Our Disney Store is closing

[I-4WDW]

Nothing there was worth paying full price.

I can definitely agree with that last statement, and if it werent for the fact that most things were already on clearance, and using my 30% cast discount in addition to that, I can honestly say I wouldn't have made a fraction of the purchases I did (most of my purchases were gifts). The only things that I did find for myself personally are some of the canvas prints. The Children's Place did do an ok job at improving the selection of adult merchandise, compared to what it was in the last few years before Disney sold the stores, but more still needs to be done. Upkeep of the stores must have been on the back burner while owned by TCP (hence the contract breach last year having to do with store remodels). One of the stores near me has had its big screen TV broken since at least September, and it still hasnt been fixed. It is just sitting there black. I understand things break every now and then, but I know that Disney wouldnt have let that go for that long since it would be considerded "Bad Show"- Finally things will hopefully be changing- I guess we'll see in the next few months.....

 

[tweedlemom]

NOOOO! Not the Quakerbridge Mall location in NJ! That is my favorite! The staff is awesome. We've been going there for years; they're just like family. I'll miss them.

 

[abeyst]

Michigan Stores:

Wow, they're closing 2 DS's at the 2 biggest malls in the Detroit area. The only 1 in Flint is closing. I 2 malls in the Detroit area are HUGE volume malls (from my days of working at Bath & Body Works), and are in very nice areas and the 2 best malls in the state. I can't imagine that Disney Store would be much different in volume. I am completely shocked they closed them both.

That leaves only 2 that I know of within a 4 county area, and those 2 are an hour away from each other (and 1 of them isn't even at that good of a mall). Hopefully they'll reopen new stores at some of the malls they're closing.

 

[Kycha]

I know its crazy how many stores our state of PA is losing-I also live in Berks County, and the closest store to me will now be King of Prussia, since both Berkshire and Exton Square are closing. The Exton store closing doesnt surprise me, since it was a smaller store and NEVER seemed to have more than an handful of guests in the store at one time. I did not go to the Berkshire store very often, even though it is the closest store, because I do not like that mall. It is a very nice store though- I remember it opened in about 98 or so, and it was the last store design the Walt Disney Company did before the "emergency room" style stores came along in 2000. (this store is similar to King of Prussia with the characters hanging from the ceiling where its made to look like they are filming a movie-lots of animation). I guess the time has finally come for these stores though, as they have survived many closings in the past few years. The store in the Phila Premium Outlets never did open (I had a feeling it wouldnt open when it was announced months ago It just seemed too good to be true-figures ) . I heard the brand new Rockvale store, as well as the new store in the Hershey Outlets will be staying open though, even though they were in the "Remaining Stores" list. Park City Center, Harrisburg Mall and Capital City Mall (all the older Pink & Green stores) will be closing.

Truthfully, IMHO, the state of PA is oversaturated with Disney Stores, (according to the store locator website there are 21 in the state) so it kind of it makes sense that they are closing so many. There are about 10 stores within an hours drive from me alone. Even after the closings, there will still be about 6 within an hours drive. Its nice to have them around for that Disney Fix, but having one in every mall just makes it less special (though I still have to go in every time I see one and usually end up buying something ). I will miss the stores that are closing though, and I'm sorry about all of the Cast that will be losing their jobs. On a brighter note, I am moving back to Orlando next week and working at WDW permenantly (im currently seasonal), so I will no longer need to got to the mall stores to get a sense of Disney

I agree about the oversaturation in PA...but now there won't be any stores in Central PA. All but one of the stores left will be in the Philadelphia/5 county area. I will have to travel over an hour to get to the nearest Disney store. And that is something I am just not willing to do. I hope you are right about the Rockvale Outlet store. I feel sorry for anyone that lives in the western portion of PA, cause they are out of luck.

Good luck with your move!

 

[THEDISFANS]

We are loosing two near us

 

[christa112]

Our's just announced today in Holyoke, MA. I have been adding money onto my gift card every month saving up for our trip in Sept.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

From everything I've seen, the store at Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, MI is staying open. That's "my" Disney Store! I'm thrilled the Disney Company is taking it over again, but I'm sad for all of you who are losing your stores. I'm really sad for all of the people finding themselves out of a job now. That truly sucks.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Our mall store had closed, but they were moving to another location in the mall, I hope they reopen, they are not on the list. The Outlet store is on the list though..sigh, I used to like to go to both of them. I liked going to the Outlet store...parking was much easier...sigh...oh well, I guess we will have to see what happens.

At least the employees become cast members again, adn get their Disney benefits back again!!

 

[disneyleslie]

We live in Milwaukee and we were at Southridge today and they said Mayfair Mall is closing - it's surprising to me that they would close that one - has anyone heard anything? It's not on the list of closures so not sure!1!

Thanks
Leslie

 

[PatMcDuck]

JoisyMom, I used to work at the Freehold NJ store (5 years), I left after CP took over. They WERE supposed to re-open, but it is not likely from what I am hearing. At least not anytime soon.

I want to go back though, and work at another store in the area at some point if Freehold is on hold.

 

[MermaidsMom]

I'm happy to see that ours is open for now! Not that I go there alot, but I will make a better effort since I know how limited they are becoming.

 

[NancyIL]

The Disney Store where I worked closed in January 2006. I am glad that Disney will once again own the stores, but sad that so many will close.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

At least the employees become cast members again, adn get their Disney benefits back again!!

We have always been Cast Members - it didn't matter who signed our paychecks (whether the name was somebody from TCP or DisneY), but was truly mattered was in our hearts. We gave our guests the best possible experience we could, regardless of who owned us. I'll still be the same CM that I was on Wednesday night (which was the last time I worked) as I will be the next time I work, even though we're now owned by Disney.

But in saying that, I can't tell you how HAPPY I am that we are owned by Disney again...it's like we're home. The worst part of all is knowing that so many CMs are losing their jobs and their Disney families. I am very luck that as far as I know, my store is safe. I'm hoping it stays that way.

 

[Inkmahm]

I found this list on the Theme Parks board.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24442139&postcount=47

Sadly, the even the new outlets at Rockvale and Phila. Premium Outlets will be closing. They just opened fall-Christmas last year. My nearest store will be in the Lehigh Valley Mall, and it appears to be new.

That's not a complete list because it was in our local newspaper about the DisneyStore at the mall closing and that one isn't on the list.

I"m going to miss the store. Luckily I bought the Disney Dollars I needed for gifts this year last month so I had them in advance. That was the only store in the mall that I went to every single time I visited.

 

[Inkmahm]

We live in Milwaukee and we were at Southridge today and they said Mayfair Mall is closing - it's surprising to me that they would close that one - has anyone heard anything? It's not on the list of closures so not sure!1!

Thanks
Leslie

Yes, that's the one that is closing. It was in the Journal.

 

[pjlla]

Well, there goes 99% of the reason that I actually go to the Mall of New Hampshire. Most of the other stores can be found elsewhere without the hassle of dealing with South Willow Street and mall parking. And our other closes one in Nashua is also closing. Not sure where I will go to get my Disney fix! Or to buy my Disney Dollars... or to get my daughter's snow globes. I'm not even sure where there is another one within a two hour drive. I'm so disappointed......................P

 

[MrsPooh]

It looks like they are closing every on in my state. Losing four in our metro area alone. I think I'll go crazy not being able to go get my "fix". And here, I was so excited that Disney was taking over again. My little one just loves going in to see the decor. Heck, often that was the only reason I went to the mall. Guess that will help save me some money! I'm really sad though.

 

[donaldtutter]

Well, there goes 99% of the reason that I actually go to the Mall of New Hampshire. Most of the other stores can be found elsewhere without the hassle of dealing with South Willow Street and mall parking. And our other closes one in Nashua is also closing. Not sure where I will go to get my Disney fix! Or to buy my Disney Dollars... or to get my daughter's snow globes. I'm not even sure where there is another one within a two hour drive. I'm so disappointed......................P

There is one in Salem NH that is not on the list.

 

[aunties]

That list is no longer accurate. My store is on that list but is not closing. In fact, both NH stores on the list will remain open! And unfortunately, there are stores that are not on that list that will be closing. Yes, we are glad to be owned by Disney again, but it is kind of bittersweet knowing that some CMs won't be coming back home with us.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

That's not a complete list because it was in our local newspaper about the DisneyStore at the mall closing and that one isn't on the list.

I"m going to miss the store. Luckily I bought the Disney Dollars I needed for gifts this year last month so I had them in advance. That was the only store in the mall that I went to every single time I visited.

That list is no longer accurate. My store is on that list but is not closing. In fact, both NH stores on the list will remain open! And unfortunately, there are stores that are not on that list that will be closing. Yes, we are glad to be owned by Disney again, but it is kind of bittersweet knowing that some CMs won't be coming back home with us.

In reading through the pages of the thread on the Theme Parks board after the list was posted (click the thread title above the post #47 provided in post #7 of this thread), it does go on to say that this was the list Hoop presented to the court when they filed bankrupcty. Some stores are no longer on the list and I suppose will be bought back by Disney and stay in operation. In turn there are probably stores not on the list that will now be part of the closures, which is unfortunate.

I work retail, and times have been tough. My co-worker, along with about 60 others company-wide, was released this past week due to cutbacks so I'm really feeling for these folks.