Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Lotion-View-1065.asp" target="_blank"><b>LP Lotion: Disney Store Unveils New Concept in Montebello Shop</b></a> Doug Marsh reports on the unveiling of the first of the new concept Disney Stores in Montebello, CA. Includes a video of the opening ceremony, interview an executive and video tours.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA EXCELLENT coverage Doug. Well done. Great pictures and video. The store seems slightly different, but with all the Apple Store / Steve Jobs had a hand in it buzz, I guess I was expecting more. Those who have been -- is it underwhelming at all?
Originally Posted By BrianStarr Well, it's a nice looking store. Nothing really special about it. It looks like the store in the Orlando airport. I think the articles hyped it up a bit. I was expecting a wow factor.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Excellent coverage Doug, thanks for that. I really have a mixed view of this place. It does seem to offer more for adults than the last version (and I am happy to see Le Chateau de la Belle au Bois Dormant represented), but yes, I too was expecting more. Vinalmations and the custom cars are worth checking out, but it did not look like it is that special. When I think about the original London Disney Store in the 80's or World of Disney, they are something quite special. While this is a step up from the Kmart feel of the last incarnation, this still does not feel like it is that worth while. I hope it continues to improve.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Is there a piece of merchandise in the store aimed at adults? I used to spend quite a lot of money at the original Disney Stores when you could find a golf shirt for a man or a cute sleep item for a woman. When it became all about costumes and princesses is when I stopped going. I have kids now...so we do stop in once in a while but I don't spend the kind of money that I used to.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo agreed Wahooskipper, when I was a cast member at the Disney store in the early 90's, there was loads for adults and I couldn't aford anything. Now that I am older, there is nothing to buy (and not even that much for the kids, as they already have a lot of the junk sold in there. That's why I was hopeful of this new version. And it is still better than the 00's era DSs.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Totally agree with last two posts! Don't big kids get to play? I love the trees. Sort of a Mary Blair style! Thanks for the update!
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Yeah, I'm going to say from what I see, I'm underwhelmed. Too much of the same stuff. OK, I did like the RideMakerz "cars", that's cute, and I might actually buy one of those. The princess area just looks horribly tacky. Why does it have to look like a cheap plasticy mess? None of the Disney princesses actually live in anything that trashy...keep it classy Disney! The trees are...ok, but just projections. I'm a sucker for color, so maybe the ever changing colors are more soothing once you're in the store. The "updated" video screen with interactive choices is nice, but not all that different from the previous versions, only now it's like a jukebox. I would love to see them do more theming with the music, and lights in the store. Maybe it will be fun at Halloween and Christmas with different music and effects? Still, it's basically the same kind of merchandise they had before, but with a few interactive bits, and touch screens. Not a huge "wow" for me.
Originally Posted By DlandDug The biggest drawback for me was the size of this particular store. There is a lot going on-- but it's hard to really show it all. If you saw the interview video, one specific question was about the retail mix-- would there be merchandise for adults. We are assured that will be the case. As far as the design goes, this is so much better than the direction the stores had been taking. This really reminds me of some of the spaces on the Disney Cruise Line, with little high-tech surprises hidden in what looks like very ordinary decor. I was also impressed that the Disney Store Theater (the large gazebo) contained no merchandise. It was just low tables and benches. As for the princess castle, it's very pretty and very girly and very princessy. The detailing is quite nice, but (obviously) had to be durable. There's quite a major crystal chandelier hanging overhead. I actually ended up going back and taking the DizKid. We spent some time (and spent some cash!) at the RideMakerz area. Those Cars are pretty cool. (We picked up the bodies for Stealth Mater and Carbon Fibre McQueen, both of which ended up selling out that day.)
Originally Posted By trekkeruss "Meh" is my initial reaction. The store front is so boring. Where's the whimsy, like the old stores? I don't know if I like the Princess castle. I guess what bothers me about it is this rather fixed narrative; there no room for it to be anything else but a Princess castle.
Originally Posted By DlandDug The princess castle is just one component of the new store. There is also RideMakerz, the Theater, pre-school and so on. I think there was such an emphasis on the castle in publicizing this that people are expecting it to be a bigger deal than it is. It was also kind of amusing to see how many kids (boys AND girls) were making a bee line for the RideMakerz (to the right) and not heading to the castle (to the left). I am sure Disney Store execs have been keeping track of what is drawing the kids into the store.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Yeah, I realize it's just one component. I'm not surprised about the popularity of the RideMakerz. They look like fun for both boys and girls.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I'm happy to see the whole store seems to be about spending a fun half hour there. I am impressed by the theater area and look forward to seeing what they do with that. Overall, looks really good -- I can see making a point to visit the Disney Store again, especially with my young nieces and nephews. Can't wait to see the new store in San Francisco.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Can't wait to see the new store in San Francisco.>> They are moving at a snail's pace. I walked by the old Benneton storefront Tuesday morning, and peeked in through the black tarp gap covering the windows and glass front doors. I saw two construction workers in the back of the store, but no one else. I heard power tools operating but didn't see who was running them. But what I could see through the gap didn't look any different than it did two months ago when I first saw construction workers on the site. At the pace they're going, I wouldn't expect the store to be finished until Thanksgiving or so. When is it expected to open?
Originally Posted By Dznygrl Meh. To me this is no different than it was before, only they have flashy lights and a kiddie coloring area. It might as well still be owned by The Children's Place. There's still the same dang itty bitty table of adult tees in the midst of a sea of plastic toys and plush. Boo. I want The Disney Store from the 80s and 90s back.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I went to my local DS yesterday with DD's 9 & 11. Even they were too old for this.
Originally Posted By DallasDisneyDork Ours in Dallas opens up in October. From what I've read, they will be having more Adult items and park items and will continue to expand on that selection after opening. I hope this is true. Plus for the kids, they're going to have a special opening and closing ceremony every day? I'm curious to see how it all turns out and if it truly is a bigger improvement as it looks.
