Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! the longest running monthly look at the Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando.

We have finished the first mƒonth of 2017 and if the rest of the year is like January, we’re in for a doozy. After many delays Rivers of Light Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs finally opened. Even though it is still not 100%  finished, you will be glad to know the restaurant somehow has three separate and confusing themes (although – to be fair – when one thinks about a turn-of-the-century observatory the first thing that comes to mind is Jim Carrey’s Riddler costume from Batman Forever, so they didn’t completely miss the mark). 

In other Disney Springs news, our long national nightmare is over as it was announced DisneyQuest would be closing its doors forever on July 3rd. A long rumored NBA Experience will be taking its place and I think I speak for many of us when I say I’m really looking forward to what replaces the NBA Experience in the coming years. We also can’t forget that January brought the Main Street Electrical Parade back home to Disneyland (even though many are still waiting for it every single night here in Walt Disney World, literally.) Hopefully when the MSEP ends its limited time run in June, it can make its way back here and bring with it all the cool merch and snacks it has out in California. Be Fair To Florida!

Before we start I would like to introduce a new member to the Outlet Team. Because myself and Outlet Intern Julia Mascardo have become too famous, we needed a person on the ground that nobody knows to be a mystery partner. Please welcome secret shopper Showcase Of Wishes to the fold.

Now, what did Julia, Showcase of Wishes, and I find when we did step into Mordor the Disney Outlet Stores? Let’s check it out!

First up we going to start off with what I call an “Outlet Experience” item. We’ve talked about these decorative hand sanitizers in previous reports. This month brought a 2016 branded version, and with it came a price tag that made me reach for my decorative Xanax holder. The price tag for the sanitizer read “$.00” with a reduced price of “$9.99.” I brought it to the register so they could scan what the price really was and saw that it was indeed $9.99. Keep in mind, these only cost $8.95 at the Disney parks. I knew from that point on this shopping trip was going to be a test of will.

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With the recent rollout of MagicBand 2s being shipped to guests as well as being sold in the Disney Parks, we are almost guaranteed to see a ton of original MagicBands make their way to the Outlets. This month brought some new designs, including everyone’s favorite dragon Figment. These bands were originally $29.95 and reduced to $22.99.

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Readers of our sister series the SATURDAY SIX know how much we loved the recent EPCOT Festival of the Arts. In fact, we may have actually enjoyed it more than Food & Wine. However, speaking of the latter, the Appetizer Plate from last year’s Food and Wine hit the Outlets. Originally $6.95, these were reduced to just 99 cents. I bought a couple.

As you can see, the Food and Wine Appetizer Plates are perfect for the staple of any Florida diet, Publix fried chicken.

As much as I can’t believe people actually pay $6.95 for the appetizer trays during Food and Wine, the next one is a real doozie. Here is official Taste Your Way Around the World Food and Wine plastic utensils. These were originally $14.95 – and keep in mind they literally give away pretty much the exact same thing at any EPCOT quick service location – reduced to $3.99.

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WELL, OF COURSE I BOUGHT THEM.

How else would you eat your donuts from Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC? Only a neanderthal would use their hands!

Speaking of Food and Wine, here is last year’s Festival hat. Originally $24.99, now just $2.99.

There also were some Food and Wine related pins featuring Figment. Now sure of original price, reduced to $6.99.

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One of my favorite bits of WDW merchandise is the mash up line featuring Star Wars and Old Timey Disney attraction posters. We’ve seen the dog tags arrive at the Outlets last year, and now come the glassware. Not even sure which one I love the most, but it is between the Tatooine one referencing the Disneyland Autopia poster, or the Space Slug one referencing the Disneyland Storybook Land poster. Originally $13.99, now $5.99.

This past summer I thought it was really cool – but extremely odd – to be at Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs and see they were selling foam versions of the Gamorrean Guard axe and the Tusken Raider gaffi stick. I was this close to buying them just based on the novelty alone. The axe has made it to the Outlets. Originally $19.99, now $5.99.

A while back Disney released these motorized versions of some famous Star Wars creatures (at least to us Star Wars nerds) along with an AT-AT. They were originally $16.99, now $6.99. I bought the Dewback (because I’ve always been a mark for Sandtroopers) and the AT-AT (because it’s the AT-AT, c’mon now.)

