Disney Scrapbooking friends...can I vent?!

[TN Traveler]

Hi Friends.....do ya'll mind if I vent for a few mins?! Maybe someone can help me understand this. Ok, here's the deal. Went to Disney in Orlando on our first trip Memorial Day week 2004. Stayed 5 nts/6 days at POR. Absolutely LOVED it!! Between the Resort, the parks, and the kids, I took 15 rolls of pictures. All excited about scrapbooking my pictures and couldn't wait to get started....had already bought a Disney album at JoAnne's and a few misc stickers, die cuts and paper at Michael's, JoAnne's and my LSS --THAT IS NOW CLOSED?! Did not buy anything at the gift shops b/c I figured I'd be able to get the same thing at home and wouldn't have to worry about paper being bent, taking up room in the suit case etc. So have been home 2 mths now and STILL have not been able to find more than 3 or 4 different styles of stickers. Have been online and found several things I liked but I'm one of these weird people and prefer to purchase items from a store.....not online. Maybe I should move into the 21st Century! Anyway, I thought I could go to my local Disney store at the Mall and get some of this stuff. Nope. don't carry it....see Disney.com. Ok, did that......nope don't carry it....try calling your resort direct. No, I'm sorry. I'm not going to make a long distance phone call to buy Disney products that should be readily available at my local Disney store. So today I went to another LSS hoping she had gotten some new paper in, new die cuts etc ...nope nothing....it's the same stuff that I've found at JoAnne's, Michael's and at another LSS. I guess to get what I want I'll have to go to Mousememories, 2 Ps or another website. But it seems to me if Disney wants us to purchase their products they would make it readily available at their own Disney stores in the malls. Am I wrong here?! Before we left, I wanted to make a little goody bag for my girls to get them excited about the trip. Thought I'd buy them an autograph book, maybe some Mickey candy and some other things. When I went to my local Disney store, I was told they don't have Disney picture frames, photo albums or autograph books...only place to
get them is at Disney.

What happens if you get home, develop your pictures, see you have an awesome picture of Mickey and the kids and want a special frame? I know many people that want Disney merchandise but can't find it locally. My SIL came home from Disney last October w/a great picture of her girls and Goofy at Blizzard Beach. She remembered seing a great picture frame in the gift shop but didn't buy it b/c she was afraid it'd get broken. Now that she's home, she can't find the picture frame.

Anyone else have this problem or have any ideas on how to solve it. What if we contacted the powers that be at the marketing dept of Disney Stores. I have said 20 times now that I wish I had bought this or that and would pay the price for it now that I'm home yet, I can't find it!!!

Thanks for letting me fuss a while. I sure wish I could write a letter to someone in Disney Marketing and tell them how I feel.

Karen

 

[ToDisney]

Yikes!! I wish you had come here before going. We would have told you to buy it there. I KNOW that Disneyland and DisneyWorld are actually different companies/corporations or whatever... I bet it's the same with the Disney store. The only way you're going to get the stuff you saw at WDW is to call a customer service number (disney merchandising or something?). Shoot, someone here will have it, I'm sure. But you're going to pay an arm and a leg for shipping. Or you'll go to mousememories and pay over retail for it, but their shipping is more reasonable, plus they have other cool stuff you (general you... meaning me ) can't get locally.

Can you find stuff you like online and then ask your LSS to order them? My LSS does that (sometimes). Otherwise, I think you're going to be stuck buying online or not at all.

Do you have a Hobby Lobby? They have a good selection of the Sandylion stickers and the Jolee's. Haven't seen any Disney papers there, though. I don't like Michaels, so I don't shop there.

Another thing you can do is get Disney coloring books and paper piece your own embellishments? Gotta get creative sometimes!! LOL!!

One of my new favorite embellishments is the Disney ribbon. It's from their Disney Home Collection. I've found the stuff at Hobby Lobby, but I think you can get some similar stuff at WalMart (again, I refuse to shop there, but others have told me I can find the ribbon there.)

Here, I've used some Pooh ribbon Bear Hugs. Not only is the Pooh/Eeyore a ribbon, but the "you're hugeriffic" is also ribbon.

Here's another one with Princess ribbon... Disney Beauties.

The papers and stickers for both are Sandylion. If you're not comfortable buying online, then you've got to REALLY think outside the box and use whatever else you can find!

Sometimes my favorite pages are just using cardstock!!

 

[tinkerbell27]

Hi TN Traveler!
I'm in Hendersonville! What is LSS ?
Kelly

 

[ToDisney]

LSS = local scrapbook store

 

[TN Traveler]

ToDisney............thanks for your input and webpages to look at. I'll check them out later tonight when I have more time. Guess you're right.......I should have gone ahead and bought while at POR. Too late now I guess unless I can get someone to get it for me on their next trip. I have 4 families that are going in October (I'm a travel agent) ...maybe I can talk one of them into buying some stuff for me if I give them the $$ upfront.

