tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post115086750901767572..comments2024-02-08T07:33:49.907-08:00Comments on Re-Imagineering: That's an Exit, Not an EntranceMr Bankshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-15095549607593420312013-08-24T12:14:13.094-07:002013-08-24T12:14:13.094-07:00I find myself in agreement with most of your posts...I find myself in agreement with most of your posts, but in this case I don't feel the same way. As a kid I remember unloading out of Star Tours for the first time directly into the store. As a kid who was pretty excited about the idea of getting some Star Wars merchandise, the store was a positive part of the experience.<br /><br />Another attraction where you are forced through the store, but it makes a positive contribution to the theme, is the Mexico pavilion. There, you must enter and exit through the store. Since the store is imaginatively set up as a Mexican street market, it's part of the experience even if you don't buy anything.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-12661755106968472662007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:002007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00I totally agree, but you forgot to mention one thi...I totally agree, but you forgot to mention one thing. If you miss buying anything it will appear a few months later at one of those temporary Disney outlet stores in your local mall, and it will cost a lot less than if you bought it on your original visit.T-Shirt Forthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14207991150796020553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1163999668434083132006-11-19T21:14:00.000-08:002006-11-19T21:14:00.000-08:00When I get dumped into yet another gift shop, I ju...When I get dumped into yet another gift shop, I just let my kids tear the place apart then walk out without buying anything. Why should I? It's the same set of crap that's sold at MouseGear and every other shop on the whole property. It's so rare to find something remotely unique that I don't even bother looking anymore.<BR/><BR/>I have to say that the new PhotoPass photographers didn't strike me as agressive at all and often had a line of people waiting for them. They'd often volunteer to take the same shot with people's own cameras as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1161124825857074732006-10-17T15:40:00.000-07:002006-10-17T15:40:00.000-07:00I greatly enjoy wasting my money on frivolous dise...I greatly enjoy wasting my money on frivolous diseny merchandise, so it's hard for me to have a problem with gift shop exits. I really enjoy them, especially if they're themed.<BR/><BR/>What I hate is if the ride sucks and gives me the feeling that I just stood in a vaguely themed line in order to have the chance to buy something (Stitch's Great Escape).<BR/><BR/>Give me a ride that enchants me and rewards my wait in line, and that I want to remember well after my visit, and I have no problem with you tacking on further exit theme in the form of a shop at all. Heck, I'll probably even spend money there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1155452049015935412006-08-12T23:54:00.000-07:002006-08-12T23:54:00.000-07:00Tried to post this logged in, but it didn't work. ...Tried to post this logged in, but it didn't work. Bruce Lane writing...<BR/><BR/>The trend described of forcing guests through gift shops at the ride exits is not only annoying, it can be downright dangerous.<BR/><BR/>Nowhere was this point rammed home more strongly for me than when my wife (who is legally blind) and I visited the Orlando park. We both found the gift shop-loaded exits annoying enough, but my wife was nearly injured several times by near-collisions with other guests. There were also too many merchandise racks with hooks and support arms, jutting too far out into the walking spaces for comfort.<BR/><BR/>We knew that this would be our one and only visit, so we didn't bother trying to file any sort of complaint. After reading the latest blog entry, though, I'm wondering if that was a mistake.<BR/><BR/>Profit trumping respect for the guests is bad enough. When it starts to become more important than guest safety, at least where a physical challenge like blindness exists, then it becomes unacceptable in any context.<BR/><BR/>Keep the peace(es).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1154034686993274682006-07-27T14:11:00.000-07:002006-07-27T14:11:00.000-07:00First I have to admit that I do like shopping in t...First I have to admit that I do like shopping in the stores at the theme parks – when there is something truly unique to buy. And I'm a big fan of on-ride photos. I can’t tell you how many of them that I own. It was so disappointing when Superstar Limo was open at DCA that a picture was taken during the ride, but there was no where to purchase it. But we have our California Screamin’ photo, so I guess I can be happy with that. When an on-ride photo is taken at the right time, it won't take away from the overall experience.