Originally Posted By jbkuchon To say that my husband is a good sport when he agrees to take our family on multiple trips to Disneyland is putting it mildly. He's not a big fan of rides (can't stand thrill rides) though he does enjoy things we can all do together that don't go fast or drop out from under you, like POTC, etc. He hates crowds, being out in the hot sun all day, and standing in line forever waiting for rides and walking around all day. But he still goes with us and is a relatively good sport about it all, lol. He still has a nice time with us, it just wouldn't be his pick. Anyway, his least favorite thing about the park is the stores. Like for instance, the Emporium. He loves to read and enjoys browsing around book stores, so he was very disappointed when he went into "Emporium Bookstore" and saw that it was filled to the brim with children toys. And the same thing is duplicated all over the park. He hates that. So obviously they put what sells the best in the park, but don't you think there should be enough people going through Disneyland everyday to warrant putting different kinds of stores in too? Maybe including both children toys and other more specialty items? Why couldn't they have a bookstore and have a variety of books including tons of books on Disneyland that have been written? It could have kids books too which you really don't see too often anywhere at Disneyland and there are a ton of Disney kid books. I can't see why something like that wouldn't do well. You could still have souvenirs just not ALL souvenirs.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss There used to be a lot more unique shops, goods, and services in DL. Main Street had a real branch of Bank of America, which is why the current AP processing center has teller windows. Upjohn had a pharmacy; mostly a turn of the century re-creation, but they gave out vitamin samples. There used to be a tobacco shop. A flower market...selling faux flowers. Women could visit the Wizard of Bras. Wurlizter Organ had a shop. Frontierland had a Pendleton Woolen Mills store.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon Well, I don't know if those were exactly the best ideas either. I don't know who would go to Disneyland for bras or faux flowers, but something between that and what they currently have I feel would appeal to just about everyone and not alienate the people who don't want to buy toys or t-shirts. I'm not saying there isn't a place for the current state of the stores. There of course is a huge market for souvenirs, and my children and I enjoy looking at the toys and even purchase a couple to take home with us. But I don't see why it has to be exclusively those types of items. I mean they have the exact same types of toys everywhere you go too. Store after store. My daughter will see something she wants and it's like, oh just wait we'll get it later on the way back to the hotel because it'll be in every store we look at from here until the end of our trip. I just think if they had a mixture of things in the stores or just a small smattering of small stores dedicated to things other than toys it would appeal to more people. People like my husband, who go to the park mainly for their family, might find something they enjoy doing too. Because not everyone is a big fan of rides. Doesn't it seem smart to try and bring something appealing to that type of person?
Originally Posted By Moedad I used to enjoy going in the mercatile in Frontierland to look at the Pendleton ietms and hats and stuff, until they went All Disney All The Time. It's just another store now. I don't bother. The store directly across Main Street (forget the name) from the Emporium has Disney related books, but nothing that will keep a book store browser busy for long.
