Half the street shuttered – Now that’s MAGIC!!

[DVC-Landbaron]

I just heard a most disturbing rumor. It seems that a certain cast member picked up the rumor that the stores and/or shops – ALL THE STORES AND/OR SHOPS - in the Magic Kingdom will be closing at 6:00 pm, regardless of what the actual park closing time is.

So if the park stays open until 10 or 11, no matter!! The stores close at six!!

I’m trying to find out if this means Main Street as well, but haven’t gotten an answer yet.

Is there anything to this? Or is it (I hope) just a wild rumor?

 

[Pete W.]

I have seen some posts suggesting that MK PSs aren't available after 6:00 p.m. this summer so this may support the rumor you heard. Has anyone had luck getting PSs at any MK restaurants after 6:00 p.m. for July or August?

 

[wdwguide]

That'd puzzle me - those stores cost next to nothing to operate and are pure profit for them...

 

[KNWVIKING]

That would be truely bizarre. You're in the park,you see the plush thru the window,but they won't let you buy it.

I think with this rumor, seeing is definitely believing. Closing your profit centers makes no sense.

 

[C.Ann]

Surely someone is pulling your leg! That would be absolutely devastating to an already troubled Disney World and could very well be the straw that breaks the camels back..

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me in the least as it seems that's what Disney managment does best - alienate their customers!!

 

[RyMickey]

I don't know about all the stores, but it is TRUE, folks. I was there up until Tuesday, and all the Agrabah stores were closed by 6:00pm, and while there on Monday morning, they weren't even open by 11:30am. Mickey's Star Traders in Tomorrowland was open late, as were all the stores along Main Street. As for the Fantasyland stores and the Splash Mountain store (not the store by Splashdown Photos), I can't be sure. While having the Agrabah stores shuttered didn't look bad, I agree that I don't see the point in having them closed. However, if closing the stores allows the parks and rides to stay open later, I'm all for it.

RyMickey

 

[d-r]

Have you guys ever played roller coaster tycoon? I was thinking about something the other day. If you have your park set to an entrance fee for the whole park (vs. free entry and pay per ride), then you have two ways of making money, getting people to come in, and selling them stuff (ride pictures, souv., food and drink). So if you get a full park, it isn't the best thing for you in RCT. You would be better to get people to leave and get new people to come in and pay the entrance. While they still have money, it is better to close all the attractions for a while so they will all go shopping and eating and drinking. If you have a bunch of people that have been there a long time and ran out of money, you do better to close all your restrooms so they will leave the park and new guests will come to pay the entrance fee.

Anyway, I don't think they would close the stores if there is anybody in the park with a buck left in their wallet.

DR

 

[Lewisc]

From Screamscape:

The latest rumors from CMs claim that something really wild is afoot for the Merchandise shops. The following information is only about the shops in Liberty Square, Adventureland and Frontierland. Starting June 15th until at least October 1st (end of the Disney fiscal year) all shops other than Pirates Bazaar, Big Al’s & Splash Photo will not open until 11am and will close early at 6:30pm regardless of what time the park closes. I’ve heard rumors coming down the pipe (mostly from Disneyland) claiming that Jay Rasulo was going to demand some major budget cuts from the Merchandise department... something that would make former bossman Paul Pressler roll in his grave. (If he were dead that is... he’s just moved on to The Gap, though there are many who will debate the difference.)

I doubt they'll close main street but it sounds like the're considering closing some shops.

 

[EUROPA]

Wait a darn second here....Will I still be able to get a $2.50 coke? ....."Yes"...Ok good the magic is preserved.

If you see my other reply on the thread titled "Pirates of the Carribean" you will see that is because they are going to reprogram the Pirates, Haunted Mansion Ghost, Small World Chrildern and so on to sell t-shirts and drinks. So you get the great ride and you buy a haunted Mansion T-shirt at the same time. They are going to install Credit Card readers on each of the figures so there will be no waiting. The sad part is if nobody buys anything on your boat or doombuggy they you keep ridding until you do.

 

[KNWVIKING]

"The sad part is if nobody buys anything on your boat or doombuggy they you keep ridding until you do."

Uh.... What's the sad part about staying on the ride ? Sounds more like an incentive then a penalty.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
[B
Uh.... What's the sad part about staying on the ride ? Sounds more like an incentive then a penalty. [/B]

....its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all........its a small world after all.....

Two trips around and you jump out of the boat and start ripping heads off the kids.

 

[HB2K]

Europa-

While they're at it, they'll change the soundtrack...


"It's a small world after all....BUY THE SHIRT.....it's a small world after all.....BUY THE MUG....it's a small world after all....DON'T FORGET THE PLUSH....it's a small, small world."

