Not all Disney Springs stores are gold

[BarbLynnM]

I’m probably not putting this review in the right spot (or if it will be allowed), but here goes. I’d like to believe that stores in Disney Springs are all highly vetted by Disney, but a recent interaction with one store in particular has me disillusioned.

In an October 2025 visit to Disney, my husband decided to celebrate what’s been banner year for him by buying a keepsake pen. We were referred to Luxury of Time, a Diamond International store. He decided on a Mont Blanc pen as he was familiar with the brand, so felt comfortable in spending what it cost. Hubby was shown different pens and decided on one he liked best, but the salesman kept trying to get him to buy other pens, and I found that rather odd. My guy is pretty stubborn, though, so that ended pretty quick.

As they were filling out the receipt, I casually mentioned I was interested in opal jewelry, and the manager on duty said they had some, and brought out a display of diamond rings..no opal in sight. The hard sell became obvious, which was the first red flag, but I liked one of the diamond rings a lot so let it go.

Another red flag was instead of being able to walk out of the store with our purchases, they immediately started writing up a shipping receipt. It seems one actually gets their product from a “factory.” Not the items you actually look at. I don’t know if this is common practice or not..I’ve bought jewelry before and never experienced this.

A third red flag was that they constantly tried to talk us out of our choices, pointing to product that was, in my opinion, a much lesser quality while costing nearly the same.

So, we get home with a promise they’d contact me when they shipped the pen and ring..they never did. I ended up texting our main salesperson (there were three, the manager, the main salesperson, and a trainee) asking if they’d shipped the goods. They didn’t. To his credit, the main salesperson texted back immediately. I believe we got our purchases about 10 days after they said it would arrive (we paid for overnight shipping).

In that time, I started doing research on Diamond International..and was dismayed to find out how many lawsuits have been filed against the company, and the overwhelming negative reviews out there. As we started doing our own research, we found that the Mont Blanc pen we bought was worth what Luxury of Time sold it at..but the other pens they tried selling us were up to 50% more than Mont Blanc themselves sold them at.

As there were accusations of falsification of stones, (and the quality of those stones) against Diamond International, we decided to take the ring into a jeweler to have it tested. The ring did test as real diamonds with a small blue diamond center, and 14k gold. But, regarding the “blue” diamond center stone, the jeweler said it really was blue diamond, but that they can heat the stone to make it look more blue. The stone I looked at in the store was a lovely blue..the one I got has an obvious green cast to it; again, while not what I originally chose, wasn’t a downgrade for me as the turquoise green cast was just as pretty.

Which leads me to the last caveat of buying Diamond International jewelry: the overly harsh return (and warrantee) policy. It is stated in the fine print that they won’t accept returns due to “buyer’s remorse” among other very stringent policies. I don’t know how legal this is, as in most high-end product there’s a 3 day cooling off period? People have had to file lawsuits to get their money back, or only after the companies’ misdeeds have been televised.

While I had the ring tested, I decided not to have the ring appraised as a lawsuit would probably cost more than the ring was actually worth. In the end, as far as I can tell, the particular Diamond International outlet Luxury of Time at Disney Springs hasn’t had the lawsuits other outlets have had though the hard sell has been noted by others. Unfortunately I read that the Diamond International outlets that sell on Disney Cruise ships had this same bad reputation. We trusted that Disney would have vetted what they allow onto their properties with a bit more caution.

Buyer beware, and don’t let the sparkle of the wares overshadow the reason for the hard sell.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sad to say that I'm not at all surprised at your experience. DI is an institution that you'll find in all the cruise line stops in the Caribbean and in Canada. They advertise heavily to the cruise passengers and usually have a "deal" with the onboard shopper. But once in the shop you find that their sales people will make every effort to get you too buy certain favored products - those with a better margin for them.

In defense of the sales people, they are only doing what makes more money for them. Pushing those products gets them a better commission. As the consumer, it's up to us to know what you are buying and the comparable price from your home town jewelers.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Disney is just the landlord of Disney springs. That’s it. Sad way to learn that but good note for anyone who thought the relationship was more.

 

[Lewisc]

DS has mall type stores. Disney functions as landlord. I never thought Disney did anything other then normal landlord screening. Ability to pay rent

 

[MillauFr]

You spent big bucks on a pen that you could have gotten for free by taking it from the hotel room? Why? Isn't it common knowledge that all of the stores there are charging inflated prices for mediocre merchandise? The entire Disney store is filled with cheap junk imported from overseas.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I’m probably not putting this review in the right spot (or if it will be allowed), but here goes. I’d like to believe that stores in Disney Springs are all highly vetted by Disney, but a recent interaction with one store in particular has me disillusioned.

In an October 2025 visit to Disney, my husband decided to celebrate what’s been banner year for him by buying a keepsake pen. We were referred to Luxury of Time, a Diamond International store. He decided on a Mont Blanc pen as he was familiar with the brand, so felt comfortable in spending what it cost. Hubby was shown different pens and decided on one he liked best, but the salesman kept trying to get him to buy other pens, and I found that rather odd. My guy is pretty stubborn, though, so that ended pretty quick.

