Childrens Place to give back Disney Stores!!

[we're all mad here]

We are REALLY hoping that list changes. 9 out of the 10 stores in our district are on the remaining store list. Makes for a very nerve wrecking work enviroment.

 

[mickey2000]

I'm confused ? I must have lost a moment in time ???
Didn't the quality of merchandise and collectibles decline under Disney before the Children's place took control !
Wasn't the GOAL of the Disney company to concentrate on thier NY store and internet sales ....
They saw the future with online sales.
Now with the economy on a down turn, not to be negative, why would they want control back? We are in a near recession with many people out of work or giving up thier homes.
Convience me on why they should keep these stores. JMO
I just don't see the old Disney ever returning with the great merchandise from the past.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

I think two key point in Disney reentering the retail business are:

1) There will be less than half the number of stores that Disney saw in it's heyday. This would make the stores more of a destination experience.

2) Most importantly, WDC is under new management...new management that encourages teamwork and creativity.

Part of the problem in the past is that every corner that could be cut was. The stores were overexposed and micromanaged right into the red.

 

[mickey2000]

I think two key point in Disney reentering the retail business are:

1) There will be less than half the number of stores that Disney saw in it's heyday. This would make the stores more of a destination experience.

2) Most importantly, WDC is under new management...new management that encourages teamwork and creativity.

Part of the problem in the past is that every corner that could be cut was. The stores were overexposed and micromanaged right into the red.

Two very good points!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

oh gosh - at least if they're really going to make going to the Disney Store an experience -- please let the CMs wear lanyards and trade pins --- kids would make it a favorite weekend activity to make the drive to trade!

It's funny you mention about making the Disney Stores an experience. This past weekend, I was straightening plush mountain and I overheard two guests talking about how they always come to the store just for the experience and to have their Disney fix. I stopped what I was doing and thanked them for saying that. To me, that is the highest honor as a Disney Store CM, to hear how my store can make it a wonderful experience for all Disney fans.

I think two key point in Disney reentering the retail business are:

1) There will be less than half the number of stores that Disney saw in it's heyday. This would make the stores more of a destination experience.

2) Most importantly, WDC is under new management...new management that encourages teamwork and creativity.

Part of the problem in the past is that every corner that could be cut was. The stores were overexposed and micromanaged right into the red.

All I can say is I'm glad Eisner is out and Iger is in because at least FINALLY the stores will receive the attention they deserve by Disney.

 

[ranidayz]

The Gaithersburg CMs can attest to seeing me in the store at least twice a week. Truthfully, through the planning stage of my cruise and now the aftermath --- I do like the fix --- it 're-youngs' me and restores innocense in my children in a disturbing world.

I like to walk out of there with something -- even if it's a washcloth -- because it's a little pixie dust in my pocket. However, aside from Ikea -- there are very few stores that I would travel to when I dont' need anything from them. Unfortunately, my husband (looking around our house) can not see that I need anything from a distant Disney store.

I honestly dont' think I'll be in mymall if our store goes!

By the way - if you go to that store -- every single cast member is amazing. I want to point out that if Tara is there - that woman knows everything about Disney and can sit and talk you through everything -- she's an experience in Disney all by herself! Now we just hurry up and wait....

 

[Mickey&Donald]

The Gaithersburg CMs can attest to seeing me in the store at least twice a week.

True!

By the way - if you go to that store -- every single cast member is amazing. I want to point out that if Tara is there - that woman knows everything about Disney and can sit and talk you through everything -- she's an experience in Disney all by herself! Now we just hurry up and wait....

Thanks so much -- it really means a lot to hear that. And we love Tara too! She's an awesome CM... it is really apparent that she used to be a CM at WDW too!

 

[DisneyDeeva]

It's funny you mention about making the Disney Stores an experience. This past weekend, I was straightening plush mountain and I overheard two guests talking about how they always come to the store just for the experience and to have their Disney fix. I stopped what I was doing and thanked them for saying that. To me, that is the highest honor as a Disney Store CM, to hear how my store can make it a wonderful experience for all Disney fans.

