Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! the longest running monthly look at the Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando. How long? I’m glad you asked, because today marks the SIX year anniversary!

They said it wouldn’t be done.

They said it couldn’t be done.

And now that we’re here, we all agree that it probably shouldn’t have been done…. but just like Disneyland and the opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge; hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, we have a lot of fun surprises this month including the 2019 inductees into the DISNEY OUTLET HALL OF FAME. 

Enough jibber jabber! Who is ready to hit the Outlets? 

Actually before we go into the stores, let’s take a quick look at the infamous gas station that is close to Disney Outlets on Vineland drive. This is the place where you can get the most expensive gas in all of Florida. You’ll see in the picture below that it advertises a gallon of gas for $6.99. That’s pretty crazy right? Well keep in mind that’s FOR THE CHEAP GAS. You want the premium stuff, you’re gonna pay.

 

Okay, so let’s stay at Vineland for a bit and check out the Great Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge T-shirt Dump of 2019. That’s right, seemingly thousands of these once-$34.99 shirts were now available for the low, low price of $9.99. The most generic looking shirt you could possibly make for a Billion dollar theme park land, these Galaxy’s Edge shirts were originally sold in the Launch Bay at DHS.

Personally, I don’t think it’s a good look to have your Outlet Store swamped with merchandise for a land that’s not even open yet in Florida. Granted, Disney went with an unfathomable decision to do a gray based shirt with a logo that doesn’t pop, instead of just a black t-shirt with white lettering that at least would stood out more, so the shirt was D.O.A. pretty much no matter what.

If the land is a gigantic hit, just save these to sell at full price when it opens. Or maybe just donate them to a charity and get the tax break. Or give them away as a “Magical Moment” to the first 100,000 guests at the upcoming Star Wars Hotel.  They say you never get a second chance at a first impression, and there are a LOT of people who go to the Outlets who don’t listen to theme park podcasts or read fine blogs like this to discover all the cool stuff that’s in Galaxy’s Edge. They’re just gonna see a whole bunch of Galaxy’s Edge stuff at 70+% off like Publix trying to offload cases of “Ranch Flavored Ketchup” on the clearance racks.

The Disney Outlet Store off of International Drive was also offering the shirt.

This next level bonkers C-3PO shirt is based off a throwaway line in Empire Strikes Back, where 3PO – who is disassembled and on the back of Chewbacca – says “Well, don’t blame me. I’m an interpreter. I’m not supposed to know a power socket from a computer terminal.” Originally $34.99, now $12.99.

 

R2-D2 shirt that says “bleep bloop beep” on it. Originally $39.99, now $14.99. Both the C-3PO and this R2 shirt are for adults by the way.

Artistic Millenium Falcon shirt. Reduced to $12.99.

 

I understand making a million Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge t-shirts and maybe being surprised they didn’t sell, but what was the point of producing more than five of these Greedo coffee cups? Seriously, who is the audience for this? Originally $16.99, now $5.99.

 

Lord grant me the strength…I’m not a fan of “mystery pin sets” but this may be the most ridiculous one yet. A Star Wars/Disney Cruise Line set where if you somehow get all the pieces you can put them together to make a shape which looks like the silhouette of a Disney ship. I’m actually not even sure if these are even pins, because as pins they make no sense but who buys a jigsaw puzzle set not only by the piece, but a “mystery” piece in which you’re not guaranteed to get what you need? AM I ON CRAZY PILLS?!!!!! Originally $15.99, now $6.99.

 

We just got a new puppy recently and I was this-close to picking up one of these Star Wars-themed pet bowls. Originally $14.99 now $7.99.

Relatively certain that the Han and Chewie figures are not “to scale” with this Falcon. Reduced to $34.99.

 

BB-9E thing. Originally $29.99, now $9.99. Instead of buying this droid, check out Guy Selga’s review of the Build A Droid gimmick at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

 

This was a nice surprise. We have wanted to get an Aladdin-like lamp for our house for a while. We went all across Walt Disney World and didn’t find anything we liked. Even in Morocco all the decent ones were “incense burners” or something. The one lamp that was a decent size and quality was this one supporting the live action remake of Aladdin. $65 was a bit steep though, and I decided to risk that it would make it to the Outlets. I had no idea it would arrive this fast. At $24.99 I picked up one of these immediatly.

