Where are all the plushes?

[jpeterson]

I'm in WDW for marathon weekend. I was planning on finding a plush for each of my kids but it's slim pickings. The emporium had only a couple different ones (angel and grogu) and not much else. Is this just a result of supply issues or am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

yep, a lot of that is supply issues.

 

[gatorlisa]

On shipping containers held up at US ports. The emporium usually has a very large assortment, so if they have little, then it's likely a supply chain issue.

 

[jpeterson]

On shipping containers held up at US ports. The emporium usually has a very large assortment, so if they have little, then it's likely a supply chain issue.

That is certainly what I'm used to. Emporium usually has tons. I'll check other places. But I'm not hopeful.

 

[lovethattink]

What about those little nuiMO? They have outfits.

 

[Tyler's Dad]

I was there over Christmas and spoke to a couple of cast members about this. Things like Christmas items, plushes, some of the 50th merchandise, and sweatshirts were tied up in supply chain and were visibly missing throughout the resort. They said that there was nothing they could do, but everyone was definitely unhappy with how much was there.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

We where there Christmas through New Years and I know I saw the babies in blankets that have been around for a while at various points. Sorry didn't notice which ones, just saw them when going through stores. In general there is less stuff in the stores, but still found quite a few things we brought home.

 

[PurplePigment]

I was there over Christmas and spoke to a couple of cast members about this. Things like Christmas items, plushes, some of the 50th merchandise, and sweatshirts were tied up in supply chain and were visibly missing throughout the resort. They said that there was nothing they could do, but everyone was definitely unhappy with how much was there.

The cast member I talked to said they got a huge shipment of Christmas stuff in right after Christmas.

 

[gharter]

I'm in WDW for marathon weekend. I was planning on finding a plush for each of my kids but it's slim pickings. The emporium had only a couple different ones (angel and grogu) and not much else. Is this just a result of supply issues or am I looking in the wrong place?

We noticed that in April and October. Many fewer options of a lot of items.
Agree, it most likely is still supply issues.

 

[rdaky]

Supply issues. And even when they get stuff, it's not there for long. I witnessed a mom absolutely freaking out in the pirate store (yes, the mom was more upset than the kid) because there were pirate Mickeys in the morning and the store was sold out by afternoon. I guess they promised their kid they could come back later and there were none left. It's really like that with everything.

 

[fla4fun]

Supply issues. And even when they get stuff, it's not there for long. I witnessed a mom absolutely freaking out in the pirate store (yes, the mom was more upset than the kid) because there were pirate Mickeys in the morning and the store was sold out by afternoon. I guess they promised their kid they could come back later and there were none left. It's really like that with everything.

I agree. I have always followed the philosophy that if you see something you want at Disney, buy it when you see it or it may be gone. That would go double for me right now, with all the supply issues. I think it would be better to return something for a refund if you decide you want a different item, than to have your heart set on something and it’s sold out when you return.

 

[mamamia2005]

We really wanted the large 50th anniversary Mickey and Minnie. They never had any the whole 2 weeks we were there (19th December to 3rd January). We checked various stores both in the parks and at Disney Springs and with many CM's, who all said it was down to supply issues.
They had quite a good selection of NuiMo's and the babies in blankets, but they varied from store to store. They did have the 50th anniversary Wishables.

 

[pixiedust2u]

We really wanted the large 50th anniversary Mickey and Minnie. They never had any the whole 2 weeks we were there (19th December to 3rd January). We checked various stores both in the parks and at Disney Springs and with many CM's, who all said it was down to supply issues.
They had quite a good selection of NuiMo's and the babies in blankets, but they varied from store to store. They did have the 50th anniversary Wishables.

Minnie is on shop Disney right now! And I’ve seen Mickey from time to time!

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

My kids each got a blanket baby at Christmas because there was nothing else. I couldn't find mugs or premium popcorn buckets. The resort stores had the best merch. Animal Kingdom had the best merch of the parks when we were there.

 

[mamamia2005]

Minnie is on shop Disney right now! And I’ve seen Mickey from time to time!

Thanks I've just looked and Minnie isn't on the UK shop Disney. We're back at WDW in August, so hopefully they will be in stock then.

 

[CMPJETCMP]

Just back from Disney World after arriving arriving there on the 29th of December. We have visited Disney World the past 5 years during this same time.

This year’s merchandise situation was pathetic and the attempt to try hide it was just as bad. As we departed on January 6th you could still buy 2021 labeled shirts celebrating I guess last year at all of the parks 6 days into 2022. No 2022 shirts to be found. Christmas items were spread out and kept out long after the holiday just so the stores didn’t look any more barren than they already appeared.

As originally mentioned no traditional plushes anywhere to be found. Ceramic mugs couldn’t be found.

Disney now has a savvy product guy (Mr. Chapek) in charge of the company that can’t figure out a way to get products into the resort to sell. Does anyone else find that peculiar?

