Why is everything the same?

[leighe]

Our trip to WDW last year was my first since I was in high school and one thing that I was really struck by was how all the merchandise in the various stores on property was virtually identical! I'm definitely a shopper and I thought I remembered each store being a little more unique when I was younger. Am I wrong? Is this something I just didn't notice before?

One example in particular - I collect dolls and I always found a beautiful one in Tinkerbelle's Toy Shop in Fantasyland. I've bought many different dolls there - Madame Alexander, Robin Woods, etc. I was so disappointed last year to find no dolls! Well, not any that weren't specifically Disney anyway. The only dolls I have found anywhere on property are at the Germany pavilion at Epcot (beautiful, BTW) and Marie Osmond dolls at the Art of Disney.

I guess my question is this - has Disney merchandise always been like this and I just don't remeber? I really like a lot of their merchandise - I'm just curious as to why there's so much of the same thing.

 

[leighe]

Actually, World Showcase is still a great place to shop and find unique things.

 

[Micca]

Until we started going 2-3 times a year, I always thought there was a lot of new merch. I just look at the Disney stuff though

 

[EsmeraldaX]

The shop in the UK has lovely dolls. I also used to collect the Disney dolls (like Barbie type ones) and found many at Once Upon a Toy in DTD.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

The merchandise has changed. There is much less individualization and much more emphasis on mass produced similar merchandise.

Once upon a time you could find different merchandise between shops in the same park. Now you are hard pressed to find different merchandise between the parks.

There are some places that have merchandise that isn't found throughout WDW, but no where near the number of places there once were.

Welcome to Eisner's version of mass marketing.

 

[donnajon]

I thought the same thing when we were there in November. I would think they would sell more things if it were individualized because I know I would be afraid I wouldn't find that something special again. Now I just think I'll get it later because it's everywhere - and never do!

 

[FunkyRooster]

I know that in the MK there are certain places where you can find different items that aren't in every shop. I think the whole point of this is so that people can get their merchandise anywhere on property as a convenience. I worked at the Emporium and they had all the basic items and always got questions about certain products that could only be found in certain lands. The more unique the shop (such as the stores in the World Showcase or Downtown Disney), the more likely you are going to find something different. Don't forget to ask a CM about anything that you are looking for. There are soo many ways that they can find something and even narrow down your search!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by leighe
Our trip to WDW last year was my first since I was in high school and one thing that I was really struck by was how all the merchandise in the various stores on property was virtually identical! I'm definitely a shopper and I thought I remembered each store being a little more unique when I was younger. Am I wrong? Is this something I just didn't notice before?

leighe - You are not imagining this. It is something I have complained to Disney about repeatedly. Shopping at WDW used to be an adventure. Almost every store used to have unique merchandise that could be found nowhere else on property. Then, someone new took charge (no, it wasn't Eisner) and decided to homogenize everything. I think it was a very poor marketing decision.

In the past, stores carried merchandise appropriately themed to their location. If you wanted Western themed stuff, you went to Frontierland. If you wanted Pooh stuff, you went to the Briar Patch, etc.

We are big Disney collectors and used to visit literally EVERY shop on property during our visits. This included all in-park shops, hotel shops and even shops at the TTC and the one they used to have at the gas station. Now, we barely even go into most of the shops because we know they pretty much all have the same stuff. One visit to World of Disney and we've seen the vast majority of merchandise available.

There are still some exceptions - attraction-specific items are still best found at the attraction - but as far as more general stuff, you can find the same stuff in multiple locations. For us, it really took the enjoyment out of shopping and has resulted in us spending considerably less each trip.

Steve

 

[Cinderella37]

Disneysteve and I have agreed on this subject before. My fiance jokes that in the last few years, his wallet has remained remarkably heavier at the end of our trips. I, like disneysteve, am a huge Disney collector. It is unfortunate that the selection and variety has sunk to this level. For random tourists looking for souveniers, the shopping may still be okay, but for seasoned collectors or anyone looking for more than a bobblehead or a t-shirt, it is a major disappointment.

The new head of merchandise came from Nike, which explains it for me. To me, exercise clothes and shoes are exercise clothes and shoes. Just stick a swoosh on something and produce it in a million different colors, and poof, you have brand identity. Disney mechandise has a rich history behind it and that mass market technique just doesn't work.

