The Cheapest Souvenir in Disney

What kind of souvenir can you get for 51 cents at Disney?  A Souvenir Pressed Penny.  Every attraction in the country seems to know the power of the pressed penny machine and Disney is no exception.  What sets Disney World apart is the sheer number and variety of pennies available.  There are entire blogs and websites devoted to pressed penny collecting.  I'm going to keep it simple and give you the low-down on pressed pennies at Disney World.

What are They?

Pressed Penny Machines are typically a crank-type machine which will elongate your penny and stamp a selected image on the front.  At Disney most of the machines have a button now instead of a crank.  The cost involved is two quarters plus the one penny you want to smoosh.  Although not prevalent,  there are also pressed quarter machines.  They are $1.25, four quarters and the additional quarter to be pressed.  After depositing your coins, you select an image from several choices and turn the crank or press the button.  For kids, this is their favorite part.  Hence the appeal of the penny machine.

Where are They?
Just about everywhere!  All the Parks and most of the Resorts will be happy to take your 51 cents.  Most of the attraction have a penny machine located near the exit or in the gift shop.  They will feature images and the name of the ride or attraction which makes them a great memory.

Why Pressed Pennies?
Besides being cheap, kids love them.  A penny from your resort is something you can look back on and stir up memories of your trip.  Kids can collect pennies from rides, especially the ones they have been waiting they've been waiting to be tall enough to go on for years.  A pressed penny can also solve that "gimme/getme" moment for minimal cost.  For 51 cents you've made your kids day...until you pass the next gift shop.  There are a ton of images and Disney changes them out occasionally, so they are something you can keep doing on subsequent trips.  A bonus benefit is the size.  They will not weigh down your backpack or require souvenir delivery.

Ready to hunt for some pennies?  Here are locations for Disney World and Disneyland.

Disney Devotee Tips:

• Buy a Penny Collection Book-This can be done ahead of time, but I recommend treating yourself to a Disney book.  Most of the gift shops carry them.  Organize your books by park, trip, etc.  If you plan to buy a book ahead of time, make a fun craft of decorating it for your trip.
• Be Penny ready-Before you leave, have your pennies at the ready.  The best method I've found is an old film container or mini M&M container (empty of course).  Put two quarters and a shiny penny in and repeat until full.  That way you are not fumbling in front of the machine for change.
• Avoid Repeats-If you are a frequent traveler, take a photo copy or cell phone pic of your pennies before you go back to Disney.  That way you will know which pennies you already have.
• Old vs. New Pennies-Older Pennies (Before 1982) that are all copper will "smoosh" cleanly, while newer pennies (zinc with copper outside) will have streaks from the zinc.  This is a choice you will have to make.  Older pennies can be soaked in vinegar to shine them up a bit.
• Heads vs. Tails-The head side of the penny is preferable.  The monument image on the tail can often distort the stamping.

Maria is a mom to 2 penny collectors and likes to eat mini M&M's.  She is also a travel planner with Snapshot Getaways and would love to help you plan your next trip.  You can follow her on her Mickey Mom Facebook Page.