Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! the longest running monthly look at the Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando. Outlet Intern Julia Mascardo (when she’s not doing a scavenger hunt at Epcot) and I had a pretty interesting month. We thought that last month there were a lot of items from Shanghai Disneyland, but NAY NAY, that was just the tip of the iceberg. However we also got to check out items from the Festival of the Arts, Wilderness Lodge, and even some items for one of our favorite movies in the Disney catalog – The Emperor’s New Groove – which certainly was a shock.

Ready to see what we we found? Alright, let’s go!

Now, for the first item, you have to try to imagine how it felt for me inside the Outlet Store at a specific moment. We’ve done a lot of articles on various types of merchandise over years (many would argue, too many). Articles on weird stuff found in World Showcase, the best souvenirs at Universal and Disney…you name, we’ve probably done a blog on it.

However, possibly our favorite type of theme park souvenir is resort-specific merchandise. One item I personally have always wanted – but I was always too cheap to actually buy it – was the Disney’s Contemporary Resort Monorail Toy Accessory. Now I don’t even have a monorail set, but I love The Contemporary so much, I always wanted this accessory. Seeing it at the Outlet Store was like the heavens opening up, sun glowing down on me, and orchestral music playing in the background.

Originally priced at $49.95, the set was now $24.99 and I finally have it for my collection. An item of the merch bucket list is checked off!

When I bought the toy, the Cast Member pulled out a new bag I had never seen at the Outlet Store. This clear plastic Disney bag was approximately 3-4 feet in height and was gigantic. For our New Jersey readers, you could probably dispose of a small body in this bag. Just an FYI for your next trip.

There was also the Spaceship Earth Monorail Toy Accessory. This was reduced to $19.99. Now, I’ve always like the idea of both the SSE accessory and the Tree of Life one (which wasn’t at the Outlet,) but bringing home two large toy boxes would significantly increase the chances of my non-merchandise-loving girlfriend strangling me. So I passed on this one. If it’s still at the Outlets next month though….

Ok, with the Holy Grail items out of the way, it’s time to look at what else was at the Outlets. One thing that was absolutely SHOCKING was how many items throughout the stores were from Shanghai Disneyland. Readers know we saw a lot of items last month, including some Grand Opening merchandise and some next-level bonkers plush. This time there were a couple completely out there items, but many things that are just like the normal junk we get here.

First up is something that blew my mind. Looking at the front, I had no idea what this LOTSO thing even was. It was weird enough just seeing a Lotso the Bear piece of merchandise. You just don’t see many items featuring Disney villains.  It wasn’t until I turned it around that I discovered its use as some sort of coaster you put your coffee cup on. I don’t drink coffee (which would probably surprise the SATURDAY SIX focus group who get my daily texts at 2 am) so I passed on this, but probably should have bought one for weirdness sake. It was reduced to $3.99.

This was a pretty cute coffee cup featuring the characters from Peter Pan. I never would have guessed this was from Shanghai Disneyland. It was reduced to $5.99.

The next three cups were NOT from Shanghai, but are similar enough to include here. All were originally $13.99, reduced to $5.99. We’ve seen the Snow White and other versions in previous editions of the Outlet Report, and here to join those cups are this one featuring Beauty & the Beast…

Winnie the Pooh….

…and Cinderella.

Okay, back to stuff from Shanghai Disneyland. Here’s a coffee cup representing Goofy’s hat. It was priced at $5.99.

Tumbler-like cup featuring Disney Princesses and their favorite men. Priced at $4.99.

This was a Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening container. Priced at $3.99.

Shanghai Grand Opening 18 wheeler toy. Priced at $9.99.

How about some Pirates of the Caribbean action figures from Shanghai? That park doesn’t have a traditional Adventureland like us, and their Pirates ride is located in a land called “Treasure Cove,” which you see on the front of the package. Here is Elizabeth Swan. Priced at $7.99.

Will Turner figure. Same price. Have heard nothing but raves from people who have gone on the Pirates Battle for the Sunken Treasure ride. Maybe I should start a GoFundMe to raise enough money for a Shanghai trip just to do articles on the merch and food.

Still on Shanghai items. Next couple featuring merchandise targeting very young children. This one teaches them basic skills, such as tying shoes, and zipping up a zipper. Priced at $6.99.

Minnie version was also $6.99.

A “Wooden Chunky Puzzle.” Priced at $6.99.

Nice piece of luggage featuring Lightning McQueen. Was surprised to find out it was from Shanghai. Priced at $19.99.

Next up are some photo frames from the Shanghai park. I like the style of this one featuring Buzz Lightyear. Priced at $5.99. Has to be hard finding photos that will fit it though without looking really weird.

Same style featuring Pirate Mickey. Also priced at $5.99.

Shanghai Pirates frame. The “sexualization” of mermaids in pirates merchandise over the last few years is an odd trend at Disney. Priced at $7.99.