<BR/><BR/>I was also on the opening team for Countdown to Extinction (now Dinosaur) at Animal Kingdom. When we opened all we had for sale at the exit were the on-ride photos. Do you know what one of our top complaints from Guests was? That they had to walk down a short path to get to the Chester and Hester’s gift shop. The Imagineers tried to get away without having a gift shop at the exit, but it didn't last. Now you will find merchandise in an area that was not designed for it.<BR/><BR/>I was incredibly disappointed that there wasn't a gift shop when Soarin' opened at Epcot. Besides a couple of pins there wasn't any merchandise in the park for Soarin’ at all. When we were at DCA there was a shop right across from the exit to the ride and we bought just about everything with Soarin' Over California on it.<BR/><BR/>There are some shops at the exit to attractions that were really well thought out and, I think, add to the experience. Expedition Everest, Test Track and Mission: Space come to mind. And originally Mission: Space wasn't supposed to have a shop - just a merchandise cart outside – and that store does an amazing amount of sales.<BR/><BR/>The exit for the Journey Into Imagination with Figment ride is a complete nightmare. First you have to go through the confusing play area and then through a very cramped shop. This space was NOT thought out very well. It is the poster child of how not to do a ride exit.<BR/><BR/>And I have to agree with the statements about having more “themed” merchandise in each of the stores they do have. I was very impressed with the amount of attraction themed merchandise at Pirates of the Caribbean when it recently re-opened. I was expecting just merchandise based on the movies, but there was a lot of new merchandise based directly on the ride. We must have spent a good twenty to thirty minutes just looking through all they had to offer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1152234585263335322006-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:002006-07-06T18:09:00.000-07:00Is current Disneyland management going to address ...Is current Disneyland management going to address the issues being brought up in this blog?<BR/><BR/>I, too, remember when merchandise was not shoved in your face at Disneyland and you were not herded like sheep towards it.<BR/><BR/>Ever so slightly off topic, but I actually purchased a picture one time from the log ride at Knott's. It was such a funny picture that fifteen years later I don't regret having paid $5 for it. That's the only time I ever bought one of the ride photos.ChristianZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10926523379961771939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1152057820428754592006-07-04T17:03:00.000-07:002006-07-04T17:03:00.000-07:00Even the Jungle Cruise makes fun of that. Part of...Even the Jungle Cruise makes fun of that. Part of the spiel, which I've heard several times makes fun of Disney forcing guests to exit rides through stores. Come on, if your cast members are making fun of that, and the guests laugh knowingly, maybe you do have a PR problem in your hard.<BR/><BR/>Today it too me a long time to exit Pooh at the Magic Kingdom. Why? Lots of guests and their children were in the way looking at miscellaneous merchandise and blocking every pathway out of the store and back into the park. Merchandise that can be found at any other store through all the parks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151957483616428752006-07-03T13:11:00.000-07:002006-07-03T13:11:00.000-07:00This Picture thing is, unfortunately, NOT an isola...This Picture thing is, unfortunately, NOT an isolated instance.<BR/><BR/>The Photographers wandering around waiting to "catch" you seem to be at EVERY Disney park and this is the same problem as the Shops bieng put up. Walt's ideas of asthetics were great. There were little areas all over the place where one could "pose" for a picture with a scenic Icon behind you. A family could just walk up to that area, step aside from the crowd, and take the picture. Now almost every one of those spaces has been allocated as a place where these photographers stand, almost FORCING you to let THEM be the one the photograph the family. Or else the area gets setup as a Character meet-N-Greet area where you still have to pay` to get your Pic taken many times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151782744882562092006-07-01T12:39:00.000-07:002006-07-01T12:39:00.000-07:00As much as some of the exit shops can be obtrusive...As much as some of the exit shops can be obtrusive, the Kodak photographers make me not want to visit a Disney theme park ever again.<BR/><BR/>They also have made me boycott Kodak cameras and film. <BR/><BR/>My last digital camera was Kodak, but, when I replaced it, I specifically avoided the brand because of the rude Kodak people in Disneyland and D.C.A.