Disney Store 25th Anniversary: A Journey
Wednesday, March 28, 2012. 25 years ago today, the first Disney Store opened in Glendale, CA. To celebrate this achievement, Disney decided to throw a party today, both online and in stores. Being that I had the day off, and am insane, I decided to spend the day celebrating. Here is my journey. All times EST.
My apartment, 12:00 am: Disney decided to start the party early online. Instead of starting their 25% off sale at 3am, their usual time for updating inventory and starting sales, they started three hours early.
Yay for awesome emails!
When I got the email earlier in the evening, I was happy. So, when midnight rolled around, I went online and found out that the 2 for $50 Select 9” and the BOGO 50% off Nightmare Before Christmas Vinylmation offers were included in the sale. What’s that? A 9” Vinylmation for under $19? Yes, please. I ended up getting a couple of 9”, the NBC vinyls I was missing from my collection, the city exclusives from Chicago that was online, the Hawaii exclusive, and a couple of $1.99 Mystery figures. Only ½ hr. into the day and I was already scoring big.
My apartment, 3:00am: Decided to awake and check to see if anything fun appeared in the daily update of the website. Unfortunately, the only new thing that appeared was the 25th Anniversary Confetti vinyl. I would have gotten it online, but I was off in a couple of hours to get it in person.
The 25th Anniversary Confetti Vinylmation-
Solid clear resin mold with random “floating” Mickey ears & “25″ confetti.
My apartment, 5:00am: The alarm sounded, I sleepily got dressed, got into my car, drove to work to make sure they were good to go for the day, and made my way down to the Disney Flagship Store in Times Square. I was down there just yesterday and now I am going back.
Why? Well, I was under the impression that the store would have not just the Confetti vinyl, but also the 25th Anniversary Sorcerer Mickey vinyl. The reason for this? Both yesterday and on Sunday, while I was down there for other events, I was informed by MULTIPLE DIFFERENT CM’s that it was going to be sold today. Limit on number? Very. Limited Purchase? Of course. However, I was told this and, figuring the CM’s knew what they were talking about, decided to trek down there.
Times Square, 8:30am: I finally arrived, parked, and proceeded to the store, which is located in the middle of Times Square. I ended up 6th on line. Woohoo! Surely at least one Sorcerer Mickey would leave with me. You would think, right? Yea… um… no.
Mickey watching over us in Times Square
A very nice CM named Megan greeted the group of us waiting outside, gave up our vouchers for our free 25th Anniversary Silver Mickey Ears, and explained where to go for the ears. I then asked her about the Vinylmations. She went inside to check and came back… with news I did not want to hear. No Sorcerer Mickey. None to sell. She had no more information, but told me that I could go talk to the manager on duty, Brittany Jo, after the store opened.
25th Anniversary Silver Mickey Ears, Button, and Sticker.
Times Square, 10:00am: After the opening ceremony, the store officially opened. I decided to go grab the two Confetti vinyls I was able to get (their limit was two per person… funny how many of the Japanese tourists were getting online again and again with two at a time… they must have a lot fo friends over in Japan that want them). I then found Brittany Jo and found out that ALL of the CM’s I talked to over the past visits were mistaken. Times Square didn’t even have them in stock, not even to give them to employees. Funny, because the CM’s both days said they saw them in person. Vlad, one of the CM’s who told me this just the day before, was wandering around about that time. I could have thrown him under the bus. Maybe I should have. However, the fact remained that I went into the city for something that was told to me to be available, but obviously wasn’t. To say that I was upset was a kind way of putting it. I tried to make most of the 25% off storewide sale, though. Along with my two Confetti vinyls, I got a couple of Liberty Minnies (for only $4.50 each), a couple of 3” NYC Taxis, and a couple of Animation 2 bloxes. In the confusion of trying to get the 25% applied to my order, they forgot to ring a CARS 2 pk. up with the order, so I got it for free (didn’t realize until I got home for the day… but I don’t think I would have said anything anyways).
25% off entire store… sweet.
