Island Supply in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland to close next week

[Jon81uk]

Back in Walts day you could get Ladies Hosiery on Main Street. Non-Disney merch in the parks in nothing new.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Yes and No. This is in the same year they opened Marketplace Co-op and Memento Mori.

Yup. They are opening things that will make money be it original, theme park specific merch stores or places like Sunglass Hut. Its smart as both moves reach to different audiences and will generate revenue.

Just because it's business smart though doesn't mean we need to agree with the move. Of course this is the classic case of crying about the loss of a themed store only because it's leaving... Most never spent much money there (and let's not forget the store was previously filled with multiple different third party brands).

 

[Gabe1]

Back in Walts day you could get Ladies Hosiery on Main Street. Non-Disney merch in the parks in nothing new.

But was Ladies Hosiery a successful venue? Just because Walt had a thing for Ladies Hosiery doesn't mean the guests were paying top dollar for those wares. Gotta remember back in Walt's day a good chunk of Americans lived through the great depression, not many would pay outlandish prices for hosiery they could buy at a local department store back home.

This over the top spending and maxing credit cards out was not the norm in Disneyland in Walt's era. When I was small and my Mom took me to Disneyland SanDiego combo the only credit card they had was a gasoline card. This paying 2, 3, 4 times the going rate for wares at Disney didn't really happen in volume until the Baby Boomers were adults. There were not shopping districts for guests carrying around bags of souvenirs. Most were lucky to get an item per trip and then, within reason. I never remember my folks taking an extra suitcase for souvenirs. They had ash trays from hotels and bar ware from the Kapok Tree Inn. They'd buy little things for us or an expensive ice cream cone but shopping for things we could purchase at home, not so much. And Walt passed shortly after I was born.

 

[pug]

Next there going to be a Chevy dealer right out side of test track

 

[Gabe1]

Next there going to be a Chevy dealer right out side of test track

Post of the Day!

 

[dstrawn9889]

no, INSIDE. already installed since WoM.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Next there going to be a Chevy dealer right out side of test track

Sure, but you have to admit... it never strayed from the frigging theme did it.

 

[ford91exploder]

I don't know why you guys get your hopes so high for new things at WDW. Learn, kids: WDW is now Walmart.

Only with lower quality merchandise...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Non-Disney merch in the parks in nothing new.

Bit of a difference between the swords in the King's Gallery and brand name sunglasses you can get anywhere.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

But was Ladies Hosiery a successful venue?

I think the store lasted a year before closing. Another example of the rushed and limited nature of Disneyland's early days.

 

[Phil12]

Back in Walts day you could get Ladies Hosiery on Main Street. Non-Disney merch in the parks in nothing new.

That was about the same time that Joe Namath started wearing panty hose.

 

[Gabe1]

I think the store lasted a year before closing. Another example of the rushed and limited nature of Disneyland's early days.

Thanks! I couldn't remember seeing the store even way back, that explains it. Though I can follow Walt's thought process from a man from his era, ladies hosiery was a common gift however buying it from an expensive amusement park store, not thinking that is where most men would go to shop for such.

 

[wedway71]

My take as a retail executive with 30 years experience is this... I have no problems with outside companies coming in selling their wares... Since the inception of Disney parks it has always been done. NOW.. being said, there is a difference between a niche retailer and a store that can be shopped in any mall in the USA. Growing up, my parent's friend was a glass blower on Main Street for a long time. This shop was not owned by Disney but by a 3rd party company. In a case like that... think it can work.

To me... again... a seasoned retail professional... it was almost laziness that seemed to spearhead this decision...

Disney Merchandise meeting:.. " Hey guys.. any ideas of what to do with the old store space?"...

"Hmmmm.. eh not really... lets just sublet the space to a 3rd party and call it a day."

 

[bhodge]

wow - I don't think Dollywood has any outside vendors in food or especially retail - sad when a regional park can out theme disney because they have to resort to the lamest 3rd party retail I've seen. I don't think 3rd party in and of itself is bad, it just needs to be more seamless in its thematic integration.

 

[disney4life2008]

It's bad enough that the main street bakery closed for that terrible Starbucks. But of all the options a sunglass hut? There is a sunglass hut in every mall and strip mall in America. Tragic. They might as well just put a panda express at mk now that i am all for. Lets not forget the McDonald's take over some years ago lol

 

[ParksAndPixels]

wow - I don't think Dollywood has any outside vendors in food or especially retail - sad when a regional park can out theme disney because they have to resort to the lamest 3rd party retail I've seen. I don't think 3rd party in and of itself is bad, it just needs to be more seamless in its thematic integration.

Secret is out bhodge. I know you. Lol

 

[Baloo62]

You could fit a pretty nice-sized Radio Shack in Mickey's Star Traders.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Sears, Roebuck & Co. would be apropos and fitting for Main St. USA.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Sears, Roebuck & Co. would be apropos and fitting for Main St. USA.

Right then they can close down that store as well. Sears is nearly history so it will be a perfect fit.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Right then they can close down that store as well. Sears is nearly history so it will be a perfect fit.

Exactly!

Or perhaps an Olde Tyme hardware store: