Have you ever returned from Walt Disney World only to realize you left behind a cherished item? Don’t worry, a touch of pixie dust and a visit to a local thrift store might reunite you with your lost treasure. Central Florida thrift shops are the new homes for Disney World’s lost and found items.
Walt Disney World holds onto lost items for about three months. After that period, any unclaimed items are donated to local charities. One of the beneficiaries is the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, which has thrift stores where these items are sold to the public.
From Mickey ears to plush toys and clothing, a variety of items end up in these thrift stores. Even if you didn’t lose anything, these shops are a great place to score Disney merchandise at bargain prices.
Where to Find Disney’s Lost and Found Treasures
The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida Thrift Store, located at 2054 State Road 436 in Winter Park, is one such location. Every three months, the store receives a shipment of lost and found items from Walt Disney World. These shipments often include a mix of Disney-branded merchandise and other items that park visitors have lost, including brand new products from Disney Springs.
“A lot of items are brand new things people purchased in Disney parks. They leave them somewhere in a bag and don’t claim them,” said Betsy Owens, Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida. “We’ve gotten brand new Oakley sunglasses with the tags on them.”
Outrage Among Disney Guests Over Lost Items Ending Up in Thrift Stores
While the idea of finding lost Disney World items in local thrift stores sounds charming to some, it has sparked outrage among many guests who were unaware their forgotten treasures would end up for sale. For those who have experienced the disappointment of losing a beloved souvenir or an expensive purchase, the revelation that these items are later sold to the public can feel like a betrayal.
“I was heartbroken when I lost my custom-made Mickey ears on our last trip,” said one guest, Sarah Thompson. “Finding out they could end up in a thrift store instead of being kept safe or more effort made to return them to us is infuriating.”
The frustration is understandable. Many guests invest significant emotional and financial resources into their Disney vacations. The thought of a cherished item being sold rather than returned feels like a lack of concern for the guests’ experiences and memories.
Disney World’s policy of holding items for only three months before donating them to charity has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that this window is too short and does not provide ample time for guests to reclaim their lost belongings, especially for those who may not realize immediately that their item is missing or for international visitors who might face additional challenges in retrieving their items.
Furthermore, the method of returning lost items has been called into question. Some guests feel that Disney could enhance their efforts to reunite items with their owners, perhaps through improved tracking and notification systems. The current practice of simply donating items after a brief holding period seems insufficient to many.
Despite the backlash, Disney maintains that their partnership with local charities, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida, allows lost items to serve a greater good. However, this does little to soothe the disappointment of guests who feel that more could be done to respect their losses and attempts to retrieve their belongings.
Ultimately, while the initiative supports community programs, it highlights a tension between guest satisfaction and corporate policies. Disney World will need to address these concerns to maintain its reputation for customer service and magical experiences.
Shopping Tips for Disney’s Lost and Found Items
Be prepared and act quickly. Disney-branded merchandise tends to sell out fast once it hits the thrift store shelves. To stay updated, follow the thrift store’s Facebook page, where employees regularly post about new arrivals and sales events.
Supporting the Community
Purchasing these lost and found items does more than just give you a good deal. The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida Thrift Store in Winter Park supports around 12,000 children from Brevard, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, and Orange counties. The funds generated from the sale of these items go towards supporting local youth programs.
“Disney is a huge supporter of the Boys & Girls Club,” Owens noted. “We are fortunate to be one of the local charities that they are extremely generous to. This is just a small fraction of their overall support.”
Next time you lose something at Disney World, remember there’s still hope. You might find your lost item at a local thrift store, while also supporting a great cause. Whether you’re on the hunt for a lost treasure or simply looking for affordable Disney merchandise, these thrift stores offer a magical solution.