Disney Stores Sold

[JimC]

Disney announced the sale to close next month. Well there goes our DVC discount.

 

[kweaver]

According to the news report, Disney will keep the catalog sales.

Maybe they will work something out for the discount...maybe it's worth an email to The Children's Place corporate HQ.
customerservice@childrensplace.com or
investor_relations@childrensplace.com

The press release http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=PLCE&script=410&layout=6&item_id=633074 looks pretty interesting. Some good things, specifically items 1, 2 and 4, if you ask me...

The Company's operational action plan will encompass the following key areas:

-- Enhance the store concept and in-store entertainment
experience through store remodels;

-- Strengthen the value proposition by offering quality
merchandise at affordable prices;

-- Utilize the Company's direct sourcing expertise and
infrastructure;

-- Implement a character driven merchandise strategy that will
include more frequent product flows; and

-- Leverage existing back office functions and systems
infrastructure.

 

[rocketriter]

After the stores became Pooh-a-toriums and the adult clothing disappeared, we stopped shopping there. So the discount wasn't much use to us anyway. Anything would be an improvement.

 

[kweaver]

I agree...anything is an improvement. The CMs have always been wonderful...but the selection and price/quality relationship was very poor. The only thing I've purchased there over the past 4 years is Christmas PJs for my kids (usually on sale for $9 right before Christmas!).

Actually, I think this change will be good for The Disney Store. If TCP can bring in some Disney clothing and mdse that falls within their current pricing structure, I forsee spending a lot more dough in there.

 

[RumpleMom]

I have missed the adult embroidered clothes the Disney Store used to carry. I don't want to purchase these clothes from a catalog. I always have to exchange for another size.

I love that Sears is now carrying Lands End clothing in the stores for the very same reason.

 

[Beca]

I've always kind of thought Disney was "missing the mark" with their stores. I would rather pay more money for good stuff, than less money for junk! I've REALLY been wanting to see more "pottery barn" styled stuff in their stores....really cute stuff for kids, and almost the "hidden mickey" stuff for adults. I would LOVE to have nice dinnerware with VERY subtle Mickeys on it. The same with towels, and furniture.

I think Disney would do well introducing "lines" of house stuff reminiscent of the beautiful designs of their deluxe hotels. You could have the rustic, Wilderness Lodge line, and the beautiful Grand Floridian line. I'm looking at buying a chandelier for my kitchen...if I could find an elegant Disney themed one, I would be ALL over it!!!!

Plus, I too would LOVE to be able to buy lines of adult casual wear that has subtle (and, sometimes NOT so subtle Disney stuff on it).

Of course, I am one of the CRAZY people that bought about 20 of the $300+ sericels to decorate my home....but, I LOVE them. I would also be tempted to buy fine jewelry from Disney as well.

I would SOOO love to see these stores get revitalized...they could make a fortune if they would really start to put out nice, diverse products instead of just stuffed animals and movies.



Beca

 

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by Beca

I would SOOO love to see these stores get revitalized...they could make a fortune if they would really start to put out nice, diverse products instead of just stuffed animals and movies.

Beca

ITA Beca!! I miss the variety of the "old days" -- I figure I'll have to settle for waiting to hit World of Disney on our WDW trips.

 

[emememem]

We went to the new Disney Store in NYC last weekend. Found it to be filled with lots of key chains,magnets, picture frames,stuffed animals, sweatshirts...No more gallery. The CMs said it was supposed to be more like the Disney store in DTD. They also had a large candy store too. We liked the old store much better.

 

[shelbyjosh]

It's a shame to see what TDS has become. I am so tired of going in there and seeing everything Princess and Buzz. I really miss all the adult sweatshirts and T's they used to carry. I have been disappointed with their merchandise for several years now.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Actually, I think this change will be good for The Disney Store.

It sure won't be for those of us that do not wish to be working for the Children's Place and that work at the Dishey Store to be a part of the Disney Corporation. I am heartbroken that I will no longer be able to say that I am a Cast Member working for Disney. This will leave a big empty space in my life and a big hole in my Disney heart.

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

FYI-the disney store online is now disney direct.com! They are having a big sale on halloween costumes at 60% off. It looks to me like they will continue to sell the same type things the disney store carried but bought online.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Wonder if you will be able to pick up Park Hoppers at The Children's Place???

 

[Terry S]

From what we are being told, yes, they will continue to sell park tickets at the Disney Store!

