Sunset Blvd shops reopen after refurbishment

[WDW1974]

And I will applaud you when you bring back the Magic Shop on Main Street! :wave:

Ah ... but do you remember when WDW's MK actually had TWO magic shops?

(you gotta be old or be a real geek to know this!)

 

[WDW1974]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I just try to call them as I see them, and leave others to judge for themselves.

You're welcome. I do too.

But people really seem to have trouble handling the truth. Especially on Disney fan discussion boards!

The fact:
It's not hard to see the serious decline in numbers of unique stores and merchandise. This is just another example.

Absolute, indisputable fact. (although I am awaiting someone who will attempt to do just that)

My personal opinion:
If this pace continues, there will just be big malls interspersed between attractions. (I might be using a bit of hyperbole here, but if the suits think they will make more money doing that, I bet they would. I disagree with this logic, but that would turn this post into a book.) I don't like the direction Disney merchandising is headed.

Agreed.

It can improve. DCA had great merchandise when it opened, but it didn't last. DLP used to have great stuff as well. DL went through a dry spell, but them improved (yeah, under Pressler) when individual attraction and land-specific merchandise returned. DL is still far better than the MK, though. You can actually find western-themed item in Frontierland there.

EPCOT still has great stuff, but nothing compared to what it did. And the locations that are best (China, Japan, Morocco) are not Disney run.

But one only has to visit WoD (or Emporium or Mousegear or this new Studios version) to see what direction WDW merchandise is taking.

It may be great for my wallet, but it is bad for my heart.

 

[Figment1986]

Ah ... but do you remember when WDW's MK actually had TWO magic shops?

(you gotta be old or be a real geek to know this!)

I'm not old enough to remember... but wasn't there one in Fantasyland in addition to Main Street USA's

 

[unkadug]

Ah ... but do you remember when WDW's MK actually had TWO magic shops?

(you gotta be old or be a real geek to know this!)

Ah...yes I do. :wave:

One on Main Street and one in Fantasyland just through the castle and to the left.

 

[yankspy]

Ah...yes I do. :wave:

One on Main Street and one in Fantasyland just through the castle and to the left.

Sorry, I am not that old, I have no idea what you are talking about.:lookaroun

 

[WDW1974]

It was indeed in Fantasyland.

If memory serves me, it was where that Mickey and the Beanstalk shop is now, right next to Snow White's WalMarted Adventures.

 

[Missing20K]

And the magic shop at DTD, while still really neat, is just not the same. I feel bad for those little ones that don't get to experience the wonderment and awe and inspiration of the older Disney. And the magic shop in MK was a great place to find those qualities.

There is another magic shop somewhere else on property. Anyone know where? I'll hint that it is sort of a trick question.

 

[tirian]

It's the Marketing people, first and foremost, because they set the direction for the whole WDW resort.

Then, it's the merchandising people (and development people as well) who decide what lines to sell and where.

It's also the park ops people who make decisions based on how much money they can suck out of various locales.

Ultimately, though, it starts at the top with Jay Rasulo, who has done nothing but bland down and homogenize (AKA WalMart) the parks.

When you can't find one western item in Frontierland or one future themed item in Tomorrowland but plenty of pirates, plush and princesses, well that stuff ultimately comes from on high.

:sohappy:

The store that follows Space Mountain is a joke. It hasn't had real Space Mt. merchandise in a long time. But I see plenty of overpriced HSM and Hannah Montana shirts that you can buy at Wal-Mart for $6.95.

 

[tirian]

It was indeed in Fantasyland.

If memory serves me, it was where that Mickey and the Beanstalk shop is now, right next to Snow White's WalMarted Adventures.

Wasn't there also a shop that sold gags such as the "invisible dogs" in Liberty Square?

...and who else remembers the AMAZING toy shop that used to be where Tinkerbell's Treasures currently stands?

I know that Guests still purchase Disney merchandise, but I remember a time when everyone I knew came back from WDW loaded with unique items. I wish I knew the comparison between sales in the "good ol' days" and current ones (economic conditions notwithstanding).

 

[b94ronman]

was just there in the beginning of october and beside some kids toys, for the first time, I bought nothing. I always loved the baseball caps (the ones with just the mickey face on the front of them) now they just have some marketing slogan - left with nothing, not even a cool ring t-shirt to be found.

 

[NadieMasK2]

I like the fact that the shops are connected. As a family, the kids can meander to a section they are interested in and I know I will be able to find them as long as they stay inside (they are old enough to do this). Personally I don't see the problem with this at all. It helps traffic flow and helps keep guests in a retail location where they might purchase something. Seems like a win-win.

I can definitely see the point being made about the merchandise, and I agree.

 

[unkadug]

It was indeed in Fantasyland.

If memory serves me, it was where that Mickey and the Beanstalk shop is now, right next to Snow White's WalMarted Adventures.

Ah yes, you are correct.

I was thinking it was on the Peter Pan side, but that was another one of my favorite "OLD" stores... The Mad Hatter

 

[yankspy]

Wasn't there also a shop that sold gags such as the "invisible dogs" in Liberty Square?

...and who else remembers the AMAZING toy shop that used to be where Tinkerbell's Treasures currently stands?

I know that Guests still purchase Disney merchandise, but I remember a time when everyone I knew came back from WDW loaded with unique items. I wish I knew the comparison between sales in the "good ol' days" and current ones (economic conditions notwithstanding).

I remember them selling the "Invisible dog" gag at the cart just outside HM.

For some reason I do not remember the toy store though. My favorite toy store was in the village. It was "Toys fantastique". I also liked the pirate store when it was indoors.

was just there in the beginning of october and beside some kids toys, for the first time, I bought nothing. I always loved the baseball caps (the ones with just the mickey face on the front of them) now they just have some marketing slogan - left with nothing, not even a cool ring t-shirt to be found.

There is a small glimmer of hope, well at least for my taste. I enjoy a lot of the retro stuff that they have been doing. I also enjoyed the HM shirts and the monorail shirt. Other than that I would have to say that I generally do not buy as much any more due to a lack of choice.

 

[wedway71]

All kinding aside about the Wal-Marting of merchandise ,but I wonder if some of the execs in Merchandise come from Wal-Mart or any other big box retailer.

Since the conception of the Disney careers websight and then before it was a phone line (some 818 area code number) where there have been over the last 15 years or so quite a few Merchandise positions.

Maybe people have been coming on from out of the company that take their Wal-Mart or other big box ideas with them????

I too remember as a kid shopping very unique stores. I dont mind HSM or HM merchandise but I dont want to see it in every store.

I come from a big box retailer(20 years of experience) and Degree in Organizational Mgt. I want to work for the Mouse. If I ever make it to a meeting of Execs in Merchandise, I promise to slap each one of them responsible upside thier heads.

 

[Vernonpush]

Ah...yes I do. :wave:

One on Main Street and one in Fantasyland just through the castle and to the left.

It was indeed in Fantasyland.

If memory serves me, it was where that Mickey and the Beanstalk shop is now, right next to Snow White's WalMarted Adventures.

I LOVED that shop! I spent an hour in that shop a long time ago.