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 (who continues to do a must-read  monthly update on NEW merchandise at WDW which is a de facto Outlet Report sneak preview) and I found a whole bunch of great items this month including Disney charms from 2014, Minnie Mouse Rock The Dots merch, and a Star Wars hat that cost OVER $120!

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

If you couldn’t sleep the other night, the wailing you heard outside wasn’t the wind, it was the cries of diehard Disney fanboys in the throes of despair now that WDW has shut down Pirates of the Caribbean to change the famous auction scene. Now, despite the fact that it took almost a year for Hall of Presidents to add a President Trump animatronic, Pirates will open with a whole new scene next month. Anyhoo, this month a Pirates of the Caribbean figurine set arrived at the Outlets. It has been reduced to $5.99 and includes “the red head,” everyone’s favorite parrot pirate, and several other scallywags.

=

In the last several years during the Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot has an annual Easter Egg gimmick called Egg-stravaganza. For $5.99, guests purchase an illustrated park map that includes a set of stickers. The stickers correspond to actual places in the park which have character-themed eggs. Once you complete the map, you take it to a redemption location and can pick up a character-themed Easter Egg. This is what Epcot does instead of building an actual ride for you to go on. Last year’s eggs showed up for the price of 99 cents, so expect the monthly fan-made Disney “subscription boxes” to be filled with them.

Like I wasn’t going to buy one of each?

It was Charm City at the Outlets this month as seemingly hundreds of these babies descended upon us. Each was reduced to $1.99.

Here is one featuring the Cheshire Cat and a Mickey head with a bow on the cheek (whaaaaaaaaat?!)

Mickey and Minnie themed charms.

Princess themed charms.

The above charms were at the International Drive outlet, but the Vineland outlet also had a ton. This one from “2014” was only 99 cents. Remember, addresses for both Disney Outlet Stores are located at the end of every single edition of the Outlet Report.

Every time a Star Wars movie comes out Disney holds a “Galactic Nights” event at DHS. Even though they call it “Nights” it literally only lasts one night. The Outlet figured this out and took the pin sold during The Last Jedi event and appropriately renamed it “Galactic Night Pin.” Original cost was $14.99.

Calling Captain Cruiseline! This sharp looking DCL Transatlantic pin was originally $12.99, now $5.99

I feel like we’ve covered these Star Wars Day At Sea pins like a dozen times already. They must have made one for every man, woman, and child on the ship. Originally $14.95, they are all the way down to $1.99. They may be giving them away with every purchase next month.

Not a bad looking magnet for Disney Cruise Line. This one was reduced to 99 cents. Love that art deco style.

There’s probably 5 human beings on Earth who have more Tsum Tsums than me (with 3 of them being in Japan), but I don’t get the allure of these Tsum Tsum pins whatsoever. On top of that, it’s blind box so you have no idea what you’re getting? Hard Pass. Reduced to $6.99.

These random pins were at the counter for 99 cents each. I got one of the Orange Bird ones.

This Mike Wazowski plush is one of those “FLIPS” deals that we have covered in the past few months (including Nemo/Dory and Mater/Lightning.) You could turn this plush inside out and it would become Sully. These were priced at $44.95 originally, and now are just $5.99, so we can all guess how well they sold.

Here is a Mike Wazowski hat. Originally $24.95, now $4.99.

More Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary merchandise, this time in the form of Mickey and Minnie as guests plush. Originally $19.99, now $9.99 each. I would have liked to see small MagicBands on their wrists.

This Oswald plush is a “snapper” and that means his arms are made out of those snap bracelets that kids play with. Probably fun for about 3 minutes.

Now we’re talking. Figment plush from last year’s Food and Wine Festival. Chef’s hat. Frying pan. Oh yeah baby, that’s the stuff. Originally $29.99, now $9.99.

More Disney emoji plush. $3.99 each.

Action figures sure have changed from when I was a kid. Not only do the lines start going ultra DEEP into characters, such as these two featuring Dr. Voodoo and The Enchantress, the character’s names aren’t even on the front of the box. That is some CERTIFIED GRADE A, NEXT LEVEL BONKERS marketing. Originally $19.99, they have been reduced to $14.99 each.

Bought this Tink “Dress Up Set” figurine for the princess in our family. Originally $12.95, now $4.99.

Holiday Headbands getting close to BOGO with this Buy 2 Get 1, and for just $1.99 each to boot.

Here’s a hot mess of an Ears headband with a theme of “Pirate Princess.”

We’ve seen sets of Christmas cards before, but here is the first ever single card. The Yoda is actually a pin. This card is also from the year 2014 like that Charm from earlier, so someone in Burbank has been spring cleaning. The card was reduced to $4.99.

YOU BETTER BELIEVE I BOUGHT IT.

With the glue on the envelope over 4 years old, we could be having a Susan Ross situation later this year when I mail the card out to Len Testa.

It’s kinda hard to see in this pic, but this Christmas set of pins had a Set A, B, and C. This is Set C. Each set was 99 cents.

