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The Downtown Disney Thread
- Thread starter Sharon&Susan
- Start date
SSG
Well-Known Member
Wed, December 15, 2021
There are always exciting things to do, see, shop, taste and explore in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort! This month, we have innovative new shops and a fun photo opp to check out and experience – just in time for the holidays!
Officially Opens Today! Pelé Soccer
Soccer fans, you can revel in this stadium-themed store and score from a wide assortment of soccer gear from renowned global sports brands at this specialty shop named after Pelé, the legendary Brazilian superstar and one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Choose from a selection of official club and national team jerseys from around the world, sports apparel, cleats, balls and more for the whole family. Jerseys can be customized with a name and number, which is a terrific gift idea!
Located on the east end of the district, Post 21 is new kiosk from an inspiring mother-daughter team from Los Angeles who have curated modern and design-forward merchandise from Black-owned businesses. Here you can find a unique collection of gifts for the holidays, such as Black Santa wrapping paper and mugs, home décor, children’s items and graphic tees.
Just Arrived! Boba Fett’s Throne
Be transported to the sands of Tatooine and take a photo sitting on a replica of the throne featured in the all-new Disney+ Original Series, “The Book of Boba Fett.” For a limited time, located outside of the entrance at the Star Wars Trading Post, you can feel the legacy and power that comes with being the boss of the galaxy’s underworld and live your own Star Wars adventure. Follow in the footsteps of legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand as they stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate. Continue your Star Wars journey at home with “The Book of Boba Fett” series, launching exclusively on Disney+ Dec. 29, 2021.
Opening soon, Lovepop will be the place to find eye-catching, 3D pop-up cards, stationery and gifts that give a “wow!” Lovepop products combine engineering and unique laser cut technology with the ancient art form of kirigami, a variation of origami that intricately cuts paper rather than folding. Lovepop has more than 400 designs to help make every occasion magical, plus Lovepop carries a collection of Disney cards and gifts!
We look forward to seeing you soon in Downtown Disney District!
More Exciting New Shops and Experiences Arrive in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort
by Valerie Lee, Public Relations Manager, Disneyland ResortThere are always exciting things to do, see, shop, taste and explore in Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort! This month, we have innovative new shops and a fun photo opp to check out and experience – just in time for the holidays!
Officially Opens Today! Pelé Soccer
Soccer fans, you can revel in this stadium-themed store and score from a wide assortment of soccer gear from renowned global sports brands at this specialty shop named after Pelé, the legendary Brazilian superstar and one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Choose from a selection of official club and national team jerseys from around the world, sports apparel, cleats, balls and more for the whole family. Jerseys can be customized with a name and number, which is a terrific gift idea!
Located on the east end of the district, Post 21 is new kiosk from an inspiring mother-daughter team from Los Angeles who have curated modern and design-forward merchandise from Black-owned businesses. Here you can find a unique collection of gifts for the holidays, such as Black Santa wrapping paper and mugs, home décor, children’s items and graphic tees.
Just Arrived! Boba Fett’s Throne
Be transported to the sands of Tatooine and take a photo sitting on a replica of the throne featured in the all-new Disney+ Original Series, “The Book of Boba Fett.” For a limited time, located outside of the entrance at the Star Wars Trading Post, you can feel the legacy and power that comes with being the boss of the galaxy’s underworld and live your own Star Wars adventure. Follow in the footsteps of legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand as they stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate. Continue your Star Wars journey at home with “The Book of Boba Fett” series, launching exclusively on Disney+ Dec. 29, 2021.
Opening soon, Lovepop will be the place to find eye-catching, 3D pop-up cards, stationery and gifts that give a “wow!” Lovepop products combine engineering and unique laser cut technology with the ancient art form of kirigami, a variation of origami that intricately cuts paper rather than folding. Lovepop has more than 400 designs to help make every occasion magical, plus Lovepop carries a collection of Disney cards and gifts!
We look forward to seeing you soon in Downtown Disney District!
DavidDL
Well-Known Member
The soccer store is an.. interesting choice? I'm not a big sports guy but it seems kind of hyper specific to me and just sort of feels like it won't last long in DTD. Customizable sports gifts that Guests could purchase for themselves, friends or family while on vacation sounds great, since most people enjoy sports and there's a void created by the now defunct ESPN-zone. But I feel like that sort of idea will really only end up working in the long run if you include as many sport options as you can to appeal to a wider Guest demographic. Right now, it feels like the appeal is going to be too narrow.
Just may two cents. Maybe I'm wrong.
Just may two cents. Maybe I'm wrong.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Thank you @SSG for the update. Your constant work to update threads here with official info like this is always appreciated!
Also, an honorable mention goes to TDA Parks Blog writer of this PR piece, Valerie Lee. Ms. Lee actually wrote PR content that used normal, appropriate words and did not rely on over-hype or outright lies to explain her content. Brava, Ms. Lee! (Is TDA learning, or is this just a mistake from a hungover intern?)
So, let’s review. Downtown Disney is getting;
The soccer store, the ladies gift kiosk, and the bench? Not so much.
Also, an honorable mention goes to TDA Parks Blog writer of this PR piece, Valerie Lee. Ms. Lee actually wrote PR content that used normal, appropriate words and did not rely on over-hype or outright lies to explain her content. Brava, Ms. Lee! (Is TDA learning, or is this just a mistake from a hungover intern?)
So, let’s review. Downtown Disney is getting;
- A soccer store. (???)
- A kiosk selling ladies gift items to gift to other ladies.
- A photogenic bench branded with Star Wars Boba Fett.
