[downsouthtigger]

Hey guys but I don't know if this was posted on another thread or not.
I just found out, well actually I knew for a while, that Disney stores had been bought out. What I had not known is that they were actually on sale for 2 years.
What I wanted to let those who work at the disney stores to know is that all CM benefits are being lost due to the take over. I had often wanted to work at the DS, but the one here shut down. I just don't know what to think about this, since I thought the stores were doing better.
Oh Cm benefits I think will retain for another couple months, but I am curious how an non-disney company will run a disney store.

[JM0318]

I am not sure how this will work either... I know the Manager of the Disney Store here... and I have not had a chance to talk to him since the buy out went through... He did say that he thought that the cast members that were not managers would loose all of the Disney benefits... but he was not sure but thought that the Managers would not loose theirs at first...not sure how long they may keep them.... although he did say that the medical benefits were better than what Disney offered... and some of the other benefits too were better... He also did not know if they would continue to be called cast members since they were not owned by Disney... that is about all I know about it... but I will try to take a trip and talk to him...ºoºJudy

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by downsouthtigger

but I am curious how an non-disney company will run a disney store.

Hopefully better!

I've been quite disappointed with Disney stores for a couple of years now. There was a time where the stores appealed to adults. Now, we go solely for our kids. Which may be why Disney stores are losing money.

[JM0318]

I hope it gets better too... I really do not think it could be much worse... I still go but IT is not the Disney Fix for me it used to be either... I am hopeing that they will make it appeal to adults a little more... although did you notice that the Disney catalog now says that it is not the Disney Store... It is Disney Direct... Did anyone else notice this in the last one I received...ºoºJudy

[tiggerfan74]

Yes, the website has changed too. That is the only way I can shop for Disney unless I drive up there since my store closed down as well.

[JM0318]

tiggerfan74, Do you ever go to the Charactor Primier in Orlando.... it is at the Belz outlet there just off of Interstate 4.... We have one in St. Augustine too that I go to.... I think I would really miss not having a Disney Store.... even if it is a bad one... If you should hear anything about how the sell went or what they intend to do with them... I would love to know...ºoºJudy

[tinamarie]

You know I too have noticed that the Disney Store has changed. It is not geared mostly for kids. I use to buy most of my t shirts, pj's, etc there. But now I'm lucky if I can find anything. I'm a plus size girl so it's hard to find the stuff anyways. But you'd think you could get it from them. Guess not.
Also, I'm scheduled to start working there this next. I thought it would be a wonderful place to work being the Disney freak I am. lol However, I thought I'd get some benefits for my April trip. It's looking like that isn't gonna happen. I guess that's ok tho. Just working there is gonna be cool.

Oh while I'm in here. During my interview they talked about do's and don'ts. What to wear and what not to wear. I was pretty ok with all them but a few puzzled me. Does anyone know why a girl can't have long nails? Why are we only allowed 1 ring per hand? And why no necklaces or bracelets? If anyone has any insight on this let me know. Thanks

[tinamarie]

OOPS that was suppose to say that it IS geared mostly for kids. Sorry for the boo boo.

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by tinamarie

During my interview they talked about do's and don'ts. What to wear and what not to wear. I was pretty ok with all them but a few puzzled me. Does anyone know why a girl can't have long nails? Why are we only allowed 1 ring per hand? And why no necklaces or bracelets? If anyone has any insight on this let me know. Thanks

It's been nearly a decade since I worked retail, but those standards are common at a lot of stores. Next time your shopping anywhere, take time to notice how the employees are "dressed."

I assume the general idea is "you have to draw the line somewhere." I once worked with a woman whose (artificial) nails were so long, she couldn't do basic ordinary tasks, like tie shoe laces. Dangling necklaces or bracelets can possibly get in the way of restocking merchandise.

I run a Christian youth camp for inner-city kids, and I hire a lot of college-aged counselors. A few years ago I changed the staff dress-code to "no tank tops." The reason being, in most cases counselors have enough common sense to know what's appropriate to wear in front of children. But occassionally I'll get a female counselor whose idea of a tank top is way too revealing. Having no desire to address cleavage with 19 year old girls, it's easier to just put down a blanket statement "no tank tops" and apply it to all staff.

[tiggerfan74]

Originally Posted by JM0318

tiggerfan74, Do you ever go to the Charactor Primier in Orlando.... it is at the Belz outlet there just off of Interstate 4.... We have one in St. Augustine too that I go to.... I think I would really miss not having a Disney Store.... even if it is a bad one... If you should hear anything about how the sell went or what they intend to do with them... I would love to know...ºoºJudy

No, I have never been there. I didn't even know the Belz outlet center had a Disney type store in it. It's been a long time since I've been there. Thanks for the info. Maybe I can try there.

[Disney6]

Disneydirect.com is the new site for the stores that will be owned by Children's Palce and the old disneystore.com is going to come back and will be owned by Disney and will compete againsy disneydirect.com. All of the dusney store stock has been bought by CP and you will see many changes by Christmas at the stores.
As for the "appearance" code, it has it has been that way forever and actually has loosened alot in recent years for CM's at the stores and all Disney-owned entities. The CM's at the stores now aren't sure what their uniforms will be and if it will change with the impending takeover.

[7nqb00]

We were in the Rockaway NJ Disney Store today, could not see any changes yet. Castmembewrs were not as friendly as normal.

Strong agree the DS has changed for the worst over the years. No artwork or very limited adult clthing for sale

[ilvminnie]

A manager at one of our stores here said she heard that the deal signed with CP is only a 15-yr deal. Anyone else hear that? That would indicate that maybe Disney might try it again sometime down the road....

[Disney6]

I am real familiar with the takeover and no where has it been talked about where it was a 15-year deal or not. From a meeting the CM's had at our local store over the past weekend the deal will be finalized it looks like in a month or so. As for the CM's not being as friendly I know that the ones here aren't too happy about losing some of their Disney benefits and it has made some of them unhappy.

[LRTJS]

I just ordered from my Disneydirect catalog and was very pleased with the process. I got some great buys on pj's and a personalized sweat shirt for my DGD!
Leslie