Poor Quality Souvies

[tara32]

Hmm, well I have been to WDW once, in 2002. I purchased an oversize mug as a souvie, with Minnie Mouse on it. Paid $9
Have never used it, got it as a souvie. Well today I decided to try it out as I was making a large caffe mocha and so I rinsed the mug under hot water to get rid of the dust
I just used my bare hand to wipe it off. After drying it with a tea towel, I noticed a good chunk of Minnie had flaked off!

I can't believe it! This mug was not cheap, and to think it was wrecked after not even one use?? There was no reason to believe this was a purely decorative mug, no markings on bottom, etc.

What do you think? Are there any items we ahould steer clear from on this trip?
(honestly we are not mickey freaks and I was just planning on ears for the kids, eco-bags for us and family, and my favorite, a few Christmas ornaments. Last time I got a fabric sorcerer Mickey hat)

 

[PinkRhombus]

I have to ask...how has this mug been stored for the 7 years since you bought it? Constant temperature or in the garage where the temp fluxuates greatly?

 

[tara32]

It was in my kitchen cupboard with all my mugs, but in the back. There should have been very little temp flucuation.

 

[kileybeth]

Maybe it was a fluke? Or could have something to do with long storage time?

We have WDW mugs from 15 years ago that still look new. Ones we have used regularly and ones we use rarely? Only a few have started to fade a little and that is from constant daily use with hot coffee repeatedly and dishwasher cleanings.

However, for $9 bucks so long ago, why worry? Just go and get yourself a new one and I'm sure it will be fine. BTW, we are paying closer to $20 a mug these days!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I think Disney should pick up the tab for your next trip.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Some of the disney mugs last forever, some don't. . Just think of it as a good reason to buy another one the next time you go back. And make sure not to wait 7 years before you use it this time .

 

[mikkishelles]

I think Disney should pick up the tab for your next trip.

 

[princessmom29]

It is 7 years old!!! Nothing lasts forever. Even if you didn't use it the paint has still aged. Not something I would be upset over at all.

 

[disneymomjcs]

I think Disney should pick up the tab for your next trip.

 

[mcraft17]

Just a reminder that if you do buy any souviners make sure to keep the reciepts for awhile. We just went in May and I bought a tshirt.I washed the shirt just as it said in the label and hung it todry. The writing and picture is starting to flake off. I emailed them and they said they would send me another or refund my money if I had the reciept which I don't now because it got thrown away. Just a tip.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

Is it one of those ceramic glazed mugs? They tend to flake, and I am not surprised that after 7 years it suffered such damage, whether it was used or not.

Maybe you should have just used it on your desk as a pencil holder.

 

[emh1129]

I think some of their souvenirs are great and some.. just aren't.
There have been a few posts here about a metal water bottle that they have for sale now- supposedly it makes the water taste really gross.

Our only bad experience was with the Disney train set we bought for ds (and spent $70 on- eek!). It was made of really cheap plastic and didn't last long at all.

Everything else that we have purchased has been okay.

 

[SunnieRN]

I think Disney should pick up the tab for your next trip.

Sorry, OT, but you have a beautiful beagle!!!!!!!!

 

[secretpantssam]

That stinks...you didn't even get to enjoy a cup of coffee in it! But these things do happen. I bought a St Patrick's Day glass with Mickey on it a few trips ago and there was green on the bottom of it. After a couple rounds in the dishwasher, it started to peel. I'm a little disappointed, but paint comes off and it's not the end of the world. I now use the glass as a pencil holder so I won't lose Mickey!

 

[zoemurr]

with items that have little gems set in.

My DD got a ring at the BBB ($6 I think.. thanks to grandma) and almost immediately a gem fell out. They replaced it.. now the replacement is sitting here in my computer drawer missing 6 stones.

We also bought a crown pin and the large gem fell out quickly. They replaced it.

I purchased a minnie key chain covered in gems.. 6-8 of those are missing. There are no facets or anything to hold them in, and I guess their glue isn't cutting it.

This was all on a trip two years ago.

 

[stella27]

Sadly, I hardly expect good quality from most purchases anymore. Almost everything souvenir-wise (not just WDW) is cheaply made and mass-produced. I think it's kind of sad that as a society, we have settled for this level of quality. We seem to have decided that "more" is better than "well-made" and I am not dissing anyone - I am talking about myself, too.

 

[minniebeth]

We've gotten several stuffed animals that seem to have ripped open with them hardly "loved on" (used). I had the recepits but just figured it would be easier to sew them myself rather than have them replaced, but it was my choice to do so.
I agree with pp, we've just learned to tolerate sub-par merchandise. (more recent)

We do have some things from 10 years ago that still work (surprisingly) after lots and lots of play time (the parade spinny light things and swords).

 

[tara32]

Thank you to all the replies that aren't sarcastic or negative. I really appreciate the feedback and the tips on other things to steer clear of. That was the intent of my post, not to gripe and complain. I most certainly was not expecting anything from Disney .. just saying I was a little surprised because I have never had a mug do that- even freebies or ones from the dollar store. I had heard (perhaps incorrectly?) that when you buy souvies direct from WDW as opposed to other retailers it was of better quality.

Using it as a pencil holder was a great idea, and one I certinly would have used if I had known the surface was going to deteriorate.
Note to self: no mugs this trip, ceramic or steel!

 

[clanmcculloch]

We've been very happy with the mugs we've bought the last couple of trips. Of course we haven't had them for 7 years. We've used them quite a bit and I think it might become a tradition to pick up a new mug each trip. They seem to be holding up to regular use quite nicely. The only thing that disappointed me about the mugs is that in 2008, the picture all over the mug was 3D and this year the same one isn't (we had to get the dad one this year; last year we got the mom one). So far no chipping or fading with very regular use and washing in the dishwasher and reheating in the microwave.

 

[iheartdisney]

Some of the toys are awful! The big $40 epcot toy went back the day after I bought it. It wouldn't stay together, and one of the doors broke off within 5 minutes of play.
The Polly-pocket type toys are another i would take out of the store! The clothes aren't even made to fit on the body, and the paint came off of the rubber clothes within a day. When I called the number on the back of the reciept, she knoew exactly which toy I was talking about. She said they could refund us the cost, or send us another one, but she didn't think another one would be even better.
The remote control Tomorrowland Pluto, the wires come loose very easily if your kid holds it by the wire, so teach them how to hold it properly, and it will last a little longer.
The good thing is, the folks at merchendise services are very nice, and understanding of the fact that they sell total crap!
Now, we have some plushes that have lasted for years, and now I don't argue when the kids pick out a Webkinz...I know what I'm getting there!