disney store closings

[ohanafamily]

Sure thing DisneyFan09 , but our store is in a bit of a flux right now; they are getting a remodel, and are in a temporary space. That is the reason given for no new merchandise; the other local store hasn't got anything new for a while either. I am hoping that after the remodel the store will be better.....

I also get more upset than I should when employees are blamed for managements ineptitude. I have even sent certified letters to them and not gotten responses; clearly they don't want an annoyance like me, so I quit writing. I have talked to but not met the new manager of our DS, she seems nice. I was very close to the manager of 6 months ago; we had even spent a day at Epcot together (DW and her Boyfreind were there as well) She had spent a good deal of time and effort cultivating DW and me as clients. She was also close to a few other guests with a passion for the collectables. She is now working for a bank and happy to have Saturdays off....

We will check out the store soon...

 

[eeyore0062]

Do you know, if I had a dime for every guest that comes through the door of our Disney Store and asks whether or not we are closing, I could finance my move to Florida?

No, they are NOT closing all of the Disney Stores. Yes, they have started to cut back on the number of stores, as evidenced by leases not being renewed by malls, etc.

I know that it is hard to loose your local Disney Store. We have lost 2 in this area within the past year... and many friends were left "Disney-less"

 

[ohanafamily]

Originally posted by DisneyFan09
Ohanafamily - as a Disney Store CM I appreciate your defense!! I love my job and try to always go the extra mile to ensure that our guests have a wonderful experience while they are in our store!! I also encourage you to stop in and look at the new line of "Adventurer" toys and clothing for boys!! There is Aladin, Tarzan, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and Hercules "action figures" and really nice clothing!! I too think that the stores are a little oversaturated with Buzz Lightyear so I was thrilled to see this new line for boys!

DisneyFan09,
Thank you for your kind words. DW and I went by the temporary location of our DS, and found that they were 5 days short of closing when the decision came down to relocate the store as a new concept store. We met with a very nice CM who has a badge that said Manager. She was obviously in charge, just transferred in from another store after they had gotten rid of the entire crew. There were 2 CMs who were clueless as for how to do anything short of greet a guest. They were having a problem with the POS system, it was authorizing payments, but not allowing them to post properly to sales. This is the kind of problem that generally requires a tech to fix it, but we were told by the acting manager (when she returned from another store) that the Asst. didn’t wiggle the wires properly, and it was working now. OK, a good part of the system appeared down when we left. Our new acting manager is very party line, and while we were able to “communicate without comment” to the Asst Manager, the Acting Manager gave us the strict party line. Some of the things she told us I did not realize were part of that line. I had been fed these details “Confidentially” by a CM that was trying to CHA. Our store is considered to be “an airport” store, and we were given the (now standard) come back in 2 weeks. I think I could work with the “Acting Assistant,” She seemed to care about where the company is going and generally concerned beyond the party line. When you know better, it is a little insulting to your intelligence to be told things that are only true in the propaganda sent out to keep employees from leaving the store like a sinking ship..

Also, we saw a few of these “Adventurer” items (very few). It is a little bit. We were told that their shipment was delayed in Ice/Snow. Come back in 2 weeks (Party Line). We will, but I still don’t think that there will be anything for newborns or adults.

We ordered TP, bought Spy Kids 2, and found a book to send as a gift. It took us a while to find something that was actually worth it for us to buy to make the $50.00 minimum purchase to get the gift card.

CM M.S., please feel free to PM me, I will tell you a few things that you might find helpful that can’t be spoken in the store (in other words CYA). Thanks again for your help, we understand your frustration and appreciate everything. You obviously care a great deal for the company, and were trained by someone more “customer service” oriented than “company line” oriented. Please don’t give up the good fight.

 

[disny4ever]

try contacting the VP in charge of the DS's and voice your opinion to them. If enough people do this they might start to reverse some of their decisions, store closings, merchandise for adults ( which I miss ). It's also going to take everyone to not only browse, but support these stores.
Let them know your feelings, what you want to see in the way of merchandise, also voice what's wrong with the stores so that can be looked at too, also let them know if a CM is doing a great job, or a store went to all ends to you. Call, e-mail, write, do something constructive and things might improve.

 

[ohanafamily]

disny4ever, here is Peter Whitford's address (President of TDS) if you want to annoy someone, he is at the top. I will re-state my opinion, Someone very high up in TDS is actively trying to destroy the stores. I think that the company is trying to move to a less overhead on-line focus (couldn't they have learned from go.com)

Here are the best addressis I can give you. I have tried writing to them and found it not to be effective.

Peter Whitford
The Disney Stores
Mail Stop MC-8610
101 North Brand Blvd
Suite #100
Glendale, CA 91203

If you want an E-Mail address, SUPPOSEDLY Guest communications wil route your mail to the correct person. Whether that person chooses to delete it without reading it is another question.

mailto:wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

If it sounds like I am in car #4, it is because I have sent several letters and gotten no good response from management above RMs.

But hey, maybey there is power in numbers.

Here is a phone number for you as well,International guest relations for TDS worldwide. You get an answering machine, and they say that they will call you back in 72 hours (generally) Please let me know if you have better luck than I. They are quite nice, but not very helpful in finding out or having dicisions changed.

(800)689-0789 Option 2


If you really want to be bold, Michael Eisener's office is in the same building. His Mail code is MC-1010

The phone number for the "Hall of Presidents" (OK, it is the building where all of the Disney Presidents are and I made this one up) is (818) 560-1000
The switchboard will put you through to the correct office, but you have to get by their assistants.

Knock yourself out