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Disney theme parks are known for a lot of things — fun rides and attractions, delicious food and drinks, and a ton of incredible merchandise that can meet almost any budget and satisfy any Guest. While there is merchandise that’s typically available at all times during the year — like stuffed animals and ceramic mugs — sometimes Disney comes out with exclusive merchandise that is extremely popular and sells out within a matter of days, or even hours. Guests will line up before some stores even open as they try to get their hands on the special merch.
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However, sometimes Guests can’t make it to the Parks to get the new merchandise when it is released — that’s where personal shoppers and resellers come in. Personal shoppers and resellers are typically different in their approach to buying Disney merchandise, but they have been the bane of many Guests’ existence for years. Personal shoppers will typically have specific items that they are purchasing and will then charge a “finder’s fee” and charge for shipping. Resellers usually buy a lot of the same product, then sell it online for more than what they paid for it.
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Since Disney does not put strict purchasing limits on all of their merchandise, resellers and personal shoppers have been able to nearly clear the shelves, leaving other Guests unable to buy products. This becomes especially problematic when new merchandise drops and people are able to purchase as much of the product as they want. There are also times when Disney has put purchasing limits on transactions, but they have been extremely high — as many as ten per person in some instances.
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Now, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World Annual Passes prohibit Guests from using their Annual Pass discount and then reselling the merchandise that they have purchased. Violating this policy can result in the revocation of the Guest’s Annual Pass. Disneyland and Disney World’s Annual Pass terms and conditions state:
A Passholder must present a valid Annual Pass and valid photo identification prior to purchases to receive any applicable benefits and discounts. Benefits and discounts are nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Such benefits and discounts are for personal use only and may not be used for any commercial purpose including, without limitation, to obtain or purchase items or services with the intent to resell such items or services.
Credit: Disney
While it’s always possible to find popular Disney Parks merchandise being sold online, it seems that Disney may be cracking down on those who they feel are abusing the system. One of the most popular Disney personal shoppers recently posted that they are being forced to close down and speculation is that the Shopper’s Annual Pass has been revoked as a result of their business. The move was celebrated by many on social media, including Gotta Go Orlando.
https://twitter.com/GGOCrewOfficial/status/1457681189859438594
The move by Disney to try to cut down on resellers and personal shoppers was also celebrated by Mikki Lou Who.
“Mostly just unhappy people finding something to be unhappy about” Just wow! Buying all the merchandise & reselling it for profit & those of us that just want a souvenir don’t have an option to purchase makes us just unhappy people? Haha, no it’s the wagon load of merchandise.
“Mostly just unhappy people finding something to be unhappy about”
Just wow! Buying all the merchandise & reselling it for profit & those of us that just want a souvenir don’t have an option to purchase makes us just unhappy people? Haha, no it’s the wagon load of merchandise.— Mikki (@MikkiluvsMickey) November 8, 2021
Jenn (@JBureau77) agreed, saying that resellers were making it nearly impossible for some Guests to get their hands on some merchandise, even though they were visiting the Parks.
The only thing I’m unhappy about is being unable to get the souvenir I want because resellers have bought them all out. So I mean she’s right… but it’s the “resell community” that’s made me that way and I thus lack empathy for the people who made it their primary income.
The only thing I’m unhappy about is being unable to get the souvenir I want because resellers have bought them all out. So I mean she’s right… but it’s the “resell community” that’s made me that way and I thus lack empathy for the people who made it their primary income.
— Jenn (@PanicAtTheTato) November 8, 2021
Now, lately, Disney has been cracking down on just how much merchandise people can purchase, putting a limit of two per SKU number per Guest. That means that someone will be able to buy two of the same t-shirt in each size, considering each size has a different SKU, but only two of something like a tumbler. It is possible that shoppers and resellers could go from store to store to make the purchases, but Disney also keeps an eye on resell websites like EBay, so resellers are not completely safe.
While it is possible for shoppers to purchase a lot of the same product if they try hard enough, many are happy to see that Disney is at least trying to do something to crack down on those who make it impossible to buy certain pieces of merchandise.
Are you glad to see Disney cracking down on personal shoppers and resellers?