 

[jaysue]

The new head of merchandise came from Nike, which explains it for me. To me, exercise clothes and shoes are exercise clothes and shoes. Just stick a swoosh on something and produce it in a million different colors, and poof, you have brand identity. Disney mechandise has a rich history behind it and that mass market technique just doesn't work.

That explains a lot of what we have seen as well. The only shops we find interesting outside of World Showcase is the Harambe Village store in AK and the Zawandi Market in AKL. One of the MGM stores has some slightly different stuff as well. Other than those stores, we take a pass because as stated in this thread it is all pretty much the same

I am happy this thread was started since I thought I was just being too hard on Disney merchandise

thanks
jaysue

 

[MinnieGi]

I agree with many others the stores are not what they used to be. I didn't realize a former Nike person was now in charge - that does seem to explain alot! With few exceptions like World Showcase I do not do as much Disney shopping at all. In fact I get bored now if I go into too many stores b/c it is all the same stuff over and over again. We usually just buy our souveniers at World of Disney since I get an AP discount there and skip most of the park stores.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I completely agree with this...it takes the fun out of shopping when every store has the exact same things. I have better luck finding unique Disney stuff outside of WDW, ironically.

I remember when I used to need to visit certain stores in order to get something. It was an event, an adventure. Now the first store you go into on Main Street pretty much sums it up.

 

[leighe]

Ok - I feel reassured. I thought maybe I had just gotten older and didn't really remember. I didn't know someone from Nike was in charge. Is there someone you can write to about this? I know it probably wouldn't do a lot of good, but I would still like to express my opinion. Maybe things will change. Shopping used to be one of my favorite activites at WDW but I was just bored by it on the past trip. I agree that you can go to the World Showcase shops, AKL and AK shops, the World of Disney and then you're done.

 

[Hippychickali]

For Complaints, Compliments, and Suggestions, write to:

Walt Disney World
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
32830-1000

Ali

 

[grimgrinnin]

Every time I walk into a WDW shop, I disappointingly say "Same cr@p, different store."

grim

 

[pumpkinboy]

As a Disney shareholder, I am really glad to hear that folks are working so hard to find things to spend money on. Pity the Company has not met that latent demand.

I agree, less standardization will likely lead to higher sales for regular guests like yourselves (myself included). I guess I bought Disney stock bcs I realized what a whopping share of our vacation dollars end up with the Company, whether thru WDW, DVC, the Disney Store, Disney on Ice (somebody stop me!). So I figured if I am doing it and I understand the company more or less, why not own a chunk and get some of that income socked away in my 401K. This all goes back to the Peter Lynch investment theory of Buying what you Use and understand. Sounds good to me.

 

[magicmaker]

I thought I would play devil's advocate for a moment.

While I can appreciate your dissapointment that many merchandise items are available in multiple shops, in many ways it has proved to be helpful for Guests.

In the past, if you saw something you liked but weren't positive you wanted to buy it, you were out of luck. Now it is quite possible that a similar piece of merchandise will be available to you at Downtown Disney or at another Theme Park location. You would not have to travel back to the original location.

Additionally-- If one location sells-out of an item, it is possible to call other shops and obtain the same item for a Guest. This is a source of Guest satisfaction as well.

I also wanted to point out that while some merchandise is available at multiple locations, there are still many items which are only available at one or a few locations. This inlcudes attraction specific merchandise, specialty glass items, specialty artwork, World Showcase and Disney's Animal Kingdom items, collectibles, etc.

Not all Guests will want to spend their vacation scouring the shops for the perfect gift. It is a balance between providing a unique and exciting shopping experience while making merchandise easy to find and generally available.

Just the other side of the coin. If there are specific types of merchandise you would like to see more of, I would suggest writing to Guest Communications as posted previously.

Have a magical day.

 

[Aimeedyan]

By the second day at the Parks, I just go into the stores for the air conditioning, LOL!!!!!!!

I agree, its all the same stuff after awhile... except in World Showcase, which is my fave place in the World anyways, so no complaints about shopping there!

=)

 

[SusanB]

This is such an interesting thread! I too have found myself buying less and less on each trip. Granted, we do go fairly often, but I'm sure if the merchandise was more varied, I'd still be leaving a lot more of money at Disney (like I used to do!).

 

[Hippychickali]

Well, if anyone has any suggestions, you really should write to the address that I posted. After all, that's what it is for.

Ali