What the heck happened to Disney?

Question

The Disney store used to be so cool when I was little. It had large Disney characters covering the boarding of store near the ceiling. They sold much cooler things then too. I have a fairly large collection from when my twin and I were younger of ceramic figurines. What the heck happened to the Disney stores!?

I'm talking about.....the actual store, how it has changed....not just the products but the design. It was very well designed and for some reason the company got rid of the human-sized mickeys and minnies and other charcters from the movies from on top of the walls. Yes, I'm 23 now, but I don't feel very old because of a head injury that I received three years ago.

Answer 1

The Disney Store is no longer owned by The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), it is now owned by The Children's Place. The changeover happened in November 2004. The change over ownership changed some of the merchandise, some good and some not so good. Some of the stuff is poorer quality, however some is considerably better. We're also happy to see the return of a lot more products for adults!! Jumbo plush discontinued back in late 2003/early 2004...they simply were not selling. Once in awhile a holiday one will come out (we had a jumbo Mickey for the holidays). For the store design itself, most stores (no matter what the chain) go through remodels. The Disney Store had 3 or 4 different designs for many years...and those designs not only *looked* old and outdated, but they weren't serving their purpose anymore. Gallery stores no longer needed a gallery room for art they weren't carrying anymore, for example. The store I work at is an original design, and we're anxiously awaiting to be put on the remodel list. The remodels are a ton better...and we're even getting dressing rooms!!! That's something TWDC never gave the stores even though half the store is clothing and people want to make sure that stuff fits before they buy it. Plus, a lot of the stuff used for the old designs (animatronics, other props, etc) are owned by TWDC, so while they may still be in some stores, they are actually not their property any longer. As stores get remodeled, those are being sent back to TWDC.

There IS a big difference in the variety of merchandise from the TDS first opened its doors and we have guests from time to time complaining that we don't offer as many things anymore. That is true, however those items did not sell very well across the board (i.e. jewelry, most adult items, collectibles, etc) and the company kept losing money for marketing it at all. So slowly, those began to go away. Store that used to carry cels and lithographs as well as the figurines (they were known as gallery stores) no longer do simply because it wasn't making any money do to the infrequency those items would sell. Though we have guests complain from time to time, we try to make them understand that while they may have purchased them...those one or two people who come in to complain were not spending enough for the entire company to continue to produce those items. A lot of those specialty items were also Disney *company* exclusive, and therefore could not be sold through The Disney Store since we're not owned by them.

Most cast members (myself included) employed during the ownership change were not happy about that transition...however, the change was not really noticable by our guests. In fact, most of our guests have no clue we're not owned by TWDC anymore...they just assume that we are, that's how subtle the transition has been from the guests' point of view. Most of the changes happened behind the scenes and directly effected the employees.

Though product availability is somewhat limited in the stores, they come out with new stuff throughout the year. If you're looking for more of a variety, check out disneyshopping.com which is still owned by TWDC and is not affiliated with The Disney Store retail chain.

Answer 2

i'll tell you what happened to disney they realized that mickey mouse wasnt making as much of a profit as a girl with a horrible accent and a bad wig could do you realize that in just 2-3 years shes made disney 1/2 the money that mickey mouse has over his entire run (and hes still going) everyone's out to make a buck now, they dont care how they do it but we must realize diseny may be for families but lets not forget: it still a corporation which aims to make the most amount of money possible tv shows that a cheap to produce and a couple of bad singers and theyve made a profit walt disney is probably turning in his grave

Answer 3

well commicalism they found making adult like or teen grade stuff was not enouph money so they went beow like wlmart and make crap stuff and down graded the stores thinking mass marketing it would be better i know how you feel there used to be on ein my mal but when that happened i just stop going and it failed that what's wrong with disney they can't make good stories anymore. when they rember that there stories where about different cultures like with muan then they will be back and maybe the stores will be too i remember the last time i wne to the store for me was the lion king and that was years after it came out i just needed the cd but then it was changing i felt bad being there

Answer 4

I know what you mean. However, that isn't the only place where Disney is lacking. Their movies have gotten progressively worse too. I don't think that Walt Disney would be happy if he were alive today. Their movies have lost their kid-friendly attitudes and now the foster to adult humor. (There are many hidden sexual and mature jokes in the movies that are advertised as 'safe kid material'.)

Answer 5

They changed just like everything else. Changes these days suck. Look at cartoon network for exapmle. They use to rule with all the cartoons like the flintstones, smurfs etc. now they suck with all the mindless crap they play. I don't even let my kids watch most of their shows.

Answer 6

Most of their old fans grew up, and now little kids are too busy watching Dora the Explorer and The Wiggles...-_-

Answer 7

They are still around...selling the latest Disney paraphernalia.

Answer 8

You grew up and you are seeing these things as an adult and not a child anymore.

Answer 9

Disney died and his standarts and morals went out the window.

Answer 10

You got older = (