Evolution of WDW gifts

[DisneyJunkie]

As far as gifts/shopping go at WDW, I tend to only look at a few certain things that I see as a practical gift: clothing, coffee mugs, playing cards and things of that nature. Over my past 3-4 vacations to WDW (spread out over the past 5 years or so), I haven't seen too many changes in the gifts, particularly the mugs. Is there anything different there this year? In the coffee mugs, it tends to be the same things: either they're the bottom half of the characters, or they're the blue/brown/yellow/red old-timey looking 'coffee' mugs, or Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald with their 'just woke up' expressions. I have seen a number of retro Epcot t-shirts that are out now, but for the most part the souvenir shirts and so forth (at the parks and resorts) also appear to be basically the same stuff as it was several years ago. Are most things right now still just more of the same?

 

[Weather_Lady]

There are some fun Alice in Wonderland coffee mugs featured in this article. I'm dying to get the "Mad as a Hatter" one... Not sure precisely where they can be found in the parks, though. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...rcolate-to-the-top-of-disney-parks-souvenirs/

 

[ddbowdoin]

As far as gifts/shopping go at WDW, I tend to only look at a few certain things that I see as a practical gift: clothing, coffee mugs, playing cards and things of that nature. Over my past 3-4 vacations to WDW (spread out over the past 5 years or so), I haven't seen too many changes in the gifts, particularly the mugs. Is there anything different there this year? In the coffee mugs, it tends to be the same things: either they're the bottom half of the characters, or they're the blue/brown/yellow/red old-timey looking 'coffee' mugs, or Mickey/Minnie/Goofy/Donald with their 'just woke up' expressions. I have seen a number of retro Epcot t-shirts that are out now, but for the most part the souvenir shirts and so forth (at the parks and resorts) also appear to be basically the same stuff as it was several years ago. Are most things right now still just more of the same?

I posted a thread about this like a month ago... WDW has really dropped the ball on merch and really rests on the laurels of the brand. They know that no matter what they crank out needy kids look at mommy and daddy and well, they simply can't say no.

I am really, really particular on my tee shirts... both from a design standpoint and materials used. I don't own many tees so when I buy one it has to fit those standards. My older shirts are well made, have survived hundreds of washes, and are heavier cotton. Now, seems like its harder and harder to find a well made shirt. Everything is thin and fitted, ie its a fashion move that makes them more money per shirt. These shirts die fast in the wash and are ruined in two years.


I miss the old days

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I like my sweatshirts, and in that regard too, they're all basically the same style and design and that hasn't changed either. I've got enough of the kinds I like.....how about something new now?

 

[DisneyJunkie]

There are some fun Alice in Wonderland coffee mugs featured in this article. I'm dying to get the "Mad as a Hatter" one... Not sure precisely where they can be found in the parks, though. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...rcolate-to-the-top-of-disney-parks-souvenirs/

That's exactly what I mean. That may be a popular design, but surely by now they have to see the need to bring in new stuff.

 

[Susan Savia]

When I was working I'd bring back little gifts from the Disney kitchen collection. Cute cookie cutters, spoon rests, dish towels, plates, etc. I wish they offered a bigger selection of pet items. You either can't find them or you find one or two items only for pets.

 

[Beholder]

We were just there in the beginning of August (no parks, sports related) and there was stuff that was there 2-3 years ago. I was really wanting resort specific (Port Orleans Riverside) stuff, and all I could find was a pin. I think that's what bothers me most. The UNIQUE stuff. I looked for the retro EPCOT shirts in World of Disney at DTD, and the CM's I asked didn't know what I was talking about. But, yeah, overall, it looked about the same.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

You'd also think there would be a good central location to get resort-specific items other than having to actually travel to the resorts themselves and to each resort gift shop.

 

[wiigirl]

You'd also think there would be a good central location to get resort-specific items other than having to actually travel to the resorts themselves and to each resort gift shop.

I would think that would be by design to get you to go to more resorts

 

[DisneyJunkie]

I would think that would be by design to get you to go to more resorts

You're probably right, but just because I like a particular souvenir there doesn't really mean I'd ever want to stay there.

 

[LizC]

This really is true. I used to love going to DTD for shopping, but now I find every year it's the same stuff. Really takes away from the experience of DTD, in my opinion.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Friends ask us to pick up Christmas ornaments which have the year included on them and other Disney character themed decorative ornaments. We come back with etched glassware, Disney art and several figurines. We ....ahem ( especially my wife ) never have trouble finding ways to spend money at Disney.

