Another Disney Store validation....

[mickeymousemom]

(Move this if you need to... )

I just got back from my local(45 minutes away) Disney Store and just wanted to let you all know what kind of info I got from the Assistant Store Mgr.
Of course, I had to ask about the Disney changeover...the Mgr. I spoke with was verry friendly and was able to give me quite a bit of info...not sure if its new to anyone else, but:

The changeover WILL take effect by May 1st 2008. By August 1st, the total changeover and transformation of the stores will have been completed(I THINK he said completed...). The stores will be going back to warmer tones with wood "toned" flooring and brushed metal shelving. There will be projection screens in the fronts of the stores showing specials, etc. It sounds as though the stores will be going back to at least a little of their former glory. The Mgr told me he thought the people from the Disney Co. would be appalled at the way the stores now look, esp. his, as its much smaller and much less Disney-fied than the other one was(he's right...the other store was huge and is now a Hollister & CO. store...TCP moved it after they took over and its now 2 stores down from them).

The bad news is, he said Disney is only buying back about 2/3 of the stores, so about 112 will be closing. Disney wants to eliminate over saturation, so we're a little anxious about our stores. Indy has 3 stores and I guess they all do pretty good business, as does the mall "ours" is in. The one we go to is EXTREMELY busy all the time, so they have high hopes there of it staying open. He also said that he was told there is a list out there that is public record of the stores that Disney is interested in buying. He's looked all over the internet and is unable to find it and thinks its because its too early. Kudos to any of you who can find this document!

He was also told that NONE of the Simon malls were on it, but he doesn't know for sure. So...if any of you have TDS in your Simon Mall...cross your fingers. Supposedly, Our Disney Store still has 4 more years left on their contract with Simon and its extremely expensive to break a contract with them. We're hoping like crazy they don't take away our little bit of Disney!

So...this is all I heard. This guy was very excited about it, as he's been with the company since Disney.

 

[briar_rose_59]

Very cool info! Here's hoping some of the ones I can get to easily stay open!

 

[timandlesley]

Wow, I hadn't heard about this. I hope ours stays in business, it's the only one around here in the Cincy area.
Lesley

 

[indigoxtreme]

Both of the Disney Stores in North Atlanta Suburbs (Mall Of Georgia) and (Gwinnett Mall) are Simon Malls. I could understand the one in Gwinnett closing but not the one in Mall of Georgia. It is extremely busy. But we will just have to wait and see,

 

[pixistix]

Thanks for the information mickeymousemom!

 

[lauracjc]

Thanks for that information. I am nervous now that mine will be closing. The 2 that I go to are Simon Malls. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that they will remain.

 

[Snork]

I spoke to assistant manager at the Mall Of America (Minnesota) and she said they got word that thiers will stay open. That is the only Disney Store in the Twin Cities area that I know of (a yellow pages search only comes up with this one), so that is good.

I asked her because I might apply part time just so I can become a disney cast member and get all those discounts (I hope they get discounts...). She said that if they get discounts, she would be very happy. And she also said I wasn't the first person to ask.... Disney minds think alike I guess.

 

[disneymomof2boyz]

We have 2 Disney Stores in our area, and 1 Disney Parks Oultlet Store. We love our Disney Stores..everytime we go the mall, it is MANDATORY that we go with the kids. The 2 Disney Stores have just recieved complete makeovers, and one of them is located in a Simon Mall. It has been about 1yr. since this makeover, so I seriously doubt that they will be closing. Here's hoping!! My absolute fave is obviosly the outlet b/c it carries mainly park items, tons of stuff only found in DTD and the Parks!! That one is pretty old, and I really hope they're not closing that one. It's my happy place!

 

[GADzilla]

Looking forward to this changeover. We have 3 or 4 here in New Orleans so hopefully at least one will remain open. I hope even more that they return to the way they used to be before they got to be "kids garbage only with one adult shirt tucked in a dark corner".

