• Tiny tots will love collecting Epcot's internationally-themed beanie babies that feature Mickey, Minnie and the gang dressed in the traditional garb of the 11 World Showcase nations. Look for Minnie Mouse in a Japanese kimono, Mickey Mouse in German lederhosen and Pluto in a Viking hat from Norway; $9 each.
   
• In Epcot's China pavilion, folklore of by-gone days comes to life in the shape of a four-inch, imitation-ivory elder. The statuette, pictured holding a dragon-head cane, peach and scroll, is said to bring power and longevity to its owner; $18.
   
• At The Art of Disney in Downtown Disney, animators are on hand to create personalized character sketches -- with you as the boss! After selecting a design (more than 400 choices), guests choose a shading color and options like a custom frame or collectible pin, then watch as the art comes to life in about 30 minutes. Standard designs are $35-$65; those framed with collectible pins start at $95.
   
• For a truly distinctive gift, visit Epcot's The Village Traders, where Andrew Mutiso creates African wood and soapstone carvings. Among his artwork is a family sculpture, their arms intertwined to symbolize unity. The piece, made of teak wood and dyed black with leather dye, is carved over four hours with an African tool called a ngomo; $75.99.
   
• In Epcot's Germany pavilion, little girls can watch as the dolls of their dreams are created piece by piece at Engle Puppe. Guests choose everything from the doll's face (one of seven) to its eye color, hair color, hair style and clothing. Disney princesses are also available in the likeness of Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Belle, Mulan, Tinkerbelle, Cinderella or Aurora; $160.
   
• It's all about the nose for this 3-foot-tall, solid wood, hand-painted and hand-carved Pinocchio in the Italy pavilion at Epcot. The striking toy's wooden nose unscrews and comes with a variety of lengthy attachments; $250.
   
• Yo-ho-ho your way to Starabilia's in Downtown Disney where for $4,500 guests can own a piece of a pirate. Captain Jack Sparrow's pistol, used by Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Carribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl," is nicely packaged in a shadow-box and gold frame, with a mini movie poster signed by Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush. A certificate of authenticity guarantees it's an original.
   
• For a dose of history that's close to the heart, swing by Epcot's United Kingdom pavilion where a massive encyclopedia holds the personal genealogical history of more than 100,000 last names. For $70, guests can have their family crest embroidered on a polo shirt and for $325, they can have that same embroidered patch matted and framed along with a parchment detailing the history of the family's last name.
   
• Scrooge beware! This crystal replica of Cinderella Castle sparkles like a thousand stars. Weighing 42 pounds and standing 20 inches tall, the limited-edition piece features 28,255 hand-set Swarovski crystals, 23kt gold plates, and hand-applied enamel. The castle, featured at four locations around Walt Disney World Resort including Arribas Brothers in Downtown Disney, comes with a certificate of authenticity; $37,500.
   
• Money can't buy you love, but it can buy you this Hoffner Bass guitar signed by all four Beatles and housed at Starabilia's in Downtown Disney. The guitar is matted on black velvet, with an original black and white photo of the group to its right. With a $75,000 price tag, it holds the record for priciest item in the store.

Walt Disney World® Resort Unwraps Unique Shopping Treasures Throughout Vacation Kingdom

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Whether it's an unforgettable souvenir or an extravagant gift for someone special, Walt Disney World® Resort is a shopper's paradise of more than 300 shopping locations.
There's just about everything imaginable at the Vacation Kingdom -- from a shiny red antique carnival bumper car and Italian leather handbags & to a Winnie the Pooh cuckoo clock and a Waterford crystal Spaceship Earth. And the shops are open to guests every day of the year. So there are 365 days to shop for memorable holiday gifts.

Here are some insider tips and window-shopping discoveries:

A walk down memory lane: Starabilias, a nostalgic memorabilia shop at Downtown Disney West Side, has a grand selection of out-of-the-ordinary items -- for example, a Schwinn Red Phantom Bicycle, a Wurlitzer Juke Box, props from movies, an original Indian Chief 1950s motorcycle, autographed photos, an antique bumper car from a Jersey Boardwalk carnival, plus signed celebrity posters and photographs. Movie buffs will love Sid Cahuenga's One-of-a-Kind at Disney-Hollywood Studios. Inside this California-style bungalow are celebrity books, films, posters, and a collection of Hollywood wardrobe pieces such as a shirt worn by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the film "Chill Factor" and clothing worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film "True Lies."

