new blog: Sunglass Hut Opening in Magic Kingdom's Adventureland

[LeahZ]

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/01/06/sunglass-hut-opening-in-magic-kingdoms-adventureland/

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree with this blog 100%! I think this is awful, just awful.

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

The complaints seem a little premature. We have no idea how the Sunglass Hut may be themed to fit in with Adventurelnd. Sunglasses do seem to be something someone would buy in such a land.

 

[minnie mum]

Right. Nobody bothers bringing their own sunglasses with them on vacation. And they'll positively stampede to spend their vacation dollars on very expensive designer eyewear that they can get at a mall in their home town.

I'm sure they'll theme the store just fine. But I resent the loss of the merchandise variety that was offered by Island Supply. I actually hope that it fails. I really hope that sales are so low that they pull it and return the store to what it was.

 

[JanaDee]

I completely agree with the blog. A Sunglass Hut does not belong in MK.

I have a pair of Ray-Bans and they were bought at a Sunglass Hut...at my local mall.

I don't want mall stores in the middle of MK.

As someone who usually keeps a positive stance when it comes to the parks, I’m putting Disney on notice. Be careful. Park guests don’t want their vacations to be saturated with the commercial world. Design your own stores. Create new attractions. Refresh old favorites. Whatever you do, stop cheapening the parks with moves like this one. Otherwise, you’ll soon see more unhappy guests, something competitors are banking on so they can swoop in and collect their dollars.

 

[sukhakuli]

I hope this isn't a direction that disney is going in. I really don't want the parks to look like an outdoor mall. EPCOT is bad enough since the world showcase is just food and stores. I hope all the parks don't start going there.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Meant to add, I don't think this is about selling sunglasses. Most people are not in the market for a pair of expensive sunglasses when they are vacation unless they break the ones they already brought with them. Disney must be charging them a fortune for that spot.

This is basically a very expensive ad placement for Sunglass Hut in the MK. Yuck.

 

[msteddom]

Sorry, I disagree completely. I was there today, and I think it fits in quite nicely. There was a nice crowd there, and everyone seemed to be having a good time trying on the sunglasses. There were a few Sunglass Hut managers there too. One of them gave me a nice tour of the store. I don't remember what was there before, but I'm sure it was probably the same generic Disney stuff available everywhere.

I'm sure most people don't come to the Magic Kingdom looking to buy sunglasses, but for those that do this is a nice option to have. I for one prefer it to the $12 Disney pair.

 

[DisneyDetective]

This blog displays a growing trend of branded shops/merchandise appearing in the parks such as Starbucks.

 

[Laketravis]

Sorry, I disagree completely. I was there today, and I think it fits in quite nicely. There was a nice crowd there, and everyone seemed to be having a good time trying on the sunglasses. There were a few Sunglass Hut managers there too. One of them gave me a nice tour of the store. I don't remember what was there before, but I'm sure it was probably the same generic Disney stuff available everywhere.

Did you need a FP for this?

(sorry, couldn't help it)

 

[AlixaLock]

Right. Nobody bothers bringing their own sunglasses with them on vacation. And they'll positively stampede to spend their vacation dollars on very expensive designer eyewear that they can get at a mall in their home town.

I'm sure they'll theme the store just fine. But I resent the loss of the merchandise variety that was offered by Island Supply. I actually hope that it fails. I really hope that sales are so low that they pull it and return the store to what it was.

Of course, I expect it to be themed properly. Assuming that will be the case, I think it's a great idea! I have bought sunglasses on vacation several times, with out of necessity and just because I like sunglasses. I'm not sure why it's such an awful idea. I never liked Island Supply much and never purchased anything there, but it was a cute store ... I hope whatever ends up there is a success!

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

Right. Nobody bothers bringing their own sunglasses with them on vacation. And they'll positively stampede to spend their vacation dollars on very expensive designer eyewear that they can get at a mall in their home town.

