Disney Deinfluencing: How To NOT Buy It All

Serious question, guys: is there TOO MUCH Disney merch out there?

THE DISNEY MERCH MARKET HAS EXPLODED

Back in the day – you know, the years that began with 19 – you had limited options if you were looking to buy Disney merchandise. You could buy it in an official Disney Store, or you could buy it in a Disney theme park. Some department stores and such did carry Disney clothing, toys, etc., but they were rarely particular niche. Every once and a while, Disney would work with another well known brand for a “Disney” version of their product. And it was all carefully licensed, of course.

Flash forward to now, when you can’t turn your head without seeing a new Disney product, themed drop, or collab. With the help of the internet and a serious increase in licensing, you can get the Disney version of just about anything at any price point, from drugstore makeup and discount store tees to luxury timepieces and designer bags. If there’s something established brands don’t cover, independent Etsy shops are happy to pick up the slack.

Most tellingly, Disney itself has turned its eyes to what people are buying and increasingly matched popular products, especially apparel.

ISN’T COMPETITION THE HALLMARK OF A HEALTHY ECONOMY?

In some ways this is good! It means that you have more choices and more chances. You’re not looking at the same Mickey t-shirt in three different colors anymore. The opportunity for self-expression, for Disney style and lifestyle that reflects your personal tastes, has never been greater.

On the other hand, it has become truly IMPOSSIBLE to keep up. Unless you are in a very high tax bracket, you simply can’t afford to buy everything. And even if you can, where could you possibly put it all? Which leads us to the subject of my latest Disney Deinfluencing post: how can you avoid the constant impulse to whip out your credit card and purchase only what makes sense for you?

WHAT IS DISNEY DEINFLUENCING?

In a world where Disney and its collaborators have a new line of merch out every day, I think it behooves us to take a step back from the onslaught and consider the wider implications. Is this latest and greatest thing a good value for your money? Something you’ll really use? How long will it last? Do you have a place to put it? Do you actually want it?

These may seem like stupid questions, but modern marketing and pervasive advertising through social media influencers can sweep you up in hype. Next thing you know, the site is processing your credit card information before your brain has had a chance to process what’s happened. Even if the monetary expenditure doesn’t worry you, your living space is finite and the environmental impact is more than zero.

Listen, I’m not here to try to tell you NOT to buy things EVER; that’s no fun. Instead, I hope to encourage everyone (including me!) to make their purchases thoughtfully, without succumbing to tactics like scarcity marketing that encourage impulsive spending and compulsive hoarding. The goal is to avoid buyer’s remorse, whatever that looks like for you.

SO HOW DO WE COMBAT OVERBUYING DISNEY MERCH?

Having laid out the central thesis, I’m sure it’s obvious that no single buying strategy is going to fit everyone’s needs. As such, I’m certainly in no position to lecture you with my personal ethos. Much better to crowdsource! I turned to my Instagram followers to find out how they make their purchasing decisions. Read through what they had to say below, then apply what points most resonate with you.

WHY BUY IT?

We all deserve to indulge every once and again! The trick is to be thoughtful about when and what to splurge on. When it’s time for a little treat, how do you decide what that treat should be?

You have an immediate use for it. If it’s an accessory or apparel item, you instantly know how to style it with items you already own. For home and decor, you can see it slotting into your coffee routine or filling an empty shelf space.

It’s unique. This isn’t a generic Mickey Mouse head t-shirt. This is an item, character, or IP that doesn’t come around often, and/or it’s something you don’t already own anything equivalent to. It fills a niche.

It has specific sentimental value. It’s your kid’s first Disney park trip and you want to indulge them in a memory they can take home. You’re there for your first marathon and you want to commemorate your accomplishment. It reminds you of a friend, family member, or pet that you want to honor.

It’s a gift. Sometimes a great way to scratch that shopping itch is to pick out gifts for others. Finding the perfect present for an upcoming birthday or other occasion is something you’d need to do anyway, and now you can shop for it in the most magical place on earth!

You’ve taken the time to think about it. A lot of buyer’s remorse is born of not taking the time to think before you buy. But if it’s been a couple weeks and you still can’t forget about that Figment Loungefly backpack, it might in fact be worth your hard-earned cash. Sometimes it even helps to put them item in your cart (be that in-person or digital) and wander around for a bit. Sit with it. And just generally speaking, if it’s a now-or-never proposition, it’s generally going to be better to choose never in 99% of cases.

WHY SHOULDN’T YOU BUY IT?

On the flip side, it’s important to be able to recognize when to put your wallet back in your bag, step back, and reconsider. Do you really want this, or are you just swept up in the Disney marketing machine? When should you walk away?

The quality isn’t there. Let’s face it: much like the design of the merch itself, Disney’s production quality can be hit-or-miss. It doesn’t matter how cute that little dress is if the threads are already unraveling. Inspect before you commit. Remember, it’s not simply a question of price but of value.

No imagination, huh? As one Insta follower said: “If it looks like I could get it on Amazon.” And I think that sums it up better than I ever could.

If you know that realistically you’ll never use it. Will you really wear a glittery Mickey ear train conductor hat anywhere ever again? Is the fleeting magic of playing amongst the output of your bubble wand worth the single day it actually sees action? Will you want to wear a sweatshirt emblazoned with 2026 in 2033? Maybe so! I’m just saying – double check with yourself before buying. Otherwise you run the risk of paying big bucks for what ultimately becomes clutter or a thrift store donation.

You already own what amounts to the same thing. How many runDisney spirit jerseys does one person need, really? Only you can answer that question… but you do have to ask yourself first.

You can get it for cheaper elsewhere. Many locals have access to outlet stores or even the CM-only Cast Connections shop. If the product is available at DisneyStore.com, there may be a discount code available (although watch out for shipping costs). Those who don’t live near Disney may wish to check resale stores and sites. eBay pirates like to ratchet up prices at the beginning, but if you give it some time you may find that thing you wanted in good secondhand shape for half the cost or less at a later date.

You don’t have the money. I know! I know; this one sucks. But nothing – NOTHINGGGG – Disney stores sell is worth going into debt over. Necessities first. Go get some free stickers or pins or pixie dusted at the barber shop instead.

HOW MUCH DISNEY MERCH IS RIGHT?

The bottom line is that there is no exact perfect consumption set point for everyone. Yours is different from mine, which is why I’m not here telling you exactly what to do. Rather, I hope that by laying out a framework for thought – why one might choose to purchase or not and what factors you may wish to consider – you will have a path to finding the right point for you.

And hey, if you feel comfortable throwing caution to the wind and buying anything and everything Disney drops that you want, you’re not alone! I had several people on Instagram respond with some variation of “What do you mean, NOT buy something?”

What you can afford, what you have space for, what you can use, and what brings you unadulterated joy is entirely personal to you. There is admittedly the environmental impact, but I think we can mostly blame corporations for that. Might as well make yourself happy! Just make sure you really are happy, and not letting stuff become a bandaid.

This concludes my latest Disney Deinfluencing post. I have a few more planned, but if you have a particular topic you’d like me to cover, please let me know via the communication channel of your choice!

Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!