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The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! OCTOBER 2017 Photo Report of the Disney Outlet Store

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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 trying to meltdown the entire Disney community by writing about tipping servers at WDW) secret shopper Daisy Lauren (when she’s not traveling across the country to visit Disneyland) and I found a whole bunch of neat items this month including an endless supply of Star Wars stuff, fun Tsum Tsums, fidget spinners, and one of the all time WEIRDEST Disney toys ever made (and imagine what ground that is covering.)

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

Ever since Disney put out this “birthstone” pin set well over a year ago, I’ve been dying for them to come to the Outlets. The art for some of these Disney princesses is so off-model that it makes my drawing of Stacey Aswad in the Disney Must Dos video look like photorealistic in comparison. Here’s a shot of Anna and Jessica Rabbit from the ShopDisney App.

Birthstone.

So imagine my glee when a metric ton of “Zodiac Broach Pins” hit the Outlets. Now, what these princess pins have to do with the Zodiac calendar is anyone’s guess, but I was too smiling too wide to notice anyway. First up, the Jessica Rabbit  pin. Originally $11.99, now $5.99, and I definitely bought this one.

Jessica Rabbit

Here’s the mashup of Frozen‘s Anna and Jimmy Durante.

Anna.

Snow White.

Snow White.

Aurora.

Aurora.

Not to be outdone by the pins, one of the all time strangest Disney toys came to the Outlets to brighten our day. Earlier this year this Sorcerer Mickey toy arrived at the Disney stores. For some reason his hands are twice as big as they should be, but that’s not even the weird part. When you activate the toy, Mickey’s right hand goes up and down in rapid fashion making it look like, well, you know….

Watch the embedded video to see this toy in action. Be warned, this may be the first thing on the TouringPlans blog that is NSFW (not including Seth Kubersky’s pics from inside the queue of any ride.)

Instant Outlet Hall of Fame item. Originally $39.95, now $29.99. (photo by Daisy Lauren)

Now it’s time for my beloved Tsum Tsums. First up is a look at how they are sold at the Disney Outlet International Drive. They used to be on a large free standing Display, but that was taken over by the great MagicBand dump of 2017. An inside source has told me that after last month’s Outlet article came out, all of the discounted MagicBands were removed due to “optics.” I’m not saying there is a correlation between the two, but there have been some odd coincidences between something appearing in This Fine Blog and then a change being made at the Outlet stores. One example: me confusing the Mother Gothel Tsum Tsum for Mulan and the next month a Tsum Tsum Guide For Dummies picture shows up. Does Bob Iger have his own “Howard Finkel” reading the Outlet Report for notes? Right now that is unconfirmed. However one thing is for sure, that comparison was made for the three readers who also read Dave Meltzer’s The Wrestling Observer.

That sound you hear is TP boss Laurel Stewart pulling every hair out of her head reading the above paragraph. (photo by @bioreconstruct)

Talk about JACKPOT. First up is characters from the SPLASH MOUNTAIN line. This includes Brer Bear, Brer Fox, Brer Possum, and one of those buzzards you see right before the big drop. There’s VERY FEW Tsums I would consider buying at full price, but Splash Mountain ones were at the top of the list. Glad I held off.

Splash Mountain.

Ok, I just said I almost never buy Tsums at full retail, but one I had to get this summer was Remy from Ratatouille. As a gambling man, weighing the odds of what will and what won’t make it to the Outlets is as high stakes as the sports books in Vegas setting NFL lines. The odds of Remy ever making it was slim, and even if he did he would just get scooped up immediately by the eBay pirates. Linguini on the other hand is one of those Tsums that will be at the Outlets for a long time, like Marvel’s War Machine and Black Panther.

Linguini.

Here is Nigel and Darla from Finding Nemo.

Finding Nemo.

Have absolutely no idea who this guy is. Maybe from its a small world? Or a wuzzle from Pooh? UPDATE: Readers have identifed this guy as one of Nemo’s friends, a seahorse.

who knows.

