Disney Store - Yuck.

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Has anyone been in one of the Disney Stores lately. We live in Omaha so I know we are probably in one of the smaller markets but our Disney Store really seems to have gone downhill in the last few years. It just seems like there isn't much in the store anymore and what is there is junk.

Mike

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

It's a little hard to respond when you generalize your comments, especially that your store doesn't have much & what they do have is "junk". Do you mean the store is half empty? Is the stuff broken? I doubt that's what you mean. But we really can't reply if we don't know your specific points. If you clarify your comments, I'm sure you'll get some educated feedback.

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Our store used to have a lot of different things and a lot of changing inventory but now it seems like it is just stuffed animals and t-shirts.

MIke

 

[bicker]

Disney no longer owns the Disney Stores. The chain was sold last November to Children's Place.

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

Are there any mugs? Snowglobes? Beach towels? Toys? DVD's? CD's?

Our store used to have a lot of different things and a lot of changing inventory but now it seems like it is just stuffed animals and t-shirts.

MIke

 

[DizneyDogs]

Disboards is acting Goofy and won't let me start a new thread but anyway...

I recently bought 3 mugs at the Disney Store at my local mall. One is purple with Eeyore, green with Tink and yellow with pooh. They all have a darker shade inside and on the outside it has their names and a picture of the character with flowers with the same image on both sides.

Ok my question is...is there a 4th mug in this set? If so what color is it and what character. I have asked several of the cast memebers at the store but they don't know or don't remember seeing a 4th one. It seems odd to me that there would be only 3 in the set.

Anyway if anybody knows I would much appreciate knowing so that I can hopefully find it or end my search for a non-existing item.

 

[doombuggy]

I recently went to the DS here in Orlando and bought a watch. I haven't been able to buy a watch at a Disney Store probaly since 2000 or 2001 (ok, I collect watches).

Istolemykidspins - I have that pin for you, I just need something to put it in to send to you. I have not forgotten about it.

 

[Micca]

I used to go to the Disney Store here and drop some significant coin. No more. The items I considered quality such as unique watches, art, books, and other collectibles have been gone for years. If you're interested in plastic toys or princess costumes for 5 year olds, it's terrific

 

[3M's]

I think that they are probably on their way out. I have a Disney Store Credit Card that I have had for years and I received a letter that they are doing away with the card. Also, on line the Disney Store changed to Disney Direct and offers a lot more. Just my thought, but I figure they won't be around much longer.

 

[bicker]

I think I mentioned this recently in another thread: They're not "on their way out" -- they're already gone. The Disney Stores were purchased by Children's Place late last year. Children's Place may or may not leave them with the Disney name.

 

[NancyIL]

I think that they are probably on their way out. I have a Disney Store Credit Card that I have had for years and I received a letter that they are doing away with the card. Also, on line the Disney Store changed to Disney Direct and offers a lot more. Just my thought, but I figure they won't be around much longer.

No way, Jose! I work at The Disney Store, and I think the new merchandise we've been getting that was ordered by The Children's Place (meaning back-to-school stuff) is GREAT!

 

[JudithM]

No way, Jose! I work at The Disney Store, and I think the new merchandise we've been getting that was ordered by The Children's Place (meaning back-to-school stuff) is GREAT!

I am glad to read that the Disney Stores have "great" merchandise now, but they lost me a long time ago for many of the reasons cited above. Plus Disney closed the stores closest to me, & I rarely go the nearest mall where there is a Disney Store. They lost me about three years ago.

 

[doombuggy]

Sometimes it's tough for me to remember that not everyone lives in the big city. Before I moved to Orlando from Phila, there were 2 TDS about equi-distant from me (and I worked at both), and about 6 others within an hour's drive from my house. The Phila - Tristate area in inundated w/TDS. Very few of them have closed.

While I agree that most of the stuff that originally brought me into the stores in 1990 (when the first Phila/PA area store opened) are no longer there, TCP looks like they are trying to recoop some of that business. You have to give it time - retail buying is done way in advance.