Ahhh, Plush Mountain. When I was a CM - that was always my favorite "job" at closing on Friday night. I did Plush Mountain the "Disney Way" in preparation for the weekend Guests. It was honestly good enough that our DM took pictures to show other stores how it should look. The fixtures were dusted, the glass polished, the hangers all faced to the left and the floor was vacuumed at the close of each and every shift. It made me soo proud to hear guests nice things about their experience.

On the couple of times I've wandered into the store, I've come out in tears. It is such a mess - and dirty. The plush is just piled in the mountain - it looks like some 2 year-old's toy chest. I hope they make all the CMs go back through Traditions and reread the dress code (I did not like being greeted by some kid with more unnatural holes in her body than natural ones and her very long purple fingernails freaked me out!)

And, if anyone from Disney is out there listening - get rid of those hideous, cheap red shirts. When I put it on, I always felt like I worked at Jiffy Lube. Even after dozens of washings, the water was still pink.

 

[cindyfan]

And hopefully when Disney takes over.....
They won't have a CM standing at the front of the store screaming at people when you walk in.....
At our DS, the CM stands there and screams out what is "on Sale" or whatever promotion is going on.
When I was a CM we actually walked up to people to talk to them! Then casually mentioned the current promotions.
This whole screaming at people as they walk in is just RUDE!

 

[cindyfan]

Oh yea, and they need to bring back the Disney Gallery!!!!!

 

[we're all mad here]

I didn't see that list? Is it in the document somewhere?

It's at the VERY end of those wonderful 197 pages. The "remaining" are pages 191-192 or 192-193.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Ahhh, Plush Mountain. When I was a CM - that was always my favorite "job" at closing on Friday night. I did Plush Mountain the "Disney Way" in preparation for the weekend Guests. It was honestly good enough that our DM took pictures to show other stores how it should look. The fixtures were dusted, the glass polished, the hangers all faced to the left and the floor was vacuumed at the close of each and every shift. It made me soo proud to hear guests nice things about their experience.

On the couple of times I've wandered into the store, I've come out in tears. It is such a mess - and dirty. The plush is just piled in the mountain - it looks like some 2 year-old's toy chest. I hope they make all the CMs go back through Traditions and reread the dress code (I did not like being greeted by some kid with more unnatural holes in her body than natural ones and her very long purple fingernails freaked me out!)

And, if anyone from Disney is out there listening - get rid of those hideous, cheap red shirts. When I put it on, I always felt like I worked at Jiffy Lube. Even after dozens of washings, the water was still pink.

The store where I work, we have kept ALL of the Disney standards. I know not all stores have, but we do. No bright nail polish, one piecing per ear, one ring per hand, etc. The windows and mirrors are washed every morning and the store is swept every night (well, that is when the sweeper works...we have a problem with killing them!). I can't stand it when I see a hanger hung the wrong way. I will admit, I'm not the best at putting plush mountain together...I try to do it to the best that I can't but I"m not the best at it. I know many stores have changed since TCP took over, but my store hasn't been one of them.

And hopefully when Disney takes over.....
They won't have a CM standing at the front of the store screaming at people when you walk in.....
At our DS, the CM stands there and screams out what is "on Sale" or whatever promotion is going on.
When I was a CM we actually walked up to people to talk to them! Then casually mentioned the current promotions.
This whole screaming at people as they walk in is just RUDE!

Current CM's don't see it as being rude, but instead trying to tell more guests at one time what is going on in the store. I never once considered myself being rude when I was at the greeter position. I'll be more than happy to talk to guests, I do every single shift, but if I'm at the greeter position, I'm going to do what am I am supposed to do even if some people do consider it rude. It's my job and it doesn't make me any less of a CM. I also don't think it's going to be going anywhere since the greeter position, as I'm sure you know as a former CM, has been around for a LONG time.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Of course the store I go to every week is slated to close. There will still be 4 others in this general area, it will just be more of an effort to go to one. Hopefully they will be able to relocate the staff to the remaining stores, because they are truly wonderful CMs.

 

[cindyfan]

Current CM's don't see it as being rude, but instead trying to tell more guests at one time what is going on in the store. I never once considered myself being rude when I was at the greeter position. I'll be more than happy to talk to guests, I do every single shift, but if I'm at the greeter position, I'm going to do what am I am supposed to do even if some people do consider it rude. It's my job and it doesn't make me any less of a CM. I also don't think it's going to be going anywhere since the greeter position, as I'm sure you know as a former CM, has been around for a LONG time.

