Rumor Does WDW have a retail inventory problem in the parks ?

[networkpro]

Was in Animal Kingdom today and while there's a decent crowd, we saw in comparison to September there's a distinct lack of inventory in the two main trading post stores in Discovery Island. They've shuffled items around again concentrating item types together. Definitely there's a lack of clothing apparel.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

If they’re anything like us (I’m working part time retail on the side for extra cash to supplement my film and theatre work), stuff is arriving late all the time, especially apparel. It’s been really noticeable since the summertime that our clothing shipments are coming in sometimes weeks late. Wonder if it’s a country wide issue at the moment.

 

[castlecake2.0]

The clothing is definitely lacking, especially men’s items

 

[hopemax]

I've been noticing decreased merchandise for a couple years now. I feel like supply chain problems gave way to people shifting from buying merchandise to buying LLs, and the two coalesced into they just don't sell as big of variety as they used to. On the Disney ornament Facebook group, people are pretty annoyed with this year's selection. Some re-releases from year's past, but not a lot of new designs.

 

[JD80]

I was there at the beginning of the month and everything seemed normal.

I tend to buy less because I can't send it back to the resort.

 

[wdisney9000]

I tend to buy less because I can't send it back to the resort.

Same here. We spend far less than we used to becuase we don't want to carry bags in the parks or have to trek back to a shop before heading out.

Any specific reason they haven't brought back having items sent to your room? I would think it's just a budget cut?

 

[HauntedPirate]

Could this be a result of the short (and now delayed) longshoreman strike in the Northeast? Ripple effect and whatnot. I remember the shipping issues on the west coast causing a lot of consternation for many retail locations for quite a while.

 

[disneyC97]

Same here. We spend far less than we used to becuase we don't want to carry bags in the parks or have to trek back to a shop before heading out.

Any specific reason they haven't brought back having items sent to your room? I would think it's just a budget cut?

Totally a budget cut and one of those things (IMO) Disney used to do that elevated them above the rest (I remember originally they'd send things directly to your room/door, then it shifted to the hotel gift shop, which was fine). Interestingly, I was at Hong Kong DL last month and they still provide that service for guest at their 3 hotels.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I didn’t buy anything and I usually do… the few shirts I saw that I liked they were very limited on sizes.

It definitely seems there is an issue.

 

[JD80]

I didn’t buy anything and I usually do… the few shirts I saw that I liked they were very limited on sizes.

It definitely seems there is an issue.

I think it’s just random. A year ago I couldn’t find an XL on a shirt I wanted all over property. This year I had my pick.

 

[HauntedPirate]

I think it’s just random. A year ago I couldn’t find an XL on a shirt I wanted all over property. This year I had my pick.

I ran into that problem in February. In September I didn't bother checking.

 

[JoeCamel]

Could this be a result of the short (and now delayed) longshoreman strike in the Northeast? Ripple effect and whatnot. I remember the shipping issues on the west coast causing a lot of consternation for many retail locations for quite a while.

I doubt it, most of what WDW sells comes from the other direction

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I think it’s just random. A year ago I couldn’t find an XL on a shirt I wanted all over property. This year I had my pick.

Could be… I was also searching for XL! Haha

 

[Dranth]

I was there at the beginning of the month and everything seemed normal.

I tend to buy less because I can't send it back to the resort.

We were there last week and it looked normal to us as and 100% agree, they need to bring back the pick it up at your resort service. We buy less now that we have to haul it around with us.

 

[JD80]

We were at MK with a purchase and we had dinner plans at Wilderness Lodge and my wife wanted to drop it off at our resort (AKL) and I had to remind her that it was a 40m round trip not including walking to and from our room and waiting for a bus.

We probably would have done more shopping.

 

[networkpro]

Just leaving Disney Springs and the World of Dollartree Disney was quite disappointing.

 

[granfiesta]

As someone who's gone frequently for the last almost 20 years, the reason that I buy less merch isn't because of availability but because from a design perspective, most of it is really boring and un-original IMO. 10-15 years ago, the clothing merch was much more unique and had better designs I think. I used to buy at least one article of clothing every trip and now, I haven't bought anything in about 5 years.

 

[Moth]

The best store in Disney Springs is actually Build-A-Dino, I have a t.rex from there who picked up a bad habit of arguing online over theme parks. Guess he takes after me. D'oh.


I noticed an awful merch selection on my last trip (2022? Before Guardians opened), was absolutely dreadful outside of DAK. Got a Pandora five year anniversary shirt that I still rock.

 

[Tha Realest]

There is such an irony that consumer products folks took over the parks, and started making strategic and design choices to push more people out of lines and into shops…

…only to leave the shops bereft of any interesting and desired merchandise!

 

[networkpro]

As someone who's gone frequently for the last almost 20 years, the reason that I buy less merch isn't because of availability but because from a design perspective, most of it is really boring and un-original IMO. 10-15 years ago, the clothing merch was much more unique and had better designs I think. I used to buy at least one article of clothing every trip and now, I haven't bought anything in about 5 years.

Check out the Winnie the Pooh jacket at shopdisney.com, it's the best we've seen in almost 7 years and that's even including the 50th Jacket they imported from Tokyo Disneyland. It has a quilted lining, fully sewn and lined interior pocket, denim and wonderful full back embroidery.