YesterEars Vintage Disney World Shirts: Yea or Nay?
We don’t regularly “report” on merchandise here…because we don’t really buy any of the new releases. However, with the new YesterEars label, and specifically the new Figment and Dreamfinder design that’s being released (and Alien Encounter!), it seems like a topic worth discussing. With this post, I thought I’d give you a heads up on these new shirts, and also share my thoughts about these vintage/retro shirts that have exploded in popularity in the last several years.
In what I’d describe as a Walt Disney World merchandising renaissance that began a little over 5 years ago, we’ve started to see more attraction-specific designs (both current and extinct), greater variety, and an overall better sense of design. (Although the abhorrent ‘year’ designs are still the most prominent merchandise–baby steps.) The classic “D” Walt Disney World logo has returned, and a lot of creative, ‘test’ pieces have been released. Some (many) have flopped, but at least they are pushing the envelope.
All of this has led to Walt Disney World being the best worldwide resort for merchandise, in my opinion. (For those keeping score at home: 1) WDW; 2) Disneyland; 3) Shanghai Disneyland; 4) Hong Kong Disneyland; 5) Disneyland Paris; 6) Tokyo Disney Resort.) Let’s take a look at how we got to this point, and some of the problems that remain with this retro merchandise…
Actually, first let’s discuss the specific shirts that are the first round to be made available under the YesterEars line, which are available today through August 25:
First, we have the Figment and Dreamfinder – Dreamcatcher T-Shirt, where they appear riding the Dreamcatcher. This is actually a near replica of a shirt released in the 1980s, which itself was based on an awesome postcard/placemat (how I’d love to see the full color version released someday as a shirt). For reasons both obvious and less obvious (I’ll touch upon those below), I’ll be buying this one.
Then there is the X-S Tech Alien Encounter Shirt. As a huge Alien Encounter fan, I love the X-S Tech shirt, too. When I first experienced Alien Encounter, I was just about the right age to grasp the satire of X-S Tech, while still being a bit spooked by the encounter with the alien. I think it was a clever move to create an X-S Tech shirt here rather than going for the low-hanging fruit of the Alien Encounter logo. This shirt borders on being in-joke for those who get it. (No deep thoughts on the Walt Disney World Preview Center Raglan…it just looks cool!)
Retro shirts have exploded in popularity in society at large, with stores like Urban Outfitters and Huckberry (my personal favorite with their awesome National Parks line–here’s an invite for a $10 credit). If I recall correctly, the Disney craze started with a handful of EPCOT Center shirts around that park’s 25th Anniversary. It then spread to designs featuring the old logo (which is pretty much the only logo now) in advance of Magic Kingdom’s 40th Anniversary, and has since spread to Marketplace Co-Op, a testing space for new concepts, at Disney Springs and the Twenty Eight & Main line, among other things.
I also really like the materials used. I know this is a controversial claim, as these shirts have been derided as thin and cheap. While the former is true, the latter is not. These are usually slub, ring-spun, and/or tri-blend materials that are considerably higher quality and more expensive to make than your average (ugh) Hanes Beefy T. I get that people may not like the distressed look, but that shouldn’t be confused for them being cheap or low quality.
Twenty Eight & Main has really exemplified all that is right—and wrong–about this craze. The good has been the designs that are inspired by retro graphics, but usually are fresh styles rather than replicas. Personally, I prefer this approach because it is a nice marriage of old and new.
The biggest downside to Twenty Eight & Main is the pricing. I’m willing to pay for high-quality, but some of this stuff is a bit ridiculous. Then there are the Twenty Eight & Main “logo” designs, which seek to showcase 28&M as its own aspirational brand. Something tells me the target audience for these clothes is not brand-obsessed. Even if they were, this isn’t LV or Ed Hardy (thankfully).
My biggest fear is that these half-baked efforts at making 28&M an aspirational brand will flop hard, and with it take down the vintage Disney designs (the core product) about which guests actually care. (I also don’t get why 28&M doesn’t have cuts for women–it seems like a massive oversight to target “the distinguished gentleman” given actual fan demographics that skew towards women.)
I’ve long been conflicted on the retro shirts Disney releases. On the one hand, buying a shirt that celebrates a past that–in some cases–Disney has haphazardly eliminated doesn’t sit well with me. It’s one thing when it’s something like Mickey Mouse Revue, which (I think) could be described as a natural demise after having a good run.
It’s another thing entirely with attractions such as Journey into Imagination, which (again, I think) were replaced prematurely by inferior attractions. In the latter instance, it feels like merchandise has become a way to cash-in on the popularity of something that’s extinct (Dreamfinder) without making an overdue, substantive change to the attraction. Obviously, the line between a “natural” and “premature” demise is a subjective, so I suppose this is a gut-level reaction that will differ from fan to fan.
On the other hand, Disney is a huge company, and one arm often doesn’t know what the other is doing. If their social media presences are any indication, the Disney Design Group team is filled with fans who are pushing for retro merchandise like this because they have fond memories of bygone attractions, and want to honor them. It’s not as if this is some vast conspiracy set in motion by Bob Iger to tug on the heartstrings of nostalgics. He’s not taking a noon meeting about shuttering Maelstrom for Frozen and then designing a shirt to honor Norway’s trolls on his lunch break while laughing maniacally. He probably has no clue these shirts even exist.
