A Word of Advice for Collectors on July 17

[exDS vet]

There has been a lot of writing about the events at Disneyland on July 17. I was on hand for the 40th anniversary celebration in 1995 and I have seen many changes over the past ten years.

One of the biggest changes I have seen is a dramatic increase in collectors and a small decrease in collectibles. Pins have become all of the rage, and trading them is somewhat of a phenomonem.

As it relates to anniversary (July 17) specific merchandise and collectibles, I suggest that you get to the park very early (at least 1 to 2 hours befor opening) and get in line. In 1995, they sold dated merchandise (t-shirts, envelopes, etc.) from outside the main gate and by the time the park opened, most of it was all gone. The collectors will be out in full force and no doubt, buying large quantities to put on E-bay the next day.

Hopefully Disney will have enough supply to meet the demand, but I would not plan on it. There will be plenty of other generic anniversary product available, so July 17 specific merchandise will be limited and variety will be small. So get there early and buy up.

And remember! This type of merchandise will only be available INSIDE Disneyland and possibly at the gate before opening on July 17. You won't find dated merchandise at the World of Disney store, the hotels, DCA or anywhere else.

Happy Collecting!

 

[disneychrista]

Do you have an inside source or is this just your opinion, based of course on past experience?

 

[exDS vet]

My past experience as a guest is one indicator. However, I was also the Store Manager at the Pier 39 Disney Store in San Francisco. It afforded me an opportunity to see how Disney retail works. It is true that the retail side at the parks is a bit different than it was at the Disney Store, but business is business. With all of the money that will be spent on anniversary merchandise for the bigger "happiest celebration on earth" event, I can't see them placing a heavy focus on July 17 Disneyland specific merchandise.

There should and I believe will be some items available. But nowhere near on the mass scale that other anniversary product will be. Of course this is mostly my opinion, but I have rarely been wrong about these things in the past. Hope this answers your question.