resort specific merch being discontinued

[LSchrow]

just a heads up:
we just returned from the BWVs yesterday & had noticed a big decrease in BW logo merchandise. all Dundry's Sundries had available was a few T's & sweatshirts, picture frames, large shot glasses, & water bottles (the last 2 items on clearance) ~ no more towels, magnets, bathtub soap dishes, freezer mugs, etc
Thimbles & Threads didn't have any BW logo merchandise. (note that standard DVC merchandise is still at DS, & both have the BW prints).

we were told by quite a few CMs that WDW was discontinuing resort specific merchandise at all the resorts. rather upsetting, as i buy something resort specific every stay, & really, really enjoy my BWV collection. there must be quite a few other ppl that also do, as i'm always bidding against quite a few ppl on e-bay!

so if you're going in the near future, you might want to make sure to buy that little resort momento b/c soon, the only place to get them will be e-bay

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

They have been cutting back on these things for a few years now. It has really cost them our business as we don't buy what we used to because the most appealing for us was the more specific and unique items. It's very disappointing to hear that what remains is going away and I only hope that will change again in the future.

 

[Chuck S]

They have been cutting back on these things for a few years now. It has really cost them our business as we don't buy what we used to because the most appealing for us was the more specific and unique items. It's very disappointing to hear that what remains is going away and I only hope that will change again in the future.

I'm sorry to see the resort specific merchandise go. We used to from resort to resort looking for special items of color. Remember the Starbus jackets, where every resort had their own color?

I don't know how making that type of item resort specific would increase cost too much. I also noticed that POP's tye-dye shirts left about a year ago

 

[DisneySunflower]

I am curious, how many DVC members own DVC merchandise from other resorts and not their "Home Resort"?

 

[Brian Noble]

These are pretty simple decisions. It comes down to two questions: what's the cost of the items coming in, and how fast do they get sold. Homogenizing merchandise allows Disney to pay less per piece, because they order larger lots. This certainly plays a role.

It's also possible that the average guest is a lot more interested in "Disney World" souvenirs vs. "The resort I stayed at" souvenirs. If so, devoting retail space to "mass-market appeal" items rather than niche-market items will increase sales volume.

It's a shame, but business is business.

 

[crisi]

And right now, when inventory is not moving and the cost of carrying inventory is high, inventory that can be moved around to where it sells makes sense. Resort specific merchandise will likely make a comeback when people are spending more money on trinkets again, right now, that isn't happening. People are probably really cutting their souvienier budget, and if you can get one thing to remember your trip, its going to be one thing that is general.

Anyone remember the early 90s when you couldn't find anything decent in a Disney souviener?

 

[Chuck S]

These are pretty simple decisions. It comes down to two questions: what's the cost of the items coming in, and how fast to the get sold. Homogenizing merchandise allows Disney to pay less per piece, because they order larger lots. This certainly plays a role.

It's also possible that the average guest is a lot more interested in "Disney World" souvenirs vs. "The resort I stayed at" souvenirs. If so, devoting retail space to "mass-market appeal" items rather than niche-market items will increase sales volume.

It's a shame, but business is business.

And right now, when inventory is not moving and the cost of carrying inventory is high, inventory that can be moved around to where it sells makes sense. Resort specific merchandise will likely make a comeback when people are spending more money on trinkets again, right now, that isn't happening. People are probably really cutting their souvienier budget, and if you can get one thing to remember your trip, its going to be one thing that is general.

Anyone remember the early 90s when you couldn't find anything decent in a Disney souviener?

Oh, I agree it is a financially sound move in what are tough times, and allows for better inventory movement. It isn't going to ruin a vacation or anything...it was just something enjoyable that hopefully will return when the economy improves.

 

[dcfromva]

We saw a bunch of resort specific items over at the Character Outlet (at the Prime Outlets Mall) when we were there last week. ( I guess has already moved that merchandise out. )
I rarely buy resort specific merchandise--although I do have a couple of GC shirts...

DC

 

[eliza61]

I am curious, how many DVC members own DVC merchandise from other resorts and not their "Home Resort"?

I do. I buy generally from the resort I'm staying at as a memento.
I love WLV's stuff and of course my home resort.

this is sad because I preferred the resort merchandise to the stuff in the parks.

