Aloha and welcome to a very special Merchandise Update. If you are hoping for coverage of Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District, fret not – I’ve got it for you. But with our very own Dusty Sage visiting Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, over on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, we are also treated to a glimpse of some of what you can purchase there. Grab yourself a tropical beverage and read on!
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
If you watched Dusty Sage’s livestream on MiceChat’s Facebook page, then you’ve seen that only two of the four stores in the resort are currently available, Kālepa’s Store, located just off the lobby, and The Lava Shack, situated in the heart of the pool area. We’ll be looking at the former here.
Holidays in Paradise
It may not have snow flurries (although it does have white sandy beaches) but the holiday season is alive at Aulani. The front display at Kālepa’s is now decorated with Christmas-y goodies.
There are several T-shirts available with Mickey Mouse on them. He is dressed in seasonal yet tropical attire, with flip-flops, Bermuda shorts, and a Hibiscus-printed shirt.
There is also this long-sleeved shirt with Duffy the Disney Bear along with his turtle buddy, ‘Olu Mel (originally just “‘Olu”), decorating a palm tree. So festive!
This Santa cap is another Duffy and Friends-themed seasonal item. On the band, ‘Olu Mel joins Stella Lou in wishing everyone “Aloha Kalikimaka”.
For those who collect ornaments, you’ll find several are unique to the resort. Here, we see Mickey and Minnie, again dressed in more tropical attire, building a snowman out of sand (which, I guess makes it a sandman?).
But if Duffy and his friends are more your style (they are certainly a favorite of mine), there are two ornaments that you’ll be interested in. The first is a disc ornament featuring ‘Olu Mel, playing his ukulele beneath a palm tree, decorated for Christmas. The second is a figural ornament with ‘Olu Mel and the bunny Stella Lou, exchanging presents.
Duffy and Friends Fur-ever
Duffy the Disney Bear and his buddies may be absent from the US-based Disney Parks but merchandise for the fluffy friends is plentiful at Aulani. In fact, the resort now has all five characters represented: Duffy the bear, Shellie May the bear, ‘Olu Mel the turtle, Stella Lou the bunny, and most recently, Cookie Ann the dog. In addition to their pre-dressed plushes, there are the larger, naked plushes of these characters.
Here’s a look at one of the newer pre-dressed Duffy plushes.
Shellie May has a matching pre-dressed plush. I love the little flower on her right ear.
‘Olu Mel was treated to some fun new merchandise after the reopening of the resort. In addition to the previously-released pre-dressed plush, there is now another, dressed in a sort-of tiki print. You can find a similar print on shirts and dresses for the human members of your family. There is also a tinier pre-dressed ‘Olu Mel plush that sits atop a decorative base.
Other new items include this incredibly adorable Loungefly Mini Backpack made in ‘Olu Mel’s likeness. The backside even mimics the pattern seen on the turtle’s shell. There is also a new Tervis Tumbler with a graphic of ‘Olu Mel blowing conch shell. And the hard-shelled rolling suitcase is probably a necessary purchase after a shopping spree at Kālepa’s Store.
The naked ‘Olu Mel plushes are close-by as are the turtle’s special outfit.
Stella Lou has several plush keychains to call her own as well as pre-dressed plush along with a naked plush and matching outfit, sold separately.
Aulani’s newest Duffy friend, Cookie Ann is a puppy baker and has the chef’s hat to prove it. Cookie Ann may be available at the Asian Disney Parks as well but only at Aulani will you see her with a Plumeria on her hat (it is usually a bow).
In addition to the naked plush (seen above), Cookie Ann has a pre-dressed plush of her own. She is wearing a lovely little apron with a print covered in shave ice, Dole Whip, and Aulani’s logo. You’ll see her sporting the same outfit on her plush keychain.
In addition to plushes, we found this little crossbody plush purse. It has a small zippered pocket on top.
And if you want to replicate Cookie Ann’s style, there is also a cosplay hoodie. The paw-shaped pockets are similar to the Duffy and Friends cosplay hoodies found at the Asian Disney Parks.
You may recall seeing this headband on Dusty’s livestream. Originally from the Aloha Sunny Days line of merchandise, they are popular sellers. Personally, I find them off-putting. It makes me feel like someone decapitated the plushes and then sewed the severed heads on a headband. But that could just be me.
Yes, Aulani Has Spirit Jerseys
You want Spirit Jerseys? Well, you’re in luck! Aulani has quite a few and they are all exclusive to the resort (the majority of the merchandise sold at Aulani is, actually). Which one is your favorite?
And Ear Headbands, Too
Ear Headbands can also be found at Kālepa’s Store. There are several in the style you see below, which feature fake flowers with hidden Mickeys in the center.
There is also this Ear Headband that is covered with a print by Tori Richard, designed especially for Aulani.
Odds & Ends, Island-Style
All around Aulani, you’ll find statues of Menehune, mystical beings native to the Hawaiian Islands. They can even be spotted in the gift shop in the form of a merchandise line, including these statuettes and mugs.
