World of Disney Store

[DWillowBay]

My initial impression was that it was stark and lacking Disney flair. Now, having thought about it, I notice that Disney has made several decisions lately that minimize the sensory bombardment ....and I have to say that I appreciate that. The 'more is better' philosophy doesn't sit well with me anyway, but I like the lessening of colors, lights, sounds, ...there's plenty of that in the parks. ...Just my thoughts.

 

[sking5844]

The Paging Mr. Morrow YouTube channel went and a cast member told him there are going to be projections used in theming when the whole store has gone through the refurbishment. It also has some cool details you would never know unless you talked to a cast member. It is worth a watch to get an understanding of what they seem to be going for. Not sure what the rules are here for linking other YouTube channels so I won’t.

 

[rteetz]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/shopping/w...k-world-of-disney-opens-at-disney-springs.htm


From above:

"In this first phase, the redesigned half of the store is now open, and the remaining half is now closed for work.

The new look is much more open than before, with the entire store now visible from end-to-end. There is also new-look much more in-keeping with the Disney Springs feel - exposed brick and a more industrial look. Design inspiration is said to be an animator's loft.

Although the store has reopened, it is not yet complete, and there is much more to come, including special effects and additional fixtures. These are expected to be in place for when the entire remodel is complete in late 2019, and are currently hidden behind scrims."

I think this is just the "bones" of the redesign. We have to wait another year for completion.

I believe that is a typo. It should be done late 2018.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I just think there are more important things to care about than whether a gift shop is "magical" or not.

Then don’t come to a place based on the most magical place on earth then.

It didn’t become the most magical place on earth based on mediocrity

 

[Jennasis]

Sweet baby Jesus in the manger...the dang store didn't have a "THEME" prior to the refurb. Unless you consider "crowded and hard to navigate" a theme (seriously, solving the Legend of Zelda was easier than getting around that store. I felt like I needed a Sherpa guide and maybe slay a dragon before moving to the next room).

It's lovely. I look forward to checking it out when it's done.

 

[rteetz]

Sweet baby Jesus in the manger...the dang store didn't have a "THEME" prior to the refurb. Unless you consider "crowded and hard to navigate" a theme (seriously, solving the Legend of Zelda was easier than getting around that store. I felt like I needed a Sherpa guide and maybe slay a dragon before moving to the next room).

It's lovely. I look forward to checking it out when it's done.

No it didn’t have an overall theme but there were themed areas.

This is more of an overall theme.

I get that some of you think these are just stores but theming a store goes all the way back to Walt and the stores on the original Main Street in Disneyland. People expect a themed store from Disney because they’ve been doing it since 1955.

 

[DOOM1001]

It's not finished yet,I was there to see it today and there are signs all over basically saying they're still working and it should be finished by fall,half the buulding is not even open.I think it looks nicer now but I agree that it feels empty,obviously more open but theres definitely less merchandise.Yes there's a big part of the building thats closed but of what was open I just walked around for a few minutes and felt I saw it all,with the old layout you could get lost in there.So I like the design but at least how it is now theres no way you can fit all the merchandise they used to have,but like the signs say,wait till Fall and see what it looks like then,they do need to add some more "Disney" feel to it, but I have no problem overall with the change,the old interior was starting to look dated.

 

[disneysteve]

the dang store didn't have a "THEME" prior to the refurb

Seriously? The entire store had a theme: The World of Disney. Then each room had a theme. The jewelry department was themed to Peter Pan. The kitchen/housewares section was themed to Beauty and the Beast, etc. It was Imagineering given free rein and a generous budget.

Was it over the top? Absolutely. Is that still what people want today? Maybe, maybe not. Most things at Disney and elsewhere are moving toward a more sophisticated look even within a playful theme, cleaner lines, more earth tones and natural look and less glitz and gaudiness. The old store was definitely sensory overload. That did add to the chaotic environment in there.

