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Has Epcot’s Premiere World Showcase Store Lost Its Luster?

World Showcase Japan
Credit: Kristopher Michael, Flickr

With champagne and beer steins a-plenty, Disney Guests flock to EPCOT’s World Showcase to eat, drink, and enjoy the magic.

But if cocktails and cultural delicacies were all the Pavilions had to showcase, Disney Guests might not linger as long. Most of the charm, intricate details, and Cast Member interactions happen outside of the dining areas at The World Showcase.

Attractions like “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros” at the Mexico Pavilion and “Frozen Ever After” at the Norway Pavilion are major crowd drivers. Still, one element of the Pavilions opens a door into their respective cultures: the shops.

While the kiddos love to check out the trinkets at the Fjording Shop at the Norway Pavilion and kids of all ages favor The Toy Solider at the UK Pavilion, one store has reigned superior for decades: the Mitsukoshi Department Store.

Mitsukoshi

Credit: Mitsukoshi USA

The Premiere Pavilion Store

Hailed as a top store in Walt Disney World beyond the Showcase, the Mitsukoshi Department Store has made the Japan Pavilion a top contender. The shop features cultural fare like kimonos, potted plants, and Japanese snacks. The crown jewel of the store has always been the section featuring Japanese pop culture, with videogame characters, kaiju monsters, and Miyazaki characters displayed on an array of merchandise.

But in the wake of COVID-19, u/DonovanKreed took to Reddit to find out if any other Disney enthusiasts have noticed a crack in the Samurai store’s armor, asking:

 What happened to the Mitsukoshi Store?

What happened to the Mitsukoshi Store?
by u/DonovanKreed in WaltDisneyWorld

Over 80 comments flocked to the post, offering insight into whether or not EPCOT’s most mighty store has fallen.

Disney Fans Weigh in on the World Showcase

One Redditor, u/AndyInAtlanta, offered a perspective about online shopping phasing out Mitsukoshi’s collection:

Just from my own time spent in the store, the overwhelming majority of people just like to see the merchandise while few actually buy something. For starters, it’s 2023, everything sold in there is easily available online for usually a much better price. I can imagine its a whole lot easier to just buy it online and have it shipped to your residence then have to walk around the rest of the day with it. I can’t remember the last item I saw in there that was unique to Epcot.

Comment
by u/AndyInAtlanta from discussion What happened to the Mitsukoshi Store?
in WaltDisneyWorld

In a comment by ​​u/marleythebeagle, residual supply-chain issues were proposed as a culprit:

The entire store (along with the main shop in the UK pavilion) still feels like it’s only at about 2/3 of its original pre-Covid inventory :\

Comment
by u/marleythebeagle from discussion What happened to the Mitsukoshi Store?
in WaltDisneyWorld

Backing that sentiment, u/FitterOver40 added:

A colleague and friend used to work for Mitsukoshi corp at the Epcot office (no longer there). From what I’m told the execs are a hot mess, their supply chain is a joke and they don’t know how to run a store in Epcot.

It’s unfortunate, we loved that store. It was just fun to walk through and look at all the wares. We were there a year ago and found the merch and assortment lacking.

Comment
by u/FitterOver40 from discussion What happened to the Mitsukoshi Store?
in WaltDisneyWorld

Responses ranged from COVID-19 blunders to dwindling space with the new fine dining restaurant, ​​Shiki Sai: Sushi Izakaya, coming to the Japan Pavilion.

One common theme ran throughout the thread: World Showcase stores have been losing their luster, with the beloved Mitsukoshi Department Store at the forefront.

About Kaitlin Morelli

A Disney World Guest since before she could walk, Kaitlin is a Jersey girl and former Virginia Tech Hokie. When she's not listening to the 'Moana' soundtrack on repeat with her baby daughter, she's writing, singing, and strumming the ukulele. Kaitlin is passionate about finding the best Disney Park tips n' tricks and moments when pop culture and Disney collide. She's looking forward to eventually taking her first Disney trip with her favorite fan in the making: her daughter.

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