Disney Stores All Sold?

[monorail256]

Sorry I have lost hope,and am looking forward to Oct 1 and see if thy say anything at the announcement.I ment to dig out my letter last night and show you the sentence that said you may have to work in eather store.Anyway enough bickering about all this for me no WDW discounts Im done 6 years down the toilet.good luck to all

I'm with DisneyInsider and TheDisneyGirl02. No where in the letter does it say that Disney Store CM's will have to work in a Childrens Place store. It clearly says that we will remain in our own location, retaining our current title and salary. (not that I have to worry though... there are no Childrens Place locations near our mall)

I'm sorry to hear that you are leaving your store, just as I am with everyone that is leaving mine. Just because I am most likely no longer going to get discounts, I'm not going to leave just because The Childrens Place owns us. Eventhough we won't be owned by Disney... we will still have the Disney name to represent -- and that name means a lot to me.

My job is my dream job - I am surrounded by people I love, and people who love Disney. Good luck CMs!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Eventhough we won't be owned by Disney... we will still have the Disney name to represent -- and that name means a lot to me.

My job is my dream job - I am surrounded by people I love, and people who love Disney. Good luck CMs!

I couldn't have said it better myself. Getting my job at The Disney Store was my dream job...and still is my dream job. I love working there and the people. We had a voluntear event the other night and we had so much fun just goofing around together.

It makes me almost sick to think that we will no longer be owned by Disney, but I still love my store and my fellow CM. I can only hope that my friends don't leave the store...and that we can all stay together. It's still an honor for me to be able to work at the store, and there are hundreds of applications at my store every year and most of them won't even get hired as seasonal. Even after The Children's Place takes over, I'll still be a proud Cast Member of the Disney Store but owned by The Children't Place.

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[Merlin]

I'm with DisneyInsider and TheDisneyGirl02. No where in the letter does it say that Disney Store CM's will have to work in a Childrens Place store. It clearly says that we will remain in our own location, retaining our current title and salary. (not that I have to worry though... there are no Childrens Place locations near our mall)

Just speculating here, but maybe not everyone got the same letter. As you pointed out above, there are no Children's Place locations near your mall, so it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense if your letter said you may have to work there. On the other hand, for the CMs who are in a reasonable proximity to a Children's Place store, maybe their letters did say they might have to work there. Just a thought.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Just speculating here, but maybe not everyone got the same letter. As you pointed out above, there are no Children's Place locations near your mall, so it wouldn't make a whole lot of sense if your letter said you may have to work there. On the other hand, for the CMs who are in a reasonable proximity to a Children's Place store, maybe their letters did say they might have to work there. Just a thought.

Good thought...but I don't think that's the case. In my mall where I work, there is a Children's Place on the same floor but further down than my Disney Store. I'm fairly sure that everybody received the same letter.

I think due to the lack of communication from both Disney and the Children't Place, that CMs are thinking many different things. It would be nice if the CM's on the front lines would know more information regarding the sale...rather than finding it out from the media like I KNOW is what is probably gonna happen within the next week. :brick:

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[doop]

Good thought...but I don't think that's the case. In my mall where I work, there is a Children's Place on the same floor but further down than my Disney Store. I'm fairly sure that everybody received the same letter.

I think due to the lack of communication from both Disney and the Children't Place, that CMs are thinking many different things. It would be nice if the CM's on the front lines would know more information regarding the sale...rather than finding it out from the media like I KNOW is what is probably gonna happen within the next week. :brick:

TheDisneyGirl02

Do you work at the Lehigh Valley Mall Disney Store?

 

[prberk]

Just a question? Did the Disney stores start losing money when they stopped selling stuff that adult Disney fans would buy, and started milking every last dollar out the kids "brands"? :fork: Or did it start well before that?

Only asking this because I still get depressed when I walk into a Disney store and find out six articles of adult clothing and nothing else.

I guess I'm just looking for magic for children of all ages, but unfortunately that is too large of a demographic for upper management Marketeers to understand. :brick:

I completely agree with your sentiment.

For me, the whole thing is spelled out with one observation: that you haven't been able to find a Mickey Mouse watch in the "Disney" stores in years. That says it all.

The Mickey Mouse watch is the most well-known consumer product that Disney has ever produced; and the fact that you can't find it in a "Disney" store says how much they have lost touch with their foundations. And when the foundations erode, the building falls.

The "magic" of Disney marketing and influence has always been just as much about quality service and merchandise for adults (like Walt Disney World itself) as it has been for kids.

