Best Place Offsite for Disney Merchandise

[Jen1010]

We are staying offsite at Bonnet Creek for the first time this August. What is the best store nearby but off Disney property to get t-shirts, souvenirs, etc.? Also, are the prices noticeably different than the onsite stores?

 

[bankr63]

There are 3 levels of Disney merchandise available:
1. Official Authentic Disney Parks merchandise
2. Authorised Disney merchandise
3. Knock-off (unauthorized) merchandise

The only place I know of to reliably get the Authentic Parks stuff is the two Disney Character Outlets at the Premium Outlet Malls. These stores are operated by Disney. Vineland is closest to BC. This is usually older or seconds merchandise that has rotated out of the parks and is reasonably discounted. There are other outlets not run by Disney that seem to mix the first two types of merchandise.

There is lots of Authorised merch as well. Our favorite stops are Target, Publix, and WalMart (in that order). All 3 have locations handy to BC, either South (192) or East (535/Turkey Lake). This is where we grab souvenirs for friends and family.

Then there are the shops along the major routes like Irlo Bronson (192) that offer "5 T-Shirts for $10" sort of deals. Cheap (price), cheap (quality), and most likely not Disney (or Universal) authorized. Not recommended.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

Thanks! This was something I was curious about.

Does anyone know if Disney Store gift cards can be used at the Two Disney Character Outlet?

 

[staceyrhood]

All of the targets around here have a ton of Disney stuff.

 

[spiceycat]

my brother loves this one - I have not been yet - but will definitely go after my move

http://www.themeparkconnection.com/

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks! This was something I was curious about.

Does anyone know if Disney Store gift cards can be used at the Two Disney Character Outlet?

not sure you can ask - but think these are independent that have a contact with disney to sell their excess items = but always ask

 

[bankr63]

Thanks! This was something I was curious about.

Does anyone know if Disney Store gift cards can be used at the Two Disney Character Outlet?

They sure do. The two Disney Character Outlets are owned by Disney and staffed by Disney Cast Members.

 

[spiceycat]

They sure do. The two Disney Character Outlets are owned by Disney and staffed by Disney Cast Members.

thank you - I got told otherwise - nice to know.

 

[Mamato2cutekiddos]

They sure do. The two Disney Character Outlets are owned by Disney and staffed by Disney Cast Members.

Great! Thank you. Each of our kids have a gift card with their own spending money on it (ie what Mom and Dad loaded on...) so this is good to know.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I don't know if its still there (or how well stocked it is now), but another Disney outlet opened a year or so ago on the 192 in the same strip plaza as the Nike Clearance Store. When it first opened, they had some of the exact clothing as the Disney online store for significantly less cost. It might be another place to check.

 

[Jen1010]

Thank you all very much!

 

[kalynn]

We took our kids to Walmart. Huge selection. Not sure if "authentic park merchandise" but we saved a lot of money and the kids didn't know the difference.

 

[Goofyseven]

Another vote for Walmart, can get lots of groceries and snacks at the same time

 

[vikster1]

Walgreens also has merchandise. Shirts, towels, mugs, pens etc.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

All the above and Target too!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I have not tried Target but can vouch for Publix and Walmart. I noticed that they had the SAME high low shirt at the parks that I got at Walmart it was identical except that the colors were different. In the park it was aqua and in Walmart it was pink. OH and they had a different price, park cost 36.99 and Walmart 16.99! In Publix I a black Minnie shirt with leopard Minnie ears on it for 9.99 and at Walmart it was 14.99! Trust me it is all the same stuff coming out of the same factory. The only difference is the huge difference in price. I am definitely going to try Target next time but how many Minnie and Mickey shirts am I going to wear?

 

[team weasel]

The Character Warehouse on iDrive is closed for refurbishment. Last I heard, it's supposed to reopen "this fall," so you may want to check before you head that way (if you intend to at all).

FYI - to echo what so many have said, YES...buying souvenirs off site will save you a substantial amount of money. I hope you and your kiddos have a blast!

 

[CesD]

in terms of clothing, I always buy before leaving for vacation-- Disney Store, Target, Children's place, Ross, etc.. My kids can be in Disney gear on the plane going there and I've spent so much less than buying a similar shirt at the park or on the ship.

 

[svecchitto]

I've been picking stuff up for my daughter now at kohls on clearance. But when we are down there Walmart is always a must for us and who could forget the outlets!

 

[brooke789]

We're planning to stop by the outlet on our way TO WDW this time. Last time we stopped on the way home, but we picked up so much stuff I wish we'd gotten it all before!
Last trip I remember we bought: French Minnie and stuffed corduroy Goofy, WDW coloring books, tons of Vinylmations (seems like they were something crazy like 20 for $30 and we bought that), sticker (couldn't find something we liked at the parks, but found the perfect one here). We spend next to nothing. It was amazing!