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shopDisney: “Character” in your Garden

by Alyssa Wiseman

shopDisney is a bi-weekly blog that will focus on Disney merchandise and products sold in the parks, in Disney stores, and in other retail markets.  We will explore product reviews, affordability, and to whom the products are marketed.  Like any other good product review, we will conclude with a rating scale for several different key components: price, age group, and whether the product is a “must have.”

Spring is here, or might be, depending on where you live.  This time last year in Indiana we were consistent temperatures in the 60s and 70s, but this year it will be 70 today and 40 tomorrow.  I don’t know about you, but I really need some sunshine and warmth in my life!

However, just because the weather isn’t cooperating, doesn’t mean that retailers have not been pushing their outdoor products and, of course, there are many that involve some of our favorite characters!

While I was out shopping for groceries, I began wandering through the garden section of my local Meijer, where I spotted a familiar face.  I thought he might be lost, but upon further inspection I found that Mickey (and several of his friends) were right where they should be, and were being displayed on several different garden figures.

The characters that were being used for these items, as you can see, are: Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell, Grumpy, and Eeyore.

Disney Character Statues and Flowerpots:

The first two products I noticed they offered were pot-holders that you could place a flower into for display and yard figures.  The company did an good job at making each character look believable, but I was not impressed by the material of the product.  They were made from a light-weight plastic that would easily be blown over by wind and, in my opinion, might not last outdoors in the elements.  Four characters were offered in both variations: Mickey, Minnie, Tinkerbell, and Winnie the Pooh.  The yard statues did have a part that would be lit during the evening and were solar-powered.  For example, Mickey was holding a lantern that would light up and, obviously, Tinkerbell’s wings lit up.

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Review:

Price:  $24.99 for the pot-holders, $29.99 for the solar-lit statues

Age Group: Adults

Must Have: I couldn’t believe that these products were priced as high as they were.  I don’t think it is a must-have, unless you are an avid gardener.

Solar Lights and Flowerpot Stakes:

The next two products looked like an item I would buy for my home and garden.  The first was a little decorative stake that you could put into a flowerpot to give it some “character.”  They aren’t very big, so maybe an indoor plant might be the best place to use these.  The second one, and my favorite of all, was the solar-lit garden globe stake.  It was like a snow globe, but without the water and snow.  Think of the solar lights that line people’s sidewalk and add Mickey to the inside!  They were cute, but again, looked like they might not last long.

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Review:

Price:  $5.99 for the flowerpot stakes, and (yikes) $14.99 for ONE solar Mickey light

Age Group: Adults

Must Have: Again, priced a little high for me, so not really a must-have.

Character Garden Stones:

This last group was perfect for making a statement in your garden.  Small little stand-up stones with a Disney character on them and a cute little statement.  Minnie and Tinkerbell were very up-beat and sparkly, while Grumpy wanted to know “how long are you staying?”  They would make any Disney fan smile.  They were not made of real rock but a little heavier than the statues were.

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Review:

Price:  $12.99 ($2.00 less than one solar light)

Age Group: Adults

Must Have: If you are missing something in your garden, sure, go buy one of these faux stones

I did do a quick internet search for Disney garden products and found that they are offered by places like: Lowe’s, Kmart, Target, Disney.com and ebay.  And among some of the same products some offered a few more things like: flags, stepping stones, and wind chimes.  So, get out there and enjoy the sun this spring and summer and maybe add some “Character” to your outdoor space!

If you know of any other items that you would like to see a review of, please let me know.  Or, if you have one of these products and have an opinion of them, please leave a comment below!

Alyssa Wiseman (also known as ajwiseman09 in the box) and her husband Brandon reside in central Indiana (too far from Disney) with their 4 year old puppy London.  Alyssa and Brandon enjoy traveling to Disney several times a year to see what is new and enjoy classic Disney.  While traveling, and at home, Alyssa is frequently shopping for Disney products and making a list of items to buy while in the parks.  Please follow Alyssa on twitter @ajwiseman09.

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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