  just 51 cents each. These are perfect for children because they get to pick the design that they want and turn the crank to press their penny. This option requires a little preparation, so if you want to go the pressed penny route it’s bet to come prepared. Fill a small coin purse with quarters and shiny pennies. For each one, you’ll need two quarters and one penny. Keep a separate change purse or collectors book with you for stashing the finished pennies. Sticking them in a pocket is risky on a long day in the park, so make sure they’re somewhere safe so you don’t lose any of these special items.

Choose your pressed penny
Image: QuesterMark, Flickr (license)

You’ll find pressed penny machines scattered liberally throughout the parks and hotels. You can collect one for every country in Epcot or for each resort you go to. You can also find them for most themed lands throughout Disney World. If you don’t see a penny machine right away, don’t hesitate to ask a Cast Member if there’s one in the area. They’re often tucked away in a quiet corner and easily overlooked.

Though it can take a bit of digging to find the exact characters that you’re after with some of these collectibles, the search is half the fun. Keep your eyes open and you’re likely to find new options available to you on every visit.