Disney Store: Old vs. New

[StewbotTalborg]

We have two Disney stores in my area: one at the mall and an outlet. I actually enjoy going into the outlet location, I find a wider arrange of merchandise there, even including some adult clothes I wouldn't mind having. The location at our mall however, is complete rubbish.

I keep seeing photos of what I assume to be considered "signature" stores and those actually look pretty amazing. I would love to see more of that across the country, rather than the leftover mass produced template that the Children's Store pumped out all over the place.

[ohiodisneydad]

The outlet stores are even worse. There's no decoration to speak of. Ours is very clean and organized but the neutral color scheme for the walls and floors just don't scream Disney. But I'm still happy to have a store near us finally.

On the other hand, our outlet store claims to be the only store this side of the Mississippi to carry Disneyland products. Not sure how true that is though.

[WDW1014]

the store that used to be by me is gone and they had great stuff but the new one in another mall is okay but deff miss the the old ones

[supernova]

The outlet stores are even worse. There's no decoration to speak of. Ours is very clean and organized but the neutral color scheme for the walls and floors just don't scream Disney. But I'm still happy to have a store near us finally.

On the other hand, our outlet store claims to be the only store this side of the Mississippi to carry Disneyland products. Not sure how true that is though.

It's entirely possible. The outlet locations here (although I haven't been to the new one across from Newark Airport) carry the garbage that they couldn't sell at Disney stores (Wall-E, Tron, and Pirates action figures, plush toys, clothes, etc). Sort of a dumping ground when they do their out-with-the-old/in-with-the-new product line changes. It would be awesome if stores carried more of the merchandise along the lines of Character Connection. I'm sure park merchandise would move better than stuff they couldn't sell at the local mall stores to begin with.

[Jetjaguar]

I hate the new 'neutral' color ones... there are two stores in malls close to me that still have the old decorations, and they are doing great business. The one Disney store that just closed here was in a huge regional mall, right across from a Rainforest Cafe, and got plenty of foot traffic, yet it tanked. Lesson here, Disney!

[StewbotTalborg]

The outlet stores are even worse. There's no decoration to speak of. Ours is very clean and organized but the neutral color scheme for the walls and floors just don't scream Disney. But I'm still happy to have a store near us finally.

On the other hand, our outlet store claims to be the only store this side of the Mississippi to carry Disneyland products. Not sure how true that is though.

I agree with the decor problems, but I still find so much more purchasable product in our outlet location. And I have found there to be far more park merchandise in our outlet (granted I am west of the Mississippi), than the generic retail junk at the mall.

[mickeytoo]

I agree with the decor problems, but I still find so much more purchasable product in our outlet location. And I have found there to be far more park merchandise in our outlet (granted I am west of the Mississippi), than the generic retail junk at the mall.

The only Park merchandise you are going to find in that particular mall location would be anything that was purchased at the outlet location and then returned to the mall location. The mall location never receives any Park merchandise, otherwise.
The outlet location does receive some clearanced Park merchandise the first week of every month, but only from DLR and not WDW.
Also, the mall location does tranfer clearanced merchandise to the outlet location, but the vast majority of merchandise received by the outlet location is from Disney.

[StewbotTalborg]

The outlet location does receive some clearanced Park merchandise the first week of every month, but only from DLR and not WDW.

As someone who's never been to DL I've never felt right about buying merchandise from a place I've never visited. But I've always hoped they would get some WDW stuff in. Any idea why they only get DLR merch and not WDW?

[HauntedGabe]

I visited TDS outlet in Northern IL this week, it has been about a year. Light years better than the Disney Stores merchandise. Impressed.

And then the flip side. Today I finally called The Disney Store to inquire about an online order placed nearly a month ago. When ordered said 7-9 normally for delivery. Order still not showing shipped. Dear CM said Oh that is "Special" merchandise so it will likely be 6-8 weeks. Wouldn't you think when you order a T Shirt and a Zipper Hoodie they would be able to tell you it was "Special." TDS still has a long way to go before they are back to the quality they were 25 years ago.

[supernova]

I think I'm going to have pay a visit to the new outlet store in NJ to see what they've got in stock. Sounds like it has potential, based on what you've posted.

[prickle]

I agree with all of the posts! I don't even bother getting my park tickets there anymore.
The Disney store near me is very dirt and cheap looking.

[JNota0005DakMC]

The one by me is gorgeous... But like a book it has very little substance and doesn't hold my attention very long... Alas I find myself leaving very unfulfilled...

[HauntedGabe]

I think I'm going to have pay a visit to the new outlet store in NJ to see what they've got in stock. Sounds like it has potential, based on what you've posted.

And not to mislead you, it had its share of Cr*p, but the quality out weighed the other stuff. They ship in the Disneyland merchandise and not all was necessarily identified at Disneyland. It lacked theming however I was willing to fore go that for a lot of good stuff.

[HauntedGabe]

The one by me is gorgeous... But like a book it has very little substance and doesn't hold my attention very long... Alas I find myself leaving very unfulfilled...

That is how the other Illinois DS are. Is yours a regular DS or an outlet? Sad the outlets are better than TDS are here anyways.

[supernova]

The one by me is gorgeous... But like a book it has very little substance and doesn't hold my attention very long... Alas I find myself leaving very unfulfilled...

Which one do you visit, Joe? Not sure which mall(s) is out near you. Whenever I'm visiting family in your area, I never know what to do when ever boredom hits. Splish Splash is seasonal. Is Bullwinkleland still open out there? I used to love that place.