The Sad State Of The Disney Stores

[Mickey7811]

I indeed do not blame any of the Cast Members - as a past Cast Member I believe you work for the Disney Stores truly for the love of Disney. They do as they are told - and not the way that they would like it to be.

I never worked so hard, as I did for Disney. And I loved every minute of it.

I just want them to do whatever it takes to keep the company going. I would truly miss my Disney Store if anything would happen to it.

Darlene

 

[DeeP]

It has been about 2 weeks since I have been to our DS, which is located in the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing, NJ, but the last time I was there it was very organized and all the CMs there are wonderful!! The manager and the assistant manager are two of the nicest and most helpful people you would ever want to meet. No complaints from me regarding our Disney store.

 

[musashi]

Thanks Laurie!

As a cast member, I know everyone in our store tries to do their best. After the holidays is always a hard time (I was with Nordstrom for 8 years), and hours are tight. I agree 100%, write or call to guest services if you have a complaint. We CM's can only give you our very best service. We don't design the look of the store, buy the merchandise, or decide pricing, we can only hope that our love of Disney comes across loud and clear. And yes, we wouldn't be here unless we wanted to be!


MUSASHI

 

[cindyfan]

I am NOT blaming the CMs!
I am very good friends with alot of them and they think the same way I do! There are many times they are simply embarrassed about the way the store looks. So I am not saying anything about the store that the CMs aren't saying themselves. I have no intention of "hurting feelings".
But the direction coming from upper management is that the only thing that is important is Getting that Sale!!!
When the DS first opened the most important thing was "Guest Service" and the "Presentation"......the MAGIC!! Not so any more!
The managers (at least in this district) are being progammed to think "SALES!! BEAT LY! etc.....MONEY MONEY!!!"
I have actually seen and heard managers yell at CMs to STOP picking things up and go PUSH THAT VIDEO SALE.
But this is what they are being told to do.
I think we all understand the state of the economy these days. But the situation the DS today has more to do with the decisions that upper management has made.
Let's just hope they realize what is going on and get back to the MAGIC that made the DS a success to start with.

 

[doombuggy]

Thanks for your comments, MeanLaureen. They were great!

The person who started this thread probalby went in the store on one of those recent days when we had to move 99% of the merchandise in the store. Every single fixture and wall bay had to be changed. Our store operates with a cast of 20 (2 full time, rest p/t) all on 178 hours per week TOTAL. Last week I got a four hour shift. When you have a long list of tasks to do, it can get pretty crazy.

Since our economy has gone in the toilet, retail life has changed. And we thought things were tough before.......
Yes, Mr. Bell is on the way out. Maybe things will improve (I sure hope so). These things may take time. Someone complained about the quality of an item she purchased. I have been told that these items are ordered by the buyers of the company up to 18 months in advance. The item she mentioned was an irregular and should have been caught by quality control somewhere (I am assuming there is one, watching too much QVC).

I agree with the comments made about plush mountain/fountain. In the 5 1/2 years that I have spent with this company, it can take 45 minutes to an hour to completely redo the mountain (not, to brag, but I have done it quite a bit and that is a fast time, a newbie would need more time). Please be patient with us poor schmos. When you come into my store, please return my smilt and my "hello, how are you today?" I would really appreciate it - it would make my day too.

Thanks!

 

[Beastlover]

We used to go to the Disney Store near our house, too, until they got rid of all of the adult clothing. Now, when you go in there, all you see is childrens clothing, toys, and movies. We are big Disney collectors, and now that is limited.

As for its cleanliness, we couldn't believe how dirty it was. One of the things we love about Disney is how clean it is. I can understand the "plush mountain" being a mess because the kids love to jump in it. Me, I tought my children to respect the mountain. But when you look up at the characters and scenes on the overhang, and the dust is so thick, you can't tell what color it is, and there are cobwebs on Donald Duck's head, it is disappointing.

I am a lover of Beauty and the Beast, and when I saw the anniversary and IMAX release, I was so excited because I figured I could find a cool coat, shirt, etc. But I have asked around at the parks and stores for merchandise, and there isn't any. Even the CMs were surprised that there wasn't any for B & B.

I hope that the stores don't close, but they need to fix what isn't working.

 

[Xevious]

I rarely went the DS later than three in the afternoon. It was always clean and well kept during those slow afternoon hours. And on the rare occasion I did go in the evening, I could see a dramatic difference. The store would be packed with customers with lines at both registers. Needless to say, there wasn't a whole lot of time for straightening, but the CMs gave their all in trying to maintain a good store appearence. I give them all the credit in the world.


I know what you mean, Beastlover. I'm waiting for a merchandise push myself. I've been saving up for the tenth anniversary for a while now. Hopefully when the DVD is released we'll see some action. I could use some more BatB shirts. (among other things)

 

[DisneyStoreCMLiz]

Hi Everyone!

