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

So what happened in October? We had some good news and we had some bad news. Good news: the Muppets themed PizzeRizzo is opening in just a couple weeks! Bad news: unfortunately it appears that the venue will be serving the exact same awful food as its predecessor, Pizza Planet. This would be a shame as Blaze Pizza in Disney Springs just proved that you can have a great tasting, affordable, personal size pizza at Walt Disney World. We also had more good news in the form of Muppets as the new Great Moments in American History show in Liberty Square is a certified hit! This is the Muppet humor we know and love. We also have to end on some more bad news as the first man is down at Disney Springs. That’s right, the incredibly named Aristocrepes has now gone seasonal. With the opening of so many great dining options, it was only a matter of time until we lost one. My bet was on Yesake (it’s actually a good place but you never see anyone there) being the first to go, but if you read this Me Thinks STK Doth Protest Too Much article, a certain high end steak house could be the next tenant to go buh bye.

Now while all of you were trying to sneak guns into EPCOT, Outlet Intern Julia Mascardo and I were hard at work to bring you the quality Outlet coverage you expect deserve!

Enough jibber jabber! Who is ready to hit the Outlets? Remember that clicking on any picture will open a full size version of it (don’t say we didn’t warn you.)

We always love to start with new Tsum Tsums, and at the International Drive location, this month we had the rest of the Pirates of the Caribbean line arrive with The Pig and The Bad Pirate. We also go another member of The Avengers B-Team with The Vision. Normal Tsum Tsums at Disney cost $5.99, and at the Outlet Store they are usually $2.99, but this month they were once again just 99 cents each. Picked up several of the pigs and one each of the other two.

Meanwhile over at the Disney Outlet Store on Vineland, they had the JUNGLE BOOK line! Also at 99 cents, bought one of each.

Next up is an item I’ve been waiting a while for. At the World of Disney store they have had three great Beauty and the Beast items show up in the last year or so that I’ve really wanted. A light up Lumiere, a “life size” Cogsworth, and a ceramic Chip cup. Well, the Chip cup finally made it’s way to the Outlet and now I begin my daily praying ritual for the other two. Not sure what the original price was, but I’m thinking it was around $19.95, which is why I always passed it. Outlet price was $6.99. Ya-hoo!

Here is a stunning tapestry featuring the Magic Kingdom’s carousel, and the picture does not do it justice. The colors really make the picture come alive and it’s terrific. Originally $125, this was reduced to $29.99.

More Disney baby related products have started hitting the outlets, including this cute gift set featuring Dumbo. Originally $34.95, now $14.99. Passed on this, but I’ve seen another one at Disney Springs which has Bambi that I would definitely get.

This one is a weird one to me. A Sorcerer Mickey figurine where Mickey is rising out of the castle. Not a fan. Couldn’t find the original price, but it was reduced to $37.99.

Much better is this figurine which has Mickey and the Eiffel Tower from EPCOT’s World Showcase. To show you the magic of WDI and the use of Forced Perspective, this Mickey and the World Showcase Eiffel Tower is to scale*

This was also one of the items which I think is priced to drive me insane. Originally $14.95, it was reduced to $5.10. Whaaaaaat?!

Lots of Star Wars stuff this month including a bunch of “limited edition” pins that seem to be “limited” to the “amount Disney can sell.” The one on the left featuring the Stormtroopers doesn’t even make sense. Why would that pin be limited? Nothing about that looks special or unique. The one on the right features this year’s logo for the May the 4th Be With You day. Both have been reduced to $6.99 each.

As a Star Wars fan, even I get sick of “May the 4th Be With You,” but that is like Christmas morning compared to the Arbor Day of “Revenge of the 5th.” I don’t want to talk politics here, but if either candidate for President this year ran on a platform of “slapping anyone who mentions Revenge of the 5th will be encouraged” would get my full support. This pin was also down to $6.99.

Next up may be the most next level bonkers set of pins I have ever seen in my life, and imagine what that is saying. First of all there was this large grouping of pins that looked like the briefcases that would be held up on the game show DEAL OR NO DEAL. So you lift up the front of the pin to reveal…

General Organa?!

I like Princess Leia as much as the next person, but this was not what I was expecting. I kept flipping up pins and it was one General Leia after another. However, she wasn’t the only character…

…the only other character I could find was this guy. I consider myself a relatively big Star Wars fan and I have literally no idea who this is. It looks like the love child between Yoda and one of the Emperor’s royal guards from Return of the Jedi. Am I in a Twilight Zone episode? Have I woken up on a timeline where Star Wars isn’t cool anymore?