Moreover, if you’re worried about implicitly supporting Disney’s “destruction” of its past by purchasing these shirts…well, you’re doing exactly that with every purchase you make, from park tickets to hotels to meals. Taking that line of reasoning to its natural conclusion, any money spent at the Disney Parks is a ‘vote with your wallet’ for those business decisions.
In fact, the argument could easily be made that support of extinct attractions is ‘voting with your wallet’ that you prefer them to their replacements. I’ve often wondered if we are seeing such a resurgence in Dreamfinder via merchandise because Disney is testing the water to see how he still resonates with fans. Probably wishful thinking on my part, but I want to remain optimistic.
I have a tough time believing voting with your wallet makes any difference, good or bad, when it comes to the parks (my belief is that management will find the rationale to support the decisions it wants to make, and little can be done to alter that). I think it’s a symbolic gesture that can make people feel better about their purchases and what they support. In other words, I “get” why people are hesitant to refrain from buying this merchandise, even if I think it ultimately doesn’t make a difference. Likewise, I get why people want to buy it.
What makes me more uneasy than anything is the prices. There have been several online-exclusive shirts that I’ve wanted…until I see the pricing on DisneyStore.com. I’ve passed on several shirts I’ve really wanted, including shirts for SpectroMagic, IllumiNations, Horizons, Country Bear Jamboree, and more. Totally a personal thing, but I have a difficult time justifying that amount of money for a t-shirt.
This time is a different story. Not because the prices are cheaper (they aren’t), but because I’ve been watching eBay for years for the Figment and Dreamfinder shirt. On the rare instances I’ve seen it listed, it has never been in my size, and has sold for way more than what DisneyStore.com is charging. So, that I can justify…especially as I’ve paid significantly more in the past for retro shirts on eBay (the Future World shirt above is a prime example).
In fact, I’m even talking myself into doing the 3 for $69 deal because each shirt will “only” be $23 that way. Maybe I’ll even add this Haunted Mansion MagicBand to qualify for free shipping. What is wrong with me?!
Your Thoughts…
What do you think of the retro merchandise craze? Have you purchased any of the retro items, or are they not for you? Are you considering buying these shirts? Any other thoughts? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share in the comments!
Have you checked out independent Disney-inspired clothing brands for shirts? They are usually more affordable than Disney Store and are a bit more imaginative. I also hate those ‘year’ designs. There is a store called Whosits & Whatsits, that has tees that bring vintage/retro feels to Disney films. I notice they also do a majority of their tees in mens and women’s style cuts…and go up to 4XL! I find a lot of stores like this one online and are becoming popular in Disneyland community.
I personally have only purchased the Orange Bird/Sunshine Tree Terrace shirt myself and have received others as gifts for Christmas/birthday. The first I received was the Carousel of Progress 40th Anniversary shirt and I felt it was cheap and has not held up very well. But, the Sunshine Tree shirt and a Gran Fiesta Tour shirt I have both look good. I recently received the America on Parade shirt and I love the distressed look with the logo. It is unfortunate that for the price you cannot get consistent quality.
I just feel bad I missed the Country Bears shirt…
I totally feel the same. I think the marketing side is beginning to see the full potential in the retro merch. But I don’t think the decision makers care much.
I absolutely had to buy both the Dreamfinder/Figment and X-S Tech shirts. I remember the old 80’s shirt and also had an Alien Encounter shirt to go along with my Skipper plush backpack. Both 2 of my favorite extinct attractions. I love them almost as much as my EO shirt.
I didn’t feel as bad ordering them as I did buying the 28&M shirts though. While I do like the idea of it and I’m certainly a target customer, nearly $40 for a t-shirt is ridiculous. I too fear the demise of the 28&M “brand” is imminent. I just couldn’t say no to a shirt that said “come in a stranger and leave a little stranger” and “kungaloosh!”.
My biggest complaint, is everything is now “limited release” or “limited edition”. Can’t we just go back to having decent park / attraction / resort specific merchandise? Why does everything have to be so generic and copy & paste these days?
P.S. What’s with the whole 5-7 weeks delivery?
We have my husband’s original Dreamcatcher and Figment shirt from the 80’s that our daughter now wears on our Disney trips!
While I like Disney nostalgia as much, or possibly slightly more than the next person, I think the pricing on these is just bizarre. I write a blog that is specifically about Disney Merchandise and, I’ve been noticing these crazy expensive “limited edition” t-shirts a lot lately. The ones for Pete’s Dragon that were “2 for $44” were particularly ridiculous since your choices for those shirts were one adult male shirt, one women’s tank top, and one child’s shirt. Ok, they’re limited edition and, it’s a matter of personal preference how much you like the art but… when 2 for $44 is the SALE price, that means that you were paying a MINIMUM $22 when only one of the options was even an adult sized t-shirt. (I really can’t see myself ever spending that much on a tank top or a kid’s shirt).
