Originally Posted By beamerdog All I can say is thank goodness I didn't have any little girls, lol. That being said, I'm sorry to see the older shops go, but I can see Disney going with a trend. I'm not wild about it, but my guess is a lot of little girls are tickled pink.
Originally Posted By Elderp "Even under Eisner, they were money hungry. But they knew how to deliver quality and not tick us off. " Yes, and the stock prices went so far down that the stockholders booted him from CEO. I know Disney fans like to think it was about his quality but it was about money. "we know what it was like before fastpass." I remember it was boring to wait 4 hours in line. "we know what it was like before disney dining." So expensive it was inaccessible.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Kimrue, you make sense to me. And I'm sure my granddaughters will love the new store. But what about my grandson? What about the rest of us, where do we get equal treatment? I gave up on the Disney Stores years ago, there's nothing for me. I'm guilty of standing in front of the armours and coats of arms, and wondering where would I put them, then not buying.
Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey Now I am a closet-soccer mom? Give me a break!! I am a caring and loving mother who wants her child to have a great experience. I WAS raised on Disney including trips to DL since I was a baby and every year since (sometimes multiple times). And yes I watched Mickey Mouse Club and bought the videos. I also remember attractions that are long gone and mourn some of them, but I also look forward to the new ones with eager anticipation. You make it sound like you have the right to look up your nose at everyone who is not in your age bracket? Some of you are, I feel, making personal attacks with absolutely no justification over the closing of a shop. As far as the "grandsons" they do offer some time of "boy" experience (not sure what it is)probably along the line of pirates...
Originally Posted By Kimrue Your grandsons will LOVE to make their own lightsaber <a href="http://www.starwars.com/collecting/news/hasbro/news20061207.html" target="_blank">http://www.starwars.com/collec ting/news/hasbro/news20061207.html</a> I have two daughters and a son, so I know what it's like to have to try to find things for both. About shops for "all of us" what do you like? If you like sweets, there are plenty of shops that have sweets, if you collect knick knacks, the world showcase has great things. I always check out the shops in the world showcase and usually end up buying something from there. If you have something in particular that you are looking for, you will definately find it if you look. I casually collect snowglobes, dolls and christmas ornaments, I can name a list of shops on WDW property that I can find all of these things. If you are casually looking around and aren't much of a "shopper" to begin with, you won't find anything anyway. Whenever I go on vacation, I choose a specific souvenir that I will look for. Magnet, picture frame, jewelry, etc. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with browsing but when that's ALL anybody does when they go into a particular shop there is really no need for the shop. I have to admit, my little girl is going to LOVE the bibbidi bobbidi boutique, I"m excited for that. WDW is evolving to meet the needs of today's society. People are having large families again. Gone are the early nineties where people were "done" having children after two kids, and got a sitter so mom and dad can go on vacation alone. People are having at least three sometimes up to five kids, and bringing them to WDW. I feel that mom's of today live to see the look on their faces when they are all dressed up in the happiest place on earth, or when their little boy gets a handshake from Jack sparrow. What fun! I think it's wonderful that family values are coming back into play with this generation of parents. Yes, I would rather see my little girl and little boy have a wonderful experience while visiting WDW. I do miss some shops and some things that were offered. I collect dolls, they totally have done away with the madame alexander dolls that used to be sold in the magic kingdom. They have been replaced with stuffed animals and plastic doo dads. But obviously they weren't selling. I'm annoyed about that, but oh well. They have plenty of things for adults and the grandparent crowd to do. My parents live in fla and go to wdw all the time. The food and wine festival is awesome, there's wine tasting in germany. Awesome chocolates in "italy" too, high end restaurants in some of the hotels, fireworks cruises etc. There are alot of positive new things for adults as well.