Luke and Han in Storm Trooper outfits from Star Wars.

Luke and Han.

I’ve never seen pinwheels at the Disney parks, but the Outlets had a bunch of them this month. The last time I saw one of these was in an episode of the Little Rascals. Anyway, here’s some featuring Toy Story characters.

pinwheels.

And Mickey Mouse…

Pinwheels.

And Dumbo…

Pinwheels. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

Get a load of this. This Tower of Terror pen was originally $32.99. Whoever bought this pen should get an immediate drug test. It has been reduced to “just” $9.99.

Forget “random drops” the original price of this pen is what’s really scary.

I really like these princess toy sets. All come with a bunch of accessories and were originally $19.99, now $9.99.

Of all the side characters to include, where was “the feather duster” in your depth chart?

Solid Ariel set. Like I’ve said in the past, instead of the Outlets these should be given to Mousekeeping at Art of Animation  to surprise guests with and make an extra magical vacation.

The Little Mermaid.

And the contractually obligated Frozen set.

Elsa.

Rare to see Funko Pop! figures, but here’s a couple from the recent Spider-Man Homecoming film. What an awesome movie. I bought the blu ray to see the bonus features (including more Captain America spots) but have yet to crack it open. Here is the Peter Parker Pop. Originally $14.99, now $9.99.

Parker.

I was at a comic/genre store this past week which must have had 1000 different types of Funko Pops and I can definitely see how people could become addicted to them. They have some for almost everything, it’s just insane. It would be like if there was also Tsum Tsums for Pulp Fiction, Lord of the Rings, and Stranger Things. I don’t even collect these things and still must have 20 in the Man Cave because I’m like “well, that’s cool.” I mean, you’re not going to see a Dancing Groot Pop and not not buy it, right? Anyway here’s the Vulture, same price as Parker.

The Vulture.

Surprising to see these outfits at the Outlets before Halloween. You’d think they’d wait. Actually they could wait even longer as Thor: Ragnorok comes out this Friday featuring Thor and Hulk. This actually makes no sense at all. Originally $59.99, now $24.99.

I almost bought the Thor outfit for one of my friends, @crimsontidedan, but he already had it.

Storm Trooper outfit. Originally $64.99, now $31.99.

Stormtrooper. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

I love this Star Wars t-shirt. Originally $26, now $7.99.

Star Wars.

Another good one. Same price.

RIP Carrie Fisher. You were one of the great ones.

Super cute shirt for kids featuring Scout Troopers on speeder bikes. $17.99, now $6.99.

Star Wars.

A large plastic dewback. WHO IS THIS FOR?!!!!! If it came with a Storm Trooper I could maybe, maybe see it. By itself? Are there really THAT many fans of dewbacks?! Originally $27.99, now $14.99.

Dewback.

Glowing BB-8 lanyard. Probably sold on the streets of DHS before the Galactic Spectacular show.

Star Wars.

Is this poster supposed to be like a “parody” of a real poster? I get that one of the Storm Troopers is different, but is it worth $59.99? Is it one of those old school Magic Eye photos where if you stare at it long enough you see another picture? I love Star Wars as much as anyone, but am I losing my mind?

Storm Trooper Pop Art.

This is a really small sign for $49.99. Can’t imagine what they were trying to get for it originally.

Resist.

Keep in mind that as we go through a mind numbing amount of Star Wars stuff seemingly every single month, all the old stuff is pretty much still at the Outlets too. It’s crazy. Here’s a K-2SO Lanyard Medal. Originally $16.99, now $6.99.

K-2SO

Star Wars characters as Easter Eggs pin set. Originally $34.99, but $17.99. If there are any single women reading this article, and one day you date a man who shows you his Star Wars Easter Egg pin collection, just RUN.

Pins.

Storm Trooper pin collection. Originally $26.99, now $9.99.

Star Wars.

I’m guessing these pins were from a set that spotlighted the heroic women of Star Wars. Both were originally $15.99, now $6.99.

Pins.