 

[Beca]

Originally posted by Ms. WDW
Wonder if you will be able to pick up Park Hoppers at The Children's Place???

Actually, I heard that you would be able to do that. They have some sort of agreement with Disney to continue selling park passes.

Rwethereyet...I am SOO sorry!!! I know how I would feel...so, I can sympathize with how you must feel...it is the CM's who are losing out on this one. When I was making my PS's, I was talking to a lot of different people on the phone. It was during the hurricanes, so I would always thank them for coming to work, and ask how they were doing...they would ALWAYS reply, "I'm not in Orlando, I'm in...(Salt Lake City, Kansas City, or Houston)." I said, "How cool that you get to live in your city and work for Disney!!! Do you get really great discounts?", and they replied, "No...we get nothing...we're not Disney employees, we work for a private contractor. We don't get anything but a minimum wage paycheck"

Okay...knock me over with a feather!!! I guess ALL opportunities to work for Disney outside of Orlando or LA are gone now...I am so sorry!!!



Beca

 

[poohj80]

Originally posted by rocketriter
After the stores became Pooh-a-toriums and the adult clothing disappeared, we stopped shopping there.

I liked the Pooh-a-torium thank you very much but totally agree that they lost our business when they stopped carrying adult clothing. DH was famous for going to TDS around Dec 22 to do all my Christmas shopping. He blames the changes at TDS for him having to actually think ahead now for the holidays.

Originally posted by Beca
I would LOVE to have nice dinnerware with VERY subtle Mickeys on it. The same with towels, and furniture.

Plus, I too would LOVE to be able to buy lines of adult casual wear that has subtle (and, sometimes NOT so subtle Disney stuff on it).

We're with you Beca! This is why we HAVE to go to WDW every so often to do our annual shopping.

 

[kweaver]

Originally posted by RweTHEREyet
It sure won't be for those of us that do not wish to be working for the Children's Place and that work at the Dishey Store to be a part of the Disney Corporation. I am heartbroken that I will no longer be able to say that I am a Cast Member working for Disney. This will leave a big empty space in my life and a big hole in my Disney heart.

My comment was directed at the overall business...building on my other comments regarding selection, price and quality. Actually, I hadn't even thought of the in-store CMs. I totally understand your loyalty to Disney. You must feel so connected right now...and to lose that is going to be tough. It does seem that TDS CMs have the most to deal with... the big mess of changing companies and wondering how things are going to change. I realize that TCP is not Disney...but is it a bad company to work for? I don't really know anything about them.

I was poking around the TCP corporate website (not sure how I got so involved in this...but it is interesting to me). I found the .pdf "Acquisition Presentation" done by TCP. It has some interesting ideas, pictures of stores (current or future ideas?), etc. It's in a Power Point bullet format...very easy to read.

One item under "Growth Opportunity" thing that caught my eye is "Introduce a Disney Store outlet store strategy". That, along with the fact that they have identified 120 "premium outlets" where Disney currently has ZERO stores...really wet my whistle!

http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/NSD/PLCE/presentations/Disney102004a.pdf

OK...enough research. Back to birthday party planning. (Can you tell I'm a stay at home mom who is considering going back into Corporate America? <grin>)

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Beca
Actually, I heard that you would be able to do that. They have some sort of agreement with Disney to continue selling park passes.

Does anyone know if the Disney Visa Rewards cards are still accepted?

Like others here, when the store stopped selling everything useful to me, we stopped going there. I just hate paying tax on stuff in FLA that I didn't have to pay tax on here....clothing most notably.

-Joe

 

[Terry S]

For all that have stopped shopping there, you might want to check back. We have been gettting more adult stuff in and we have been told from the Childrens place that they will carry from Infant to Adult merchandise.

There are so many questions right now, but if I hear anything about the Disney Visa Rewards or DVC discount, I will let you all know.

As kweaver posted the Childrens place has some wonderful ideas that I was very happy to hear about and I do look forward to all the changes being implemented. But, I am heartbroken about no longer being a cast member. We do feel a connection to Disney because we are part of the company, but that will be no more!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Originally posted by JimC
Disney announced the sale to close next month. Well there goes our DVC discount.

sorry about the discount, but many will be without a job. There are a few more stores scheduled to be closed, not many but some.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks Terry, it's nice to hear from your point of view!

We know TDS have been carrying adult clothes, but the selection just hasn't been the same as it used to be. We have only noticed T-shirts, sweatshirts, and some jackets. We used to buy men's dress shirts, ties, the occasional polo, etc.

PJ