Disney Stores?

[k5thbeatle]

I know Disney has re-claimed ownership of their stores and that many across the country (including ours) have closed. Other than that I have not kept up with news as related to their stores. Is there a reliable source of information or a Disney release I may have missed regarding the future plans for the stores?

 

[carlbarry]

I don't know the answer--but I just had to give you a big thumbs up on your screen name and graphic. Beatles forever!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Disney closed about 100 hundred stores when they took the Disney Stores back over in May. All of the stores that were slated to close have closed to my knowledge. The rest of the stores are operating like normal.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Disney closed about 100 hundred stores when they took the Disney Stores back over in May. All of the stores that were slated to close have closed to my knowledge. The rest of the stores are operating like normal.

Yes, yes, but any other news regarding the future of the stores, plans to expand again, future downsizes, changes in goods sold, etc.?

 

[cheshire1013]

My mom works for a disney store that is still open. She said that some stores will be remodeled and more stores may close. I think shes still worried her store will close, but I think its doubtful. As for merchandise, they are still going through the merch. from hoop reality. I guess when theyve sold all that it will be back to disney stuff being made by disney. Obviously its going to take time for everything to be changed over.

 

[FireDancer]

Here is a quote from Andrew Mooney who is the chairman of Disney Consumer Products:

"Previously, we just had too many stores," Mooney admitted. "In the Buffalo area alone, we had 7 Disney Stores. Which is 6 too many to my way of thinking. We want these Stores to seem special and unique again. Which is why we have no plans at this time to add any new units to the chain."

 

[mickeyfantroy]

At first I was happy to hear that Disney was taking the stores back but now I'm not so sure. During the short time with Children's Place the stores were clean and kept well stocked with original merchandise. The cast members were well groomed and friendly. I've been in several stores over the last couple weeks and have noticed a huge change... for the worse! What I saw was more than one store what was filthy, in disrepair and lots of empty holes on the shelves. The cast members either ignored us or was downright rude. What I'm worried about most is that the product mix is going to return to the same boring items you can buy anywhere else but at a higher price. If this is the case they might as well save the effort and close them down now and be done with it.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Yes, yes, but any other news regarding the future of the stores, plans to expand again, future downsizes, changes in goods sold, etc.?

Well, I know that there are plans to remodel some stores and we're hoping that new 'Disney' product will be in the stores in the next few months. As far as downsizing, it could happen, but I really hope it doesn't.

At first I was happy to hear that Disney was taking the stores back but now I'm not so sure. During the short time with Children's Place the stores were clean and kept well stocked with original merchandise. The cast members were well groomed and friendly. I've been in several stores over the last couple weeks and have noticed a huge change... for the worse! What I saw was more than one store what was filthy, in disrepair and lots of empty holes on the shelves. The cast members either ignored us or was downright rude. What I'm worried about most is that the product mix is going to return to the same boring items you can buy anywhere else but at a higher price. If this is the case they might as well save the effort and close them down now and be done with it.

It's interesting you say that because most people say the complete opposite as far as the TCP time! I'm sorry you encountered rude CMs, that's just not right. We (as CMs) are taught to welcome the guests and I don't like to hear when that doesn't happen.

 

[LostBoy89]

Well, Disney has decided to discontinue the adult clothing line at the Disney Stores with the exception of graphic tee's. And as for the collectibles, all they have planned to keep are snowglobes and mugs.

Also, starting yesterday, all the buy 2, or buy 3 deals are ending. For example, if the plush was 2 for $20, now you would only need to buy one to get it for $10.

 

[disney1990]

Well, Disney has decided to discontinue the adult clothing line at the Disney Stores with the exception of graphic tee's. And as for the collectibles, all they have planned to keep are snowglobes and mugs.

Also, starting yesterday, all the buy 2, or buy 3 deals are ending. For example, if the plush was 2 for $20, now you would only need to buy one to get it for $10.

The Children's Place has always been big on the buy 2 for a set price -- if you buy only 1 you paid more. I always hated that. What if I wanted only 1?

I am glad to see Disney fix that problem.

 

[SecondStartotheright]

It's weird...the people I talked to always said that they stopped going to the Disney Store when TCP took over, because there was nothing there to buy for adults. In my time working at the Disney Store I bought enough adult stuff to last me the rest of my life!
During the very brief time that my store was owned by Disney, the Disney product that I saw come in was very similar to items we had but lower quality. I was happy to be working for Disney all the same, but I preferred the old product.