I'm sure they'll theme the store just fine. But I resent the loss of the merchandise variety that was offered by Island Supply. I actually hope that it fails. I really hope that sales are so low that they pull it and return the store to what it was.

Woah...you seem quite passionate about the loss of a store that sold generic Disney merch. Sorry for your loss.

This blog displays a growing trend of branded shops/merchandise appearing in the parks such as Starbucks.

Seriously? Attractions, restaurants and shops have been sponsored by corporations since WDW opened, usually quite prominently.

 

[jeffbear]

At least twice on Disney vacations, I have either lost or broken my usual sunglasses and needed to replace them. I work outside a lot of the time so I'm not generally shopping for bargain basement sunglasses. My only real option was to go to the resorts and find something in the shops there. Fine.

Having a Sunglass Hut in the MK gives you a choice to replace your sunglasses right there at the park if something happens. Why it couldn't have been a jumbo sized kiosk, I don't know but this hardly seems like the end of the world.

 

[jeffbear]

Woah...you seem quite passionate about the loss of a store that sold generic Disney merch. Sorry for your loss.



Seriously? Attractions, restaurants and shops have been sponsored by corporations since WDW opened, usually quite prominently.

You can change the "usually", for "always". There have been strong corporate retail presences in the parks since Disneyland opened. So ... as long as there have been parks.

Maybe everybody pining for the good old days needs to go back to Nescafe as the only coffee served in the parks. God, THAT was awful. I can't even imagine if internet message boards had been around when Disneyland switched from Kodak to GAF as their sole film vendor. The world would probably have exploded.

 

[SmithSmith]

Who cares?!

Island Supply was just a beach clothing store in the middle of Magic Kingdom. They sold Reef, Roxy, O'Neill, et al. These are all brands I can find in my local mall. Now it has been replaced by a beach accessories store that sells Maui Jim and Ray Bans. I don't see the difference...

 

[ArwenMarie]

The old store at least tried to fit in. This is a store that is in every mall across America.

Now I will say, if it doesn't say SUNGLASS HUT on the outside, then it could be fine. It if has a big cheesy sign like the ones in the mall...well, it's the death of Adventureland to me.

 

[Josh Hendy]

The old store at least tried to fit in. This is a store that is in every mall across America.

Now I will say, if it doesn't say SUNGLASS HUT on the outside, then it could be fine. It if has a big cheesy sign like the ones in the mall...well, it's the death of Adventureland to me.

I'm all for it as long as it's properly themed. It's gotta have the right "mall music" playing on a loop to really remind me of going to a mall.

 

[Dr Gevil]

Who cares?!

Island Supply was just a beach clothing store in the middle of Magic Kingdom. They sold Reef, Roxy, O'Neill, et al. These are all brands I can find in my local mall. Now it has been replaced by a beach accessories store that sells Maui Jim and Ray Bans. I don't see the difference...

Using logic/reason/common sense here on the DIS? Now that's just not fair!

I believe in different strokes for different folks, but for the naysayers - THIS is what is going to ruin MK for you?!? Something you'll pass by in 20s during your day in the park, since you'll obviously never go in? I'll check it out in March. If I like it - great. If not, I'll be moving on - most likely to get a Dole Whip nearby.

 

[Lisann]

I agree with this statement from the blogger:

As a park guest, I want to escape reality when at the World, not remain in it.

I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that Disney got rid of the Main Street bakery and put Starbucks in its place; nothing 'magical' about Starbucks.

I don't care how well they theme Sunglass Hut, I still don't want to see any chain store/shop in the Magic Kingdom.

Can't Disney and the Imagineers be more creative than this? I hate to see these type of changes, I really do.

Again, the blogger statement above is how I feel, too.

 

[tollefsonw]

There are a couple arguments that could be made here I guess. Disney has a long history of partnering with the best in a particular business to bring about the best product they can. Sunglass Hut could certainly be one of the best in the sunglass... business. However, it looks to me like Disney is just looking for a way to grab at a whole bunch of cash, which is a thing they seem to be doing more and more lately.