The online & catalog stayed with TWDC, while the physical stores (most of them, anyway) went to TCP. As for the disney credit card, they have been phasing that out since they came out with the Disney visa. Why compete with your self? And people use the visa card everywhere, while the DCC is only goood at certain places. I am a charter member of DCC, and I only use it when ordering from the catalog.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[DisneyDotty]

I am also disappointed with the Disney Store. I used to be able to buy adult clothes there--shirts, jackets, skirts, etc--very nice, got many compliments--but no more. Now it's lots of plastic stuff and t-shirts that can be found at many other stores. Ah well, just gotta go to WDW to get those things now...

 

[boston1029]

Hey doombuggy. Less than 60 days to go!!!

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

Not sure what everyone else's Disney Store is like, but I'm an adult & can still get shirts & jackets at my DS. Granted there aren't as many collectibles as in the past{most of those were only in the Gallery Stores anyway}. But all these "changes" that have taken place took place awhile ago. It's nothing new. I find it strange that so many people complain about DS but have no idea they're no longer owned by Disney. And for those who say the DS are on their way out, I have no clue what you're talking about. You obviously don't follow the business pages at all. Disney selling the DS to CP is not an indication of the DS closing. It's just the opposite. Selling the DS to CP was a good thing because Disney was losing so much money{they really never ran a retail business before}, that they would have simply closed the DS had they not sold to CP. Prior to the purchase, CP had many successive fiscal quarters of growth. So they obviously know what they're doing. As doombuggy mentioned, retail ordering takes approx 12-18 months. Meaning, if a company buys a franchise, it'll take 12-18 months before you see their fingerprints on things.

BTW, doombuggy, thanks so much for the pin. Brendon is jealous because he needs it for part of his Figment set. I told him he has plenty of nice pins I'd be more than happy to trade him for.

 

[Stitchy_Baby_626]

I think Disney Stores here in London ROCK!!!

Donna
xxx

 

[Moonbeams]

I agree with others' comments that the merchandise that brought us into the Disney Store in the 90s is no longer there. We can only hope that the CP purchase will bring unique, quality merchandise back into the DS. Otherwise, there are lots of places other than DS to buy Disney-branded merch, like Target.

On the other hand, has anyone been to the World of Disney store in New York City? It's fabulous!! You can get lots of unique stuff like they have at WoD at WDW, plus lots of other specialty (ie, NY-specific) merch. Very fun!!

Jennifer rincess

 

[boston1029]

Even if the stores had the merchandise from the 90's, it would more than likely sit there until it went on sale. There are so many people nowadays who don't want to pay the price for something good. The old stuff went away because it didn't sell well enough to keep it. Unfortunately more people want to spend $1 than the true value of an item. That is why the stores don't have everything that you're looking for anymore.

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

I agree with others' comments that the merchandise that brought us into the Disney Store in the 90s is no longer there. We can only hope that the CP purchase will bring unique, quality merchandise back into the DS. Otherwise, there are lots of places other than DS to buy Disney-branded merch, like Target.

On the other hand, has anyone been to the World of Disney store in New York City? It's fabulous!! You can get lots of unique stuff like they have at WoD at WDW, plus lots of other specialty (ie, NY-specific) merch. Very fun!!

Jennifer rincess

I agree with boston1029. The reason "the merchandise that brought us into the Disney Store in the 90s is no longer there" is because "we" didn't buy enough of it. While there are us hard-core Disney fanatics who would drive hours for this premium merch, the reality is that there aren't enough of us. If all that unique 90's merchandise had sold well-enough, it would still be there. It obviously didn't sell enough & the DS were not making enough profit to justify having it in stock. The ironic thing about this whole discussion is that people are criticizing the DS for their merchandise or lack thereof when in fact the guests' purchasing habits are the direct reason for the current inventory. Retail stores stock what sells & get rid of what doesn't. What the DS have right now is due directly to "our" spending trends. And think about this, if guests are so against spending DS prices for things like $15 shirts or toys that they can get at Target for a bit less, why would those same people spend upwards of $75 to $150 to $250 on "premium" merchandise? If anyone answers that question, "I would!", seems odd that you'd pay that much for a premium item but yet you'll go to another retailer to save a few dollars on a shirt.