Okay this next one looks kind of neat on the surface, but gets really bizarre the more you get into it. This X-Wing Fighter is something you apparently put on your wall to look like it’s flying across (I guess). If you look at the back of the package you see a whole bunch of other ones where it supposed to look like R2D2 or the head of C-3PO are coming through your wall? I don’t get it. Not sure of the original price, but it was reduced to $24.99.

A nice looking Star Wars Day At Sea pin. Originally $14.95, now $6.99.

Our last Star Wars item this month is a Disney Infinity set featuring Ahsoka and Anakin Skywalker. Originally $34.99, reduced to $17.99.

There was also a Marvel branded Disney Infinity set featuring Iron Man and the Black Widow. Same price.

Here is a Disney Infinity figure featuring Fear from Pixar’s awesome Inside Out. Originally $13.99, now $6.99.

Power Discs are also available. Originally $9.99, now $4.99.

Next item up was this Goofy thing in which its arm are design to wrap around something. Absolutely no idea what this would be useful for in real life. Maybe you could put it around a bottle of wine? Completely impractical item and of course I bought it. Originally $15.99, now $9.99.

People who have tasted the sweet – uh, taste – of success by running a runDisney race like Your Humble Author will appreciate this runDisney Mickey Mouse plush. The more I look at it though the more the ears look way too big for the head. Reduced to $6.99.

If your family is anything like ours, one of the must watch shows right now is The Lion Guard. So much so that it doesn’t make any sense how little they are represented in the parks, especially Animal Kingdom. This Fuli plush was originally $19.95, reduced to $9.99. Seeing this of course drove me absolutely bonkers because I bought a full set of The Lion Guard for full price at the World of Disney store in November.

Next up is an all timer. This is a rubber duckie wearing a towel wrap, and nothing else, while relaxing in a hot tub. It was made for the Senses Spa at the Grand Floridian. Originally $6.95, now $2.99.

Scented princess pen set. Almost got it to see what blue and purple smelled like. Originally $14.95, now $4.99.

We’re going to be seeing Disneyland 60th Anniversary items at the Outlets all the way until the 75th Anniversary. These Glow In The Show ears for the Diamond Celebration were reduced all the way down to $4.99.

Light up wigs and headbands for $2.99. Not sure who would buy this.

Oh yeah, I did.

Another light up item, this one features Pascal from Tangled. You can wear Pascal around your neck and both the Pascal logo thing along with the actual Pascal light up. You can even squeeze the Pascal to make his eyes bulge out. Reduced to $2.99.

Oh yeah, bought this one too. Basically have to buy anything light related now as the kids are obsessed with them and are bound and determined to break every single one of them within a 48 hour period.

I absolutely love this set of magnets featuring the lands of Magic Kingdom. Originally $11.95, now $4.99.

Not sure of original price, but this Pirates of the Caribbean magnet was reduced to $2.99.

This Disney Cruise Line 2016 magnet was originally $4.99, now a whole dollar less at $3.99.

Speaking of DCL, here is a throw pillow they were offering during the Christmas season last year. Originally $26.99, now $13.99.

More Christmas ornaments arrived this month. Here is the Hitchhiking Ghost set. Originally $44.95, now $14.99

I’m trying to imagine the person that puts Magic Kingdom Trash Can ornaments on their Christmas tree. Originally $19.95 each, they were reduced to $9.99 each.

How is this for next level bonkers, an ornament based on Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The “heel” part is actually one of her legs. The “straps” are film cells. Whoever buys something like this should be put on some sort of list so the rest of us know. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Believe it or not that wasn’t even the weirdest shoe ornament of the month. How about one based on ROZ FROM MONSTERS, INC. This can’t be real. Originally $24.95, this was reduced to $3.99 and I still can’t believe I saw it with my own eyes.

Next ornament is a set that looks like it would fit in very well at the Animal Kingdom park or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Originally $27.95, now $14.99.

Up next is a cute magnet-based countdown calander where you move the circle around to each particular day. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

These Minnie Mouse nutcrackers are super weird and kinda creepy, right? It can’t just be me. Originally $59.95, now $29.99.

Mickey Mouse nutcrackers. Same price.

EPCOT Holidays Around the World pin featuring Figment. Reduced to $5.99.

I have never actually seen these cooling towels in the parks but they are really useful for when it is hot outside. Originally $16.90, now $7.99.

Minnie Mouse-inspired dog toy. Originally $12.99, now $3.99.