Somehow there are still MORE Star Wars DCL pins even though I feel like we’ve covered over a half a dozen in the past few months. This cruise deal takes place for ONE DAY at sea. JUST ONE. Yet this many pins are produced? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!! Originally $15.99, now $6.99.

Star Wars.

Here is the grand daddy of WHAAAAAAAAAAAT DCL Star Wars pins. This pin set was originally $119.99, and now reduced to $49.99.

Star Wars.

“Limited to 500.” Over/Under on how many sold on the ship is 22.

bonkers.

Father’s Day pin featuring characters from Inside Out. Originally $14.99, now $6.99.

Father’s Day pin.

Spider-Man Homecoming pins. Reduced to $5.99.

Spider-man.

I’m not saying this Pirates of the Caribbean hat is awful, bu you should get a free bowl of soup with it. Reduced to $4.99.

If you bought this hat I wouldn’t tell anyone either.

Very “busy” 28 & Main hat. Disney’s 28 & Main brand is like theme park’s version of Ed Hardy. You see someone wearing this stuff you have a pretty good idea of what they are about. Originally $29.99, now $7.99.

28 and Main.

This hat reminds of me of that moment in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 when Peter Quill is shown his purpose and says “I see it….eternity.” Hat is now $5.99.

Hat.

Let’s check out some Christmas stuff, starting with this Hitchhiking Ghosts ornament that has been reduced to $5.99. I would have got this, but I have to be very strategic about the ornaments I buy as my girlfriend is the Gate Keeper of the Christmas Tree and doesn’t allow much. A lot goes into the planning of what ornament I propose to go on the tree, and sometimes I have to submit two, knowing she won’t use the one even I know is awful but will compromise on the other one. I think I should go back and buy the Black Widow ornament we covered a couple months ago as I can probably get anything on the tree as long as I offer it along with that as a second choice.

Ghosts.

We saw a couple “Jingle Bells” ornaments last month, and here is one featuring Anna and Elsa. They are atop actual bells. Originally $17.99, now $5.99.

Jingle Bells.

Olaf.

Olaf.

Interesting glass ornaments and tree topper set. Originally $54.99, now $24.99.

Christmas.

This picture is upside down, but it’s a Jack Skellington ornament. Originally a whopping $22.99, now reduced to $8.99. With a price tag of over $20, Disney is basically saying it knows the Nightmare Before Christmas fans are a bunch of marks. (I swear that’s the last wrestling reference.)

Jack Skellington. (photo by julia mascardo, but messed up by me.)

Rather large Disney figurine set. Originally $49.95, now $24.99.

This Christmas train is also better looking that the Polar Express.

Happy Hanukkah plate. Originally $16.95, now $7.99. I’m not 100% caught up on all the minutiae of religious holiday celebrations, but I believe this is for the Jewish boys and girls who leave cookies out for Adam Sandler.

Dish. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

Every month. EVERY. SINGLE. MONTH. It doesn’t fail that someone writes in the comments or on Twitter “where were these photos taken.” I’ve given up trying to explain, but basically the two Disney Outlet Stores in Orlando have a lot of the same stuff. The Vineland location (closer to Disney) is about 3 times as large though. The International Drive location gave up a lot of its space to a Panera bread about a year ago. So when people ask “where was this from” it’s pretty much both places. The above picture was taken by Julia at the Vineland location. The photo below was taken by me at the International Drive location. I always, ALWAYS go with the better photo because you, Dear Reader, deserve only our best.

See the hidden Mickey?

Accompanying Hanukkah coffee cup. Originally $12.95, now $5.99.

Cups.

NOW WE’RE TALKING. One of the Starbucks YOU ARE HERE mugs featuring Disney California Adventure. Definitely bought one of these. Reduced to $5.99.

YES! YES! YES!

How nuts is this. Some sort of “fruit infuser” cup in which there is like a big cone in the middle of the cup that I guess you put fruits in like strawberries. On the outside is Stitch. This is so next level bonkers I feel like it must be from Japan. (I know it’s not but that’s how crazy it is.) Originally $9.99, now $3.99. Yes, I bought this.

