I got a res ponse from Tom Staggs today

[Jennygt]

I emailed Tom staggs today and I got a reply by the afternoon from a communications manager named Bret Wagner who wants to set up a phone call to discuss my concerns. I am going to try to set the call up for tomorrow, I will let you know how it goes. I hope that it does not fall on deaf ears.

 

[LeahZ]

What email address did you use? I know a lot of people were having problems getting through.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Very cool!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

They should make it a conference call with Pete and everyone who couldn't get through by email!

 

[Cherinva]

Cool...let us know what happens

 

[Tink rules]

 

[pal-mickey]

 

[Jennygt]

I used Tom.staggs@disney.com I typed it in my comcast account I did not click on it posted as a link. I don't know if that had something to do with it. I am going to set up the call for later today.

 

[stitchlover]

Good luck. Would love go read what you originally emailed if you don't mind posting it. It certainly got someones attention.

 

[disneygirl 17]

They should make it a conference call with Pete and everyone who couldn't get through by email!

- could you imagine. To listen to Pete rant to him -

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[lugnut33]

yeah, be sure to update this thread.

See if Tom will meet you at WDW and you can show him what you mean!!

 

[cathie1327]

So happy that someone was able to not only get thier email through, but also get someone's attention!!!

Please do keep us updated!

 

[Gav N Becx]

Glad my suggested email address worked

Will be interested to hear the outcome too.

 

[Jennygt]

Glad my suggested email address worked

Will be interested to hear the outcome too.

Thanks for the email! I did miss two calls yesterday from WDW, I was out in the snow and I did not hear my phone. Brett is out of the office untill Sunday so I just sent an email so I can talk with him Monday. I am not sure how to post my email here. The subject was Resort Merchandise. In general I spoke about the Poly since that is where I have been over the last 3 years, I said I was buying less and less, and that I was disapointed in general with this situation. I mentioned the Emporium and Mouse Gear also. I did not mention the coffe at all just the generic merchandise. I am not the best writer and I did not think that my letter was very interesting? Who knows? I will update as soon as I speak with Brett. Let me know if there are any key points that I should be sure to bring up with him.

 

[Anjiebaby]

We stay at a different resort every time and if there was resort specific shirts, keychains, hats, towels we would buy them.
We would especially love to collect resort specific pins from all the resorts we have stayed at.
You can also mention that even my shopping loving kids find no reason to purchase a new resort mug as the design hasn't changed.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the email! I did miss two calls yesterday from WDW, I was out in the snow and I did not hear my phone. Brett is out of the office untill Sunday so I just sent an email so I can talk with him Monday. I am not sure how to post my email here. The subject was Resort Merchandise. In general I spoke about the Poly since that is where I have been over the last 3 years, I said I was buying less and less, and that I was disapointed in general with this situation. I mentioned the Emporium and Mouse Gear also. I did not mention the coffe at all just the generic merchandise. I am not the best writer and I did not think that my letter was very interesting? Who knows? I will update as soon as I speak with Brett. Let me know if there are any key points that I should be sure to bring up with him.

If you want to share your email, simply copy it and paste it in the messge box.

 

[SugarSpice]

Ooooo! Can't wait to hear what happens!

 

[challer]

I thought I'd share my email I sent to Tom Staggs, Al Weiss and Meg Crofton. (I didn't know who was the head of merchandise at WDW, so I gave these three a shot.) I just got back from Marathon Weekend, and I was steaming even before I listened to Pete's rant.

I know you've probably gotten a number of correspondences regarding this issue, but I thought I'd share my thoughts.

I have been visiting the Disney Parks and Resorts since 1981. I love it and I cherish each and ever visit. My latest visit was on Marathon Weekend. My family and I had a wonderful time, and I completed the marathon. However, I must share that there were two issues that troubled me, and both are related to WDW merchandising.

The first issue was more specific. After the marathon was complete, I wanted to purchase one of those "I did it!" shirts that were being sold prior to the run. It turns out, the shirts sold out 2 days before the marathon. For me, that seems inexcusable. I would assume people would want to purchase more after the race - not just before. I can't imagine that after the years of marathon experience and marathon merchandise experience Disney would still not know how much merchandise to produce. I hope it isn't a calculated decision to make fewer than the demand would dictate to assure a sellout of the merchandise.

The second issue is an issue that has been plaguing the parks and seems in my opinion to get worse. I came to WDW with cash to spend in the shops. I brought an extra suitcase in order to fill it up with mementos for me and my family & gifts for friends and family at home. I had made it a tradition that I by merchandise from every new Disney resort I stay at. Unfortunately, the variety of merchandise has been decreased to the extent that it enraged me. The merchandise in the Boardwalk Inn was identical to that on Main Street, USA, which was in turn identical to those on Hollywood Blvd. at Hollywood Studios, at MouseGears in EPCOT, and at World of Disney at Downtown Disney. It's all the same: WDW 2011 merchadise, very general WDW merchandise, and generic character items that have both "Disneyland Resort" and "Walt Disney World Resort" tagged on them. What a disappointment. It was this trip that I concluded that it is no longer fun to go shopping on my vacation to Walt Disney World, which is a real shame. As a guest I was disappointed, and as a stockholder I was disappointed. I can't imagine that by making the shopping experience a homogeneous one it helps keep my shares of Disney financially happier.

So, in the end, I came home with one T-shirt: a retro-EPCOT Center shirt. Now, that was the only set of items that seemed unique and worth taking home. I couldn't get the Marathon shirt, nor could I get Disney's Boardwalk Inn merchandise, or any other items unique to specific parks, attractions, or experiences. In addition to that EPCOT t-shirt, I also came home with a wallet almost as full as when I arrived.

It's a shame.

And I got an email back from Al Weiss that was CC'ed to Staggs and Crofton, and I think this wasn't meant for me to see:

I will have Debbie coordinate an answer with Liz

Al

Hmmm.... Let's see where this goes.

 

[k5jm]

I thought I'd share my email I sent to Tom Staggs, Al Weiss and Meg Crofton. (I didn't know who was the head of merchandise at WDW, so I gave these three a shot.) I just got back from Marathon Weekend, and I was steaming even before I listened to Pete's rant.



And I got an email back from Al Weiss that was CC'ed to Staggs and Crofton, and I think this wasn't meant for me to see:



Hmmm.... Let's see where this goes.

Chad, I am very curious to see if you get a "homogenized" response from the WDW management team.

 

[PixieTl]

I'm really glad that some people are getting responses! And I cannot wait to hear what sort of feedback/excuses/solutions that they offer!
We didn't even bother to buy anything until the last day of our trip last summer because I knew how much the variety of merchandise had declined! and then we just went to DTD!
I hope some good stuff comes out of this!
Can't wait to hear more!