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Actually as long as there is playable water at WDW, my grandson will be happy. Can't believe how many new outfits my daughter had to buy him during our 8 days there, you'd think she'd learn to bring spares with us. Or maybe she just wanted to buy more Disney clothes. Winter here killed my windchimes, so I'm hoping they still have them in Harambe. My husband could, and sometimes does, get lost in the Confectionery. I do buy my share of clothes (I go down with the clothes on my back and buy for each day there, and then some,) and souveniers at the parks. One of my daughters bought a bureau and huge jewelry box at the China Pavilian, had them shipped here. One daughter bought a pearl ring at Contemp, my son got the Indiana Jones leather jacket and the hat, and the stupid whip. I would love to have the armour (with or without the knight) but there is just no place to put it. I have 25-30 snow globes, ran out of space. I got a beautiful pocketbook in Morocco, but years later when I needed a new one, all they had was cheap junk. So we do spend, we just don't seem to buy the high end stuff.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <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.< been shopping for years, including that store -- just ask the DW what the 'rider' on our house insurance policy covers -- expensive Disney items . But even though there are a lot of us, there are more who will buy the same ol same ol - over and over. Made in China plush etc. What I believe some of us are saying is that does EVERY - meal have to have characters, does there HAVE to be anohter boutique for this when there is one downtown ?, Do the stores that should be selling HM and Pirates stuff ( and don't tell me they don't sell ) - HAVE to also sell Pooh plush and pink plastic crapola as well ? Ihave no problem with the princess theme ( I have 2 girls- although being athletes they never got into the princess stuff)- I have no problem with plush Pooh dolls -- I DO have a problem when every store has the same stuff and there is little choice for those who would like everything else. At least DL has the Disneyana store left - where on can purchase Olszewski pieces and the like - WDW has filled each store with the same thing. And I do also go to charcter meals ( we eat 2 sit downs each day there ) - and since we often travel with my nieces (ages 5 & 8 ) this is nice -- butnot every darn mean. I don't want to pay to have Pluto help me down a nice meal each time....sometimes I like it more peaceful. Once cannot eat at Crystal Palace for instance or the Castle without characters - why not have one meal at each without ( ala Liberty Tree ) - ? That is what most people are saying here - yes there are extremes but not most
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <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.< been shopping for years, including that store -- just ask the DW what the 'rider' on our house insurance policy covers -- expensive Disney items . But even though there are a lot of us, there are more who will buy the same ol same ol - over and over. Made in China plush etc. What I believe some of us are saying is that does EVERY - meal have to have characters, does there HAVE to be anohter boutique for this when there is one downtown ?, Do the stores that should be selling HM and Pirates stuff ( and don't tell me they don't sell ) - HAVE to also sell Pooh plush and pink plastic crapola as well ? Ihave no problem with the princess theme ( I have 2 girls- although being athletes they never got into the princess stuff)- I have no problem with plush Pooh dolls -- I DO have a problem when every store has the same stuff and there is little choice for those who would like everything else. At least DL has the Disneyana store left - where on can purchase Olszewski pieces and the like - WDW has filled each store with the same thing. And I do also go to charcter meals ( we eat 2 sit downs each day there ) - and since we often travel with my nieces (ages 5 & 8 ) this is nice -- butnot every darn mean. I don't want to pay to have Pluto help me down a nice meal each time....sometimes I like it more peaceful. Once cannot eat at Crystal Palace for instance or the Castle without characters - why not have one meal at each without ( ala Liberty Tree ) - ? That is what most people are saying here - yes there are extremes but not most
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <and pointing out the flaws of something that's changed over 35 years is NOT going to bring it back. < hmmm, it worked at DL. the place was in disrepair and poor maintenance not 10 years ago. Their subs were also leaving - did they get them back while we got a home depot playground ? Do they still have the 'original' Tiki room ? it seems there are 2 sets of standards - one for DL and one for WDW.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I thought only the breakfast at the castle was character? Years ago, Cindy sat on her throne in the waiting room, but last year the throne was gone. For me, waiters in tights is all the character I need for dinner.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <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.