Stitch.

This whole “Minnie from Mad Men” style must have an audience, but it’s not me. Originally $17.99, now $3.99.

Minnie.

Cute Minnie and Minnie hydration thing. Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

Stay Hydrated. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

Another Minnie and Mickey container. No idea what that circle thing on the side is. Do people clip them to their side when walking? Originally $14.99, now $7.99.

Minnie and Mickey. (photo by Julia Mascardo).

Okay, here’s a Hipster Mickey and Minnie cup that was originally $19.99, but reduced to $5.99. This wasn’t the weird part though.

Hipster.

Look at this. I’ve never seen this on the bottom of a cup before. I’m guessing it lets out heat for hot coffee or tea? I think I need to ask a true Hipster to get to the bottom of this not (pun not intended.)

What?

Is this a WISHES cup? Originally $19.99, now $8.99.

Castle.

Crush and Squirt coffee cup. Originally $12.95, now $5.99.

Turtle power.

These Disney shirts probably came from the Coca Cola store at Disney Springs or Club Cool at EPCOT. The one on the left was originally $36.99, reduced to $10.99 while the one on the right was originally $59.99, reduced to $17.99. Just insane pricing at the retail stores. But speaking of insane. Earlier this month the SATURDAY SIX returned to the fabled DISNEY DUMP and the one place people got upset about was Club Cool. Apparently theme park fans like their free soda, no matter how awful it tastes.

Have a Coke and a smile overpriced t-shirt.

More Coke t-shirts. There’s were both originally $29.95 and reduced to $8.99.

Coke.

I really like the art on this Frozen shirt. Originally $29.99, now $9.99.

Frozen.

I bought a pair of these cute socks for the princess in our family. Originally $9.99, now $4.99.

Socks.

This sock set came with two pairs. One had the color Mickey, and the other was in black & white.  Originally $13.99, now $4.99.

Socks.

Wine corker and stopper, originally $22.99, now $8.99.

Wine.

I really wonder what this pretzel pen cost originally when sold at the Germany Pavilion in EPCOT. You gotta really like pretzels I guess. Now $1.99.

Pretzel.

Disney “indiglo” pillows Originally $34.95, now $9.99.

Pillows. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

DCL woven throw. Originally $54.95, now $29.99. I set the all time daily record by buying two throws in one day a while back, but this was an easy pass.

Disney throw.

Cooling towels. Originally $9.39, now $3.99.

Cooling towels. (photo by Julia Mascardo)

Thumper plush. I thought about this one for a minute. Bambi I would have bought, but passed on Thumper. I think I would hav bought the skunk Flower too.

Thumper.

Here’s one of those weird reversible plush deals. This one features Winnie the Pooh. Originally a bananas $49.95, now $19.99.

Pooh.

99 cent plastic shovels? Why not. (Speaking of shovels, wait till you see the 2017 Turkey of the Year awards next month. To get ready, here is the previous Turkeys from 2014, 2015, and 2016. While I won’t spoil the surprise, shovels play a prominent role in the #1 Turkey this year….)

Shovels.

Last month we saw Anna and Elsa keychains, and this month Cinderella and Aurora are here with similar ones. Both are reduced to $2.99.

Keychains.

Today is HALLOWEEN so let’s finish with appropriately themed stuff including this Mickey Pumpkin Head coffee cup. Originally $22.99, this was reduced to $6.99. I like the nice touch of the vine as the handle.

The ears make this kind of a weird cup to drink out of.

These “treat bags” were reduced to 99 cents. This hold about 4 pieces of “fun size” candy and should be outlawed. This is like those coke cans that are like 4 ounces, for people who want Coke but aren’t thirsty. GO BIG OR GO HOME.

Treat Bags.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!

Who knew this piece of Burgan Fine Art, drawn several years ago, would be an evergreen?