Kelly..........LSS is Local Scrap Store. I can't believe you're in H'ville! I'm in Gallatin!! HOWDY NEIGHBOR!!
I would go to The Scrap Yard at Rivergate all the time but since they have closed I can't find another one that has as much in stock as they did. Magical Memories is here in Gallatin and she's great but doesn't carry as much as Scrap Yard. Look me up sometime......I'm in the TransWestern Phone book for Robertson, Sumner and North Davidson Counties....The Travel Planner.

Happy Scrapping!!
Karen

 

[Thumpersmom]

I too worry about bending the product etc. but usually have my purchases shipped home. Since it is going out of state (when I am at WDW) they take off the sales tax and the shipping charge is about the same. I do know if you buy over $100 ( I never seem to have a problem doing that!!) it is pretty much a wash between the tax and the shipping.

Also if something is broken when they ship it they will replace it for you. Everything is wrapped a couple of times over for you by a Disney mailing place or something. I think it is like Christmas when my boxes arrive after I am home. I ship them to my office so someone is always there to sign for them!

 

[TN Traveler]

I guess the bottom line is I messed up......I should have gone ahead and bought what I wanted when I was there. I had some Disney Dollars from my Visa but was trying to be conservative. We had spent so much money on the trip and spending more, I was trying to pinch pennies. Believe, I will go ahead and get what I want when I'm there now! Of course it'll be at least 5 more years before I get to go back so.....
However I still think the Disney stores are shooting themselves in the foot for not selling this product in their stores. I see so much more $$ that could be made for them. HMMMMM on 2nd thought, maybe it's a good thing they don't sell in the stores!
Thanks for the release valve!
Karen

 

[saturday97]

It seems to me too that Disney is really missing out on alot of opportunities by limiting the selection of products in the Disney Store. I would happily purchase all of my Disney scrappin' materials, etc. at the Disney store. The selections of things they do offer gets smaller everyday. I can understand having items that are exclusive to the parks, but what about the licensed stuff that is sold at Target (like the Disney Electronics) and Michaels? Guess that's why their stores are in trouble-- too sad!

In the meantime, I enjoy hitting the LSS and having product in hand, but I know that alot of online retailers are reliable and ship pretty quickly. You might also try www.stickerplanet.com. Good Luck!!

 

[Pammy jo]

So you two TN scrappers . . .I'm heading to my in-laws on Tuesday in Vonore, TN. If you have any idea where that is, any suggestions for scrapbook stores in the area. I think it's between Chatanooga and Knoxville. Thanks for the input!
Pammyjo

 

[RRBB]

Originally posted by TN Traveler
Karen,

You've already gotten a response to lack of availability outside the parks which I can't add anything else to. But I can address this: My SIL came home from Disney last October w/a great picture of her girls and Goofy at Blizzard Beach. She remembered seing a great picture frame in the gift shop but didn't buy it b/c she was afraid it'd get broken. Now that she's home, she can't find the picture frame.

I took a class at GASC back in June using Jolee's Disney products and we made this frame. It was really easy so maybe your SIL can do something similar for her photo. (We started with a black frame, used the Mickey & Goofy Jolee's stickers and Phrase Cafe Magical Memories stickers, and blue patterned paper.)

<img height=400 src=http://www.smeechy.com/images/DSCN8016.JPG>

 

[nanajoyx2]

The Merchandise Guest Services number is 407-363-6200. If you call them and describe the items you are looking for, they will ship them to you tax free. I believe the shipping charge starts around $8.95 and you may have to use a credit card for payment.

If this does not work for you and if your clients are not able to help you, PM me. I will be returning to WDW after Thanksgiving.

 

[tinkerbell27]

RRBB !!

I love that frame !!

 

[RRBB]

Thanks. I wish I could take credit for it, but I just followed the instructions given in class. Well sort of. I accidentally did mine portrait style instead of landscape like this example, but it doesn't really matter cuz it still works.

 

[ToDisney]

Robin!! I love the frame!!!! Was it just a plain black frame? How did you adhere the cardstock to it? VERY COOL!!

 

[aeryn]

Originally posted by TN Traveler

However I still think the Disney stores are shooting themselves in the foot for not selling this product in their stores. I see so much more $$ that could be made for them. HMMMMM on 2nd thought, maybe it's a good thing they don't sell in the stores!

