Just back from a trip to Disneyland and working on a trip report for that forum. However, I just wanted to comment that after having shopped in the World of Disney store at Disneyland, (and numerous trips to the one at WDW), I so wish there was something like these stores here in Chicago. There used to be, but they're long gone now. Even the one on Michigan Avenue is a poor version of its former glorious self.
I know I can order merchandise after I've arrived at home, and there's always the Disney Store online, but they don't have everything, and there's just nothing like the variety in the World of Disney stores themselves. The physical Disney stores in the local malls are a joke, little more than Disney-branded Walmarts.
Just feeling nostalgic for the old days. I know, First World problems. :mickey:
Many visits over 35+ years!
DVC member since 2004 (SSR)
Stayed at: Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Dolphin, PO Riverside, AS Sports, AS Movies, Saratoga, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian.
I agree. We used to have a couple of decent Disney stores not too far away, but after the "redesigns" they are shadows of their former selves.
It makes it harder, since I end up feeling like I "have" to get some of the things I like, since there is no getting them at home.
Heather aka ibelieveindisneymagic
INTERCOT Staff
Engaged at the castle!
My Disney Home is POFQ
It's at least 100 miles to the nearest DS and it's mostly kiddie junk. :(
Jack Sparrow: Hide the rum
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AoA 24
My DS (16) and I were out having a Mom/Son day last week before school starts, and dropped into the Disney Store at Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora for a little nostalgia (even though I knew what we would find).
There was not ONE thing in the store that we were interested in buying. I too am wishing for a Disney shopping extravaganza!
Carol (aka KylesMom)
INTERCOT Staff: Mousellaneous & Trip Reports
Last Trip: ICOT 15
Happy A/P Holder 2002 - 2011
Agree! We so miss the days of actually having a few Disney stores here in Michigan and going in to get that Disney fix. They used to have video of the parks playing on a smaller screen and big screen with various Disney movies. And before they started messing things up you could find so many great things to buy - not just stuff for little ones. Tshirts and other clothing for adults, ornaments, dishes, other home goods. We still have (and still use) a soup mug and sandwich plate set. We so miss THAT kind of Disney store here. Snow globes, mugs, holiday themed décor, such great variety back then! Long gone and very much missed.:sad:
I agree wholeheartedly! I am so disappointed with the Disney store over the last few years! I have a Mickey Mouse kitchen and used to be able to get all kinds of cool stuff at the Disney Store. Lately all they have is mugs. Boo! I would love a big World of Disney store in Toronto!! :mickey:
Haunted Mansion Girl
1990 & 1992 Off Site
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2004 Disney Wonder & Fort Wilderness
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very lucky, we still have one here in Kansas
Have A Magical Day-1970-1989-offsite, 2002-DLR, 2003-DLR, 2005-Sports, 2007-All Music, 2008-POP, December 12-21 2009-Pop, January 16-18, 2010-Disneyland. Disney Sports-Feb 1-6, 2012, Disneyland-December 7 and 8, 2012, DIsney Pop-Feb 1-5, 2013 (my son's first trip.)
I know! Remember when some of them used to have the gallery component too and you could find some seriously gorgeous art even at the mall stores like lithographs and the statues.
It seems like when the merchandise was more exclusive it was much more high quality
The outlet was a disappointment as usual. Hot Topic had some great stuff and it was bogo half off.
Jack Sparrow: Hide the rum
91-98 Off property
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POFQ-01 Wildfires
ASMovies-02,03
Pop-04 Hurricane Jeanne
Pop-05 Tropical Storm Arlene
Pop-09,10,11
Sports-12
Pop-15, 16
AoA 24
You mean there are World of Disney stores outside WDW? Or, are you referring to the Disney stores in the malls?:confused:
Susan A
We still have one in Columbus, but it's just some kid items. I always stop in to look around, but never buy anything. Not really anything adults would want at all. Not really that much that kids want either from my experience. I used to love to go in and could not leave without a hefty purchase. Those days are long gone.
Susan A;2430164 wrote: You mean there are World of Disney stores outside WDW? Or, are you referring to the Disney stores in the malls?:confused:
In addition to the World of Disney stores in WDW and Disneyland, there used to be one in Manhattan, but that was closed a few years ago. The large Disney Store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and a few of the larger Disney stores in the Chicago area, used to feel like smaller versions of the World of Disney stores, featuring lots of high-quality merchandise, including collectibles, gallery items and home decor -- not just t-shirts, toys and plush.
I was missing those stores after having visited the World of Disney store in Disneyland a couple of weeks ago and wishing for something like that between the two coasts. :mickey:
So no, there aren't any other World of Disney stores besides the ones at Disneyland, WDW, and apparently one at Disneyland Paris.
Many visits over 35+ years!
DVC member since 2004 (SSR)
Stayed at: Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Dolphin, PO Riverside, AS Sports, AS Movies, Saratoga, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian.
We just went to Branson , but didn’t even stop at the Outlet. :down:
Jack Sparrow: Hide the rum
91-98 Off property
ASMusic-99
POFQ-01 Wildfires
ASMovies-02,03
Pop-04 Hurricane Jeanne
Pop-05 Tropical Storm Arlene
Pop-09,10,11
Sports-12
Pop-15, 16
AoA 24
Aurora;2431007 wrote: In addition to the World of Disney stores in WDW and Disneyland, there used to be one in Manhattan, but that was closed a few years ago. The large Disney Store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, and a few of the larger Disney stores in the Chicago area, used to feel like smaller versions of the World of Disney stores, featuring lots of high-quality merchandise, including collectibles, gallery items and home decor -- not just t-shirts, toys and plush.
I loved the old Manhattan store! It was 3 glorious floors of Disney merchandise and everytime I went in it felt like a mini WDW fix. It has now been replaced with a store in Times Square that is just a slightly bigger version of a mall Disney store.
I really don't understand why the Disney stores made such a dramatic shift.
Wishing I was at WDW right now!
:tink:
Julie
º0º emerzmom º0º
Disney Vacations:
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Next trip Nov 2017
emerzmom;2433335 wrote: I loved the old Manhattan store! It was 3 glorious floors of Disney merchandise and everytime I went in it felt like a mini WDW fix. It has now been replaced with a store in Times Square that is just a slightly bigger version of a mall Disney store.
I really don't understand why the Disney stores made such a dramatic shift.
Wishing I was at WDW right now!
:tink:
Julie
We visited in 2007 and it really was fun -- we actually took pictures inside. :mickey: I now treasure the New York Disney pins we bought.
Many visits over 35+ years!
DVC member since 2004 (SSR)
Stayed at: Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Dolphin, PO Riverside, AS Sports, AS Movies, Saratoga, Vero Beach, Hilton Head, Aulani, Disneyland Hotel, and Grand Californian.
