Just wanted to post up my utter and complete disappointment with the merchandising at DLR-Paris.

As a huge fan of the Original disneyland here in Anaheim, and I would admit an overall Disney-ite, I have gone to the extent of visiting WDW for 7 days and now DLR-Paris for 2 days. To prepare for my trip to Paris and the DLR, I purchased (with quite a bit of ease) a Disneyland 1955 sweatshirt and a disneyland embroidered scarf. I wanted to show my love for the original, while in Paris.

Well, with that being said, on our trip to paris, we recieved a few requests from other disney-ites for DLR-Paris memorabilia (specifically a girl-cut shirt and a few other smaller items) when we were there.

It was after 1 quick browsing of the Emporium and Clothiers at Disneyland Park in Paris, that I was completely and utterly disgusted by the lack of branded merchandise that they have there. Almost 80% of their clothing was branded with "LIMITED EDITION" or just the shilouette of mickey. We had to call our friends back in the US to inform them that there was a small selection of clothes (all screen print t-shirts, maybe about 10) that anywhere on them said "Disneyland Resort Paris"

Needless to say. we spent our money that we had set aside for souvineers at DLR, in the city, not at the park.

Out of the entire selection of merchandise, we ended up with the following

1 DLR-Paris Beanie
2 Pins (neither one saying DLR-Paris)
2 T-Shirts (the only 2 non-children tshirts we could find with the DLR name on them)

has anyone else experienced this? Both WDW and DLR here in Anaheim have PLENTY of merchandise with the resort name or park name on them, why is that such a hard concept in Paris?




Sorry for the rant, just had to get that off my chest...

Although most of the souvenirs I brought home from Paris were from DLR, I was a little disappointed too. I found that most of the stores (even the Disney store in Disney Village) had the same stuff all over. Only few stores had unique things, like masses of Lion King stuff (and promoting their Le Roi Lion show that was upcoming at the time).

However, I did find some gems that I regret not purchasing: a baby blue Minnie puffer jacket; a girls knit baby blue Minnie sweatshirt (matching a kids puffer jacket); a picnic set; a wine glass set. Plus, I did find a Lilo & Stitch (one of the VERY VERY few L&S items available) poster that was really cute that I'd never seen before. So while I was sorely disappointed with the lack of variety in DLP's merchandise, there were some things that really stood out for me.

And does DLP have their own Consumer Products and Merchandising division out there? Or is it done centrally here? I'd love to join the team and shake it up!

I can agree with both of you 100%. I was so disappointed in the DL Paris merchandise, that I barely bought anything.

I mostly brought home pins (which, I just recently sold on Ebay...as they were never traded or used). I bought one sweatshirt...and not only is it not very unique...it is rather cheaply made.

I gather, from reading/talking with other people about Paris, the Europeans just don't wear sweatshirts like we do in the US. Also, they tend to wear more formal clothing (ie: button down shirts, nicer blouses, etc). But, still, even with that, there wasn't much selection.

Like you two...I spent more money in the city of Paris than at DL Paris.

Heck...I didn't see even one kid in Mickey Mouse ears!! :eek: Not one!
Did you guys? I in fact, didn't even see where any were sold. :(

Ditto for us. It's been a few years, but we thought the DLP merch was extremely lame. And I was preparing to spend big bucks on stuff to bring back to the kids. :rolleyes: Hardly anthing really distinctive to the park. Heck, I found better stuff in the France Pavilion at Epcot.

I quite like the merchandise at DLRP, and I can say that I have seen many people wearing mouse ears, but more of Sourcers Apprentice hats, that would be me included lol. They could in my opinion though use a new merchandise team, since who wants to buy a glass that still has Euro Disney on it, lol.

I agree there's not much good merchendise...mostly children's toys and stuff. However you have to consider that Europeans tend to buy far less than Americans, so my guess is that this was done for a reason...

The merchandise at DLP is a real mixed bag, forgive the pun. They make awesome plush, parade CDs, dress shirts for men and sweaters and scarves for women. Their wedding accessories are pretty neat.

Their "hard lines" are quite lacking - mugs, snow globes, figurines. IMHO, they are either tacky cheap plastic, or too overpriced. Very little decent attraction-specific merchandise, few ride toys. They could make a fortune selling their attraction posters, but they don't offer them.