 

Aladdin shirt with “Phenomenal Cosmic Power” on it. I thought the pocket might have “itty bitty living space”  written in it, but no such luck. Originally $34.99, now $14.99.

Lots of Mickey Mouse Club merch at the Outlets this month.

One day I’m going to get an undercover job at the Outlets, just so someone can explain to me why things get priced the way they do. It can’t just be random, can it?

These long sleeved shirts were originally $39.99, now $17.99.

The Mickey Mouse Club varsity jacket was originally $69.99, now $24.99.

Mickey Mouse Club sweat pants. Originally $39.99, now $17.99.

I love that this doll doesn’t say “Captain Marvel & Goose,” it says “Captain Marvel and Marvel’s Goose.” Thanks for the clarification. Reduced to $19.99, and if Marvel’s Goose would have had articulation, I probably would have bought it.

Captain Marvel Photon Power FX glove. Reduced to $14.99.

I liked this Groot notebook. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

Comes with a wonderful bookmark.

The eBay pirates were out in full force scooping up the Haunted Mansion items. I picked up a set of these bookends. Originally $44.99, now $17.99.

Not sure of the price of this tea light holder.

Hourglass was also reduced to $14.99. Apologize for the picture quality on all of these Mansion items, but you have to understand the photos were taken under conditions like watching hyenas going in for the kill on a wounded animal.

 

What’s it like being in the stores with eBay pirates? Here’s a quick story…

“It can’t be THAT bad Derek.” Trust me, it’s worse than you could ever imagine.

 

Okay, next month I promise to buy one of these notepad sets because they make absolutely no sense if the actual sticky notes are like the display ones. Imagine writing a note to someone on the Carrousel of Progress pad. What could you possible write in the outline of Peter Pan’s body other than a suicide note? Originally $9.99, now $3.99.

 

I couldn’t figure out what this Pandora: the World of Avatar thing was except maybe a mini-backpack to hold a water bottle. If that’s what it is, people are nuts. Actually, maybe the people aren’t too crazy and that’s why it ended up at the Outlets. Originally $29.99, now $14.99.

 

Pandora pins. The Na’Vi River Journey pin is glow-in-the-dark while the Pandora Conservation pin was a “open edition,” which I guess means the River Journey one is “limited edition.” Can you imagine?

I’m guessing the pin on the left is an artistic version of a banshee, and the ACE pin on the right is for people really into brand loyalty.

Flower and Garden poster was originally $24.99, now $7.99.

 

At Epcot’s Flower and Garden this year there was Spike’s Pollen-nation Exploration thing where guests could buy a map for $6.99 and go around and place stickers where Spike the bee was “hidden.” Once the map was completed, you could go to the Festival Center and get a set of patches. Well, the patches were at the Outlets for $2.99. I had to buy the Figment set and also picked up one of the Mickey ones.

This was also from the Flower and Garden festival this year, and I won’t be shocked if we see lot more “Put a little ZEST in your FEST” merch at the Outlets in the coming months. There were so many different items with this logo on it and there’s just no way it was that popular. This keychain was originally $12.99, now $3.99.

 

Ok, time for a quick trip out to CALIFORNIA where @ChristelaMcC takes a look at merchandise from an Outlet store closer to Disneyland. REMINDER that at the end of every Outlet Report are details on all the stores we went to.

We’re coming in HOT with one of my personal bucket-list items. The Tivan Collection plush from Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! is something I’ve wanted from the first moment I saw them. First up is Howard the Duck, who was originally $21.99, now $8.99. Speaking of Howard the Duck, when my friend and I went to see Avengers: Endgame on IMAX he told me that he had heard that Howard the Duck made an appearance in the film during the climatic fight scene. This was going to be the third time I had seen the film in the theaters and hadn’t heard about that fact at all. So we both watched the movie and didn’t see anything. When I got home, I confirmed that Howard the Duck was in the movie and found out when it was. Keep your eyes open for a BRIEF glimpse of Howard right after the Wasp appears back from “the snap.” When I saw Endgame for the fourth time (at the AMC Dine-In Theaters in  Disney Springs) I finally got to see Howard again the big screen for his fun cameo.

