Yep I was expecting it to be much more sterile. I had heard it was to be much like Uniqlo.
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PHOTOS - Temporary store to open during a major update to World of Disney at Disney Springs
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
yensidtlaw1969
Well-Known Member
I think I would mind less the merchandise being the star of the show if the merchandise felt star-worthy. That's harder to pull off when much of the same stuff is popping up in stores all around property.
The old World Of Disney always got a visit from me by nature of the store itself being an experience. The strange network of rooms led me to explore and sometimes get lost in the store - I almost always bought something, even when I didn't plan to, because I found myself winding through and happening upon fun surprises. It got me in the Disney World mood and made me want to drop a buck to preserve that feeling for later.
The new, open style seems much less likely to draw me in to every part of the store, I feel like it's much more likely that after my first visit I'll make a pass through the main drag and see if anything catches my eye - and if it doesn't, out the other side I'll go. Perhaps when I'm there at the end of the month that will play out differently.
The store definitely feels much more Disney Springs, but much less "Disney World". But maybe that's my memory working against me.
I felt the same way when we lost the 5th Avenue World of Disney here in NYC in favor of the Times Square Disney Store, and I'd hoped that it would grow on me in time. I still pop in on occasion if I'm in the area, but it never gives me the fix I got on 5th Avenue. That place was much more of an event than it was just another store, and it got me parting with me hard-earned dollars. It helped that it felt like a premium experience versus what I could find at the Disney Store in a local mall, even beyond the merch but also including it.
I'm willing to accept that it was time for a remodel of the store, but it feels like they managed to do away with what was the Disney Difference there rather than update it for a new age. But maybe the pictures don't tell the whole story, I hope I feel differently when I see it myself.
EDITED to add: I agree with Tirian and think he's right when he says "Disney" doesn't have to mean "Fiberglass Figures", which is what I mean when I say that I accept the store needed a rethink. I am afraid that the new treatment draws into focus where the Disney Springs concept missteps -- the new district may be onjectively "nicer" than what was there before, but it feels robbed of much of what made it a distinct area worth visiting during my limited time in Disney. There's little left that feels to me like I couldn't find a similar experience at any other higher-end outlet mall outside the resort. Jock Lindseys stands out to me as the most noteable exception that I've experienced - I felt surprised that it wasn't put up behind the paywall of the Studios with how well it was themed (rather than decorated, as Skippers' Canteen felt behind the MK paywall). I feel like the "big picture" at Disney Springs maybe wasn't so carefully curated as it should have been for what they hoped to achieve with it.
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Donaldfan1934
Well-Known Member
If the cohesive theme of this shopping center is so important to Disney, then why did nothing on Disney Springs West Side outside of Planet Hollwood change their aesthetics to match the redo of the property? Even the new stuff they're building like the NBA experience has a complete disregard for it.
Flynnwriter
Well-Known Member
Thank you! What is going on at WDW?! The compass & Prozac restaurant at the yacht club proves Disney has forgotten who they are.
...based on your review- I’d say you approved it.
Mickey shaped world
Active Member
They should really take a page from Tokyo Disney, its just not cute or fun enough. Its too adult, its too much like the real world.
Disone
Well-Known Member
I'll come in middle of the road here. I like the general look. It has a nice aesthetic and I'm relieved that did not go the same route that you see the Disney Stores currently going. This isn't quite as sterile of that design. So that is really a relief. But I miss the large Disney characters hanging from the ceilings. This store is after all the world of Disney. Not just the store that sells a world of Disney stuff.
One of the things I like about the new Disney Style store has some of the more imaginative things they have in it. The teacup, the old Skyway car hanging from the ceiling, the castle that changes lighting, and it's a small world changing rooms. They're memorable and they're Disney. Neo WOD doesn't seem to have those kind of touches. In that regard I will miss the large characters that used to be hanging in the ceiling. I bet WOD could still bring those back without change to the new layout of the floor and you wouldn't need to put as many of them as you had before. I will settle for a token fuel. But some of them would be okay for sure.
I don't mind my Disney with a side of Whimsy.
One of the things I like about the new Disney Style store has some of the more imaginative things they have in it. The teacup, the old Skyway car hanging from the ceiling, the castle that changes lighting, and it's a small world changing rooms. They're memorable and they're Disney. Neo WOD doesn't seem to have those kind of touches. In that regard I will miss the large characters that used to be hanging in the ceiling. I bet WOD could still bring those back without change to the new layout of the floor and you wouldn't need to put as many of them as you had before. I will settle for a token fuel. But some of them would be okay for sure.
I don't mind my Disney with a side of Whimsy.
DisneyOutsider
Well-Known Member
HUGE improvement. I'm glad they went through the trouble to update this. Can't wait to see all of the details they add on once finished.
JustInTime
Well-Known Member
This turned out way better than I thought it would.
Walt d
Well-Known Member
All right Bobby Igor a swing and a big mis,it looks like a target store from the 1960s. And im walkig through at 12 years old holding my, mothers hand, she says” now dont touch anytimg honey, just look.. when dose the item come in bobby”
peter11435
Well-Known Member
The cohesive theme for the property develops a backstory for each section of the property that explains their respective aesthetics. Hint: it’s not all meant to have been built at the same time period.
