I started collecting pins when I first went to disney 8 years ago, and I've only been back once since then. Most of my pins are Nightmare Before Christmas, and every year for christmas my dad gets me more. I have probably 40 of those, and 20 other random ones. My collection is fairly small compared to other people's. I'm going to disney fall 2015 with my boyfriend, and I can't wait to pick up some new pins!

I'd think that they'd get lanyards to wear and just give them back. That way they wouldn't have to spend their own money to buy pins too. At least, that's what I'd think!

I love buying Disney pins but I always want to buy way too many! Sometimes they have them in Disney stores in exotic places - I know I bought some Hawaii Disney pins from a Disney store in a Hawaii mall.

NBC is my absolute favorite movie <3 I think most of mine were either that or Lilo and Stitch xD

I can't wait to go back, though I wish it was as soon as this year Lucky you!

Yeah, that would make more sense haha

That's my problem, especially since I'm unemployed at the moment and I have a terrible habit of window shopping -.- That just makes me want them more x-X

Window-shopping is my downfall!

I'm really glad I'm not into Tsum-Tsums, or blind boxes, or Vinylmations... Disney has some really nice merchandise that you can still buy outside of Disney parks. I only spend money on pins when I'm at Disney parks! I have pins from elsewhere but I don't collect them as much.

Whats even better is that I'm like 90% sure my boyfriend is going to propose on our trip!

Oh my goodness I was I was that lucky xD

I'm addicted to vinylmations and blind boxes. I like some of the tsum tsums, but I only have the ones that I'm absolutely in love with. I don't go for the whole collection thing of those, so at least I have that going for me xD

Oh my goodness that's so exciting!

My fiance and I are supposed to be going to Disney on our honeymoon, but that's only because he told me to pick Of course, he knew where I wanted to go anyways xD It was just a matter of California or Florida

My mom bought a Vinylmation and got the one design she disliked so I don't think my family is super into those things XD

I prefer the Disney plushies. I always buy one after I go to Disney parks, but I've realized that the quality of them has been decreasing. Used to be that the $10 ones had spectacular art, a pin on the bottom of the foot, but the $30 ones are the ones that are actually quite nice now. Most of the cheaper ones are more generic. :(

Haha yeah I only tend to go after the collections that I like at least 90% of them Occasionally I'll buy one to try and get one I like on a whim, but that's rare haha I tend to collect vinyl figures of all types though (like the funko pops, those are my favorite <3)

Awe yeah, I never really look at the plushies unless they're on sale or something Occasionally I buy t-shirts (but that's mostly from the Orlando Walmart cause they're cheaper :X) To be honest that's where a lot of our souvenirs come from ha, unless it's something we really want that can only come from the parks

Oh my gosh this is so late, I apologize! :(

I'd love to start collecting figures and I've seen a lot of them around but I guess I just prefer other things. Vinylmations are some of the best-made ones, I think. I don't usually buy t-shirts or anything like that though so I think it's just about what you want to spend on and what you want to save on.

I don't spend much on souvenirs anyways but there are certain things that I'll spend a little more on if they're nice, well-made, something that I'd really like. Some things in the Disney store, I would pass on, some I would buy. I've always liked plushies anyways so they're nice for me to collect even though I have to stuff them into my backpack on the way back.

I love collecting Disney pins. I started when I was 12 and haven't stopped 8 years later. I loved being able to go around and trade them too! Maybe I will have to check out some pins... It has been too long.

Yeah that's true

I have a few of the plushies (bought my Cheshire Cat on sale ha!), but it's the bringing them back part that I worry about so maybe that's why I stick to more packable things (like you mentioned)

Haha it seems I'm bringing back memories and making other people want to collect again! I love it :P

There's just something about Disney I guess xP

Hahaha, you most definitely are!

Yeah, that is a big bummer. I guess you could hypothetically pack everything into a box and ship it home. I tend not to bring home breakables much anyways but still...

Pins are easy to pack and relatively alright price per pin, lots of fun to trade too. I was at Universal California as well and they had pins too but they weren't anywhere near as good quality as Disney.

Isn't that weird? The two are often grouped together so you'd think they'd be up to par with the competition

I mean, most people only go to Universal because it's there I'd much rather go to Disney anyways, but still P:

Glad to be of assistance ;P

Oh, definitely. I went to Universal with family mostly because we're Disney and thought it might be nice to experience something new, go see stuff that's more around movies. We took an all-day tour where a bus dropped us off and picked us up, and honestly, I wouldn't have stayed the whole time.