AVP

I've only been once in 1993 and the merch was a small step up from DL at that time. Sounds like it's gone downhill. My favorite items I bought there were all chinaware - a full place setting from Auberge du Cendrillon ( I doubt they sell these anymore, they would have long run out...) and beautiful teacup/saucer and plates, all with Snow White artwork and excerpts from the story, made by an English china company whose name escapes me at present.

They make awesome plush, parade CDs,

AVP

I did buy those...a plush Mickey and Minnie (still haven't seen this style anywhere else...hubby wondered why in the world I would buy plush stuff to drag home......and I bought the Disneyland Paris music CD.

Oh...and that sweatshirt... :rolleyes:

Very little decent attraction-specific merchandise, few ride toys. They could make a fortune selling their attraction posters, but they don't offer them.

AVP

Ding Dong--that's what it was. Most things seemed pretty generic. Which is very odd, since the park is so beautiful and detailed.

Ding Dong--that's what it was. Most things seemed pretty generic. Which is very odd, since the park is so beautiful and detailed.I know. When I was over there for the opening of Studios, I met and spent some time with their head of merchandising. He asked me what types of products I thought they were lacking, and attraction posters and ride-specific toys were right up there on my list. He just looked at me like I was speaking Greek.

Such an amazing, beautiful, detailed park. I just wish they merchandised it better.

AVP

It was after 1 quick browsing of the Emporium and Clothiers at Disneyland Park in Paris, that I was completely and utterly disgusted by the lack of branded merchandise that they have there.

Yup. Unfortunately, been that way since the place first opened.

And does DLP have their own Consumer Products and Merchandising division out there? Or is it done centrally here? I'd love to join the team and shake it up!

I imagine they must still have one. I certainly know they used to. In fact, I tagged along with a team of Disney artists and concept designers from the U.S. that was sent over to pow-wow with the local merchandise creative team that was in place there, in an attempt to get them to punch-up their Euro Disneyland (as it was called back then) logo-ed and Euro Disney Exclusive merchandise mix.

To say this team was met with indifference and a "we know our customers better than you" attitude, would be an understatement. :( They definitely didn't want anyone telling them how to do their job! They just quietly listened to what was suggested, and then rather snobbishly (IMHO) thanked everyone and sent them packing back to the U.S.

I would suspect that with the money troubles that Disneyland Paris has had to endure over the years, that there have been staff cutbacks in this area and as such, the inclination to purchase general Disney licensed stuff "off the rack" so-to-speak, rather than design from scratch...has to be high.

I did later hear at one time that some of the tasking for Disneyland Paris' merchandise was going to be shifted to the Walt Disney World Merchandise Division, but I don't know if that was ever done or to what degree if it was.

I can certainly understand that Europeans have a different and generally more refined sense of style that most here in the U.S. do. And I can see where some there would rather have more subtle and stylized character merchandise with fewer commercial references (re: Disneyland Paris logos) that might be considered crass Theme Park advertising by many. But I also think management and the creative team there have always sold the Disneyland Paris "logo" merchandise way short, and greatly underestimate it's appeal to many in that market.

And also a great underestimation of the attraction of Theme Park referenced merchandise (attractions, park icons, etc), IMHO. Disneyland Paris Theme Park is its own "character."

I totally agree with you. When we went 3 years ago, all I wanted was a nice t-shirt that reflected the park. I could not find one that even came close. Nor could I find a large map to frame (other than the guides). We ended up buying very little as souveneers and needless to say I was extremely disappointed. We went to WDW the following year, I ended up buying a very nice DL Paris t-shirt at Epcot France, so I did finally get my shirt, but I had to buy it here!

I can certainly understand that Europeans have a different and generally more refined sense of style that most here in the U.S. do.

Nah we just like to make out that we do. :D

Plenty of Europeans wear jeans, t shirts, sweatshirts etc. In fact some of my favourite clothes come from Disney.

Nah we just like to make out that we do.

But in the world of style...that's all that's necessary! :)

In the Tokyo parks, most of what is sold is park-specific merchandise. However, almost all of that is character-driven. So you'll be hard-pressed to find much merchandise, specially clothing, with the Park or Resort title.