Starabilia's has been closed.

[Brava_Centauri]

Haven't seen it posted here. Starabilia's at the West Side has been shut down for a little while now. I knew it was coming but didn't know it was officially shut down. It was a nice store and had some great stuff to look at but was a bit expensive.

With more closures rumored, Downtown Disney is really in a sad state right now.

[rotary2808]

Haven't seen it posted here. Starabilia's at the West Side has been shut down for a little while now. I knew it was coming but didn't know it was officially shut down. It was a nice store and had some great stuff to look at but was a bit expensive.

With more closures rumored, Downtown Disney is really in a sad state right now.

What else is rumored to close?

I agree that it is in a sad state. There's so much wasted space in PI right now since they closed all the clubs last year. West Side needs some life breathed into it, you've got this closing and Virgin Megastore closed and that's a huge area to just let sit there. The Marketplace seems to do really well, but these other two areas are way overlooked and need some serious attention.

[HT_NSU]

So everything's just kind of sitting closed up with no construction or anything? I'm kind of wondering why they did it that way instead of keeping everything operating until they had something new to put there/start working on (close everything individually as needed)?

[Sledge]

Am I the only one surprised it lasted as long as it did? Almost everything in there is at least a couple thousand dollars. I always wondered how many tourists would actually go in there and decide to to drop $10,000 on a movie prop or guitar. I don't doubt people did, but I really don't think they were selling stuff every day or maybe even every other day. Most of us just walked through it as a free museum (which I'm sure the employees just LOVED). :shrug:

[HT_NSU]

Am I the only one surprised it lasted as long as it did? Almost everything in there is at least a couple thousand dollars. I always wondered how many tourists would actually go in there and decide to to drop $10,000 on a movie prop or guitar. I don't doubt people did, but I really don't think they were selling stuff every day or maybe even every other day. Most of us just walked through it as a free museum (which I'm sure the employees just LOVED). :shrug:

Yeah, the only thing I ever bought there was a $15 print of the Wizard of Oz characters (and I'm pretty sure I could have found it on eBay or allposters.com)

...and I admit it, I was one of those people who mainly treated it as a museum. :D

[Brava_Centauri]

Planet Hollywood shop is rumored to go but you also have to wonder how some of the stores in the West Side are going to survive? There is really nothing to draw you over there.

As for Star..yeah I never actually saw anyone purchase anything there. I remember the cashiers would always talk with the customers but for me it kind of seemed more like a hangout joint then an actual store as you would just walk through and look at all the cool things.

Oh well. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how the West Side is dealt with. Maybe they don't care. I mean, the majority of the business of Downtown Disney comes from the marketplace side. The west side seems aimed more at locals. Tourists usually aren't going to go see a movie on vacation and the house of blues is for local concerts. Perhaps the West Side will slowly just fade away? Perhaps it already has?

[Sledge]

If it wasn't for AMC I would have no real reason to even go to that side of DTD. As long as there is a DTD, I don't see AMC leaving anytime soon.

[rotary2808]

Am I the only one surprised it lasted as long as it did? Almost everything in there is at least a couple thousand dollars. I always wondered how many tourists would actually go in there and decide to to drop $10,000 on a movie prop or guitar. I don't doubt people did, but I really don't think they were selling stuff every day or maybe even every other day. Most of us just walked through it as a free museum (which I'm sure the employees just LOVED). :shrug:


If it wasn't for AMC I would have no real reason to even go to that side of DTD. As long as there is a DTD, I don't see AMC leaving anytime soon.

I agree everything in there was definitely way overpriced.

We went over on that side for Virgin (which is closed now) and Bongo's and that's it.

[jerry24]

I dont know how they lasted as long as they did to be honest with you. i NEVER saw anyone buy a thing ever

[y-town yuppies]

I was really disappointed with DTD when we visited this summer. I can still remember the fun we had at the Adventurer club and the comedy club. I really wish we could have brought my kids there...to no avail.

They really need to do something to "spruce it up". Disney is all about "over the top", yet DTD is just another sign of the times and not really "disneylike' at all.

[Brava_Centauri]

I was really disappointed with DTD when we visited this summer. I can still remember the fun we had at the Adventurer club and the comedy club. I really wish we could have brought my kids there...to no avail.

They really need to do something to "spruce it up". Disney is all about "over the top", yet DTD is just another sign of the times and not really "disneylike' at all.


I agree. I'm happy with the actual Village/Marketplace side. I really enjoy all the stores and it just seems to have a happy feeling to it. It's from Pleasure Island on that are the real problem areas for me. What about the new bowling alley for PI? What happened to that? It looked really amazing too! I would imagine that there will be more restaurants on the way for PI as they all book up really fast. The dining is so profitable for WDW.