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151772731732180892006-07-01T09:52:00.000-07:002006-07-01T09:52:00.000-07:00This comment is slightly off topic but related to ...This comment is slightly off topic but related to forced commercialism.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I went to Typhoon Lagoon for a couple of hours with a friend and while we were enjoying the lazy river we arrived to a spot where there were two cast members next to each other armed with water-proof cameras snapping pictures of people without asking. They would snap the picture and then hand the unsuspecting guest a bracelet that contained the picture ID so that they could later look at it and buy it if they wished.<BR/><BR/>I'm guessing, or hoping, that these were two overzealous cast members who decided to ambush relaxing guests because I have never seen anything like that before.<BR/><BR/>I felt their this was inappropriate and in complete disregard to the enjoyment of paying guests.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151626620603521342006-06-29T17:17:00.000-07:002006-06-29T17:17:00.000-07:00I was also yelled at by a cast member for tring to...I was also yelled at by a cast member for tring to go out the fast pass area and not the store in Norway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151602554513464862006-06-29T10:35:00.000-07:002006-06-29T10:35:00.000-07:00My family and I went to WDW and Epcot in 2004 and ...My family and I went to WDW and Epcot in 2004 and to my surprise at Epcot, we had a photographer follow us asking to take our picture. The next day at the Magic Kingdom, we saw the same situation going on in Town Square and detoured through the Emporium to avoid them. I don't know if they are still doing that sort of thing and I hope not, but it came as a shock, because that isn't somethng we are use to. Very pathetic in my opinion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151528948288238652006-06-28T14:09:00.000-07:002006-06-28T14:09:00.000-07:00Upon exiting Norway I saw the myriad of shops I'd ...Upon exiting Norway I saw the myriad of shops I'd be forced to go through, and then saw a small rope separating me from the fastpass machines and the freedom of the midway. I decided to spare myself 10 minutes of trying to squeeze through shoppers and instead just squeeze under the rope, and I was actually yelled at by a cast member and told that I HAD to go through the shops to exit. Speaks for itself, doesn't it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151517502370602362006-06-28T10:58:00.000-07:002006-06-28T10:58:00.000-07:00I just returned from a mid-west theme park tour an...I just returned from a mid-west theme park tour and was shocked to find Disney merchandise in small Disney Stores located at two Six Flags Parks! What is happening? The local mall stores were bad enough. The accessibility of Disney merch has cheapened the brand and the experience. It was nice to buy exclusive items that you could only get at Disneyland in specific lands at special stores. <BR/><BR/>I still enjoy the Disney experience, but do not visit the parks much anymore compared to the five times a year I used to spend. This is the best way I feel to change things at Disney. I dont give them my money. Instead I've found magic in other places like Holiday World and Dollywood. These places don't offer the same experiences, but I leave with a content feeling that I just don't get from Disney anymore. I think the most important part of the Disney experience is what you take home in your heart, not your Disney bag.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151469498974147242006-06-27T21:38:00.000-07:002006-06-27T21:38:00.000-07:00Like one of the anonymous commenters, I, too, reme...Like one of the anonymous commenters, I, too, remember the days of buying truly knockout stuff at Disneyland.<BR/><BR/>My parents have a beautiful brass door knocker that they bought at Disneyland circa 1975. Thirty years later, it still hangs proudly on the front door. There is no Mickey Mouse on it anywhere; it was created by artisans and purchased by Disney retail buyers because its aesthetic beauty fit perfectly into New Orleans Square.<BR/><BR/>I remember when we used to go to Disneyland back in the days of "general admission" -- when you could buy an inexpensive ticket if you just wanted to go shopping, relax and dine not not actually go on any of the rides -- my mother would choose that option while my siblings and my father and I spent our days enjoying the attractions. It was perfect. She loved to shop, and bought dresses, hats, vases, even china and beautiful little trinkets. And guess what? None if it had Disney branding, characters or logos.