Originally Posted By TDLFAN So, now that we all know the reason for Disney moving Arribas into the Marketplace was driven NOT because of the need for more space at the bakery, but also because of the ill-concieved decision to take the Arribas out of the castle shop in order to turn this location into yet another unnecesary Bibbidi-Bobbidi boutique for little girls who will never be princesses, much less pretty ones like Jonbennet.. How do you all feel about yet another tradition fromthe erarly days at the MK coming to an end? Personally I am flabergasted that Disney decided to take something we can all enjoy for something that is only geared to a selected group of guests, in this instance little girls whose parents are willing to overpay for someone to comb their hair and put nail polish on their little Anne Heche style nails. This is yet another ill decision from WDW's management and further proof that at Disney, everything now is all about the MONEY and not about the magic it can create for all guests alike. One more reason to skip visiting the castle all together. Sad, very sad.
Originally Posted By danyoung There's obviously a lot of money in these kind of shops, but I agree with you - they're pretty strange, pretty specialized, and are becoming as overused as pin trading carts and plush animal sales. But then marketing and merchandising at the Disney parks has long since stopped being the unique experience it once was, and has been morphed into yet more cash making machines for the stockholders to tally up. Understandable, but still sad . . .
Originally Posted By vbdad55 This is another sad turn, I used to love to look at the swords and family crests etc in the shop - as it actually made one feel it should be something in a castle -- not a freakin' Libby Lu shop !! management has obviously learned nothing from the rampant sameness they created in the Disney Stores and what happened to them
Originally Posted By brotherdave UGHHHH!!!! Very distressing to hear. That used to be one of my favorite shops at WDW. Not anymore....
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Originally Posted By irishfan This is truely depressing. Will there be any place at the MK now to purchase high end Disney merchandise?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Recently--on a visit to the Magic Kingdom--there was a cast member on Main Street who said Upper Management was realizing how the improper theming of various stores--particularly in Frontierland--had caught their attention and that something would eventually happen to reverse the trend of turning every store into a pin shop. But--now that they've decided to ruin one of the King's Gallery--it would seem the cast member who told us this didn't know what he was talking about. Upper management still has no clue as to how they're destroying the guests' experiences. It's at times like these everyone must feel cursed...
Originally Posted By jmuboy Another move to make the MK for like a 6-flags park. AND another eason I stopped going to the MK. I spend my money at DL.
Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey I resent all of you calling children in the parks "brats" and discussing how they "are never gonna be princesses". Are you saying that my six year old daughter doesn't have the right to have her Disney dreams come true by having her hair done up like a princess and dressing in a summer dress for one day? She is very excited about the prospect. I can understand you being upset about the loss of a great store, but stop cutting down the children that visit Disney as if they have no right to be visiting the parks. Disney is all about the children including the one that lives inside of the adults that visit WDW and DL. Obviously my trip to the parks with a six year old will be much different than yours. I have reservations to several character meals, reservations at the boutique, and will trade many pins and collect many autographs. I do this because of the pure joy it gives to my daughter which has instilled a love of Disney in her and she has just as much of a right to have those experiences as you have to wander the parks in search of different forms of entertainment.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I agree strongly with Post#10. (And no, I don't have little girls.) Make your point about what you like or don't like. But descending within sentences to exposing your acidity on a subject, or demeaning others for their inability to "see with your clarity" on a topic changes the message in what you are saying to something else entirely. And you become a grouch instead of an enlightener, Mr. Bowler Hat Guy. Arrrrgghhhh, matey!
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I think the Disney Princesses theme is a great one. These little girls come to the parks dressed and ready for a special day. The photo images, especially the candid ones when they meet the real princesses are priceless. And the fact that their outfits are not always 100% perfect actually adds to the meaning of the event. Yes they're little girls. But today they are really a princess. Those pictures will be on a display table someday at a wedding reception. And they will bring tears.
