Exactly. They've priced themselves out of much of their once-core market or reduced them to once every 3-5 year visitors instead of every year or every other year visitors. The discounts are temporary and don't address the underlying and multiple pricing problems that they've created. You can't jack prices up 115% and then claim you're giving people a deal with a 20% discount. That is why Bob and Josh love first-time guests - They don't know any better.
….might be on to something here
Same!!! As the quality, and the unique styles from the various locations became scarce not to mention the decline in quality, I havent bought much of anything lately. Marie
@Master Yoda has a great collection!! Marie
Merchandise would definitely be one of the first things people would cut back on to save money.
This question doesn’t get enough attention…
). Merchandise has seemingly become a contest as to "which design can we put the least amount of effort into and still fool people into buying".
That’s the sad result of the “pipeline” that started with pressler and really achieved its dubious heights with SlapheadWhen the merchandise stopped being as creative and unique (ie. Finding the same generic stuff in every store across the resort), my purchases dropped like a rock. The only even remotely interesting things I've seen over the past few years were one or two shirts outside of Pirates and the ToT skeletal bellhop shirt I regret not purchasing every day (I've seen them on eBay but sizing is a problem, not to mention the prices people want
I agree. I quit buying merchandise in 2020. I remember when you could buy resort/park specific items that were unique. That all changed to everything being the same everywhere on site. I first noticed it in the Christmas Shoppe for ornaments. I used to buy one or two unique ornaments a year at WDW. When we looked in 2020, they were all the same as the year before and no new unique ones. I think Disney is missing a good source of revenue if they ever consider that people want quality products that are specific to that park/resort. Quality is the word. Most people don't mind shelling out money for a quality Tshirt or ornament. The made in China cookie cutter products dont' cut it for us.When the merchandise stopped being as creative and unique (ie. Finding the same generic stuff in every store across the resort), my purchases dropped like a rock. The only even remotely interesting things I've seen over the past few years were one or two shirts outside of Pirates and the ToT skeletal bellhop shirt I regret not purchasing every day (I've seen them on eBay but sizing is a problem, not to mention the prices people want
We aren't big souvenir people, but when we do get something we want it to be an exclusive item that can only be bought at WDW.When the merchandise stopped being as creative and unique (ie. Finding the same generic stuff in every store across the resort), my purchases dropped like a rock. The only even remotely interesting things I've seen over the past few years were one or two shirts outside of Pirates and the ToT skeletal bellhop shirt I regret not purchasing every day (I've seen them on eBay but sizing is a problem, not to mention the prices people want
Good point. Legit we came home with 0 things this time. 0. We have never done that before, but money was spent elsewhere, and honestly, we were so frustrated with the parks experience and the hotel we didn't really want any.
Any of those items can be bought online. It's not the exclusive product people want.
One of my old refrains…
I’m not denying the pricing, crowding, heat, etc., that are keeping people away but I think this hits on something as well— many park guests (potentially partially due to the factors I just listed, along with Disney’s desire to monetize alcohol) are ill behaved and inconsiderate— whether it’s line cutting, lying to get DAS for unlimited fastpass, jumping in front of someone who’s been sitting waiting to watch a parade/fireworks show for an hour but left 8 inches between them and the rope, holding a table for 3+ hours to watch a show, shoving kids out of the way in the pre-show rooms to get closer to the door, etc., there’s a lack of civility that makes the park experience less pleasant in totality. I feel like I have personally heard several people justify “beating the system/man/mouse” when they aren’t actually punishing Disney, they are mostly making things worse for their fellow guests.