<BR/><BR/>The shops were filled with items that belonged perfectly to that realm. You could buy island prints and exotic wares in Adventureland; hand-made artistic wares in New Orleans Square; turn-of-the-century styled watches, toys and wares on Main Street. In Tomorrowland, my sister once purchased one of those groovy lamps that were made of transparent plastic filled with colorful designs; when it was plugged in, the plastic would spin and fill the room with trippy colors.<BR/><BR/>That was the stuff that made a trip to Disneyland so much fun. We could discover things in shops, take our time meandering, and not feel the need to go on every single ride.<BR/><BR/>These days, almost every shop is filled with the same products. Heck, you can even go to Disneyland Paris and find THE SAME STUFF you can buy at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. (Where, sadly, even many of the stores at World Showcase are stocking more and more run-of-the-mill Disney junk.)<BR/><BR/>The fact that Disney forces you to go to these stores is bad enough. The fact that they all carry the same crap is even worse. It seems like the people who once ran the parks used to REVEL in the idea of giving guests something utterly different than they could find anywhere else, even when it came to the stores. Now, it's just about "retail-tainment," and, frankly, it's boring and uninspired.<BR/><BR/>Imagine ... there was actually a time when there was an ORGAN dealer on Main Street! And that glass blower in New Orleans Square. Thank goodness the Silhouette Shop remains -- oops, I'd better not say that too loudly, they've probably overlooked it!Epcot82https://www.blogger.com/profile/14763893513279437902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151381370371164962006-06-26T21:09:00.000-07:002006-06-26T21:09:00.000-07:00More applause for the inimitable Mr. Banks. I wond...More applause for the inimitable Mr. Banks. I wonder if anyone else has noticed the irony of your pseudonym? <BR/><BR/>Now for my 2 tuppence...<BR/><BR/>As soon as I read the first paragraph of your post, I thought, "That God damned 'It's a Small World' shop!" Five years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) and I went to Disneyland together for the first time. I <I>dragged</I> him onto IaSW. Despite his tough manly exterior, I could tell as we exited the boat that he had enjoyed himself.<BR/><BR/>Then... the shop.<BR/><BR/>Oh, I don't know if I have ever seen him get that PO'ed in my life. And we have a small child now! (Lot's of fodder for losing one's temper) He could not believe the crassness and cheapness that Disney corporate displayed in forcing us to go through that shop as we left the ride area. Needless to say, we didn't spend any of our money in there. I think he griped about that well into the middle of Frontierland. <BR/><BR/>And I haven't been able to convince him to go on IaSW with me since.<BR/><BR/>Damn you, Eisner<BR/><BR/>I hope Lasseter and crew can help Iger and the rest see beyond the noses on their faces.<BR/><BR/>April<BR/><A HREF="http://www.meretrice.com" REL="nofollow">http://www.meretrice.com</A>Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15936958591473593575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151358219603243582006-06-26T14:43:00.000-07:002006-06-26T14:43:00.000-07:00Everytime Disney FORCES you to go through a store ...<I>Everytime Disney FORCES you to go through a store exiting the ride, "accidentally" knock a significant amount of merchanidise off the shelves as you exit.</I><BR/><BR/>Nah, as <B>7YearsInPlaid</B> said, no need to give the CM's more grief than they're already getting. Better to stick your nose in the air, don't buy anything, book it out of the store as fast as you can, and drop a nasty note at City Hall. If angry guest complaints can change lecherous Pirates into gluttons, maybe they can also get some attraction exits relocated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151353763200201852006-06-26T13:29:00.000-07:002006-06-26T13:29:00.000-07:00THE HEIRARCHY OF DISNEY PRINCIPLES: #1--SAFETY #...THE HEIRARCHY OF DISNEY PRINCIPLES:<BR/><BR/> #1--SAFETY<BR/> #2--COURTESY<BR/> #3--SHOW<BR/> #4--EFFICIENCY (which includes those extra bucks)<BR/><BR/>These were hammered into all new Cast Members' heads over and over during the old 3-day Traditions orientation (which, by the way, I've heard has been whittled away to 1/2 day of location-specific area awareness).<BR/><BR/>All decisions in the parks, no matter who you were or where you worked, were to be based upon these four priorities, IN THIS ORDER. <BR/><BR/>Just a little extra perspective to figure into the discussion...<BR/><BR/>(--Oh, and regarding that proposal about "forcing Disney" to change by knocking merchandise off shelves? Please don't. I've been there. That already keeps the merchandise CM's busy all day, and it always has. Your extra messes will only figure into the job description, add extra stress to the underpaid college kid working the shop, and erode an already difficult commitment to Principle #2.)