Christmas themed MagicBand. Reduced to $7.99. If the RIDICULOUS Disney Springs MagicBand comes to the Outlets, I will buy that out of sake of pure camp.

Other side of MagicBand.

This next item is incredible. Not for how it looks, because the ornament looks like garbage, but because the Minnie Rock the Dots promotion started in JANUARY to coincide with Minnie Mouse getting her star on the Walk of Fame. This is the closest we have come to a piece of merchandise making its debut at the Outlets. I’m not even sure what it is supposed to be, a doily? Originally $14.99, now $4.99.

Here’s an insanely overpriced Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! ornament. This was $14.99 at the parks last year and it doesn’t light up or anyting cool like that. It is now $1.99.

A very neat Holidays Around the World ornament from Epcot last year. Originally $26.99, these were reduced all the way down to $3.99.

No weirdo “high heels” ornaments this month, but we did have the Magic Kingdom 45th anniversary Mickey Ears hat ornament. AS you can see in the picture one of the “ears” is missing (they break off relatively easily.) This was reduced to $7.99.

Here’s the other side featuring Space Mountain (speaking of which, you read the SATURDAY SIX on TOMORROWLAND, right? Well, what are you waiting for?!)

Festival of the Holidays long sleeve shirt. Originally $34.99, now $8.99. In Florida we had a couple weeks this winter that were actually “cold” by Florida standards, and the parks were selling long-sleeved items like this like hotcakes every single night to guests who packed poorly.

Pretty cute Lady & the Tramp shirt. Originally $32.99, now $9.99.

This next shirt is unbelievable. Not only is it an “ugly sweater” but it’s also a “spirit jersey.”  Who exactly was asking for THAT? It was originally $39.99, reduced to $14.99.

And here is the back.

Disney Cruise Line Christmas Card set. Originally $19.99, $3.99.

Here are the two different styles of cards in the set.

Several pieces of merchandise from Disney’s Hollywood Studios this month including this bag that’s designed like a TMZ-like magazine cover. “Where’s Mickey? Rumors surround starlet!” WHAT?! I guess that picture with Goofy was true after all. Originally $29.95, now $12.99.

DHS photo frame with the Earrfel Tower in the background. The Earrfel Tower was removed in April of 2016 and now resides in the Disney Dump. Originally $16.99, now $7.99. I still think it is one of the best Disney Icons and should have been moved somewhere else in the park.

Silver Screen edition DHS coffee cup. Originally $15.99, now $5.99.

These shot glasses (filled with alcohol of choice)  should have been given free to every parent who is going to DHS with their kids later this year during the time when Midway Mania is shut down to prepare for the opening of Toy Story Land. As they say on Seinfeld, “Good luck with all that.” Reduced to $2.99 each.

During part of this month the Starbucks DCA You Are Here coffee cups had an even bigger sale. Considering the amount of these along that the ebay pirates bought over the Christmas period, I think the total amount of DCA mugs that were shipped to the Outlets in Florida was approximately 2.5 million.

Here’s a Starbucks “Gingerbread Castle” mug. Originally $9.99, now $5.99.

I’m sure 50% of the readers will know exactly what this cup is for immediately, but I had no idea. Based on the handle and the design I’m going to say it was for The Wave at The Contemporary but that makes no sense because Disney doesn’t make coffee cups for individual restaurants like that. All I ask is that whoever recognizes it first begins their your comment with “Derek, you ignorant slut...” Originally $15.99, now $5.99.

Animal Kingdom coffee cup. Originally $15.99, now $5.99. The perfect mug to drink your morning caffeine fix out of while enjoying the soothing sounds of Safari Mike and his brother Dave talk about Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the Radio Harambe podcast.

Small cup and saucer set. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

This Coco water bottle gimmick reminds me of the old Crazy Foam we had growing up (and which recently made a comeback). This is probably the first of many Coco items we’ll be seeing at the outlets because when I was at the parks I didn’t see one piece of Coco merchandise ever being sold. A friend of mine who works at Toys R Us said the Coco section of the store was the one area they didn’t need to straighten at the end of the day. That’s not a good sign. THAT SAID, I actually just watched Coco for the first time this past week and it was very good. The ending had me legitimately crying, whereas only two other animated films ever had me tearing up (the opening of Up and the ending of Toy Story 3). I will also say the movie has me appreciating the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot about 1,000 times more than I had previously. Originally $14.99, now $5.99.

Pandora Banshee-on-a-stick deal. You squeeze the handle and the wings flap. I’m imagining the age for someone who would like this toy is also someone who is too short to ride Flight of Passage, the only place in Pandora where you’d even know what a Banshee is. Originally $16.99, now $7.99.

Here’s my upside down video of me playing with the Banshee-on-a-stick.

–

Two shirts for kids from Pandora. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

Still a ton of those State shirts that were being sold in The American Adventure pavilion at Epcot.