Love these Marvel shirts for kids. Pretty sure that is Jack Kirby art there on the right. Originally $27.95 each, both reduced to $9.99.

I really liked these Baby Donald and Baby Goofy sleep sets. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

The outfit for the Baby Blogger in your life. Comes with the Goofy hat. Originally $24.95, now $12.99.

Probably hard to tell by this pictures, but this shirt is for really small children. Not sure if kids that size even understand the concept of days of the week and even if they did EVERY DAY IS FRIDAY FOR THEM. Originally $29.99, now $9.99.

High end Maleficent costume. Originally $54.95, now $24.99.

Mickey Mouse tank top for kids. Originally $19.95, now $9.99.

Believe it or not this is an Expedition Everest themed shirt. Originally $34.95, now $14.99.

This white cat was actually a gift to the Yeti given by – I think – Daisy Duck. There is some crazy backstory behind it all.

Beware, WDW has become obsessed with themed socks and you have to imagine most will be making their way to the Outlets. The ones  you see here, including the Pirates of the Caribbean ones, were originally $12.95, now $3.99.

Alice in Wonderland throw pillow featuring the Mad Hatter. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Now this is an ugly coffee cup. Originally $12.99, reduced to $5.99. Yesterday they just released the final trailer for the upcoming Beauty and the Beast live action remake and the trailer is SO AWESOME, but it means there’s a good chance we’re gonna get more stuff like Alice in Wonderland if it’s a success. I don’t think I can handle that.

Presented without commentary.

Here are some runDisney wine glasses. Originally $13.95, now $2.99.

DCL lanyard on the right and a Who Knows What runDisney thing on the left. Both were originally $9.95, the runDisney thing was reduced to $1.99 and the DCL lanyard to $5.99.

Lots of these blueprint-like insulated totes were around. Feel “cheap.”

Small vinyl handbags that surely came from the Disney Cruise Line. Originally $23.99, now $11.99.

I really like this art print featuring Cinderella. Originally $39.95, now $19.99.

Absolutely no idea what kid would ever want to put together Toy Story aliens, each one containing 18 pieces. Box says 12 and up but I think they would be way too old to like something like this. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

Spanish speaking Buzz Lightyear pin. Reduced to $9.99.

These Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party pins were originally $14.99, now $6.99.

This MNSSHP pin features Cruella de Ville. $15.99, now $6.99. I find it amazing there is a community of people who can support paying $16 for these pins.

This is more my style. I bought this pack of Halloween lollipops, reduced to $1.99.

This small bag of candy corn was originally $7.49. Just insane. Reduced to $1.99.

This month’s Point Of Sale item at the counter were these small Mickey heads. They were $1.99. Absolutely no idea what you could use them for. Maybe they were magnets or just decoration.

Here’s a peek behind the counter of some stuff including a what looks to be completely impractical set of AT-AT book ends. I could go for those princess prints, and I wouldn’t turn my head at that three figure set featuring Darth Vader either. That bust featuring an unrecognizable soldier from the Endor battle in Return of the Jedi? How does that even exist?

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

There are actually two Disney outlet stores in Orlando. Both are in Orlando Premium Outlet shopping complexes, and they are called Disney’s Character Warehouse, presumably because The Land Of Misfit Toys was already trademarked. There is one Character Warehouse located on International Drive close to Universal Studios (4951 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819), and the other is on Vineland Avenue, right across I-4 near the exits to Disney World (8200 Vineland Ave, Orlando, FL 32821). 

Previous editions of Magic, Memories, and Merch: July 2013, August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, January 2014, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014, May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, August 2014, September 2014, October 2014, November 2014, December 2015, January 2015, February 2015, March 2015, April 2015, May 2015. June 2015, July 2015, August 2015, September 2015, October 2015, November 2015. December 2015, January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, June 2016, July 2016, August 2016, September 2016, October 2016, November 2016, and December 2016.

We also did an edition of Magic, Memories, and Junk for a non-Disney owned Outlet Store, and for you merch addicts like myself, you may also enjoy a look at the official Disney merchandise available on the Disney Cruise Line, Castaway Cay, and at the Orlando International Airport.

If you liked what you read here, you may enjoy THE SATURDAY SIX articles every week on the TouringPlans.com blog and you can follow your humble author on Twitter (@derekbugan).