The West Side really needs a full time replacement for Virgin. The Princess Diana exhibit is temporary right? I don't have a problem with it but if it's eventually leaving they will have to come up with some great permanent Virgin replacement. I thought Virgin really was the perfect fit for the West Side so I can't even begin to think what a good replacement would be. At this rate it will probably be a restaurant.

[disneyfan168]

I like the Marketplace side but now that this is closed along with PI and Virgin, there is no reason to even go to the Westside now. Its kinda depressing over there.

[Panzee]

I like the Marketplace side but now that this is closed along with PI and Virgin, there is no reason to even go to the Westside now. Its kinda depressing over there.

i agree.. i think the only things to do over there is the Characters in Flight, Disney Quest, and Cirque du Soleil.. and unless you're definitely doing one of these, there's really no reason to head over there

[Knev1]

They had some pretty cool stuff. But like everything else, it comes down to dollars the consumer has when at the parks. This place was overpriced and really had items not needed by the average consumer.............

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

-sigh-

They really should have at least kept Adventures and the comedy club open. I never really did get to do Adventures with people who were really into it.

but, yea I only ever went into star to look at everything.

[jeffztt]

The west side and PI sections of DTD seem to be a mess, but I really never understood the west side being separate from the marketplace. I guess if demand for retail is strong eventually the marketplace can grow into the PI space, then the retail in west end can do better. That, or west end needs more attractions.

Regarding the Virgin space, I can't think of another store that would use that much space except for World of Disney, and I can't imagine they would move it to the other end unless there was a much easier way to travel between the two. A people mover connecting the DTD areas would be cool. The only other thing I can think of in the Virgin space would be some indoor mini-golf courses, or something like that. I'm sure they could come up with some great mini-golf ideas that would be great indoors. A toy story course, princes course, etc. might work. As the economy improves, I'm sure they'll figure something out. In the short term, maybe just a museum for all of the Disney artwork, park props, etc. would work. I'd pay something to see that.

[Scarletwebslingr]

Starabilia's was kind of wasted space but I did enjoy window shopping. Things like Stars and Virgin I don't miss because I bought stuff. I miss them because it gave me something to do while waiting for movies to start. I heard Virgin was getting a Mac store in there. Who knows.

As far as PI goes, I wish they'd have moves Adventurer's Club to Animal Kingdom as a dinner show or something instead of shipping it all to Tokyo.

[wvugrrrl]

They were talking on the DIS Unplugged Podcast last week that they've put in a new store where Starabilia's was - it's a sock store?!
It's called Little Miss Matched (http://www.littlemissmatched.com/), and by the looks of their website, they sell pairs of mismatched socks. Now personally, I don't really understand the "pull" of something like that, but according to the podcast (and a few friends I know who've visited recently), the store is usually packed to the gills.

BTW, it opened Nov. 9th. I doubt it's going to be enough to get me over to the West Side any time soon though!

[Scarletwebslingr]

They were talking on the DIS Unplugged Podcast last week that they've put in a new store where Starabilia's was - it's a sock store?!
It's called Little Miss Matched (http://www.littlemissmatched.com/), and by the looks of their website, they sell pairs of mismatched socks. Now personally, I don't really understand the "pull" of something like that, but according to the podcast (and a few friends I know who've visited recently), the store is usually packed to the gills.

BTW, it opened Nov. 9th. I doubt it's going to be enough to get me over to the West Side any time soon though!

Little Miss Matched is already open. It really is nothing but mismatched (reversible) socks and winter wear. Wasted space for anyone over 5 but the kiddies seemed to love it.

[BeachGurl]

Starabilia's was kind of wasted space but I did enjoy window shopping. Things like Stars and Virgin I don't miss because I bought stuff. I miss them because it gave me something to do while waiting for movies to start. I heard Virgin was getting a Mac store in there. Who knows.

As far as PI goes, I wish they'd have moves Adventurer's Club to Animal Kingdom as a dinner show or something instead of shipping it all to Tokyo.

You wanna talk about wasted space look at what it is now. :lol:

I never bought anything from Starabilia's but I'd rather have that than a sock store because at least there was cool stuff to look at. :lol:

[Scarletwebslingr]

You wanna talk about wasted space look at what it is now. :lol:

I never bought anything from Starabilia's but I'd rather have that than a sock store because at least there was cool stuff to look at. :lol:

I don't know... those reversible beanie-caps were really comfortable :P No I agree. Little Miss Match was selling a lot socks when I was there last night but again, this store is targeted towards peewees and women. Not much for me.

