News for Phoenix Disney Fans: A New Disney Store?!?!? And Happy 20th Disney Stores!

[Aladdin]

For all the Phoenix area Disney Fans, here's a bit of info,
especially for those living near Desert Ridge:

Those familiar with the Desert Ridge shopping area are
aware that Tower Records closed at the end of 2006. This,
of course, leaves a gigantic empty space dead center in the
central shopping area of Desert Ridge (not to mention, the
restaurant sharing a common wall is also closed,too).

An agreement was signed at the end of last year with
The Children's Place. The Space previously occupied by
Tower Records is now planned to be occupied by TWO
Stores, "The Childrens Place" is planned for a June or
July opening, AND a "Disney Store" is planned to open
in October. Each store would be separate from each
other, and each would have their own entrance.

In addition, since the "new look" of the "Disney Stores",
which was done by "The Children's Place", (and can
be seen at Paradise Valley Mall, and the Disney Store
discount outlet in Arizona Mills) turned out to be less
than welcoming, the Desert Ridge Disney Store will
have a (yet once AGAIN) updated Disney Store look!

Just a note to say that I am encouraged to see an increase
in a variety of products being offered at The Disney Store
(although the increase has been painfully slow, for my liking).
And thanks to the Disney Store for being THE ONLY store that
I have seen ANY MERCHANDISE in regards to "Meet the Robinsons"

Surprisingly, over the past 2 days, I have seen BRAND NEW
MERCHANDISE for "At Worlds End" at both Target and "Toys-R-Us",
BUT nothing at "The Disney Store", Well, we still have 7 or 8 weeks
until "At Worlds End", So there is still time. And I'm so glad that
they carried Mens Size Button Down shirts last year for PotC!

They are also carrying a small, but nice assortment of Easter
Trays, Dishes, and such. And they are suppose to be carrying
a larger variety of Christmas merchandise, than they did last year!

As for quality, it's been somewhat hit and miss. But, that's because
the Children's Place is still learning the ropes, and testing the waters,
when it comes to merchandise other than Kid's Clothes. Let's all just
hope that they will continue to extend their product line to adults,
besides T-shirts, mugs, and their so-so snowglobes.

The Children's Place will be holding their annual meeting for managers
at WDW, some time in April. Hopefully, there will be some additional
info, that they will be able to share with us, after their meet!

And One Belated Note:

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY DISNEY STORES!

The Children's Place was low key with
the 20th Birthday of The Disney Stores,
but it is still nice that they did take the
time to recognize the special day!

[jonyyeh]

Besides Desert Ridge, another Disney Store will be opening at SanTan Village in Gilbert this fall of 2007.

Still, I guess the best place to buy Disney products will always been at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the World of Disney NYC. Face it, Disney Parks sells better Disney products that the local Disney Store. However, I sure hope the new Disney Store design is much better than the kid-only design seen in the newer Disney Stores.

[Aladdin]

Oh, Absolutely, the World of Disney Stores would
be my top choice, over The Children's Place owned
Disney Stores!!!!!!!

If the Children's Place was smart, they might check
in to seeing about carrying some of the Disney merchandise
offered at DL and WDW. Heck, even Toys R Us carries
the Magic Kingdom board game, and Haunted Mansion Clue.
Disney Store should see about getting a leg up on the other
stores for Disney merchandise!!!!

[okerry]

Wow - I live about 15 minutes from Desert Ridge Mall. I'll be there when the next Disney Store opens up! And did you know there's a Disney Store in Arrowhead Mall, and has been for quite a long time? I'm in there waaay too much but it sure is fun.

And when did a Disney Store open in Arizona Mills and how did I miss that??

thanks for posting this -
okerry

[Darkwing Chuck]

I wouldn't get too excited about any "updated" look. The look will remain mostly the same to how PV and AZ Mills are now, only the newer stores will have wooden floors instead of the glittery tile.

[Kuzcochik]

Originally Posted by okerry

Wow - I live about 15 minutes from Desert Ridge Mall. I'll be there when the next Disney Store opens up! And did you know there's a Disney Store in Arrowhead Mall, and has been for quite a long time? I'm in there waaay too much but it sure is fun.

And when did a Disney Store open in Arizona Mills and how did I miss that??

thanks for posting this -
okerry

In AZ there are Disney Stores at Paradise Valley, Arrowhead, AZ Mills, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and one in Mesa and Tucson. There also use to be one at Metro, but it closed about a year ago (*cries for her old store*)

AZ Mills opened a few years back, it's primarily an outlet store (aka all the clearance merch from the otehr stores goes there after we can't sell it anymore)

Rumor has it there are also suppose to be stores opening at Westgate in Glendale and in Chandler in the next few years.

