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 It’s basically stating the obvious at this point to say that Disney World can get very expensive.

Between the park tickets, hotels, restaurants, and gift shops, you might be dropping more cash than you’d like to during your vacation. But you don’t always have to feel guilty about spending the money, especially since Disney actually has a lot of partnerships and programs that give some of the money you spend to charities and other good causes! Here are ten ways that buying Disney products can benefit the world.

Some of these items are available inside Disney World itself, while others can be found online. Anyway you buy them, you can feel a little better about where your money is going!

Toys for Tots

Disney has been supporting Toys for Tots for over 70 years by donating to the organization and encouraging guests to donate toys through shopDisney (Disney’s online store) and in the parks. You can visit the Ultimate Toy Drive page on shopDisney during the annual holiday drive to purchase and donate a toy. Or you can find a donation spot inside Disney World to drop off new, unwrapped toys.

In 2021, Disney started the Ultimate Toy Drive by donating $500,000 to Toys for Tots. According to the Disney Parks Blog, Disney also collected more than 10,000 toys from guests to donate to children in need.

This drive begins with the holiday season each year, usually starting around mid-November. Set a reminder for yourself to be on the lookout around mid-November for your next chance to be part of this festive experience!

Click Here to Learn More About Disney’s Partnership with Toys for Tots

Love Your Melon

shopDisney has several products from the Disney x Love Your Melon collaboration. Love Your Melon is a company that is dedicated to helping children who are fighting cancer across America.

Disney also worked with Love Your Melon on a Pride Collection to celebrate Pride Month (in October). If you buy items from the Pride Collection (on shopDisney), Disney will donate to support LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

If you buy other Disney x Love Your Melon products on shopDisney, a portion of your purchase goes to nonprofit organizations that are working to fight pediatric cancer.

Click Here to Shop Disney x Love Your Melon Products Online

Make a Wish Products

Disney has partnered with Make-a-Wish for over 40 years, and they’ve granted more than 130,000 wishes during that time. The success of the recent “Wishes Come True Blue Color Collection” of merchandise allowed Disney to donate $500,000 to Make-a-Wish.

Disney regularly partners with Make-a-Wish and we’ll keep you posted on when the newest collection is released, so be sure to check out DFB to stay in the loop on your next chance to purchase a gift or souvenir that can truly spread joy.

NEW Disney Collectibles You Won’t Feel Guilty about Buying!

Reusable Straws (and Other Items)

Disney World has switched from plastic to paper straws in its theme parks, and you can take it a step further by buying reusable straws to use in the parks. Disney usually has some for sale at gift shops around the property.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is even more serious about reducing paper and plastic waste. You can find biodegradable cups and cutlery there as well as straws.

In addition, reusable bags are for sale at many Disney World gift shops. The bags are usually between $2 and $3, so you can buy one at the start of your trip to avoid using plastic bags for your purchases.

Click Here to See Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Reusable Bags

National Geographic Products

Disney is a parent company to National Geographic, so they often have products for sale in the parks and online that support conservation and environmental preservation. National Geographic products are made with natural materials and eco-friendly inks to minimize their impact on the environment. Disney doesn’t always have these products in stock, but keep checking shopDisney to see when they become available.

Right now, many of the National Geographic books on shopDisney are also part of the “Buy a Book, Give a Book” program. Now through December 31st, 2022, Disney will donate a book to First Book (a non-profit that provides books and resources to educators) for every book purchased on shopDisney.

Click Here to Shop for National Geographic Books on shopDisney

Conservation Fund Items

Disney (and especially Disney’s Animal Kingdom) is active in supporting conservation efforts worldwide. On shopDisney, you can buy various products to support these efforts, including a “Painted Dogs” print by Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. Proceeds from this item go to Disney’s Conservation Fund.

You can also sometimes find conservation plushes in Animal Kingdom, like the Simba and Nala plushes that were sold in 2019 to celebrate the live-action The Lion King movie. For each plush sold, Disney donated $5 to the Wildlife Conservation Fund and specifically to the Lion Recovery Fund.

Check with Cast Members to see if there are any items for sale that support conservation during your visit.

Click Here to Learn More About the Lion King Conservation Plushes

Donate at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you don’t want to buy anything, you can still donate to Disney’s Conservation Fund at many registers in Animal Kingdom.

This also works at the Starbucks locations. You can add a little bit of money to your order, and that will go to the Conservation Fund.

Just let the Cast Member know what donation you’d like to make, and Disney will match your donation.

Click Here to Learn More About Donating in Animal Kingdom

Coffee

Speaking of Starbucks in Animal Kingdom, there’s another way to donate at Creature Comforts (the Starbucks location in this park). If you buy the Flat White, a portion of the proceeds go to the conservation of Cotton-Top Tamarins. You can see an exhibit of these South American monkeys right outside Creature Comforts!

According to Disney, “The slightly sweet espresso treat—blended with bold ristretto shots and steamed whole milk for a smooth, velvety flavor—was selected because of the creamy white dollop that tops the popular beverage, similar to the crest of white hair that extends from the animal’s forehead to the nape of its neck.”

Even without donating extra money, you can still support the preservation of wild animals at Animal Kingdom. You’re making the world a better place, one sip at a time!

Click Here to Learn About Some Tasty Treats at Creature Comforts In Case You Need a Snack With Your Flat White

runDisney Events

Disney hosts several runDisney events each year, including the big Marathon weekend that takes place in January.

runDisney teams up with several different charities for these events, and runners can choose a charity to run for. Runners will select a charity and Disney gives them a bib (race entry) for free; in exchange, the runner agrees to raise a certain amount of funds for the charity of their choice.

There are several different participating charities, so you’re likely to find one that resonates with you, which makes your race even more meaningful!

Click Here to See the Newest runDisney Merchandise 

Bombas x Disney

Disney has a collaboration with Bombas, which is an apparel brand that’s focused on helping people in need. For every item purchased from Bombas, the company donates an item to a homeless shelter or homelessness-related charity.

There’s a Disney Princess Bombas sock line that features designs inspired by Moana, Cinderella, Ariel, and more. For each purchase, Bombas will donate another pair to an organization that supports homelessness. There are options for adult, kid, and even baby sizes.

Click Here to Check Out the Disney Princess Bombas Socks

That wraps up our list of 10 things you can buy from Disney to help the world! Disney often introduces other programs to support various causes, so we’ll do our best to let you know about the latest news. Keep following DFB for more updates from Disney.

Click Here to Learn Why Disney World Has Its Own Holiday

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Which Disney item that supports a cause are you most likely to buy? Let us know in the comments.

The post 10 Ways Buying Things at Disney World Can Benefit the World first appeared on the disney food blog.