DCL shirt featuring the New York sailing of the Disney Magic last year. Originally $24.99, now $12.99.

Here’s some long sleeved Marvel superhero shirts. On the left is a next level bonkers one for Thor. Why would ANYONE want that? The right is an old-school art style one featuring Black Widow. Both were originally $49.99, while Thor was reduced to $12.99 and Black Widow to $19.99.

Here’s another crazy Thor shirt, although I could see a case being made to buying it compared to the one above, along with another old school Black Widow. Thor shirts was originally $36.99, reduced to $9.99 while the Black Widow one was $32.99, reduced to $6.39 (that price has to be a code for something because it makes no sense otherwise.)

These three Marvel shirts were originally $24.99, reduced to $9.99. Disney really should have taken those Black Panther ones and had a kiosk set up outside the AMC Theater at Disney Springs as you would sell tons after every showing of the Black Panther movie that’s out now. I had some high expectations for that film after all the hype and it delivered on that and then some. Just an amazing superhero movie that I can’t wait to see again. To paraphrase Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2, I feel like I could spit fire after walking out of that one.

I’m already sick of these “spirit jersey” shirts and we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg with them coming to the Outlets. We’ll also be getting a Great Rose Gold Mickey Ears dump sometime later this year as well. YAY! Originally $39.99, now $14.99.

EPCOT 35th Anniversary “I Was There!” shirt featuring Figment. Originally $21.99, now $6.99.

LOVED this Schoolhouse Rock-like shirt when it came out for Food and Wine last year. Originally $21.99, now $8.99.

Frozen shirt themed to Kristoff and Sven, which you don’t see much. Originally $19.99, now $9.99.

This is one of those cool “undead sharks” from the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie. This shirt was for kids so small they shouldn’t be watching that movie though. When I was a young kid I watched Jaws way too early in my development. It has become one of my all time favorite movies, but I’m also semi-deathly afraid to be in ocean water above my chest. Originally $21.99, now $9.99.

We’ve seen this Winnie The Pooh and a real Tiger on several items over the years and it never gets less creepy to look at. Originally $27.95, now $12.99.

Alice In Wonderland themed dress, probably from the Marketplace Co-op in Disney Springs. Originally $148, now $43.99. That’s right, almost $150 originally. Wow.

This Orange Bird dress definitely came from the Markeplace Co-op as I remember the hub-bub when it was released. This was originally $118, reduced to $49.99.

Massive sale on Vera Bradley stuff. VERY RARE to see stuff get a discount on top of the already discounted prices.

These Cheshire Cat slippers were originally $50, now $23.99.

Alice in Wonderland socks were originally $15, now $3.99 a pair.

Cheshire cat luggage tags (I guess, maybe an insanely large key chain) were originally $50, now $23.99.

Marvel Crocs were reduced to $19.99 a pair.

Pair of Spider-Man glasses that were kinda neat. Originally $16.95, now $7.99. These may be the only glasses on Earth bigger than the ones you wear while riding Flight of Passage in Pandora.

Rare to see a gun arrive at the Outlets after the huge purge a year or so ago. This Toy Story one was originally $19.95, reduced to $6.99. I wonder if it came from the Asian parks with the multiple languages on the front of the package.

We’ve got a new baby coming into the family later this year so I picked up this Mickey rattle. Originally $8.95, now $4.99.

I have no idea what this thing even is, but I also bought it for the baby. Originally $12.95, now $6.99. (Julia’s note to Derek: It’s a taggy blanket–babies chew on the little loops to help explore textures and such. For some kids, chewing on them will stop them from fussing. So next time you’re out the outlet and feeling the need to break down in hysterics, give it a try and chew on it–and if you do chew on it, please buy it instead of putting it back.)

Disney tea kettle, with a Carousel horse on one side and a castle on the other side. Its been a while since a hot air balloon was anywhere near the Magic Kingdom though. Reduced to $24.99.

So many pillows like this have arrived over the last few months. Where did they all come from?!! Originally $34.99, now $9.99.

This Frozen themed pillow was originally $21.95, now $9.99.

This was a small purse along with a small backpack, both with similar themes. Both were originally $34.99, reduced to $9.99.

The change purse thing had this Mickey head puffball gimmick on the side.

I honestly thought this was a hat for the Target chain of stores, but apparently it’s for Midway Mania. Originally $21.99, now $4.99.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster hat. Reduced to $4.99. Ugly, but on the scale of “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster item ugly” it’s not that bad.

Fun pirate hat. I got one for the little pirate in our family. Originally $21.99, now $5.99. It reminds me of that hat Hamilton had to wear in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Haunted Mansion hat. Originally $39.95, now $9.99.

–

This last item is one for the Outlet Hall of Fame. Look at this fancy box for a Star Wars item. Must be good, right?

–

Inside is a hat. A HAT. And this hat ORIGINALLY COST $128! You read that right. It’s been “reduced” to just $37.99. This is proof that my life is some elaborate episode of Black Mirror that just never ends.

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.

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).