Every year, the span of time between Halloween and Christmas seems to grow shorter and shorter... And if you're anything like us, it isn't until the gift-giving season really arrives that you notice that you've got less prepared for the Disney Parks aficianado in your life than Disney had prepared for Walt Disney World's 50th.

In other words, if you're looking for some surefire, can't-miss ideas for what to get for your friend, family member, or loved one who adores Disney Parks, we've got some small, medium, and big-ticket ideas that might jumpstart your creativity and earn you major kudos for what ends up under the tree... 

1. The Imagineering Story book

COST: $25

One of the most talked-about launch titles on Disney+ in November 2019, The Imagineering Story was a surprisingly-candid look into the past, present, and then-future of Imagineering. Produced by Leslie Iwerks (granddaughter of Mickey Mouse co-creator and cinematographer extraordinaire Ub Iwerks), the series provided unprecedented glimpses into the archives of Imagineering and even addressed some of the firm's darker eras, flubs, and failures. 

Now from Leslie Iwerks comes the companion book The Imagineering Story: The Official Biography of Walt Disney Imagineering. When this title became available for pre-order, most fans seemed to expect it would be a coffee table book of concept art and illustrations. But when pre-ordered books began arriving in November 2022, Parks fans on Twitter raced to share their excitement and surprise that The Imagineering Story is actually a massive, 4 pound, 752-page book filled with even more depth and detail than the visual companion on Disney+.

Whether you've got a longtime Disney Parks fan who loves the stories behind the rides or you know someone who wants to become a writer, YouTuber, or podcaster who knows it all about theme parks, this is a must-have book for their collection. 

2. A Year of D23 or Disney+

COST: $100 - $125

If you've looking to spend about $100 (which, we should remind you, is a lot of money!) on a family member, close friend, or loved one who loves Disney for more than just its theme parks, a great idea to contribute a year of Disney+ or a D23 Membership. 

D23 is the official fan club of Disney. Your loved one may already be a Member, in which case a gift Membership will merely apply to their next renewal. Membership is $99 for an individual, or $130 for a "Duo." (The only difference with the latter is that you receive two collectable Member cards and two people can get into D23 Member-exclusive events, which tend to be concentrated around L.A. and do often require separate admission fees.) Otherwise, Membership comes with four issues of the quarterly D23 Magazine and – the big ticket item – an annual Gold Member Collector Set. (Hurry if you want 2022's – a "Disney Parks Around the World" pin set and Passport book.)

Disney+ is pretty self-explanatory. As you probably know, it's much, much more than just an archival collection of old Disney animated films. Disney's streaming service (home to "Disney + Pixar + Marvel + Star Wars + National Geographic") is probably already a staple in your home, and certainly in the home of a Disney fan. Unfortunately, that makes it tricky to gift a year. Disney gift cards do not work as payment methods for Disney+. Note than Disney does have a Disney+ Gift Membership option, but it only applies to new customers. So gifting a year of Disney+ might actually look like a check and a switch to an annual plan.

3. Fan-made gifts & memberships

Even the most ardent Disney supporters can sometimes recognize that feeding into the company's coffers can feel... weird. As prices rise, perks are slashed, and Disney Parks get better and better at shaking the loose change from our pockets, it can get a little gross to funnel money into disposable souvenirs, Lightning Lanes that cost more than lunch, MagicBands that'll become outdated, and trinkets that gather dust in basement boxes. Luckily, there's a solution!

The Disney Parks fandom is lucky to have some of the coolest creators out there, who channel their enthusiasm for immersive entertainment and themed spaces into incredibly cool products and projects. The amount you might spend on a single Lightning Lane can be an incredible and enduring investment in a really-for-real human being whose work you enjoy. You can buy incredible luminaries just like the ones at Animal Kingdom; help Kickstart a Dinoland fun map by the incredible Rob Yeo; gift access to vacation-planning software from Touring Plans; order canvas prints of your favorite theme park's almost-abstract pathways (above)... 

In addition to linking to countless YouTube creators, podcasts, and writers across Theme Park Tourist that have hopefully found a new fan in you, I've shared Theme Park Creator Round-Ups, highlighting some of weirdest, coolest, and most wonderful theme park products and projects out there... the kind where, when you buy one, an actual artist cries tears of joy and feels actual gratitude while they hand-craft something for you, or feel that their art is seen and appreciated and invested in.

To drop my own self-promo for a minute, in addition to writing for Theme Park Tourist, I maintain my own portfolio of writing and art – Park Lore – filled with unusual art projects, in-depth industry reflections, and ways to see the parks we love differently. It's ad-free and supported 100% by Memberships that start at $2 / month! Think about that... $2 / month. That's $24 / year (less than a single day of Genie+ at Disneyland!) that makes an actual, real difference to me as a creator and supports in-depth theme park storytelling. (Most membership levels also include a Member Card sent to you!) So if you've gotten lost in my Legend Library on Theme Park Tourist, consider joining Park Lore or buying a gift membership for someone else! It's a wonderful holiday gift to us both.