Of course, I didn't see much of it, because sadly, we closed. I'm still really really sad about it too. They should really have a support group for those of us who got iced... I can't even go into our mall anymore, it just makes me sad and angry (they first turned the old Disney Store into a John Deere shop...now it's a Vanity)

 

[LostBoy89]

When spring roles around and we begin to get disney purchased product, we can expect prices to go WAY up. As an example my manager said we will probably be seeing plush for $20 each. But ofcoarse the quality will be much better.

 

[mickeymark34]

We are getting new plush in our store, that seems to be better in quality than what we used to sell.

 

[jheigl]

Here is a quote from Andrew Mooney who is the chairman of Disney Consumer Products:

"Previously, we just had too many stores," Mooney admitted. "In the Buffalo area alone, we had 7 Disney Stores. Which is 6 too many to my way of thinking. We want these Stores to seem special and unique again. Which is why we have no plans at this time to add any new units to the chain."

being from the buffalo area, it sucks to hear that, but now instead of "7", they have zero....wish we could have just one...

 

[MainStMandy]

Here is a quote from Andrew Mooney who is the chairman of Disney Consumer Products:

"Previously, we just had too many stores," Mooney admitted. "In the Buffalo area alone, we had 7 Disney Stores. Which is 6 too many to my way of thinking. We want these Stores to seem special and unique again. Which is why we have no plans at this time to add any new units to the chain."

I don't where Mr. Mooney counted SEVEN stores in Buffalo...until recently there were THREE.

Here is the problem with the Disney Stores...in the beginning they were AMAZING, the really did bring the Magic to the guests. They had amazing merchandise and the CM's were....well what CM's should be.

Then Disney got greedy and in Starbucks like fashion, opened more than what was needed. The speciality merchandise was gotten rid of and in came the KMart style JUNK! Low-quality kids clothes, crappy plastic toys...and the best part, a lot of that stuff you could get at Kmart and Walmart.

Then instead of FIXING the problem...they sold it. DUH.

My hope is that the Disney Stores are brought back to what they USED to be. Let's bring back some magic.

-Former DS Manager

 

[jheigl]

I don't where Mr. Mooney counted SEVEN stores in Buffalo...until recently there were THREE.

Here is the problem with the Disney Stores...in the beginning they were AMAZING, the really did bring the Magic to the guests. They had amazing merchandise and the CM's were....well what CM's should be.

Then Disney got greedy and in Starbucks like fashion, opened more than what was needed. The speciality merchandise was gotten rid of and in came the KMart style JUNK! Low-quality kids clothes, crappy plastic toys...and the best part, a lot of that stuff you could get at Kmart and Walmart.

Then instead of FIXING the problem...they sold it. DUH.

My hope is that the Disney Stores are brought back to what they USED to be. Let's bring back some magic.

-Former DS Manager

I thought there were 3 as well, but maybe by Buffalo area he meant all of NY LOL! Anyways, I agree with your post 100%. Here's to hoping they come back in a blaze of glory to the gold ol times (and you get your job back)!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Ahhh - the billion in profits initiative - my opinion has always been that they drove themselves under the bus with that one. They drove a lot of the loyal associate CMs away with it, too. They started losing the love and becoming disenfranchised with the whole thing. After all, it was an unnecessary second job for most of us. I was a TDS CM for 3 years when they started that. My job turned to 100% travel at that point, so I had to leave before it was over.

St. Louis was another city that was completely wiped out of stores. They had 6 at one point. Too many in my opinion, but why take all of them and not leave the flagship. Didn't make sense to me at all!

 

[TinaMedley]

I agree Yellow Mickey Ponchos, I was a TDS castmember before and after CP (quit before they took back over) they should of kept at least one in the St. Louis area. Hopefully they will see the error of there way and open one back up. I miss going into the stores. I'm not a big internet shopper.

 

[wmp.dll]

Every Disney store in my area closed. Its weird walking through the mall and there being a Back Plus where the Disney Store used to be.

 

[cowza]

When I worked at Disney World the one thing I noticed almost immediately were that the products (specifically plush) were a lot lower quality than the products we have in Europe.

I know the distribution works completely different... Europes products are designed and tested in London. USA products are designed and tested I don't know where... but are nothing to do with Europe. I expected lower quality at Disney Store because it wasn't owned by Disney at the time but I was surprised not to see more continuity with the products in the park. Can anyone fathom any guess why this might be the case?

I can't say it was every product at Disney World... a lot of the stuff was great but a lot of the plush seemed to be very poorly made... sometimes not remotely resembling the character.

I know Disney Store in Europe has always been owned by Disney but I like to think they have kept their quality over the years. Although I agree with the Walmart/K Mart comment... they sell a lot of toys now more suited to a toy store even here in the UK... especially with the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse range. Toy vacuums and carts... and all that kind of stuff. I guess the need to cash in on the High School Musical franchise has added a lot of that kind of thing too.