As they were filling out the receipt, I casually mentioned I was interested in opal jewelry, and the manager on duty said they had some, and brought out a display of diamond rings..no opal in sight. The hard sell became obvious, which was the first red flag, but I liked one of the diamond rings a lot so let it go.

Another red flag was instead of being able to walk out of the store with our purchases, they immediately started writing up a shipping receipt. It seems one actually gets their product from a “factory.” Not the items you actually look at. I don’t know if this is common practice or not..I’ve bought jewelry before and never experienced this.

A third red flag was that they constantly tried to talk us out of our choices, pointing to product that was, in my opinion, a much lesser quality while costing nearly the same.

So, we get home with a promise they’d contact me when they shipped the pen and ring..they never did. I ended up texting our main salesperson (there were three, the manager, the main salesperson, and a trainee) asking if they’d shipped the goods. They didn’t. To his credit, the main salesperson texted back immediately. I believe we got our purchases about 10 days after they said it would arrive (we paid for overnight shipping).

In that time, I started doing research on Diamond International..and was dismayed to find out how many lawsuits have been filed against the company, and the overwhelming negative reviews out there. As we started doing our own research, we found that the Mont Blanc pen we bought was worth what Luxury of Time sold it at..but the other pens they tried selling us were up to 50% more than Mont Blanc themselves sold them at.

As there were accusations of falsification of stones, (and the quality of those stones) against Diamond International, we decided to take the ring into a jeweler to have it tested. The ring did test as real diamonds with a small blue diamond center, and 14k gold. But, regarding the “blue” diamond center stone, the jeweler said it really was blue diamond, but that they can heat the stone to make it look more blue. The stone I looked at in the store was a lovely blue..the one I got has an obvious green cast to it; again, while not what I originally chose, wasn’t a downgrade for me as the turquoise green cast was just as pretty.

Which leads me to the last caveat of buying Diamond International jewelry: the overly harsh return (and warrantee) policy. It is stated in the fine print that they won’t accept returns due to “buyer’s remorse” among other very stringent policies. I don’t know how legal this is, as in most high-end product there’s a 3 day cooling off period? People have had to file lawsuits to get their money back, or only after the companies’ misdeeds have been televised.

While I had the ring tested, I decided not to have the ring appraised as a lawsuit would probably cost more than the ring was actually worth. In the end, as far as I can tell, the particular Diamond International outlet Luxury of Time at Disney Springs hasn’t had the lawsuits other outlets have had though the hard sell has been noted by others. Unfortunately I read that the Diamond International outlets that sell on Disney Cruise ships had this same bad reputation. We trusted that Disney would have vetted what they allow onto their properties with a bit more caution.

Buyer beware, and don’t let the sparkle of the wares overshadow the reason for the hard sell.

(International Diamond Center radio ad intensifies)

 

[MICKIMINI]

Buyer beware, especially with high end jewelry, watches and other items easily misrepresented and you are not actually buying what you put your hands on. We only buy from our local jeweler who has helped us for decades. Sales tactics are aggressive and many buyers fall for the hard sell.

At the very least, do your own cooling off and go have lunch or come back another day. Once you gather your senses it may look less appealing. Just like the one of a kind car deal, it will still be there in an hour or the next day!

 

[BarbLynnM]

You spent big bucks on a pen that you could have gotten for free by taking it from the hotel room? Why? Isn't it common knowledge that all of the stores there are charging inflated prices for mediocre merchandise? The entire Disney store is filled with cheap junk imported from overseas.

My husband is 69 years old, works in a high risk environment, saved two lives this year, one by employing his training as a collegiate wrestler and his ongoing experience as a power lifter for physically taking down an attacker trying to kill his work buddy, by being someone who knows cpr and who knew how to use an AED at the gym he goes to and so saved a mans life, did a hex bar dead lift of 505 lbs, thus breaking a lot of records (one unofficial world record) for natural power lifting seniors over 65, YouTube short is online of his lift), became one of 5 people nominated for Officer of the year in our state (video can be found online, probably), was given citations for his awards in our state’s capital, celebrated our one year wedding anniversary (we’ve been together 20 years), and set his retirement for age 70.

All the above was in one years time. He paid for that $1,000 pen by the literal blood, sweat and stress he’s gone through in that year alone. And by the way? He’s accomplished all the above, and still works 12 hour shifts in a job where he has the chance of being attacked or killed every day he goes there.

And my point of view is that if he wants a dang $1,000 pen to mark his achievements, he gets the dang $1,000 pen.

 

[MillauFr]

And my point of view is that if he wants a dang $1,000 pen, he gets the dang $1,000 pen.

As he should. But buying it at Disney Springs? Is there any stores in there selling quality merchandise at excellent prices? I thought every store was selling cheap imported junk at very high prices.

 

[BarbLynnM]

As he should. But buying it at Disney Springs? Is there any stores in there selling quality merchandise at excellent prices? I thought every store was selling cheap imported junk at very high prices.

Stores at Disney Springs range from very high end to tourist junk tee shirts. The store we went to was recommended..Mont Blanc pens are not the most expensive in the world, but they’re up there. He got the Meisterstuck Blue Hour.