Just what everyone wanted. A “note cube” featuring the Tim Burton Alice in Wonderland movie. Not good for anything other than writing your suicide note on. Priced at $1.99.

Here is a “notepad set” featuring Buzz Lightyear. Priced at $1.99.

Notepad set for Dumbo on the left ($1.99) and an awesome Dumbo sticker set on the right (99 cents.) Bought the stickers.

Set of pens featuring Disney characters dressed up in their Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening outfits. The pens are shaped like crayons for some reason. Priced at $7.99.

I’m the last person in the world who should be making fun of typos, but its important to note there aren’t all that many signs up at the Outlet store, yet the typo game is extremely strong.

DONALD DOCK?

Grand opening gimmick where you open this thing to reveal a mirror. I think you use it in the Shanghai Disney queues to see the people behind that are about to cut you in line. Priced at $1.99

This is kinda odd. A Minnie Mouse “play mat tote.” It’s not that large, so I’m not sure what its actual use is. Priced at $9.99.

Remember, we’re still on items just from Shanghai Disneyland. Next up is this crazy Star Wars eraser set. Priced at 99 cents.

Here are some Shanghai backpacks featuring Duffy the Disney Bear and Mickey-as-Jack Sparrow. Both were priced at $9.99.

Each backpack also came with a little figurine.

I for one am shocked, SHOCKED that backpacks featuring Captain America did not do well in Shanghai, China. Priced at $9.99 each.

Spider-Man “deluxe web blaster” with a small Venom toy you can knock down. Priced at $12.99.

Some hair clips featuring Stitch. Priced at $1.99.

Very small Stitch plush. Got one of these. Priced at $2.99.

Large plush of Mickey in his Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening outfit. In an odd touch, the store had a sign that said these were originally “$29.99” and now marked down to $9.99. No other item from Shanghai has an original price listed in American dollars so I’m a bit dubious on that one. Am I using that word right?

Pluto in his Grand Opening attire. Priced at $5.99.

This Dug plush, which I’ve seen over here many times in various Disney Stores and was this close to buying, was also from Shanghai and priced at $7.99. So I finally picked one up.

Could not figure out what movie/cartoon this “horse plush” was from. Fantasia? A Disney Jr. show? Priced at $7.99.

The eyes on this Chewbacca plush just seem a little weird to me. Priced at $9.99.

Frozen themed purse from Shanghai. Priced at $4.99.

I bought one of these Capt Hook plush hooks. Priced at $3.99.

The Mickey or Minnie straws were $1.99 each, the Pooh/Tigger set was $3.99. I got a Mickey one.

This Mickey Hand set of tongs was from Shanghai believe it or not. Priced at $4.99.

What exactly is the point of this?! Priced at $3.99.

Clip magnets featuring parts of Mickey’s body. Nothing odd about that at all. Priced at $3.99.

Our LAST item from Shanghai this month is this Sorcerer Mickey pillow. Pretty eye catching. Priced at $9.99.

Speaking of pillows, how about this one. A Wilderness Lodge pillow. Originally $24.99, now $9.99. I think I would have gone for it at $7.99 or below.

This ceramic plate was also from the Wilderness Lodge. I think you keep it next to your stove to put hot stuff on. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Animal Kingdom kitchen towels. Reduced to $9.99.

Animal Kingdom hat to cosplay as Imagineer Joe Rhode, Crocodile Dundee, or – for wrestling fans – Outback Jack. Tie me kangaroo down sport, tie me kangaroo down…

Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Animal Kingdom coffee cup. Originally $13.99, now $5.99.

Not too many pieces of merchandise featuring The Fairy Godmother. Originally $15.99, now $5.99.

I don’t get joke on this one. Is it supposed to be that you’re hitting “reply all” and then leaving work for the weekend so that you don’t have to deal with people being upset that you hit “reply all”? Maybe I need a #Millenial to explain the gag to me. Originally $13.99, now $5.99.

Nice Lady & the Tramp coffee cup set. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Festival of the Arts coffee cups. Originally $15.99, now $4.99.

This Festival of the Arts wine glass had a lot of weight to it. Almost dropped one when turning it over to get the price and probably would have had to leave the store out of embarrassment if it had smashed on the floor. Reduced to $4.99.

I like the Festival of the Arts as much as anyone, but not sure who buys a postcard set that is pretty much just an advertisement for Disney. Stuff like this should be given away to guests at the event. Not saying you can’t do cool Festival postcards, just this isn’t it. This is ad disguised as merch. Originally $16.99, now $4.99.

Let’s take a look at some pins, including these two featuring The Emperor’s New Grove. Wasn’t expecting that. Both were reduced to $8.99.

Rock n Roller Coaster pin was $3.99.

Good Dinosaur pin was somehow $6.99, which is two dollars more than the movie made in its theatrical run.

Haunted Mansion pin set. Originally $24.95, now $8.99.

Hopefully you all saw the SATURDAY SIX this month which went over our TSUM TSUM OBSESSION. This pin set featuring the Adventureland Tsum Tsum set. Originally $29.99, now $14.99.

