[karliebug]

I just made a run to our local disney store (actually it is about 45 minutes away because we live in the boonies). Anyway, I was hoping to pick up some clothes to wear on our trip. I was excited when I saw the "semi-annual sale " sign in the window and rushed inside. I was really disappointed in that the store now seems to be mostly toys and much less of the clothing that they have had in the past. They did have a few nice t-shiirts, but nothing like they used to have. They had a lot of christmas type stuffed animals on sale, and plastic toys. That was about it. I walked out empty handed. I guess since Children's place bought them some changes were to be expected but I miss the old format.

[Dana]

Karliebug -
My local disney store has been like this for the last year or so. Little selection for us big kids. It's really only kid's clothes and toys...some videos and toys too. I can get lucky with some PJ's once in awhile and some T's, but that's about it. I loved the old disney store that was much more like the disneydirect catalog. They (the disney store) have almost totally lost all my business to disneydirect.com. I only go to the disney store for disney dollars now.

[karliebug]

Last summer before our trip I got tons of t-shirts, short sets,etc. all on clearance for the kids and matching t-shirts for the whole family. I guess I'll stick to disneydirect too. I'll be looking for you in WDW Dana, I'll be wearing my DC pin.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I'll be looking for you in WDW Dana, I'll be wearing my DC pin.

Either me or my DD will have the pin on ...she really likes it,so she may have it on. She has a purple laynard with tons of pins and more than likely will have some type of Pooh shirt on. (her picture is posted in my final plans thread) Walk up and say Hi Sara and scare the pants off her..lol

[MagicalMoments]

After being at the WDW stores so often in the past few years, our local Disney Store just does not do it for me anymore. I rarely shop there!

[Dana]

Originally Posted by MagicalMoments

After being at the WDW stores so often in the past few years, our local Disney Store just does not do it for me anymore. I rarely shop there!

Hey there! Haven't seen you in awhile...miss you. I can totally relate to your opinion on the Disney Store. I use to love to go there and get a tiny little disney fix, but as of late, they just don't "do it for me". I get more WDW feelings from the online store and that's just a shame. There is just no variety. My DD is now in women's clothes, so it's almost pointless for me to go there at all unless I am buying Disney Dollars...shame really. I use to love it there and spend way to much money. I wonder what the Children's store is going to do with it and if there will be any improvements on the selection and stuff. I have to say, however, that the CM's that work at mine are top notch and WDW friendly.

[monorail_man]

Originally Posted by karliebug

I just made a run to our local disney store (actually it is about 45 minutes away because we live in the boonies). Anyway, I was hoping to pick up some clothes to wear on our trip. I was excited when I saw the "semi-annual sale " sign in the window and rushed inside. I was really disappointed in that the store now seems to be mostly toys and much less of the clothing that they have had in the past. They did have a few nice t-shiirts, but nothing like they used to have. They had a lot of christmas type stuffed animals on sale, and plastic toys. That was about it. I walked out empty handed. I guess since Children's place bought them some changes were to be expected but I miss the old format.

Thats weird. the Disney store near us has mostly clothes and not much toys (kid toys or adult toys, (snow globs ect.))

[Erin]

Yeah, I'm blessed with an awesome Disney store, too...

Mine is the only one not being taken over by The CHildren's Place.

Which is just fine with me!! LOL!

I love the CMs that work there - they love Disney so much!

[FireAngel]

I dont even have a disney store anywhere near close to me

[monorail_man]

Ok. if you work at a Disney Store in a Mall (which are not owned by Disney anymore) are you still a CM? Do you even get any benifits like tickets or anything?

[karliebug]

I think I read that they are phasing out the benefits offered to those working in the stores, like hotel discounts,etc. that they used to get. I definitely see a difference in the merchandise offered since Children's place took it over and quite frankly it was mostly kind of junky plastic toys and stuffed animals.

[dizneeluvr]

Our Disney Store closed after Christmas last year (03). Toward the end there were more toys and children clothes than anything else. I missed the days when they carried watches and more adult related material. I have a Disney Catalog outlet in Branson that I go to occasionally but they don't have a lot of stuff I'm interested in. Even the catalog that I receive in the mail seems to be catered to kids toys and the like instead of much adult related. What a shame; why can't places leave things alone?

[DisneyWorldFan]

The Disney Store nearest me (less than a mile from home) will no longer get my business. Besides no longer carrying adult-age items, the staff there certainly aren't "cast members". They're rude, unenthusiastic, and lazy. I believe keeping the Disney name on these stores is only going to make a bad name for Disney (much deserved in this case). I think it was another stupid business decision made by Eisner.

[monorail_man]

Originally Posted by DisneyWorldFan

The Disney Store nearest me (less than a mile from home) will no longer get my business. Besides no longer carrying adult-age items, the staff there certainly aren't "cast members". They're rude, unenthusiastic, and lazy. I believe keeping the Disney name on these stores is only going to make a bad name for Disney (much deserved in this case). I think it was another stupid business decision made by Eisner.

Ok. Ther is NO excuse for rude customer service. and they should help because it's their job. But if I were a store CM and they told me theyr were cutting my benifits. I'd be mad too and do things half @$$ed

[jodilt]

Originally Posted by monorail_man

Ok. Ther is NO excuse for rude customer service. and they should help because it's their job. But if I were a store CM and they told me theyr were cutting my benifits. I'd be mad too and do things half @$$ed

You are right. There is no excuse for rude service, but IMO if you are upset about your benefits being cut, you don't start doing a poor job...you find a new one that you are happy with. It's not the customers fault that you are unhappy at your job or that your benefits got cut...why should they be punished for it?