Build a Bear and RideMkrs closing at DTD

[Davin_Felth]

This is pretty disapointing for my DW and myself. There isn't a lot for our kids to do in DTD and they look forward to Build-A-Bear on every trip. We were going to wait a couple years before taking DS6 to RiderMakers, because we figure he's still a touch young for a RC car. Now we're thinking we're going to have to go ahead and do it this trip, and we weren't planning on doing either becauese it'll be a shorter trip than normal for us.

 

[DizMe]

I'm not opposed to new dining options, but I am sad that it is so hard to keep actual stores going these days. We use online shopping so much that the brick-and-mortar places are disappearing. It's too bad that towns, malls, etc are becoming ghost towns where food/drink are the only things thriving. When you do find stores, they tend to have the same generic stuff you can find anywhere. I noticed the same thing in the U.K. a few weeks ago so it isn't just here. In DTD, it would be nice to have actual stores in which to browse, but one by one they're going away. I loved the days when you could find unique and fun souvenirs at Disneyland.

As far as new dining, though, I would love it if they would include more fresh options, vegan, and vegetarian things. I love the high fat/high calorie foods but they're already well represented.

 

[Albort]

I think it's a shame they're getting rid of these experiences to put in more dining. But, since they're putting in dining, I'm hoping for good sushi.

honestly, idk why they just dont make the upstairs a restaurant and keep the stores below. just like that restaurant just across the way from build a bear...

 

[DLgal]

The truth is, people don't do much actual shopping at DtD Anaheim, outside of World of Disney and the Lego store. Restaurants get all the action and they are perpetually packed on weekends. They do need more restaurants.

I expect DtD to start looking more like Disney springs, with more Disney owned shops and dining in the future (D Luxe Burger, Amorette's, Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar, and more shops like the Co-Op, Christmas store, etc)

Already, Disney has Vault 28, D Street, and Wunderground Galleey, and those stores get the bulk of the business.

I have heard both Morimoto's and Boathouse named as possibilities.

 

[Kender]

We use online shopping so much that the brick-and-mortar places are disappearing. It's too bad that towns, malls, etc are becoming ghost towns where food/drink are the only things thriving.

The truth is, people don't do much actual shopping at DtD Anaheim, outside of World of Disney and the Lego store. Restaurants get all the action and they are perpetually packed on weekends. They do need more restaurants.

From the article: "The shops are popular, and not being closed due to poor performance issues, officials said."

I regularly see at least the two toy stores packed even during non busy times at the parks. I'll be honest I don't pay much attention to the hat store. So this isn't a case of online shopping or "being the same stuff you can find elsewhere" (in fact they have items you can't find anywhere else). It's purely they are being sacrificed to obtain the precious space that is in such short supply at DLR to put in more dining options.

I'd love to see the sales numbers compared to other locations nearby. I'd be unsurprised if those two stores preformed significantly better than most other stores in the vicinity. But their locations must be ideal for new dining and as they aren't owned by Disney, they're an easier sacrifice to make.

 

[DLgal]

From the article: "The shops are popular, and not being closed due to poor performance issues, officials said."

I regularly see at least the two toy stores packed even during non busy times at the parks. I'll be honest I don't pay much attention to the hat store. So this isn't a case of online shopping or "being the same stuff you can find elsewhere" (in fact they have items you can't find anywhere else). It's purely they are being sacrificed to obtain the precious space that is in such short supply at DLR to put in more dining options.

I'd love to see the sales numbers compared to other locations nearby. I'd be unsurprised if those two stores preformed significantly better than most other stores in the vicinity. But their locations must be ideal for new dining and as they aren't owned by Disney, they're an easier sacrifice to make.

I took that to mean that the companies themselves were not the ones who decided to close the stores, it was Disney simply not allowing them to renew their lease. This way, people don't assume the companies are in some sort of financial trouble. It's a simple disclaimer.

Although, Ridemakerz literally only has three locations, and is a small company overall (based in the city where I live!). I am sure that if they want to, there are plenty of other areas nearby in Orange County where they can go. They could set up at the Block at Orange, the Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, etc. All outdoor malls that cater to upper middle class clientele.

 

[Nonsuch]

Seems to me that the Jock Lindsay Hangar Bar is a no-brainer for DtD.

So close to the Indiana Jones show building, there should be a tunnel

 

[GatorChris]

My kids will be bummed. We got one every year. They loved that place! Way better than the Mall versions.

 

[Pkltm]

From the article: "The shops are popular, and not being closed due to poor performance issues, officials said."

I regularly see at least the two toy stores packed even during non busy times at the parks. I'll be honest I don't pay much attention to the hat store. So this isn't a case of online shopping or "being the same stuff you can find elsewhere" (in fact they have items you can't find anywhere else). It's purely they are being sacrificed to obtain the precious space that is in such short supply at DLR to put in more dining options.

