Disney Stores Plan Massive Overhaul

Disney, which reacquired the Disney Store chain last year, plans a huge redesign of its stores.

The changes won't come a moment too soon, as the once-interesting stores have been gradually run into the ground. (Some of the decline occurred while the stores were under the ownership of The Children's Place.) The Disney Stores are generally messy and aimed only at the 10-and-under set.

Disney plans a high-tech re-do of the stores with the help of Apple. They plan to spend a million dollars per store on the updates.

The stores will be highly interactive, aiming to be "the best 30 minutes of a child's day." Let's hope older children and parents aren't left out of the equation and that the stores once again carry merchandise that appeals to those who are no longer elementary school age.

Southern Californians will be among the first to see the redesigned stores, which are due to open here next May.

(Hat tip: The Disney Blog.)