Originally Posted By smctopia Did this store open yet? If not, when does it open? I am so sad to see this happen. I wish for the day that princess stuff wasn't force fed to everyone. I am sick of seeing girls dressed as princesses all over the park. It's so overly commercialized. Now if there was a Mulan warrier costume that would be a different story... Visit Walt Dated World <a href="http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com" target="_blank">http://waltdatedworld.bravepag es.com</a>
Originally Posted By Kimrue I haven't posted in awhile, but I have to say that yeah it stinks but, all the posts I've read say pretty much "I loved to LOOK in that store"...ummm, well, if you wanted it there so badly why not BUY some stuff from there...bottom line is the stuff wasn't selling, not enough at least. Yeah it's nice to sit and watch the people sit there with the flame torch thing and make gorgeous glass knick knacks, shrug and say, hmm, nice, and leave without spending a dime, what do you expect? Surprise surprise, a company wants to make money..what's so terrible about that? Imagine being the person sitting there for hours on end while people crowd around to gawk and not spend any money than walk away. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a crowd of about 30 people standing around and do just that, WATCH and then leave. Instead of getting mad, try bucking up and spending your money on the nice little chochki's that are made available? Or else, yes, of course they will no longer be there. YOur little "magical moments" do cost money, even if you don't spend a dime, the person making the glassware needs to get paid, the items are expesive and they need room to display this stuff. Not to mention I'm sure some of the people either five finger discount those type of things or knock them over left and right. Dont be surprised if the doll display in Germany in epcot goes next...that's another one that people love to "watch" and then leave without buying. The egg painting one too. People are so darn cheap! Buy a souvenir for crying out loud than the shops will stay! Don't complain about Disney doing what they have to do to yes, make money!!! Good for them for knowing ok, this isn't working anymore, and doing what they have to do...you're sick of nice shops getting shut down for a kids section, start SHOPPING!!! Drop the $50.00 for a two inch glass slipper you spent 30 minutes watching being made, why not? You want the store there so badly, go ahead splurge on 80 dollar glass mickey ears! Like I said, your magical moments aren't free...so start shopping.
Originally Posted By WolvesTwilight The King's Gallery wasn't always as it is today, even. It morphed into what it is today when Disney moved most of the shop from Package Pickup to the Gallery. Things are NOT going to be as they were when you were a child. Things change, that's life and Disney is constantly changing, constantly morphing. The people that go to the park and look for flaws in a place that brings happiness to so many people is sad. You go to the Happiest Place on Earth and yet you come to these boards with flaw after flaw after flaw. Yes there's a discussion on what should change, but there's never any shining comments about the Magic Kingdom. It seems like it's a trend to hate this park, for whatever reason. I know a lot of you are Disney fans and love the park but if you're chasing those exact memories of childhood, I have to tell you, they're gone. Innocence brings magic and pointing out the flaws of something that's changed over 35 years is NOT going to bring it back.
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 ""why not BUY some stuff from there...bottom line is the stuff wasn't selling, not enough at least."" And did we spend money at the Antique and Silvershops in Liberty Square or the Frontier Trading Post? Its called a <THEME> park for a reason. To ENCHANCE the story and theeming of the lands. ""Surprise surprise, a company wants to make money..what's so terrible about that?"" Thats ALL they want to do now. That is the problem. Even under Eisner, they were money hungry. But they knew how to deliver quality and not tick us off. ""Dont be surprised if the doll display in Germany in epcot goes next..."" More transparent ignorance. the COUNTRIES still sponser thier pavillions at World Showcase. Why do u think Norway got invaded by the Pricess machine? because the Norwegian gov't pulled out which let Disney run over the culture being presented in the pavillion. ""Drop the $50.00 for a two inch glass slipper you spent 30 minutes watching being made, why not? You want the store there so badly, go ahead splurge on 80 dollar glass mickey ears! Like I said, your magical moments aren't free...so start shopping."" Funny how u love making this arument but it has NOT affected the shopping at WorldShowcase, DAK, Disneyland (ESPECIALLY New Orleans Square and MS), or Paris. hmmmmmm.............