I left the Times Square store at about 10:30am, walked to the parking garage, paid the $15 parking for being there 2 hours (and that was WITH a coupon), and decided that, since the day was a bust in my eyes, I would try and make up for it by visiting a bunch of Disney Stores in the area. Next stop… Jersey.
Newport Centre, 11:00am: Located just outside of the Holland Tunnell in Jersey, Newprt Centre’s Disney Store is still one of the old fashioned ones with the larger than life characters and the fun atmosphere. I enjoy just walking into that store. The fact that I got another set of ears and some Muppet 2 bloxes for only $6 each was even better. The bloxes turned out to be nothing more than new traders but at $6, getting 4 in the hopes of pulling another Waldo was worth it.
Jersey Gardens, 11:45am: This store is a Disney Outlet, so nothing much on the Vinylmation front, but snagged another set of ears and picked up a couple sets of last season’s large decorative Nightmare Before Christmas Tree Ornaments for only $6 a set.
Menlo Park, 12:25pm: Now the soccer moms were starting to come out with their ½ day schoolchildren, so the stores weren’t as much fun to shop in. Also, this store is one of those undecorated messes they call a Disney Store. No imagination was placed in this store design. Basically, it looks like Disney came in and set up shop for the holidays. In one night it could all be removed and you wouldn’t know what store was there. I did manage to snag another set of ears and a couple of buttons… also broke down and got a POP! Zurg for 25% off.
Woodbridge Center, 12:50pm: Less than 10 minutes from the Menlo Park store, this generic design store had way too many complaining people in it. I felt bad for the employees. I felt bad for myself, who didn’t want to buy anything, but had to wait in the checkout line for my ears (only store that did that to me). I could not wait to get out of there. Of course, it was now raining, so I cancelled going west to visit two stores and opted to head north and towards home.
Bergen Towne Center, 1:45pm: My luck at getting ears ended here. They were out. Since they are an outlet, and a crappy one at that, I didn’t stay long.
Paramus Park, 2:05pm: Again, no ears. However, I took a few minutes looking at the awesome old store design (they say that this is the largest old store design still around, and was one of the largest made) and talking to the CM’s. Apparently they were out of ears by 10:30am. However, they still had ears on themselves. I thought the ears were for customers? I decided not to press the issue, because I was given permission to go down sometime in the future and photograph the figures that remind me of how great the Disney Store experience was in the past. All in all, left empty handed and headed back into New York, and to the last two stores of the day.
Palisades Center, 2:35pm: No ears again, yet CM’s were wearing them. It was getting a little irritating, but I saw one of the CM’s give a little girl his set of ears, which made me feel a bit better. I didn’t buy anything, but played some trivia and got another button and a couple of more stickers. Not as good as ears, but I’ll take it.
Window decoration at Palisades Center.
Woodbury Commons, 3:25pm: No to the ears, but this Disney Outlet had another Vinylmation Magnet I did not already have (Mr. Incredible) and a couple of ornaments laying around for under $1. It was a quick trip to the closest Disney Store to where I live. And with that, I was apartment bound.
So, after a long day and NINE Disney Stores later, I came home with five Silver Mickey Ears for me and my friends and a few goodies either for my collection or to sell/trade. It was a lot of driving and somewhat fun. Was it worth it? Probably not, but some days are just better than others.
Giveaway
In light of me being fortunate enough to get a few ears, I want to share one with a lucky reader.
How can you win? Well, today I answered a lot of trivia dealing with Disney and the Disney Store. In honor of that, whoever can come up with the best trivia question for me to answer will win.
Below, ask me a question. I will do my best to answer them without assistance. Whoever can stump me will be in the running for the ears.
NOTE: Make sure you are a member of the forums. I will only contact the winner thru there. If you aren’t a member, you can’t win.
Have a great rest of the week guys!
Well, since I’m Canadian, I figure the best question I can ask is: where was the first Disney Store opened in Canada?
Since I only know of three locations in Canada, I will take a stab and say the one with a cool name… Mississauga, Ontario?
Sorry, no. It was the Toronto Eaton Centre store in Downtown Toronto. At one point it was one of the highest grossing stores for the company!
So close, yet so far away… James, you are in the running.
In the movie Aladdin, three Disney characters from other Disney movies appear. Which three are they?
Hmmmm…. Pinocchio (Genie turns into him)… Sebastian (out of cook book)… Beast (tower of animals)?
Nicely done. I got a pair of ears earlier today, but I like trivia.
You almost got me with Beast. I had to think for a minute on that one.
In the movie The Little Mermaid, three Disney characters not native to the water make an appearance in the crowd as Triton goes overhead in his chariot, who are the three characters?
thats a easy one…. Goofy, Donald, and Mickey
I didn’t ask in advance whether they were going to get them, but it’s interesting to note that I got the same exact response from the Charlotte, NC store when I asked about the light up series. For what it’s worth.
(Sorry, no trivia question)
i wish i could have got the ears had to be to work630 am
scarborough ontario
What is a very unique feature about the mosaics in Morroco pavillion?
As a whole, Morocco is the only pavilion that the government of that country aided in the designing of the pavilion. I don’t know if that includes the mosaics, but that is my answer.
Nope! There is something very specifics about the mosaics.. Want the answer?
Enlighten us.
What was the first Disney Animated film to debut at the Cathay Circle Theater?
Snow White?
Nope, The Three Skeleton Key (the animated short)
I will put you in the running. However, for reference… “animated film” and “animated short” are, in my opinion, different, especially when talking about Disney. To date, Disney Animated Studios has released 51 animated films, the most recent being Winnie-the-Pooh in 2011.
The people from Morocco worship Allah as their main God. They believe that Allah is the only one who can make something ‘perfect’, so when they made the tiles as part of the mosaics, they chipped /cracked each one. That way, they couldn’t and didn’t make something perfect, as only Allah can. I heard about this on my last trip, as an elderly couple were discussing it and I over heard! LOL. I Googled it when I got back to the hotel just to make sure, and it’s right! Pretty interesting, eh?
Tayner, I did not know that. Very interesting. You are in the running.
I am a cast member in Austin, TX. All cast members across the country were given a bag of goodies as a gift for our continuing hard work. The bag included a set of ears and the Sorcerer Mickey light up vinylmation. The ears did not count against the store’s allocation, ie each store still had 250 pairs to give to guests. In consideration of this great (in my eyes) gift, we were not allowed to get in line and pick up more ears for ourselves or family members. There are many times we are underappreciated, same as any employee in any company. These ears and the chance to get an unreleased vinylmation are wonderful perks. I was very proud to get to wear the wonderful ears during my shift as I worked in the morning when we opened. My colleagues who worked later in the day did not get to wear their ears – our manager thought it may cause problems with guests who could not arrive in time to get the ears.
Kristin, I appreciate the clarification. Since I had a few sets of ears myself, I wasn’t about to tell a cast member to give me their ears, but I did find it bad taste to be wearing them in the afternoon when kids were coming in looking for a set of ears. Your manager did the right thing. I wish other stores did it also. I am quite jealous you got a Sorcerer Mickey, especially after the “fun” experience I had in Times Square.
Who was first to appear on screen: Mickey or Pete
I’m going with Pete… though it has been a while since I have seen Steamboat Willie.
Darn, Correct, because he was the Oswald the Lucky Rabbits shorts, before Mickey (though he had a different appearance).
Depending on how many people I get, I might end up throwing everyone who asked a question in the running. Who knows.
What Disney character can count money by only seeing it (not touching, licking, or any other of the senses).
You already submitted your question, but the answer to this second one is Fenton Crackshell, also known as Gizmoduck.
Whoops.
Do all Disney resorts have a North, south, east, west compass in their lobby?
I am going to go with… yes?
My turn!!
In what pixar movie did the character “Nemo” made its first appearance before the movie finding Nemo was released..
Monsters Inc.
In Hawaii (All islands) we had several Disney Stores at one point, compared to the ONE lonesome store we have now. On the island of Oahu, how many stores have we had all together and where were they located?
I am not even going to try and guess that one. However, I would love to know the answer.
This is a great tale of a Disney Day well spent!
My question is: Chris Sanders lent his voice for the role of Stitch. What other Disney character did he voice?
Thanks!
