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Merchandising--Another View
- Thread starter Wilt Dasney
- Start date
Scooter
Well-Known Member
I too miss the themed merchandise in Adventureland.
I actually have a REAL Coonskin Cap that I bought at The Magic Kingdom years ago that I treasure.
I grew up in the 50's and 60's and was inudated with Disney merchandise whenever I went into a toy store.
Records, Lunchboxes, plastic Mickey Mouse Guitars, and transistor radios were everywhere.
I can also tell you from experiance that the quality of these items was NOT all that great. I think the merchandise now is of a MUCH better quality.
As far as prices, yes, Disney has one of the biggest mark-ups I have ever seen in their shops but people will pay watever they must to get a great souvenir so it's simply a matter of supply and demand.
It's ironic that some of the same people who complain about the quality and price of Disney merchandise will think nothing of going out and paying $150 for a pair of Nike Crosstrainers that are made by people who are getting paid almost nothing. :lol:
I actually have a REAL Coonskin Cap that I bought at The Magic Kingdom years ago that I treasure.
I grew up in the 50's and 60's and was inudated with Disney merchandise whenever I went into a toy store.
Records, Lunchboxes, plastic Mickey Mouse Guitars, and transistor radios were everywhere.
I can also tell you from experiance that the quality of these items was NOT all that great. I think the merchandise now is of a MUCH better quality.
As far as prices, yes, Disney has one of the biggest mark-ups I have ever seen in their shops but people will pay watever they must to get a great souvenir so it's simply a matter of supply and demand.
It's ironic that some of the same people who complain about the quality and price of Disney merchandise will think nothing of going out and paying $150 for a pair of Nike Crosstrainers that are made by people who are getting paid almost nothing. :lol:
Dangerous?? Care to explain why this is "dangerous?"General Grizz said:
Ah yet another reminder I must study for econ!!speck76 said:
Definitely! I dont know if it's the brainwashing that's been done to me by Disney, but it means so much more if it's bought from Disney than elsewhere!speck76 said:
grandmath
Active Member
At least for us europeans, WDW merchandise is VERY good. Trust me, I drool any time I go through Once upon a Toy, World of Disney, Disney at home, Art of Disney stores etc.
Stores at DLRP are so generic and all sell the same stuff. Furthermore, there is almost nothing based on the parks themselves.
I was amazed to find at the Grand Floridian the poster of one beautiful painting of the hotel displayed in the shop or the lobby. You would NEVER find that at DLRP.
Stores at DLRP are so generic and all sell the same stuff. Furthermore, there is almost nothing based on the parks themselves.
I was amazed to find at the Grand Floridian the poster of one beautiful painting of the hotel displayed in the shop or the lobby. You would NEVER find that at DLRP.
ZHoyt
New Member
I think WDW has some awesome merchandise. I always find fun things to buy. But at the same time, I lament the loss of themed shops. Main Street used to be an attraction in itself. Now the entire left hand side is one giant shop selling the same old garbage instead of individualy themed shops with unique merchandise in each. The Magic Kingdom should go to back to world showcase style model, each shop offering unique merchandise, drawing people in. Why go to a shop if it has the same things as every other shop? Why is there a pooh shop by splash mountain? Obviously, money, but it just doesn't make sense. If your having trouble selling merchandise at a themed type store, then try something else. Shops used to be attractions unto themselves (I had so many great memories of the Main St. Magic Shop), now they are just depositories for the same identical character stamped junk as you see at every other shop in WDW.
DisneyMemories
New Member
l really enjoy buying disney stuff,especially hats anybody know where l can see the newest baseball style mens caps disney has for sale? As long as disney has interesting products then most people will buy it,l know l will as long as ots not over priced.
monorailmike
Member
CAPTAIN HOOK said:You're right - there's merchandising and there's merchandising. But if we're honest we know that Disney is answerable to its shareholders and if everyone else does it then the shareholders would only demand that Disney join in. They have to get a return on their investment even though it cheapens the Disney image
That is exactly the problem. Not only with Disney, but with other companies as well. Shareholders want a return on the profit NOW! Long lost is the idea of buying stock in a company because you believe in it and expect it to grow and perform over time. We have become a society of instant gratification and have lost sight of that fact. While the shareholder can never be forgotten, execs are going too far in the persuit of pleasing them. Being answerable to making quality product, desired product, and the best possible product even if it costs, should be the true priority.
KevinPage
Well-Known Member
Nowadays we all "scoff" at mass market advertising and "cheap" plugs in movies, TV shows, etc.
But the fact is, when our parents were kids (I'm 32) things were argueably worse. It's a myth when people refer to "the good old days". When you see newspapers, TV shows and such back then, people were complaining about the same things: too much violence, too much s e x, etc.
TV shows had even more blatant tie-ins and commericals as well. For some reason we have this notion of "the past was always better".
It's the same philosophy when someone dies. You don't remember any of the bad things about the person, only the good things, so they become some "idealized" version of what you knew.
Granted, I think we might be more sophisticated these days and at an earlier age too. Living in the mass communication age has helped people recognize these things as well.
"Ignorance is bliss"
But the fact is, when our parents were kids (I'm 32) things were argueably worse. It's a myth when people refer to "the good old days". When you see newspapers, TV shows and such back then, people were complaining about the same things: too much violence, too much s e x, etc.
TV shows had even more blatant tie-ins and commericals as well. For some reason we have this notion of "the past was always better".
It's the same philosophy when someone dies. You don't remember any of the bad things about the person, only the good things, so they become some "idealized" version of what you knew.
Granted, I think we might be more sophisticated these days and at an earlier age too. Living in the mass communication age has helped people recognize these things as well.
"Ignorance is bliss"
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Having just read through this thread I notice most people have a sensible attitude to the merchandising and are quite pragmatic about its necessity in the modern market. I do however think that it is the lack of unique to WDW merchandise that is the growing problem. Sure there’s some cheap tacky stuff but for me its the fact that you see the same item from shop to shop and almost park to park. Even bean counters must realise that kids wont want the same thing over and over, a potential sale lost. That to me is equally inexcusable.
On a parting note before you start having a go at Disney Inc think about the souvenirs I came across on a visit to Lourdes. Im not of the left footed persuasion so I didnt go to the shrine itself, but the street leading to the grotto is full of religious paraphernalia, but the best of all a true piece of marketing genius was your souvenir Lourdes motif’d plastic 5 litre bottle for collecting your holly water, the motif was actually a sticker and the bottle of the polly type that normally has concentrated juice, true class.
On a parting note before you start having a go at Disney Inc think about the souvenirs I came across on a visit to Lourdes. Im not of the left footed persuasion so I didnt go to the shrine itself, but the street leading to the grotto is full of religious paraphernalia, but the best of all a true piece of marketing genius was your souvenir Lourdes motif’d plastic 5 litre bottle for collecting your holly water, the motif was actually a sticker and the bottle of the polly type that normally has concentrated juice, true class.