 

This is so great. Cosmo plush. Originally $21.99, now $11.99. I wish someone would have got a pic of Christela buying me all of these.

 

Finally we have the Groot plush. Originally $21.99, now $10.99.

 

I’m a staunch supporter of the BE FAIR TO FLORIDA movement, and one thing that helps balance the scales is Disneyland getting absurd items like we have at Walt Disney World. So my heart grew three sizes seeing this Disneyland Resort spirit jersey that looks like it was sponsored by a bag of Wonder bread. Reduced to $22.99.

 

Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday celebration hoodie (originally $64.99, now $14.99) and tank top (originally $34.99, now $12.99.)

Don’t see many snow globes, even at the Outlets. This one for Mickey’s 90th was originally $36.99, now $10.99.

Hideous Minnie Mouse ballcap. Originally $27.99, now just $2.99.

A much cuter hat featuring Minnie Mouse hugging Figaro the cat. Originally $14.99, now $4.99.

Small Minnie Mouse tote (“faBOWlous”) was originally $19.99, now $8.99.

Minnie Mouse rolling luggage. Originally $44.99, now $22.99.

Americana and Rainbow ear headbands. Reduced to $4.99.

A Mickey balloon purse. Originally a whopping $65, now $36.99.

We’ll close out our look at California items with this Stitch misting fan. Originally $17.99, now $5.99. Thank you Christela!!

 

Now we’re back in FLORIDA and the scales of justice are finally turning towards the “good guys” as we also had the Stitch misting fan but ours was reduced to $4.99. TAKE THAT DISNEYLANDERS!!!

More Metal Earth seems to arrive every month. WHAT A SHOCK. This month included versions themed to ear hats and all were reduced to $7.99. First up is one themed to Minnie Mouse.

Mickey Pants. (WHY?!)

And Stitch.

After months of a lot of magnets, the only new one on our latest trip was this Old Timey one. Reduced to $2.99.

 

Okay, let’s check out some shirts. This first one is the official shirt of Walt Disney World construction projects. Originally $34.99, now $12.99.

 

There’s a saying that “puns are the lowest form of humor” and this Alice in Wonderland themed shirt doesn’t do anything to make that statement untrue. Originally $34.99, now $9.99.

This was a surprise. A women’s shirt featuring the muses from Hercules. Originally $39.99, now $12.99.

Enjoyed this kid’s shirt. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

 

Here’s one for the all time books. A “rock the dots” shirt with a bunch of puffballs stuck on the front to look like a bow. Originally $34.99, now $12.99.

 

Turns out, that was the SANE Minnie Mouse dot shirt, as this one looks like someone is getting ready for some mo-cap work on a CGI heavy action film. “Think Outside The Dot.” WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN. Originally $49.99, now $14.99. ORIGINALLY $50!!!!!!

With the success of the Aladdin and Lion King live action remakes this Summer, you might as well get ready for the live action Nightmare Before Christmas remake. Here’s a sneak peek.

 

Creepy Jack Skellington hand mitts. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

Nightmare Before Christmas drawstring bag. Originally $22.99, now $12.99.

 

I have a lot of questions on this thing. In Ye Olden Days, this would be called an ashtray. I think for “childless Millenials” it is now considered a vape stick holder. It’s in the shape of a castle (in fast it’s almost just as big as the actual Disneyland castle) but it has logos from attractions across WDW. I would say artistically, the first designs your eyes are drawn to are based around the Animal Kingdom, so maybe a better idea would have just make it into a Tree of Life shape and only use AK logos. What do I know though. Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

This WDW postcard was a lenticular one, so I picked up a couple of them to mail to family.

Zootopia plush featuring Nick and Judy. Each were originally $14.99, now $9.99.

Pirates of the Caribbean play set. Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

Love the artwork on the back. Would definitely buy an action figure line with the characters like this.

Pirates pink Bandanna. Originally $11.95, now $3.99.

Minnie Mouse-themed tea kettle. Originally $34.99, now $7.99.

Minnie Mouse coffee cup. Originally $19.99, now $5.99. $20 for this cup is crazy.

