Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-6905051-20131203105732/@comment-5106672-20140104000729

I think Regina needed Jefferson to get the hat to work because, while she was capable of getting it to work in the Enchanted Forest (2x09), she needed guidance in a world without magic.

The extent to which objects were "active" or "dormant" in her vault – or even in Gold's shop – wasn't fully explored in the show, but I think we can assume that enchanted objects were still enchanted, while additional magic couldn't be performed. Daniel's ring still had True Love in it, which trascended realms. Magic Hearts retained their properties, as they were enchanted before. The Dark One's dagger had no powers because even in the Enchanted Forest, rather than having actual powers on itself, it controlled those of the Dark One, who was powerless in the Land Without Magic at that point. Ingredients for potions most likely retained their properties and, aptly dosed, produced the desired effects. The magic took its price, though, as they vanished immediately afterwards. Maybe the Sleeping Curse needed to be bestowed upon the apple with an additional spell, which is why Regina had to get it back from the Enchanted Forest.