Welcome to the latest edition of The Magic, The Memories, and Merch!, the longest running monthly look at the Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando. For May we have sent secret shopper Joseph Machado into the rough and tumble world of the Orlando Disney Outlet Stores, @ChristelaMcC to the Disney Outlets closer to Disneyland in California, and we even look at discounted Disney park items showing up at non-Disney stores.

First up, let’s check out what it is like to “rope-drop” the Disney Outlet Stores here in Florida.

That’s right, a full hour before the Disney store even opens there is already a decent sized line of people ready to check-in to the Virtual Line. After checking in, we were called back an hour and a half later to get into the regular line at 11:30 a.m. It varies in length, but generally speaking once you are called back to the regular line there is about 10-20 people in front of you and at that point the store has a “1 out, 1 in” policy and you just wait however long that takes until it’s your turn to enter.

 

Once inside we saw a lot of items from the ABCDisney collection, including this fleece throw. Originally $39.99, now $19.99. One thing we didn’t see? Face masks. There were zero face masks for sale, a stark difference to trips in previous months. I expected to see half the store be face masks at this point, so there being none was a huge surprise.

Plenty of Trinket Boxes that were originally $17.99, now $7.99. Each of the individual letters were themed around things related to Disney. For example, the “J” below is for the Jungle Cruise and “K” is for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

A lot of coffee mugs as well. These were all reduced to $5.99 each.

Coffee Mug featuring the floating mountains of Pandora: The World of Avatar. Reduced to $5.99.

These old timey Mickey Mouse plates were interesting. The original price of $34.99 is a bit much considering their size, but the discounted price of $19.99 isn’t too bad.

Here is a closer look at the four designs included in the set.

Speaking of Disney plates, guess what was found at the Burlington Coat Factory?

These plates were reduced to $8.99 at the Burlington Coat Factory. Sounds like a good deal right? Well it is because these very same plates were at the Disney Outlet Stores earlier this year and were reduced to $19.99 (original price was $39.99). I’m wondering at what price Disney must have sold these plates to Burlington, and it makes me wonder why they just didn’t eat the cost and give them away as “Magical Moments” to guests staying at Coronado Springs.

However, speaking of seeing Disney park items showing up at non-Disney stores, several people have reported seeing the Wishables line of plush toys showing up at the Five Below retail store chain.

Okay, back to the world of the Disney Outlet Stores. We know many of you like bags, so here’s a Vera Bradley Disney bag that was originally $105, now $52.99.

Pixar ball handbag. Originally $65, now $31.99.

Loungefly Mickey Mouse rainbow backpack. Originally $55, now $27.99.

Meanwhile the Minnie Mouse backpack was originally $29.99, now $9.99.

How great is this? The train whistle which made its debut with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Had to buy this one. Originally $12.99, now $4.99.

Seeing toys like the one below just is a slap-in-the-face reminder that the reason we don’t have the awesome Hyperspace Hoopla or great mash-up characters like Donald Duck wearing a stormtrooper outfit is because Disney wants to keep the Star Wars brand “serious” in the parks. Meanwhile they sell stuff like this in the parks. Originally $19.99, now $8.99.

I love that this set featuring the droid characters is just in the same packaging as the bad guys above, complete with the same names.

I’ve said before that I think every single one of the Funko Pops that were a Disney Parks exclusive eventually made its way to the outlets, and this Alice in the Mad Teacup Party one continues that trend. Originally this was $49.99 when it made its debut in the parks/Disney Springs.

I love the movie Up as much as anyone, but why would you want to walk around the parks with a giant rubber lanyard hanging off your neck? How great would it be if stuff like this was sponsored by AdventHealth with the long-term goal of giving us all neck problems. Originally $17.99, now $7.99.

Button sets that were originally $9.99 each, reduced to $2.99.

This pin has Rock N’ Roller Coaster but I’m pretty sure that it’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. Not that it is much different but N’ makes no sense. Reduced to $5.99.

Does anyone remember this ridiculous gimmick where Disney wanted you to play games on your phone while in line for attractions that would unlock achievements giving you the opportunity to BUY A PIN. This was the theme parks version of Ralphie Parker decoding Little Orphan Annie’s secret message. The pins were also $15!!!!!! Now you can buy them for “just” $6.99. You can’t make stuff like this up.

Disney Girl Power pins were reduced to $3.99. They had Elena of Avalor, Pocahontas, and Mulan.

I like the design of this Elsa phone case. All phone cases were reduced to $7.99.

This Rapunzel design not too shabby either.

I’d love if it became so hot down here in Florida in August that these popcorn kernel iPhone cases actually popped the popcorn and we saw iPhone cases exploding all around the park. Of course that would require people actually buying these and I’m not sure anyone actually did.

Okay, let’s check out some clothes. Halloween Spirit Jerseys are still in supply. Originally $49.99, now $19.99.

Can’t imagine why people aren’t scooping these up by the car load….

A Disney Meme shirt. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

Kid’s shirt from Pandora: The World of Avatar. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

I actually love this kid’s shirt featuring Disney snacks. Originally $24.99, now $7.99.

We are out of the “themed sock fad” right? That was annoying. These socks were originally $9.99 a pair, now $3.99.

Not just one item featuring characters from Pocahotas, but two? This may be a first in the decade we’ve been covering the outlets. These socks were also reduced to $3.99.

Nice deep dive for fans of High School Musical. Reduced to $3.99.

Solid hat from the Disney Cruise Line. Originally $21.99, now $7.99.

These displays are also from the Disney Cruise Line. Originally $19.99, now $9.99. We sailed on the Disney Wonder and loved it, so got one of those.

This particular photo frame was made out of metal and was relatively heavy. Originally $24.94, now $14.99.

While this photo frame was made out of glass and provided a reflection. Originally $24.95, now $14.99.

Sometimes you will find the strangest things at the Disney Outlet Store, and you’ll never know where it came from. For example, this specific camera battery? Just bonkers. Originally $27.99, now $26.99.

 

Well that’s it from Florida this month, let’s head on out to California and see what Christela McC has found.

First up, this vintage print sweater. Originally $52.99, now $19.99.

A shimmery castle hat. I like the effect for the fireworks, but the brim just makes it too over the top for me. Originally $27.99, now $22.99. For whatever reason, the discounts out in California were often very small this month compared to what we usually see.

This Haunted Mansion hat is something I guess. Originally $27.99, now $22.99.

Dole Whip sun hat. Originally $29.99, now $23.99.

Minnie Ear headbands featuring Up and “Fall.” Originally $29.99, now $23.99.

Check this out, they had the absurdly huge Up lanyard we had in Florida, except in California is was only marked down to $14.99. (In Florida it was $7.99!!)

An assortment of novelty cooling fans. Originally $14.99, now $11.99.

Fun magnet set featuring the Fab Five. Originally $12.99, now $10.99.

This magnet set featuring the Disney kitchen stuff is just crazy. Also reduced to $10.99.

This Jungle Cruise pin is actually pretty sharp.

However it wasn’t discounted at all, something very rare for the California outlets.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

BEFORE YOU ASK: There are actually two Disney outlet stores in Orlando. Both are in Orlando Premium Outlets 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)

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Very Special Editions & Milestones: Tribute to O.O.G.; Four Year Anniversary Special; First Pandora Items; Five Year Anniversary Special & Outlet Hall of Fame; Major Changes Come to the Outlets; Camera Hat; the Outlets Reopen after Coronavirus shut down

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).