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

For those of you only interested in the Outlet junk, we are now past that part of the proceedings and now I ask for a minute of your time to talk about something personal. Earlier this month my grandmother passed away. For many families the grandmother(s) generally play an important part in the family structure. For my family, and me personally, my grandmother was the glue that held everything together.

My grandmother parasailing.

My grandmother was adventurous, in a way that I don’t think I’ll ever be. I’m already at the point where I won’t ride in the front row of roller coasters, yet there was no adventure she would turn down. One thing she loved doing more than anything else was traveling, and she has been all around the world. Europe, the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, and every island you can think of. When I went on my first Disney Cruise, I found out there was a channel on the in-room tv that played Disney documentaries 24/7 and that was good enough entertainment for me. Not for gram, she was one of those people who got up at dawn and then looked forward to all the shore excursions she could get. There’s no cave she wouldn’t explore, no body of water she didn’t want to dip her toes in, and no sightseeing tour she wouldn’t take. When she was in a foreign country, she wanted to know everything she could about its culture.

My grandmother, mother, cousin Athene and
her husband Brendan on an early
sailing of the Disney Wonder.

My grandmother loved cruising. Long after I moved out of the house, my mother and grandmother took up cruising and fell in love with it. She was way up in the loyalty programs for Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival, along with sailing with Princess, Celebrity and Norwegian. She loved the shows, she loved the games, and she loved making friends with people on the deck or at her dinner seating. My grandmother had an innate ability to chat up anyone she was around and be able to make instant friends. Cruising was also her way to get to so many exotic locales and experience the beaches and cuisine. For YEARS my mother and grandmother tried to get me to take a cruise with them and I always passed. I thought they were crazy for wanting to go on a ship. When my mom passed away, one thing I wanted to do right away was take a cruise with my grandmother. We had one scheduled for Royal Caribbean, and a month before the cruise she had a fall and couldn’t make it because of her injuries. She all but forced me to still take the cruise without her, and I quickly realized why here and my mom enjoyed them so much.

My grandmother, swimning with a dolphin.

My grandmother loved animals. While my grandmother loved all animals, she was definitely a “cat person.” I can’t tell you the amount of times I heard stories about “Percy and Fifi,” her beloved cats from the 1950s and 1960s. If you were to believe her memory, these cats should have been nominated for some sort of feline sainthood. One thing that drove her nuts was that Percy died on November 22, 1963, the same day JFK was assassinated. Instead of people mourning for her cat, they only talked about the President, and that stuck in her craw. I spent a lot of time living with my grandmother while growing up, and we always had cats in the house that she adored. She loved going to animal parks like SeaWorld and Animal Kingdom to interact with the animals there.

My mom and grandmother outside The Poly
(my mom’s favorite Disney resort.)

My grandmother loved theme parks. To be fair, I think she loved theme parks because my mom loved them. While I may have complained growing up that my clothes were bought at Montgomery Ward, and we always had the cheapest car you could ever buy (the Geo Metro makes a Smart Car seem spacious,) we went on a lot of theme park trips. I never appreciated how hard my mom and grandmother worked, both at physical jobs to get the money to pay for these trips, but also organizing them in a time that was pre-internet. Thanks to them I was able to experience Horizons and Journey Into Imagination (before it was ruined.) We went to Universal, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens. My mother and grandmother didn’t just take me either, as every trip they would also do whatever they could to bring one of my cousins along as well. It was 20 years before I understood how hard these two women worked to give me – and my cousins – the best childhood they could. They sacrificed everything for us.

My grandmother in the “stocks.”

My grandmother had a sense of humor. She passed down a lot of traits to me – including compassion and work ethic – but the one I appreciate the most is her dark sense of humor and her razor sharp wit. She was always ready with a joke, and there was nothing off limits to her. She would say things in her 80s, after a suffering a stroke no less, that would make English soccer hooligan blush. That was gram though, and she was able to be there for you no matter how bad things got and was able to put a smile on your face. Like many, my family has had a lot of adversity to overcome over the years. My grandmother had to see three of her four children pass away at a young age. She’s had to bear the weight of feelings that I can’t even comprehend, yet she was always there for me. She was there for all of us.