Wow, not only do we get a Hercules item this month, but an Emperor’s New Groove coffee cup? We are truly blessed this month. Reduced to $5.99.

Dumbo themed coffee cup that is the perfect thing to bring with you to an Influencer Momentum Workshop (use coupon code “BONKERS” for $200 off. Remember, you can’t spell momentum without “me” and “u.”) Originally $23.99, now $5.99.

Tigger coffee cup. Originally $13.99, now $5.99.

And lastly, some Christmas bowls. Originally $34.99, now $9.99.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, childless Millenials and childish man-boys, we are proud to announce the 2019 inductees for the…

DISNEY OUTLET HALL OF FAME

First up, let’s look back at the items currently residing in this prestigious hall, including the creepy Belle doll from the live action Beauty and the Beast remake that looks more like Justin Bieber in drag than Emma Watson.

 

Take a close look at that face and tell me it doesn’t look like one of the Maharelle sisters that Kristen Wiig played on SNL’s Lawrence Welk show.

 

This Mickey “collectible figure” came straight from your nightmares, and was priced at $49.95 and limited to just 500 pieces. Each of these 500 figures was numbered. Now when you are selling numbered items, you start selling the lowest numbered ones first because everyone wants a low number. You can imagine how many of these figures they sold in the ‘real world’ when ones numbered as low as 50/500 made it to the Outlets. Ok it looks weird, but here’s the kicker. This figure is themed around the 13 REFLECTIONS OF EVIL trading event at EPCOT back in September of 2013.

 

The Self Pleasuring Mickey Toy needs no introduction.

 

 

This year we have several new additions to the Hall of Fame, and first up is one of the weirdest items to come out of Pandora: the World of Avatar, and imagine the ground that is covering. The official name for this hideously ugly toy is a Prolemuris, but it’s commonly referred to as The Creepy Avatar Monkey. This figure had no moveable parts and was a solid piece of plastic, one that you could definitely use to beat to death anyone who gave it to you as a gift.

 

Next up is a Star Wars item that makes even the prequel films look good in comparison.

 

And lastly, an item that seems hard to believe actually exists, even seeing it with our own eyes. A LeFou’s Brew distressed t-shirt from the “high end” 28 & Main line of clothing.

 

Well, that wraps up another year at the Outlets. They say it takes village to raise a child, but the Outlet Report is lot harder than that and takes a small city. Huge shout outs to fellow Outlet sufferers Ben Wszalek and @ChristelaMcC, who head straight into Mordor just for you, Dear Reader. SATURDAY SIX editor-in-Chief Megan Stump, when not galavanting off on yet another vacation, helps keep these articles “readable.” My fun squad of Parkscope Joe and Nick are always there to bounce ideas off of. Julia Mascardo, Master of the TouringPlans Blog, is always there to remind me when the last day of the month is, because I always forget. Juliette Elton proves the pen is mightier than the sword with her incredible drawings. None of this would exist without Laurel Stewart and Len Testa agreeing to it in the first place, but mostly I want to thank  YOU for reading. There’s a lot of options on the interwebs that are trying to get your attention (heck, TouringPlans itself published five articles since I started writing this very paragraph) but many of you come back each and every month to read our Outlet ramblings, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. ~ Derek

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. For our CALIFORNIA OUTLET trips, @ChristelaMcC goes to the Las Americas outlet in San Diego. It is located right off the last U.S. exit.

I often get asked “which store is better?” That depends. Vineland is close to Walt Disney World, while the I-Drive location is a hop, skip, and jump away from the Universal Orlando Resort. The Vineland Disney Outlet Store is much, MUCH bigger than the I-Drive location. However, the Vineland outlets in general are much, MUCH busier than I-Drive. Each have their pros and cons, and ultimately they carry much of the same items. For a Disney Outlet Store FAQ, check out this SATURDAY SIX Presents: Everything You Wanted To Know About The Disney Outlet Stores (But Were Afraid To Ask)

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, January 2018, February 2018, March 2018, April 2018, May 2018, June 2018, July 2018 (FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY special with the introduction of the OUTLET HALL OF FAME), August 2018, September 2018, October 2018, November 2018, and December 2018, January 2019, February 2019, March 2019, April 2019, May 2019, and June 2019.

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).