Tip: avoid merch with extra doodads

[epski]

I bought a hoodie at BLG 2 weeks ago, and the good-colored tip on the right drawstring has already come off. I don't even know where it fell off so I can't try to reaffix it. Turns out the left one comes off pretty easily, too.

Also, I got a jacket from the Worldnof Disney store in November and one of the zipper pulls fell off within weeks. The rest are also coming loose. Turns out tightening those zipper pulls is a semi-useful fidget, but I don't know where that first cord got lost, so it is gone forever.

I'm not thrilled about buying merchandise for $60-100 or more and having it fall apart within weeks of buying, and I can't just pop back into the store from out of state for an exchange. So, my tip is to avoid products that have anything on them that could come loose, because they probably will.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Lots of things Disney sells are low quality unfortunately. While some stuff is great. I bought a white shirt at Aulani and after one wash it looks 20 years old and not in a cool aged sorta way. It's one of those shirts they sell on the walls w/ various prints.

 

[epski]

Lots of things Disney sells are low quality unfortunately. While some stuff is great. I bought a white shirt at Aulani and after one wash it looks 20 years old and not in a cool aged sorta way. It's one of those shirts they sell on the walls w/ various prints.

I have a feeling there are a lot of stories like this. Curious to read more.

 

[frenchfryseagull]

Fun fact: that gold tip on the drawstring is called an aglet. You can buy replacement aglets at craft stores or Amazon. Not sure if it's worth your while to replace it, but thought I'd mention it!

Sorry this happened to you

 

[hardcorestitch]

I bought a hoodie at BLG 2 weeks ago, and the good-colored tip on the right drawstring has already come off. I don't even know where it fell off so I can't try to reaffix it. Turns out the left one comes off pretty easily, too.

Also, I got a jacket from the Worldnof Disney store in November and one of the zipper pulls fell off within weeks. The rest are also coming loose. Turns out tightening those zipper pulls is a semi-useful fidget, but I don't know where that first cord got lost, so it is gone forever.

I'm not thrilled about buying merchandise for $60-100 or more and having it fall apart within weeks of buying, and I can't just pop back into the store from out of state for an exchange. So, my tip is to avoid products that have anything on them that could come loose, because they probably will.

You’re better off getting a plush or a Loungefly at this point instead of getting that…

 

[epski]

Fun fact: that gold tip on the drawstring is called an aglet. You can buy replacement aglets at craft stores or Amazon. Not sure if it's worth your while to replace it, but thought I'd mention it!

Sorry this happened to you

Yes! I learned this when researching fabric glues. So far the aglets seem to be holding since I reattached them (I found the first one had fallen into the pocket of the hoodie, amazingly). Thank you!

 

[epski]

You’re better off getting a plush or a Loungefly at this point instead of getting that…

I'm not sure which item "that" refers to (the hoodie?), but I don't really want plushies or mini backpacks anyway. I like having t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets, and I don't think it's too much to ask that expensive products from a major name brand company don't fall apart so fast. It makes them look bad/cheap. Honestly, though, I'm glad it has cooled me off on buying products from them. I have acquired way too many items in the past 10 months (two jackets, 7 shirts, and 3 hoodies).

 

[CallMeAFlower]

Lots of things Disney sells are low quality unfortunately. While some stuff is great. I bought a white shirt at Aulani and after one wash it looks 20 years old and not in a cool aged sorta way. It's one of those shirts they sell on the walls w/ various prints.

I avoid any shirts that use direct to garment printing for this exact reason! For some reason washing them in water that contains water softener totally wrecks the ink and quickly the print will start flaking off from the fabric. I never have this issue with traditional screen printed shirts, vinyl appliques, or polyester sublimated prints. Unfortunately the direct to garment printing is cheaper than other techniques so it's really common. It's a bummer because there are so many cool shirt designs that I would love to wear, but I'm not paying full price for a shirt that will only end up as rags or in the landfill in 6 months.

If other people have encountered this issue and want to avoid these prints as well, here are some tips on how to recognize them-

• The shirts are made of natural fibers. (Not 100% polyester or nylon)
• The print contains more than 6 solid colors. (Screen printing can do more than 6, but it gets very expensive.)
• The print doesn't feel like it 'sits' on the fabric. (screen printing inks can be thick and feel like they are slightly raised.)
• The shirt can be instantly customized by adding a name or date.
• The shirt is inexpensive compared to other offerings. (The wall of 2 for $x deals)
• The shirt is not an all-over design. (Aloha shirts and other all-over shirts are usually designed fabrics first)
• The shirt comes from a company like Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, TeePublic, Threadless. All of these sites only offer DTG printed shirts.

