Buying there vs. Disney Store here

[klm7926]

Just wondering if I should buy some stuff from disneystore.com before we head there (autograph book, t-shirts, etc) since they have free shipping right now. Are things much cheaper than buying them in the parks?

 

[FutureDis]

I don't think the Disney Store online is cheaper than the parks. Now, if you find Disney stuff elsewhere (like Walmart), that might be cheaper to buy and bring. Otherwise, I'd wait and pick out what you like at the parks (better selection anyways). You MIGHT want an autograph book before going if you think you'll be seeing a lot of characters early in your trip, before you have a chance to buy one (though they are available in resort gift shops so you could pick one up before hitting the parks).

 

[bradk]

should be the exact same price for theme park merchandise.

 

[amy-momofthree]

Yes! We just got back and I see the souvenirs that we bought are on sale at Disney store. Com. Princess dresses are $60 at the parks and are much cheaper online. Also plush toys, clothes, jammies are on sale online. I would definitely buy online before going. You could even take your purchases with you and give to the kids while there. I wish we had.

 

[bradk]

make sure you're comparing disney park authentic merchandise and not just other dresses. disneystore.com sells both.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Just wondering if I should buy some stuff from disneystore.com before we head there (autograph book, t-shirts, etc) since they have free shipping right now. Are things much cheaper than buying them in the parks?

You can get the autograph books everywhere at Disney World. We just grabbed one from the resort gift shop when we checked in.

Every once in a while, we buy some shirts and stuff from disneystore.com but the selection isn't great. It seems hit or miss. And when an item is on sale, they sell out of sizes fast. The parks section of disneystore.com is limited. We did buy some specific t-shirts with Lilo and Stitch for them to sign. We definitely look for the big markdowns...

At Disney World, there are some really great t-shirts -- high quality with many, many characters on them all together, much better designs. Of course you pay for it too... expect about $25-30 for an adult shirt. I can post images later if you want... but I like these... there's a generic Disney World shirt with maybe 25+ different characters, another one that's a Hollywood Studios shirt with more of the Pixar characters, and one for Animal Kingdom too. There's some fun shirts for kids -- we bought one that has Mickey and other characters looking like pirates on a ship. I've never seen these shirts at disney store (even in the parks section). The Tower of Terror gift shop has some fun shirts too!

Speaking of autographs... I think the shirts sold in the parks (with many characters) make great autograph souvenirs. Characters will sign shirts (if not wearing it). Just stretch it over the autograph book for them, and use a fabric marker.

 

[klm7926]

Good to know it's not really that much cheaper than in parks. I was looking at the authentic park merchandise and while some is on sale, not much is.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Good to know it's not really that much cheaper than in parks. I was looking at the authentic park merchandise and while some is on sale, not much is.

The authentic park merchandise is not usually cheaper at disney store... and the variety is much better at WDW. Sometimes, the stores at WDW have specials too. There's always the spend some amount of $ and get something for $15 deals too. We got 3 decent WDW carry on bags to take more stuff home....! If you have a Disney Chase Visa, you get 10% off any WDW purchase $50+ and you don't have to use the visa to pay, just show it. We got some 2010 merchandise that was 50% off during our Dec. 2010 trip.

Here's some examples.. I always check www.retailmenot.com for disneystore.com coupon codes too.

Boy's WDW Jacket - I did buy this from Disney Store online. It's $40 now. I got it for $30 when disneystore.com had a 25% off code good for authentic park merchandise too (usually authentic park merchandise is excluded from sales).

Kids Toy Story Sweatsuit - same price at WDW but got 10% off with the Chase Visa.

 

[grafxgirl]

make sure you're comparing disney park authentic merchandise and not just other dresses. disneystore.com sells both.

Glad someone else advised this because I was going to say the same thing. We buy our daughter's dresses through Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. Once she finishes wearing them on the trips, we put them away. My husband is making custom shadowboxes to put the dresses in, so she can hang them on her bedroom walls.

 

[SnDMommy]

Does anyone know how long shipping takes with buying from Disneystore.com? I'm wondering if I order a few shirts this morning (with the free shipping promo) if it will make it by next Friday?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Does anyone know how long shipping takes with buying from Disneystore.com? I'm wondering if I order a few shirts this morning (with the free shipping promo) if it will make it by next Friday?

It can be fast, it can be slow. Generally I get my stuff in about 4-5 days. But over Christmas we got stuff in 2-3 days. I wouldn't be too concerned that they wouldn't show up by next friday if you order early today, they should make it.