I would LOVE for them to have "greeters"!!
But IMHO..... a greeter is actually someone who makes eye contact and "GREETS" such as "how are you doing today? Are you looking for anything special that I can help you with?" As opposed to a loud screaming voice coming from behind a fixture yelling to me "We have T shirts 2 for $12" !!


I know you are probably just doing what you are told..... I just think the greeter should greet on a personal level.
The whole premise of what the Disney Store used to be is to make each person feel SPECIAL! Screaming to the masses is not special... it's rude.

 

[DisneyDeeva]

I would LOVE for them to have "greeters"!!
But IMHO..... a greeter is actually someone who makes eye contact and "GREETS" such as "how are you doing today? Are you looking for anything special that I can help you with?" As opposed to a loud screaming voice coming from behind a fixture yelling to me "We have T shirts 2 for $12" !!


I know you are probably just doing what you are told..... I just think the greeter should greet on a personal level.
The whole premise of what the Disney Store used to be is to make each person feel SPECIAL! Screaming to the masses is not special... it's rude.

I totally agree - Why is it so hard to give a pleasant smile (pay special attention to the littlest Guests) and using your best indoor voice tell me "Welcome To The Disney Store"? I used to love working in the Box Office...asking for a Guest's autograph and telling them to "Have a Magical Day!!"

I still have a hard time when I see the CMs wearing white socks or, worse yet, no socks at all. And, the sneakers and Crocs have got to to. If I wanted to be helped by a scary guy with black lipstick, I'd go a few more doors down to the Hip Hop clothing store!

 

[KerryCM]

I totally agree - Why is it so hard to give a pleasant smile (pay special attention to the littlest Guests) and using your best indoor voice tell me "Welcome To The Disney Store"? I used to love working in the Box Office...asking for a Guest's autograph and telling them to "Have a Magical Day!!"

I still have a hard time when I see the CMs wearing white socks or, worse yet, no socks at all. And, the sneakers and Crocs have got to to. If I wanted to be helped by a scary guy with black lipstick, I'd go a few more doors down to the Hip Hop clothing store!

WOW! I don't know where you shop, but at the store I work at we too have kept the Disney standard. Our SM and DM would be walking us right out the door if we dressed like that!

I have been at my store almost 15 years, I was an opening CM. Through everything we have still been "Disney" We have been told we represent the Disney name and we will go by all original standards.

I am curious to see what the changes will bring. I would love to see us go back to the old ways, but I really don't think they will all come back. This is a bussiness and Disney will run it as such. My store is currently on the "aquired" list, but we all know nothing is set in stone. I stayed with the changes to Hoop because of our cast and my love for Disney. I just hope the store stays open, but only time will tell.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

WOW! I don't know where you shop, but at the store I work at we too have kept the Disney standard. Our SM and DM would be walking us right out the door if we dressed like that!

I have been at my store almost 15 years, I was an opening CM. Through everything we have still been "Disney" We have been told we represent the Disney name and we will go by all original standards.

I am curious to see what the changes will bring. I would love to see us go back to the old ways, but I really don't think they will all come back. This is a bussiness and Disney will run it as such. My store is currently on the "aquired" list, but we all know nothing is set in stone. I stayed with the changes to Hoop because of our cast and my love for Disney. I just hope the store stays open, but only time will tell.

I couldn't have said it better myself! Your post sounds like I wrote it!

I personally greet the guests, don't yell at the guests. I've known CM (seasonal only) who truly did that and I don't really like that...however if there are a lot of people coming into the store at once, I'll try to greet many people at one time, just because it's nearly impossible to greet everyone individually.

Standards haven't changed at my store...at all. It upsets me when I hear standards have changed at some stores because it gives all stores (even the ones that follow the rules) a bad name.

 

[dpuck1998]

It's at the VERY end of those wonderful 197 pages. The "remaining" are pages 191-192 or 192-193.

Thanks!

Looks like the store closest to me is safe for now. yea.

 

[jenseib]

Can someone post the list here?

 

[DisneyDeeva]

Can someone post the list here?

Probably not a good idea. The list is part of a current legal proceeding. Not worth possibly getting Pete and The DIS in a barrel of hot water with Disney, Hoop Retail and the law.