My DH has a gripe...

[Beth]

While walking thru Frontierland this past Monday, we noticed that one or more of the stores had closed. This particular store (if you're walking towards the castle) is just beyond Pecos Bill, and just <i>before</i> you get to the Shooting Gallery. It used to sell cute "western wear," - sheriff's badges, coonskin caps, pop guns, etc. We asked a CM selling wares outside of store what was going on... and she said it closed for renovation - and that it would be reopening as some sort of kitchen and bath store.

Obviously Disney knows what's going to sell - but DH was terribly disappointed, nonetheless...

Has anyone else heard the same thing?

 

[danny1649]

Upset they closed the Magic Shop on Main Street.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by danny1649
Upset they closed the Magic Shop on Main Street.

Me too Danny! I was upset when they closed the indoor Pirates shop (the one adjacent to the ride exit that had generic pirate merchandise) I also miss the Silversmith Shop in Liberty Square. It is now a Christmas store Years ago the Disney Parks had lots of non-Disney merchandise. This non-disney merchandise was themed to the area it was sold in ie your Western wear shop. I guess by eliminating the other non-Disney merchandise they can increase profits for themselves by carrying their own brand. Too bad.

 

[mog]

What??!! They closed the Pirate Shop at the exit to POTC? My boys will be very upset about this. We haven't been in a few years and are going next summer. This is their favorite ride and they still talk about the cool stuff in the shop at the end. Bummer!!

 

[epcotfan]

They still have Pirates merchandise outside the exit of the ride. I'm talking about the store that was indoors-close to the exit of the ride. This indoor store had more in the way of non-Disney pirate related items.

 

[eeyore0062]

It seems as though shops, except for the main shops, like the Emporium, Mousegears, etc, change every couple of years, with the changing trends among the guests. It is very disappointing to look forward to a particular shop only to find it is selling something completely different. These types of concerns need to be addressed to Guest Services, which you can find at www.disneyworld.com. Good luck, and I hope that your concern is heard, and there is a favorable response.

 

[Beth]

Also...

The art gallery just inside the gates at the MK - before Town Hall - has closed, as well. They moved a little bit of the merchandise over to the Jewelry shop - back in the back - but a CM we questioned over there said that the majority of the merchandise won't be found in the MK, anymore - you'd just have to go to the gallery over at the Marketplace.

 

[mog]

Yeah! My kids will be happy to hear that the Pirate Shop is still there. I'm sure they will be wanting to replenish their sword supply by the time we get there!

 

[wickey's friend]

I was just thinking that it might be costly to take my little DS in there -- he'll want each and every sword there! I'm glad it isn't closed, I would have been sad. Not as poor afterward, but sad.

 

[Dznefreek]

I was upset when they closed the indoor Pirates shop (the one adjacent to the ride exit that had generic pirate merchandise)

It is still there and open.

 

[disneysteve]

This has been a complaint of ours for a long time. In the past, each store in the parks and hotels used to have a somewhat unique stock of merchandise. Several years back, some new executive decided that all the shops should carry the same stuff. The thinking, apparently, was that guests wouldn't be upset that they didn't get something on their day in EPCOT if they could get the same item in MK.

The actual result was that shopping became less fun. We used to visit EVERY shop on property (and I do mean every one). You never knew where you were going to turn up that unique must-have item. Now, we hardly look in most of the shops at all because we figure they all have the same old stuff.

I miss the old Main Street - magic shop, penny arcade, original Emporium before they annexed the street and expanded, the silversmith and antique shops and more. I realize that some of these shops may not have been hugely profitable, but they added immensely to the atmosphere and theme. But, once again, Disney has chosen to put short term profit ahead of show.

Definitely complain to the company when your favorite shop goes missing. Let them know how you feel. They do read and respond to comments and I do believe that it influences future decisions.

Steve

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
It is still there and open.

It is? When did it reopen? I was surprised it wasn't open during the peak summer hours in early August.

 

[Dznefreek]

It is? When did it reopen? I was surprised it wasn't open during the peak summer hours in early August.

To my knowledge it has never been closed. We are talking about the shop you walk through after you exit the ride, right?

We were there 8/31/03 and on 8/19/03 and it was open both days.

The House of Treasure:
you must pass through after the ride in order to get back outside, is where you'll find Pirates of the Caribbean logo merchandise (from www.wdwig.com)

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
To my knowledge it has never been closed. We are talking about the shop you walk through after you exit the ride, right?

We were there 8/31/03 and on 8/19/03 and it was open both days.

The House of Treasure:
you must pass through after the ride in order to get back outside, is where you'll find Pirates of the Caribbean logo merchandise (from www.wdwig.com)

No, we're referring to the indoor shop to your right as you exit the ride and walk through the open market. That's the one that has been closed.

Steve

 

[Magickndm]

You are right disneysteve, the enclosed shop is closed. They do still sell "unDisney" pirates stuff in the outside shop, you just have to look more closely.

 

[epcotfan]

I'm referring to the store disneysteve is talking about.

 

[Dznefreek]

Where the door says CM's only please? I don't ever remember a store there and I have been going for 21 years.

Boy I must have missed it from Day 1.

 

[Magickndm]

As you exit the ride, you had to go thru a doorway off to the right. It had a/c in there and cash registers in the very middle of the room. There was very little Disney merchandise in there, lots of creepy looking skeleton bodies and heads and some clothes along with some kiddie swords and eye patches.

 

[eeyore0062]

Somehow, I must have also missed it. Maybe too many guests were missing it, hence, it closed.

 

[disneysteve]

I just checked an old WDW guidebook. The store in question was called "House of Treasure."

Steve