Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
World of Disney is the ultimate shopping destination for Disney fans. Located in the Marketplace area of Disney Springs, this massive retail space has been welcoming guests since 1996.
As one of the world’s largest Disney stores, spanning an impressive 51,000 square feet, World of Disney offers an immersive shopping experience packed with magic, nostalgia, and exclusive Disney merchandise.
A Store That Once Needed a Map
In its early days, the World of Disney was so vast and maze-like that guests often got separated from their party. Parents even reported losing their children among the countless displays!
The store once featured highly themed sections with unique decorations, making each area feel like its own world. However, as Disney Springs evolved, so did the World of Disney.
The Remodel: A New Look and Feel
The remodeled World of Disney at Disney Springs reopened in 2018, revealing a completely refreshed shopping experience.
- Improved Navigation: The store’s layout is now open and spacious, making finding what you’re looking for much easier.
- Architectural Details: High ceilings and large windows allow for natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
- Streamlined Checkout: Two distinct pay stations make the checkout process more efficient, eliminating the need to search for registers throughout the store.
Credit: Disney
Hidden Details and Magical Touches
Although the remodel introduced a modern industrial-style look, the space retains charming nods to its animated past.
- Enchanted Movie Posters: Scattered throughout the store, these posters magically come to life before your eyes.
- Pixie Dust Jars: Colorful jars filled with swirling pixie dust create a whimsical ambiance.
- Disney Animator Sketches: Look closely at the register areas, and you’ll find sketches left behind by Disney animators.
- Ceiling Murals: The store’s ceilings feature stunning murals that celebrate classic Disney animation.
Multiple Entrances for Easy Access
Given its massive size, World of Disney features multiple entrances, each marked with the store’s logo.
The entrance across from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop has an extra surprise—be careful, as Stitch might give you a playful squirt of water!
More Than Just One Location
Did you know the Disney Springs location was the first of four World of Disney stores worldwide? Here’s how they compare:
- Disney Springs (Walt Disney World) – Opened in 1996, the largest at 51,000 square feet.
- Downtown Disney (Disneyland Resort, Anaheim) – Opened in 2001, covering 40,000 square feet.
- Disney Village (Disneyland Paris) – The smallest World of Disney, spanning 15,000 square feet.
- Disneytown (Shanghai Disney Resort) – Opened in 2016, alongside Shanghai Disneyland.
Before the remodel, World of Disney’s rooms had themed names, which helped cast members navigate the sprawling space. Some of these names are still referenced today.
- Princess – Formerly home to princess-themed merchandise, now a register area.
- Snow White’s – Once a baby and toddler merchandise area, it is now dedicated to Disney t-shirts.
- Carnival – Previously filled with plush toys, it is now the go-to spot for Mouse Ears and hats.
- Map – Formerly a souvenir hotspot, it is now a large open space leading to the store’s center.
- Bird – Once dedicated to menswear, this area now showcases Mickey-themed apparel.
- Villains – Previously, the location was for jewelry and accessories, but now it features toys and plush items.
- Rotunda – The heart of the store, once home to a Cinderella Castle statue, now houses special collections.
- Adventure – Located beneath Stitch, previously the boys’ section, now a home goods area.
Hidden Storage Areas
Due to the store’s sheer volume of merchandise, three storerooms keep inventory stocked.
- Cindy’s (Cinderella) – Ground floor storage for packing materials and shipped purchases.
- Belle’s – Located above Adventure, storing clothing items.
- Ariel’s – Positioned above Map, Carnival, and Bird, housing general merchandise.
Interestingly, cast members used to be able to walk between Belle’s and Ariel’s storerooms via a hidden passageway, offering a unique overhead view of the store!
