Quality of available merchandise significantly reduced?

KDM31091

KDM31091

Well-Known Member
The quality and variety just aren't as great as they were pre COVID, yet the prices continue to rise. I still buy things here and there, but it's a lot harder to find for example a great quality and fun coffee mug as compared to a few years ago when you had almost too many options.

It's not exclusive to the past few years but it also bugs me that none of the shops are distinct anymore.
 
wdwfan22

wdwfan22

Well-Known Member
The quality has declined big time. They just don't care anymore. The plush toys arent even quality made anymore like they were 5 to 6 years ago. It's very sad.
 
Smiley/OCD

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
Basil of Baker Street said:
I remember when stores had unique merchandise. It gave us a reason to pop in different shops. Now, it's the same cheap garbage in every store. Or just go to Walmart down the road to buy souvenirs.
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You’re right about the different merchandise at specific stores AND the quality…in the mid 90’s the store at HWD by the backstage tour had TV show T-shirts…I bought a Binford Tools shirt from Home Improvement…still have it, still fits, and not falling apart!
 
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Eric Graham

Well-Known Member
Smiley/OCD said:
You’re right about the different merchandise at specific stores AND the quality…in the mid 90’s the store at HWD by the backstage tour had TV show T-shirts…I bought a Binford Tools shirt from Home Improvement…still have it, still fits, and not falling apart!
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I used to watch Home Improvement a lot back in the day. I heard at one time that Tim Allen had an exact replica of the Home Improvement set in his house. Everyone else watched Seinfeld, but I really enjoyed Home Improvement. I was a big fan of Last Man Standing, and of course Toy Story. I'm really looking forward to his new show coming soon also!
 
MickeyLuv'r

MickeyLuv'r

Well-Known Member
networkpro said:
Post Covid, my wife and I have observed across the property the decline in both the quantity and quality of merchandise. We don't know if it's due to the shift in manufacturing from a particular country, economic conditions, fallout from the former head of merchandising or they simply outsource it all these days.
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IMO, the quality declined well before the pandemic, but it does go up and down a bit. One factor is if your trip happens to occur the same time as merchandise arrives/hits shelves. We happened to be in HS the day a bunch of merchandise arrived, and it was selling like crazy.

On the other hand, in the last 2 years or so, I feel there has been an improvement in the merchandise at Universal. Used to be the HP stuff was the highpoint, now it seems there is less focus on HP, but many classic IP's have fun merch. The tribute store is fun to explore!
 
Smiley/OCD

Smiley/OCD

Well-Known Member
I will admit, the Christmas ornament selection is excellent and some of the figurines we’ve bought at the store next to the American Adventure @ Epcot are good quality merchandise, the kitchen gadgets are good, but the T shirts and toy tchotchkes are Dollar Tree quality, which is SAD
 
Indy_UK

Indy_UK

Well-Known Member
We don't really much merch in the parks anymore. The odd pin here and there.

Most of it is mass produced tat which always ends up at the Character Warehouse for 70% off. That's when I just use a personal shopper and pick up stuff I like then.

Disneystore UK pricing is insane. They charge like £20 for a small mug. The maths ain't mathing....
 
James J

James J

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Indy_UK said:
We don't really much merch in the parks anymore. The odd pin here and there.

Most of it is mass produced tat which always ends up at the Character Warehouse for 70% off. That's when I just use a personal shopper and pick up stuff I like then.

Disneystore UK pricing is insane. They charge like £20 for a small mug. The maths ain't mathing....
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£20 for a small mug is somewhat of an exaggeration. That sort of price applies to the bigger themed ones, like the ones that have spoons or Starbucks ones. The rest are mostly between £10 and £14.
 
aladdin2007

aladdin2007

Well-Known Member
spectromagic04 said:
If you want more unique merchandise. I think Animal Kingdom still has pretty unique selection. A lot of park exclusive items.
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True they do, what gets me is there is nothing and I mean nothing to buy in the MK that says Magic Kingdom on it. They have no magnets anymore no souvenirs, absolutely nothing. Am I wrong? Sure there is haunted mansion stuff etc etc, but most everything is generic toys and preschool muck, or maybe some art work or clothing. They use to have everything from frames to magnets to photo albums all designed to the park you were in. You would never know you were in the Magic Kingdom in the shops. There might be an arribas bros glass you can buy that says magic kingdom or a starbucks tote,,,,but as far as mainstream merch in the main stores, 0.
 
G

gsimpson

Well-Known Member
there quality is significantly down on all but the highest end clothing, in my experience anyway. They have also done away with a great deal of selection, it is all just generic stuff you can find anywhere. Used to be only at parks, and the specific park you were physically at. Then is was spread across all the parks. Resorts lost a lot of their specific mech as well. Now its available at target and other stores, online, and locally in the discount bin at the souvenir shops. It has been completely devalued. And Chapek was not the one who did it, his very short tenure didn't make any difference to anything and he wasn't even running things while he was CEO.
 
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Eric Graham

Well-Known Member
The Mickey and Minnie pumpkins that I got in line for a queue at the Disney Store were great fun also! Great quality and awesome!

Here's the Mickey one:
www.disneystore.com

Mickey Mouse Light-Up Jack-o'-Lantern | Disney Store

Brighten your Halloween night with a happy glow from our large light-up Mickey Mouse jack-o'-lantern. Mickey's beaming smile makes a bold holiday showpiece, lifting the spirits of even the most frightful festivities.
www.disneystore.com www.disneystore.com
 
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The Mom

The Mom

Moderator
Premium Member
Basil of Baker Street said:
I remember when stores had unique merchandise. It gave us a reason to pop in different shops. Now, it's the same cheap garbage in every store. Or just go to Walmart down the road to buy souvenirs.
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Exactly. I still have a hammered brass fireplace bellows that was made in Morocco and sold in their pavilion. I also have a dragon mask that I purchased in the Magic Shop that I use in my Halloween decorating.

Both were purchased in the 80s.
 
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Eric Graham

Well-Known Member
The Mom said:
Exactly. I still have a hammered brass fireplace bellows that was made in Morocco and sold in their pavilion. I also have a dragon mask that I purchased in the Magic Shop that I use in my Halloween decorating.

Both were purchased in the 80s.
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Ill bet they're wonderful and great treasures for you!
 
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Eric Graham

Well-Known Member
Indy_UK said:
We don't really much merch in the parks anymore. The odd pin here and there.

Most of it is mass produced tat which always ends up at the Character Warehouse for 70% off. That's when I just use a personal shopper and pick up stuff I like then.

Disneystore UK pricing is insane. They charge like £20 for a small mug. The maths ain't mathing....
Click to expand...
I've also really enjoyed finding deals at the Disney outlets. Often, a great deal can often be found there!
 

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