I’ll never be half the person my grandmother was, but I will do my best to continue her spirit by being there for those that need me, for living life to its fullest, and to always curse the day John F Kennedy died for stealing Percy’s moment.

We will always have you in our hearts “Double O.G.” Love Derek, Kelly, Daniel, Athene, Andru, Heather and Amber.
Part of a four page comic I submitted at the
final day of Art 101. Surprisingly, this did NOT go
over well with the teacher as we weren’t
asked to submit a comic.

It should be noted that my grandmother also supported me in anything I wanted to do, and was the one who encouraged me to take an art class. This was a “real art” class, with charcoal drawings, still life, and the first time I’ve ever drawn someone nude (which also the first time I ever saw someone who was uncircumcised, but that’s a story for another day.) To say I was horrible in this class was an understatement, but my grandmother was so happy that I finally went to one after years of “doodling.” In fact, she actually framed a drawing from my art class and put it in her living room. I never had the heart to tell her the drawing was done by one of my classmates because mine looked downright awful. Long story short, if there is something you like from me, whether it’s Burgan Fine Art, the SATURDAY SIX, or even this silly Outlet Report, all the credit goes to my grandmother.

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 2013August 2013September 2013October 2013November 2013December 2013January 2014February 2014March 2014April 2014May 2014June 2014July 2014August 2014September 2014October 2014November 2014December 2015January 2015February 2015March 2015April 2015May 2015June 2015July 2015August 2015September 2015October 2015November 2015. December 2015January 2016February 2016March 2016April 2016May 2016June 2016July 2016August 2016September 2016October 2016November 2016December 2016January 2017February 2017March 2017April 2017May 2017June 2017July 2017: The FOUR YEAR ANNIVERSARY special, August 2017 and September 2017.

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 LineCastaway 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).

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34 thoughts on “The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! OCTOBER 2017 Photo Report of the Disney Outlet Store

  • I’m grateful for this blog—it’s a constant source of positivity.

    Reply
  • Tied for first: “mashup of Frozen’s Anna and Jimmy Durante” and the video. LOL! Made my morning! This is the kind of stuff that makes us love you, Derek!

    Thank you for your beautiful tribute to your grandmother. She sounds like she had great spirit. So sorry for your loss.

    PS. Your grandmother’s love of Percy and Fifi really resonated with me. I had Girlcat, or as we now refer to her, Saint Girl. (We resisted giving her a name so as not to make her ours, because she adopted us when we were renting an apartment that didn’t allow pets. 17 years with that name!)

    Reply
  • What wonderful memories you made with your mother & grandmother! Cherish them. My thoughts & prayers to you for healing after such losses…
    I love your posts – thank you!

    Reply
  • Thanks all for the kind words. As I mentioned on The Twitter Machine it is surprising how much words of support can help get you through a tough time, even from people you don’t know. While I never say it, I appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to read this Outlet Report (even the ones who ask where the pics were taken) and it means a lot to me that many of you also took the time to read a tribute to a person you never knew. – Derek

    Reply
  • If you really wanted to throw out a reference to people who read the Wrestling Observer you just could have used a few incorrect words that completely change what you meant to say, then end the paragraph with a mysterious 1/3 of a sentence.

    Reply
    • Next month in the Outlet Report we will tell what it was like being in the arena when Bret Hart wrestling Tom Magee to a five star classic…

      Reply
  • Derek,

    This was such a touching post, just like the one you dedicated to your mother. I’m so sorry for your loss and can’t imagine how difficult it must be losing both these amazing ladies. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with your readers.

    On other note, where were these photos taken… =)

    Reply
  • Derek, I love your Fine Art, Saturday Six and Outlet Reports, all of which make me laugh out loud, I’m sure your Grandmother was very proud of you. She sounds like she was an amazing woman and thank you for sharing your tribute with us. I am sincerely sorry for your loss and will hold you in my prayers.

