Originally Posted By mrichmondj << You would think a happy medium could be achieved where each store had a unique theme and items to sell that were actually popular. Have just one toy store on Main Street, a book/music shop, a clothing store, a candy store, etc. Don't fold all of that into one big long store the length of Main Street. >> I totally agree. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done. For the folks running the marketing show, it's a lot easier to stick with the standard stock souvenir items that sell well. And on the side of the vendors who provide all the merchandise to WDW, it's a lot more tempting for them to get items on the store shelves that have high volume/high profit margins for their business rather than dealing with the low margin/high profit margin items. There are issues at work in the wholesale markets that restrict and homogenize the merchandise selection as well as forces in the retail world of WDW.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm not even sure they would have to change what they are selling all that much in order to get it to work like DL. If they would just organize it in a way that each facade lead to something related to what the sign says. For example, the 20th Century Music Shop in DL sells CD's, piano music, DVD's, and even some Imagineering books. Are they all related to music? Not really, but they still manage to be close enough to give it a distinct feel. They could take all the racks of Disney Parks T-Shirts, and sell them behind signs that say things like "Women's Fashions" or "Disney Clothiers." I'm not saying that everything has to go and be replaced by period items, but some adherance to the theming of the buildings might be nice. I think it would also be a nice touch to have some of the stores in the different lands to feature land-specific (or even attraction-specific) merchandise, but I understand that would take a lot more work. I don't think that a drastic change in what is being sold is needed, just a modification of where it's being sold, and what the stores are called.
Originally Posted By jmuboy gurgitoy2 - I agree 100% with post 40. no, we don't need an Upjohn Pharmacy or Piano Store on Main Street. But a few surprises and a little bit of class would be nice. I don't want to feel like I've walked into a cheaper Disney version of Macy's. Maybe they can add escalators and a 2nd floor to the Emporium as their next "e-ticket" for the MK! Fri 1/12/2007
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo FerretAfros - you just described part of the Disney shopping experience from my boyhood. I knew it was going down hill in DLP when Main Street Motors (that sold real vintage cars) closed and became a Winnie the Pooh store. Not good. Also, the bazaar used to sell Carpets and brasses - like the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. They have dumbed down the shopping across the globe. DL is still better than the other western parks, but it's not what it once was - Wizard of Bras anyone????
Originally Posted By TDLFAN In contrast.. I went to Busch Gardens today and while they sell the same average tee and hats crap found at most theme parks, they also had a few stores that stood out to me for their unique and rather beautiful selection. Great african crafts and such, and some merchandise that even defied the theming of the park. (Not to mention their park was cleaner than the MK recently but that's a different topic).
Originally Posted By mickey_ring I'm a little behind the times, so here is an opinion on post 33 <<It would be nice to have the Disney parks filled with themed stores that have lots of obscure merchandise, but at what point do you keep merchandise on shelves that just doesn't sell?>> Obscure stuff is the whole point of a theme park store as compared to a retail store. Go on the rides, experience Main Street,have fun and bring back a souvenir that reminds you of WDW. The attractions are the reason to buy park passes. Main Street should go back to being a picture-postcard look at, um, Main Street USA. Leave the shopping for Downtown Disney.