Bring back old school Disney Stores that sell things that people over 3 years old will be interested in!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Both of the Disney Stores in North Atlanta Suburbs (Mall Of Georgia) and (Gwinnett Mall) are Simon Malls. I could understand the one in Gwinnett closing but not the one in Mall of Georgia. It is extremely busy. But we will just have to wait and see,

Mall of GA was on the chopping block according to the CM that I spoke to at the Gwinnett store a couple of weeks ago. They were actually thinking of closing Gwinnett too, but that would be a bad move because I am sorry, I am not going to Discover Mills. That mall is always dead and the prices on most of the merchandise is overprised for what is billed as being more of an Outlet mall.

I have my fingers crossed that Gwinnett Place keeps their TDS!

 

[pooh2001]

I hope our Disney Store stays open.
We have only one here in Poughkeepsie,NY

The next closest I guess is Danbury, CT - 30 miles away driving on I-84 highway wth trucks

Next time I am in the mall - I will ask their situation about staying open.
I dearly hope so.

 

[Grumpy'sWife]

I had not heard about this. Thanks for the info. Hopefully someone will be able to find that list.

 

[Peepster]

Does anyone else wish that Disney would include more adult options like they used to? I still have some really quality clothing I purchased years ago and whenever I wear it Disneyphiles ask where they could buy it. Yes, I know Disney is for kids, but obviously, by the numbers of us on these boards, as adults we spent a great deal of money at the Disney store.

I do think Disney is smart to eliminate stores. Absence makes the heart grow fonder...and the stores more special.

Thanks for the update, OP!

 

[GADzilla]

Absolutely, Peepster. I used to go to the mall on special trips to go to the disney store. Now I go to the mall and don't even stop at disney because it's turned into a useless toy and overpriced trinket store.

Very much looking forward to the day they remember who actually holds the money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it should be adult only, but I just miss the days where half of the store was adult apparell and home items.

 

[APB513]

Does anyone else wish that Disney would include more adult options like they used to? I still have some really quality clothing I purchased years ago and whenever I wear it Disneyphiles ask where they could buy it. Yes, I know Disney is for kids, but obviously, by the numbers of us on these boards, as adults we spent a great deal of money at the Disney store.

I do think Disney is smart to eliminate stores. Absence makes the heart grow fonder...and the stores more special.

Thanks for the update, OP!

YES! YES! YES! I would love to see Disney stores stock adult sized clothing - particularly Pooh Sized clothing

I'm glad I can get clothes on Disneyshopping.com but I want to get my purchases right then and there and not have to wait to have them shipped to me.

 

[marciemouse]

I am so glad to hear that the stores might recapture some of the magic that they lost! My mom was a Disney fan, and even worked at a store for some time. She's passed on, but I knwo she'd be glad, too! I was at one of our local stores today and got the cutest green/environmentally friendly Mickey Mouse bag for only $2.50. So much cuter than the grocery store ones!

Only 27 more days until our first stay at POP!

 

[TDISFAMILY]

Looking forward to this changeover. We have 3 or 4 here in New Orleans so hopefully at least one will remain open. I hope even more that they return to the way they used to be before they got to be "kids garbage only with one adult shirt tucked in a dark corner".

Bring back old school Disney Stores that sell things that people over 3 years old will be interested in!

I agree also from New Orleans(actually Metairie) but close enough I wish they would get more adult stuff too. Now I do have a 3 yr old but it is even hard to find stuff for him. That is why I do most of my disney shopping online. Can't wait to check out the new outlet in Gulfport hopefully I'll get there this month.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The changeover WILL take effect by May 1st 2008. By August 1st, the total changeover and transformation of the stores will have been completed(I THINK he said completed...). The stores will be going back to warmer tones with wood "toned" flooring and brushed metal shelving. There will be projection screens in the fronts of the stores showing specials, etc. It sounds as though the stores will be going back to at least a little of their former glory. The Mgr told me he thought the people from the Disney Co. would be appalled at the way the stores now look, esp. his, as its much smaller and much less Disney-fied than the other one was(he's right...the other store was huge and is now a Hollister & CO. store...TCP moved it after they took over and its now 2 stores down from them).