Maybe I’m just cheap, but I have kind of a problem with paying over $20 for a t-shirt most of the time anyway. When they are so expensive that even the “sale” price is well over $20, it’s just outside the realm of what I’m likely to even consider. That said, if there were a “Horizons” shirt that really spoke to me, I would probably be jumping on the bandwagon and supporting Disney’s business decisions along with everyone else.
I have also avoided the vintage shirts until now. That said, you and I both have been stalking the ringer tee with the DreamCatcher for a long time. I can’t pass this one up. While most of Disney’s price points bother me, I didn’t even think twice about this one.
Also, to your larger point, If you read the post on the official Parks Blog they alluded that this shirt was created after one of the Disney bloggers asked for it. I think you are spot on when you say that this isn’t some larger scheme to defraud or take advantage. I think the design team is just doing it’s own thing. In this case, I’m not mad about that at all. I can’t wait to see what else they release for this promotion.
I would be more excited if I could buy these designs in women’s cuts more than 5% of the time. Especially for the print-on-demand designs, it baffles me that the option only seems to exist if a female character is on the shirt.
Preach!!!! My kingdom for at least a v-neck option.
And I know Dreamfinder is long gone (sniff), but tees like this make me worry that this is one last money grab before they demolish the entire Imagination pavilion. I’m still smarting from the Maelstrom t-shirt release just before they closed the attraction. Way Harsh.
It still baffles me that Disney hasn’t released most of these shirts in women’s cuts. Not only because they are clearly placing their order for the shirts after they have customer orders (so what is there to lose?), but also because women represent a larger segment of Disney-consumers than men. (Particularly if web-analytics firms are to be believed–the skew is about 60/40). Seems like a lot of money to be leaving on the table.
Beyond that, it seems like an incredibly outmoded way of thinking that women will only like shirts in certain colors, styles, etc…
It is impossible to find any semi attractive shirts for women without characters or words plastered everywhere. I remember in 2009 I found a plain grey V-neck with the castle logo (similar to the blue movie screen) and just plain “Walt Disney World” under that on the pocket area, I should have bought one in every color! My husband is so spoiled with the Nike polos with a simple logo and now the 28 & Main stuff…I’m so jealous. It’s a huge rant I go on every single time we’re walking around WoD or the Marketplace. I just want something simple and classy and understatedly Disney.
the only thing wrong with you (besides your tendency to unfairly judge a dazzling and immersive big screen masterpiece after viewing it only once on an airline’s tiny headrest screen while simultaneously trying not to spill the complimentary seltzer- they remake Shakespeare and re-stage Operas, do they not, without detriment to the original? ) is your not immediately obtaining the Figment Magic band! Personally, I have my eye on the Pirates ,..
Lol, that’s quite the parenthetical. 😉
I’ve had my eye on the Figment MagicBad, but have refrained. I will likewise (probably/hopefully) refrain on the Haunted Mansion one unless I can’t find a really cheap filler for free shipping. I fear that once I open the LE MagicBand floodgates, I won’t be able to contain myself…
I like when I can combine my limited release order with friends to get free shipping. That said, we haven’t bought any in a while and our savings account is better off for it. I do have to wonder if you own any of the 28&Main shirts. Although they are incredibly soft, they produce an insane amount of lint when washed and are now see-through. That’s a high price for a shirt that is threadbare. If that’s quality, I’ll pass.
No, I don’t. Too expensive for me, even given the materials.
To that extent, I’m speaking more to the inherent quality of the materials in these types of shirts rather than these specific shirts. The slub material used in many of them definitely should *not* be producing lint like that. Is that something you’ve had happen on multiple shirts?
Can anyone else comment on this?
We have two, it happened to both. We don’t wear them due to needing an undershirt. We bought them Nov ’15, I don’t know if quality improved or is still the same.
I own two (Mr Toad’s Taxi and DL Railroad) and both of them lost their shape after first wash. Its hard to explain but they just kind of stretched out and hang on me like a smock now. I would not but any more which is a shame because I love the designs on many of them and the frequent 25% off coupons I get for Disney Store made the cost acceptable to me if they had been better quality.
I will confess that when I see “limited edition” I cringe. I’ve bought a few items and with one notable exception (March Magic GO PHOENICIANS!!) it’s been uniformly…crap. Outsourced to Zazzle, I’ve seen off-center printing on one, a seam that came apart on another, and my muddy looking Tomorrowland mug that I kept anyway because that movie gives me a serious case of feelings. Their own poor decisions on outsourcing partners has damaged their merch brand for me far more than any other misstep ever could.
I’ll just watch teefury for the occasional mash-up tee that’s relevant to my interests. 😉
That’s really disappointing to hear. My first-hand experience with the special runs is very limited, so I haven’t experienced this first-hand, but concerning…
Hi Tom:
Thought of you today when my original Figment & Dreamfinder shirt arrived via USPS from an eBay seller. It’s a child’s XL and fits this petite 40-something kid at heart perfectly. My heart about stopped when I found it on eBay a few days ago in that size for 29.99 buy it now. It was like I’d spotted a unicorn. And I promptly paid to wear that unicorn and cannot wait for November in Epcot just to do so!
Wish you could find one, too!