What about WDW surplus?

[bams50]

Was just wondering what WDW does with their surplus items and props these days?

For several years a company called Mousesurplus bought everything WDW was done with: props, merchandise, signage, furnishings, even ride cars. We bought many things from them- bedspreads, posters, clothing, even an armoire from AKL. They were in Orlando and then moved to a huge warehouse in the middle of nowhere near Haines City. They would have massive rooms with literally HUNDREDS of dressers, fixtures, lighting, signs from resorts and parks, you name it.

I know that they closed the warehouse in 2010, saying they would reopen elsewhere "soon", yet I can find no evidence that they have.

So, anyone know the status of Mousesurplus, or if anyone is doing anything similar? We would like to buy some more furnishings next time we're down for our new house.

 

[Micca]

That was a cool place, we went there several times over the years. Did you ever see the monorail cab they had parked out on their property? I think they basically moved their business to Ebay. Clearly they had some arrangement with Disney to buy their cast-offs. Maybe Disney found a better buyer?

 

[bams50]

It's an interesting story. A search shows a couple different histories; one story tells of a couple guys that were bidding against each other at auctions as a side business, who joined forces and eventually one sold out to the other. The other history is a guy that came from a successful family in Detroit who started and was trying to develop the business. Either way, there was a contract to take everything WDW wanted rid of.

There was tons of incredible park artifacts there; and the prices were excellent for cash and carry. We bought bedspreads in great condition for $16, and got a beautiful WL armoire for $150. Last time we were there, they had mountains of unsorted and disorganized stuff, and their prices had skyrocketed. Still, we had intended to buy bigger pieces for our new house with large party room.

My guess is, since their contract was that they had to take EVERYTHING WDW wanted gone, good or bad, the cost of moving, housing, sorting, selling, and shipping things eventually overwhelmed them and put them under.

Here's one older article from before they closed:

http://www.orlandovacation.com/disney-world/disney-off-the-path/mouse-surplus/

 

[Micca]

We bought a few things from the warehouse over the years. One item was a vinyl banner that hung from the light posts on Main St. with Tinker Bell artwork on it. We bought a vase that had been used in a store display. I remember some piles of Pal Mickeys at some very low price--maybe $4 or something? I remember seeing a laser disc with some content that had been used in one of the attractions, it was expensive! Some of the glassware they had could have come from anywhere.

 

[ORMom2Four]

There is a local (Orlando) warehouse that has a lot of stuff from the parks and resorts, they also sell on Ebay. Their prices are very high though. We last went to their Orlando store in August of this year but didn't buy anything.

I've heard there is a cast member store that sells stuff from the resorts and parks for pennies on the dollar.

We have a neighbor who works for Disney. He has a lot of props from the parks and resorts!

 

[Micca]

There are at least a couple of CM stores. One is at Disney University, it's a tiny place with many "Walt Disney Company" branded items. They have some pins, watches, and some CM items for sale. Another place looks like a school annex building with mostly broken/damaged merch. Prices are rock bottom, but you're buying damaged stuff. You have to have a CM ID to purchase in either location, and at the annex you can't even go in without an ID.

 

[mmouse37]

There is someplace called Theme Park Connections that sells a ton of Disney stuff.

MJ