The soccer store, the ladies gift kiosk, and the bench? Not so much.
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TP2000
Well-Known Member
Its not just you. I thought the exact same thing.
Who is the customer base for this soccer store? Why only… Soccer? This is the Disneyland that is in Anaheim, not Belgium or Brazil or Belarus.
That said, I hadn’t heard the name Pele in decades. I remember in the late 1970’s when soccer had a brief fad of popularity amongst white, upper-middle class families in this country. Pele was a big deal back then. Is he still alive? Or are his kids and grandkids just licensing his name?
But really… A soccer store? Why?
And for a few dozen of the 75,000+ people that visit the Disneyland Resort each day?
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chadwpalm
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
TP2000
Well-Known Member
I love that! Well done!
Pele was a soccer star, famous in the 1970’s when soccer had a brief American interest, roughly during the same years as Disco and about as successful as Disco long-term. Pele had just one name. Like Cher.
Unlike Cher, I hadn’t heard his name in decades until now.
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
Couple of notes -
1) The Pele store, like LovePop (and Splitsville for the matter), is at Disney Springs in Florida. This is likely just extending the overall contracts with the retailers.
2) Disneyland has a large local Latinx/Latine/Latino/Latina/Hispanic population that probably includes a certain amount of crossover fandom to futbol/football/soccer.
3) I like the bench.
But I like photo op spots, so...
4) I still would be happiest if DTD was all Disney.
1) The Pele store, like LovePop (and Splitsville for the matter), is at Disney Springs in Florida. This is likely just extending the overall contracts with the retailers.
2) Disneyland has a large local Latinx/Latine/Latino/Latina/Hispanic population that probably includes a certain amount of crossover fandom to futbol/football/soccer.
3) I like the bench.
But I like photo op spots, so...4) I still would be happiest if DTD was all Disney.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Huh. That’s a good point. I imagine it’s more popular in WDW with the Brazilians and Brits who make up a sizable customer demographic there.
You can call them the LLLLH Community.
Or, just call them Up With People like I do with any group when the acronym gets too long.
3) I like the bench.
I assume this bench has some plot significance in this franchise? Like it’s Mr. Fett’s Thinkin’ Bench, or something?
A Disney home store that sells more than just the same coffee mugs and potholders found in the parks would be cool. But what do I know?
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Oh, wait. I just noticed the bench is technically labeled a “Throne”.
That opens up a whole different genre of jokes.
Blame me for skimming instead of reading. And again, kudos to Ms. Lee at the Parks Blog for using such normal and accurate language in her article here, instead of the usual TDA corporate hyperbole and crazed over-compensating.
That opens up a whole different genre of jokes.
Blame me for skimming instead of reading. And again, kudos to Ms. Lee at the Parks Blog for using such normal and accurate language in her article here, instead of the usual TDA corporate hyperbole and crazed over-compensating.
My folks had an Up With People album. We might have seen them in person somewhere, late 60's? However, I bet many here have never heard of them.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
They used to perform every summer at Sea World during the Nixon and Ford years.
But people here have never heard of them?!? Their loss.
Smile ‘til it hurts, kids.
I was implying younger folks. I watched the YouTube. It was a little dark. So....Pfizer was one of the sponsors... and Up With People went to China......
TP2000
Well-Known Member
If Nixon and Pat can go to China, so can Up With People. It was the era.
Honestly, once you’ve dedicated a new E Ticket, what’s left in your life?
SSG
Well-Known Member
NobodyElse
Well-Known Member
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
Yes, as you noted later, it's a throne and it was a pretty iconic image.
There's even a toy version (of course)!
Agreed. If I could remake our DTD just using Disney Springs stores (and keeping stuff here I like lol), it would be:
Keep:
Live music location somewhere (don't care where so long as they have live music performances)
World of Disney and all Disney stores (Home, Dress, Marceline's, Wonderground, Star Wars store, Pin Traders)
Starbucks
Earl of Sandwich
Black Tap
Naples/Napolini
Lego
and I'd bring back Build-a-Bear with its exclusive Disney plush and outfits
I'd get rid of everything else and add instead:
Amorette's Patisserie
AristoCrepes
BB Wolf's Sausage Co.
The Daily Poutine
The Ganachery
Gideon's Bakehouse
Jock Lindsey's Bar
The Polite Pig
--
The M&M's store
Marketplace Co-Op
Super Hero Headquarters (the Marvel store)
And that's my dream DTD. And no I did not overlook Everglazed Donuts in my sweet tooth fantasy. Their donuts just don't appeal to me. And I also skipped the Disney-owned D-Luxe burgers because the food was terrible when I ate there. lol
So okay, it's not 100% Disney. But IMO it'd be 100% better than what we have now!
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
We LOVED The Edison, Morimoto’s Asia, and Raglan Road.
MarvelCharacterNerd
Well-Known Member
All great choices at Disney Springs, but I don't think Edison or Morimoto's have a place in Anaheim's DTD. The Edison is way too adult for DTD. Maybe Morimoto's could work inside Disneyland Hotel to replace Steakhouse 55, but DTD is for quick stops, not big high-end meals. That's why I didn't include Boathouse either (completely aside from no local body of water to merit the theming).
And I know Raglan Road isn't a big high-end meal, but I don't see an Irish pub having an appeal to SoCal guests vs. the more international (and a lot of UK) visitors at WDW. Nor any of the good food but more Southern-appealing Art Smith's or Chicken Guy. I did include Polite Pig and B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. for the local carnivores though so my list wouldn't be just the sweet stops!