I’m a big fan of Star Wars mashups – LOVED the Family Guy and the Phineas and Ferb versions – but the Cars/Star Wars stuff is a little too bonkers for me. This pin set was originally $34.95, now $16.99.

This Galaxy S 6 phone case was originally $29.95, now just $7.99.  No truth to the rumor that the Galaxy Note cases all featured Mustafar.

Here is a cool toy featuring the STAR TOURS ride vehicle. Origianally $6.95, now $4.99.

For those of you looking for a FOUR FOOT STORMTROOPER, I have good news. Originally $99.95, this baby can now be yours for just $69.99.

We’ve seen the unbelievably horrid giant vinylmation of The Contemporary on the left before, but the one on the right featuring Wicket the Ewok was new. One of the rare ones that actually look halfway decent. Originally $59.95, now $23.99.

I saw a version of a giant Kylo Ren at a CVS earlier this year and made a short story out of it. This one has a more elaborate jacket. What is the point of these toys? Who buys them? They seem extremely impractical for kids to play with, and kinda goofy for collectors. I can see a lifesize Han Solo in Carbonite, hell, I’d buy one tomorrow, but a 1/4 size Kylo Ren? I don’t get that. Originally $39.95, now $27.99.

These Disney Store exclusive Force Awakens figures were originally $32.99, now $14.99. I’m more of a 3 3/4″ person myself, so passed on these.

This 16″ Yoda is actually close to life size. It was also originally $199.95, now “reduced” to just $51.99. Unbelievable.

This was a nice photo magnet from the Disney Cruise Line Star Wars Day at Sea sailings earlier this year. Even the bad Disney Cruise Line merch is good. Whoever is in charge over there deserves a major raise. Originally $8.99, now $1.99.

Speaking of DCL and Star Wars, here is kinda odd Star Wars bag. Originally $69.99, now $29.99. This is like one of those Mother’s Day gifts I would have picked out for my mom at 10 years old knowing she would think it was as cool as I did.

Okay, now this is getting weird. Darth Vader wallet with Lord Vader done as a ship knot. Originally $44.95, $15.99. If you find a woman with one of these in her purse, put a ring on that finger. Originally $44.95, now $15.99.

Force Awakens wallet, originally $50(?!!!!!!!!) and now reduced to $14.99.

This wallet featuring Obi Wan and Darth Vader dueling was also originally $50, but reduced to $29.99.

Good news ladies, you could also get that design on a bag. Originally $60, now $30.99.

This cooler bag featuring movie poster art from the original Star Wars was originally a bit higher, $75, but also now reduced to $30.99.

We bought one of these Minnie Mouse bags for our little princess years ago and it has worked out great. Originally $44.95, now $21.99.

Nightmare Before Christmas DOONEY & BOURKE bags. Not sure of original price, but reduced to $49.99.

Not sure if these was a Valentine’s Day bag or what, but it was originally $90 and reduced to $34.99.

Disneyland bag. I’m a fan of minimalist art, but not this one. Maybe it’s too minimalist? Almost looks like a child designed it to me. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

This Cheshire Cat bag from EPCOT’s Flower and Garden really popped with color. Originally $39.95, now $14.99.

Here’s a bag featuring logos of all the lands in the Magic Kingdom, but it looks super goofy because all the Frontierland logos are upside down and the Fantasylands are at a weird angle. Not sure how this wasn’t caught early in the desgin process. Originally $29.95, now $12.99.

In the past year or so Disney has put out a whole bunch of healthy and insanely overpriced snacks. They even have vegan candy bars that I believe are more expensive per ounce than gold. The Pure Growth line of popcorn can can also be found at stores like WalMart and Target. They had two different types on clearance at the outlets, one which was just a straight bag of popcorn, and another which held 6 smaller bags of popcorn. Both were down to $2.99 (which I believe is still more expensive than what the bags retail for at WalMart.)

This is one of those coffee cups that makes you wonder where in Walt Disney World it was sold. Originally d$12.95, now $5.99.

Soon we are going to be SWAMPED with Halloween merch, but a couple items showed up even before the holiday, including this plate featuring vampire Mickey and a nice spooky take on the castle. Originally $12.99, now $3.99.

It actually took me a while before realizing this pun. Originally $14.99, now $4.99.

This Halloween set of Magic BandIts arrived featuring vampire Mickey, witch Minnie, and Figaro coming out of a pumpkin.

I got one of these Sorcerer Mickey plushes. Super soft and very colorful. Originally $29.95, now $9.99.

