Little Coins, Lasting Memories: Pressed Pennies at Walt Disney World!
One of the most magical parts of visiting Walt Disney World, beyond the rides, shows, and snacks, is choosing the perfect souvenir to take home. From plush characters and spirit jerseys to pins, popcorn buckets, and ornaments, there are endless ways to bring a little piece of the magic back with you. Over the years, our family has collected quite a few Disney treasures, but one souvenir has always held a special place in my heart.
Ever since my kids were little, my favorite tradition has been collecting pressed pennies. There’s just something so charming about spotting a penny press tucked away in a park or resort, choosing a design, and watching a simple coin transform into a tiny keepsake. It’s affordable, interactive, and filled with memories. Each penny telling a small story of where we were and what we experienced together.
I still remember my kids picking out their very first pressed penny book, proudly decorated with Sorcerer Mickey on the front. It felt like the beginning of a new Disney tradition. Each time we found a penny press, they would carefully slide their newest treasure into one of the tiny sleeves, taking their job very seriously. My daughter loved organizing her collection thoughtfully. Grouping pennies by theme and by park, while my son preferred to place them in the exact order he collected them, creating a little timeline of our trip. Even now, flipping through those pages brings back vivid memories of where we were, what we rode, and the excitement of discovering the next machine.
When we first started collecting pressed pennies back in 2008, the process itself was part of the fun. You had to bring your own penny and two quarters for the purchase, so before each trip we would save up the shiniest, newest pennies we could find. We’d carry them around with us throughout the day at Walt Disney World, ready whenever we spotted a machine tucked away in a corner of a park or resort. There was something special about placing the penny in the slot, turning the handle, and watching it transform into a souvenir right before your eyes.
Collecting pressed pennies today is much simpler than it used to be. Most machines now cost about one dollar per penny, with options to purchase multiple designs at once for a small discount, perfect for collectors who can’t choose just one. The machines now provide the penny for you, so there’s no need to dig through pockets for loose change, and payment is usually as easy as tapping a credit or debit card. While the classic hand crank machines that used your own coins are becoming harder to find, the newer digital presses make it easier than ever to add another tiny piece of Disney magic to your collection, even if they do feel a little more “modern” than the old days.
Finding all the penny machines has also become much easier over the years, which is a huge help for avid coin collectors. Today, Walt Disney World offers an official online guide and map that shows the locations of pressed coin machines across the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. It’s a fantastic tool for planning your penny pressing stops ahead of time or checking nearby machines while you explore. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/guest-services/coin-presses/ .
Before Disney released their own map, many collectors relied on community driven resources like Press Coins at https://www.presscoins.com/, a long time favorite among pressed penny fans. This site is still widely used today, offering detailed lists, photos of coin designs, and helpful updates shared by fellow collectors. Whether you prefer Disney’s official map or the passion of a collector run site, both resources make it easier than ever to track down every last coin press and avoid missing a design you’ll wish you had later.
One of the best parts about collecting pressed pennies is deciding how to store and display them. Walt Disney World has a variety of official penny books and collectors’ albums you can buy, ranging from classic fold out books to themed albums featuring favorite characters or park attractions. These make it easy to organize pennies by park, ride, or theme, and they’re perfect for slipping into your backpack or suitcase as you hunt for the next press.
For those who love to show off their collection at home, there are endless creative options. You can frame a set of pennies in shadow boxes, mount them on decorative boards, or even create a “Disney penny map” by arranging them according to the park where each was collected. Some collectors turn their pennies into magnets, keychains, or ornaments, making it easy to enjoy them every day. Whether you keep them in an official album or craft a custom display, each penny becomes a tiny, tangible memory of your Disney adventures.
In addition to pressed pennies, Walt Disney World also offers collectible medallions which are a fun and slightly different way to bring home a piece of the magic. Unlike pressed pennies, medallions are pre-made souvenirs that you purchase from machines scattered throughout the parks, Disney Springs, and some resorts. They tend to be larger and more detailed than pennies, often featuring favorite characters, attractions, or special events. While they cost a bit more, usually around $6 each or 4 for $20, they make a beautiful keepsake for collectors and Disney fans alike. For those who love variety, it’s a great way to complement a pressed penny collection, giving you both the interactive joy of creating a coin and the instant charm of a collectible medallion.
Some of my fondest Disney memories aren’t about the rides or the fireworks, they’re about seeing the pure excitement on my kids’ faces every time they spotted a pressed penny machine. The thrill of pulling out their little bag of shiny pennies, eagerly choosing the next design, and carefully adding it to their book is something I’ll never forget. Those small moments captured so much joy, and each pressed penny became a tiny keepsake of our time together.
Now that my kids are adults and my husband and I often visit the parks on our own, we still keep an eye out for those magical machines. There’s a little thrill in spotting a new design, just like old times. One of our most recent additions is a set of Muppet coins we collected right before the Muppets Vision 3D closed for good. A bittersweet reminder that pressed pennies not only capture memories but also moments in Disney history.
Another coin that holds a special place in our collection came from the machine near the old Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom, tucked over by the railroad in Frontierland. At the time, it was just another pressed penny, something we collected without realizing the ride would one day close to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Now, this penny feels like a tiny time capsule, carrying memories of laughter, splashes, and family moments on one of our favorite classic rides. It’s a simple souvenir that perfectly captures the magic of the past, reminding us of the joy and excitement of riding together as a family.
Pressed pennies may be small, but the memories they hold are enormous. Whether you’re collecting with little ones, traveling with friends, or keeping the tradition alive as adults, there’s something undeniably magical about these tiny treasures. Each penny tells a story. A story of laughter, discovery, and the simple joy of experiencing Disney together. So, the next time you see a pressed penny machine tucked into a corner of a park or resort, don’t just walk past it, stop, press a coin, and make a memory of your own.
Just Keep Dreaming and Disney(ing)!
Terri Lee