Dropping the nicer merchandise aimed at adults was the beginning of the end.... no matter how much "plush" you can sell of your characters, uh, er, "brands" (excuse me: forgot to use the right business school trendy term).

Paul

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Do you work at the Lehigh Valley Mall Disney Store?

Yes I do...that's my store...

So as of right now...I'm still a CM...but who knows in an hour from now...

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[cindrelly31]

Just a question? Did the Disney stores start losing money when they stopped selling stuff that adult Disney fans would buy, and started milking every last dollar out the kids "brands"? :fork: Or did it start well before that?

Only asking this because I still get depressed when I walk into a Disney store and find out six articles of adult clothing and nothing else.

I guess I'm just looking for magic for children of all ages, but unfortunately that is too large of a demographic for upper management Marketeers to understand. :brick:

Not sure when they started losing money or what bad marketing segment or change started the process.

I am glad you are able to fix six articles.(If they are all different) All our DS carries is about 6 t-shirts for adults a *maybe* a couple oversize tee's for nightshirts. That is it. :fork: I was in there the other day to pre-order Aladdin and they had every costume available for children, nothing for adults, and not admitting any knowledge of a Children's Place buy-out (take-over; assination attempt; fill in your name for it)). :lookaroun

I don't know about children in the rest of the country, but here in Michigan it is usually *not* the children with the money in their pockets, it's the parents. If the stores catered to the adults a little more, it would draw them in the door, and I think more children's prodcuts would be bought also.

 

[monorail256]

Yes I do...that's my store...

So as of right now...I'm still a CM...but who knows in an hour from now...

TheDisneyGirl02

I'm from the Westmoreland Mall Disney Store in Greensburg, PA

:wave:

 

[monorail256]

I was in there the other day to pre-order Aladdin and they had every costume available for children, nothing for adults, and not admitting any knowledge of a Children's Place buy-out (take-over; assination attempt; fill in your name for it)). :lookaroun

We were told at our store not to speak about it with any guest... and to point all guests who did ask about it to the manager (who will only say that the stores are for sale).

It makes sense though...

 

[626]

I was in there the other day to pre-order Aladdin and they had every costume available for children, nothing for adults, and not admitting any knowledge of a Children's Place buy-out (take-over; assination attempt; fill in your name for it)). :lookaroun

They have been keeping it under wraps pretty good for the last month or so. When my wife, who is a TDS CM found out from her manager, she came right home and told me and we posted the news on here. Several people replied saying that we were wrong and that it was just a rumor. Sorry, but it wasn't a rumor.

As far as a discount goes, when we were at WDW earlier this week, we spoke to someone who works at the Rainforest Cafe in DTD. She does not work for the Disney company, but she still gets into the Disney theme parks for free (!!!) My point is, just because Disney Store CMs won't be working directly for Disney anymore doesn't mean they are not going to get some benefits. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

As far as a discount goes, when we were at WDW earlier this week, we spoke to someone who works at the Rainforest Cafe in DTD. She does not work for the Disney company, but she still gets into the Disney theme parks for free (!!!) My point is, just because Disney Store CMs won't be working directly for Disney anymore doesn't mean they are not going to get some benefits. Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best

The Kodak employees get the same benefits. OK...they took away our ability to get into the parks for free, just let us keep something! Even if it's just our merchandise discount...something! TDS has been a loyal part of Disney for years and we deserve something to make us still feel like we are wanted by Disney. I wonder if the 'official announcement' will come today...

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[SnowWhite5669]

A little off topic:
Kay Murfin visited our store last week and we got an A!!! A nice little going away gift to us! I am staying as long as most of our cast stays and let's put it this way, if cast members leave they were only working there for the Disney discount not the true love of Disney! To the person who walks through our front door it will still be Disney Store right down to our costumes and name badges. There will be no change so as they say the Show Must Go On!!

 

[SnowWhite5669]

Read your copy of the letter and it spells it all out that you may have to work at the childrens place stores also (soon to be one company)The disney stores will become smaller (square footage).I have worked at my store for 6 plus years and Im the only original castmember left there.We are the only store in our state,there used to be 5.I personally only work there for my WDW discounts,I havent bought anything at our store in years(all we sell is junk)No sericells or watches and very little adult clothes now.I have made a lot of friends at the store over the years and most jumped ship years ago.The last couple years I dont even bother learning there names because they will be gone by the next time I work.I think its time for the Disney stores to end,I only wish the childrens place takes the disney name off the front of the new stores.As soon as I here the childrens place is taking over Im done.Please read your letter from the childrens place,your manager was given one for each castmember to have.The letter says they dont have to keep you employed at your store and they can change your pay,like it can get any lower than $7.00 an hour after 6 years.

