Here Is Why You SHOULD (and Why You SHOULDN’T) Be Buying FAKE Disney Merchandise

It’s the conversation that nobody wants to talk about.

The Walt Disney Company excels in many realms, one of them being merchandise. The entertainment giant is a pro at creating desirable merchandise for pretty much every movie, show, or park reference you could imagine. Visitors of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort often spend hundreds of dollars on the newest and cutest Disney merchandise.

However, there is a major negative side to Disney’s merchandise: the cost. Over the years, fans have been horrified to see the prices for merchandise continue to climb higher and higher. Now, even something as simple as a Mickey Ear Headband can cost you nearly $40. For many fans, there is a simple solution to evading these costs: buying fake merchandise.

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Credit: Jackie Nell on Flickr

In the Defense of Fake Merchandise

In this digital age, the internet can be a valuable tool for reaching fans within the Disney community. Through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram, many fans have learned about the world of counterfeit Disney merchandise. These items have the look and feel of branded Disney merchandise but come without the inflated costs.

For many fans, fake merchandise is a way for them to feel in the Disney spirit without having to spend the Disney premium. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that a guest feels the magic of Disney. If a knock-off Loungefly is the thing they need in order to have that feeling, who is anyone to tell them that is bad?

Credit: Loungefly

… And the Case Against Fake Disney Merchandise

Despite the obvious problem that a lot of fake merchandise is technically illegal to make, another issue comes with tampering with the resale market. If people are buying fake merchandise, they could also very well be trading or selling it to unsuspecting customers who think they are getting the real deal. Right now, the Disney pin trading community is facing a major problem with people trading counterfeit pins. As a result, many people are no longer trading with strangers at the Parks.

Credit: Boxlunch

While there are strong arguments on both sides of this argument, it is unclear where the Disney community stands as a whole. What do you think?