The Walt Disney Company, as it turns out, is not immune to the shift to e-commerce that’s been accelerated by the pandemic. In an announcement today, the Mouse House said it would be closing one-fifth or more of its brick-and-mortar Disney Store locations in 2021.… Read More »Disney closing at least 20% of its Disney Stores
While we are all excited for Disneyland’s 60th Diamond Anniversary, the Disney Store is celebrating a special day of its very own. It was on March 28, 1987 in Glendale, California that The Disney Store first opened its doors. Now The Disney Store is turning… Read More »Disney Store Celebrating 28th Anniversary with Special One Day Event
When Tom Staggs was announced as Chief Operating Officer, it was mentioned he’d retain control of the Disney Parks division until a successor could be found. I think everyone had a 6 to 12 month timeline on that, but Disney can move fast when it wants to.
Effective today Bob Chapek has been named Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Chapek is a 22-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company, having served since 2011 as President of Disney Consumer Products, driving a technology-led transformation of the Company’s consumer products, retail and publishing operations. Prior to that he managed Disney’s Home Video/DVD division.
If this move seems familiar it’s because Disney already tried this once with moving Paul Pressler from President of the Disney Stores to Disneyland (and then Disney Parks). The implication that the parks are little more than giant Disney stores is clear. Paul and his successor Cynthia Harriss were never quite able to shake themselves of the rules of retail and took their eyes off the real important things at the theme parks. I have a few suggestions for Bob on how to avoid that fate at the end of this article.
It’s true that this could be a move to expand Bob’s horizons and groom him for additional responsibility within the company. The good news is that merchandise mix at the parks is one thing the parks are generally doing well (the Big Hero 6 mix was a failure, alas). I don’t know much about Bob, this could a perfect fit for him, and I hope it is, but history hasn’t been kind on similar moves.
“Under Bob’s leadership, Consumer Products has seen great success, focusing on brands and a franchise-driven strategy while launching new products and retail experiences that combine technological innovation and creativity,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said. “He is an experienced and versatile executive well-suited to lead Parks and Resorts into the future.”Read More »Bob Chapek moves from Disney Stores to Disney Parks Chair
Disney continues to rollout its new concept Disney Store with the latest opening in Syracuse, NY and one in Rome, Italy. It also made news recently by agreeing to accept Apple Pay at some Disney Store locations (as well as Walt Disney World). This NFC… Read More »Disney Store to add Apple Pay NFC mobile payments
Like many children, Space Mountain was my first big roller coaster. I remember how nervous I was as I wound my way through the queue at Disneyland. The show in the theater below helped distract me, as did the sneak preview windows in the queue.… Read More »3-2-1 Limited Edition Space Mountain T-shirts Now Available Online
The Disney Store will celebrate its 25th anniversary on tomorrow at stores across the nation. In recognition of this important milestone, each Disney Store will give the first 250 guests at each location silver commemorative Mickey Mouse ears. In addition, each Disney Store will host… Read More »The Disney Store to Celebrate 25 Years of Magic Tomorrow
If there is one thing about Disney’s merchandise program I’m constantly amazed at, it’s how they manage to screw up the limited edition merchandise events so frequently. If they didn’t have a brand with such a strong history, I don’t think people would put up… Read More »Disney Store Offers Make-up Discount
After a few months of refurbishment, the Florida Mall location of The Disney Store has reopened under the new interactive play themed model. It’s been open for a few weeks now, so we dropped by to see how things are going.
The new look of the store resembles the more modern lines shoppers are used to seeing in malls these days.
Inside there is a boy side…
and a girl side.