[BeachGurl]

I don't know... those reversible beanie-caps were really comfortable :P No I agree. Little Miss Match was selling a lot socks when I was there last night but again, this store is targeted towards peewees and women. Not much for me.

I'm a chick and I could not be more uninterested. I think I'd have more fun shopping in Home Depot than a sock store. :lol:

[Scarletwebslingr]

I'm a chick and I could not be more uninterested. I think I'd have more fun shopping in Home Depot than a sock store. :lol:

Well maybe not ALL women but I didn't see a shred of male clothing anywhere in that store. I wish we'd get a Best Buy.

[jme]

Speaking of male clothing, why don't they have a male version of Tren-D yet? Not all guys want to dress in polo's and sports jerseys every day you know. I would love a modern trendy/hipster kind of male fashion store. Nothing like that at all in DTD or WDW for that matter.

[BeachGurl]

Speaking of male clothing, why don't they have a male version of Tren-D yet? Not all guys want to dress in polo's and sports jerseys every day you know. I would love a modern trendy/hipster kind of male fashion store. Nothing like that at all in DTD or WDW for that matter.

We were actually talking about that in an old Tren-D thread. They really should have a store like that for guys. They need a cool way for guys to represent the Mouse. :lol:

[BigAl_PT]

We were actually talking about that in an old Tren-D thread. They really should have a store like that for guys. They need a cool way for guys to represent the Mouse. :lol:
I completely agree. Of maybe take a small part of Tren-D and dedicate it to men's clothing. Use that as a test to see how the merchandise sells to see if a full store would be a good idea.

[Scarletwebslingr]

I completely agree. Of maybe take a small part of Tren-D and dedicate it to men's clothing. Use that as a test to see how the merchandise sells to see if a full store would be a good idea.

So basically a Disney 'Forever XXI'? HAha, I'm all game for that (I'm wearing a F21 shirt right now, actually).

[Smitty]

Speaking of male clothing, why don't they have a male version of Tren-D yet? Not all guys want to dress in polo's and sports jerseys every day you know. I would love a modern trendy/hipster kind of male fashion store. Nothing like that at all in DTD or WDW for that matter.

From a business point of view, I'd hate to say it, but it would fail.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

From a business point of view, I'd hate to say it, but it would fail.

um....more so than a store full of SOCKS?!?!? Somehow I dont think so.

[asianway]

At this point, I wish they would open something in West Side or PI worth going to

[BigAl_PT]

At this point, I wish they would open something in West Side or PI worth going to
Agreed. I never have to go past T-Rex when at DTD...and, if we're not eating at T-Rex, that shrinks the area of DTD I go to even more.

[rotary2808]

We didn't even go any further than WoD on this trip and that's a first. They really need to do something. We were going to try Paradiso 37, but we weren't able to get to it.

[BeachGurl]

Funny thing is we usually don't go outside of Westside. :lol:

Then again, when we go to DTD its usually because we're going to a movie and that's it.

[BigAl_PT]

Funny thing is we usually don't go outside of Westside. :lol:

Then again, when we go to DTD its usually because we're going to a movie and that's it.
But you live there. For us tourists (at least for me), I'm not going to WDW to catch a movie. I'm going because of all the great things there are to do that I can't do at home.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Whenever I go down there it's to go shopping...and if my parents are with me to Raglan Road to pick up my dad since he doesnt particular enjoy the Disney shopping...hmmm...I wonder why :idea:

[HT_NSU]

Whenever I go down there it's to go shopping...and if my parents are with me to Raglan Road to pick up my dad since he doesnt particular enjoy the Disney shopping...hmmm...I wonder why :idea:

Oooo....I love RR!! That's the one place my husband and I must eat at every visit. The chef has a cookbook out now that I want. :idea: I think I'll add that to my Christmas list now that I'm thinking about it! :lol:

[MonorailMatt]

I am also surprised that Staribilias lasted so long, because I was also a museum goer, but even so, I got sick of looking at the same stuff.

The sock store is a joke. I think they were desperate to fill the space and someone late at night thought a sock store was a brilliant idea.

Virgin closed and they put a Princess Diana exhibit in to fill the space. It started out being priced at $18 I think then was progressively reduced every few weeks. Its dying week saw only $10 for admission.

Disney Quest is the same story. It now has a "special" which is positioned as a one time only deal to buy a ticket half price, but that special happens almost every evening now.

....And PI, one of my fav. places in all of WDW, closed. I am glad that "celebrate tonight" dance party is a HUGE hit! :/ I loved the clubs especially the Adventurers Club and Mannequins what cool concepts.

DTD needs some help. It looks tired and empty.