Exit through the gift shop

[Mendelson]

Just had a conversation with a co-worker about this.

And you know what? I don't care. I so don't care about having to do this, but it vexes people so. I guess it is a blatant money grab, but you are not (yet) obligated to buy anything to leave the gift shop, so just consider it an extended themed exit. In fact, it's a buffer between the ride and the elements so you can use the time here to enjoy a little bit of AC or get your poncho out, etc.

Why does this bother people so much?

[Belle of the Ball 051411]

It doesn't bother me one bit, and like you, I love a chance to get some AC! I am thinking this may bother some people if they have kids and the kids want to touch stuff and buy stuff....

[Mendelson]

Ah, true. Dang kids. No place for them at WDW, I tell you!

[Butters]

It doesn't bother me but I see it for what it is.... A great opportunity to get people on impulse buys... Plus it's a 100% sure way to get people in the shops. If you have no interest in sueveniers then you can just walk down Main Street and skip all those shops. Next try and ride Splash Mountain and avoid a shop!

[DVC2004]

I don't mind it. Sometimes I look around, sometimes I just exit. I am sure for some people with small kids, it can be a pain if the kids see something they want and get upset.

[EJS-Houston]

Doesn't bother me either. More often than not I welcome it.

[T-Belle]

Doesn't bother me either. I'm a big girl, I understand that WDW is magical and also a business. It is what it is and it will continue to be my happy place!

[mechanic]

I'm laughing because last month dw and I went to a special faberge exhibit at the Detroit art institute. As we exited the galleries, we were funneled into a temporary gift shop. We turned and looked at each other and at the same time said "just like disney world".

[Tigerinvestigator]

I actually really like it. My favorite are POTC, which we all spend a little time in after the ride, TOT which is probably the best themed of all the attraction gift shops, and Star Tours. Even though the Muppets shop is not technically one that you have to walk thru, it is still pretty cool near the exit. I always love looking around in there at the props from the television show. I think when they are well themed as most at WDW are, they are a plus to the attraction!

[Jeri]

It has never bothered me & we have always gone with our kids.
I always tell them that we are going to look but not buy, and they know they can't touch anything without asking us first.

I have never had an issue with my kids getting upset, they know ahead of time what my expectations are of them. They will often show me something they want, but I tell them to remember it and later in the trip if they still want it then we can get it.

[dml]

Doesn't bother me a bit either. The Super Bowl was just here in New Orleans and to exit the NFL Expereicne you had to walk through a huge gift shop, so everyone does it. It's smart business.

[Donald]

My son once asked me if the ride (space mountain ) was scary, and I told him" the only scary part is the gift shop at the end....and the answer is no!"

[SBETigg]

Has never bothered me at all.

[retiredfigment]

This has never bothered me, and it is not just a 'Disney' concept. Even special exhibits at museums do this. I think some people don't like it because they do not know how to use the word no in such a way that their kids get it. LOL

[MargaretMessler]

Doesn't bother me at all. I love window shopping, and sometimes we even have fun trying on funny hats or taking pictures with oddball items.

We laugh about it, as we get off the ride or go thru the door, etc. "Oh, what do you know, it's a gift shop!"

Much like someone previously said about telling their kids if they still want it later they can think about it, I tell myself the same thing. More often than not, I have forgotten about it.

[tiggerbuddy]

Personally, I cant stand it...
I think many people are looking at it from an adult viewpoint...

When you are there with a young child/children who throw a tantrum over a huge stuffed animal and you have to wind up carrying it with you all around the park it becomes a problem...

We like to get our souvenirs as we exit the park...

Just my 2 cents

[beksy]

They actually make my life a lot EASIER! My Dmom has several health problems that limit what she can ride but my Dsis and I still enjoy going on them. Dmom is an admitted shop-a-holic and can window shop for hours without getting bored but can't be in the sun or heat for long periods. Thanks to the shops, my Dsis and I can do the rides without feeling guilty and we know exactly where to find Dmom when we are done...our only problem is BTMRR where we wish there was a shop! Dmom gets bored with the Splash one. (Now as long as she doesn't figure out how to actually PAY, we'll be fine! Did I mention I also love the shipping back to the resort? )

[stephicakes]

They don't bother me a bit. It is what it is! I specifically enjoy the gift shop at RnR - gives me some more time to enjoy the music after an awesome ride

I still enjoy watching DD16 browse through the shops remembering her do the same thing when she was younger. Gives us a few minutes to slow down and just enjoy our vaca

[DisneyDawgette]

I love the gift shops! For some reason the Dinosaur one gets me everytime... Maybe it's because in the picture I'm always in a fetal position every year?

[Caroleh]

Doesn't bother me, sometimes we look, sometimes we don't. It becomes part of the attraction..the exit!!