Star Wars Weekends returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios for 2015

[Hakunamatata]

I believe they do.

Thanks!

 

[John Fowler]

I agree. The looseness of the term "collector" was intentional as I think a majority of even the most rabid fans will that a second glance at this, but there seems to be a significant minority of guest with a voracious appetite for Disney kitsch that is being served through the secondary market. A market that Disney is trying to get in on.

Trust me I totally understand. You know who those people are too. Especially when you're in line waiting for the autographs. Just ask them about the person who they are going to get an autograph from. If they don't know they are there for the signature to throw it up on eBay. But yeah this event is just silly.

 

[DisDan]

Maybe they are pricing this extremely unreasonably to see what they can get away with. If it sells out then they have succeeded and we can expect more of this. Perhaps if more people with money to burn would look at this for what it is and refrain, we can send a message....lol, this is Disney, like that'll ever happen. Expect more of the same boys and girls.

 

[Matt_Black]

I'm thinking, and forgive me if this theory has already been proposed, this might be an effort to weed out those who will buy up a lot of merchandise for the sole purpose of reselling it at even more inflated prices. That extra $250 might cut into the profit margin.

 

[jakeman]

I'm thinking, and forgive me if this theory has already been proposed, this might be an effort to weed out those who will buy up a lot of merchandise for the sole purpose of reselling it at even more inflated prices. That extra $250 might cut into the profit margin.

Yep. That's the consensus so far.

Great minds and all that.

 

[DisDan]

I'm thinking, and forgive me if this theory has already been proposed, this might be an effort to weed out those who will buy up a lot of merchandise for the sole purpose of reselling it at even more inflated prices. That extra $250 might cut into the profit margin.

But why would those people buy into this? When they can just wait to get in on the first day with everyone else and buy up merchandise to resell much the same way Joe Public would buy merchandise?

 

[Master Yoda]

Maybe they are pricing this extremely unreasonably to see what they can get away with. If it sells out then they have succeeded and we can expect more of this. Perhaps if more people with money to burn would look at this for what it is and refrain, we can send a message....lol, this is Disney, like that'll ever happen. Expect more of the same boys and girls.

The did this exact same thing last year (Rebel Rendezvous) and it did pretty well from what I heard, hence they are doing it again.

I would expect them to continue this event as long as it is profitable.

Personally, I don't think Disney really cares one bit about getting the merchandise into the hands of real collectors vs ebay scalpers, the simply want a piece of of the action. Why should they let STrWRzRks71 on ebay clear a few hundred reselling merchandise when they can cut him out by charging people for the privilege of being able to buy something.

 

[Master Yoda]

But why would those people buy into this? When they can just wait to get in on the first day with everyone else and buy up merchandise to resell much the same way Joe Public would buy merchandise?

All they have to do is have items only available at this event and they have their hook that makes people open their wallets.

 

[John Fowler]

All they have to do is have items only available at this event and they have their hook that makes people open their wallets.

This 1000 times over. They create an event specific pin, or recolor a purse from the Half Marathon, or release some Magic Bands and people will fork over their $250 to go.

 

[DisneyJayL]

And I only have 1 kidney left since I sold that to afford my tickets last year.... Ah well maybe someday!

Yeah, I'm running out of non-essential parts myself...

 

[PhotoDave219]

I was always a "wait until the final weekend" shopper myself so I could get the shirts on sale.

 

[Texas84]

Well last year's location is now being turned into a TSMM expansion. No idea where they're putting it this year. Someone posted something about where Oakens is now, in the former AFI spot but who knows.

Already announced. On the city streets somewhere.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Already announced. On the city streets somewhere.

Thanks. Missed it. Makes sense, they would want it kept in that corner of the park.

 

[asianway]

Do they still offer free resort delivery with purchases? I didn't see that noted anywhere.

I tried this once at a special event and was told no, only normal stuff. YMMV though

 

[ToTBellHop]

Already announced. On the city streets somewhere.

I'm imagining a NYC-style street fair which is actually fun imagery back on Streets of America. But, I know better. Not with FL's weather in May and (especially) June.

 

[John Fowler]

They just released the catalog for this years items.

 

[JohnD]

Don't forget park admission.

True, by definition, a trip to WDW is spending park admission for the opportunity to spend more on food, drinks, and gifts.

 

[ScoutN]

Additionally, while I don't agree with the tactic it does seem like this is mainly to thwart eBay-ers. "True" collectors (and I use that term rather loosely) will still purchase these products regardless of the price, while the entry fee creates a barrier for those would just turn and burn on eBay. Basically, as others have said, Disney is taking the premium that would be made on eBay and transferring it to their own pocket.

I really agree with the first sentence. The eBay resales have gone stupid high priced recently. It has gotten very pathetic that those who really want to purchase the merchandise to add their own personal collection gets the short end of this deal. I agree that the true collector's will still spend. I used to love the limited merch but now have not purchased any since E30. Those lines and fighting with the resalers is not worth the hassle.

@WDW1974 has touched on the resale issues that have been ongoing. I wonder if he has heard anything if this is indeed the case as it seems.

 

[Master Yoda]

I really agree with the first sentence. The eBay resales have gone stupid high priced recently. It has gotten very pathetic that those who really want to purchase the merchandise to add their own personal collection gets the short end of this deal. I agree that the true collector's will still spend. I used to love the limited merch but now have not purchased any since E30. Those lines and fighting with the resalers is not worth the hassle.

@WDW1974 has touched on the resale issues that have been ongoing. I wonder if he has heard anything if this is indeed the case as it seems.

If anything, I think blocking some of the ebay scalpers would be a side effect at best.

Disney knows that there are plenty of people that are willing to pay for the privilege of buying something and they are more than willing to take their money for that opportunity.

 

[JohnD]

So, the message here is that this event is a benefit to the average SWW guest, allowing them to purchase merchandise during the weekends.

In that case, I'll just wait until 5/16-17.