From walls of cuddly toys to a £1,000 bracelet… Disney addict spends £15k on merchandise in just three years
A WOMAN has revealed how she has spent £15,000 on Disney collectables in just three years.
Emily Simpson, 21, from Camberley, Surrey, says that she first fell in love with Disney as a toddler and spent her childhood watching the iconic films.
Now, Emily’s bedroom at her parent’s home is jam-packed with over 5,000 items featuring her favourite Disney characters.
Emily’s collection includes clothing, handbags, bedding, crockery, stationary, jewellery and 1,000 cuddly toys.
Disney-mad Emily, who works as a children’s play centre supervisor, say: “My friends think I’m crazy for my Disney obsession but I can’t help it. I love everything about it.
“Nothing makes me happier than coming home every day and admiring my Disney-filled room.”
Despite having had a passion for Disney since she was small, Emily only began collecting items in 2014 when she turned 18.
She adds: “I’ve always loved everything Disney but the merchandise used to be quite difficult to find in the shops.
“That all started to change a few years ago and now, I find Disney themed clothes and accessories everywhere I go.
“Some high street shops like Primark even have their own Disney section. It’s great!”
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Emily’s extraordinary collection includes a Disney-themed Pandora bracelet worth £1000 and a £200 Disney Polaroid camera.
Emily says: “I’ve worked full time since I finished school and I’m very good at saving for my Disney items.
“I’d say they’re worth every penny!”
Along with scouring the high street, Emily also searches the internet for Disney pieces and is given gifts of Disney merchandise from family every Christmas and birthday.
She says: “I’m very easy to buy for on special occasions. If I receive anything Disney themed I’m thrilled.
“For Christmas in 2015 my parents gave me a pug called Lilo named after a character in my favourite Disney film, Lilo and Stitch.
“I love dressing Lilo up in little Stitch costumes, she looks so cute.”
The breakdown of Emily's collection
Disney Trips: £5000
Jewellery: £1000
Cuddly Toys: £5100
Clothes, bags and accessories: £2000
Mugs: £250
Tattoos: £800
Ornaments/ Figures: £700
Disney Pins: £350
The devoted fan also has large Disney themed tattoos covering her arm - including a Beauty and the Beast rose and an image of the Disney castle costing £300.
Emily says: “I love my Disney tattoos and I can’t wait to get some more.
“I’d love to get Marie the cat from Aristocats next.
“Tattoos are a way of expressing yourself and I couldn’t think of anything more perfect to suit me.”
This year, Emily has visited Disneyland in Paris three times with her boyfriend, Jak Banks, 23, and says that he doesn’t mind her “addiction”.
She says: “Jak isn’t bothered by my Disney addiction at all. He really enjoys coming to Disney Land with me.
“Every time I go, I always come back with more merchandise to add to my collection.
“The last time I went in June, I came back with a £70 Cogsworth clock from Beauty and the Beast and a giant Stitch plushy worth £70.
“I can't wait to go back again in October for the Halloween celebrations and again at Christmas.”
In the future, Emily hopes that she can extend her collection when she has a house of her own.
She says: “I can’t wait to fill my own house with Disney items.
“I always see cute Disney crockery and homeware in the shops and it gets me really excited.”
She adds: “I’d absolutely love to work at Disney as a photographer.
“I couldn’t think of anything more amazing than being able to capture people enjoying the magic of Disney.
“I know some people will think I’m crazy, but it makes me so happy and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I’m a big kid at heart.
“Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that magical world?”
Previously, we revealed the Disney items that have been sending British shoppers into a frenzy this year and the chef who was told to cover up her raunchy Cinderella tattoo.
