The new concept, also called Disney Store, features a sparkling ‘Pixie Path’ that takes shoppers through the store on a tour of interactive elements including a movie theatre with jukebox-style controls, a towering walk-through castle with a magic mirror that shows video clips, and RideMakerz, a cars-themed workshop where customers can build their own die-cast or remote-controlled automobiles.
The 5,183 square feet Disney Store will open in the space previously occupied by Heritage 1981. The store features three popular CARS characters – Lightning McQueen, Mater and Sally. Fans can use tools to assemble their car, and customise it with a wide selection of rims, side pipes, hoods scoops, blown engines, spoilers and other accessories. Disney-Pixar CARS-branded Ridemakerz toy vehicles will currently be available within the new Disney Store design and, later at Ridemakerz retail locations.
An iconic child-sized castle with a magic mirror is featured in the store. Children’s favorite Disney Princess character appears with the wave of a wand. Accessed via an interactive kiosk with touch screen, the latest Disney store provides animated experience to the user with the ability to navigate a 3-D view of all Disney Store and DisneyStore.com products and discover the latest Disney Store news via video clips, articles, and social media feeds. This application also allows the Disney Store to share its news to customers, who can then share information and in-store events via email, Twitter and Facebook.
Guests can pick from a selection of pre-loaded content that will be updated regularly and can view classic and new Disney entertainment, sneak-peek previews, music videos and more. The theater will also serve for special in-store events such as reading time, scavenger hunts and more.
The South Orange County location is the fifth in the US with the first opened in June 2010 in Montebello. Final North American location will open in Times Square in New York in November 2010.
The concept was conceived nearly a year and a half ago in Glendale with an aim to give a child the best 30 minutes of his day. The first child to arrive at the store each day will get to turn open a mock padlock key. Each child will also get an opportunity to carry a miniature version of the key to commemorate the experience.
