Wow, the prices in the store have gone dramatically up. Just back from our recent December cruise and stuffed animals that we purchased for $15 a year ago on our Halloween cruise are now $22 or more. An almost 50% increase in pricing in one years time slaps you across the face. Typical shirt cost is now $25 at the cheapest, even for kids sized shirts. We sucked it up and purchased shirts for the girls and smaller stuffed animals (the $22 ones). Our girls liked a large holiday stuffed Minnie (medium based on historic disneystore.com sizing) but it was > $30 (don't remember the exact price).
We typically bring back presents for our DD's teachers. The cheapest writing pen is now $9 (okay technically $8.99), the sticky pad set we brought back was $14.99 x 3 teachers = $45 dollars.
Light-up popcorn buckets I believe I heard went for $17...one grandmother in the theater stated she spent $60 on 3 buckets so pretty sure this is accurate. We brought back the pails we purchased on the Halloween cruise thanks to tips on disboards and only paid the refill price of $1.5. They had Christmas buckets that were $8 but it was funny I heard a dad ask how much for the refillable buckets and the cast member priced everything but the cheaper bucket (I think it was $8).
The result was I probably ended up spending much less overall than I normally would - because I would look at the price and go no way a shirt, hat, mug is worth that much. Especially when you can still find items like Mickey pajama bottoms for $7 for an adult at alternative stores. Future cruises I may not head into the store at all, which my DW would fall over to hear me say as I love all things Disney. On past Disney vacations, I would buy things here there without thought because it's vacation.
Then to add insult to injury, would you like to purchase a small, medium or large bag? Or you can try to stack up the various super overpriced items you just bought in your arms and somehow manage to get back to your room. Cheap much Disney? Who walks around the cruise ship with a reusable bag for the remainder of the cruise just in case you purchase something else? Not green, just green...green for Disney. They probably should advertise this in the before you come on board don't forget..."don't forget...before you come on board, bring your own bags for merchandise purchases because we've moved on to full on nickeling and diming our customers...". That would be honest advertising.
Now don't take the above to think we didn't have a great time. The cruise was a much needed break and the cast members are as friendly as ever. Character experiences were awesome as still magical for our girls. The Christmas extra events were nice. Decorating gingerbread cookies is a likely sensible cutback due to the waste in throwing out houses...the gingerbread was fresher as well so we ate most of ours as soon as we decorated them. Shows are amazing...food remains good overall. Alcohol is still more affordable than Royal Caribbean or Carnival per drink, as well as the coffee in Cove Cafe. We have another Disney cruise booked in 2020 and a placeholder as well.
I post this partially so parents can prepare kids..."we'll likely only get one thing from the gift shop" or you can do as some of our friends and bring presents from on-shore that are Disney themed and surprise the kids as a trip memento.
We typically bring back presents for our DD's teachers. The cheapest writing pen is now $9 (okay technically $8.99), the sticky pad set we brought back was $14.99 x 3 teachers = $45 dollars.
Light-up popcorn buckets I believe I heard went for $17...one grandmother in the theater stated she spent $60 on 3 buckets so pretty sure this is accurate. We brought back the pails we purchased on the Halloween cruise thanks to tips on disboards and only paid the refill price of $1.5. They had Christmas buckets that were $8 but it was funny I heard a dad ask how much for the refillable buckets and the cast member priced everything but the cheaper bucket (I think it was $8).
The result was I probably ended up spending much less overall than I normally would - because I would look at the price and go no way a shirt, hat, mug is worth that much. Especially when you can still find items like Mickey pajama bottoms for $7 for an adult at alternative stores. Future cruises I may not head into the store at all, which my DW would fall over to hear me say as I love all things Disney. On past Disney vacations, I would buy things here there without thought because it's vacation.
Then to add insult to injury, would you like to purchase a small, medium or large bag? Or you can try to stack up the various super overpriced items you just bought in your arms and somehow manage to get back to your room. Cheap much Disney? Who walks around the cruise ship with a reusable bag for the remainder of the cruise just in case you purchase something else? Not green, just green...green for Disney. They probably should advertise this in the before you come on board don't forget..."don't forget...before you come on board, bring your own bags for merchandise purchases because we've moved on to full on nickeling and diming our customers...". That would be honest advertising.
Now don't take the above to think we didn't have a great time. The cruise was a much needed break and the cast members are as friendly as ever. Character experiences were awesome as still magical for our girls. The Christmas extra events were nice. Decorating gingerbread cookies is a likely sensible cutback due to the waste in throwing out houses...the gingerbread was fresher as well so we ate most of ours as soon as we decorated them. Shows are amazing...food remains good overall. Alcohol is still more affordable than Royal Caribbean or Carnival per drink, as well as the coffee in Cove Cafe. We have another Disney cruise booked in 2020 and a placeholder as well.
I post this partially so parents can prepare kids..."we'll likely only get one thing from the gift shop" or you can do as some of our friends and bring presents from on-shore that are Disney themed and surprise the kids as a trip memento.