Dooney & Bourke fans will be pleased to learn that there are plenty of exclusive designs here, too.
Take a little trip to Disney’s Hawaiian paradise with Dusty in this delightful walkthrough video below:
Down in Downtown Disney
Let’s hop across the Pacific Ocean and back over to Anaheim for a look at what’s available at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney.
Even More Holiday Merchandise Arrives
You may have thought that last week (or even the week before) was the end of the new holiday merchandise but you would be wrong!
Santa’s elves must have been pretty dang busy because a sleigh’s worth of toys were recently stocked over at World of Disney. First up are these plushes of Santa Mickey and Elf Minnie (sold separately). They are cute and all but don’t have much detail that makes them stand out, especially when you compare them to what we see next.
Scented Holiday plushes were introduced last year with a Gingerbread Mickey and Hidden Mickey Peppermint Candy. This year, we get an even cuter Gingerbread Mickey and a Gingerbread Minnie as well (sorry, peppermint fans).
Much like last year, the Groot Shoulder Plush gets a holiday outfit. Compared to last year’s simple addition of a Santa cap, this design, which features the alien wrapped up in an embroidered string of Christmas lights. I far and away prefer this one.
In addition to plushes, there are also new stockings. One of the things that I really like about these is that they look like actual stockings with the heel and toe patches.
Christmas isn’t the only winter holiday that is gifted with some new Parks merchandise. The Jewish Festival of Light, Hanukkah, has a small sampling of home goods. The salt and pepper shakers are fashioned in the shape of dreidels.
This set of eight pouches (for all eight nights of the holiday) would be a great way to gift some Hanukkah gelt to your loved ones.
Odds & Ends
Another Spirit Jersey has been spotted in the wild, this time it themed to woodland critters. Many furry and feathered friends from different Disney films gather to play across it. I really, really like this one – both the concept as well as the design.
Not all the new toys we saw were holiday-themed. A toddler Moana has joined the Disney Babies line of swaddled plushes.
Additionally, Groot has been transformed as an interactive figure. According to his box, he “recognizes and responds back to 20 spoken phrases with sounds, music, and motion.” Sounds like a sound Christmas gift idea to me.
For the final leg of our Downtown Disney visit, we’ll make our way over to the Disney Dress Shop, where two new dresses have come in.
This Ratatouille Dress may be my favorite of the ones created so far. I simply love the stylized Remy and Emile by the pockets (yay for pockets!). Plus, the buttons on the chest remind me of a chefs outfit. And isn’t the art on the skirt just darling?
We are going to squeeze in one last holiday item with this winter-inspired dress. The neckline and ribbon along the waist are dotted with different silver snowflakes. But the most magical detail is the castle on the skirt, covered in snow.
Tiki Shopping Event Troubles
Disney partnered with the brilliant artist, SHAG, to bring a slew of new Tiki-themed prints and merchandise to a special merchandise event that runs Monday and Tuesday of this week. Unfortunately, it was beset with registration problems. You can read all about it here:
Disneyland’s Tiki Shopping Event Leads to Confusion and Frustration
For the Couch-Bound Shoppers
One of our favorite manufacturers of Disney merchandise, Toynk, has two new additions to their VERY popular Disney Princess Collection. They’ve just released a Disney Princess 16-Piece Ceramic Dinnerware Collection (their third) and a Disney Princess 13-Piece Ceramic Tea Set.
The Disney Princess Dinnerware Collection #3 features is in the same style as the first two collections. The complete 16-piece set includes four 12-ounce mugs, four 2-cup capacity bowls, four 10.75-inch dinner plates, and four 7-inch dessert plates in the following themes:
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- Moana (Moana) in coral
- Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) in yellow
- Pocahontas (Pocahontas) in pink
- Merida (Brave) in mint green
The Tea Set includes a 34oz Teapot, Sugar Bowl with lid, Creamer, four 7-oz Teacups, and four 6-in Saucers. The designs are inspired by Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, and Jasmine.
And you don’t need to visit Downtown Disney for this one, you can visit Toynk’s website HERE.
Save On Future Theme Park Travel
(Discount Theme Park Tickets and Travel Packages)
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park booking and rescheduling plans. Whether you are ready to travel again or not, there is no better time to LOCK IN LOW RATES on future theme park travel to places like Walt Disney World, Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii, or family destinations like San Diego. Right now is a great time for you to speak with Get Away Today. Give your family something to look forward to and put a vacation on the calendar. Snap up those deals while you can, with your MiceChat partners at Get Away Today- HERE OR Get a free Aulani quote request is by calling 855-GET-AWAY (and always let them know you are a MiceChat reader for the biggest discounts).
Let’s Hear from You
Well folks, Are you ready for the holidays? Did our Aulani merchandise section have you longing for island breezes? And could that tea set be the perfect Christmas gift for the Disney princess-lover in your family?!
Let’s hear from you below . . .
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