This is Chapek, 100%. Go listen to or locate the transcripts of all of his speeches he’s given to the Disney Board, Goldman Sachs, etc. He is out to monetize every single thing at the parks, hotels, and stores. This is ALL he cares about – profit. We went to WDW and spent over $1k more than we expected – just on increases in hotel fees, food, merch, services like Genie Plus – which is a complete waste of money.
Actually this slide started LONG ago with Paul Pressler. Disney used to have unique and one of a kinds – now all this crap is squirted out of machines in China
you are so right! we go to Disney every year and never buy any merch, same made in china crap, why not get a Disney tshirt made in the USA? I am willing to pay extra for that. Or why can’t they offer unique merchandise? If going to Disney buy the garbage on Disney online and bring it with you it’ll be cheaper.
Think it’s time to eliminate ole bob and put someone in there that cares about the parks not falling apart and bringing back the real magic and not just build the bank account up to make his bonus bigger
Disney lost its way. It’s more worried about its appearance to the woke mob than it is to the family values that got it to where it is today. I personally can’t stand Disney anymore they are changed 180°…
Agree, I went 37 years ago and just loved everything Disney. We went 3 years ago and I’ll never step in Disney again! The “average” family couldn’t afford to go. So sad! They forgot what the vision was.
Just came back from Disney, yesterday. I would have to agree, regarding the merchandise. There’s definitely a lack of diverse collectibles/keepsakes, even with their newer properties, like Marvel and Star Wars.
I will admit, though, that merchandise has been on the decline for years. You used to be able to buy all sorts of Disney plushes, porcelain collectible figures, and artwork. That stuff has been disappearing more and more, every year. They don’t even make the porcelain figures anymore and it’s difficult to find any artwork to hang.
It’s not a Chapek thing… it’s been an ongoing disappearing act over decades.
There are many locally who buy up the merchandise and then sell it at a higher cost online/Facebook groups. While they buy only the limited number per day, they go often taking pre orders.
We were in WDW this past November and it was the worst trip EVER! We been going there since 1976 and bought into the DVC in 1994. With over 7 hundred points we have been selling them off bit by bit as we will never go back there!! All the above responses are on the mark! The crap Genie + and Lightening Plus is the biggest fraud ever conceived! And how the heck can Chapek report “Genie+ & Lightening Plus is an over whelming success”! When all you hear on this site and a multitude of other Disney sites is how much fans hate it ??? And that Christine McCarthy Park CFO.. is in my mind the nut job behind all the crap merchandise through the parks and Springs. Who the heck is she to comment or dictate anything about Guest’s waist lines!!!! And the food “ain’t all that and a bag of chips” anymore. And the merchandise is beyond China Crap! With salaries at 14M & 12M for the CEO & CFO…..How fricken much money is enough for you people!!!!!!
We went just before the pandemic hit. I wanted to get some souvenirs for the family. My daughter wanted a “classic” MIckey mug, couldn’t find anything but a butt ugly mustard colored Mickey shaped mug. Nothing much in the line of t-shirts for the little ones. Absolutely nothing for myself. I have a MIckey counter trivit, which I wanted another one or perhaps better a Minnie one….nothing but crap. Checked online, not much better
Oh, I like to purchase the Mickey line of nutcrackers as gifts for Christmas for the family. We were there in November, asked in the Christmas store, told they didn’t have any “yet”. You would think the Christmas store would carry those all year round, they are $$, they are expensive, brings in the $$
We noticed a serious decline in the quality of souvenirs several years ago. Seems the clothing is made of thinner and lower quality fabric. Pens stop working after a few signatures. stuffed characters fall apart at the slightest pull. Candies are stale. Mugs are decent, but very overpriced and their handles suck. All of the current merchandise is what you’d expect from Dollar General. We stopped buying for too many reasons to list. But no one cares at Disney. Their philosophy is raise the prices to offset those who don’t buy.
Went in December. Bought a tshirt 2xl. Finally found it and went to put it on….couldn’t get it past my arm pits; Should have been baggy. Popcorn buckets were just that…buckets. couldn’t find any of the special containers.
Comments for Multiple Guests Leave Disney Disappointed After Alleged Merchandise Decline
Brooke
This is Chapek, 100%. Go listen to or locate the transcripts of all of his speeches he’s given to the Disney Board, Goldman Sachs, etc. He is out to monetize every single thing at the parks, hotels, and stores. This is ALL he cares about – profit. We went to WDW and spent over $1k more than we expected – just on increases in hotel fees, food, merch, services like Genie Plus – which is a complete waste of money.
