flavious27
Well-Known Member
Something I always thought would be an interesting experiment (especially since it wouldn't be done with my money) would be for Disney to own and operate "destination" malls. Basically, take some of the elements of the Downtown Disney shopping experience, some of the elements that people seem to enjoy about Disneyquest, and create a mall that has somewhat-unique entertainment options and Disney style themeing throughout.
Think of a traditional t-shaped mall, with four anchor stores, one for each main compass point. The North anchor would be a big Disney store, something along the size of what's in DTD or in NYC. South anchor would be a multiplex that, aside from current movies, would also have a retro dinner-theater, where people can dine while watching classic Disney movies and shorts. The east anchor would house a few versions of attractions akin to what is offered at Disneyquest, ride simulators 3-D shoot 'em ups. And the West anchor would feature a family-oriented experiences that are more physical, be it laser tag, rock climbing, a fake Boardwalk with midway-style games of chance and skill, etc. Throughout the other stores in the mall would be areas with smaller simulators or indoor attractions, as well as stores that fit in appropriately with a Disney-themed shopping experience. So probably no head shops, no Victoria's Secret, and no other anchor stores like a Macy's. The food court, aside from traditional food court fare, has at least one Disney-themed restaurant, which is based on WDW itself, with seating areas based on parks or MK lands or even resorts. Some of the counter service restaurants could even have the sort of food or treats one usually only can get at a Disney park, be they ginormous turkey legs or Dole Whips, using the same recipes used at the parks and resorts.
And of course, somewhere near the middle of the mall, a Disney-specific travel store, for people compelled to make plans right then and there, surrounded by the magic of Disney and the allure of more. Probably a DVC outlet too because they're like Body Snatcher pods, they're everywhere.
The important thing is, while they try to have things to do to appeal to everyone, the Disney theme would make it less likely it would become a teen hangout like most other malls that then turn off parents from going with children. It would be a place where families would almost-always outnumber unsupervised kids, so while there would be security, there would also be a lot of self-policing, and disincentives for kids to hang out to cause trouble.
Paying to do attractions would be a throwback to the old MK admission system. It's free to come in to the mall, and you can window shop all day long without spending a dime if you want. But to do any of the attractions, you can pay for tickets or a POP fee to do everything that's available to do in the mall all day long.
Is it a theme park? No. I'm not even going to say it's a close substitute. But it would be a way to get small doses of Disney, in controlled environments, that can be open all year long with fewer worries of an off-season. It's not completely reliant on people playing the games, and it's not completely reliant on people spending money at the shops. It's a place you'd feel comfortable bringing your children
You know that Bergen County and especially Paramus, would be the last place they would build this idea. It sounds doable, they would need to bloop it in a high wdw customer area.