Examples of screen printed shirts. These designs have crisp edges and flat fields of color.
https://www.disneystore.com/orange-...ower-garden-festival-2026-5205057430972M.html
https://www.disneystore.com/mickey-mouse-pajama-t-shirt-for-men-5205059240834M.html

Examples of direct to garment printed shirts. They have gradients, multicolors, and often have a grungy or faded design.
https://www.disneystore.com/tom-lizard-t-shirt-for-adults-hoppers-7807107061198M.html
https://www.disneystore.com/walt-disney-world-storybook-t-shirt-for-adults-5205106030958M.html

This is not to say that screen printed, vinyl applique, or sublimation prints don't have their issues too. Screen prints will crack over time (This is a known issue with spirit jerseys), vinyl appliques tend to peel, and sublimation prints can only be done on synthetics which are sweaty and get stinky over time. I just prefer these techniques over DTG prints because they last years before they start to have issues.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I avoid any shirts that use direct to garment printing for this exact reason! For some reason washing them in water that contains water softener totally wrecks the ink and quickly the print will start flaking off from the fabric. I never have this issue with traditional screen printed shirts, vinyl appliques, or polyester sublimated prints. Unfortunately the direct to garment printing is cheaper than other techniques so it's really common. It's a bummer because there are so many cool shirt designs that I would love to wear, but I'm not paying full price for a shirt that will only end up as rags or in the landfill in 6 months.

I do have a water softener! Thanks for the tip.

 

[epski]

I avoid any shirts that use direct to garment printing for this exact reason! For some reason washing them in water that contains water softener totally wrecks the ink and quickly the print will start flaking off from the fabric. I never have this issue with traditional screen printed shirts, vinyl appliques, or polyester sublimated prints. Unfortunately the direct to garment printing is cheaper than other techniques so it's really common. It's a bummer because there are so many cool shirt designs that I would love to wear, but I'm not paying full price for a shirt that will only end up as rags or in the landfill in 6 months.

If other people have encountered this issue and want to avoid these prints as well, here are some tips on how to recognize them-

• The shirts are made of natural fibers. (Not 100% polyester or nylon)
• The print contains more than 6 solid colors. (Screen printing can do more than 6, but it gets very expensive.)
• The print doesn't feel like it 'sits' on the fabric. (screen printing inks can be thick and feel like they are slightly raised.)
• The shirt can be instantly customized by adding a name or date.
• The shirt is inexpensive compared to other offerings. (The wall of 2 for $x deals)
• The shirt is not an all-over design. (Aloha shirts and other all-over shirts are usually designed fabrics first)
• The shirt comes from a company like Redbubble, Society6, Zazzle, TeePublic, Threadless. All of these sites only offer DTG printed shirts.

Examples of screen printed shirts. These designs have crisp edges and flat fields of color.
https://www.disneystore.com/orange-...ower-garden-festival-2026-5205057430972M.html
https://www.disneystore.com/mickey-mouse-pajama-t-shirt-for-men-5205059240834M.html

Examples of direct to garment printed shirts. They have gradients, multicolors, and often have a grungy or faded design.
https://www.disneystore.com/tom-lizard-t-shirt-for-adults-hoppers-7807107061198M.html
https://www.disneystore.com/walt-disney-world-storybook-t-shirt-for-adults-5205106030958M.html

This is not to say that screen printed, vinyl applique, or sublimation prints don't have their issues too. Screen prints will crack over time (This is a known issue with spirit jerseys), vinyl appliques tend to peel, and sublimation prints can only be done on synthetics which are sweaty and get stinky over time. I just prefer these techniques over DTG prints because they last years before they start to have issues.

Wow. This should get pinned somewhere prominent. I never did a deep dive on this. I have a couple that are 100% embroidered, so that should be okay, but I think every other t-shirt I bought in the past 10 months was screen printed (EDIT: Nope! Turns out my Aulani t-shirt was direct printed--yay). Holding up okay so far, though you can see where flaking will occur down the line. I'm going to keep all this in mind going forward. Very helpful! Thanks.