<BR/><BR/>It's all about keeping the magic, right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151343435726687102006-06-26T10:37:00.000-07:002006-06-26T10:37:00.000-07:00When my wife and I were at Disneyland recently, we...When my wife and I were at Disneyland recently, we really enjoyed the Buzz Lightyear ride. And after seeing so many images of the cute little three-eyed martians, my wife wanted one at the end of the ride. Well, that's what the store's for, isn't it? No such luck! Just a bunch of Buzz Lightyear stuff and laser guns. Why have a store at the end of the ride when they don't even sell the cuddly little creatures one sees throughout said ride?<BR/><BR/>Even when they do send you through a store, they don't do it right and give you an opportunity to buy something special.Adam Villanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10694072629634740634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151276250245548612006-06-25T15:57:00.000-07:002006-06-25T15:57:00.000-07:00Above anonymous: As author of the last post and mo...Above anonymous: As author of the last post and moderator of the site I apologize for not having a public e-mail address. I already get enough spam as it is and am not fond of getting more. This site has a somewhat political edge to it too, so I'd prefer protecting some level of my privacy. Thanks for understanding.Mr Bankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12952506736745891323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151270363322740022006-06-25T14:19:00.000-07:002006-06-25T14:19:00.000-07:00I agree 100% with the sentiments of this article!A...I agree 100% with the sentiments of this article!<BR/><BR/>And I have a suggestion for all of us to force Disney to lay off this practice.<BR/><BR/>1. Visit the parks<BR/>2. Go on the attractions.<BR/>3. Everytime Disney FORCES you to go through a store exiting the ride, "accidentally" knock a significant amount of merchanidise off the shelves as you exit.<BR/><BR/>If one or two of us do it, it won't work. If it happens frequently (one out of every 1000 - 2000 people), they will change their practice.<BR/><BR/>PS: First time making a comment here at this blog spot. Why in the world do you make it so difficult for me to e-mail the author? I can't find his e-mail address anywhere! I much rather would have wanted to e-mail him directly than posting this, but I could not find his e-mail address!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151155494522183602006-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:002006-06-24T06:24:00.000-07:00I have to agree wholeheartedly with this post. Gre...I have to agree wholeheartedly with this post. Greedy Disney executives have to realize Walt's vision. Visitors to the park need to be able to make their own decisions. At the same time, I have to say the store immediately following Pirates of the Caribbean is pretty cool. It covers all my needs for neat Pirate gear. I wouldn't gotten this picture of my brother if it wasn't for the <A HREF="http://www.dominicnuncio.com/pirateChris.jpg" REL="nofollow">PotC store.<BR/></A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151092556128931632006-06-23T12:55:00.000-07:002006-06-23T12:55:00.000-07:00The condition is that, for the purposes of this ar...<I>The condition is that, for the purposes of this argument, we need to accept that thrill rides are going to have on-ride photos. Having accepted that, I can condone an on-ride photo on a "boring" ride like Buzz Lightyear.</I><BR/><BR/>Back up a moment - why should we accept that? Do people really need to plunk down $10 for a picture of themselves riding some thrill ride or other so all their family and friends can see what they look like when the entire fat content of their upper body drifts gently skyward in response to negative-gee forces?<BR/><BR/>I don't think so.<BR/><BR/>However appropriate this stuff might be for your run-of-the-mill carny trap, I have trouble believing that Walt would've wanted it this way.<BR/><BR/>Back in my youth (no, not the late Pleistocene Epoch - the 1980's) when my family wanted to get pictures of what we looked like while having fun at Disney World, we got together as a family and took a photo. The result of which, naturally, is that we have whole albums full of family snapshots relating to Disney World. Didn't cost a dime.Andrew McFerrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07419262227168149810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22576594.post-1151089378119389552006-06-23T12:02:00.000-07:002006-06-23T12:02:00.000-07:00I hate feeling "nicked and dimed" to death. Consta...I hate feeling "nicked and dimed" to death. Constantly reminding me of how much money this is costing me is the BEST way I can think of to kill the "MAGIC" and get me thinking of other vacation destinations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com