Definately sounds like two different letters were handed out. I go through transitions all the time in politics and this is no different. The letter read that they are offering us our current position with current salary. Believe me the last thing a company wants to do is start messing with employees salaries and labor laws! I also can't imagine that they would put their current Children's Place employees at risk of cutting hours and being replaced by Disney Store cast members. The letter definately did not mention anything about working in a Children's Place store. It just doesn't make sense. Can you post your letter? I have mine at home. Also the Childrens' Place is literally five stores away from our store. We see people walk in with bags all the time. It's a great way to generate sales by having the two stores in one mall. They can now advertise specials in Children's Place for Disney Store.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

A little off topic:
Kay Murfin visited our store last week and we got an A!!! A nice little going away gift to us! I am staying as long as most of our cast stays and let's put it this way, if cast members leave they were only working there for the Disney discount not the true love of Disney! To the person who walks through our front door it will still be Disney Store right down to our costumes and name badges. There will be no change so as they say the Show Must Go On!!

WOW! Kay visited your store...and you got an A! That's great! I'm not sure if Kay's ever been to my store or not.

I agree with you that I'm staying because I truly love Disney and I love what it stands for. Just because upper management messed it up for us, doesn't mean that we should mess it up for our loyal guests. Hopefully most TDS CM will feel the same way that I do.

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[SnowWhite5669]

It was pretty cool! I wanted to meet her but we had worked until 12PM the night before the visit to get ready and I couldn't bear to get up to be there at 8AM the next morning. She even praised two of our cast members because they did such an awesome job with the t-shirts. We have a really great cast and it's a fun way to earn a little extra cash!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

It was pretty cool! I wanted to meet her but we had worked until 12PM the night before the visit to get ready and I couldn't bear to get up to be there at 8AM the next morning. She even praised two of our cast members because they did such an awesome job with the t-shirts. We have a really great cast and it's a fun way to earn a little extra cash!

Yeah...when our regional manager comes we do MAJOR cleaning...not that our store is dirty...but you know what I mean. I'm glad you had such a successful visit!

TheDisneyGirl02

 

[626]

I agree with you that I'm staying because I truly love Disney and I love what it stands for. Just because upper management messed it up for us, doesn't mean that we should mess it up for our loyal guests. Hopefully most TDS CM will feel the same way that I do.

My wife has a FT job in addition to her PT position as a CM. The only reason she has stayed at TDS as long as she has is because of the discount. Well, that and she wants to retire after 20 years so she can get a silver pass. If they take that away from her she's outta there and from what she said, so are pretty much all of the long-time TDS Cast Members in our district. It will be a shame, because these are the people that hae been with the Company for so long. They are the ones that remember how it used to be and have stuck around. I really feel that Disney will continue to offer CMs at Disney Stores discounts, because even if they do not officially work for Disney anymore, they still wear the Disney name on their costumes. Mr and Mrs Average Shopper aren't going to know the difference if the store is owned by Disney or not and if TDS is full of CMs who are too new to know what they're doing, or are too angry that they lost what they had to provide good guest service, then the Disney company will suffer regardless of who owns The Disney Store. They give discounts to employees of different companies like Delta, Kodak and Rainforest Cafe. I can't imagine them not offering a discount to employees that have their Disney logo on their chest!

 

[DisneyGirl13]

I also work at our local Disney Store and we are being told we are probably not going to be getting our Disney World discount anymore. Think about it they have already taken away from us getting into the parks for free with our cast member id. Not to mention our cast member id's expire on December 31, 2004. What our managers are telling us is that Disney wants the Children's Place to pay to keep our discount for Disney World. The guy who owns the Children's Place does not want to pay Disney to keep our discounts. Which I think is crazy because you would think he would want to keep the people who are already working there. All I know is that if they take that away alot of the cast memebers in our store are planning on leaving. Most cast members will tell you they are working at the Disney Store for the discounts they get not for the small amount of money we make.

 

[mm52200]

hey does anyone live around or work at the disney store in greensboro, north carolina if so do you know any info on it. it my favorite store and i'll be heart broken if they close it or touch it. the people who work there are very nice and i would hate for them to lose their jobs.