New Shutterfly and Disney Partnership: Why UK Disney Fans Miss Out
Riding the Magic
Shutterfly have today been announced as the official photo gift partner of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa, but it's completely useless for UK residents. This afternoon we have checked out exactly what UK residents, can and can't shop. Importantly, the Disney partnership products are not available for shipping to the UK, even though Shutterfly does offer international shipping. Here's what I found and why this is a Disney announcement UK residents can't really get excited about.
What's The New Deal?
The deal means that you can now get exclusive designed Disney photo products from Shutterfly opens in a new tab who have been made the official Disney partner for this type of product. They are a US based company, so UK fans need to know more than just the partnership announcement, but let's look at that first.
Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort guests can opt to have their Disney PhotoPass photos automatically appear in their Shutterfly account. The aim is to make it simple to store, revisit and transform PhotoPass photos, (and other holiday picutres) into photo books, cards, gifts and other personalized keepsakes to relive the memories of your holiday for years to come. Emily Whittaker, CEO of Shutterfly said:
“We're honored to be part of the Disney experience, helping guests and fans hold onto the magic long after they return home”
The new Disney licensed products available from Shutterfly is fairly comprehensive and there are a range of options spanning eight different product ranges:
- Photobooks
- Calendars
- Blankets
- Drinkware
- Ornaments
- Puzzles
- Magnets
- Cards
Can UK Residents Get A Shutterfly Account And Shop The New Disney Collection?
Yes you can get an account, and you can see, pick and personalise the new range but you can't get items delivered. I successfully got a Shutterfly account in a few seconds today and UK residents can use the website and shop creating personalised items. I was able to link photos from Google photos easily. The problem came with getting the official Disney products delivered.
This is everything I could do this afternoon:
- Get access to the Shutterfly website here in the UK without the need for any VPNs, just follow this link to see the products: Disney Photo Gifts, Books, Cards & Keepsakes | Shutterfly opens in a new tab
- Sign-up with an email address in seconds to be able to personalise the products on the website, register my UK address for international shipping which I can get a delivery estimate date and price for.
- Pick products, personalise them and add them to my basket
However, with a basket full of products, one item from each range of Disney products I hit a brick wall. Every Disney licensed product could not be shipped to the UK and had a notification box stating: "This product can only be shipped to addresses within USA or Canada." But I could see how much delivery of the products would have cost and the additional international taxes and charges I would have been charged for my chosen products. You can see that in the screenshot of my basket below.
UK Residents Cannot Shop The New Shutterfly Disney Range But It Might Not Be Worth It Anyway
Currently, UK residents cannot shop the new Shutterfly Disney range, but the question of whether it would be worth it still remains even if they could shop. Shutterfly International Shipping Terms opens in a new tab state delivery times are 10-12 business days which not overly off-putting, but what is more off-putting is the delivery cost and international taxes
The cost of international delivery on a Disneyland official photobook personalised with my own photos was £22.47 ($29.99). The cost of international taxes was £14.11 ($18.83).
The photobook itself, is comparable with UK services and had a discount making it £48.07 ($64.16) today, and there were some cheaper designs online.
The total cost for the Disneyland photobook I chose today, delivered to the UK with official Disney licensing, was £84.65 ($112.98).
UK Photo Product Alternatives
The UK does not have an officially licensed Disney photo product service to buy from, so if you are looking to buy photo products in the UK, you don't have the advantage of licensed Disney World designs. But you can still get personal photos printed on items through online photo services such as Snapfish UK or Photobox or even pop into stores such as Max Spielman and Asda to order personalised photo products.
Magic In A Minute
The new official photo gift partnership of Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa with Shutterfly is useless for UK Disney fans. The Disney licenced products that are available to personalise with your own photos are not available for delivery in the UK on launch day today.