Hiya. I'm a Disney Store CM and trust me when I say, it's not the fault of the local store that we don't carry anything cool. As a group, we CM's have been asking for a very very very very long time to carry stuff that's available in the park. Do they listen? Of course not. We carry more and more princess crap and lately power rangers crap. Sadly, this is the reason the perception is out there that the Stores "are money-losing operations" Many many bad business decisions were made and now we're paying the price. So, while your vent wasn't about the Disney Stores, per say, as a CM, I just have to defend us

As for things being bent, I've not had any issues with the page kits I buy bending in my luggage on the way home. And if you *really* want some of the stuff from the parks, the Merchandise number is 1-407-363-6200. All you have to do is describe what you're looking for and they'll ship anything to you. A long distance call is far cheaper than another trip (tho not nearly as fun and will happen sooner than taking another trip. The hours for the Merchandise group are Monday - Friday 8:30-5-ish EST.

Hope you're able to find some Disney things I'll send some pixie dust your way.

 

[saturday97]

Aeryn, I've talked to other Disney Store CM's who feel the same way. You guys are the ones who have contact with the consumers who would love to make the Disney Stores extremely profitable -- if only the stores carried decent stuff! Hang in there!

 

[TrixyA]

This seems to be a two-sided situation. While I totally understand the frustration of the OP, I know that if I walked into stores in Downtown Disney and found stuff that I could have bought back home, I would never again go to DD while on vacation. Part of the "specialness" of DD is finding those wonderful things that you can't get anywhere else.

I always buy scrapbooking stuff while on vacation and just put it at the very bottom of my suitcase before loading everything else in. It's never had the slightest damage.

 

[TN Traveler]

Thank you so much to everyone that has replied to this post. I was so frustrated when I posted that!! Could ya tell?!
I guess if i had really thought about it I would have realized whatever I bought would have made it home ok. I have bought things before on vacation and didn't have any problems. Guess I was thinking more about the $$ and thought I could find the same things at my LSS. Of course I didn't realize they were going to close before I got back home either!

RRBB---- the frame you made is absolutely darling!! What a great idea! I will share that w/my SIL altho I don't think she'll make any attempts to make one like it. She says she's too busy and claims not to be very crafty altho I think she's wonderful! If I had been a good SIL, I would have bought the frame when I was in Disney and saved it for her for Christmas!

PammyJo--I'm from Gallatin, a small town north of Nashville and didn't know where Vonroe was so looked it up on the map. Appears you are closer to Maryville and Knoxville than you are Chattanooga. This is a good thing! I'm sure Chattanooga has some good stores but I KNOW there is a great scrapbook store in Pigeon Forge -- been there, done that. Pigeon Forge is between Knoxville and Gatlinburg. I think the best way to get there would be head into Knoxville and get on I-40 EAST. Take the Seviverville ext (Hwy 441) and follow into Pigeon Forge. The store is on the left side of 441 as you're coming into Pigeon Forge and out of Seviverville. I can't remember the name of the shopping mall but it's not the 5 Oaks or any of the Red Roof Outlet Malls. For some reason I'm thinking Governor's Mall but don't hold me to it. If you have the time....probably a 2 yr drive tops to get there, it's worth it. Also would be worth staying a night in PF if you can. It'll be 2 yrs this Nov since I've been and wanting to go back. Maybe in the winter. I'm sure you can do a Search on Google or MSN and find a list of scrap stores in the area that are closer but I know this one is a good one. They claim to be an "outlet" store but their prices are no less than my LSS so take that w/a grain of salt.

Saturday97--thanks for the post on stickerplanet. I have been there in the past but forgot all about it. Will check them out too. So far the best website I've found is Gone Scrapin and one other than I can't find the name of!! I got it off this msg board but now can't find my notes on it. I remember you could call your order in, fax it in or internet but it was a $50 min so not sure I'm going to be able to use it.

I don't blame the CMs at the Disney Stores for not having certain items in the stores. What I don't understand is why you can't buy Disney products such as picture frames, albums, scrapbook items, and autograph books in the stores yet you can buy toys,
t-shirts, clothes and things like that. I can't remember one particular item that I wanted to buy when there other than a Mickey punch. I know there were several kits and other than saying "send me all" I couldn't narrow it down to just one.

Anyway, thanks everyone for making me feel better and allowing me the opportunity to voice my opinion. At least I know I'm not the only one w/the same feelings!

Karen

 

[nanajoyx2]

Karen, I've never seen the Mickey punch at WDW, only the castle punch. Michael's sells the Mickey head punch and the Mickey walking punch. Also www.allnightmedia.com sells these punches. Good luck in your search for Disney scrapbooking products. We all know how you feel. I wish WDW would sell more punches, maybe Donald, Goofy, Monorail, Spaceship Earth, Tree of Life, Sorcerer's Hat, etc., etc., etc.. Can you tell I like punches. To me they are an inexpensive way to fill empty spaces on my pages. Again, if I can help you when I go in November, let me know.

Elaine

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Another option that I trust for Disney park stuff is Laughingplacestore.com- They do have a bit of a markup/shopping service fee but they are always very prompt and its well worth it and lots cheaper than the shipping from Disney. They also take special requests if its not an item listed-


-em