Rumor: Old Virgin Store to Be Turned Into Mini-mall

[lazyboy97o]

I would be VERY surprised to see Ridemakerz leave Downtown Disney at any time in the near future. People are going to find Ridemakerz through Disney. Two of their five stores are at the two Downtowns Disney and then outside of those three other stores people will find them at the new Imagination Park Disney Stores. Ridemakerz, which is actually a separate company from Build-A-Bear Workshop, has banked its success on Disney.

If Disney could get Build-A-Bear Workshop to agree, the old Virgin Megastore could become four stores under one roof: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Build-A-Dino, Ridemakerz and Muppet Whatnot Workshop. A space could even be reserved for deploying new prototypes of the Build [Toy] idea.

 

[jonnyc]

It seriously needs an Appliance Direct to go in that space! You could have meet & greets with the crazy spokesman guy!

:sohappy:

 

[audiotinker]

I thought they were putting in an ESPN Zone? Of course, this is probably just another rumor. I personally thought VMS was the greatest. Music is still VERY pertinent especially from a musicians standpoint. Granted, iTunes is a mecca, but at least adapt VMS to an iTunes or mp3 centric cd/record store. Still continue with VMS but introduce iTunes and Apple and I think it would be a huge hit! :sohappy: I lived for VMS whenever I went to DW! ESPN Zone, Build-a-Bear, or Ridemakerz???? I think NOT! :hammer:

 

[kapeman]

This sounds borderline evil, but it also seems so perfect for today's WDW exec, I'm surprised they haven't tried it:

Convert the area to a writ-large version of Fairy Godmothers.

...

All within the confines of a supervised play area, for people who are either staying at resorts that don't have such a supervised play area, or aren't staying onsite, or who would like the kids closer to them in the event of an emergency, while still giving them time to something apart from mom and dad.

I think that is a great idea.

As much as we like the Kid's Clubs, it would be nice to have a less expensive alternative.

 

[billybluenose]

I work in a music store in Canada, last chain in existance which operate in Canada, UK & Japan. Were HMV

I loved the Virgin Megastore and wish that a new music shop would open up down there. When I went to WDW in 2009, the Megastore was the first place I dumped cash into. Probably the best selection of music I've ever seen anywhere.

I know the economy in America sucks and that ALL music store chains have gone bankrupt, but it would be really cool to see a new store open up down there. Nothing that size, but maybe an independant place or something.

or maybe the rumor of Apple moving in might start up again eventually! only time will tell.

The Virgin Megastore Vancouver lives on thanks to HMV!

I worked at the Orlando store and tried unsuccessfully to transfer to the Vancouver store before it changed chains.

How's HMV doing?

 

[Ignohippo]

I would be VERY surprised to see Ridemakerz leave Downtown Disney at any time in the near future. People are going to find Ridemakerz through Disney. Two of their five stores are at the two Downtowns Disney and then outside of those three other stores people will find them at the new Imagination Park Disney Stores. Ridemakerz, which is actually a separate company from Build-A-Bear Workshop, has banked its success on Disney.

If Disney could get Build-A-Bear Workshop to agree, the old Virgin Megastore could become four stores under one roof: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Build-A-Dino, Ridemakerz and Muppet Whatnot Workshop. A space could even be reserved for deploying new prototypes of the Build [Toy] idea.

Ridemakerz isn't going anywhere - they'd just move to the PI area; Build-a-Dino is already in T-Rex and wouldn't move; Muppets Whatnot is owned by FAO/TRU, so it wouldn't co-exist with the B-a-B brands.

Build-a-Bear and Ridemakerz are owned by the same company and would be a perfect combination in one location.

 

[Ignohippo]

The Virgin Megastore Vancouver lives on thanks to HMV!

I worked at the Orlando store and tried unsuccessfully to transfer to the Vancouver store before it changed chains.

How's HMV doing?

Wow. Wish that was here. I miss the Virgin Store terribly. From what I understand, the Orlando store was pretty profitable.

As an old music diehard, I hate to see things go all digital but there's no use in fighting it. I imagine Virgin decided to get out at the right time (but I hate to admit it).