Also like Chuck said, the store won't look too different from PV. Still no animation like at any of the other store

[AstroBlaster]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

Oh, Absolutely, the World of Disney Stores would
be my top choice, over The Children's Place owned
Disney Stores!!!!!!!

If the Children's Place was smart, they might check
in to seeing about carrying some of the Disney merchandise
offered at DL and WDW. Heck, even Toys R Us carries
the Magic Kingdom board game, and Haunted Mansion Clue.
Disney Store should see about getting a leg up on the other
stores for Disney merchandise!!!!

agreed The Disney Store located at the Regency Mall in Jacksonville, FL was a complete dissapointment. They did have Meet the Robinsons toys but as far as selection it's the same stuff you can find in the big box retailers and toy outlets. However the prices just don't hit your pocket book as hard as the theme parks do, Beanie Bag Plush was two for $10.00 and bigger plus was 2 for $20.00. In comparison two Chip and Dale Beanies at WDW will set you back $24.00.

[Aladdin]

Scottdale Fashion Square had the 1st Disney Store in
Arizona. That opened about 16 years ago, and also
began feeding my growing need for all things Disney.
It was Store #33. When the expanded the mall, they
moved the store from the lower east wing, into the
new south wing top floor.

KC, what store number was Metro? I know it was
a milestone. 500??? I was so surprised when that
store closed. But that mall is about 1/3 empty,
now.

It was sad when PV mall was remodeled. It had one
of stores with the best look. Although I liked
Scottsdale Fashion Square best when it opened in
it's first location.

Fiesta Mall had a Disney Store, too when was that
closed? Did Superstion Springs have a Disney Store?

I recall when Children's Place announced the building
of 5 Disney Store Outlet Centers nationwide. The
AZ Mills location was opened about a year after The
Childrens Place took over the Disney Stores.

And here's a very Interesting bit of trivia about the
AZ Mills Disney Store, When AZ Mills originally opened,
that same exact space was a Warner Brothers Outlet Store!

I really miss the WB Store that used to be at Scottsdale
Fashion Square! I remember, one time they had Chuck Jones
in person signing animation cells! I was in the store, but didn't
buy a cell.

[jonyyeh]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

Fiesta Mall had a Disney Store, too when was that
closed? Did Superstition Springs have a Disney Store?

Superstition Springs did have a Disney Store. That was where I bought the Snow White DVD back in 2001. It closed sometime in or after 2002.

I don't think the Fiesta Mall store closed, it's still on the Fiesta Mall map

However, for East Valley Disney Store fans, there will be a Disney Store opening at SanTan Village in Gilbert.

[Dr. Earkid]

Uh oh! that's a little too close for comfort. That Desert Ridge store will be located very near my Barnes and Noble. I am in such trouble.

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by jonyyeh

Superstition Springs did have a Disney Store. That was where I bought the Snow White DVD back in 2001. It closed sometime in or after 2002.

I don't think the Fiesta Mall store closed, it's still on the Fiesta Mall map

However, for East Valley Disney Store fans, there will be a Disney Store opening at SanTan Village in Gilbert.

I recall that the Fiesta Mall store had one of the 1st Disney
Store designs ~ does it still have that look? Or did it go
to the Scottsdale Fashion Square Version, or perhaps the
Emergency Room look like AZ Mills?

[Darkwing Chuck]

Fiesta still looks the same. It even has the Mickey Mouse Club (90's version) billboard, and most of the animation in the store is themed to The Disney Afternoon. Awesome. If I remember correctly, it's a Pink-and-Green themed store, which I know for sure Arrowhead is.

If I'm remembering this right, Arrowhead is the next store to get remodeled, but there still waiting on a "final" decision to change the layout so that it doesn't so closely resemble a clean room like my store (I work at PV with Kuzcochik).

[Dr. Earkid]

I need to come by and say Hi to you guys! I'm at PV mall a lot!

[gaughey]

An agreement was signed at the end of last year with The Children's Place. The Space previously occupied by Tower Records is now planned to be occupied by TWO Stores, "The Childrens Place" is planned for a June or July opening, AND a "Disney Store" is planned to open in October. Each store would be separate from each other, and each would have their own entrance.


Soooo....

Any word on if Tucson will have the CP redesign of TDS at the Tucson Mall location? And is there any current info. regarding the rumor of the second store opening of the east side of Tucson at the Park Place? TYFYA 8

GAughey

[Aladdin]

Thanks, DC! Next time I head on down to the Fiesta Mall
area, I will have to stop at that store, as I really do miss
that old look of the Disney Stores!

Yeah, and the Arrowhead store was another "new" version
of the Disney Store, when it opened. And it is different than
any other store in the Phoenix area.