Walt
Actually this slide started LONG ago with Paul Pressler. Disney used to have unique and one of a kinds – now all this crap is squirted out of machines in China
Patti
True story. All the shops sell the same junk. There’s a serious lack of unique merchandise anymore.
lynne
you are so right! we go to Disney every year and never buy any merch, same made in china crap, why not get a Disney tshirt made in the USA? I am willing to pay extra for that. Or why can’t they offer unique merchandise? If going to Disney buy the garbage on Disney online and bring it with you it’ll be cheaper.
Aaron
Think it’s time to eliminate ole bob and put someone in there that cares about the parks not falling apart and bringing back the real magic and not just build the bank account up to make his bonus bigger
Mary
It’s jank why waste ur hard earned money on a money hungry imaginary fictional blood sucking money pit
Frank
We had been going to WDW for 40 years. Two years ago we went and as noted in this article, the souvenir merchant was pure cheap crap.
Pauly walnuts
Disney lost its way. It’s more worried about its appearance to the woke mob than it is to the family values that got it to where it is today. I personally can’t stand Disney anymore they are changed 180°…
Marie Stefanini
Agree, I went 37 years ago and just loved everything Disney. We went 3 years ago and I’ll never step in Disney again! The “average” family couldn’t afford to go. So sad! They forgot what the vision was.
Kk
Watch out, they have an agenda and American families are fleeing from their Wokeness.
Kevin
Just came back from Disney, yesterday. I would have to agree, regarding the merchandise. There’s definitely a lack of diverse collectibles/keepsakes, even with their newer properties, like Marvel and Star Wars.
I will admit, though, that merchandise has been on the decline for years. You used to be able to buy all sorts of Disney plushes, porcelain collectible figures, and artwork. That stuff has been disappearing more and more, every year. They don’t even make the porcelain figures anymore and it’s difficult to find any artwork to hang.
It’s not a Chapek thing… it’s been an ongoing disappearing act over decades.
Theresa B
There are many locally who buy up the merchandise and then sell it at a higher cost online/Facebook groups. While they buy only the limited number per day, they go often taking pre orders.
James
Honestly they should double admission prices and cut capacity in half
Patricia
We were in WDW this past November and it was the worst trip EVER! We been going there since 1976 and bought into the DVC in 1994. With over 7 hundred points we have been selling them off bit by bit as we will never go back there!! All the above responses are on the mark! The crap Genie + and Lightening Plus is the biggest fraud ever conceived! And how the heck can Chapek report “Genie+ & Lightening Plus is an over whelming success”! When all you hear on this site and a multitude of other Disney sites is how much fans hate it ??? And that Christine McCarthy Park CFO.. is in my mind the nut job behind all the crap merchandise through the parks and Springs. Who the heck is she to comment or dictate anything about Guest’s waist lines!!!! And the food “ain’t all that and a bag of chips” anymore. And the merchandise is beyond China Crap! With salaries at 14M & 12M for the CEO & CFO…..How fricken much money is enough for you people!!!!!!
Martha
We went just before the pandemic hit. I wanted to get some souvenirs for the family. My daughter wanted a “classic” MIckey mug, couldn’t find anything but a butt ugly mustard colored Mickey shaped mug. Nothing much in the line of t-shirts for the little ones. Absolutely nothing for myself. I have a MIckey counter trivit, which I wanted another one or perhaps better a Minnie one….nothing but crap. Checked online, not much better
Martha
Oh, I like to purchase the Mickey line of nutcrackers as gifts for Christmas for the family. We were there in November, asked in the Christmas store, told they didn’t have any “yet”. You would think the Christmas store would carry those all year round, they are $$, they are expensive, brings in the $$
Mickeymouse3
We noticed a serious decline in the quality of souvenirs several years ago. Seems the clothing is made of thinner and lower quality fabric. Pens stop working after a few signatures. stuffed characters fall apart at the slightest pull. Candies are stale. Mugs are decent, but very overpriced and their handles suck. All of the current merchandise is what you’d expect from Dollar General. We stopped buying for too many reasons to list. But no one cares at Disney. Their philosophy is raise the prices to offset those who don’t buy.
Barbara
Went in December. Bought a tshirt 2xl. Finally found it and went to put it on….couldn’t get it past my arm pits; Should have been baggy. Popcorn buckets were just that…buckets. couldn’t find any of the special containers.
Victor
Great article highlighting a terrible problem at WDW, the lack of merch. Nobody buys it anymore, it’s sold out.
Comments are closed.