Disney+ Rolls Out Early Access To Merchandise For Subscribers
Disney+ is trying something new, giving subscribers a chance to score some highly anticipated merchandise before it goes on sale to the public. This can give you a huge advantage in getting exclusive apparel, toys, and collectibles from franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar.
Be on the lookout on the detail pages for your favorite movies, series, and shorts, too, QR codes for special product drops will be showing there on select detail pages. This program is currently only going for a limited time, but I suspect that if it all goes well then it will stick around.
Given how many subscribers Disney+ has I suspect that this doesn’t give you a huge edge on getting certain items. For example, when browsing the Disney+ Special Access store, I see that many Star Wars items are already sold out. So even though you get early access, you still want to be fast when it comes to the really sought-after stuff.
I’m not sure this is the perk they think it is, I think it could probably be more helpful if there was a QR code in the details of a movie or series that simply lead to a page dedicated to merchandise for it. What do you think, would this lead you to get Disney+ if you don’t already have it? Do you think this early access would realistically let you get your hands on some of the most popular merchandise?
Here’s the full press release:
Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. can participate in a limited test experience that will bring their favorite stories to life with special access to must-have merchandise available on shopDisney for this holiday season. For a limited time, Disney+ subscribers can visit shopDisney.com/DisneyPlusSpecialAccess or the details pages of select movies, series and shorts on Disney+ to scan QR codes to purchase highly-anticipated items before the general public. Subscribers can purchase products from fan-favorite franchises and titles including Star Wars, Marvel Studios’ Black Panther and Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness and receive exclusive access to merchandise from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen 2 and Disney•Pixar Lightyear.
“Special access to this curated collection of merchandise for the upcoming holiday season is the latest example of the many ways we experiment with how to improve the user experience on Disney+, which includes enhancing the benefits of being a subscriber,” said Alisa Bowen, President of Disney+. “We’re excited to collaborate with shopDisney to explore how we can potentially better serve our audiences by expanding the ways they get to interact with the stories and characters they love on Disney+.”
“shopDisney has all of the products to bring your favorite Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel and National Geographic stories to life,” said Naveen Seshadri, EVP Global Retail. “By providing our Disney+ subscribers special access to curated merchandise on shopDisney, we are uncovering new ways for our fans to shop and further connect content and commerce.”
During this test experience, eligible subscribers can visit shopDisney.com/DisneyPlusSpecialAccess or navigate to the Shop tab within the details pages of select movies, series and shorts on Disney+ to scan QR codes that will take users directly to the merchandise on shopDisney. The Shop tab will be available to Disney+ primary profiles in the U.S. that have been verified as 18 and older.
Special access will grant Disney+ subscribers early access to products including:
The Mandalorian DarkSaber Legacy Set
Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi Battle of the Heroes Legacy Lightsaber Set
Ahsoka Tano Legacy Lightsaber Hilts signed by Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels)
Ahsoka Tano Special Edition Doll signed by Ashley Eckstein
Doctor Strange Cloak
Scarlet Witch Ear Headband
Captain Carter Vibranium Shield
Black Panther Collectible Mask
Black Panther Wakanda Forever Artist Series Jacket
World of Wakanda Artist Series Puzzle
Additionally, Disney+ subscribers will have exclusive access for shopDisney made-to-order merchandise, including new t-shirt and sweatshirt designs from Disney’s Frozen 2and Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear.