Disney Store New Format: "Imagination"

[MFfan310]

Today, I went over to the Disney Store at Glenbrook Square in Fort Wayne, Indiana, one of the original-style "Pink and Green" stores.

I spoke with the store manager briefly, and she told me that the particular store will probably be one of the first 17 stores nationwide to be renovated in the new "Imagination" store format, depending on store sales. I did a quick Google search to see if any renovated stores are under construction, and found that one of the new stores is under construction at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, which happens to be owned by the same mall owner (General Growth Properties) as Glenbrook Square.

She gave me some details about the "Imagination" store prototype:
-It's based on the latest Disney Store Europe store design (Disney never divested the European stores), complete with the big LCD screens.
-Target audience is ages 2-12, as Disney has found that this age group has been ignored at malls as of late.
-It's highly interactive. For example, one can get a card, swipe it in, program their favorite Disney character, swipe it, and do some interactive games and such while browsing/shopping the store. Think Virtual Magic Kingdom meets Toontown Online meets retail store.
-All US/Canada Disney Stores will be renovated into "Imagination" format within 5 years or less, starting with "Pink & Green" format stores.

Last, but not least, here's some words to remember about your local Disney Store: "If you see us closed and a 'coming soon' sign nearby or in our spot, you'll know what happened."

 

[ChrisFL]

Target audience is ages 2-12

Well there's a shock, went from 4-15 to 2-12

 

[daber]

Well there's a shock, went from 4-15 to 2-12

I'm still mad at them ever since they dropped the adult line. Used to go in every week and drop $$$. Now I venture in once a year and normally don't buy a thing. Save me money and I get my fix in Orlando or Anaheim.

 

[rocketriter]

I'm still mad at them ever since they dropped the adult line. Used to go in every week and drop $$$. Now I venture in once a year and normally don't buy a thing. Save me money and I get my fix in Orlando or Anaheim.

I'm with you on that. My wife and I would, from time to time, buy something expensive for ourselves with a Disney theme. Now our kids are grown and we don't even go in the door.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Our Disney Store has some adult clothing items, but not many. It is disappointing, but I always remind myself, if the demand was there and it could be profitable, they would do it.

 

[myprincessgirlisa]

i miss the original store (better merchandies) & the mall by me used to have a restaurant next door called Mickeys Kitchen~it was awesome! not sure why it never made it!
Its a bummer to see the Disney Stores resorting to a "disney themed" Toys r us..they need to bring back the MAGIC

 

[Cricket2]

I'd be happy to see any store at all. My closest US store is 166 miles away.

 

[mickeymark34]

A store in my area is closing sometime this month, and moving into a brand new store. The odd thing is, if this news is correct, it is a Pipe/Rail. The store I work in is a Pink and Green. I certainly hope that we get a new store. The mall we occupy has around seven empty spots, including a Hallmark store that closed, right across the way from us. Maybe that will be our new home if we get a new store.

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

-It's highly interactive. For example, one can get a card, swipe it in, program their favorite Disney character, swipe it, and do some interactive games and such while browsing/shopping the store. Think Virtual Magic Kingdom meets Toontown Online meets retail store.QUOTE]

Hmm, I wonder what that will look like. I hope a store near us gets a makeover so I can see. I hope its alot like vmk.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

if you could only buy Disney things at Disney stores. I think one of the reasons the Disney Stores don't do so well is because you can buy Princess, etc. stuff at any other store that sells kids clothes and toys. So people aren't willing to go into the store itself and pay the higher price.

I would also like to see more Disney home stuff and more jewellry. I don't think that many people buy Disney adult clothes at home, more when they are at the parks and surrounded by the magic. But some classy looking home decor items, and jewellry might do well.

It would be nice if we could get art and things like that, but the reality is most people aren't going to or dont' have the money to pay for expensive Disney art.

I especially liked the line where they had the fireplace screen and hanging sconces, things like that. They were classy Disney. You could do your home in Disney without it looking like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

 

[randomDisneyFan3000]

Steve Jobs and Co. need to do something about the stores. He does own the most stock.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If the theme is "Imagination", then they need to have Dreamfinder and Figment from Epcot as their mascot.

 

[CoP Luv]

i miss the original store (better merchandies) & the mall by me used to have a restaurant next door called Mickeys Kitchen~it was awesome! not sure why it never made it!
Its a bummer to see the Disney Stores resorting to a "disney themed" Toys r us..they need to bring back the MAGIC

I was JUST thinking about Mickey's Kitchen when I saw this post and wondered the same thing! I remember going to a birthday party there when I was really young! I think it would have been awesome if it worked!

 

[MFfan310]

Heads-up for those living in the Sacramento area: it looks like the first of the 17 initial "Imagination Park" renovated stores is about to open in 2 weeks!

According to disneystore.com (look under "Shop by Category, then "In-Store Special Events", then "New Store Openings"), the first of these remodeled Disney Stores is opening at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville on Monday, May 18th, in a new location on the lower level between JCPenney and Macy's. (As mentioned earlier, the new location replaces a Piperail store and not a Pink and Green store.) This will be followed by the new Ala Moana Center store in Honolulu, Hawaii (Stitch would be proud) on June 10th. Disney will also be giving away gifts to the first 200 guests at both openings!

BTW, could anyone take pictures of the grand opening and post them here or in a Flickr stream?

 

[yensidretlaw]

I think the "Imagination Park" design is still in the planning stages. Double check, but I think that are still building the "Pixie Dust" stores and are probably on the second generation of those stores.

 

[disneylove69]

I live right next door. I was bummed when Child Place took over and ruined it. Glad to see it coming back. Guess I'll call in to work

Heads-up for those living in the Sacramento area: it looks like the first of the 17 initial "Imagination Park" renovated stores is about to open in 2 weeks!

According to disneystore.com (look under "Shop by Category, then "In-Store Special Events", then "New Store Openings"), the first of these remodeled Disney Stores is opening at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville on Monday, May 18th, in a new location on the lower level between JCPenney and Macy's. (As mentioned earlier, the new location replaces a Piperail store and not a Pink and Green store.) This will be followed by the new Ala Moana Center store in Honolulu, Hawaii (Stitch would be proud) on June 10th. Disney will also be giving away gifts to the first 200 guests at both openings!

BTW, could anyone take pictures of the grand opening and post them here or in a Flickr stream?

 

[mickeymark34]

I'm not going to be able to make it for the grand opening, but I am going to go see it on Wednesday. My manager at the Disney Store went to help set the store up, and she said it was very nice. I hope our store is next in line for a remodel. Are the Cast Members going to get new costumes when their new stores open?

 

[goofydebi]

We used to have a disney catalog outlet about 30 miles away and a park outlet about 45 miles away. they both closed last year, our local disney store closed several years ago. i spent lots of cash at them all, now forced to shop online. really wish they would realize that adults like to get their "fix" in between wdw trips.

 

[mitros]

I'm still mad at them ever since they dropped the adult line. Used to go in every week and drop $$$. Now I venture in once a year and normally don't buy a thing. Save me money and I get my fix in Orlando or Anaheim.

We feel your pain. {to quote a pain} We really miss the original Disney store concept. But, like you say, we do not go to the Disney stores any more, not even once a year, and just spend our $$$ at WDW.

 

[LostBoy89]

Heads-up for those living in the Sacramento area: it looks like the first of the 17 initial "Imagination Park" renovated stores is about to open in 2 weeks!

According to disneystore.com (look under "Shop by Category, then "In-Store Special Events", then "New Store Openings"), the first of these remodeled Disney Stores is opening at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville on Monday, May 18th, in a new location on the lower level between JCPenney and Macy's. (As mentioned earlier, the new location replaces a Piperail store and not a Pink and Green store.) This will be followed by the new Ala Moana Center store in Honolulu, Hawaii (Stitch would be proud) on June 10th. Disney will also be giving away gifts to the first 200 guests at both openings!

BTW, could anyone take pictures of the grand opening and post them here or in a Flickr stream?

I helped open the store in Roseville this week. It is actually a Pixie 2 store. They haven't started building any of the Imagination stores yet.