Frustration with the Disney Store

[Kim&Chris]

Sorry but I didn't really know where to post this.....

I went to my local Disney Store this weekend because I needed a "Disney Fix". I wanted to buy something, ......ANYTHING that is Disney related (since we probably won't be going to WDW this year, I wanted to treat myself to some goodies).

We walked in, and of course it's wall to wall kid stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with all the kid stuff, but I don't have any kids and, well, Disney is for us adults, too! (Sorry to say this, but it looked a little "junkie" if you know what I mean).

They had not one T-Shirt, sweatshirt, snow globe, pair of socks, NOTHING FOR AN ADULT.

My husband grabbed a copy of Roger Rabbit and went to the counter to pay. When the CM came up to ring us out, I asked her if they had anything for adults....she rolled her eyes and said "no, we haven't had anything for adults in a long, long time". I could tell that she was not happy about it either.

What's up with the Disney Store?? I can remember a time when I'd walk in & drop alot of money on T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, earrings, and general Disney "stuff", but it seems those days are gone.

They should have never changed the design of the Disney Store. It's totally lost the magic, and it doesn't seem to be coming back anytime soon.

OK, I'm done complaining

 

[austinsmommy]

I totally agree!!!!! I think it stinks and I even have kids!!!!

 

[Sugarbaby]

I totally agree!! They used to have great Tshirts,embroidered stuff-all kinds of things I could spend my money on. Now it's all infant and toddler stuff. This change in marketing is so disappointing. I relate the closure of so many Disney stores with this move away from adults interest items. I have seen many people like us in our store-really looking for something to buy,but leaving empty handed. I think eventually all Disney stores will close because those in marketing either don't know or don't care what we want. They will continue to flounder until put out of their misery.

 

[jfulcer]

I agree with you completely. Unfortunately, with 2 kids under 6, DW finds lots to buy right now.

Let me ask you a question based on your shopping habits.... When we used to buy adult stuff at the Disney Store, we normally waited until it was sale priced or discounted. We wouldn't pay full price for pretty much anything. Did all of you who are disappointed with the current stock buy adult stuff at FULL price at The Disney Store?

And not just once in a while you paid full price - every time you bought something.

I think that the Disney Store's prices were too high and caused people not to buy adult things. Enough they felt they could make those sales the same way through the Catalog. This left more room for them to concentrate on an area where some(most?) of their full price sales were - Kids items.

I don't know about you, but I would have been more willing to pay full price for something for DD and wouldn't have had the same spending habits for myself.

I dunno, it's just a thought....

 

[Sugarbaby]

I agree that prices were too high. I rarely found anything on sale though. Unfortunately,the catalogs don't often have much that appeals to me.

 

[Leota]

Iagree that TDC has gone downhill. I also agree with you, Jfulcer - I tended to wait til the prices came down a bit on adult clothing (not the regular t-shirts, those were fine) Alot of the adult clothing was over-priced for what it was, IMHO - Maybe instead of putting it on clearance - They could have been better off dropping the prices into a more acceptable range in the first place.

I did pay full price for my watches, desk accessories & that stuff, all the time - So why did they discontinue all that? I don't think I ever saw those things on clearance (or I was very unlucky at our local store)

My latest frustration with TDC:
We get an e-mail sale notice. Buy $50.00 worth of stuff & get $25.00 Digital Donald Dollars. Sounds cool - let's read the small print.....
A.) Must buy in a 2 week period this month - Must spend the DDD in the following week
B.) Excluded everything I would buy, just about - Of course Theme Park Passes & Disney Dollars - But also, videos, DVD's CD roms...etc.... Both to qualify for the DDD & to redeem them Which left me wondering - what the heck could you buy??????

 

[Colleen A.]

I was in our local DS about 3 weeks ago...they still had t-shirts, snowglobes and nightshirts for adults. I got a real cute Pooh nightshirt that glows in the dark We went back last weekend. There was not one adult item left! The CM who works there (and who is always there when I am!) approached me and said that the entire store was 15% off. My response, "They have RUINED this store!" The entire front of the store was nothing but stuffed stuff, the middle, "boy toys", the back walls, girls clothing and the back where the mound of stuffed stuff used to be (below the tv screen) was all Disney castle and accesories.

I don't see me going back anytime soon....just to pick up Treasure Planet!

 

[Cindy B]

I haven't gone in the store for about 2 months.. don't miss it either...

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I have to agree ... the DS in Kalamazoo, MI has also switched over to all kid stuff. I never bought a lot there anyway, just sale items, but if kid items are all they are going to carry, I won't even bother to go in the store at all!!!

Very disappointing and I think they are shooting themselves in the foot!

 

[ducklite]

Rather than complaining about it here, why not write to the Disney Store Headquaters?

Peter Whitford, President
The Disney Store, Inc.
101 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203-2671

Anne

 

[Kim&Chris]

Thanks for the address for Mr. Whitford. I just typed & mailed my letter.

I'm hoping some of my fellow DISers do the same. Maybe we can pursuade them to make some positive changes.

