Disney Store Closings

[Toad_Passenger]

Last year there was a bunch of lists circulating about certain Disney Stores that were closing. I'm wondering how many of these actually closed, and are there stores that are still "at risk?"

There are rumors popping up about our local store, but we seem to go through this every year. Anyone with any info about another round of closures?

 

[rodkenrich]

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[Stitchnut]

Personally I wish they would stop closing the stores. My family loves shopping there. They closed ours at the local mall and the closest one is now over an hour away.

 

[newlife]

the last time i visited a disney store was this summer. it was in tanger outlets in riverhead ny. i was so disappointed and disgusted in the shape of the store and the merchandise available that i just left after being in there for a few minutes.

i thought there may be a few adult items i may be interested in but it seemed that the store could be any discount store selling second rate disney merchandise.

hopefully this changed recently.

if they brought back some of the old magic the older stores used to have then there wouldnt be any more talk of closings.

 

[Terese]

The Disney Store by my house (Chicago 'burbs) didn't close, but they did "remodel" it.

It's now half the size, and is as generic looking as a grocery store.

They pretty much no longer carry any items that would appeal to adults...no art, no watches, very little apparel, and very few collectibles.

I use to always go there whenever anyone I knew had a baby, because I could count on finding something really cute and unique.

Now, there are only a few Disney Stores in the Chicago area that carry any baby items, and none of them are convenient for me.

Most of all, they eliminated the "magical" feel of the place.

I really used to look forward to going there every time I was in the mall...now I rarely shop there.

 

[BoosGram]

The Disney Store by my house (Chicago 'burbs) didn't close, but they did "remodel" it.

It's now half the size, and is as generic looking as a grocery store.

They pretty much no longer carry any items that would appeal to adults...no art, no watches, very little apparel, and very few collectibles.

I use to always go there whenever anyone I knew had a baby, because I could count on finding something really cute and unique.

Now, there are only a few Disney Stores in the Chicago area that carry any baby items, and none of them are convenient for me.

Most of all, they eliminated the "magical" feel of the place.

I really used to look forward to going there every time I was in the mall...now I rarely shop there.

That sounds a lot like what happened by me, only they closed the closest store to us and changed the really good store (about 30 miles north) to a store just like what you described. I was soooo disgusted. Now I don't care if I go there or not.

 

[Wall-E1]

I agree. I used to enjoy shopping for uniques collectibles at the Disney Store. Now, it i more geared to children, but even those items are out of touch with what children like. If they modeled the stores more like the "World of Disney" stores they would be much more successful.

 

[mickeymark34]

The store that I originally worked at was on that list. A few days before stores were sent liquidation packages, we were told we would stay open. We did for almost a year, but indeed did close. I was lucky to get a transfer to another store. There have been many new store openings in the last few months. I worked at a Grand Opening event when a store got a remodel, and Mickey and Minnie were there. It was fun. I am just hoping that my town will get its Disney Store back. I will have to wish upon a star.......

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I agree. I used to enjoy shopping for uniques collectibles at the Disney Store. Now, it i more geared to children, but even those items are out of touch with what children like. If they modeled the stores more like the "World of Disney" stores they would be much more successful.

I am a CM at a Disney Store. Although I loved when we carried collectables, it wasn't very profitable. More people are inclined to buy a t-shirt versus a cel. Are they fun to look at and admire? Yes, but that doesn't pay the bills.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Ditto PP. People SAY they want collectibles and adult things, but then not enough people buy them unless they are heavily discounted and it just proves the point why TDS does not carry more of that type of product.

Don't know if many of you have seen the new Christmas merchandise, but I think it's really lovely this year. And the Toy Story toys are amazing. Might be worth a minute of your time to go visit if you haven't been in a while.

 

[LostBoy89]

Ditto PP. People SAY they want collectibles and adult things, but then not enough people buy them unless they are heavily discounted and it just proves the point why TDS does not carry more of that type of product.

Don't know if many of you have seen the new Christmas merchandise, but I think it's really lovely this year. And the Toy Story toys are amazing. Might be worth a minute of your time to go visit if you haven't been in a while.

I know exactly what you are talking about. When we did carry adult product, it only sold when it was discounted. Sometimes not even then. I know i loved the adult line, but in all honesty, I think Disney made a smart decision in moving it to the online store. Even snow globes arent moving the way they used too. And i think they are amazing in detail. The adult line wasnt profiting the company. It's like what happened to tween, it was such a seller, but then it died down and the stores were losing money.

OH! And i do really like the Christmas merch! I especially love the santa cookie plate!

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Check out the 2009 snow globe that is part of the deal with qualifying purchase. That deal makes me feel just like I'm in WDW buying something. If only we could get watches and canvas tote bags in the stores! But the snow globe is adorable. They've really outdone themselves with the new snowglobes and sculptural merchandise.

The mugs and cookie plates are just perfect. I am so happy about the changes they've made in the stores since Disney bought them back!

I've noticed a lot more of our regular guests are buying more now. The Disney lovers are finding more to be happy about. I love it when they leave happy.

 

[bellemeeko1]

All the ones in the Bflo NY area are closed...so so sad.....

 

[plyeng2ff]

Personally I wish they would stop closing the stores. My family loves shopping there. They closed ours at the local mall and the closest one is now over an hour away.

I second that. The only thing it did do is save me some money. Now the wife just want to drive the hour away to see what they have.