 

[cpdwiz]

I think the magnets and ornaments are a great idea....When we stay at a resort, we get a magnet....We also like having shirts/coats from OUR home....

 

[MaryJ]

I do. I buy generally from the resort I'm staying at as a memento.
I love WLV's stuff and of course my home resort.

this is sad because I preferred the resort merchandise to the stuff in the parks.

I couldn't say it any better!

 

[DVCBELLE]

The only resort specific piece of clothing I own is a BWV sweatshirt - it isn't my home resort but my favorite - the minute I saw it I wanted it. It took me all week to decide to buy it!

 

[edk35]

just a heads up:
we just returned from the BWVs yesterday & had noticed a big decrease in BW logo merchandise. all Dundry's Sundries had available was a few T's & sweatshirts, picture frames, large shot glasses, & water bottles (the last 2 items on clearance) ~ no more towels, magnets, bathtub soap dishes, freezer mugs, etc
Thimbles & Threads didn't have any BW logo merchandise. (note that standard DVC merchandise is still at DS, & both have the BW prints).

we were told by quite a few CMs that WDW was discontinuing resort specific merchandise at all the resorts. rather upsetting, as i buy something resort specific every stay, & really, really enjoy my BWV collection. there must be quite a few other ppl that also do, as i'm always bidding against quite a few ppl on e-bay!

so if you're going in the near future, you might want to make sure to buy that little resort momento b/c soon, the only place to get them will be e-bay

I hope they keep the pins!!!!!!

 

[islandtimect]

When we were there in Aug we were told resort specific mdse is being eliminated everywhere except GF and CR or something like that.

 

[hakepb]

The standardization of merchandise seems strange in today's computerized world of easy to customize clothing (It's never been easier/cheaper to make small lots of custom embroidery thanks to computerized machinery). Wal-marts always have some local HS specific items.. (now that's a logistics nightmare, ordering/specing/buying/stocking a different group of items for every Wal-mart store)

I suppose merchandise has taken a big hit in this economy (I recall reports of in-park sale merchandise last December, when "sales" rarely ever happened in-park before). Hopefully this is not a permanent decision.

 

[dan and scott]

The last of getting any kind of great merchandise ended when the new millenium dawned at Disney.

Now we never spend the $$$$$ that we once did-and that goes for the cruise lines ever so stale merchandise also.---since 2000
We usually go to the now so ever popular 3-outlets to get discounts-but there merchandise can also be nill to nothing.--its not anymore a secret.

at least I'm able to find the occasional christmas ornament


Scott

 

[Brian Noble]

Interestingly, there have been a few new area-specific merchandise items in the parks recently. For example:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...andise-now-available-at-the-Magic-Kingdom.htm

 

[LSchrow]

Oh, I agree it is a financially sound move in what are tough times, and allows for better inventory movement. It isn't going to ruin a vacation or anything...it was just something enjoyable that hopefully will return when the economy improves.

exactly.
like most, not having the option of resort specific won't make a huge difference in our vacation; the special momento(s) from each trip just added to our enjoyment mostly once home, when we would look at/use it & get nostalgic. it's difficult to have a bad day that starts with soap from a BWV bathtub soap dish!

i understand the that it is not as cost effective as producing large quantities of the same item, but most of the resort items were pretty pricey to begin with (my BWV lightweight, thermal-weave sweatshirt was $58 ~ they carried the same one in blue or white at all the mods, deluxes, & DVCs). i think the resort specific items are mostly purchased by repreat guests who don't want or need more generic WDW "stuff" ~ we haven't bought anything at WDW that not resort specific in over 10 years.

chances are the ornaments & pins will stay. the other, fun stuff will be gone

 

[nursegirl]

We noticed this issue with the pins last year when we stayed at OKW for a week. No resort pin. Called Disney Merchandise - pins are on backorder. A year goes by...stayed at BLT last week, still no OKW pin anywhere. Called Disney Merchandise - there is ONE at the Kidani Village gift/sundries shop. Trekked over and there it was - all sad and lonely next to the new Hilton Head one with Shadow (we have the HHI pin with Minnie and Mickey - not sure why they changed it?). I hope that they don't phase out the resort pins...

 

[Monte Cristo]

It's disappointing to hear, but not a surprise.