When Disney announced earlier this month that the company would start selling “Park Packs,” many fans got excited. Who wouldn’t want a pack of park goodies sent to them in the mail each month, much like the subscription services Loot Crate, Ipsy and Birchbox? But the excitement was short-lived for some when it was revealed that the boxes would only contain pins – specifically, three mystery pins for $39.95. Still, the “Park Packs” must be proving to be a popular item, since the first one was available for sale on May 14 and it was sold out less than a week later on the Disney parks online store website. (The packs aren’t based on a subscription model but a new pack is supposed to be released on the first Thursday of every month.) So what other items would Disney fans probably clamor for? Here are 5 Merchandise Items Disney Should Sell:
1. Subscription mystery boxes
Disney would likely rack up tons of sales if the company started offering a true monthly mystery box, filled with items exclusive to the parks. Maybe each month’s items could be based around a theme, such as garden-themed goodies around the time of the Flower and Garden Festival or Star Wars souvenirs before those weekends. The boxes could contain a T-shirt per month, along with smaller items such as a Vinylmation, antenna topper and MagicBandits set. Disney could also follow the lead of some of the other subscription-box companies and tailor the boxes based on subscribers’ interests – while still leaving the exact contents of the boxes a surprise each month. As long as the boxes weren’t outrageously priced, fans would snap up subscriptions in no time.
2. Trip planners
Printed planners are so popular these days – with some people decorating them much like they would scrapbooks – and Disney could cash in on this craze by offering planners that also serve as trip countdown books. Instead of normal notations on a calendar, such as national holidays, the planners could include notable park events, tips and photos. And Disney could offer tons of embellishments to go with the planners, such as washi tape, stickers, patterned paper and borders, pens, pencils, paper punches and stamps, along with interchangeable covers.
3. Food of the month boxes
Imagine going to your mailbox and being greeted with a mystery package of foods straight from your favorite parks. While fresh turkey legs and Dole Whips might be a little difficult to package and send all over the world, these boxes could contain Minnie’s Bake Shop cookies, cotton candy straight from Main Street U.S.A., Mickey crispy rice treats and Goofy’s Candy Co. Sour Gummy Worms. Countries in Epcot could also get in on the action, offering some of the treats that are available in the shops there, such as gourmet caramels from Karamell-Kuche in Germany or fizzy fruity candy from Mitsukoshi in Japan. Maybe at a different price point, the boxes could contain souvenir popcorn buckets, such as the pretty Cinderella’s carriage bucket that’s new to the parks or the fun, classic Dumbo popcorn bucket.
4. Room decorations
Many of Disney’s resort rooms are richly themed, but how can you add your own touches without filling your suitcase with supplies? Disney could offer a box full of room decorations at the parks, such as flags, signs and removable decals that could liven up rooms and still possibly be used at home. The company could also offer boxes filled with Disney-themed decorations for events like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. Disney does offer some packages for special occasions through its Floral & Gifts department, but the prices are a little steep for many vacationers.
5. Craft kits
If you’ve ever been on Pinterest, you’ve probably seen thousands and thousands of Disney craft ideas. The problem with many of them is that the supplies are sometimes hard to find – and the cost of those supplies can add up too. Disney could offer kits containing everything that would be needed to make a craft, such as a wreath, bracelet or picture frame, and the kits could be offered at the parks, for people to make while relaxing after a long day, or through the mail to spread the magic at home. People could make the items to get ready for a trip or to remember past vacations. And Disney has so many sources for crafty ideas. Hawaiian wreath kits could be offered based on “Lilo and Stitch,” a floating rose kit could honor “Beauty and the Beast,” and fans of the movie “Up” could get a kit to create their own “adventure book.” Craft kits could also be offered so people could make and customize mini versions of rides, parks and ride vehicles.
Disney already sells so many items that it can be hard to imagine what more the company could offer, but these new items would likely be welcomed by many fans. Are there any other merchandise items that you think Disney should sell? Leave your ideas in the comments below!