 

[Tomh]

As it is right now, I whole heartedly agree that it is lacking the "Disney." However, I will reserve judgement on it until they have finished the remodel, and fully reopened. I suspect that there will be more to it when they are done!

 

[JBinORL]

Something had to change with it, it was way too crowded and difficult to move around. I don't care if the theming was awesome, the point of the store is to look around and maybe purchase something Disney to remember the trip. The old store was just too crowded, both with people and stuff, to really have an enjoyable experience doing that.

And it sounds like it does have a theme: an animator's loft.

 

[disneyvoice]

We love Disney Springs. I know a lot of people get confused about it being "just an outdoor mall" but keep in mind that locals need places to shop. Disney Springs is the closest mall to where we are building our new house so I love being able to combine shopping with my love for Disney. I love that I don't have to drive all the way across town to Orlando to get to the indoor mall. Even before we decided to move to the area once all the new stores/restaurants at Disney Springs opened we found ourself rarely heading over to the side with the more "touristy" shops such as World of Disney. I think they did a great job on Disney Springs - if you are a local you have all of your shopping and restaurants in one area. If you are a tourist and don't want to spend time at stores you have at home you can head to the opposite side.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I just think there are more important things to care about than whether a gift shop is "magical" or not.

Huh...I thought this was a forum and a website to pretty much discuss all things, Disney. Sorry, you feel that way maybe there are forums which are more conducive to the discussion of world problems, but the idea of this forum and website is to discuss a place which is "magical" in the eyes of some. Where better to discuss all things magical? If I wanted to discuss world problems then I personally would head to a CNN, MSNBC or perhaps dare I say it, Fox?

 

[KenHutch]

We went there the night of June 4th and between the smallness, the bare shelves, and except for the merchandise nothings said Disney. I can go to any outlet mall why waste an evening there? And on top of that openly drunk people and my 17 year old has told me that we are never going back to Disney Springs again. They really have to do something about the quantity and quality of the merchandise anyways. My 17 year old shopping queen had $1400 to spend. She brought back $1100 and she tried to find things to buy.

 

[Missyrose]

And on top of that openly drunk people

Openly drunk, huh? What did they do to make you think that?

 

[KenHutch]

Openly drunk, huh? What did they do to make you think that?

I really don't care that they were drunk but after many years of putting drunk Marines to bed I have learned to recognize when you've had to much. In one case a young lady had a drink in a cup tripped over a total stranger and sat on the ground laughing. I do not fault Disney, they wanted an entertainment district and I expect that it is making a lot more money than it did in the Downtown Disney days but my 17 year old hates booze in about any form and will not return (I am hopeful about lunchtime because I love Raglan Road).

 

[disneysteve]

Openly drunk, huh? What did they do to make you think that?

It certainly isn't hard to tell when folks have had a few too many. I haven't spent enough time at Disney Springs at night to see it there but we've certainly witnessed it numerous times in World Showcase.

 

[tinkerhon]

Omg, just left, and I know this is just subjective, but we thought it looked horrible - looks like a giant Flea Market - loved the old theming ! (

 

[Wild4Walt]

I've never been a fan of the 'industrial' look. Exposed venting, brick walls - mmhhh. It is only a portion of the store so I'm hoping the rest of it is a bit more disney-esque. Maybe we just need to see it when it's all done...

 

[monkyby87]

I would probably care more if the merchandise they had was more unique. But since the things they were selling can be bought all around the parks and in other areas of Disney Springs to start, I don't mind that much. I enjoy Disney themeing and creating a feel, but I can't say I'm too upset over this.

 

[Minniefan2296]

So I had to o some searching to see it and in the searching I found this on DisneyParks blog:

"When the interior redesign work is completed, guests will discover the products they love from Disney Parks in a dynamic and distinctly Disney retail environment."

I didn't see anything distinctively Disney in those renovations

The new Disney store looks like every hipster brewery opened in the last two years.