December 11, 2025

How Disney Wants You to Shop This Holiday Season (Ep. 77)

54 minutes

Jim and Lauren ring in the holidays with a very merchy episode of I Want That Too, recorded just after Lauren’s family Polar Express adventure. From Disney Visa mailers and annual passholder calendars to Stitch-heavy gift guides, they dig into how Disney is trying to steer your holiday shopping.

• Disney’s “Home for the Holidays” Disney Rewards Insider issue and the surprise AP calendar reveal a full-court press of plush, Stitch, cruises, and watch-list marketing aimed at shaping your seasonal shopping.

• Stitchmas dominates both online and in-park displays, with plush, pajamas, and matching family sets claiming a massive share of holiday floor space.

• Disney Parks Blog releases multiple holiday gift guides spotlighting games, books, Frozen favorites, Zootopia tie-ins, and Lorcana must-haves for fans of all stripes.

• While Disney pushes big-ticket items like the $399 LEGO castle, Jim and Lauren highlight personal picks including Dick Van Dyke’s new book, Disney-branded Crocs, the Tokyo Disney Mickey gnome, and the classic monorail set.

• Despite limited Cars Land holiday merch in the parks, Jim notes stronger Cars Christmas selections at Kohl’s, Walmart, and BoxLunch, plus his near-purchase of Target’s leftover 2021 Winter Series die-casts.

• A listener tip confirms the red truck Mickey popcorn bucket sells out nightly at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, creating steep eBay markups.

• Looking ahead, Zootopia 2’s box office success is backed by a large retail program, while Pixar’s Hoppers gets a lighter rollout as Disney gears up for major Toy Story 5 merchandising.

• 2025’s Toy Story and Tangled anniversary lines show mixed traction, as Jim previews everything from collector dolls to Woody’s Clint Eastwood-inspired poncho look and recommends watching for Twice Upon a Year markdowns.

HOSTS

• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com

• Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2

FOLLOW

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• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT

Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited by Dave Grey

Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for top-tier deals on Disney and Universal trips, offering discounted tickets and planning tools to make your next Central Florida vacation even more magical.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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By Jim Hill

4.8

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