 

[KNWVIKING]

....[/B]... I see this after quotes.

Yeah, I guess getting stuck on IASW has it's downside. By boat though I was thinking more along the lines of POTC and JC.

 

[Luvdisney]

I have a dinner PS at Liberty Tavern at the end of July and was told the last seating is at 5:45 PM, which I questioned and the CM thought that it was strang as well. since MK closes late that nite. But no one has been able to give me any good reason for it until I read this thread. So, it does look like Disney is shutting some things down early during the summer. My guess it is a staffing issue, since they laid off so many CM's last year. I wondered if the ever started hiring again since the hours have been extended. Maybe they just don't have enough CM's to staff every thing for the longer hours. Disney probably thinks we won't notice.

 

[Peter Pirate]

We were at DL recently and the shops along Main Street were all closed the moment the Park ended. This trend has been coming, and Europa getting a 2.50 coke becomes pretty tough in some locales late in the day (MGM for instance).

This move is really bizarre and I don't understand it one little bit. It rarely affects my visits as shopping is not one of the magical things at Disney (for me) but it seems truly bizarre and actually counterprodutive and I'll admit itakes away fom the festive atmosphere.

I would seriously like to know the rationale from a financial standpoint. gcurling?

 

[luvmk]

I don't understand the timing of this. The FTP starts the first of July. According to Disney, it has been wildly successful. I've often read of people not being able to get their first choice resort. Disney has also lengthend the package into Nov. It doesn't make sense to start closing down the shops and restaurants when you are expecting masses of people. If for nothing else, it allows more areas for people to go so that they aren't all packed into the same stores and restaurants. I don't know if many other people are like me, but when I get to disney, especially MK, I decide that ALL of our clothes should be disney and I then start to think that I should redecorate our house with all disney. Fortunately, my family stops me before I bankrupt us!

I guess it just doesn't make sense not to offer the best product and experience you possibly can. My guess is that there are a lot of first time visitors that are taking advantage of the FTP. I hope they don't feel slighted. Since they are first timers, they may not notice what the rest of us will.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... have you every taken notice of the activity inside the main street shops at closing or just after fireworks ? The shops become an extension of the actual street. People flood thru the shops as an additional means to exit the park. Now, if you know anything about shoplifting, you know this is like paradise to shoplifters. You might as well just throw your product out onto the street. I don't know how much shrinkage occurs in the shops during the Main Street Stroller Grand Prix but if theft is going to occur,that's the time to do it.

 

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
.... have you every taken notice of the activity inside the main street shops at closing or just after fireworks ? The shops become an extension of the actual street. People flood thru the shops as an additional means to exit the park. Now, if you know anything about shoplifting, you know this is like paradise to shoplifters. You might as well just throw your product out onto the street. I don't know how much shrinkage occurs in the shops during the Main Street Stroller Grand Prix but if theft is going to occur,that's the time to do it.

It's not main street and they are closing down the stores hours before the park closes so that is not the issue.

 

[C.Ann]

Of course it could be another of Disney's wildly "successful" marketing ploys where they give something with one hand, and yank something else away with the other.. You know FTP equals closing shops..

Or - it may be another scenario like the Character Van - just giving us customers what we wanted.. Who wants to buy Disney stuff anyhow??

I swear - I have to wonder if the people in charge are all on drugs or something.. They are killing Disney World bit by bit...

 

[hopemax]

I just thought of something, don't know if it's why or not, but it's the only thing I can think of. A few years ago DL, shuttered a bunch of things around July 17th. The same questions were asked, why would all of this stuff stop the week of DL's actual 45th birthday?

The rumored culprit was, that as DL approached the end of it's fiscal year, there wasn't enough money to fund everything. Given the state of the rest of the company, and the attitude Burbank has for the parks these days, it's not like the parks can go ask Burbank for money, no matter if the crowds are there or not.

DL took the path of decreasing operating hours of many of it's attractions (Mark Twain, Tiki Room, Toontown), and shutting a few down altogether (Jolly Trolley). The reaction to that was, "People come to ride the rides, why shut them down!"

Now, if WDW is facing a similar budget crunch, which kinda makes sense. They were given budget for a certain level of crowds, and if it's higher (or is projected to be higher because of the FTP) they know they are going to need extra staffing on the attractions, custodial, security. The money has to come from somewhere, and if Burbank isn't going to give them anymore, it means cuts at WDW. WDW seems to be taking the "leave the attractions alone" route, and even re-opening COP (which is good), and shutting secondary services like shopping and dining.

As a guest, which would you prefer? Attractions closing early, or something else?

In DL, October came, the new budget was released and many of the summer cutbacks were rescinded.