Let Disney Parks’ New Merch Inspire Your Halloween Promotions

Sarah Semple

We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably be saying it forever at this point, but The Walt Disney Co. knows the ins-and-outs of marketing just as well as they know the key to everyone’s childhood heart. This includes meeting the ever-changing demands of its ever-growing audience.

We couldn’t help but notice all of the new Halloween promotional products Disney announced for the fall. This Halloween season isn’t exactly about who has the most frightening costume, but more so about how Disney Parks is killing the promotional products game.

So, what does this all mean? Well, Disney’s Halloween promotional products showcase reveal trends that the promo industry can certainly benefit from. Keep in mind, with this merchandise line, the company hits three major key points of promotional marketing: know your audience, innovate and create demand.

1. Tire Pumpkin Straw

The Tire Pumpkin Straw is a reusable, light-up straw that is guaranteed to be more memorable than any single-use straw Disney Parks has offered in the past. What’s even better is that the Tire Pumpkin Straw is sold in multiple locations—Disney California Adventure Park, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort—during this short, terror-filled season.

This is a great way for Disney to not only help visitors reduce their single-use straw habits (a trend we hope sticks around forever), but the product also fits into the spirit of Halloween. Believe it or not, these are two very large audiences here: people who support the ban of plastic straws and those who love anything and everything Halloween-themed. That extends to the rest of the promo industry.

Another key factor Disney uses to market the new merchandise is by stressing that it is only going to be available for a limited time. That makes this product, well, an exclusive deal.

2. Oogie Boogie Popcorn Bucket

It was a hit the first time and, of course, it’s back. We have a pretty decent feeling it’s going to be a top contender for a second year in a row, sending Disney-lovers into a promotional product frenzy.

Based on Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” the popcorn bucket will surely be filled to the brim. Disney brought back the 1993 classic in a unique way to hold an amusement park staple. (Popcorn that is.)

Last year, Oogie Boogie was famous for leaving fans standing in line for hours trying to get their hands on one of these buckets. While we have mentioned before that “The Nightmare Before Christmas” fanbase might not be as large as that of more well-known options like “Aladdin” or “Beauty and the Beast,” there’s still a considerable following.

Another notable detail about the bucket is that it is small enough to carry, but maybe big enough to hold your desired amount of popcorn, ultimately sending end-users back to the snack stands for a refill. Disney Parks sold out of the Oogie Boogie Popcorn Bucket last season and increased demand for popcorn while they were at it.

3. Green Poison Apple Stein

Disney’s Halloween merchandise would not be complete without the Green Poison Apple Stein. Based on the 1937 movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, this mug is an enjoyable way for end-users to drink their beverages while taking a stroll around the park.

This is a fun promotional idea. Disney took a childhood favorite and spun it to fit the Halloween theme, incorporating the infamous poisonous apple.

We appreciate the vision and thought that went into the design behind the mug. For a company like Disney, it would be fairly simple to sell any of its 427 mugs, but this one goes above and beyond to create demand for a product. Once it’s sold out, it’s gone.

Hopefully, Disney fans only have to wait until next year for these items to restock. With Disney’s promotional marketing mastery, you know they’ll be lining up early.

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