WaltD4Me
<font color=royalblue>PS...I tried asking for wate
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2003
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- 9,703
From the Orlando Sentinal, a Disney collector has just opened a shop in Winter Garden with what looks like old school Disney quality stuff. The article says he has over 25,000 items for sale. It says Winter Garden is 15 miles from WDW. I would love to see his store.
====== Part of the Article from the Sentinal ==============
By Dewayne Bevil
11:54 a.m. EST, December 2, 2011
Orlando Sentinel
Marc Pianko is up to his eyeballs in mouse ears.
After more than a decade of gathering Disney-related memorabilia, souvenirs, clothing and theme-park props, the Windermere man's expansive collection spilled from his house and filled five storage sheds.
"The craziest stuff was in there, but no one could see it," Pianko said.
The former Walt Disney World employee has changed that, expanding his online-auction business called Theme Park Connection to include a new 4,000-square-foot store in Winter Garden, about 15 miles north of Disney World. It contains an estimated 250,000 items for sale.
The place is packed, floor to ceiling, with items mundane (phone books) and magical (a Snow White costume).
"We specialize in the stuff that's no longer at Disney," said Pianko, 34. That includes not only discontinued merchandise but also Walt Disney World signage, costumes, bedding, carpeting, strollers and building materials such as stained glass, tile and bricks.
Prices range from 10 cents for a souvenir button to more than $1,000, which was the price tag on an old Haunted Mansion sign prompting guests to have their premium E tickets ready.
Pianko would not reveal all his methods for gathering the goods, but he said they are purchased at auctions, garage sales, Walt Disney Co. liquidation sales, from Disney fans and through sources developed during his 15 years of collecting and selling. He also buys from store customers.
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The whole article is here
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...e-disney-collectibles-20111202,0,179428.story
====== Part of the Article from the Sentinal ==============
By Dewayne Bevil
11:54 a.m. EST, December 2, 2011
Orlando Sentinel
Marc Pianko is up to his eyeballs in mouse ears.
After more than a decade of gathering Disney-related memorabilia, souvenirs, clothing and theme-park props, the Windermere man's expansive collection spilled from his house and filled five storage sheds.
"The craziest stuff was in there, but no one could see it," Pianko said.
The former Walt Disney World employee has changed that, expanding his online-auction business called Theme Park Connection to include a new 4,000-square-foot store in Winter Garden, about 15 miles north of Disney World. It contains an estimated 250,000 items for sale.
The place is packed, floor to ceiling, with items mundane (phone books) and magical (a Snow White costume).
"We specialize in the stuff that's no longer at Disney," said Pianko, 34. That includes not only discontinued merchandise but also Walt Disney World signage, costumes, bedding, carpeting, strollers and building materials such as stained glass, tile and bricks.
Prices range from 10 cents for a souvenir button to more than $1,000, which was the price tag on an old Haunted Mansion sign prompting guests to have their premium E tickets ready.
Pianko would not reveal all his methods for gathering the goods, but he said they are purchased at auctions, garage sales, Walt Disney Co. liquidation sales, from Disney fans and through sources developed during his 15 years of collecting and selling. He also buys from store customers.
=====================================================
The whole article is here
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...e-disney-collectibles-20111202,0,179428.story
