Disney Art Auction and Art Gallery question

[Katekins13]

I am considering my first Disney Cruise for my honeymoon and was looking into the Adult Activies and it listed Art Gallery and Art Auction... I have several Disney art pieces that I have acquired from over the years from the Art of Disney shops, Festival of the Masters, etc... my question is this.. has anyone who has previously purchased art from Disney in Disneyworld, purchased any on the cruise? How are the prices compared to that in the parks, downtown disney or even on-line through their store? Have you seen similar, or even the same pieces? Have you seen any pieces from some of the more popular disney artists (Noble, Wilson, Rogerson, Doss etc..) I've read that pieces sell for up to 70% less than their retail value (which I find very hard to believe)..but if it is true, I might have to forgo any extras and save just for potential art pieces I fall in love with!!

 

[hockeymom944]

We have bought Disney art on board the Magic. About four years ago, we bought two David Wilardson pieces. After our cruise, we stayed a short time at DisneyWorld and saw one of the pieces at the art store at Downtown Disney. It was listed a little above the price we paid. We might have saved a couple hundred dollars. Two years later we went on another Disney cruise, the same piece was up for auction, but the opening bid was $1000 more than we paid. It happened to be a picture of policeman Mickey that he did as a tribute to 9/11. That particular art auction company is not the current one onboard. This past January, we did another cruise on the Magic. We bought one small Wilardson from the current company. I don't think we got that good of a deal. There are some nice Disney pieces at the auction. There were some really nice paintings of the ship. I wanted one soooo bad, but they were out of my price range. Alot of animation cells. My husband and I love art, so we enjoy the auctions. I know people have posted problems they have had with the company. We have had no problems, but I would not expect to get 70% off. Have fun and enjoy your trip!

 

[kcashner]

Yes, they have pieces from some of the better known Disney artists as well as other "non Disney" art. You may save a little; if nothing else, you save by not paying sales tax...but 70% is not realistic. I can't say that it's never happened, but it certainly isn't the norm.

In addition, there have been many complaints about both the previous auction company and the current one. DCL's "take" on the auctions must be good because it seems like a waste of time and space given the complaints. Oh...on the EBTA, I met a gentleman who was in a dispute with the auction company (his box had arrived damaged twice, therefore he refused the box unopened.) DCL was threatening to ban him from the ship for refusing to pay for the damaged box! At least that was his version of the story.

 

[owensjro]

We bought a S. Sam Park (non-disney) painting that we really liked. According to the auction person the series was only sold by West End so that makes it a bit difficult to check pricing. We did check some of his other pieces and they were selling for over twice what we paid.

Of course, we haven't received it yet. Since it wasn't an original but was one of 195 they are shipping us the "lowest available number" from their warehouse. We hope.

We did not attend the auction and did not bid on anything. We just offered him the reserve price on the last night.

Jim

 

[acourtwdw]

I go for the free champagne There were some beautiful pieces on our Jan 2010 cruise but we didn't buy.

 

[Katekins13]

Thanks everyone