I'd love to see the sales numbers compared to other locations nearby. I'd be unsurprised if those two stores preformed significantly better than most other stores in the vicinity. But their locations must be ideal for new dining and as they aren't owned by Disney, they're an easier sacrifice to make.

I did used to work for BABW, that store always did well in sales.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Some of the options mentioned, like the Boathouse, would be weird there without a body of water to anchor the concept.

 

[Kender]

I took that to mean that the companies themselves were not the ones wh

o decided to close the stores, it was Disney simply not allowing them to renew their lease. This way, people don't assume the companies are in some sort of financial trouble. It's a simple disclaimer.

Although, Ridemakerz literally only has three locations, and is a small company overall (based in the city where I live!). I am sure that if they want to, there are plenty of other areas nearby in Orange County where they can go. They could set up at the Block at Orange, the Irvine Spectrum, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, etc. All outdoor malls that cater to upper middle class clientele.

We're saying very close to the same thing: that it's a Disney decision. And one made despite good numbers for the store (getting this from the fact the quote says the stores are popular). I was just addressing the discussion surrounding online ordering disrupting brick and mortar purchasing since that's not the case here.

I will say this for BaB, though, is that I likely won't go to another one. It will become an online ordering thing for me if anything at all. Not because of any sort of protest or anything, but because there is literally not one near me and I only go when I'm at DLR. And even then, I only go for two reasons: it's convenient and I get a discount. I won't go out of my way to drive to a different location. Walking to it in DTD was about as far as I was willing to travel.

 

[DLgal]

Some of the options mentioned, like the Boathouse, would be weird there without a body of water to anchor the concept.

I agree, but I heard that mentioned on a couple podcasts...

There really isn't a high end steakhouse/fish place currently.

There also isn't an Asian restaurant.

So, both would do well based on the fact that they won't have direct competition. Maybe they will do an STK instead of Boathouse?

 

[dina444444]

I agree, but I heard that mentioned on a couple podcasts...

There really isn't a high end steakhouse/fish place currently.

There also isn't an Asian restaurant.

So, both would do well based on the fact that they won't have direct competition. Maybe they will do an STK instead of Boathouse?

Splitsville serves sushi so I can't see them putting a morimoto in right next to it. STK could fit. I would love to see options like D-Luxe burger put in, or other fast casual eateries.

 

[DLgal]

Splitsville serves sushi so I can't see them putting a morimoto in right next to it. STK could fit. I would love to see options like D-Luxe burger put in, or other fast casual eateries.

Morimoto is much much more than sushi though...

But I would love a good quick service burger place also!

 

[dina444444]

Morimoto is much much more than sushi though...

But I would love a good quick service burger place also!

I know it is but I don't see them putting restaurants with somewhat similar menus directly next to each other.

 

[DLgal]

I know it is but I don't see them putting restaurants with somewhat similar menus directly next to each other.

ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe have extremely similar menus...

 

[bdiddy]

We stopped in both stores today just after lunch and Ridemakers was empty but Build a Bear was pretty busy. They definitely have a lot of Disney specific merchandise there that I'm sure people will be sad to see go. My daugher used to love BAB and probably had over 30 but has pretty much outgrown it. She still likes to go in and see what's new though and will get a new one once in a blue moon but it's definitely a place we don't shop at anymore.

 

[azdisneylover]

Seriously Disney, you should NOT CLOSE THESE STORES. People do love going into this store and spending time with their kids picking out the perfect Disneyland stuff for their bears. My teenager (girls) love making these each trip. Don't close this. Like another has said, make the top floor of BAB an eatery.

 

[agamble]

I just want to know what restaurants will go there?

Good riddance to BAB and Ridemakerz...BaB is at almost every mall anyway. Ridemakerz is overpriced junk. We have 2 of the cars and they are crap quality.

I am secretly glad these stores are closing. My daughter really, really wanted a Ridemakerz car but I convinced her to hold off because she ONLY had $50 to spend and for what she wanted she needed more. It's so expensive. I'm glad it will be closed and that temptation will be gone for her.

 

[DLgal]

I am secretly glad these stores are closing. My daughter really, really wanted a Ridemakerz car but I convinced her to hold off because she ONLY had $50 to spend and for what she wanted she needed more. It's so expensive. I'm glad it will be closed and that temptation will be gone for her.

YES! My son wants all the specialty Cars ones. No. We did it once and the stupid car is sitting on a shelf in the closet and hasn't been used for like 5 years. There is much better R.C. tech available these days for far less than this place charges. I'm surprised they haven't become obsolete yet. These cars literally fall apart if they crash into anything.