Declining Standards of merchandise.

[Pumbas Nakasak]

My DD has just returned from a trip that was part of her 21st. Although she had a great time she was very disappointed by the limited variety of merchandise across WDW. I would have thought with Summer just around the corner the stores would be geared up already.

Things that stuck out:

Resort Mugs - Generic, great if you reuse year after year, crap if they are a normal souvenir.
Resort specific merchandise - distinct lack of this at both AKL and Boardwalk
Photo albums - she bought an 07 one last year but this year said theres only very basic albums to choose from
Park Merchandise - very little park specific stuff shops mainly offered the usual bumff you can get in any Disney store or dodgy copy market stall.

All and all it looks Disneys more interested in inventory simplification than providing unique attractive souvenirs and memorabilia, I for one think thats a poor business decision long term and a contemptible customer care.

 

[Monty]

I only place I'd disagree is AKL. I found they had a good amount of resort-specific shirts as well as more trinkets available. Other resorts I've tried, not so much.

It is disappointing how little variety there is available in the parks.

 

[stankly182]

I am actually disappointed in the quality of the merch. The t-shirts seem to be made of the thinnest material. I was looking forward to getting the Epcot- The 21st Century Began on Oct 1982 t-shirt a couple of weeks ago, and when I picked it up, the material just seemed SO thin and not good quality. It's not just WDW though, it seems that everywhere I go, all clothing anymore is made of very thin material. I miss the good, thick fabric t-shirts!

Note: I must say there has been an improvement in the HM merch here recently! When we visited Madam Leota's cart a couple of weeks ago, they had THREE t-shirts specificaly from the HM. I was very impressed!

 

[Master Yoda]

I am actually disappointed in the quality of the merch. The t-shirts seem to be made of the thinnest material. I was looking forward to getting the Epcot- The 21st Century Began on Oct 1982 t-shirt a couple of weeks ago, and when I picked it up, the material just seemed SO thin and not good quality. It's not just WDW though, it seems that everywhere I go, all clothing anymore is made of very thin material. I miss the good, thick fabric t-shirts!

Note: I must say there has been an improvement in the HM merch here recently! When we visited Madam Leota's cart a couple of weeks ago, they had THREE t-shirts specificaly from the HM. I was very impressed!

I got the same shirt back in May and noticed the same thing. Not only was the shirt material incredible thin it shrunk to the point where I can not even wear it after only one wash in cold water.

 

[brkgnews]

I got the same shirt back in Mat and noticed the same thing. Not only was the shirt material incredible thin it shrunk to the point where I can not even wear it after only one wash in cold water.

I picked up that shirt in a size small for a friend of mine... it felt like holding a handkerchief... verrry thin fabric.

 

[dreamfinder]

The retro shirts are usually thin fabric as that was the rage back then. Shirts from 15-20 years ago were usually 50/50's and very thin. Thats just how it was. But the other stuff I completely agree with. I remember going years ago and all the different lands in MK had stuff specifically for them, never mind WDW vs DL and the resorts having unique items. Definitely going for the once in a lifetime/once every 5 years visitor, not the yearly/monthly fans you find on here.

 

[Eyekimore]

I also find that the clothes don't run true to size-
You look at a 2x shirt and it looks like a large. They need to go a little fuller on the sizing. (Large people like loose clothing, too. Plus- aren't we the ones you'd rather see wearing loose clothing?????) :veryconfu

 

[sweetpee_1993]

My oldest is finishing up his 1st year of middle school (6th grade) so this year has been a maaaajor crash course in fashion. LOL! The thin material on the t-shirts is all the rage with the kids. It's all about retro...as in the shirt needs to look like it belonged to Dad in college and has been washed/faded with 20 years of use. ((Although in actuality these kids do noooot want to wear what their dads really wore because that would be tacky and unacceptable..remembering my hubby's racy inuendo shirts..lol!)) Also, it's about layering. Everything has to be layered.

Masteryoda, have you tried stretching your shirt back out? I find that the thin fabrics stretch back out really easy. Put the shirt on for an hour and just sit around. See what that does. If all esle fails, cold-water wash it again, stretch it back out, then lay it flat to air dry. See if that does that trick.

I was just at WDW and have to agree with the lack of quality in some of the merchandise. I bought myself a cute, summery pink Mickey shirt with the Mickey appliqued in pink plaid. I've washed it twice and you wouldn't believe all the seams that are coming apart. It's disappointing...then I get to thinking that I refuse to spend $30 on a t-shirt for my son at Abercrombie & Fitch yet I've just spent that much on this t-shirt from WDW that is coming apart in 2 washings which gets me all flamin' mad! The stuff there is so expensive. You expect it to last at least a little while.