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 And im really getting tired of these closet soccer-mom familys posting here and critiquing us when they have no idea what they are saying on thier keyboard. Your ONLY exposure to Disney has been through The WDW Xmas Parade on ABC AND your childs exposure to Disney thorugh DVDs. <YOU DID NOT GROW UP WITH IT AND STUDY IT!> WE grew up with Walt on...THE TELEVISON WE know what the parks stand for and what they are SUPPOSED to represent WE knoe what is what like BEFORE FAstPass WE know what it was like before DisneyDining WE know what it was like before merchandise franchises This is not about losing our childhood. Its about ONE US resort going 100% 360 against the companys ideals and what the other MKs represnt.
Originally Posted By danyoung I'd just like to say at this point that whoever DLFAN1979 is referring to as WE, I ain't in that group. Express your opinion, as the moms also express theirs, and everybody play nicely. There is no WE on a public board - it's everyone stating their own personal point of view.
Originally Posted By Kimrue Wow, for "disney people" you sure are quite nasty....I'm just giving my opinion. I go by what I see, and what I've seen in the past is people browsing and not shopping, period. What do you think you're supposed to get for your measley $60.00, shops that are for browsing ONLY? Yeah, Disney is a "theme" park, but hec, stores are for shopping, that's what I always thought. I didn't mean to get anybodies panties in a bunch. I'm just calling it like I see it. I HAVE seen with my own eyes, people crowd those shops to "watch" someone make something and then leave, the same way people watch the mariachi band in the mexico pavilion, have their friend take a picture with the sombraros and morrocas that are for SALE and leave without spending a dime or eating in the restaurant. People want everything for SIXTY DOLLARS...please! I remember going to WDW with my parents back in the early eighties and people SHOPPED!! We would wait in lines that went out the door for the madame alexander dolls that were for sale in The Magic Kingdom. People bought quality souvenirs and cherished them. Now people expect everything to come with the price of admission. What ever happened to people appreciating what is being offered, and making purchases. If the Arriba's brothers shops have stayed opened in other areas GREAT!!! Go to them and watch someone making figurines that you aren't planning on buying. (My husband owns his own business, people come in, ask an hours worth of questions and then walk out without using our services...RUDE!) Disney is changing because people are changing. People are rude and becoming more rude by the decade. I once purchased a custom doll from the German pavilion and when the dollmaker started to put it together I got knocked over by about 40 tourists to watch and take pictures of,(for free) MY doll being made...and then, you guessed it..LEAVE! I was so disgusted that I paid and left without even watching and had it shipped to my room. I'm just saying, it's nice to browse, but for $60, you get transportation to the gates, rides, shows, parades and fireworks, if you want to browse for free, I think you're expecting too much. I don't see what is wrong with providing guests with what obviously brings in more people and YES more money. Please, also forgive me for not knowing the ins and outs of Disney marketing and who 'sponsors' blah blah blah...I don't CARE about all of that so I don't bother with that, I know that I have fun in WDW, I bring my family there for vacation and we carry on about the fun we had until the next time... I hardly feel that I am "ignorant" because I don't know that the countries sponsor their own representation in the world showcase. I honestly find that type of thing, boring. I have a million other things to do then worry about WDW marketing stratagy and who sponsors their rides and pavilions...I'm speaking from the prospective of a park guest that has fun when I go to the park, I don't look to rip it apart, yes there have been changes that I have been unhappy with, but I understand why they have taken place and then get over it. Someone has made mention of why my theory hasn't effected the shops in world showcase, well you answered your own question when you stated that the countries sponsor their own shops etc. YOu watch, if Disney ever takes over that whole pavilion say goodbye to all the little "freebies" that cheap park goers have been enjoying for decades. It's a sin, this is the same mentality that people who do whatever they want in the park because they "paid for it"...and the "theming theory" how is the bibbidi bobbidi boutique not fitting in with the castle theme??? I mean, you don't have to like it, but you have to admit, what better place to have a boutique themed after Cinderella than ummm, in cinderella...castle, I don't know, maybe I'm way off base here...I think it was a perfect location to tie in a theme, like it or not.