Disney Store - Gallery Merchandise Update

[hopemax]

You guys know about the huge sale at the Disney Store, including most of the arts & collectibles type merchandise. In the near future only 4 US Stores will be carrying this type of merchandise.

NYC 5th Avenue
Natick, MA
Las Vegas in the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace
The one on the Walt Disney Studios lot (not accessible to most people)

I also read on a different site, and confirmed with my CM family member, that Disney is in the process of setting up a 1-800 phone number just for the ordering of Arts & Collectibles. The other stores will have a large binder with photos of the items that are available and interested people can use the 1-800 to order.

This info isn't widely known yet, so your local stores probably haven't heard about it yet. And I'm not sure of the implementation timeframe.

 

[taysalyn]

if this happens, it will greatly diminish the amount I purchase at the disney store. Since the one near me does not carry adult clothing, the only thing I am interested in is the collectibles and art. Do you know if they will discontinue the WDCC items as well? I guess that would be considered collectibles...

Also, is that the reason behind the 75% sale going on now?

 

[n2mm]

I was told the same info at my local DS last month. That All stores will no longer carry WDCC, Art and collectibles. I did not know that there would be a select few still carrying the stuff. I would like to know where the 4 stores are if any one knows. I see no need to renew my membership for WDCC this year if the merchandise will not be accessible at my local Disney Stores or one that carries collectibles. Now, maybe if the catalog starts carrying this type of merchandise that would help some. But I love browsing around the Gallery stores. This type of merchandise will still be available in WDW (probably DL too) so would mean we would have to ship home or carry on the plane. This is becoming less and less reason for me to visit my local DS. I don't like the direction the DS are taking and have been taking lately.

 

[Luv2Roam]

In the old (closed up) Disney Store in Omaha, someone form CA is opening a true Disney collectable store. The items appear to be along the lines of Art of Disney and the Gallery stores.
It will be interesting to see if it makes it. If it does, that will prove there is a market for high end Disney merchadise that Disney acts like isn't there on a local level.

 

[Figment2]

A year or so ago there was talk of discontinuing WDCC pieces however Disney changed its mind. They did decide though they wouldn't bring out as many as they used to every year plus they would continue retiring pieces. Disney also lowered the number of "Gold" dealers from 1,500 to something like 750. They are the dealers listed in WDCC mailings.

I've been buying my WDCC pieces for years at a local collectibles store. I find the collectible stores usually have more of a selection of WDCC pieces while my local Gallery Store (which is no more) had a limited number. The collectibles store also happens to be where our local Disney club meets every month.

However there probably will be changes to WDCC since Lee has left. She worked with WDCC for years and became the division head a year or so ago. No one knows (or no one is telling) why she left.

Bottom line is there will still be WDCC pieces (at least for awhile).

Cyn

 

[doombuggy]

taysalyn: you may notice that the items that are 75% off at TDS have been on sale for awhile. This is typical at all retail stores. Items need to be placed on sale so that they will be purchased and room can be made for the next season's clothing or goods. It is nearly back to school time and you will see all retail stores gearing up for this. If it's not back to school (let's face it, school kids range in age from 6 to 21), it's fall clothing for everyone. This is just the way our society works now. My cousin is getting married next June 28th, so I am going to be looking for a dress to wear now, so I can get something nice on sale (and before I spend all my money at WDW in October).

As far as I can tell the WDCC should be doing fine - they are planning a cruise convention next May, which I and a couple of friends are looking forward to. They have never cruised, but I have several times. We'll see how the Magic or the Wonder holds up to the QE2.....(sigh - to cruise that ship again........)

 

[n2mm]

Just heard from a friend who works at the Tyson's VA store and yes, all WDCC pieces at that store are going back. So these items will not be carried at the Tyson's Store, nor the Colombia, MD store. Guess I'll have to add to my collection while on vacation in WDW from now on. These 2 stores were the closest thing we had to a gallery store here in the Washington, DC area. Their merchandise will be sorely missed by me. Let's just hope that the catalog will start carrying more of a "gallery" line of merchandise.

 

[SueEllen]

You should still be able to pick up WDCC pieces with a redemption certificate, just as before. WDCC is still going strong.

This is just preliminary information about the collectibles and art-work, and probably shouldn't be shared until details are final.

Sue Ellen

 

[JudithM]

Sue Ellen, I don't want to get into a huge debate , but CMs at more than one TDS nationwide have been telling guests this information about Gallery Stores & WDCC merchandise. It may be preliminary, but I have heard CMs tell guests this info is to be shared with guests.