EpcotServo
Well-Known Member
Disney's calling "gimmie backseys"
:lol:
:lol:
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Disney to buy back Disney Store chain
- Thread starter raven
- Start date
I work at one of them in Detroit. Which one are you talking about?
That was sort of my point. TDS under TCP was at least willing to take a chance on some of these newer (and older) properties that Disney seems to take a more "wait and see if it becomes popular" approach with. Look how long it took for Disney to begin selling HSM merchandise, for example. Or the examples I previously gave. Like I said, I still haven't seen hide nor hare (pun intended) of Oswald anywhere at the parks.
Don't get me wrong. I think it's great news that Disney is reclaiming TDS, and I'm happy that employees will become CMs again. I just hope they don't take the safe route with the chain and start selling the same old PotC-HSM-Hannah Montana merchandise they sell at the parks. Continue to take a chance on the other stuff.
Oswald made it's merchandise debut at TDS. Unfortunately TCP did little more than to just stick it out on the shelves. To Disney Nuts like us it was something special. But to the everyday person walking through the mall they didn't have a clue what it was all about and side-stepped it to get to the Hannah Montana and HSM items.
But even those items went a little too far. I mean HSM hairbrushes? Soccer balls? Wrapping paper? It's bad enough we have to listen to the soundtrack 24/7 but then they plaster it over the core Disney merchandise.
We used to have plush mountain/fountain and we took pride in straightening it every night. Each Mickey had to sit a certain way (feet up with his hands in his lap), We had shelf liners for certain areas, a whole pin area with pin trading events once a month, an ineractive area, a princess make-over area under a huge crown, etc. These were typical Disney Store staples. HSM and HM are just phases. New things will pop up and take over.
mickhyperion
Active Member
That's why I said they should create "boutique" versions of the World of Disney stores. The original Disney stores were just that. They were tiny mall stores that had an amazing array of merchandise from all of the same departments that the World of Disney stores have now. Changing the name of the existing stores to World of Disney and returning them to a classic Disney Store merchandise selection was basically what I was suggesting.
On the other hand, I can understand if they don't want to confuse people expecting a World of Disney store to always be huge because of the name.
Seems like the time is right for some sort of name change and rebranding though.
PeterPan1985
Member
Our Disney Store is in the old style...Three Little Pigs, etc.
While I'm not a fan of the Disney Store (the merch. is a little generic...too much stuff for kids...not enough collectibles) I hope that we don't see a lot of people getting laid off...
JimboJones123
Well-Known Member
I hope they bring back the Parrot show... oh wait... that was Rainforest Cafe.
Hrudey3032
Well-Known Member
What benefits do CM get at Disney Stores?
MinnieLee
Member
Changing back to Disney stores is great news. I remember going into our old Disney store and there were really nice watches, snowglobes, colletector items and ADULT clothing. Many a time when you needed your Disney "fix" you could just go into a store and there was always something to buy. Our TCP stores are really generic with very limited merchandise. The change could not come soon enough!:sohappy:
The first store is what our old store looked like and the second one is what stores in the UK looked like if they were open between about 2000 - 2007. I think they will go with the new format stores as they are working in the UK and the store formats here used to follow the same design as the US ones. Since they haven't owned the US ones for 3 years and in that time they have found a design they feel works in Europe I can see that being brought Stateside.
If Disney had sense it would add a travel area to the stores selling Disney holidays & Cruises, advertising DVC with a stand in every store with a video of the resorts on sale. If it still had the Disney mobile phone they could have had a section selling those but they ditched it. They should maybe add a section with some screens showing clips from the Broadway shows and you should be able to buy tickets at the travel desk. A pin trading area with cases showing Pins that are exclusive to the parks could be used as a teaser to get people to think about a trip. A PC where you can view a selection of collectibles that can be ordered in for you to collect in a few days time, that means you visit twice and therefore they have more of a chance of making extra sales and they store doesn't have to give over loads of space to collectibles. Collectibles selling well via this channel could be stocked in store so each store has a small selection of best selling items. A store with services as well as loads of plush would be more of a destination where you may going to get ideas about your next holiday but also end up buying some stuff or you may go to buy a DVD and end up deciding on visiting a park and booking your package their at the store.
With some real thought they can make the stores something different that people will visit for different reasons rather than just being dragged in by kids.
With some real thought they can make the stores something different that people will visit for different reasons rather than just being dragged in by kids.
SallyShine
New Member
What a great idea! I would go to the Disney Store to book a trip! Actually, I would love to have that job.
wedway71
Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
Well, I'm excited! I miss when they had a real selection of adult clothes and stuff for everyone. I miss the artwork, the jewelry, etc. I'm ready to have a Disney experience when I drive 1 1/2 hrs to our nearest store.
WDWFigment
Well-Known Member
I like this idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if one of the problems Disney had in the first place was moving the higher priced merchandise in less-wealthy areas.
I think the best idea would be to introduce a tier system (a lot of retailers do this). Tier one stores would be in the most affluent areas, and would sell the expensive stuff--WDCC, big figs, cells, etc. along with some clothing, etc. Tier two stores would sell select portions of that stuff, along with more clothing, etc. Tier three stores would sell no collectibles, but would sell the DisneyShopping.com versions/comparable products to what's currently offered at the Disney Stores. The "Flagship" stores would be WoD in NYC and Downtown Disney.
I think this would accomplish what another poster suggested about creating excitement about visiting the stores. Children are probably going to be excited no matter what, so it doesn't matter which tier they go to, nor how far away the stores are. But for us crazy adult-folk, we would understand where the "good" Disney Stores are, and would make pilgrimages there every once-in-a-while.
Sound good?
Not benefits, perks. Our company ID got us through the gates whenever we wanted, we also got 4 passes per year to give to anyone we wanted, and we could use our ID to go backstage stores at WDW (Company D and Property Control) as well as use it to get our discount on merchandise and food.
While they can't take us down in pay when the stores change over they will give us back these perks. TCP paid their employees more but without the perks. But most CMs don't work at The Disney Store for the money.
I know it's sad news. That store is in our disctrict and they closed 3 of them in the district in January. But if you pop on I96 and hear over to Novi at the Twelve Oaks Mall there is one there.
elizs77
Active Member
That's because you didn't have to wear them! :wave: (Or maybe you did...)
I worked in the days of the sweater and shorts. We were required to wear hose under our shorts, white socks and plain leather tennis shoes with absolutely no logos. That was hard to find! It got SO HOT in those letterman's sweaters under those hot lights. Everyone who had worked in the skirt days said that these costumes were better, but not by much.
That being said, I do think that the current red shirt/black pants look too generic and not Mouse enough.
To current CM's - do they still have the pin reward system? We could earn pins for good customer service, length of service, etc. I don't see them on the CMs, so I figure this went out w/ Disney?
elizs77
Active Member
Okay, sorry for back to back posts, but I just saw this one.
When I was there, we got a one day tickets twice a year - once in the summer, and then once at Christmas if you accrued enough work hours. We also got a discount on rooms. Thus, we stayed at the Beach Club for 50% off. There was also a 20% discount on merchandise in the park. This was 1996.