 

[Avenger117]

I recently saw some neat Disney World Polos that I can't wait to buy. (most of my closet is various colors of plain polos).

But last trip to Disney I feel like they really slipped on water bottles. I carry them around campus everyday but couldn't find a Disney one I liked. They had tons of tumblr cups and the metallic water bottles, but not plastic bottles similar to like a Camelback Eddy bottle. That was a bit of a bummer, I looked in DTD and the resorts.

 

[luv]

Disney merchandise has taken such a dive in quality and selection over the last ten years that it is depressing to think about it. I know they think that selling cheap crap at high prices will make them money, but at some point they'll realize the quality will out every time.

As for mugs, there is one I got that I love. "It's a Troll World." I first saw it in Norway, but have seen it in other shops recently. The shape is nothing special. But it has trolls - regular ugly trolls - dressed in colorful outfits, with Mickey ears on. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it. And I bought it immediately. If you google "it's a troll world", you can see it. they made a t-shirt, too.

The mugs that had a raised, colored Mickey surrounded by black and white Mickeys hat were just prtinted on the mug now have all of them raised. There is also a Minnie and Grumpy mug like it. And someone else...I don't remember who, but my guess would be Tinkerbelle.

That's the only new mug that made any impression on me. They've had some clear plastic dish ware, like you'd use outside, for quite a while now. It has some brightly colored rings and Mickey heads on it. It's cute.

 

[afar28]

I posted a thread about this like a month ago... WDW has really dropped the ball on merch and really rests on the laurels of the brand. They know that no matter what they crank out needy kids look at mommy and daddy and well, they simply can't say no.

I am really, really particular on my tee shirts... both from a design standpoint and materials used. I don't own many tees so when I buy one it has to fit those standards. My older shirts are well made, have survived hundreds of washes, and are heavier cotton. Now, seems like its harder and harder to find a well made shirt. Everything is thin and fitted, ie its a fashion move that makes them more money per shirt. These shirts die fast in the wash and are ruined in two years.


I miss the old days

They get destroyed easily so you then buy more shirts and Disney makes big profit

 

[quirkle]

I don't do the t-shirts, I actually love the blankets we get at Xmas - I totally can't wait to get another castle blanket. I also love our beach towels and of course my kids are big pin traders. I love to see them fixate on a specific theme of pin and try to find the entire collection.

 

[smw]

You'd also think there would be a good central location to get resort-specific items other than having to actually travel to the resorts themselves and to each resort gift shop.

seems like that would defeat the purpose.

 

[tracyandalex]

We rarely buy souvenirs anymore at WDW. To us the quality is not there for the price and as others have stated what we do find is rarely every very unique. For us if we can buy the same quality merchandise at Target for less that's where we'll buy it. We usually let DD pick one thing under like $20 and that's pretty much it. Occasionally I will see something that I know DD or DH would really like and I'll get it for them. I don't think we ever spend more than $100 on souvenirs in a trip.

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

My biggest sourvenir problem with disney are those overpriced princess dresses. They are awful - scrathy and itchy and the fabric is such low quality. We bought one for my neice two years ago and she was all red from where the sleeves and seems hit her skin. Now I'm in the apparel industy - production of clothing specifically so it shocks me even more that Disney puts out clothing that is so poor quality. I know that they can get better materials. I've seen older versions from friends that are much better so they've slipped for sure. Seems like they figure a kid will wear a princess dress no matter how poorly it's made so who cares. I've bought nicer and cheaper disney princess dresses at big box stores.

In terms of other souvenirs I think if you really search you can find interesting stuff. We buy an ornament each year and it usually comes from WS (we go in Jan so still out). And we found really great kids books in Norway this year.

I haven't bought a souvenir coffee mug in years. I'm too over run with the free DP mugs

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I don't do the t-shirts, I actually love the blankets we get at Xmas - I totally can't wait to get another castle blanket. I also love our beach towels and of course my kids are big pin traders. I love to see them fixate on a specific theme of pin and try to find the entire collection.

I like the blankets as well.....we always get a tee, but it is usually the most affordable dated tee. Looking for a decent plastic mug with lid this year. Hopefully I won't have to settle. Also, haven't seen a different popcrn bucket in quite some time. I might be mistaken, but I seem to remember being able to buy more than one themed popcorn bucket on my trips....maybe I am mistaken?