Jim Hill hints at a possible Disney Store name change:
QuoteWhile I was in Las Vegas earlier this month, I spoke with a Disney Store rep who talked about how The Walt Disney Company was getting ready to relaunch this retail chain. How their long term goal was to return the Disney Stores to what they were back in their glory days (i.e. late 1980s / early 1990s). Back when the Stores (More importantly, the Cast Members who worked for the Disney Stores) were basically ambassadors for the entire brand.
Well, based on the e-mails & phone calls that I've been receiving today, part of the relaunch of the Disney Stores may involve changing the name of this retail chain to (you guessed it) Disney Imagination Park. Mind you, this next generation series of Disney Stores (which -- again, based on what I've told today -- will do their proof-of-concept work overseas before then coming stateside) will be unlike any retail establishment you've ever seen before.
To quote one unnamed Mouse House manager:
"If the very best of Disney Parks & Resorts, Disney Online, the Studios and the original version of the Disney Stores could all be blended together, that's what a Disney Imagination Park will be like. It's going to be nothing like the Company has ever done before. This place is going to redefine destination retail."
So you can forget all about a new Disney theme park and then start thinking about the next generation / relaunch of the Disney Stores.
Source (//http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hilll/archive/2009/06/24/disney-s-imagination-park-the-maleficent-movie-it-s-time-to-shine-a-spotlight-on-disney-s-newest-domain-names.aspx)
Concept fine, name bad. Imagination Park does not tell you want they do - sell stuff!
Very interesting find Kristof, thanks for sharing it :)
The name, for me anyway, seems to hint that it'll be more than just a shop, something with some interactive experiences in it certainly, but I can't imagine what they'd do though... :-k
Wait, why is anything from Jim ill being reposted here? We all know how reliable that source is :P
If true, this could be very cool!
Sounds a lot like Legoland Discovery Centres. I like the concept, don't like the name. "Park" doesn't make sense.
Maybe just rolling out something more alike "World of Disney" would be better?
Dont mind what they call it, as long as they hurry up and open one close to my house !!
Nearest shop - 60 miles :cry:
I kinda agree with Anthony. I can see this being something like the Lego Discovery Centres that are starting to be rolled out at various places (next year at the Trafford Centre springs to mind)
I don't think this will be the replacement name for Disney Stores, its something more.
is there any hint at opening up stores or "parks" in new locations? our town is nearly empty and I'm looking for a new job ;) ;)
Imagination Park sounds really not like a store at first, but i like the new concept for it.
Good idea
News about to the Disney Store overhaul (though not mentioning a name change):
QuoteDisney Stores getting major overhaul
By Leah Zanolla
Oct 12, 2009
The Walt Disney Company is embarking on a major overhaul of their retail division - the Disney Stores. They are planning a complete overhaul of their 340 stores in the U.S. and Europe and even plan to open some new stores, including one in Times Square.
The stores will be given a "high-tech makeover" and will no longer only be filled with shelves of Disney merchandise. The five-year plan calls for Disney to spend around $1 million on each store to redesign and install new technology. There will be interactive theaters where kids can view film clips, sing in karaoke contests, or use satellites to speak with Disney Channel stars. The stores will have video-projected fireworks, "magic mirrors", and the ability to fill the air with a scent related to the film playing in the theater (similar to the apple pie scene in Mickey's Philharmagic.)
Just what makes Disney so sure this makeover is worth the cost? Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple, is the inspiration behind the whole thing. Jobs joined the Disney board in 2006 and has encouraged the company to "dream bigger." Jobs has shared information with Disney about the development of the Apple stores, which have enjoyed a huge success since their opening. One of the things he insisted on was that Disney create a prototype store to work out all the bugs before implementing the changes company-wide. They did so in a secret warehouse in California, which was then used to sell the idea to the board.
Other nods to Apple include mobile checkout ("employees will carry miniature receipt printers in their aprons") and the focus on interactivity. Parents can even book Disney vacations on in-store computers.
The new Disney Stores will open in May beginning with California, New York and Spain.
Source: WDWinfo (//http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General_Disney_News/Disney_Stores_getting_major_overhaul.htm)
That's really great!
I didn't like the existing Disney Stores in the US (except the WoD store in NY, which I think will close soon) and the UK. The shops didn't look like something special and the merchandise wasn't great either. So they need to improve the merchandis, too, when they are opening new stores.
Hopefully Disney will open a Disney Store in Austria, although i really doubt it.
This does sound really exciting!! I hope it is worth the major expenditure and that it will be as good as it sounds! :wink:
Good article here also: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/busin ... f=business (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/business/media/13disney.html?_r=2&ref=business)
Looks like Milton Keynes may get this makeover later this year
Sound good.
I hope they give the europeon stores a makeover.
mm i not head anything about the MK diseny sotre getting the new store and i work there
Im expecting cardiff to be the last to get this update as we only just had a relocation to a new store 4 months ago !
Cant wait to see the first concept store ! :D
I dont know if MK will be the first, but I have heard this from a very reliable source (but dont want to get anyone into trouble), It makes sense as they didnt get the revamp last year like many did, like you say Owain, and it is a larger store.
From the company intranet:
Disney Store's New Look
Disney Store is poised to redefine children's retail, launching a magical new store design in major markets across the United States and Europe this summer. The innovative Disney Store design will be unveiled for the first time in June at The Shops at Montebello in Montebello, California—just outside of Los Angeles—followed by the European premiere in early July in Madrid, Spain at La Vaguada. A unique destination developed from a child's perspective, the new store design integrates the latest technology to create an enhanced shopping experience inspired by Disney's most popular characters and stories.
"We have infused Disney magic into all elements of this one-of-a-kind retail experience, and have selected prime retail centers to launch the Disney Store of the future," Jim Fielding, president, Disney Stores Worldwide, says. "Special features like the iconic Disney Princess castle with magic mirror and the Disney Store Theater are just two of the amazing elements in the new store that will enrich every child and family's experience at the Disney Store."
More than 20 new and remodeled Disney Store locations are slated to open this year in premier retail centers throughout North America and Europe. North American locations have been confirmed for Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York; Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California; International Plaza in Tampa, Florida; Stockton St. in San Francisco, CA; and Fashion Valley in San Diego, CA. European locations cover four markets with openings in Spain, Portugal, Italy and the United Kingdom. These include NorteShopping in Oporto, Portugal; Orio Center in Bergamo, Italy; and UK locations including Centre MK in Milton Keynes, Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen and Donegal Place in Belfast. Each new store has special significance and will be celebrated as an important milestone in Disney Store's growth and evolution.
[there was a photo, but i couldn't get it to copy - sorry!]
This sounds rather exciting and very strange locations to open the new stores in the UK, I mean Aberdeen, personally I am looking forward to it, as anything is better than this stupid Apple store wannabe design that they have going currently. :?
Hey
Yeah Belfast is the first store in the UK to recieve the overhaul.
We close our old store this weekend and move to temporary location until end of Aug.
itll be sad to leave the old store :(
Nadine
Quote from: "magic_823"Hey
Yeah Belfast is the first store in the UK to recieve the overhaul.
We close our old store this weekend and move to temporary location until end of Aug.
itll be sad to leave the old store :(
Nadine
Do you know when the Belfast store reopens? I can't wait to see it!
Also do you know what it will look like? Will it be as awesome as the usa ones I've seen?
Hey Sulley
the store is reopening on 18th August at 11am.
I have posted a new topic on this.
Yep its gonna be like the store in cal, spain and italy - an IP store, it looks amazing so far!
Nadine