< All I can say Kimrue without shouting back is, you're assuming no buyers are left. As the Vice- President of a Chicago area Disneyana collectors club - I can tell you there are plenty of people who still spend big bucks for stuff and cherish their memorabilia. It is the reason one of our sponsor shops was able to get 7 original Mouseketeers to come for a show and talk session that runs 3 days for 3 years in a row. Attendance at the last one topped 700 - mainly through word of mouth and some very local advertising. So let's not cut those people short either -- but we are never going to be able to compete overall with the hordes that will spend $12 for a plush ( fill in the blank) - it isn't going to happen, but we should get an occasional bone thrown our way also....especially with Disneyana Conventions gone also - that used to be a place to get unique Disney items ( Waterford / Armani etc) - so let's be careful about Disney not having this because there are no buyers - we just don't make up the bulk of the population - but we never did before either.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I thought only the breakfast at the castle was character? Years ago, Cindy sat on her throne in the waiting room, but last year the throne was gone. For me, waiters in tights is all the character I need for dinner.< Nope - it was for a while - it is all 3 now since mid last year I believe. <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_crb.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/menu /menu_crb.htm</a> <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_crl.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/menu /menu_crl.htm</a> <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_crd.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/menu /menu_crd.htm</a> all come with characters and pictures with such built into the pricing -- whether one wants it or not
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Thanks VBdad, I've printed out the menus. Seen plenty of references to that site, have to check it out more thoroughly. Again, thanks.
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 ""and the stock prices went so far down that the stockholders booted him from CEO. "" Your correct...... from '00-'05 "So expensive it was inaccessible." How cares about price when we had FULL menus and eating w.out characters except for ONE meal a day.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Thanks VBdad, I've printed out the menus. Seen plenty of references to that site, have to check it out more thoroughly. Again, thanks.< site has lots of info - stays pretty current, and is great for checking out menu's
Originally Posted By sdlovesmickey I understand the frustration in repeated stores that already exist and the balance needed for the adult in the party for meals other than character ones. I am excited about both. Some of the best food we had at DL was at character meals. I have read and reread menus and have ADR for all the table service meals during our visit. Many character, but some others as well. A variety of experiences!! Last time I was in Epcot (10 years ago) I had my eye on a cuckoo clock from Germany...May have to purchase one this trip if they are still available. The reason I like the pin trading is because we can purchase several before we go to the parks and then just trade while we are there and they are small enough that you can purchase several and they will fit nicely into your bag to carry on the plane. We are going to make a felt lined board of some kind with a dowel for support to hang from my DD wall to showcase all her pins.
Originally Posted By dsnykid <How cares about price when we had FULL menus and eating w.out characters except for ONE meal a day.> I am sure that the parents who are trying to give their children the experiences you and I both had growing up care about price. Since I first went to DL, prices have gone up over 400%, hotels and restaurants have also increased. I know that if I were a child today, there is no way my parents would be able to afford taking me as many times as they did. Instead they would have saved up for the bonuses like the boutique and character meals to give me some extra-special memories
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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...>> Yes. And apparently if you mention the names of the execs responsible for this latest abomination, your post gets admined ...not kewl.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 You know what also, I'm very tired of hearing that I (and folks like-minded) expect things to be the same they were 35 years ago. I don't. I expect them to be even better. That's how things are supposed to work. That's progress. That's technological advances. That's more experience operating theme parks. When I see the MK being WalMarted for a simpler guest, it does bother me and not because I'm an unabashed elitist as some would accuse, but because that's not what the MK is supposed to be about. ... Poorly maintained park with shops that all sell the same crap. Restaurants that all cater to young children. Pins, princesses, pirates and plush, oh my ... And only at WDW does Disney get away with that. Go to Anaheim or Paris or Tokyo if you really believe Orlando's ML offers the same quality.
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 ""When I see the MK being WalMarted for a simpler guest, it does bother me"" Exactly, they are dumbing down and destroying the product for ONE demographic.
