Disney in the maternity ward?

[kwitcherkicken99]

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

With all of the marketing materials I received for each of my I infants, I feel that ship sailed long ago. I have no problem with Disney trying to get their market share. I will keep silent on all the many products I was given but did not or would no use. The article seems to be an attempt to villainize the Disney brand which I think is silly given all the other stuff in hospitals.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

My babies were not born in hospitals, but from what I know of, hospitals give out samples already, so what's the big deal?

 

[Hoodie]

Seeing as my son's "going home" outfit had Pooh and Piglet on it, I think Disney already has a small corner of the newborn market.

And like the PP - I received so many things as "freebies" that adding an infant bodysuit to the mix really doesn't tip the table in a specific direction. Most of the currrent swag was pretty useless to me. At least an outfit may be used once or twice.

 

[DMickey28]

I think that in general the free stuff given to mother's in the hospital or even before is an extreme waste in money and resources. I think having that stuff available upon request is a good idea though.

I also think that the idea of Disney Baby is a great idea. It doesn't sound like they are going to be giving the bodysuits away forever, just as a get up and go for the company. Even if they did, a bodysuit is a useful item and does not push a "position" on anyone unless you are a nudist! I really like the idea of having Disney Baby items that ARE NOT all Pooh.

The newer "Mickey Mouse in the House" themed items from Graco is one example ... I bought the highchair and love it. Why not have Disney themed items?

 

[AKL_Megs]

I agree with DMickey28... I'm not a big Pooh fan, but it seems that is all there is at this time. It will be nice to have some variety.

My OB has already said I can expect a diaper bag and sample of Similac, and some other junk, but I hope Disney "introduces" this over the summer... I wouldn't mind a free Onesie!

FWIW, my OB office has crap that companies give out free to pregnant mothers. It starts BEFORE the hospital bed.

 

[krcit]

I'm not loving that is says a representative visits the mother. Whe I had just given birth to my kids the last thing I wanted was some salesperson to 'visit' me while I was a captive audience. If they want to give out products in the 'goodie bag' that's fine but stay the heck out of my hospital room

 

[allison443]

It doesn't bother me, it's a free sample being offered that people can accept/reject as they wish, just like the other samples of formula, diapers, etc.

I did notice in the article that the onesie will be delivered in person by someone representing them, with a "sales spiel". I know after one of my deliveries in particular I wouldn't have been too receptive to a marketing pitch. As far as I can recall the samples of formula/diapers were just given to me by hospital staff, not company representatives.

I am surprised it took disney this long to come up with this actually

 

[allison443]

I agree with DMickey28... I'm not a big Pooh fan, but it seems that is all there is at this time. It will be nice to have some variety.

My OB has already said I can expect a diaper bag and sample of Similac, and some other junk, but I hope Disney "introduces" this over the summer... I wouldn't mind a free Onesie!

FWIW, my OB office has crap that companies give out free to pregnant mothers. It starts BEFORE the hospital bed.

The linked article said the promotion is running now and continues to May, when the onesies will go on sale at various retailers.

 

[AKL_Megs]

The linked article said the promotion is running now and continues to May, when the onesies will go on sale at various retailers.

Damn.

Oh well, I'll just have to buy one!

 

[allison443]

Damn.

Oh well, I'll just have to buy one!

I'm sure that's what Disney is counting on!!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I'm sure that's what Disney is counting on!!

And I didn't even need an annoying spiel!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

If it's any reason to talk more... anyone else notice that Bob Iger has a 1 month-old grandbaby? Coincidence?

IDK... I personally loved the baby clothes we had from the Disney store. They were super soft and held up really well.

I think it's an interesting idea, but of all places to market... why the hospital?

 

[Mrs. Charming]

If your baby wears Huggies, Disney is already there!

With 2 kids under 4, I can't even begin to tell you how many Disney baby items we have in this house. Heck, DS is wearing Pooh jammies as we speak. Teething cookies, car seats, diapers, plates, sippy cups, binkies, wipes boxes, washcloths -- you name it. SO... yeah. Disney's already infiltrated the baby market, a loooong time ago. I don't get why they're treating this like it's new. Most of these items were purchased because of the profduct itself, not because there's a character on it. Like I said, if they give out Huggies in the birth hospital, then Disney already has it's influence. I don't see the difference with giving out a onesie. Ok, sure I think a Disney World or DVC presentation is a little much. A LOT much! Ok, completely crossing the line.

I also don't get the correlation between having Disney characters on products making people want to visit Disney World. Sure, I do visit annually, I love it, but I loved it pre-kids and having kids never influenced that, so I'm a bit biased.

 

[FireDancer]

Unless Disney is surgically removing the free will of the parents and/or children noone "will get hooked on a parade of Disney products earlier than any family trying to save money would hope". They still have the ability to just say no.

This is what I think about all marketing, no matter what they say or do you can still just ignore it. Even the marketing to kids still requires the parents to cave in and buy the product unless their little kids are working part time in Calcutta making my Nikes.

That quote was from a different article about the same topic.

 

[Mickey527]

I don't think the selling speil is right and wouldn't like that. they could just have the nursing staff bring in a card or brochure with an explaination of the "gift".
I ALWAYS wash any item I buy for my grandson before I put it on him and wouldn't put on a Disney item on any baby without knowing it has been washed. I know the t-shirts and blankets they put on the babies at the hospital are ugly but they have been washed.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Mrs. Charming... The correlation?

Baby Mikey has seen Mickey (insert ANY character here) his WHOLE life, since BIRTH! He has Mickey on diapers, Mickey on the TV, Mickey on his clothes! He LOVES Mickey!

Baby Mikey is now three and still LOVES Mickey! Baby Mikey's parents want him to MEET Mickey! They take him to WDW. And the cycle starts.

 

[sbell111]

I'm not loving that is says a representative visits the mother. Whe I had just given birth to my kids the last thing I wanted was some salesperson to 'visit' me while I was a captive audience. If they want to give out products in the 'goodie bag' that's fine but stay the heck out of my hospital room

I don't see it as any different than the person who sells you on the way too expensive photos of the baby. Either way, if a new mom let the staff know that these sales visits were unwelcome, I'm sure that the salespeople would happily skip that room.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Mrs. Charming... The correlation?

Baby Mikey has seen Mickey (insert ANY character here) his WHOLE life, since BIRTH! He has Mickey on diapers, Mickey on the TV, Mickey on his clothes! He LOVES Mickey!

Baby Mikey is now three and still LOVES Mickey! Baby Mikey's parents want him to MEET Mickey! They take him to WDW. And the cycle starts.

The correlation is that Disney already has its claws deep into the 'baby' market. That's all. Its not new. They're giving you a onesie, I don't see the big deal.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I don't see it as any different than the person who sells you on the way too expensive photos of the baby. Either way, if a new mom let the staff no that these sales visits were unwelcome, I'm sure that the salespeople would happily skip that room.

I just smiled and said "No, thanks anyway!" and the picture people left. I just don't see how Disney can send a rep to EVERY new mom in each of the selected hospitals. That's beyond a full time job!