The bad news is, he said Disney is only buying back about 2/3 of the stores, so about 112 will be closing. Disney wants to eliminate over saturation, so we're a little anxious about our stores. Indy has 3 stores and I guess they all do pretty good business, as does the mall "ours" is in. The one we go to is EXTREMELY busy all the time, so they have high hopes there of it staying open. He also said that he was told there is a list out there that is public record of the stores that Disney is interested in buying. He's looked all over the internet and is unable to find it and thinks its because its too early. Kudos to any of you who can find this document!

He was also told that NONE of the Simon malls were on it, but he doesn't know for sure. So...if any of you have TDS in your Simon Mall...cross your fingers. Supposedly, Our Disney Store still has 4 more years left on their contract with Simon and its extremely expensive to break a contract with them. We're hoping like crazy they don't take away our little bit of Disney!

So...this is all I heard. This guy was very excited about it, as he's been with the company since Disney.

I highly doubt that all of the stores will be remodeled befor August 1...there are too many stores that would need to be remodeled, mine included. However, I don't want mine to change!!!! I like it the way it is!

I asked her because I might apply part time just so I can become a disney cast member and get all those discounts (I hope they get discounts...). She said that if they get discounts, she would be very happy. And she also said I wasn't the first person to ask.... Disney minds think alike I guess.

Disney minds do think alike, but unless you would be willing to work for the Disney Store even if Disney didn't own us again, you shouldn't get a job there. If your reason for getting a job there is purely for the perks, you're not there for the right reason. I don't mean to sound rude, but I've been with the store before the change over and now on the change back - through thick and thin. Getting the perks back would be nice, but isn't the reason why I go to work and I know that is not the reason why my fellow CMs are there. It's just hard to see so many people interested in working for the stores now that Disney wants us back. The only thing that has changed to me is who signs my paycheck - nothing else. It's all Disney to me and I have worked for Walt all of these years even though we were 'owned' by TCP.

Absolutely, Peepster. I used to go to the mall on special trips to go to the disney store. Now I go to the mall and don't even stop at disney because it's turned into a useless toy and overpriced trinket store.

Very much looking forward to the day they remember who actually holds the money. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it should be adult only, but I just miss the days where half of the store was adult apparell and home items.

You need to find another Disney Store to go to because my store has some AWESOME kitchen merchandise and adult clothing! I got a three piece mixing bowl set, kitchen clock (in the shape of Mickey), canister sets and an awesome kitchen timer. We did have silverware and dish sets, but I already have those from the last time we sold kitchen merchandise. Not all stores carry that product, so if your store doesn't try to go to a different one.

 

[Violet Crayon]

The whole situation has been stressful and exciting. It will be interesting to see how soon merchandise and other changes are made.

And for those mentioning adult clothes and items. Both stores in this area have been carrying adult jeans, polos, tunic tees, dresses, skirts, bags, flip flops, winter boots, hats, kitchenware, studio collection canvas prints, notebooks, watches...nothing like ceramic collectibles or art but much more than has been carried in the past few years. Ever since the contract breach was cited by Disney Co., Hoop Retail has made changes to the merchandise in the store.

And there is a huge collection of Snow White outdoor decor in right now, very nice. I will probably buy some of the figures to be placed inside the house!

 

[SmallWorld71]

There used to be a number of Disney Stores nearby, but now there is only 1. I sure hope it doesn't close. It is in a Simon mall, but it has always been packed. I do agree that the merchandise has been getting MUCH better lately. I worked there for many years back when they had all sorts of stuff, then it turned into a glorified toy store. When DD5 was a baby, I was so bummed because they didn't even carry any baby outfits, never mind adult clothes. All it was for a while was princesses and Toy Story. Even my boys were disappointed in it. Although it doesn't look as cool as it used to, we can now all go shopping and find things we like. I sure hope it doesn't go away...