Before anyone blames the pandemic and shipping vessels tying up deliveries of merchandise, I would propose that there are other modes of transportation (albeit more expensive) such as air transport that could avoid this embarrassment.

I know from experience the cost penalty to import via air over vessel. The company I oversee (far smaller than the Disney Company) relies solely on importing product to the automotive industry. Over the past 2 years we have had to actively manage our import strategy from Asia sources. We do not have the luxury to deliver late to the customer or have shortage of goods, but we do have a choice on how to get products (a bit more complicated and fragile than a stuffed character) over the ocean, through customs, and to our final destination in less than a week.

The choice for Disney is margin erosion or full shelves…after this past visit I understand which option they chose.

How ridiculous is it that during these times to get your hands on new park merchandise you have to go to Shop Disney to buy it…when more often than not those items are then offered at a discount via web promotions? That same merchandise instead could be sold at full price in the parks?

 

[bsmcneil]

Just back from Disney World after arriving arriving there on the 29th of December. We have visited Disney World the past 5 years during this same time.

This year’s merchandise situation was pathetic and the attempt to try hide it was just as bad. As we departed on January 6th you could still buy 2021 labeled shirts celebrating I guess last year at all of the parks 6 days into 2022. No 2022 shirts to be found. Christmas items were spread out and kept out long after the holiday just so the stores didn’t look any more barren than they already appeared.

As originally mentioned no traditional plushes anywhere to be found. Ceramic mugs couldn’t be found.

Disney now has a savvy product guy (Mr. Chapek) in charge of the company that can’t figure out a way to get products into the resort to sell. Does anyone else find that peculiar?

Before anyone blames the pandemic and shipping vessels tying up deliveries of merchandise, I would propose that there are other modes of transportation (albeit more expensive) such as air transport that could avoid this embarrassment.

I know from experience the cost penalty to import via air over vessel. The company I oversee (far smaller than the Disney Company) relies solely on importing product to the automotive industry. Over the past 2 years we have had to actively manage our import strategy from Asia sources. We do not have the luxury to deliver late to the customer or have shortage of goods, but we do have a choice on how to get products (a bit more complicated and fragile than a stuffed character) over the ocean, through customs, and to our final destination in less than a week.

The choice for Disney is margin erosion or full shelves…after this past visit I understand which option they chose.

How ridiculous is it that during these times to get your hands on new park merchandise you have to go to Shop Disney to buy it…when more often than not those items are then offered at a discount via web promotions? That same merchandise instead could be sold at full price in the parks?

I mean - I get that it stinks and I'll experience it first-hand and might change my mind in a couple of weeks ... but you also mentioned your company doesn't have the luxury of holding off. And there's literally no merchandise at WDW that isn't just pure luxury. None of it is necessary. So why should they use their resources in that way? I'm having a hard time getting masks to protect against getting sick in a relatively timely fashion (2 weeks at best - 6 weeks for the most recommended option). I'd much rather the world focus on the more day-to-day and/or necessity items (including making room for whatever your business is) than a stuffed animal or ceramic coffee mug (since apparently there were other types of beverage containers but not the exact kind for which you're looking).

 

[DodgerGirl]

I LOVE plushies and when I used to go to Disneyland I'd end up with a whole pile of them but I've noticed that plush Disney characters are becoming scarce to find even on ShopDisney. And when you search the toy section of any store in Disney Parks the plush section is mostly full of plush Goofys and Winnie And The Poohs. But if you can find a plush Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse in their traditional outfits good luck because all they carry of Mickey and Minnie plushies are them in different outfits and the same thing with plush Princess dolls too because all you can find are new versions of Tiana and Merida dolls in new outfits and with Encanto out I was lucky to get a Mirabel plush doll for Christmas but they are scarce now and are hard to find. If you go to ShopDisney and search for plushies all you'll see is Marvel plushies and in Star Wars tons of Grogu plushies in different styles but they have Nui-Mo's and outfits that are on clearance every so often. But if you go to Walmart or Target they also will have Disney plushies from new movies all the time. So when you can't find that certain plushie you can always check other stores as well

 

[mamamia2005]

I've also just remembered, in the Creations store at Epcot they had food and wine 2021 merchandise - and I don't believe it was even discounted!

We also noticed how empty the stores seemed of extra shelving - especially at once upon a toy and the stores at DHS. Where previously there would have been a shelving stand in the middle of the floor, it was just empty space. As we hadn't visited for over 2 years, we weren't sure if it was to aid social distancing or if it was due to lack of stock. I suspect it was due to lack of stock.

 

[PurplePigment]

Is it not usual to have the Christmas stuff still out? I mean, the decorations are still up and everything bought this January can be used for upcoming Christmases (except for probably that peppermint bark gift tin).

My "what the..." merchandise is 50th anniversary autograph books. Creations had them. I think at the time you could stand six feet away from like three characters. Definitely no autographs. But they had them made and they had them on shelves. Better to essentially scam people with a useless product than to have an empty slot, I guess.