Disneyland Archives – Kate Was Here

80s-90s Nostalgia

Pressed Pennies From My Travels

April 10, 2021September 1, 2021 Kate6Tagged amusement park, Disneyland, souvenirs, theme park, Universal Studios

If you’ve been to Disneyland or Universal Studios, you’ve probably seen a penny smasher, a machine that presses your penny into an elongated coin embossed with a design. The machine is called by many other names—penny presser, coin smasher, penny squisher, coin press, and penny pincher—but the resulting coins are just as sweet. I find […]

Sights

Japan’s Theme Parks: Tips and Tricks

August 21, 2019May 10, 2024 Kate2Tagged amusement park, Disneyland, Harry Potter, Hello Kitty, Japan, Osaka, Sanrio, theme park, Tokyo, Universal Studios

Heading to Japan for the first time? There’s a whirlwind of activities to do, especially if your trip begins in the capital of Tokyo. If theme parks top your list, there are ways to budget both your time and money. 1. Follow your heart. You don’t have to visit every single theme park in Japan […]

Let's Shop

Quirk of the Month: Edible Mickeys

January 9, 2012July 24, 2020 Kate0Tagged China, Disneyland, Hong Kong, Mickey Mouse, souvenirs

Call it the power of marketing. Just place a popular logo, brand or character on any ordinary consumer item and its selling power increases tenfold. When my family and I spent New Year’s Eve in Disneyland Hong Kong, my sister and I fell for the overpriced Mickey treats—hook, line and sinker. I know it’s just […]