As an answer to your question, I am going to say Leroy from Leroy & Stitch.
Technically you are correct- but there is also a non-Lilo and Stitch character that he voiced
Would you like to hear the name of the other character?
It’s Little Brother, but I know that because I checked to see if I was right after answering your original question. You are included in the running.
Thank you very much! I am more excited for this than the megamillions drawing
Lets see if I can stump Travis, lol.
Which animatronic in WDW has changed from being left handed, to now right handed?
Thomas Jefferson in the American Adventure?
Nope, but good guess.
It was Michelangelo (in Spaceship Earth) whom is known as ambidextrous when painting.
Also I think Disneyman’s question was very hard, the animatronic isn’t even a Disney Character.
Plus I think Asheley question is a bit vague, the first film to fully be made in CGI or have part of it in CGI?
I thought at first it would be vague, only because PIXAR movies can be included, and almost wrote not PIXAR. I didn’t think it would be miscontrued like that. I’m sorry if my question caused confusion. I can ask another if that would make everyone happy. I leave that up to Travis however.
All good Ashley. I, again, was assuming one of the 51 Animated Films. I take things too literal sometimes. You are in the running.
Nicely done, Penguin. You are in the running.
I’m sorry Travis, I thought “films” would encompass them all, both animated and not. Thank you
It’s really nice of youto be doing this!
No question to submit but we had a similar experience in Cincinnati, OH. We called on Monday and were assured they had both the Sorcerer Mickey light up and the Confetti Mickey. We waited in line for over an hour only to be within the first 10 in the store and them only have the confetti Mickey. After getting 3 different stories from 3 different CM who “assured” us they didn’t get any in, we went about our other shopping and left. We even specifically asked if they had gotten them for CM gifts and were told no. Well sitting outside the store, we see 2 CM that had been there in line with us that morning to get their Confetti Mickeys walk out each admiring a Sorcerer Mickey light up they. No problems with them giving them to CM, but be honest when asked about it. And the fact they assured us they had both on a phone call makes it worse. Kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth on what should have been an exciting day.
Thank you! I am glad Times Square was not the only store to see this. I really did not like the fact that I was told they got NONE in, especially since the CM’s told me that they saw them personally AND because it was told that CM’s were to be given them that day. I have no problem with CM’s getting a perk. I am all for it. Sometimes I see them deal with people that proves they deserve said perk. However, just be honest about it and don’t lie outright.
Which was the first disney Audio Animatronic to be an A100 and what atraction was it in?
No idea what an A100 is but I am going to say the father (John) in Carousel of Progress.
What Disney film was the first to use CGI?
Dinosaur?
Nope, Tron. 1982- Extensive use (15 min. fully computer generated) of 3D CGI including the famous Light Cycle sequence.[17] Also includes very early facial animation (for the Master Control Program).
WOW! What a day! I also had CM’s telling me that they would have scorcer mickey, but the blog said otherwise, so I trusted that they wouldn’t be released. My question: Who was the oringinal voice for Mickey Mouse?
Walter Elias Disney.
Hi! I’m a college student and unfortunately I had class that morning and missed out on these ears so I thought I’d give it a shot.
What is the name of the hometown of Pete from Pete’s Dragon?
Passamaquoddy… I hope I spelled that right. :/
Aww correct! I’m impressed!
One of my favorite Disney movies.
Mine too but not many people remember it!
I thank you all for your trivia. Since only 14 people asked me a question, I decided to include all of you in the running, whether I got the question right or not (or am still up int he air about, given that people didn’t tell me if I was actually right).
With the help of Ashleyw7790, while we were on facebook I asked her to choose a number from 1-14. She had no idea why she was choosing. These numbers were previously randomly assigned to each contestant. Her gut told her to go with 7, but she decided to go with 2 instead. And the lucky winner is…..
Disneynorth!
Congrats, James. I will be in touch regarding mailing out your ears.
Thanks again everybody and, to my helper, Ashleyw7790, you will be getting a prize for your help.
Congrats winners!
Wooooo hooooo!!! I can’t believe I won!! Thank you so much for running this contest. The ears will hold a special place in my Disneyana collection.