 

[lazyboy97o]

Ridemakerz isn't going anywhere - they'd just move to the PI area; Build-a-Dino is already in T-Rex and wouldn't move; Muppets Whatnot is owned by FAO/TRU, so it wouldn't co-exist with the B-a-B brands.

Build-a-Bear and Ridemakerz are owned by the same company and would be a perfect combination in one location.

Build-A-Bear is an investor that has offered guidance, but does not fully own Ridemakerz. It is Build-A-Dino that is wholly a part of Build-A-Bear Workshop. Disney owns the Muppets and has already announced that they want to bring the Muppet Whatnot Workshop to the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. This would only work as a Disney guided project as only Disney is in the position to bring all of them together under one roof.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Considering all the open available space in the whole Downtown Disney area, I find it a little offsetting they would make a little mall the the old Virgin store. You might be able to get 4 stores in there, but unless the rent is cheaper than the other areas, I can't say I see this happening.

Besides, even if they make it more than that, who wants to go to a mall when your at Disney? I have a mall I never go to 5 minutes from my home.


Jimmy Thick- Enough money suckers at the World?

 

[Ignohippo]

This would only work as a Disney guided project as only Disney is in the position to bring all of them together under one roof.

It'd never happen. There'd be no need to have all of those things in one location - they'd compete against each other. Dino would take business away from the location in T-rex.

I'm still hoping for the Whatnots in the Muppet area of Hollywood Studios but they'd probably do more business in DTD.

 

[Ignohippo]

Considering all the open available space in the whole Downtown Disney area, I find it a little offsetting they would make a little mall the the old Virgin store. You might be able to get 4 stores in there, but unless the rent is cheaper than the other areas, I can't say I see this happening.

Besides, even if they make it more than that, who wants to go to a mall when your at Disney? I have a mall I never go to 5 minutes from my home.

My thoughts exactly on the mall thing.

The plans I've heard call for the destruction of almost half of the buildings in PI. If they get a couple large concept restaurants in there, move Ridemakerz over there, the availability will fill up pretty fast.

I just don't think too many people would go inside when there would be so much else to do at DTD.

 

[trr1]

really isnt all of DTD a mall. and doing that would be like putting a mall into a mall

 

[unkadug]

Only if they can get this guy to Be the face of the Mini-Mall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vao-IfsMROA

:lol: Too bad most people in Montgomery wouldn't be caught dead in a store like that.

However, it did use to be a Service Merchandise.

I think Sammy is doing commercials for anyone with the cash. :lookaroun

 

[TomHendricks]

:lol: Too bad most people in Montgomery wouldn't be caught dead in a store like that.

However, it did use to be a Service Merchandise.

I think Sammy is doing commercials for anyone with the cash. :lookaroun

I miss Service Merchandise.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I can confirm that WDI will be reconfiguring the Virgin Megastore building in the next year or two. To what purpose I have no idea, but the team that is working on it is also developing some sort of Food Network project too.

It seriously needs an Appliance Direct to go in that space! You could have meet & greets with the crazy spokesman guy!

 

[TomHendricks]

Off the floor and out the door. Paying retail is wacky nu nu.

I can confirm that WDI will be reconfiguring the Virgin Megastore building in the next year or two. To what purpose I have no idea, but the team that is working on it is also developing some sort of Food Network project too.

 

[diste2]

Please just put something at DTD! :shrug:

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I can confirm that WDI will be reconfiguring the Virgin Megastore building in the next year or two. To what purpose I have no idea, but the team that is working on it is also developing some sort of Food Network project too.

White Porcelain!!!

 

[WDWFREAK53]

We are living in a digital world...and I am a da-digital girl.... I mean boy.

I'm in the process of setting up a media server so I can get rid of my DVD's too LOL.

Bring on the digital media age!

 

[TomHendricks]

and when your Media Server chokes and doesn't perform, like the Red Sox what are you going to do? Just kidding, couldn't help myself. I too have a Media Server, I run OSX Server on a Mac Mini connected to my TV and love it.

We are living in a digital world...and I am a da-digital girl.... I mean boy.

I'm in the process of setting up a media server so I can get rid of my DVD's too LOL.

Bring on the digital media age!