    Reply
  • A beautiful tribute to your grandmother – I’m sorry for your loss, but your memories of her are always yours to keep.

    Reply
  • Thank you for the wonderful report, and so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute you wrote!

    Reply
  • What a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. She sounds like an amazing person!
    On a lighter note, that Mickey “Sorcerer” toy is absolutely nuts! I see there’s a wand that goes with it, so I’m guessing you’re supposed to put the wand in his hand and make it look like he’s waving it. But yeah…someone missed the mark with that one! But so hilarious!

    Reply
  • Derek, I’m sorry for your loss. Grandma sounded like quite the lady.

    Those Thumper plushes look creepy… the one up front reminds me of That Rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail…

    Reply
    • Maybe they can repurpose the plush if Disney ever does a “Watership Down” remake.

      Reply
  • Thank you, Derek.

    Reply
  • So sorry for your loss. Your grandmother sounds like an amazing woman and role model. She lives on in all that you do and are. To paraphrase Hebrew words of comfort, may your memories of her be a comfort and a blessing.

    Reply
  • Thank you for the wonderful tribute to your grandmother. What an caring, strong and adventurous woman! I am sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  • “They just can’t get my nose right!”

    -the Anna birthstone pin

    Reply
  • What a wonderful testament to your grandmother’s vivaciousness and love for you. Thank you for sharing a little bit of her with us. I’m sorry for your loss, but glad that you had her in your life.

    Reply
  • Your Grandmother sounds amazing. What a beautiful tribute.

    Reply
  • The coffee mug with a plug is a double walled ceramic coffee mug, the plug keeps it sealed and your drinks warmer when you are using it and then you remove it when you wash it so water doesn’t get stuck between the layers. I got a free one from work, it’s nice, but holds a disappointingly small amount of coffee- it is smaller on the inside because of the double wall.

    Reply
    • OH, so that’s NOT how you put the coffee in. Good to know.

      Reply
  • The Storm Trooper “Not a magic eye poster” reminds me of the poster for Being John Malkovich.

    What’s the deal with Waldo in the fourth row from the bottom?

    Reply
    • That’s Captain Phasma from Force Awakens, the first stormtrooper “officer” character.

      Reply
      • Why would she just be in the middle of the rest of them? I realize we’ve all put more time into this than the the team that approved it, but still.

  • Your mystery Tsum Tsum is Sheldon the seahorse from Finding Nemo/Dory, he’s one of Nemo’s classmates. I have an obsessed 4-year-old and need to go grab those Nemo ones!

    Reply
  • Well I just got choked up from reading an Outlet Report and this time it wasn’t from seeing Disney try to sell their cheap hotel room towels at absurd prices. Truly sorry for your loss – she sounds like she was an incredible person. What an inspirational tribute.

    Reply
  • Aside from maybe wanting to entertain a baby, who in this day and age would buy a pinwheel? It’s like buying a hoop and an a stick to play with. I feel society has moved on.

    Very sweet tribute to your Grandma. It sounds like she lived a very full life, and I’m sure you brought her much happiness.

    Reply
    • Weren’t pinwheels the original fidget spinners?

      Reply
      • Lol. An excellent point!

  • My sincere sympathies for your grand-mother

    Reply
  • >Have absolutely no idea who this guy is. Maybe from its a small world? Or a wuzzle from Pooh?

    That looks like a seahorse (curled under tail with suggestion of scales, fins on back and sides, long nose). Is there a seahorse in Finding Dory?

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    • Charles I think you probably should be writing this Fine Blog Series. You are correct.

      Reply
  • Another great outlet report! Hopefully some of that stuff will still be available when I get there on Saturday!

    Real talk…I’m so sorry for your loss. Your grandma sounds like an amazing woman, and I’m glad you were able to share so many details of her life, and how she’s influenced yours. You are an awesome writer and the story of your grandmother is an excellent one. She will live on through your words.
    Much love to your family and to you.

    Reply

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