It’s highly unlikely Iger even knows this project is taking place let alone is aware of the specific design choices being made.
Also.. it’s far from done.
mm121
Well-Known Member
Agreed we see this same design in lots of restaurants these days
It's boring with no color
I don't mind a modern design but it could definitelynnuse more color to brighten it up
God forbid you'd see characters without paying 100 bucks a day to go to the parks, the charaters are non existant at the resorts to.
Agreed other than the train track that they totally cheaped out on when they decided not to make a public walkway up there.
mm121
Well-Known Member
Can someone explain how it makes sense for the building to have so much wood on tghge outside but then so much steel and brick on the inside?
Seems liker they messed up the story on that one it's not cohesive at all
This new design is so ugly and boring,
A bit hard to visualize the walls removed from the photos but the many differren rooms made it interesting
Now if you can look from one side to the other then won't shoppers just breeze through quick like we do at Wal-Mart instead of browsing each room individually
What's the deal with that second floor area? Seems A lot of trouble to build non functional space like that, woulda been a cool view of the whole store if they would have made it guest accessible
Seems liker they messed up the story on that one it's not cohesive at all
This new design is so ugly and boring,
A bit hard to visualize the walls removed from the photos but the many differren rooms made it interesting
Now if you can look from one side to the other then won't shoppers just breeze through quick like we do at Wal-Mart instead of browsing each room individually
What's the deal with that second floor area? Seems A lot of trouble to build non functional space like that, woulda been a cool view of the whole store if they would have made it guest accessible
donaldtoo
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I just can't like it right now, but, I'll reserve final judgement until it is completely completed 
and they have the "final reveal". It just looks too much like so much out there, anywhere, these days.
the "World of Disneric" perhaps...?
Yes, the old store had over-the-top theming, was cluttered, had different rooms, and you could get lost in there (just like in the Parks, that's what cell phones are for...!!!
). But, that was part of the adventure...IMHO, it was an "attraction" in and of itself, for those same reasons.
The one thing that really struck me with all the photos was, even with the way the rest of the store has been toned waaaaayyyyyyy down, the "giant fig", over-the-top Stitch, is still above the main entrance...
Is this some sorta' weak attempt at "bait-and-switch"...
and they have the "final reveal". It just looks too much like so much out there, anywhere, these days.the "World of Disneric" perhaps...?
Yes, the old store had over-the-top theming, was cluttered, had different rooms, and you could get lost in there (just like in the Parks, that's what cell phones are for...!!!
). But, that was part of the adventure...IMHO, it was an "attraction" in and of itself, for those same reasons.The one thing that really struck me with all the photos was, even with the way the rest of the store has been toned waaaaayyyyyyy down, the "giant fig", over-the-top Stitch, is still above the main entrance...
Is this some sorta' weak attempt at "bait-and-switch"...
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Donaldfan1934
Well-Known Member
And the reason why such a backstory exists is because Disney didn't factor it into the budget and/or couldn't convince every established business to go along with it.
peter11435
Well-Known Member
Partially... yes
CJR
Well-Known Member
I've been critical of this makeover since it was announced (worked at WoD when I was in college, I'll be the first to admit I have a bias). I can say that it's better than I expected.
I was afraid the floor would be concrete, so this is a much better look than I anticipated and it's still not complete. My guess is that more color will be seen as it finishes up, through special effects and lighting.
The only thing I hate is the lack of a real ceiling. I hate the trend and personally find it tacky (I know some like it, it's just my personal opinion). Maybe they'll fill in the space with something, I don't know, but I hope so. The bricks and woodwork that I've seen is nice. The wide space is nice (and needed). I love the tile/wood floor choice, looks nice and will make it easier for people on wheels (strollers and chairs) to get around.
Overall, could be better, but it could have been a lot worse. Outside of the ceiling, I'm actually pleasantly surprised. I look forward to seeing the final version so I can judge it more fairly. I do agree that the more open floor space though is a huge advantage.
I was afraid the floor would be concrete, so this is a much better look than I anticipated and it's still not complete. My guess is that more color will be seen as it finishes up, through special effects and lighting.
The only thing I hate is the lack of a real ceiling. I hate the trend and personally find it tacky (I know some like it, it's just my personal opinion). Maybe they'll fill in the space with something, I don't know, but I hope so. The bricks and woodwork that I've seen is nice. The wide space is nice (and needed). I love the tile/wood floor choice, looks nice and will make it easier for people on wheels (strollers and chairs) to get around.
Overall, could be better, but it could have been a lot worse. Outside of the ceiling, I'm actually pleasantly surprised. I look forward to seeing the final version so I can judge it more fairly. I do agree that the more open floor space though is a huge advantage.
fractal
Well-Known Member
The exposed ceilings and industrial lighting look is common among numerous retail chain stores. If you took away all the merchandise it would now take you awhile to figure out you were in World of Disney.
If that works for you fine, but I don't like the change.
I'm sorry but this is one of the most insane things Disney has ever done. Take everything magical about Disney and characters out of a "World of Disney" store?! They think this is gonna inspire me to buy more?! The opposite! I have absolutely no reason to go in this store anymore! Bad move Disney. TERRIBLE idea! Shame on you!