This is my very first time here on this board. Some of you might know me out there. I'm Lizzie, and I run my own board on Yahoogroups. For those of you who don't know me, I am a cast member for a Disney Store in NY.

I had to comment on the thread about the sad state of our stores.

I think that as a guest, most people don't get to see everything that goes on in a Disney Store. All the work that is put into making magic for each guest. So its easy to say that the stores are a mess and the selection is terrible etc...And yes you're right. But only to a point. You see most cast members really care about their stores. Many of us have been with the company more than 4 or 5 years. In that respect we're, as I like to call it, "old school Disney". We're the ones who still remember (and pray it returns) the standard "Disney Fold" where all the characters eyes lined up. We remember, and I personally wish it would come back, when we used to set up displays of the clothes above the 7 foot line, instead of the posters of disney characters. When hangers all went one way, and everything sparkled. But you have to realize that times, manangement and people have changed. Yes there are stores who unfortunately don't always give 100% to how their stores look, but the majority of us still care. Its just that we don't have as many payroll hours as we used to. There have been many cut backs and hours was one of them. That's why you see only 2 people on the floor at times. It becomes very challanging when the manager has to go in the back to recieve the shipment or anything else that requires him or her to open the back door and put in their alarm code. Its not that we don't care, its just that we can only do so much with what we're given.

Now as for the condition of Plush Mountain. Yes, its true, 9 times out of 10 it is a huge mess. But I have to tell you, its not that we don't try. Just like the other person said in their post...if you have the time...try and stick around for at least 30 min. You'll see parents who don't discipline their kids and let them climb all over the product that we need to sell. (shoes and all) Watch the teens who think its funny to lay on the plush, and the parents who are tired of shopping with their kids so they sit in it. Take a look at that 9 year old who's having a ball throwing the plush from one end to the other. There's only so much we can do. And believe me, we try our very best to stop the throwing, get the teens out of it, and talk the mountain climber down, all with a smile.

Now as for the product. Guys, we aren't in control of it. Our exec's make that decision. I truly believe with all my heart, that if you want to see more of an adult selection, you need to take the time and write to someone. Email Disney at Disney.com, ask a manager at your local store who you can write to about getting more product. Believe me, we want to see it come in. We know it will sell, and we want to buy it as well, but we aren't in control of it.

So the next time you go into a store that looks like a mess, or they don't have enough of what you think they should, think about the cast members who do work very hard to keep it clean, but can only do so much with the only pair of hands they have. We do our very best to spread the magic, but we're only human.

Lizzie ºoº

 

[mickey4ver]

BRAVO LIZZIE

 

[Beastlover]

Lizzie & all CM's and of DS's

I apologize if my DS opinion came across as CM's fault. I am currently writing to the Dis Exec's about the merchandise of the DSs, as I do not blame the CMs, I do know it comes from higher powers.

I forgot to add, the only factor that brings me to a store lately, is indeed the CMs. It is nice to see their smiling faces and chat Dis with them. I have 3 children and I go nuts cleaning up after them, and I understand the challenge in cleaning up after the many people who take advantage of the smiling Dis CM and trash the mountain. Like I said, we "respect the mountain".
I am concerned about the DS in our area, and will adress it to the proper authorities, because it is in my opinion if sales are down, and they have to cut on employees per shift and amount of hours worked, by doing so, the store is still suffering. This is what the general public sees, and feels. I don't think Walt would like it. They need to GET that.

 

[Sorcerer]

Yahoo Lizzie! Nice to see you over here. Make sure you check out the CM only board as well

Jonie
#404

 

[DisneyStoreCMLiz]

Hi Jonie!!

Nice to see you here too. I tried to access that board, but it says I don't have permission to. I sent an email to the supportstaff, but haven't heard anything yet. Is there something I need to know or do before I can get on??

Thanks!

Lizzie

 

[Sorcerer]

You've done the right thing - it normally takes a day or so to get a response, but they will have you up and running in no time! We have a grand old time over there

 

[shirley 38]

I have one thing to say. Let in three roudy kids and they can distroy a store within minutes. Not only that they parents could care less.
We are not suppose to go around and pick up after you kids.
Also I love it when you come to our cash wrap and start a purchase and your child disappears to distroy more of the store and you leave and decide to do more shopping.
Think of the people behind you waiting to get rung up.

 

[JonetteA]

Beastlover,
As an avid B&B fan, I understand your pain with not having alot in the stores for the release. But did you check out the new snowglobes with B&B? We carry the storybook one in my store. Hopefully we will get more items as the video and DVD release of B&B is scheduled for this fall. (October 7th, I think.) In addition to the comment about lack of adult clothes, I understand your frustration. But here is my question. Have you bought any of the new adult t-shirts, or denim short sleeve shirts? Do you know anyone who has? I agree that we should get more items, but until people buy at full price what is offered, management is not going to rethink their position. They are going to keep trying a small selection of items until they find out what works.