Wearing ears and Disney clothes can be as much a part of the experience as the rides and the food. Here are the things we recommend buying before your visit to keep days smoother and more enjoyable.

When planning a trip to Disneyland or Disney World, most people wonder whether they should buy merch like t-shirts and ears, before their trip or wait until they get to the park. We recommend buying ahead of time because one of the easiest ways to save a surprising amount of money and reduce stress is by buying Disney merch before you enter the parks (post contains affiliate links).

In-park shopping is fun, but it’s also:

• expensive
• impulse-driven
• hard to say no to when everyone is tired
• time-consuming

Buying a few things ahead of time lets you skip pressure purchases and still enjoy finding fun souvenirs.

Target

Target is one of our go-to stops before every trip.

Why we love it:

• licensed Disney clothes, toys, and accessories
• frequent sales and seasonal drops
• great basics (tees, sweatshirts, PJs) at normal prices

We’ve found adorable Disney clothes here for a fraction of park prices, and we always stop at the Target near the park to grab last-minute items like autograph books and pens.

Old Navy and GAP

Old Navy and GAP often have Disney clothes. We’ve found t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, and more.

Why we check:

• comfy sweatshirts and tees
• family matching options
• frequent sales and promos

Check the stores as they have frequent sales, and you may be able to score a deal for the clothes.

Disney Store (online)

This one surprises people.

We’ve found official Disney merch on the Disney Store website for less than half the price of the same or similar items in the parks, especially during sales.

Why it’s worth checking:

• official park-quality merch
• frequent promotions and clearance
• better pricing than impulse in-park buys

Why we buy merch before the trip

Buying a few items before you go:

• saves money
• reduces impulse buying
• gives kids something themed to wear on the trip
• makes park shopping feel optional, not pressured
• makes that one park purchase feel special

It also turns packing into part of the fun, and the kids love picking what they’ll wear or bring.

Decision help

What should we buy before the parks?

Step 1: Decide what matters to you and your kids

• Clothes to wear in the parks
• A toy or plush
• Ears or accessories

Don’t feel like you have to buy everything. It’s ok if you purchase one or two meaningful items.

Step 2: Buy basics ahead of time
Buy these before you go:

• T-shirts or sweatshirts
• A small toy or comfort item
• Ears or simple accessories

These are almost always cheaper outside the parks.

Step 3: Treat in-park merch as optional
Once kids already have something special:

• in-park shopping becomes fun, not urgent
• you can say yes or no without guilt
• souvenirs feel like a bonus, not a necessity

Step 4: Set a simple park merch rule
Examples:

• One souvenir per trip
• A monetary limit
• Only if they use their own spending money

Clear expectations = fewer meltdowns.

The big takeaway

Disney merch overwhelm often comes from pressure and excitement . Kids see everything, parents feel rushed, and prices are high.

Buying a few things ahead of time:

• lowers emotional pressure
• reduces impulse spending

It’s a small step that makes park days feel calmer.