Declining Standards of merchandise.

[DisneyFan1003]

I agree with everyone! We used to look forward to finding some cool new home items, etc. and now you have to search to find it and when you do, the selection is limited and not that exciting. I miss the high quality, park exclusive merchandise of the past!

 

[EpcotServo]

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

I know! Don't even get me started on the price of that shirt!

I do know that there's more on the way, and I'm pretty sure they will be reasonably priced.

 

[SirNim]

It's gotten so rock-bottom, as of late, that the only way to go is up.

Unless, of course, sales receipts reveal a profound love of the new generic merchandise by certain target audiences which merely encourages this scheme of merchandising to continue indefinitely at this same pace. What a distressing trend that would be! For the record, I can't recall one instance in my past couple visits to WDW when I purchased any souvenir that was not tied specifically to the attraction, or resort, or pavilion which I was visiting at the time. So, if this trend continues, I may come home from future trips without a single souvenir! Not good.

 

[Disneykidder]

What happened to the good ole days of resort polos, t-shirts, frames, mugs, beach balls, etc.,?

 

[RiversideBunny]

........
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.

Big mistake. Disney is a unique product with a unique, captive audience of customers.
And they are blowing it !

Back to marketing basics -
How does WDW decide what to offer in the gift shops that are next to most attractions and in the general park gift shops?
If they don't already, and apparently not, Disney should use some test focus groups of experienced WDW visitors to advise them on what is good and what is not.
A market driven approach works better than a 'Here's something we're pushing' approach.

I think that a local Orlando high school class could come up with better and more creative and, important to Disney - more profit making, merchandise than most of what is currently being offered.
:king:

 

[hcswingfield]

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.

Try Disneyshopping.com. You can custom order T-shirts, including retro designs, and the shirts are good quality, sturdy fabric.

 

[donniedisney]

i like the vintage shirts a lot.

What i hate is how every store sells the exact same merch. Epcot is selling MK shirts....why?

 

[jakeman]

How does WDW decide what to offer in the gift shops that are next to most attractions and in the general park gift shops?
If they don't already, and apparently not, Disney should use some test focus groups of experienced WDW visitors to advise them on what is good and what is not.

"Experienced WDW visitors" would not be who I would want in this focus group. It would need to be a true cross section of the attendance, of which you will most likely find the experienced tourist a small minority.

This does not mean I disagree with the posters here. The items available have become homogenized across the park, with the exception of World Showcase and to a limited extent resort gift shops.

It has been a while since I have brought home any souvenirs due to this simple fact.

 

[Fun2BFree]

 

[RiversideBunny]

Good T-shirt.
That would probably actually sell well, without the 'You wanted...' of course.
Maybe say 'Walt Disney World' there.

Do some more.
The WDW merchandising executives need help.

 

[NewfieFan]

Actually my son would love that shirt - PPS is after all his favorite attraction!!!

Seriously, I thought Disney was lacking in the merchandise department. I wanted to buy things, bring home souvenirs, etc. and I couldn't find unique things that I liked. Would you believe I had a hard time finding postcards!?! While I was there I thought of so many things that I wanted to buy but couldn't find. On my next trip, I'm going to make a list of items that I want to buy and then I'm going to see how many I can find.

 

[JustPlainBill]

My demographic as a park visitor is one who hadn't been for 17 years and just visited last summer. I can honestly say that 18 years ago we brought home a lot of souvenirs, a ton. Last year we were very disappointed with what was available and only came home with barely a handful. I remember way back there was a lot more offered, Park and Resort specific. It seemed like the only way you can come away with something specific was to buy a pin, which doesn't cut it for me. The shirts I could have been counted on to purchase at least 5 or 6, but this time I only bought one, and I wouldn't have bought it if my wife hadn't of pushed me, I don't wear it now because it doesn't fit right after it was washed.

 

[1DisneyDad]

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

I love bringing stuff back from resorts. Stayed at POR twice and don't have a POR mug!

 

[Elonwy]

I used to get a souvenir book every year from each park and they were BEAUTIFUL!

hard cover (and a couple soft cover) books detailing the enitre park with huge colour photos and facts and tips that the average tourist didn't necessarily know. It was great to get new one's each year because there was always a new attraction or new park since our last visit.

I haven't seen thse in my last few trips. If anyone knows if they still make these please let me know because my sister and i used to look at them whenever we needed a Disney fix.

Sadly...I'm getting most of my Disney shirts from non-Disney retailers. Quality, price and selection seems to be better off property but I would gladly buy from Disney and pay a slightly higher price if I loved the shirt and found it to be good quality.

My last purchases were some villians shirts from Hot Topic...good quality, screen printed on front and back and who doesn't love a good villian :fork:

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/st...T<>prd_id=845524442170453&bmUID=1211921098047

 

[tomm4004]

It was very disappointing to go into the Pooh store in DD and hear High School Musical music and see its merchandise on display.

I did get a beautiful Beach Club t-shirt with the lettering sewn right in.

 

[awalkinthepark]

I got burned out on Disney merchandise about 7-8 years ago....and I used to be a serious money waster at the parks...one year I carted home $500 worth of Christmas decorations alone never mind t-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, etc etc etc.

Problem #1- I was visiting about 5 times a year and merchandise was staying the same year after year.

Problem #2-Got married less room for my park treasures not fun to look anymore-hubby started spending way too much on pins cutting into my money wasting enjoyment....there is a limit to nonsense spending

Problem #3-Now that I have kids I avoid stores because it's too stressful to bring them inside..little kids+big store=re-living lost child nightmares. And if I did buy the stuff that I actually like...the kids would most likely break it in a short amount of time after it survived the trip home.

Funny thing is though I get kinda pumped up over those mystery grab bags at DTD at the $10 or less store...there is a thrill in the surprise for me...I know they are cruddy little items...toy cars and glitter cups ...but that 1-2 minutes of pulling out each item to see what the 'take' was is a lot of fun....it is for me anyway.

My ornaments have aged and are falling apart..so it may be time to start re building the collection...slowly though..I had 3 tress worth...between WDW shopping sprees and the Grolier ornament a month deals.

 

[WDWFigment]

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.

Ha, at least ToT's gift shop has ToT merchandise. Space Mountain's gift shop is entirely High School Musical junk. Not a single Space Mountain item.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Ha, at least ToT's gift shop has ToT merchandise. Space Mountain's gift shop is entirely High School Musical junk. Not a single Space Mountain item.

TL is very short on specific merch.

I would like some SSE merch too...MS TT and Figgy get all the fun.

 

[Erika]

Oh, that is too bad. Unfortunately I have noticed that in other products, too, and there were two Disney toys recalled just last week.

Shopping at WDW used to be half the fun for me.

 

[wedway71]

Have to agree with most of the comments in here.
Disney has always prided itself in a total submergance of place making and Merchantainment of the stores.

If you are in a Frontierland store there should only be western/Disney merchandise-not High school musical.
I can understand the need to push its powerful franchises but it can be done smarter with less over saturation.

Dont worry folks.....when I take over Merchandise for Disney Parks I will change this.