Thank you to everyone who wrote in.
The Magic of a Magic Store
I became a professional, world-champion magician BECAUSE of that store on Main Street! In fact, I do a routine where I tell the story of what a magical experience it was and one of my greatest memories. 
Unfortunately, it was a mere shadow of what it once was - no decent demonstrators - not any REAL magic to offer - no magical atmosphere. At least in my last visit - about 4 years ago. I started learning magic when I was four years old, and saw the Disney shop for the first time when I was 7. Never turned back...I hope they can bring it back to the special place it was back when...
JoeGivan, August 29, 2009 at 12:25 am
Given the right demo sales team and with the right marketing (i.e. to kids) they could sell a lot of magic in that venue. They might not make as much money as selling T shirts, but it would add to the Disney mystique for the tourists. They just need the right guy with the right vision running it. I remember going to the magic shops at Niagara falls when I was a kid. Those always made an impression on me, and was instrumental in planting the seed of magic in my life.
dks, September 1, 2009 at 12:46 pm
No Love for Houdini's Magic Shop
As a former employee of Houdini's, I have no doubt they will be using the same over aggressive tactics to "move product" at this new store. Trying to convince 8 year old kids that the Hummer card is a very easy trick, is just the beginning. They are also adept at plagiarizing effects, re-naming them, jacking up the price and not crediting their creators. Also, their "certification" means you are able to demo the top 20 tricks (i.e. Rising Card, D-Lite, Svengali, Scotch, Lethal, etc) or at least understand how they work. Seeing as they were unable to keep their shop open at a cut-rate amusement park (Circus Circus), I have serious doubts they can maintain at a world-class park like Disneyland, let alone carry on the Main Street Magic tradition.
Grndl, October 9, 2009 at 5:00 pm
If Houdini's takes over the Disneyland Main Street Magic Store, I can just see all those incompetent sales/demonstrators exposing "helicopter card" on the sidewalk in front of the store. I was in Vegas recently and I kept seeing guys out in front of Houdini's with non-spinning cards dangling from their hands.
Ajayvo, September 2, 2009 at 3:00 am
I just was in Vegas and the Houdini shops are not Disneyesque in the least. I felt sorry for the demonstrator at this particular outlet, he was manning the late shift 10 pm on a Friday night. He was doing the Hummer Card, which they repackage as Helicopter Card. My wife was impressed so i bought it, knowing that it would take practice, even though the salesman said it was 'easy.' The instruction booklet was a joke, with pages duplicated and complex moves described in a few sentences and line drawings. I don't think Disney would tolerate such shoddy merchandise.
Bill Clark, October 13, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I was in Vegas and I saw nonspinning cards hanging from the hands of Houdini salespeople too. Gee, I wonder how the trick works? Is there anyone who visits Vegas who doesn't know after seeing the demo? After walking around the casinos, New York, Caesars, Circus Circus etc., I got tired of seeing those cookie cutter Houdini stores and those sales people pushing those spinning cards.
Jtenny, September 2, 2009 at 3:07 am
Not the mystique or the feeling or aura of the "Disney" magic shop... and not even a close replacement. Houdini's is just cookie-cutter chain of stores that is exactly the same in every location. Every hotel in Vegas has one and therefore NONE are special at all anymore, let alone Disney-oriented in any way. I hope the vendor that takes over the Main Street Magic Shop keeps it "The Main Street Magic Shop," and god willing, not another generic Houdini's.
MM, September 1, 2009 at 10:43 pm
More Reading:
Disneyland Magic - Pepper's Ghost
The Return of Disneyland Magic?
A Hit on Disney Magic
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