 

[Tess]

Most of the market share for adult clothing and merchandise is being gobbled up by the likes of Wal-Mart, Kmart, and all of the other mass merchadisers that carry Disney related clothing, household fashions, etc.? Not only do these merchandisers sell for less, they have major quantities available. Why pay $32 for a sleeveless blouse at TDS when you can purchase it at Wal-Mart for $10? Just a thought. . .

I agree, though, I used to love to wander through our local Disney stores--not so much now because there's nothing to catch my interest. The stores around here seem to devote themselves to constumes and baby clothes. I don't have babies any longer--or kid sized children for that matter!

 

[Kim&Chris]

True....WalMart does carry alot of Disney merchandise, but it's just not the same.

I used to be able to buy really nice kitchen stuff at TDS (I have a set of Pooh canisters that I LOVE & purchased at TDS...can't find anything similar at any of the discount stores).

I also had purchased some really nice embroidered sweaters and sweatshirts that were alot nicer than those offered at the discounters. In fact, I bought a gorgeous sweater about two years ago that I still have....it's nice enough to wear to work!

I think the main problem is the merchandisers for TDS. They had the ability and the means to buy quality merchandise, but priced it too high for most people to afford. After time, this stuff would get marked down and eventually ended up on the clearance rack. If they were smarter, they would have kept the mark-up much lower and the merchandise would have moved much faster, enabling them to buy more & more with a quicker turnover.

Just my humble opinion. I really miss buying the cool Mickey pins at TDS. Some of them were really, REALLY nice....I'd wear them on sweaters or blazers and always got compliments. You can't find stuff like that anymore unless you go to WDW and visit one of the jewelry stores.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I have two kids, but they are teens and big enough that the kids clothes no longer do the trick. It's frustrating to go to TDS anymore. I can pick up an item or two, but most everything is geared toward families with little kids.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wish I still had a DS to go to. My closed a few weeks ago. I used to buy all sorts of stuff at full price or with my DC or DVC discount. Since I won't step foot in a Wal-Mart (and my K-Mart just closed yesterday), I will just have to buy it over the net or at WDW.

 

[CynJ]

I am frustrated too.....

I would have paid full price for adult sweat shirts and t-shirst but they NEVER had them in any size other then small and medium - I wear a 1-2x top.

Now its all plush and costumes.....

 

[PatriciaH]

The Disney store used to have such nice adult clothing. I have a Lady and the Tramp denim shirt I still wear. I always get nice comments on it. It is very good quality-nothing like the cheap fabrics Wal-Mart or K-Mart carries (I do own some Wal-Mart clothing but it is cheap fabric). I also have a Mickey bowling shirt and many t-shirts. I never liked how the t-shirts washed- the collers drooped and never kept their shape. I don't really wear these much because of that. The designs were great though!

Our nearest store in Salem, NH used to have artwork, WDCC, jewlery, watches, housewares, etc.. Now it is all cheap crap. Even if I had children I would be SO disapointed in the quality of the clothing and toys. They have gone way down. Too bad

 

[Carebear7]

I am totally frustrated and MAD about this too I've been to TDS three times over the last 6 months to check and see if it was getting any better. I don't have kids and just loved to get a quick Disney fix there by looking at all the great adult stuff. Not anymore! I like to look at the real stuff, not just shop out of catalogs..I won't even bother to go in anymore

 

[eeyore0062]

It is comforting to see, according to those posting on these boards, that they miss the adult clothing and would be willing to pay full price for it, were it still in the store.

Unfortunately, in "real" life, that doesn't seem to be the case. The high quality adult merchandise that TDS did carry sat on the shelves until the quarterly sales came around, and only then did it move with any regularity. However, the self same items could be and were sold on the internet and in the catalogs for full price without complaint.

Is it no wonder that TPTB decided that the place that sold the adult merchandise the best would get the lion's share of that merchandise to sell? TDS sales in adult clothing started declining with the advent of TDS counterpart on the internet, and have never been the same.


Just some thoughts behind the reasons that you are seeing what you are seeing in the stores. Those items (princess, Toy Story, Plush, and clothing for ages 2-10) move, they sell for full price, or close to it, and make a tidy profit. They may not appeal to all, but evidently appeal to enough people that they will part with their hard earned money to buy it.

My wish is that TDS would come up with a formula that will satisfy everyone, without having to resort to sale after sale, or incentive after incentive... because posts like these are depressing. Especially to those of us who pride ourselves with providing our guests with the best service possible, and have no control over what we are to sell.

Please, take advantage of the address provided you by Anne (Ducklite), and make your thoughts and wishes heard!

Hopefully, with your help, it will make a difference!

 

[Talking Hands]

When they had something I liked I frequently would buy it full price as I am a 2X and finding that on sale was iffy. If it was on sale nice but I didn't count on it.
Now they have nothing and other stores rarely have anything either in the larger sizes. My poor wardrobe is no stocked with very professional looking polos and slacks
I sure would like to find afew adult type polos with discrete disney logos or characters to wear to school and interpreting. Mickey, Pooh, etc