Update: 1/18/12 According to Stitch Kingdom, an announcement by Disney at the National Retail Federation’s “Big Show” in New York City revealed plans for a second Orlando Disney Store at the Mall at Millenia. No mention of the Sanford store was made. Still not 100% sure if the Sanford location is closing for good or for refurb. Thanks to Chris for the heads up.
Update: The sign made it seem forever, but our friend Chris just tweeted us: “The Sanford Mall is changing over to the new “magic” store.” So it seems this is just a refurb and it will open up again one day.
In our never ending competition for best athlete on the DV staff, MC felt he had to out-do my WDW Half Marathon triumph by climbing through the tree top obstacle course that is Zoom Air in Sanford, FL. To relax after his workout, he appearntly decided to stop by the Sanford Mall and check out the Vinylmation scene at the Disney Store there. And although the store was open today, it had this ominous sign outside.
In case you can not read the fine print, Peter Pan is telling guests that this location will close it’s doors “on or before January 24, 2012.” The “Never Say Goodbye” doesn’t seem to refer to the store coming back, but rather sending guest to DisneyStore.com. What does this mean for Central Florida collectors? We will have no choice but to brave the tourists and venture to Florida Mall on Orange Blossom Trail.
They are going to be changing over to the new layout of the stores like Tampa and Florida Mall.
I think they sign is meant to say “we are closing, but not for good but we don’t want to announce the change over…in the meantime, there’s all ways Ds.com” (and you’d figure they would mention the other Orlando store in the FL mall if this was indeed “forever”)
But this is just my interpretation of the sign.
Does anyone know what vinyls the Sanford store has as of, well, now? I had two CMs say different things when I called…
MC said it’s probably not worth a trip. Not much there at all.
Ah. I was hoping to find perhaps some V2 but it would be a waste of time if that’s the case…
They are doing the same thing to my Disney Store at Tyson’s Corner Mall (outside Washington DC). They said they will be closed until April for renovations…no choice but DS.com or Ebay…so sad.
In an update (Stitch Kingdom had this article up) from Disney talking about the changes coming to many stores across the U.S.A., I saw this:
Disney Store will also open its second newly-designed store in Orlando, Florida at the Mall at Millenia.
No mention of the Sanford store…So maybe its not reopening after all?
Ah, that is likely. Not sure if I like having to drive down further to see any of the Disney Stores now. :
Something tells me that The Disney Store will be opening in The Pavilion (over in Port Orange, FL) sometime later this year or in 2013……..