Variety...I enjoyed the variety alright. Lots of summery stuff was out. I particularly liked all the cool, trendy tote bags although they have zero practicality in the parks while there. I bought one to carry junk back on the plane. I was disappointed that there were no short sleeve t's that were resort specific at POFQ. They had shirts...all long sleeve or 3/4. That's useless in east Texas. Also, why can't they carry men's boxer shorts in multipacks vs. $20 each pair? Hubby was on some seriously strong antibiotics, had some secondary issues, and needed some boxers in the worst way. Way bought 2 pairs at the $20. Then, thank heavens, we had a relative who came to visit with us and took us to Target where we could get some multipacks. LOL!

I have a few items I wish I had gotten and am thinking of calling back to get. All in all, we didn't spend near what we usually do on souveniers but that's mostly because the kids weren't there with us to want everything they see. LOL!

 

[imamouse]

It's not just the shirts

In addition to the lack of quality and variety in shirts, I am disappointed in the quality of the cermanic mugs and especially the plastic tumblers sold on WDW property. All are made offshore (not surprising) and some must be hand washed to avoid removal of printing or the introduction of surface cracks or streaking in the plastic tumblers.

Not all cermaic mugs have wash away logos, but the YOAMD mug I purchased at Mouse Gears is now just an ivory mug with a blue lining. One washing in the dishwasher and my set of plastic tumblers are now cracked and streaked. Does Disney seriously think American consumers are going to hand wash plastic tumblers :shrug:?

 

[jmmc]

I don't know about the actual quality of the merchandise, but during my P.O. stay last year, I was disappointed in the few resort-specific items to buy. Only a couple of t-shirts and none that I liked.

I think that issue -- the same goes for ride-related stuff -- is bigger than quality. You may be able to buy an EE shirt, but I'd like to see other rides have their own stuff, too. That's happening less and less these days.

 

[captainkidd]

I agree 100%. I was at All Star Movies last week, and there wasn't a single item that was resort specific. Not one. The entire area that used to have All Star merchandise was replaced with High School Musical crap.

The t-shirts are just goofy (no pun intended) looking. The hats are all cheap and attempting to be trendy.

They need to hire some better merchandising people.

I spent $30 on a nice looking shirt at the World of Disney last year. One time in the wash, and it shrunk beyond the point that it would fit me.

 

[brkgnews]

Am I the only one that wouldn't mind some retro merch that doesn't look like it's been crumpled in the attic for ages?

Yes, I like the retro design itself... but not every retro design needs the "distressed paint" look. Looking right now at my retro Goofy mug, the vintage WDW logo, and even the goof himself, are full of intentional chips, mars, tears, etc to make it look old.

I enjoy the retro designs, but I'd like to see "clean" versions of them.

 

[Master Yoda]

Am I the only one that wouldn't mind some retro merch that doesn't look like it's been crumpled in the attic for ages?

Yes, I like the retro design itself... but not every retro design needs the "distressed paint" look. Looking right now at my retro Goofy mug, the vintage WDW logo, and even the goof himself, are full of intentional chips, mars, tears, etc to make it look old.

I enjoy the retro designs, but I'd like to see "clean" versions of them.

Exactly. I do not mind the somewhat distressed logos but I do not really like spending $25 on paper thin shirt. I do not need or want it to be that authentic. What is next? Stains and or holes on the shirts.

 

[captainkidd]

Exactly. I do not mind the somewhat distressed logos but I do not really like spending $25 on paper thin shirt. I do not need or want it to be that authentic. What is next? Stains and or holes on the shirts.

Like the monorail shirts they're selling now. It's so thin, it's practically transparent.

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

I agree with everyone who said that Disney really needs to add more resort specific merchandise.

 

[wdwmagic]

Yep I agree with this.
Tower of Terror has been hit pretty badly. For some reason most of that store now is full of Lost and Nightmare Bfeore Christmas stuff.

The new Toy Story Mania stuff is also not very inspiring, and is crazy expensive. $40 for a tshirt!!

 

[drew81]

I agree with everyone who said that Disney really needs to add more resort specific merchandise.

I 2nd that! When I stayed at the Pop Century in February there was no resort specific merchandise.

 

[Fun2BFree]

I agree 100%. I was at All Star Movies last week, and there wasn't a single item that was resort specific. Not one. The entire area that used to have All Star merchandise was replaced with High School Musical crap.

That's horrible- last July at the ASMu shop, there were All-Star shirts.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I 2nd that! When I stayed at the Pop Century in February there was no resort specific merchandise.

Oh no! There was a tye dye hoodie the last time I was there but I was short on cash (shoe tragedy, long story) - I was going to cough up the $$$ for it this time!

 

[MousDad]

Yep I agree with this.
Tower of Terror has been hit pretty badly. For some reason most of that store now is full of Lost and Nightmare Bfeore Christmas stuff.

I noticed that my last trip. I think that's just plain crazy.