It was super crowded as soon as it hit mid-day and staff were partitioning off the walkways so you could only walk on one direction on each side. Someone made a comment about "Wow, this is so busy!" in the earshot of a staff member and their reply was "You should see Disney on New Years, hahaha!" in a snarky way. We went to the Minion ride first because we didn't want to wait and it actually was malfunctioning when we went so we had to wait a little longer. We did get a code for free rides without waiting for the line but still... the Studio Tour was also, in my opinion, not much of a "tour". They had little ride portions in between and I was feeling sick because of the heat and my hunger, and those were not fun. My mom didn't like them either because she gets motion-sick like I do. We also got stuck outside one of the buildings for probably over 10 minutes when they were filming, but trouble was, it was in the heat with no water, no food. I could tell some other people were finding it too long either. In terms of food there isn't much at Universal either compared to Disney. Only one dine-in café. We saw a bunch of shows and those were all nice, I liked WaterWorld and the stunts show the best. The merchandise is, in my opinion, super over-priced (I mean, Disney is too but minion plushies were super expensive - like $18 for a small one?) The Disney stuff is at least of higher-quality and better design.

Universal is a fun experience but I wouldn't be able to stay more than one day nor pay for the "Skip the line!" pass unless I really wanted to ride all the rides multiple times. Maybe it was just the bad day I had there but there is just so much more to do at Disney. For the same expensive rates I'd choose Disney.

Yeah, I've been to Universal once and Disney about two dozen times and it was mostly because that once was more than enough for me! Although, I'd really like to go and actually spend some time looking around the new Harry Potter exhibit, but the last time I went it had literally JUST opened about a week before and there was no way we were getting in there

Of course, I highly doubt I'll ever get to see it since I've heard it's busy like that ALL THE TIME. Which, honestly, is kind of ridiculous I mean, yeah, Disney is busy, but I've NEVER had a bad experience waiting in line. There's always something to keep you busy while you wait (stuff to look at or other attractions nearby to watch) Universal wasn't like that at all D: You're in closed in lines and honestly can't see much of anything but plants or market booths

Eh, I'd much rather just go to Disney the more I think about it xD Besides, I have two little kidlets and they can't ride anything at Universal, so it's honestly a waste of money Disney is much more kid friendly in my opinion

I really really REALLY want to go to the new Harry Potter and only the new Harry Potter. The last time I went to Disney Orlando Harry Potter hadn't been built yet.

Harry Potter is the huge $$ grab from Universal, besides minions. There were nothing but minion merch and little of everything else, I would say it's the same for Harry Potter. It's only in 1 park at the moment and such a loveable series I could see why it's aways busy, but people don't spend that long in Universal, only at Harry Potter.

And yeah, Disney is (usually) always friendly and family-friendly. My mom doesn't like doing rides like me and we both hated the Studio Tour because of the rides and how sick we were feeling. There isn't really anything for those who don't like it that sort of stuff.

Disney > Universal all the way.

Yeah that's my problem with the rides at Universal I love roller coasters and stuff like that, but I have no one else that likes them and would ride them with me At Disney, there's a ton of other mellow rides that I like that everyone will ride with me haha

I love the Jurassic Park part of the park too though <3 I absolutely love Dinosaurs though, so that's my weakness haha I don't think they have any minion rides do they?

I know they have a TON of merch, the last time we went (in February) to Disney we just so happened to go to the shopping area that's just outside Universal and I swear all I saw was Minion and Harry Potter Merch The few Harry Potter pins I saw were pretty darn cool, but they were so pricey that I didn't buy any (about 19.95 for your standard pin, not even the hinge ones)

In Universal Hollywood they have a new Minion Mayhem ride. You watch a 3D film while being in rows in "cars" that move along, it's not really a ride but more of a show with 4D actions I suppose. There's a Ms. Hannigan's House you can take a picture in front of and minions that you can take pictures with.

Most of Disney stuff is fine - plus have you ever tried the single-rider line for some rides? I could get through Splash Mountain in 30mins in single rider, sometimes go back-to-back rides on Matterhorn. Sometimes it's worth it sometimes it's not but you do have to ask how long the wait is and if they're running a single-rider line.

I had an alright experience at Universal but it wasn't fantastic. I just don't see how people can stay multiple days there, especially because there isn't too much to do.

Oh that's pretty cool though. I think they have a Spider Man ride like that too It was pretty fun, just jostles you around a bit xD

Eh I have social anxiety. I can't even sit by a stranger in the movie theater :/ Makes my nerves bad :x

Yeah, my experience was about the same Decent enough to be happy I went, but boring and expensive enough to tell me that I am for sure a Disney girl xD I haven't even been to sea world in Orlando to be honest (although I LOOVVEE the sit down dinner shows with the horses, but that's just because I'm a horse nut xD)