Keep in mind I’m a huge Star Wars fan, but what is the point of a Rogue One pin set featuring emblems for Gold Leader, Red Leader, and Blue Leader? These were call signs used for approximately 5 seconds of film time, featuring characters we didn’t know nor spent any time with. There is zero emotional investment in this. Why would anyone buy it outside of getting just because they have to complete a collection? Originally $29.99, now $14.99.

This pin was available at the register and featured Disney park icons. Reduced to $2.99.

MagicBandits featuring characters from Up and I think Disney Cruise Line logos. This are cheap pieces of plastic that you pop into the holes of your MagicBand. The Guinness Book of World Records for one staying on a MagicBand without falling off is 100 feet. Reduced to $1.99.

Figurine set featuring characters from the new Tangled cartoon series. Originally $16.99, now $7.99.

Doll set featuring characters from Elena of Avalor. Originally $24.99, now $14.99.

Minnie Mouse kites for sale. Who doesn’t want to buy a kite on vacation?

Few things trigger me more than seeing Metal Earth products. Having flashbacks to building the Star Wars one I bought. This one featured the Space Shuttle Discovery. Reduced to $9.99.

Two more pieces of Metal Earth including Thor’s Hammer and War Machine. Both were $9.99.

Iron Man and Spider-Man costumes. Iron Man was originally $59.99 while Spidey was $54.99, both reduced to $24.99.

T-shirt time. First up is “Forever Your Mickey.” They didn’t have the accompanying “Forever Your Minnie,” but that might be because she’s with Goofy at the moment. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Nemo shirt for kids. Reduced to $7.99.

Tomorrowland-esque shirt for kids. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

Who among us doesn’t go to Walt Disney World in order to buy an overpriced Chevrolet Camero shirt at the parks? Originally  $29.99, now $9.99.

Rivers of Light shirt. Originally $29.99, now $9.99.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios shirt. I like this design. Originally $19.95, now $9.99.

Shirt from Pandora: The World of Avatar. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

These type of shirts are always so weird looking because the drawing/character never goes all the way up the actual neck line of the shirt. Originally $24.99, now $4.99.

If there was one shirt which showed the difference between what Star Wars “character integrity” will allow compared to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, this is it. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Wanted to SCREAM seeing this Mickey’s A Christmas Carol set. One of my all time x-mas favorites, I actually ordered this set off the Disney Store at full price last year. Now reduced to $4.99. I believe this is the first ever piece of Mickey’s A Christmas Carol merchandise at the Outlet, but I hope its not the last!

As you can see in the picture, it looks like a spotlight is shining on the price tag of this Princess stocking, so who knows what the price is. My bad on that one.

Tigger felt ornament. Reduced to $4.99.

Can you imagine WDW goes through with the expense of making themed antenna toppers for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? That seems INSANE. Reduced to $1.99.

Remember those Star Wars erasers from Shanghai? Well we beat them with good ol’ American ingenuity. Here is a set of lightsaber pencils. Ever wonder why pretty much every pen or pencil you’ve had your entire life is the same consistent shape from top to bottom? BECAUSE WRITING WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. Originally $13.99, now $4.99.

They had these figurine sets featuring characters from all the Star Wars movies. Each was reduced to $9.99. Here are the sets for A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back.

Here is “the prequels” (all in one set, compared to a separate set for each film in the original trilogy) and one for Star Wars Rebels. I’ve heard Rebels is a great show, but I was burned out by the Clone Wars cartoons and it will be hard to commit to another show like that.

Very small toy featuring Finn from his vehicle from the ending battle in The Last Jedi. This reminded me of the Micro Machines Star Wars sets I had as a kid. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

Star Wars characters as Barbie-dolls. They also had a Princess Leia one available. Originally $19.99, now $15.99.

Oh you better believe I bought one of these Timothy Q Mouse plush. Reduced to $4.99.

Cat plush from one of those cartoons on Disney Jr.

And here’s one of the dogs.

We have a new baby coming into our family any day now, so picked up a baby Tigger in a blanket plush for her.

Disney character magnets. Reduced to $3.99 each.

Baymax plush for 99 cents? Yes, please.

Finally we have an item again that was found at the register. Little “pieces of magic.” I thought the “thinking of you” with a DISNEY CHINA right underneath it was especially appropriate for this month’s selection of items. #ThanksShanghai

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). They do not ship. There are items at the Outlets that you can buy both in Disney stores along with the Shop Disney Parks app, but you will be paying full retail for the items.

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, December 2016, January 2017, February 2017, March 2017, April 2017, May 2017, June 2017, July 2017: The FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY special, August 2017, September 2017, October 2017 (tribute to the O.O.G.), November 2017, December 2017, and January 2018, February 2018, and March 2018.

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. Want to see our favorite WDW resort-specific merchandise? Well, CLICK HERE!

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).