I’m not even sure how long WDW has been selling Shellie May dolls, but already one of her outfits has gone on clearance. Not sure of original price, but now $9.99.

Here’s a light spinner, that I actually got after seeing how well a similar Star Wars one worked from a couple months ago. Too be fair, both Star Wars ones broke within a week, but I think I got my money’s worth out of them. Originally $14.09, now $5.99.

Kid’s Carnotaur hat. Originally $24.95, now $7.99.

Bunch of Captain America Civil War toys arrived. This was one of my favorite movies this year. These action figures were actually really tiny, but I guess that’s to be expected from a “Miniverse” line. All were originally $8.99 reduced to $5.99. First up is ol’ Cap himself along with a “mercenary” (not sure why they don’t use Crossbones here, seems like a no brainer.)

Ant-Man with some INSANE attachments on his arms along with Winter Soldier.

Finishing up with Falcon and War Machine.

Guardians of the Galaxy bad guy vehicle Reduced to $9.99.

This Mickey Mouse shirt reminds me of ones you would see in the knock off discount shirts off 192. Originally $24.99, now $9.99.

Not exactly what beach at “Walt Disney World” Goofy has reflected on his glasses. Same price as Mickey shirt.

Lots of flip flops this month. Set on left featuring Mickey and Minnie was originally $14.95, now $3.99. The pair on the right are Crocs branded flip flops, which I didn’t even know existed. Didn’t have original price, but were reduced to $19.99.

These pairs featuring Mickey Mouse were originally $29.95, now $11.99.

We’ve seen those Christmas style socks on the left before (originally $9.95, now $3.99) and the princess flip flops on the right were originally $14.95, now $3.99.

The princess flip flops had Mickey heads as treads.

High end Mickey Mouse socks on left. Originally $12.95, now $3.99. A scarf or something on the right, originally $24.95, now $4.99.

I actually picked up one of these Mickey Mouse Graduation Caps. Originally $24.99, now just $1.99.

Princes panties. Originally $14.99, now $11.99. MOVING ON.

Sofia the First dangle toy. Reduced to $3.99.

Doc McStuffins activity set. Originally $26.95, now $12.99.

Doc McStuffins smart phone. Probably works as well as your iPhone or Galaxy inside the Magic Kingdom at times. Originally $9.95, now $2.99.

Puffy sticker set featuring both Doc McStuffins and Sofia the First. Originally $6.95, now $1.99.

This is a Radiator Springs car decal, but not sure who would ever recognize this other than the biggest Cars superfans. Originally $8.95, now $2.99. I guess we can give it bonus points because it’s branded to Cars Land from out in Anaheim. I wonder if they could just try selling stuff like this at Art of Animation first at full price.

This is absolutely crazy. I thought these slippers were stickers at first and thought it was kinda odd, but they are actually PAPER CLIPS. They do not look very user friendly and I imagine it’s not the best thing to have around young kids (it was being sold with all the young kids toys.) Originally $6.99, now $1.99.

Pin time! First up was a neat one. If you pull the Sorcerer Mickey hat, the picture goes from a sketch to a colored drawing. Reduced to $6.99.

Pin featuring Figment was reduced to $5.99, Jake was $2.99.

I actually regretted not picking up this Happy Birthday pin. Could have made a good gift. Reduced to $3.99.

This is one of those ideas that probably seemed good on paper, but actually doesn’t work well in real life. The concept of the pin is a hamster in a ball. When you move the pin the hamster rotates. But most people are either just wearing pins or looking at them in a binder so the hamster never moves and is always in the down position. Reduced to $5.99.

Wall-E pin set. Originally $24.95, now $9.99.

Love this Vero Beach magnet. need to do an article on this place some day. HINT HINT MR. TESTA. Reduced to $3.99.

Just to confirm that Disney will make absolutely anything, her is a Pirates of the Caribbean CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT set featuring a parrot, “the redhead,” and “the good pirate.” Originally $44.95 (sometimes I can’t believe these prices even as I type them,) reduced to $17.99.

Here’s an ornament featuring a Mickey wreath made out of what I’m assuming is supposed to look like flowers. Reduced to $7.99.

Couple variations of these snowflake ornaments. Each reduced to 99 cents. I picked up a couple.

Very prominent MADE IN TAIWAN label.

We’ll close this month with a look at two kinda weird items. The lightbox featuring Tinker Bell is just a little “off” to me. It was reduced to $57.99. On the right is a completely bananas figurine featuring a character from – I think – Guardians of the Galaxy that is reduced to $83.99. REDUCED TO THAT.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

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 and September 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).