Artistic treasures: Armani-crafted Seven Dwarf figures are available in the Italy pavilion at Epcot; original cels and animation art from classic Disney films in Art of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace; authentic Goebel and Hummel figurines, Volkskunst beer steins and hand-painted eggs in the Germany pavilion at Epcot.

Out-of-the-ordinary: Eclectic art and decor such as Zen fountains, Japanese painting boards and colorful hand-crafted sculptures can be found at Hoypoloi at Downtown Disney West Side. Mickey's Groove at Downtown Disney West Side offers clothing, gifts and toys devoted to Mickey Mouse. The Main Street Gallery in Magic Kingdom features animation cels, lithographs and figurines. A Waterford crystal Spaceship Earth is a shimmering treasure found in Art of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Natural bath and body products -- soaps, bath crystals and shampoo bars -- are showcased at Basin at Downtown Disney Marketplace.

A place for play: Once Upon a Toy is a wonderland of toys and playthings for youngsters and the young at heart. This 16,000-square-foot toy store features exclusive new toys, games and collectibles that combine the magic of Disney and the fun of Hasbro, including a special Disney-themed MR. POTATO HEAD, My Little Poney, and a Disney theme park version of MONOPOLY.

Artisans at work: At Disney's Animal Kingdom, artists craft woven African baskets in Ziwani Traders, Indonesian bamboo carvings in Mandala Hut and African woodcarvings in Mombasa. Glass-blown crystal and metal creations are presented in Eurospain at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Sketch artists are on site at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Mouthwatering: Homemade fudge, hand-dipped candy apples, cotton candy, chocolate-dipped marshmallows and truffles are sure to soothe the sweet tooth in The Candy Cauldron at Downtown Disney West Side. La Bottega Italiana gourmet shop at Epcot displays an assortment of Italian pastries, wines, olive oils, vinegars and specialty coffees.

Jewelry: In the Italy pavilion at Epcot, Il Bel Cristallo offers elegant cameo rings and pendants, gold bracelets and necklaces. Disney's Contemporary Resort features a vast selection of Disney watches, plus costume jewelry and colorful kid's bracelets.

Stocking stuffers: Disney dollars and gift certificates are available throughout Walt Disney World Resort as well as at participating Disney Stores. NEW: Special gift certificates for spa treatments and admission to the Cirque du Soleil original production La Nouba.

Sweet scents: Guerlain, the oldest family-owned fragrance and cosmetic company in the world, has a presence at Epcot -- La Signature in the France pavilion offers an assortment of Guerlain products.
Every day's a holiday: Disney's Days of Christmas shop at Downtown Disney Marketplace showcases hundreds of hand-crafted ornaments, candles, cards, character stockings and traditional holiday decorations 365 days a year.

One-stop-shopping: The largest Disney character showplace anywhere, World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace is 51,000 square feet of take-home treasures. The superstore's 12 themed areas include everything from princess pajamas and Disney luggage to Goofy-shaped pastas and Mickey and Minnie wedding-cake toppers. Magic Kingdom offers a vast selection of Disney-logo merchandise as well as custom-embroidered mouse ears inspired by the original "Mickey Mouse Club."

Sporting goods: Sports enthusiasts can load up on gear at Team Mickey’s Athletic Club at Downtown Disney Marketplace featuring character sports merchandise; athletic shoes and socks; Nike apparel; golf accessories; college-themed apparel; plush toys and tennis balls. ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk offers ESPN logo merchandise. Sports apparel and equipment can be purchased at Main Street Athletic Club in Magic Kingdom .

Helping Hands

Merchandise purchases don't have to be a burden to Walt Disney World theme park guests. There are three alternatives to carrying packages in the parks:

1. Package pickup is available at no charge. Merchandise is moved to package pickup, located near the front entrance of each theme park, for guests' pickup when they leave the park.

2. Hotel delivery is available at no charge. Purchases made prior to 7 p.m. will be delivered to the guest's hotel by noon the following day. Purchases made after 7 p.m. will be at the hotel on the second day after purchase.

3. Shipping is available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.

Guests also can shop the theme parks by phone after vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort. Just call 407/363-6200. Describe what you saw and where you saw it. With the help of computers, the Attractions Merchandise Guest Services Department can locate that gift, arrange the purchase and ship it. The Guest Services Department can help with merchandise from all Walt Disney World-run shops in the theme parks. It is open weekdays except holidays.

Hours of the shops vary. Some shops are open after regular theme park hours. Contact 407/824-4321 for more information.