Originally Posted By Marlin Perkins JB, I know what you are saying and I too get kind of bored with seeing the same items replicated in one store and the next. It would be awesome if DL would actually make itself THE place to shop for Disney items. I know with Downtown Disney, there is a big assortment of things. But, still, if you are looking for Disney things in particular, you won't find a gigantic selection. And I find that curious as well. For example, when I'm at DL I get in the mood to watch some of the old Disney movies and TV shows or even some great books about Disney. Here's a thought too, Disney used to sell items on Ebay like movie props and unique items from DL. I actually bought a DL park bench once. There's no reason they couldn't open a store like that, and while people are in the Disney mood, they would be more apt to purchase those items. Oh well...what are ya gonna do?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss For obvious reason, a lot of the early stores did not last very long. Your argument for more variety in stores is actually very similar to the one where other fans here have been saying they want more than just character based attractions. As you've said in those threads, Disney is a business and needs to go with what is popular with guests. So you've basically already provided the answer to your own question.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon Marlin, that's a good idea about the props store. And they need to incorporate more art items and collectors items too. I would also like to see more accessory items like handbags, wallets, etc that is Disney but less in your face about it. I don't want a big Mickey head on my purse, but something more subtle would be nice. I did find something like that there before, but they only had a couple to choose from. They should have more variety.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon trekkeruss, I think if they had more variety they could appeal to more people. I understand they can't stock a bunch of stuff that doesn't sell, but I can't believe the ONlY thing they can sell is stuffed Mickeys.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Surprisingly, many years ago before DCA or DTD, I distinctly remember going into the emporium on Main Street looking for a sweatshirt that said "Disneyland". Couldn't find one! Lots of sweatshirts with Mickey and/or other characters and icons, but nothing with just the park name. I asked a CM for help, and she couldn't find one either. We even went across the street to another shop. You could not buy a sweatshirt that said Disneyland anywhere. Hard to believe, I know ... I agree with your husband - the merch in the stores seems to fall into one of two categories - either cheap crap or wildly overpriced better quality goods with a very limited selection. And since I don't have any kids, 90% of the stuff in stock holds no interest for me.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Without actually seeing the accounting, I'd guess that their sales numbers don't support your hypothesis. They used to have more variety. Not to the extreme of the 50's, but in the 70's and 80's they had more of what you are asking for now. If indeed it the wider selection was more lucrative, they would do it again because it makes more money for them. But that hasn't happened...probably because as much as we may want more variety, the Mickey Mouse plush driven selection does yield them more profit.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon Sheesh, I guess there just aren't as many nerds and geeks (like me) in this world as I thought.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon I mean how could someone make a trip to Disneyland and be happy with a few stuffed toys?! How could they stop themselves from becoming obsessed with Disneyland and craving more! lol It's not that I don't like looking at the toys. Part of me will never grow up and will always get excited when I walk into a store packed with toys I've never seen before. And my kids absolutely love it, so that's fun. I usually let my daughter pick out a princess dress and we have so much fun picking which one she wants, and my son just wants all the toys he can get his hands on, so I don't want to lose all of that, I'd never want to take things out of Disney that would make it less enjoyable for the kids. I just want to add more to it. Something I can bring home for me.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Again, all I can say is, look at your own arguments about character based attractions. Other fans have told you they want more than just toons, yet you're argued that it makes your family happy that they are all over the place. Now with the shops, you are arguing the exact opposite. Do you see the dichotomy in your own debate?
Originally Posted By jbkuchon trekkeruss, I like the character based attractions but they also have a good amount of non character based attractions, so to me there IS a good mix. Would I want all character based attractions? No. Would I want no character based attractions? No. It's all about the mixture to me. Yes, I enjoy the toys, but I don't want ALL toys. Just like I wouldn't want there to be zero toys. Seems like a mix in all categories would appeal to everyone.
Originally Posted By tashajilek jbkuchon you should take your husband to compass books IN DTD. It Might let him enjoy DL a little bit more after he got his fill for the day.
Originally Posted By jbkuchon tasha, he's been there before. Last time we were there I thought I remembered them taking a lot of books out?
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan I agree that the selections at the stores in Dl is very limited. they basically all carry the same items which in some ways is nice because if you see something you like on one side of the park but dont want to carry it around all day you know you can get it somewhere else later on. I found on a previose trip you could not buy a Mini Mouse dress anywhere in DL. WOD and DCA both have them, but in looking for one for dd5 we could only find princess dresses in DL. and we did look in every store. so the downside is if I look in one or two stores now I probably wont look in any others.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Nope- a bookstore in the park would be a waste of space. I agree that I miss a mix of stores-I really liked the perfume shop in NOS where one could make their own perfume. I spend much less on "stuff" at the park than I used to-I can usually find something similar much cheaper other places and the constant overstuffing that you see at all the shops does not encourage me to buy.
