What Should Disney Do Now?
Traditionally, the Disney corporate culture has been one of control with high concern for image, brand, and synergy. With that in mind, I don't think Disney will or should allow another company to control the Disney Stores, at least not beyond what the Oriental Land Company already has.

There are two main options I think could work for Disney, and both involve shuttering almost all of the current stores.

The less ambitious option would be to form a strategic alliance with a major store chain, either mall anchor stores or stores such as Wal-Mart or Target. A corner of the store would be devoted to Disney offerings, and everyone would know that you go to those stores to find Disney merchandise.

The more ambitious option would be to take the Downtown Disney model, refine it, and repeat it in major metropolitan markets. Such "Disneytowns" wouldn't be on the scale of Downtown Disney, but would be something that could still occupy guests for hours.

Over the years, Disney has tried several location-based ventures aside from the typical Disney Store. It has offered, among other things, DisneyQuest (ill-fated new generation of arcade), Mickey's Kitchen (ill-fated burger joint), and Club Disney (ill-fated playground for children). One of the reasons that these ventures have had problems is that they didn't have the proper setting.

A Disneytown could be contained under a single roof or be set up like Downtown Disney. They don't have to be the same. Variety would be a plus. Disney has lots of brands and models to choose from to populate such developments.

Such a development could feature: (reworked if needed) versions of World of Disney; ESPN Zone/Store; DisneyQuest; ABC Soap Opera Bistro; a media store featuring movies, books, music, etc. from Disney, Touchstone, Hyperion, etc.; the Disney Gallery/Disneyana; and (not necessarily the same theme) versions of Pleasure Island clubs. It could be anchored with easily changeable attractions such as a Broadway-style stage and theaters such as a multiplex, simulator, IMAX, CircleVision, or Magic Eye, even a dark-ride track. It could also be the home of Disney-owned local radio and television stations and Disney Travel. Finally, in some locations, a themed Disney hotel-resort could be attached.

The idea wouldn't be to replace trips to Disney Resorts, but rather to offer local entertainment and get them in the mood to plan another trip to one of the major Disney Resorts. Instead of having a Disney Store in every single mall, there would be one place in a Chicago area, and the Seattle area, and so forth where people could hang out. The actual mix and layout of the development would be customized for the location, and each would be distinct. For Disney fans, they would be the place to go when visiting different cities.

We just have to wait and see what Disney will actually do. I don't know what the numbers would be on something like a Disneytown, and I doubt Disney will try anything like that soon, given the trouble Disney has had in regional entertainment projects. As for me, I live close enough to the Disneyland Resort, so I've got my Disney fix anyway.

What do you think? Will Disney shutter the Stores, or sell them? Will Disney try other ventures away from the Resorts?